Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delaunay versus max‐min solid angle triangulations for three‐dimensional mesh generation

The Delaunay triangulation has been used in several methods for generating finite element tetrahedral meshes in three-dimensional polyhedral regions. Other types of three-dimensional triangulations are possible, such as a triangulation satisfying a local max-min solid angle criterion. In this paper, we present experimental results to show that max-min solid angle triangulations are better than Delaunay triangulations for finite element tetrahedral meshes, since the former type of triangulations contains tetrahedra of better shape than the latter type. We also describe how mesh points are generated and triangulated in our tetrahedral mesh generation method.
The clinical course of untreated CIN2 (HPV16/18+) under active monitoring: A protocol of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most prevalent and fatal cancers among women. Nearly all forms of CC are related to HPV, and 70% of invasive CCs are associated with HPV16 and HPV18. A histologically confirmed case of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2 or a more severe histological diagnosis is considered to be the demarcation point for treatment, but overtreatment will increases the risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. This study will evaluate the progress of CIN2 (progression, persistence, or regression) in HPV16/18+ CIN2 patients who were managed conservatively for 3 months. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Excerpta Medica Database will be searched. We will include studies reporting on women with CIN2 and HPV16/18+, conservative treatment for 3 to 60 months with disease outcomes including progression (CIN3 or worse), persistence (CIN2), and regression rates (CIN1 or less). The primary outcome will be the progress of CIN2. Two authors will search the relevant literature, extract the data, and assess the risk of bias. A funnel chart will be used to identify publication or other reporting biases, and the AHRQ guidelines will be used to assess the risk of bias in each included study. The I2 statistic will be used to assess heterogeneity. If there is a high degree of heterogeneity between the studies, the random effects model will be used; otherwise, a fixed effects model will be used. Results: The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: This systematic review will evaluate the clinical development of patients with conservatively monitored histologically confirmed HPV16/18+ CIN2.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation without preconditioning in a child with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome: A case report

Rationale: Infants with mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia are usually refractory to standard induction therapy and are not immediate candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Chromosome 11q23 translocations, resulting in MLL rearrangement, have been well characterized in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). While t(4;11) ALL continues to have carry a bleak prognosis, patients with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) have a shorter median overall survival than those compared with de novo MDS. Patient concerns: We describe a child with t-MDS who evolved from MLL-rearranged ALL and was successfully treated with HSCT without toxic preconditioning. Diagnoses: MDS diagnosis was based on morphological characteristics of bone marrow dysplasia in patients with clinical manifestations evidence of hematopoiesis impairments by different combinations of anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Interventions: Although the best donor for allo-HSCT is generally considered an human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling, only ~ 30% of patients have a suitable sibling. HSCT from an unrelated donor is a suitable option for patients with t-MDS who do not have matched sibling donors. Outcomes: Allo-HSCT without recipient preconditioning could be a promising treatment option for t-MDS, especially for patients with recurrent or persistent infections. Lessons: Cytogenetics, prognosis, and treatment of t-MDS are briefly discussed. Preconditioning before allo-HSCT seriously damages immune function. This work reviews our experience with a patient with t-MDS following ALL complicated by recurrent infections, and highlights our choice to omit preconditioning from allo-HSCT.
Very low current threshold GaAs‐AlxGa1−xAs double‐heterostructure lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

GaAs‐AlxGa1−xAs (x=0.3) double‐heterostructure (DH) lasers having very low current threshold densities have been prepared by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). For DH lasers having Al‐mole‐fraction differences between the active layers and AlxGa1−xAs confinement layers Δx∼0.3, the best of the MBE‐grown DH laser wafers have averaged current threshold densities similar to those obtained from the best of similar‐geometry DH lasers prepared by liquid‐phase epitaxy (LPE) and by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MO‐CVD). With Δx=0.3, the lowest averaged current threshold density achieved is 800 A/cm2 (without reflective coating) for a wafer with an active layer thickness of 0.15 μm.
Outcomes Among People With Schizophrenia Participating in General-Population Smoking Cessation Treatment: An Observational Study

Objective People with schizophrenia are much more likely than others to smoke tobacco, raising risks of disease and premature mortality. These individuals are also less likely to quit successfully after treatment, but the few existing clinical and observational studies have been limited by small sample sizes, and have generally considered specialized treatment approaches. In this analysis, we examine outcomes, service use, and potential explanatory variables in a large sample of people with schizophrenia treated in a general-population cessation program. Method Our sample comprised 3,011 people with schizophrenia and 77,790 controls receiving free nicotine replacement therapy through 400 clinics and health centres. We analysed self-reported 7-day abstinence or reduction at 6-month follow-up, as well as the number of visits attended and self-reported difficulties in quitting. We adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and health variables, and used multiple imputation to address missing data. Results Abstinence was achieved by 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5% to 17.8%) of people with schizophrenia and 26.4% (95% CI, 26.0% to 26.7%) of others (absolute difference = 10.2%; 95% CI, 8.5% to 11.9%; P < 0.001). After adjustment, this difference was reduced to 7.3% (95% CI, 5.4% to 9.3%; P < 0.001). Reduction in use was reported by 11.8% (95% CI, 10.3% to 13.3%) and 12.5% (95% CI, 12.2% to 12.8%), respectively; this difference was nonsignificant after adjustment. People with schizophrenia attended more clinic visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.12% to 1.18%, P < 0.001) and reported more difficulties related to “being around other smokers” (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.11% to 1.47%; P = 0.001). Conclusion There is abundant demand for tobacco cessation treatment in this population. Outcomes were substantially poorer for people with schizophrenia, and this difference was not explained by covariates. Cessation remained much better than for unaided quit attempts, however, and engagement was high, demonstrating that people with schizophrenia benefit from nonspecialized pharmacological treatment programs.
Pre‐set estimation‐based in‐silico silhouette‐based methodology for improving the robustness to viewing direction difference for assisting forensic gait analysis

Forensic gait analysis is used to visually and quantitatively analyze information regarding the appearance and style of walking that can be presented as evidence in the court. The demand for analyzing CCTV pedestrian footage in video surveillance has been increasing. The dependence of the accuracy of semiautomatic silhouette‐based analysis, often used in forensic science, on the differences in the viewing directions is a very challenging issue that is yet to be resolved for real case applications. Currently, the different viewing directions used in comparison footage significantly decrease the accuracy of same person analysis when using the silhouette‐based method, often used in the Japanese forensic science domain. A calibration‐based method was previously prosed to resolve this problem, but it requires performing an elaborate measurement procedure at the camera installation site for an accurate analysis. In this study, we propose a novel in‐silico silhouette‐based analysis method that significantly expands the number of viewing direction pre‐set settings to 900 from the 24 used in the previous method. Several software tools have been developed to ensure that all the procedures can be executed on a computer. The experimental results confirm that the accuracy of the proposed method is comparable to that of the calibration‐based method. Furthermore, the practical comparison results from actual consultation confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method under existing viewing direction differences. We therefore anticipate that the proposed method will be beneficial for improving the analysis accuracy in real cases and therefore serve as a substitute of the previous method.
Formation of singularities in Hall magnetohydrodynamics

Hall magnetohydrodynamics has proved a useful model in several physical phenomena, in particular, in fast magnetic reconnection. The induction equation for this model involves the nonlinear Hall term which has been suspected to imply loss of regularity and in particular formation of singularities of the current density. Numerical simulations strongly suggest that this is the case, but so far a rigorous proof was lacking. We show that for a particular axisymmetric geometry, certain integrals of the magnetic field satisfy a differential inequality that leads to a finite-time blow-up of the field gradient, and therefore of the current density. We may interpret this as a breakdown of the field regularity and the formation of discontinuous solutions.
Dynamic output feedback stabilization of a class of switched linear systems

In this brief, dynamic output feedback stabilization is investigated for a class of switched linear control systems. Firstly, the switched systems are transformed into the canonical form with a clear system structure. Next, the problem of stabilization via state feedback control is addressed based on the canonical decomposition. Then, a state estimator is introduced to approximate the state vector. Finally, we bring the estimator into the feedback loop and establish the separation property of the overall system. The dynamic output feedback stabilization problem is, thus, solved in a constructive manner.
Immunity against Moraxella catarrhalis requires guanylate‐binding proteins and caspase‐11‐NLRP3 inflammasomes

Moraxella catarrhalis is an important human respiratory pathogen and a major causative agent of otitis media and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Toll‐like receptors contribute to, but cannot fully account for, the complexity of the immune response seen in M. catarrhalis infection. Using primary mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages to examine the host response to M. catarrhalis infection, our global transcriptomic and targeted cytokine analyses revealed activation of immune signalling pathways by both membrane‐bound and cytosolic pattern‐recognition receptors. We show that M. catarrhalis and its outer membrane vesicles or lipooligosaccharide (LOS) can activate the cytosolic innate immune sensor caspase‐4/11, gasdermin‐D‐dependent pyroptosis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome in human and mouse macrophages. This pathway is initiated by type I interferon signalling and guanylate‐binding proteins (GBPs). We also show that inflammasomes and GBPs, particularly GBP2, are required for the host defence against M. catarrhalis in mice. Overall, our results reveal an essential role for the interferon‐inflammasome axis in cytosolic recognition and immunity against M. catarrhalis, providing new molecular targets that may be used to mitigate pathological inflammation triggered by this pathogen.
Silicon pore optics: novel lightweight high-resolution x-ray optics developed for XEUS

The next generation astronomical X-ray telescopes (e.g. XEUS) require extremely large collecting area (10 m2) in combination with good angular resolution (5 arcsec). The existing technologies such as polished glass, nickel electroforming and foil optics would lead to excessively heavy and expensive optics, and/or are not able to produce the required large area or resolution. We have developed an entirely novel technology for producing X-ray optics which results in very light, stiff and modular optics which can be assembled into almost arbitrarily large apertures, and which are perfectly suited for XEUS. The technology makes use of commercially available silicon wafers from the semiconductor industry. The latest generation silicon wafers have a surface roughness that is sufficiently low for X-ray reflection, are planparallel to better than a micrometer, have almost perfect mechanical properties and are considerably cheaper than other high-quality optical materials. The wafers are bent into an accurate cone and assembled to form a light and stiff pore structure with pores of the order of a millimeter. The resulting modules form a small segment of a Wolter-I optic, and are easily assembled into an optic with large collecting area. We present the production principle of these silicon pore optics, the facilities that have been set up to produce these modules and experimental results showing the excellent performance of the first modules that have been produced. With further improvement we expect to be able to match the XEUS requirements for imaging resolution and mass.
Experience-dependent learning effects in speech production with spectrally degraded feedback

This study examined the speech of normal-hearing adult participants before and during their use of a portable, real-time vocoder (PRTV). The PRTV continuously transforms environmental acoustics, including speakers' own speech feedback, via a real-time simulation of cochlear implant processing. The impacts of this substantial spectral degradation on speech production were measured in three groups of subjects: Group 1 received altered acoustic feedback for one continuous 55 minute session; Group 2 experienced the feedback transformation for one session of 6 hours total; and Group 3 wore the PRTV for four consecutive sessions of 4 hours each, for a total of 16 hours of experience. Speakers in each group were recorded producing 114 isolated English words and 24 sentences both before their feedback manipulation began and at periodic intervals during their experimental session(s). Acoustic-phonetic analyses of the speech produced by subjects in all three groups revealed substantial effects of the spectral feedback degradation in several domains, including fluency/speaking rate, vocal affect, and vowel quality. Speakers were able to adjust and recover quickly in some of these areas, such as affect, while other changes, such as those in vowel quality and speaking rate, remained despite 16 hours of experience with the acoustic transformation.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of some novel naphthoquinone‐glycine/β‐alanine anilide derivatives as noncovalent proteasome inhibitors

A series of novel noncovalent glycine/β‐alanine anilide derivatives possessing 2‐chloronaphthoquinone structure as a pharmacophoric unit were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antiproliferative and antiproteasomal activities against MCF‐7 cell line, in vitro. According to biological activity results, all the target compounds showed antiproliferative activity in the range of IC50 = 7.10 ± 0.10–41.08 ± 0.14 μM and most of them exhibited inhibitory efficacy with varying ratios against the three catalytic subunits (β1, β2, and β5) presenting caspase‐like (C‐L), trypsin‐like (T‐L) and chymotrypsin‐like (ChT‐L) activities of proteasome. The antiproteasomal activity evaluations revealed that compounds preferentially inhibited the β5 subunit compared with β1 and β2 subunits of the proteasome. Among the compounds, compounds 7 and 9 showed the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC50 value of 7.10 ± 0.10 and 7.43 ± 0.25 μM, respectively. Additionally, compound 7 displayed comparable potency to PI‐083 lead compound in terms of β5 antiproteasomal activity with an inhibition percentage of 34.67 at 10 μM. This compound showed an IC50 value of 32.30 ± 0.45 μM against β5 subunit. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies of the most active compound 7 revealed key interactions with β5 subunit. The results suggest that this class of compounds may be beneficial for the development of new potent proteasome inhibitors.
Advances in oxidative stress in pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease and efficacy of TCM intervention

Abstract Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of diabetes and has become the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. The pathogenesis of DKD is complicated, and oxidative stress is considered as a core of DKD onset. High glucose can lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the polyol, PKC, AGE/RAGE and hexosamine pathways, resulting in enhanced oxidative stress response. In this way, pathways such as PI3K/Akt, TGF-β1/p38-MAPK and NF-κB are activated, inducing endothelial cell apoptosis, inflammation, autophagy and fibrosis that cause histologic and functional abnormalities of the kidney and finally result in kidney injury. Presently, the treatment for DKD remains an unresolved issue. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages for DKD prevention and treatment attributed to its multi-target, multi-component, and multi-pathway characteristics. Numerous studies have proved that Chinese herbs (e.g., Golden Thread, Kudzuvine Root, Tripterygium glycosides, and Ginseng) and patent medicines (e.g., Shenshuaining Tablet, Compound Rhizoma Coptidis Capsule, and Zishen Tongluo Granule) are effective for DKD treatment. The present review described the role of oxidative stress in DKD pathogenesis and the effect of TCM intervention for DKD prevention and treatment, in an attempt to provide evidence for clinical practice.
Observations of 85. cap alpha. recombination lines from M16

Hydrogen and helium recombination-line observations have been made at eight positions in M16. These observations are compatible with a two-component model of the ionized gas, one component being an extended low-excitation region, the other being a higher-excitation region (with the helium ionized) at a radial velocity about 10 km s/sup -1/ greater than the mean velocity of the first component. The observed radial-velocity variations in the first component appear to be related to streaming motions from ionization fronts. The helium line emission is at a velocity comparable to that of the hottest exciting stars. The continuum radio emission is very low considering the number of O stars in the nebula, indicating that it is probably density bounded.
Reduced-order observers for the velocity estimation of non-linear mechanical systems subject to non-smooth impacts

The problem of the velocity estimation from position measurement for multi-degrees-of-freedom non-linear mechanical systems subject to non-smooth impacts, is considered. A reduced-order observer is proposed, which guarantees that the corresponding error dynamics are locally exponentially stable, also in presence of an infinite sequence of non-smooth impacts.
Phase Transitions and Their Bifurcation Analysis in a Large Population of Active Rotators with Mean-Field Coupling

Bifurcation structures associated with the onset of macroscopic rhythms in a large population of active rotators are analyzed theoretically and numerically. The phase transition involving hyster· esis found numerically in a previous work are investigated in greater detail with particular attention to codimension·two bifurcation points. As a result, unexpectedly rich bifurcation structures are revealed. '
Invariant-set-based fault tolerant control using virtual sensors

In this study an invariant-set approach to sensor FDI is employed together with control system reconfiguration based on the use of a virtual sensor. In the proposed FDI approach, invariant sets are specified for each considered healthy/faulty situation in the system's sensor structure. The detection mechanism is based on the separation between the computed invariant sets and ‘transition’ sets where appropriate residual variables ‘jump’ when faults occur. The closed-loop system is then reconfigured by means of a virtual sensor which is adapted to the detected fault. Furthermore, conditions are derived in terms of bounds on reference signals, noise and disturbances which guarantee the stability of the closed-loop system under the resulting fault tolerant control scheme for all considered fault situations. Simulation results of the proposed scheme on a longitudinal car following scenario and experimental results on a laboratory scale magnetic levitation system confirm the validity of the approach under realistic conditions.
The Value of Handgrip Strength and Self-Rated Squat Ability in Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment: Development and Validation of a Prediction Model

Early identification of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential to combat worldwide dementia threats. Physical function indicators might be low-cost early markers for cognitive decline. To establish an early identification tool for MCI by combining physical function indicators (upper and lower limb function) via a clinical prediction modeling strategy. A total of 5393 participants aged 60 or older were included in the model. The variables selected for the model included sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral factors, mental status and chronic conditions, upper limb function (handgrip strength), and lower limb function (self-rated squat ability). Two models were developed to test the predictive value of handgrip strength (Model 1) or self-rated squat ability (Model 2) separately, and Model 3 was developed by combining handgrip strength and self-rated squat ability. The 3 models all yielded good discrimination performance (area under the curve values ranged from 0.719 to 0.732). The estimated net reclassification improvement values were 0.3279 and 0.1862 in Model 3 when comparing Model 3 to Model 1 and Model 2, respectively. The integrated discrimination improvement values were estimated as 0.0139 and 0.0128 when comparing Model 3 with Model 1 and Model 2, respectively. The model that contains both upper and lower limb function has better performance in predicting MCI. The final prediction model is expected to assist health workers in early identification of MCI, thus supporting early interventions to reduce future risk of AD, particularly in socioeconomically deprived communities.