Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A high-order moment approach for capturing non-equilibrium phenomena in the transition regime

The method of moments is employed to extend the validity of continuum-hydrodynamic models into the transition-flow regime. An evaluation of the regularized 13 moment equations for two confined flow problems, planar Couette and Poiseuille flows, indicates some important limitations. For planar Couette flow at a Knudsen number of 0.25, they fail to reproduce the Knudsen-layer velocity profile observed using a direct simulation Monte Carlo approach, and the higher-order moments are not captured particularly well. Moreover, for Poiseuille flow, this system of equations creates a large slip velocity leading to significant overprediction of the mass flow rate for Knudsen numbers above 0.4. To overcome some of these difficulties, the theory of regularized moment equations is extended to 26 moment equations. This new set of equations highlights the importance of both gradient and non-gradient transport mechanisms and is shown to overcome many of the limitations observed in the regularized 13 moment equations. In particular, for planar Couette flow, they can successfully capture the observed Knudsen-layer velocity profile well into the transition regime. Moreover, this new set of equations can correctly predict the Knudsen layer, the velocity profile and the mass flow rate of pressure-driven Poiseuille flow for Knudsen numbers up to 1.0 and captures the bimodal temperature profile in force-driven Poiseuille flow. Above this value, the 26 moment equations are not able to accurately capture the velocity profile in the centre of the channel. However, they are able to capture the basic trends and successfully predict a Knudsen minimum at the correct value of the Knudsen number.
Phase Transition of the Three-Dimensional Heisenberg Antiferromagnet on the Layered-Triangular Lattice

Phase transition of the frustrated X Y (plane rotator) antiferromagnet on the three-dimensional layered-triangular lattice is studied with use of a symmetry argument and a Monte Carlo simulation. A second-order transition of a new universality class is found with the exponents α≃0.44, β≃0.22, γ≃1.1 and ν≃0.52. Certain types of canted or helical magnets are predicted to belong to the same universality class.
On a tandem queueing model with identical service times at both counters, I

This paper considers a queueing system consisting of two single-server queues in series, in which the service times of an arbitrary customer at both queues are identical. Customers arrive at the first queue according to a Poisson process. Of this model, which is of importance in modern network design, a rather complete analysis will be given. The results include necessary and sufficient conditions for stationarity of the tandem system, expressions for the joint stationary distributions of the actual waiting times at both queues and of the virtual waiting times at both queues, and explicit expressions (i.e., not in transform form) for the stationary distributions of the sojourn times and of the actual and virtual waiting times at the second queue. In Part II (pp. 644–659) these results will be used to obtain asymptotic and numerical results, which will provide more insight into the general phenomenon of tandem queueing with correlated service times at the consecutive queues.
Pre-operative systemic inflammatory response index influences long-term survival rate in off-pump surgical revascularization

Coronary artery bypass revascularization is still the optimal treatment for complex coronary artery disease with good long-term results. The relation between inflammatory activation in the post-operative period and the long-term prognosis was already postulated. The possible predictive role of preoperative inflammatory indexes after the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting technique on long term survival was the aim of the study. Study population included 171 patients with a median age of 64 years (59–64) operated on using off-pump technique between January and December 2014. Patients enrolled in the current study were followed-up for 8 years. We conducted a multivariable analysis of pre-operative and post-operative inflammatory markers based on analysis of the whole blood count. The overall survival rate was 80% for the total follow-up period, while 34 deaths were reported (30-days mortality rate of 1%). In the multivariable analysis, a pre-operative value of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) >1.27 (HR = 6.16, 95% CI 2.17–17.48, p = 0.012) revealed a prognostic value for long-term mortality assessment after off-pump surgery. Preoperative inflammatory activation evaluated by systemic inflammatory reaction index (SIRI) possess a prognostic value for patients with complex coronary artery disease. The SIRI value above 1.27 indicates a worse late prognosis after off-pump coronary artery bypass (AUC = 0.682, p<0.001).
Multilevel model in the identification of behavioral and structural risk factors for HIV: integrative review

ABSTRACT Objectives: to investigate studies that adopted the multilevel analysis model to identify behavioral and structural risk factors associated with HIV infection. Methods: an integrative review of the literature with studies available in full, obtained from EMBASE, CINAHL, Pubmed, and Scopus, whose selected descriptors were the indexed terms: “HIV”, “multilevel analysis” and “behavior”. Results: the search resulted in 236 studies. Out of these, ten studies comprised the sample. Economic disadvantage, neighborhood characteristics, housing instability, incarceration, transactional sex, multiple partners, substance abuse, and age at first intercourse were classified as structural and behavioral risk factors for HIV. Reduced socioeconomic disadvantage, provision of housing stability, and condom use were associated with protective factors for HIV exposure. Conclusions: by applying the multilevel model in risk factor research studies, it was possible to identify the structural and behavioral elements of HIV risk.
The CRISPR genotypes and genetic diversity of different serogroups of nontyphoidal Salmonella in Guizhou Province, 2013–2018

Nontyphoidal Salmonella is a bacterial and foodborne pathogen that poses a severe public health threat. However, the genetic diversity of different serogroups of nontyphoidal Salmonella in Guizhou is unknown. This study aimed to obtain the RNA secondary structure of the typical direct repeat sequences, the characteristics of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genotypes, and the genetic diversity of different serogroups of nontyphoidal Salmonella strains. The 342 nontyphoidal Salmonella strains were collected from nine cities (prefectures) of Guizhou province during 2013–2018, serotyped by slide agglutination, and examined the molecular genotypes by CRISPR method. The strains were divided into five serogroups. The dominant serogroup was group B (47.08%), followed by group D1 (36.55%). One hundred and thirty-five CRISPR genotypes were detected with 108 novel spacer sequences amongst 981 unique spacer sequences. The diversity of nontyphoidal Salmonella CRISPR loci was not only the deletion, duplication, or point mutation of spacer sequences but also the acquisition of new spacer sequences to form novel genotypes. The CRISPR genotyping was an effective typing method that could reveal the genetic diversity of different nontyphoidal Salmonella serotypes except for S. Enteritidis.
Internal and external microbiota of home-caught Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: Culicidae) from Côte d’Ivoire, Africa: Mosquitoes are filthy

Over the past 10 years, studies using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing have shown that mosquitoes harbor diverse bacterial communities in their digestive system. However, no previous research has examined the total bacteria community inside versus outside of mosquitoes and whether bacteria found on the outside could represent a potential health threat through mechanical transfer. We examined the bacterial community of the external surface and internal body of female Anopheles coluzzii adults collected from homes in Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, by Illumina sequencing of the V3 to V4 region of 16S rRNA gene. Anopheles coluzzii is in the Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) species complex and important in the transmission of malaria. The total 16S rRNA reads were assigned to 34 phyla, 73 orders, 325 families, and 700 genera. At the genus level, the most abundant genera inside and outside combined were Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Corynebacterium, Kocuria, Providencia, and Sphingomonas. Mosquitoes had a greater diversity of bacterial taxa internally compared to the outside. The internal bacterial communities were similar between homes, while the external body samples were significantly different between homes. The bacteria on the external body were associated with plants, human and animal skin, and human and animal infections. Internally, Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia typhi were found, potentially of importance, since this genus is associated with human diseases. Based on these findings, further research is warranted to assess the potential mechanical transmission of bacteria by mosquitoes moving into homes and the importance of the internal mosquito microbiota in human health.
TWO-PHASE PRESSURE DROP OF CO2 IN MINI TUBES AND MICROCHANNELS

Two-phase pressure drops of CO2 are investigated in mini tubes with inner diameters of 2.0 and 0.98 mm and in microchannels with hydraulic diameters from 1.08 to 1.54 mm. For the mini tubes, the tests were conducted with a variation of mass flux from 500 to 3570 kg/m2s, heat flux from 7 to 48 kW/m2, while maintaining saturation temperatures at 0, 5, and 10°C. For the microchannels, mass flux was varied from 100 to 400 kg/m2s and heat flux was altered from 5 to 20 kW/m2. A direct heating method was used to provide heat flux into the refrigerant. The pressure drop of CO2 in the mini tubes shows very similar trends with those in large diameter tubes. Although the microchannel has a small hydraulic diameter, it shows a larger Chisholm parameter in two-phase multiplier. Based on the experimental data in this study, the Chisholm parameter in the Lockhart and Martinelli correlation is modified by considering diameter effects on the two-phase multiplier.
Competing Risks Quantile Regression

Quantile regression has emerged as a significant extension of traditional linear models and its potential in survival applications has recently been recognized. In this paper we study quantile regression with competing risks data, formulating the model based on conditional quantiles defined using the cumulative incidence function, which includes as a special case an analog to the usual accelerated failure time model. The proposed competing risks quantile regression model provides meaningful physical interpretations of covariate effects and, moreover, relaxes the constancy constraint on regression coefficients, thereby providing a useful, perhaps more flexible, alternative to the popular subdistribution proportional hazards model. We derive an unbiased monotone estimating equation for regression parameters in the quantile model. The uniform consistency and weak convergence of the resulting estimators are established across a quantile continuum. We develop inferences, including covariance estimation, second-stage exploration, and model diagnostics, which can be stably implemented using standard statistical software without involving smoothing or resampling. Our proposals are illustrated via simulation studies and an application to a breast cancer clinical trial.
Feeding injury of major lepidopteran soybean pests in South America

Lepidopteran pests are major factors limiting soybean productivity in South America. In some cases, effective management of these species requires the use of foliar insecticides. For sustainable use of these insecticides, they should only be applied when insect population size exceeds an economic threshold. Since this estimation requires to determine the consumption of different species, this work aimed to integrate all these factors, studying the consumption of small (less than 1 cm long) and medium (1 to 1.5 cm long) size larvae of major lepidopteran pests to vegetative and reproductive tissues on Bt (M7739IPRO variety, containing the event MON87701 which expresses the Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis) and non-Bt (BMX Desafio RR variety) soybeans. The feeding injury to vegetative tissues was tested in detached-leaf assays in grow chambers, and for reproductive structures the study was conducted in greenhouse with infestations at early (flowering) and mid reproductive (mid grain filling) stages. Based on the feeding behavior of the species tested, they were cast in four groups: a) Anticarsia gemmatalis and Chrysodeixis includens, defoliating only the RR variety with the lowest consumption of foliar area; b) Spodoptera eridania, defoliating both RR and IPRO varieties, consuming twice than the species mentioned above; c) Helicoverpa armigera, defoliating and being the most damaging species to pods in the RR variety; and d) S. cosmioides and S. frugiperda, defoliating and damaging pods in both varieties. The species differed in their ability to feed on IPRO varieties, so a different economic threshold should be considered. Consequently, in cases where more than one species are found simultaneously, the species composition should be considered in estimating the economic threshold. Additionally, our findings may contribute to a better decision-making to control insect feeding injury in IPRO varieties, because a slower larval growth provides more time to ensure the need of control with insecticides. In summary, this clasification contributes to an improved recommendation of sustainable insecticide use, taking into account the behavior of each species that are major soybeans pests in South America.
Screening for adverse childhood experiences in pediatrics: A randomized trial of aggregate-level versus item-level response screening formats

Background While there is growing support for screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), rigorous evidence on the efficacy and preference of screening methods is needed. Objective To examine caregiver: (1) rates of disclosure of their child’s exposure to ACEs using item-level response (each item can be endorsed) versus aggregate-level response (only total score reported) screening format, (2) associations between family demographic factors and disclosure by screening format, and (3) emotional reaction and experience of screening formats in a diverse, low-income pediatric population. Methods Caregiver participants (n = 367) were randomized to complete the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) tool, in an aggregate-level response vs item-level response format from 2016–2019. Select caregivers (n = 182) participated in debriefing interviews. T-test and chi-square analyses in 2019 compared PEARLS disclosure rates and reactions between the screening modalities. Regression models explored interactions with child characteristics. Thematic analysis of interview notes captured caregiver screening experience. Results PEARLS disclosure rates were significantly higher in the aggregate-level response compared to the item-level response screening arm (p <0.05). This difference was accentuated for children identified as black and/or male (p <0.05). Caregiver reactions to PEARLS screening were rarely negative in either screening format. Qualitative data demonstrated strong caregiver preference for the item-level response format; additional themes include provider relationship, fear with disclosure, and screening outcome expectations. Conclusion While caregivers reported a preference for the item-level response format, the aggregate-level response screening format elicited higher disclosures rates particularly for children who are black or ma. Trial registration Clinical trial registry: NCT04182906.
Analyzing online public commentary responding to the announcement of deemed consent organ donation legislation in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia

Background The Canadian province of Nova Scotia recently became the first jurisdiction in North America to pass deemed consent organ donation legislation. The announcement of this legislation generated substantial online discussion, which we analyzed to provide insights on public perception. Methods We performed directed content analysis on 2663 user-generated comments appearing on two widely-shared Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) articles published online in April 2019. We determined levels of support and opposition in comments and described the specific rhetoric used for doing so. We also performed one-way ANOVA and Pearson chi-square tests to determine how the comments were being received and engaged by other users. Results A range of commentary was present in both support and opposition to the changes in legislation. There were more negative than positive comments, and negative commentary generated more replies. Positive comments were received more positively by other users while negative comments were received more negatively. The total sum of negative comments was greatly influenced by a small number of very active participants. Negative commentary focused more on broad concepts and principles related to government, power, and individual rights rather than specific issues in the Nova Scotian context. Substantial issues of trust in the government and healthcare system were evident. Conclusions There were strong positive and negative sentiments expressed in the comments, but the total sum of negativity in the comments was significantly influenced by a small number of commentators. Analysis on the presumed consent concerns can be helpful to inform public outreach efforts.
Brownian dynamics simulation of the motion of a rigid sphere in a viscous fluid very near a wall

Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRM) is an experimental technique that allows the potential energy profile of a colloidal particle above a plate to be determined from the particle’s observed Brownian motion. We have used Brownian Dynamics (BD) simulations to numerically simulate TIRM experiments. We show that a careful treatment of the position dependence of the colloidal particle’s mobility near the plate is vital to performing realistic simulations. These simulations enable us to systematically study the effect of experiment duration, data sampling methods, and physical parameters of the suspended colloid on the accuracy of potential energy profiles determined via TIRM. We also present an analytical theory to predict the range of energies reliably probed by TIRM experiments. This theory provides simple guidelines for the design and optimization of future TIRM experiments. Finally, we have used BD simulations to investigate the use of radiation pressure and the effects of experimental noise in TIR.
Engineering a “detect and destroy” skin probiotic to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The prevalence and virulence of pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA), which can cause recurrent skin infections, are of significant clinical concern. Prolonged antibiotic exposure to treat or decolonize S. aureus contributes to development of antibiotic resistance, as well as depletion of the microbiome, and its numerous beneficial functions. We hypothesized an engineered skin probiotic with the ability to selectively deliver antimicrobials only in the presence of the target organism could provide local bioremediation of pathogen colonization. We constructed a biosensing S. epidermidis capable of detecting the presence of S. aureus quorum sensing autoinducer peptide and producing lysostaphin in response. Here, we demonstrate in vitro activity of this biosensor and present and discuss challenges to deployment of this and other engineered topical skin probiotics.
Quasi-omnidirectional total light absorption in nanostructured gold surfaces

Theoretical calculations have predicted the possibility of omnidirectional absorption on a metallic surface with a closed packed layer of voids/spheres buried just beneath the surface. We have carried out a series of experiments to verify the existence of this theoretically predicted phenomenon. We report the observation of quasi omnidirectional total absorption of light on our fabricated surfaces and the tunability of the absorption wavelength by varying the size of the spheres/pores. The strongly enhanced absorption is observed for angles of incidence up to 65°.
Conditional/non‐conditional probabilities and information entropies assigned to high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection

A general formalism describing the main conditional and non‐conditional probabilities as well as their corresponding information entropies that can be assigned to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection is discussed. Some quantitative parameters of the detection (absorbance, fluorescence, peak height, data acquisition rate) are used in order to estimate these probabilities. The events within chromatographic peaks are conditioned by their maximum (peak height). Several examples are discussed and conditional and non‐conditional information entropies by Shannon's formula are evaluated by given relationships. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Journal Pre-proof Can individually

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuro-modulation technique. Most studies show that anodal tDCS increases cortical excitability, however, with variable outcomes. Previously, we have shown in computer simulations that our multi-channel tDCS (mc-tDCS) approach, the distributed constrained maximum intensity (D-CMI) method can potentially lead to better controlled tDCS results due to the improved directionality of the injected current at the target side for individually optimized D-CMI montages. Objective: In this study, we test the application of the D-CMI approach in an experimental study to stimulate the somatosensory P20/N20 target source in Brodmann area 3b and compare it with standard bipolar tDCS and sham conditions. Methods: We applied anodal D-CMI, the standard bipolar and D-CMI based Sham tDCS for 10 minutes to target the 20 ms post-stimulus somatosensory P20/N20 target brain source in Brodmann area 3b reconstructed using combined magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) source analysis in realistic head models with calibrated skull conductivity in a group-study with 13 subjects. Finger-stimulated somatosensory evoked fields (SEF) were recorded and the component at 20 ms post-stimulus (M20) was analyzed before and after the application of the three tDCS conditions in order to read out the stimulation effect on Brodmann area 3b. Results: Analysis of the finger stimulated SEF M20 peak before (baseline) and after tDCS shows a significant increase in source amplitude in Brodmann area 3b for D-CMI (6-16 minutes after tDCS), while no significant effects are found for standard bipolar (6-16 minutes after tDCS) and sham (6-16 minutes after tDCS) stimulation conditions. For the later time courses (16-26 and 27-37 min post-stimulation), we found a significant decrease in M20 peak source amplitude for standard bipolar and sham tDCS, while there was no effect for D-CMI. Conclusion: Our results indicate that targeted and optimized, and thereby highly individualized, mc-tDCS can outperform standard bipolar stimulation and lead to better control over stimulation outcomes with, however, a considerable amount of additional work compared to standard bipolar tDC.