Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improved method for calculation of creep damage during creep–fatigue cycling

Abstract Thermal mechanical cycling can result in creep–fatigue cycles in which the creep dwell has a wide variety of positions within the cycle. The effects of creep dwell position have been investigated using tests on three austenitic stainless steels: Type 316H, cast Type 304L and Type 347 weld metal. The analysis of these tests has resulted in the proposal of a new method to calculate creep damage. This method has been shown to give better predictions for the creep damage at failure than both the standard ductility exhaustion approach and the time fraction approach. In particular, the new method gives improved predictions of creep damage at failure for cycles with intermediate dwells and for cycles with low strain ranges. The present paper summarises the validation of this new method, the effects of multiaxial states of stress and the effects of compressive dwells.
Evoked EMG versus Muscle Torque during Fatiguing Functional Electrical Stimulation-Evoked Muscle Contractions and Short-Term Recovery in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigated whether the relationship between muscle torque and m-waves remained constant after short recovery periods, between repeated intervals of isometric muscle contractions induced by functional electrical stimulation (FES). Eight subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) were recruited for the study. All subjects had their quadriceps muscles group stimulated during three sessions of isometric contractions separated by 5 min of recovery. The evoked-electromyographic (eEMG) signals, as well as the produced torque, were synchronously acquired during the contractions and during short FES bursts applied during the recovery intervals. All analysed m-wave variables changed progressively throughout the three contractions, even though the same muscle torque was generated. The peak to peak amplitude (PtpA), and the m-wave area (Area) were significantly increased, while the time between the stimulus artefact and the positive peak (PosT) were substantially reduced when the muscles became fatigued. In addition, all m-wave variables recovered faster and to a greater extent than did torque after the recovery intervals. We concluded that rapid recovery intervals between FES-evoked exercise sessions can radically interfere in the use of m-waves as a proxy for torque estimation in individuals with SCI. This needs to be further investigated, in addition to seeking a better understanding of the mechanisms of muscle fatigue and recovery.
Effect of 5-HT2A Receptor Polymorphisms, Work Stressors, and Social Support on Job Strain among Petroleum Workers in Xinjiang, China

Previous studies have shown that work stressors and social support influence job strain. However, few studies have examined the impact of individual differences on job strain. In Xinjiang, there are a large number of petroleum workers in arid deserts. The present study investigated the effects of work stressors, social support, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR2A) genotype on the etiology of job strain among petroleum workers in Xinjiang. A cross-sectional study was carried out between January and August 2013. A total of 700 workers were selected by a three-stage stratified sampling method. 5-HTR2A genotypes were determined with the SNaPshot single nucleotide polymorphism assay. Work stressors and job strain were evaluated with the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised questionnaire. Social support was assessed with the Chinese Social Support Rating Scale. Work overload and responsibility were significantly associated with job strain. Low social support was associated with severe vocational and interpersonal strain. High social support was a protective factor against job strain (odds ratio (OR) = 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14–0.76). The CC genotype of rs6313 and the AA genotype of rs2070040 were linked to severe vocational strain. Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that the CC genotype of rs6313 was linked to higher risk of job strain than the TT genotype (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.10–3.23). These data provide evidence that work stressors, low social support, and 5-HTR2A gene polymorphism contributes to the risk of job strain.
Reactive extrusion of polystyrene/polyethylene blends

The feasibility of inducing beneficial changes to polystyrene/polyethylene (PS/PE) blends via reactive extrusion processes is considered. Experiments have been conducted on 50:50 wt. % PS/PE blends that were treated with different levels of dicumyl peroxide and triallyl isocyanurate coupling agent. Both a low molecular weight and a high molecular weight blend series have been investigated. A “more reactive” polystyrene was synthesized by incorporation of a minor amount of ortho-vinylbenzaldehyde. Blends containing this modified polystyrene were subjected to identical processing' conditions on a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. Examination of the tensile properties of the extrusion products suggested that a judicious level of peroxide and coupling agent additives would be beneficial to the ultimate physical properties. The quantity of styrenic phase becoming chemically grafted to the polyethylene matrix was influenced most strongly by the level of the chosen coupling agent. As determined by scanning electron microscopy, the phase morphologies of the tensile test fracture surfaces were strongly dependent upon the reaction extrusion process; those extruded blends that had been exposed to the additive pre-treatment displayed substantially finer microstructure. The enthalpy of fusion of the polyethylene melting endotherm was likewise influenced by both the presence or absence of the additives as well as the molecular weight nature of the blend series.
Global Search Methods for Solving Nonlinear Optimization Problems

In this thesis, we present new methods for solving nonlinear optimization problems. These problems are difficult to solve because the nonlinear constraints form feasible regions that are difficult to find, and the nonlinear objectives contain local minima that trap descent-type search methods. In order to find good solutions in nonlinear optimization, we focus on the following two key issues: how to handle nonlinear constraints and how to escape from local minima. We use a Lagrange-multiplier-based formulation to handle nonlinear constraints, and develop Lagrangian methods with dynamic control to provide faster and more robust convergence. We extend the traditional Lagrangian theory for the continuous space to the discrete space and develop efficient discrete Lagrangian methods. To overcome local minima, we design a new trace-based global-search method that relies on an external traveling trace to pull a search trajectory out of a local optimum in a continuous fashion without having to restart the search from a new starting point. Good starting points identified in the global search are used in the local search to identify true local optima. By combining these new methods, we develop a prototype, called Novel (Nonlinear Optimization Via External Lead), that solves nonlinear constrained and unconstrained problems in a unified framework. We show experimental results in applying Novel to solve nonlinear optimization problems, including (a) the learning of feedforward neural networks, (b) the design of quadrature-mirror-filter digital filter banks, (c) the satisfiability problem, (d) the maximum satisfiability problem, and (e) the design of multiplierless quadrature-mirror-filter digital filter banks. Our method achieves better solutions than existing methods, or achieves solutions of the same quality but at a lower cost.
Sunshine, rainfall, humidity and child pneumonia in the tropics: time-series analyses

SUMMARY Few studies have formally examined the relationship between meteorological factors and the incidence of child pneumonia in the tropics, despite the fact that most child pneumonia deaths occur there. We examined the association between four meteorological exposures (rainy days, sunshine, relative humidity, temperature) and the incidence of clinical pneumonia in young children in the Philippines using three time-series methods: correlation of seasonal patterns, distributed lag regression, and case-crossover. Lack of sunshine was most strongly associated with pneumonia in both lagged regression [overall relative risk over the following 60 days for a 1-h increase in sunshine per day was 0·67 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0·51–0·87)] and case-crossover analysis [odds ratio for a 1-h increase in mean daily sunshine 8–14 days earlier was 0·95 (95% CI 0·91–1·00)]. This association is well known in temperate settings but has not been noted previously in the tropics. Further research to assess causality is needed.
Stimulant-Dependent Modulation of Cytokines and Chemokines by Airway Epithelial Cells: Cross Talk between Pulmonary Epithelial and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

ABSTRACT Staphylococcal exotoxins (SE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulate cells of the immune system to produce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines which mediate septic shock and acute lung inflammation. A coculture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and pulmonary A549 epithelial cells was used to investigate inflammatory responses triggered by staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, and LPS. The levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, gamma interferon-inducible protein 10, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, and RANTES were enhanced by 3.8-, 4.2-, 3.1-, 8.9-, 2-, and 2.9-fold, respectively, in cocultures of SEB-stimulated cells compared to in SEB-stimulated PBMC. In LPS-stimulated cocultures, only MCP-1 and RANTES levels were increased. These data suggest that the modulation of specific cytokines and chemokines is dependent on the stimulus and that there is bidirectional interaction between PBMC and lung epithelial cells to influence the immune response to these different stimuli.
Association of soluble cell adhesion molecules with ankle-brachial index in a biethnic cohort of predominantly hypertensive individuals.

BACKGROUND Higher plasma concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules have been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We investigated the association of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) with ankle-brachial index (ABI), a measure of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), in a biethnic cohort of adults without known coronary heart disease or stroke. METHODS Participants included 1102 blacks (mean age, 63 years; 74% women) and 1013 non-Hispanic whites (mean age, 58 years; 59% women) belonging to sibships ascertained on the basis of hypertension. We measured plasma concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 using high-sensitivity immunoassays and ABI using a standard protocol; PAD was defined as ABI <0.9. We used generalized estimating equations to assess whether sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were associated with ABI and PAD, independently of conventional risk factors. RESULTS After adjustment for conventional risk factors, blacks with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations in the highest quartiles had lower ABIs than those in the lowest quartiles (mean ABI 1.02 vs 0.98, P = 0.007, vs 1.02 vs 0.99, P = 0.003, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations in the highest quartiles were each associated with a higher odds ratio of having PAD, compared with the lowest quartiles: odds ratio (95% CI): 5.2 (1.8-15.2) and 2.2 (1.0-4.8), respectively. In contrast, in non-Hispanic whites, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were not associated with ABI or PAD. CONCLUSIONS Higher sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were independently associated with lower ABI and PAD in blacks, but not in non-Hispanic whites.
A comprehensive database and subjective evaluation methodology for quality of experience in stereoscopic video

While objective and subjective quality assessment of 2D images and video have been an active research topic in the recent years, emerging 3D technologies require new quality metrics and methodologies taking into account the fundamental differences in the human visual perception and typical distortions of stereoscopic content. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive stereoscopic video database that contains a large variety of scenes captured using a stereoscopic camera setup consisting of two HD camcorders with different capture parameters. In addition to the video, the database also provides subjective quality scores obtained using a tailored single stimulus continuous quality scale (SSCQS) method. The resulting mean opinion scores can be used to evaluate the performance of visual quality metrics as well as for the comparison and for the design of new metrics.
The effectiveness of two occupational health intervention programmes in reducing sickness absence among employees at risk. Two randomised controlled trials

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of two occupational health intervention programmes, both compared with usual care. Methods: Based on a health survey, 1341 employees (88% males) in construction, service and maintenance work were classified into three groups: “low risk” (n = 386), “intermediate risk” (n = 537) and “high risk” (n = 418) of sickness absence. Two separate randomised trials were performed in the groups “high risk” and “intermediate risk”, respectively. Those high risk subjects that were allocated to the intervention group (n = 209) were invited to occupational health service for a consultation. The intervention included, if appropriate, a referral to specialist treatment. Among the intermediate risk employees those in the intervention group (n = 268) were invited to call a phone advice centre. In both trials the control group received usual occupational health care. The primary outcome was sickness absence during a 12-month follow-up (register data). Results: The high risk group, representing 31% of the cohort, accounted for 62% of sickness absence days. In the trial for the high risk group the mean sickness absence was 30 days in the usual care group and 19 days in the intervention group; the mean difference was 11 days (95% CI 1 to 20 days). In the trial for the intermediate risk group the mean sickness absence was 7 days in both arms (95% CI of the mean difference –2.3 to 2.4 days). Conclusions: The identification of high risk of work disability was successful. The occupational health intervention was effective in controlling work loss to a degree that is likely to be economically advantageous within the high risk group. The phone advice intervention for the intermediate risk group was not effective in controlling work loss primarily due to poor adherence.
Recipient and donor risk factors for surgical complications following kidney transplantation

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate recipient and donor risk factors that are related to surgical complications after renal transplantation. Material and methods. In total, 419 kidney transplantations were analysed with regard to the influence of recipient and donor risk factors on the main postoperative surgical complications. Results. The mean follow-up for the entire group was 72.8 months (± 54.2 SD). Vascular complications were independently associated with donor age; and urological complications with recipient age >65 years and cyclosporine rather than tacrolimus therapy. Wound complications were independently associated with recipient age, preoperative dialysis time, recipient body mass index (BMI) and cyclosporine rather than tacrolimus therapy. Collections were independently associated with retransplantation, type 2 diabetes mellitus and wound complications. Overall surgical complications were associated with donor age and delayed graft function. In terms of severity, grade I complications were independently associated with recipient age and surgical revision, grade II with recipient age >50 years, grade III with recipient BMI, and grade IV with donor age. Conclusions. Recipient characteristics are the primary determinants of wound, urological and minor (Clavien grades I, II and III) complications; however, graft or donor characteristics are the primary risk factors for vascular, overall and major (Clavien grade IV) surgical complications.
Rheological, thermal, and mechanical characterization of fly ash-thermoplastic composites with different coupling agents

Composite materials were prepared by mixing fly ash obtained from biomass combustion as filler and isotactic polypropylene (PP) as matrix. Three silane-type coupling agents mainly differing in the size of their functional groups were used to improve the compatibility between both components. Uniaxial tensile tests showed that the incorporation of untreated ash into PP led to stiffer but also more brittle and weaker materials, as Young's modulus significantly increased and tensile strength and elongation at break decreased. Furthermore, an enhancement in storage and loss moduli as well as in composite viscosity was observed with the addition of fly ash. Hardness tests and thermal and fracture surface analyzes revealed tensile test results similar to those mentioned earlier. In summary, after analyzing the effects of the three silanes on mechanical, thermal, morphological, and rheological properties, the silane containing the vinyl functional group (XL10) was selected as the most appropriate for the PP/ash composites investigated. POLYM. COMPOS. , 31:1722–1730, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Comparison of affective responses during and after low volume high-intensity interval exercise, continuous moderate- and continuous high-intensity exercise in active, untrained, healthy males

ABSTRACT This study compared affective responses to low volume high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity continuous exercise (HICE). Twelve untrained males ( 48.2 ± 6.7 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed MICE (30 min cycle at 85% of ventilatory threshold (VT)), HICE (cycle at 105% of VT matched with MICE for total work), and HIIE (10 x 6 s cycle sprints with 60 s recovery). Affective valence and perceived activation were measured before exercise, post warm-up, every 20% of exercise time, and 1, 5, 10, and 15 min post-exercise. Affective valence during exercise declined by 1.75 ± 2.42, 1.17 ± 1.99, and 0.42 ± 1.38 units in HICE, HIIE, and MICE, respectively, but was not statistically influenced by trial (P = 0.35), time (P = 0.06), or interaction effect (P = 0.08). Affective valence during HICE and HIIE was consistently less positive than MICE. Affective valence post-exercise was not statistically influenced by trial (P = 0.10) and at 5 min post-exercise exceeded end-exercise values (P = 0.048). Circumplex profiles showed no negative affect in any trial. Affective responses to low volume HIIE are similar to HICE but remain positive and rebound rapidly, suggesting it may be a potential alternative exercise prescription.
Regularization in Image Non-Rigid Registration: I. Trade-off between Smoothness and Intensity Similarity

In this report, we first propose a new classification of non-rigid registratio- n algorithms into three main categories: in one hand, the geometric algorithms- , and in the other hand, intensity based methods that we split here into standard intensity-based (SIB) and pair-and-smooth (P&S) algorithms. We then focus on the subset of SIB and P&S algorithms that are competitive, i.e. that use a regularization energy which is minimized together with the intensity similarity energy. In SIB algorithms, these two energies are combined in a weighted sum, and thus the trade-off between them is direct. P&S algorithms alternates their respective minimization, leading to the characteristic two steps: pairing of points, and smoothing. We theoretically compare the behavior of SIB and P&S algorithms, and more precisely, we explain why in practice the smoothness of the transforms estimated by SIB algorithms is non-uniform, thus difficult to control, while P&S algorithms estimate a motion that is more uniformly smooth. We give an example illustrating this behavior. Very few P&S algorithms minimize a global energy. We therefore propose a new image registration energy whose minimization leads to a \PAS algorithm. This energy is general, and can use any existing similarity or regularization energy. Its behavior is also compared to the previous SIB and \PAS algorithms. This new energy allows uniformly smooth solutions, as for our previous P&S algorithm, while preventing registration of non-informative, noisy areas, as for SIB algorithms.
Frequency of Disinfectant Resistance Genes and Genetic Linkage with β-Lactamase Transposon Tn552 among Clinical Staphylococci

ABSTRACT A total of 61 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 177 coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains were isolated from the blood of patients with bloodstream infections and from the skin of both children under cancer treatment and human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. The MIC analyses revealed that 118 isolates (50%) were resistant to quaternary ammonium compound-based disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC). The frequencies of resistance to a range of antibiotics were significantly higher among BC-resistant staphylococci than among BC-sensitive staphylococci. Of 78 BC-resistant staphylococcal isolates, plasmid DNA from 65 (83%), 2 (3%), 43 (55%), and 15 (19%) isolates hybridized to qacA or -B (qacA/B), qacC, blaZ, and tetK probes, respectively. The qacA/B and blaZ probes hybridized to the same plasmid in 19 (24%) staphylococcal strains. The plasmids harboring both qacA/B and blaZ genes varied from approximately 20 to 40 kb. The Staphylococcus epidermidis Fol62 isolate, harboring multiresistance plasmid pMS62, contained qacA/B and blaZ together with tetK. Molecular and genetic studies indicated different structural arrangements of blaZ and qacA/B, including variable intergenic distances and transcriptional directions of the two genes on the same plasmid within the strains. The different organizations may be due to the presence of various genetic elements involved in cointegration, recombination, and rearrangements. These results indicate that qac resistance genes are common and that linkage between resistance to disinfectants and penicillin resistance occurs frequently in clinical isolates in Norway. Moreover, the higher frequency of antibiotic resistance among BC-resistant strains indicates that the presence of either resistance determinant selects for the other during antimicrobial therapy and disinfection in hospitals.