Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of knee orthoses on gait parameters in medial knee compartment osteoarthritis: A literature review

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a musculoskeletal condition which is most prevalent in the medial compartment. This injury causes considerable pain, disability, and negative changes in kinetic and kinematic parameters. The efficiency of unloader valgus brace as a conservative treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis is not well documented. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the previous research regarding the biomechanical effects of knee valgus braces on walking in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis patients. Study design: Literature review Methods: According to the population intervention comparison outcome measure methods and based on selected keywords, 12 studies were chosen according to (met) the inclusion criteria. Results: The results indicated that treatment with knee braces was effective in decreasing pain, improving function, ameliorating improvement in range of motion, and increasing speed of walking and step length in conjunction with a reduction in the adduction moment applied to the knee. Conclusion: Osteoarthritis knee braces may be considered for improvement of walking and treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Clinical relevance Knee braces are an orthotic intervention that could potentially be significant in assisting in improving the walking parameters and treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.
The role of dispersal in river network metacommunities: Patterns, processes, and pathways

1. River networks are hierarchical dendritic habitats embedded within the terrestrial landscape, with varying connectivity between sites depending on their positions along the network. This physical organisation influences the dispersal of organisms, which ultimately affects metacommunity dynamics and biodiversity patterns. 2. We provide a conceptual synthesis of the role of river networks in structuring metacommunities in relation to dispersal processes in riverine ecosystems. We explore where the river network best explains observed metacommunity struc- ture compared to other measurements of physical connectivity. We mostly focus on invertebrates, but also consider other taxonomic groups, including microbes, fishes, plants, and amphibians. 3. Synthesising studies that compared multiple spatial distance metrics, we found that the importance of the river network itself in explaining metacommunity pat- terns depended on a variety of factors, including dispersal mode (aquatic versus aerial versus terrestrial) and landscape type (arid versus mesic), as well as loca- tion-specific factors, such as network connectivity, land use, topographic hetero- geneity, and biotic interactions. The river network appears to be less important for strong aerial dispersers and insects in arid systems than for other groups and biomes, but there is considerable variability. Borrowing from other literature, par- ticularly landscape genetics, we developed a conceptual model that predicts that the explanatory power of the river network peaks in mesic systems for obligate aquatic dispersers. 4. We propose directions of future avenues of research, including the use of manipulative field and laboratory experiments that test metacommunity theory in river networks. While field and laboratory experiments have their own bene- fits and drawbacks (e.g. reality, control, cost), both are powerful approaches for understanding the mechanisms structuring metacommunities, by teasing apart dispersal and niche-related factors. 5. Finally, improving our knowledge of dispersal in river networks will benefit from expanding the breadth of cost-distance modelling to better infer dispersal from observational data; an improved understanding of life-history strategies rather than relying on independent traits; exploring individual-level variation in dispersal through detailed genetic studies; detailed studies on fine-scale environmental (e.g. daily hydrology) and organismal spatiotemporal variability; and synthesising comparative, experimental, and theoretical work. Expanding in these areas will help to push the current state of the science from a largely pattern-detection mode into a new phase of more mechanistically driven research.
SHORT-LIVED RADIO BURSTS FROM THE CRAB PULSAR

Our high-time-resolution observations reveal that individual main pulses from the Crab pulsar contain one or more short-lived microbursts. Both the energy and duration of bursts measured above 1 GHz can vary dramatically in less than a millisecond. These fluctuations are too rapid to be caused by propagation through turbulence in the Crab Nebula or in the interstellar medium; they must be intrinsic to the radio emission process in the pulsar. The mean duration of a burst varies with frequency as ν−2, significantly different from the broadening caused by interstellar scattering. We compare the properties of the bursts to some simple models of microstructure in the radio emission region.
Cation disorder as the major electron scattering source in crystalline InGaZnO

We theoretically investigate the electron transport mechanism in crystalline In-Ga-Zn oxides using the semi-classical transport theory. The site disorder of Ga and Zn atoms is treated based on the virtual crystal approximation. The valence difference between Ga3+ and Zn2+, modeled by screened Coulomb potential, plays a critical role in determining the total electron mobility. The temperature and carrier-density dependences of the calculated electron mobility are in excellent agreement with experimental data. The unusual behavior of electron mobility is explained based on the energy-dependent relaxation time and underlying band structure.
Determination of the bond–slip behavior of CFRP-to-steel bonded interfaces using digital image correlation

The bond–slip behavior between carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates and steel is crucial for predicting the structural behavior of CFRP-strengthened steel members. In this paper, the CFRP-to-steel bonded joints with different bond lengths and adhesive thicknesses were tested to investigate the bond–slip behavior of CFRP-to-steel bonded interfaces. The digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used to measure the displacement and strain data. The test results, including the failure mode, ultimate load, displacement distribution, and CFRP strain distribution, are presented and discussed. The non-linear bond–slip curves of CFRP-to-steel bonded interfaces are determined by a fitting procedure for CFRP strain distributions. A bilinear bond–slip relationship is further proposed to simplify the non-linear bond–slip curve. The test results indicate that the adhesive thickness has an influence on the failure mode, ultimate load, and bond–slip behavior. Similar to a CFRP-to-concrete bonded interface, an effective bond length also exists for a CFRP-to-steel bonded interface. The development of the interfacial shear stress is analyzed based on the determined non-linear and bilinear bond–slip curves. Finally, two theoretical models are employed for the prediction of the ultimate load, effective bond length and bond–slip curve. This study shows that the DIC method is suitable for investigating the bond–slip behavior of CFRP-to-steel bonded joints.
The dynamic recrystallization evolution and kinetics of Ni–18.3Cr–6.4Co–5.9W–4Mo–2.19Al–1.16Ti superalloy during hot deformation

The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior of Ni–18.3Cr–6.4Co–5.9W–4Mo–2.19Al–1.16Ti superalloy was investigated by means of isothermal compression tests in the temperature range of 1010–1160 °C and strain rate range of 0.001–1 s^−1. It was found that the nucleation mechanisms of discontinuous DRX and continuous DRX (CDRX) occurred simultaneously during hot deformation, and twinning can play an important role in improving the process of DRX. There are three stages in the process of CDRX, i.e., the accumulation and rearrangement of dislocations, the formation of subgrain boundary, and the conversion to high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) from subgrain boundary. Moreover, the effect of CDRX grows weaker with increasing deformation temperature and decreasing strain rate. Additionally, both the volume fraction of DRX grains and the DRX grain size were closely related to the deformation temperature and strain rate, and a power exponent relationship between the DRX grain size and Z parameter was obtained. Based on the experimental data, the kinetic equations were also developed to evaluate the volume fraction of DRX grains during hot deformation in the alloy.
Shear Behavior of self Compacting Concrete Deep Beams Strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sheets

paper is to study the Shear Behavior of self Compacting Concrete Deep Beams Strengthened With Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sheets. The experimental work consists of fabrication and testing simply supported reinforced concrete self compacting concrete(SCC) beams , consists of five beams failed in Shear and each beam had 1600 mm length and (175x300)mm cross sectional dimensions, shear span/depth ratio (a/d) of (2)(Deep beam), all SCC beams made from self-compacting concrete with concrete compressive strength of about 45.894 MPa were casted and tested at 28 days. This research is devoted to investigate the behavior and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete strengthened and repaired with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in shear . For SCC beams designed to fail in shear investigate how the number of layers and configuration of CFRP sheets affect the shear behavior and the load carrying capacity. The results, show that the beams strengthened externally by CFRP sheets provided improvement in ultimate loads. The increase in ultimate loads reached (33%) the behavior of strengthened and repaired SCC beams by CFRP sheets increasing the ultimate strength and reducing the ultimate central deflection for increasing the load at the cracking stage and also the load capacity and reducing shear crack widths compared with the control beam. Keywords— Concrete (SCC), Powder, Superplasticizer, CFRP Sheets.
Influence of CNFs layer morphology on convective heat transfer behavior

In this work, heat transfer surface modification is made by layers of carbon nanofiber (CNF) on 50μm nickel wire using a chemical vapor deposition process (CVD). Three different CNF layer morphologies are made, at 500 ̊C, 600 ̊C and 700 ̊C, to investigate their influence on heat transfer performance characteristics. Moreover, the influence of the CNFs layer thickness on each batch of morphology is studied. Experimental results shows that samples made at 500 ̊C creates an insulating layer of CNFs, which is attributed to the dense structure of the layer of fibers, resulting in 25% lower heat transfer compared to the heat transfer performance of the bare wire. However, samples made at 600 ̊C, exhibit relatively open layer of CNFs and lower thermal conductivity compared to samples made 500 ̊C, resulting in an enhancement of 24%. This is because the relative open structure leads to relatively better flow permeability which increases the heat transfer surface area. Samples made at 700 ̊C are partly covered with dense CNFs layer and partly with amorphous layer of carbon. Heat transfer enhancement of 34% is achieved which is attributed to the rough surface created by the carbon nano structures.
Racial differences in patients referred for right heart catheterization and risk of pulmonary hypertension

African Americans (AA) have a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk factors. Few studies have examined the racial differences in the prevalence and etiology of PH and direct comparison of invasive hemodynamics between AAs and Caucasians has rarely been reported. In this study, we examined whether racial differences exist in patients referred for right heart catheterization (RHC) and hypothesized that AA race is an independent risk factor for PH and is associated with increased adjusted mortality. We extracted data for AA and Caucasian patients who underwent RHC at Vanderbilt between 1998 and 2014. Clinical information was obtained from Vanderbilt's Synthetic Derivative, a de-identified mirror of our Electronic Medical Record. A total of 4576 patients were analyzed, including 586 (13%) AAs and 3990 (87%) Caucasians. AAs were younger than Caucasians by an average of eight years, but had more prevalent heart failure, features of metabolic syndrome, and higher creatinine. AAs also had higher mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. After adjusting for relevant co-morbidities, the AA race is associated with 41% increased risk of PH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12–1.79). Among patients with PH, AA race is associated with 24% increased adjusted mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.09–1.45). AAs were younger but had more prevalent cardiometabolic and renal disease and worse pulmonary hemodynamics. The AA race is an independent risk factor for PH. Among patients with PH, the AA race is associated with increased adjusted mortality. Future studies should focus on delineating whether genetic or environmental factors contribute to PH risk in AAs.
A Metagenomics Transect into the Deepest Point of the Baltic Sea Reveals Clear Stratification of Microbial Functional Capacities

The Baltic Sea is characterized by hyposaline surface waters, hypoxic and anoxic deep waters and sediments. These conditions, which in turn lead to a steep oxygen gradient, are particularly evident at Landsort Deep in the Baltic Proper. Given these substantial differences in environmental parameters at Landsort Deep, we performed a metagenomic census spanning surface to sediment to establish whether the microbial communities at this site are as stratified as the physical environment. We report strong stratification across a depth transect for both functional capacity and taxonomic affiliation, with functional capacity corresponding most closely to key environmental parameters of oxygen, salinity and temperature. We report similarities in functional capacity between the hypoxic community and hadal zone communities, underscoring the substantial degree of eutrophication in the Baltic Proper. Reconstruction of the nitrogen cycle at Landsort deep shows potential for syntrophy between archaeal ammonium oxidizers and bacterial denitrification at anoxic depths, while anaerobic ammonium oxidation genes are absent, despite substantial ammonium levels below the chemocline. Our census also reveals enrichment in genetic prerequisites for a copiotrophic lifestyle and resistance mechanisms reflecting adaptation to prevalent eutrophic conditions and the accumulation of environmental pollutants resulting from ongoing anthropogenic pressures in the Baltic Sea.
In Vitro Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Inhomogeneous Static Magnetic Field-Exposure on Human Macrophages and Lymphocytes

The effect of inhomogeneous static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure on the production of different cytokines from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC), i.e., lymphocytes and macrophages, was tested in vitro. Some cultures were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at time point −3 h and were either left alone (positive control) or exposed to SMF continuously from 0 until 6, 18, or 24 h. The secretion of interleukin IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor TNF-α, and IL-10 was tested by ELISA. SMF-exposure caused visible morphological changes on macrophages as well as on lymphocytes, and also seemed to be toxic to lymphocytes ([36.58; 41.52]%, 0.308≤p≤0.444), but not to macrophages (<1.43%, p≥0.987). Analysis of concentrations showed a significantly reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α from macrophages compared to negative control ([56.78; 87.52]%, p = 0.031) and IL-6 compared to positive control ([45.15; 56.03]%, p = 0.035). The production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 from macrophages and from lymphocytes was enhanced compared to negative control, significantly from lymphocytes ([−183.62; −28.75]%, p = 0.042). The secretion of IL-6 from lymphocytes was significantly decreased compared to positive control ([−115.15; −26.84]%, p = 0.039). This massive in vitro evidence supports the hypotheses that SMF-exposure (i) is harmful to lymphocytes in itself, (ii) suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and (iii) assists the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; thus providing a background mechanism of the earlier in vivo demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SMF-exposure.
Interface behaviour and stability of geocomposite drain/soil systems

Landfill covers are designed as impermeable caps on top of waste containment facilities after the completion of landfill operations. Geocomposite drain (GD) materials consist of a geonet or geospacer (as a drainage core) sandwiched between non-woven geotextiles that act as separators and filters. GD provides a drainage function as part of the cover system. The stability performance of landfill cover system is largely controlled by the interface shear strength mobilised between the elements of the cover. If a GD is used, the interface shear strength properties between the upper surface of the GD and the overlying soil may govern stability of the system. It is not uncommon for fine grained materials to be used as cover soils. In these cases, understanding soil softening issues at the soil interface with the non-woven geotextile is important. Such softening can be caused by capillary break behaviour and build-up of water pressures from the toe of the drain upwards into the cover soil. The interaction processes to allow water flow into a GD core through the soil-geotextile interface is very complex, and have been defined herein as Capillary Related Interface Breakthrough (CRIB). The infiltration test using small column on CRIB conditions for GD in contact with fine grained soils confirmed the development of capillary break at the interface. The effect of water build-up on the interface leads to soil softening in fine grained soils layer and reduce the interface shear strength hence potential instability of the system. Two series of fine grained soil/GD interface shear strength tests conducted to determine the interface shear strength behaviour for a range of soil water contents. The soil softening at the interface due to soaked behaviour show a reduction in interface shear strength and this aspect should be emphasized in design specifications and construction control. Comparison on the main behaviour using field measurements on the trial landfill cover at Bletchley were conducted to increase confidence in the understanding of the implications for design of cover systems.
Development of ultrathin molecularly imprintedpolymer films for polyaromatic hydrocarbonsensing

Produced water is one of the pollutants produced at a large scale during offshore oil and gas activities. Wastewater which has been separated from oil and gas during production can be defined as produced water. Although produced water contains a wide variety of toxic chemicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within produced water have received considerably greater attention due to their capability of causing long term toxic effects at the individual level in the marine environment. Due to the adverse effect of PAHs (organic pollutants) on the environment and lives, accurate detection and monitoring of PAHs is required before discharging the produced water into the sea. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can capture analytes such as PAHs, and when coupled with a detection mechanism, can act as sensors for those pollutants. These films are suitable for remote sensing because they can effectively concentrate the analyte in situ. To combine MIPs with an optical sensing element, it can be useful to create them in an ultrathin film format, which is also important for portability to remote areas. One way to achieve a uniform film with nanoscale thickness is through spin coating. In this study, ultrathin film MIPs have been prepared following a new procedure. Various processing parameters including spin time and speed have been explored to determine their effects on MIP film structure as well as their removal and uptake of template molecules. Raman spectroscopy was used for the detection of the analyte, and atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the films’ morphology as well as to measure the thickness of the films, which ranged from 300 nm down to 4 nm. Our findings have determined that different spin speeds produce different film morphology. Furthermore, thinner films showed more homogeneity and reproducibility.
A penalty method for some nonlinear variational obstacle problems

We formulate a penalty method for the obstacle problem associated with a nonlinear variational principle. It is proven that the solution to the relaxed variational problem (in both the continuous and discrete settings) is exact for finite parameter values above some calculable quantity. To solve the relaxed variational problem, an accelerated forward-backward method is used, which ensures convergence of the iterates, even when the Euler-Lagrange equation is degenerate and nondifferentiable. Several nonlinear examples are presented, including quasi-linear equations, degenerate and singular elliptic operators, discontinuous obstacles, and a nonlinear two-phase membrane problem.
Functional Status of Neonatal and Pediatric Patients After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*

Objectives: To describe functional status at hospital discharge for neonatal and pediatric patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and identify factors associated with functional status and mortality. Design: Secondary analysis of observational data collected by the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network between December 2012 and September 2014. Setting: Eight hospitals affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Patients: Patients were less than 19 years old and treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Interventions: Functional status was evaluated among survivors using the Functional Status Scale. Total Functional Status Scale scores range from 6 to 30 and are categorized as 6–7 (good), 8–9 (mildly abnormal), 10–15 (moderately abnormal), 16–21 (severely abnormal), and greater than 21 (very severely abnormal). Measurements and Main Results: Of 514 patients, 267 (52%) were neonates (⩽ 30 d old). Indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was respiratory for 237 (46%), cardiac for 207 (40%), and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 70 (14%). Among 282 survivors, 89 (32%) had good, 112 (40%) mildly abnormal, 67 (24%) moderately abnormal, and 14 (5%) severely or very severely abnormal function at hospital discharge. Among neonates, development of renal failure and longer hospitalization were independently associated with worse Functional Status Scale. Chronic conditions, prematurity, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, increased red cell transfusion in the first 24 hours of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and longer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration were independently associated with mortality. Among pediatric patients, chronic neurologic conditions, tracheostomy or home ventilator, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hepatic dysfunction, and longer ICU stay were independently associated with worse Functional Status Scale. Chronic cardiac conditions, hepatic dysfunction, and neurologic or thrombotic complications were independently associated with mortality. Achieving blood lactate concentration less than or equal to 2 mmol/L during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was independently associated with survival in both neonatal and pediatric patients. Conclusions: In this study, about half of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients survived with good, mildly abnormal, or moderately abnormal function at hospital discharge. Patient and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related factors are associated with functional status and mortality.