Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and evaluation of restoration mortars for historic masonry using traditional materials and production techniques

Cement based mortars used for historic restoration presented unsatisfactory results, due to their chemical and physico-mechanical incompatibility to original buildings. In the present research, several syntheses of restoration mortars are produced using traditional techniques and materials such as binders (aerial and natural hydraulic lime), pozzolanic additives (natural and artificial pozzolanas) and aggregates (sand and crushed brick). The technical characteristics of the mortars were determined using mechanical tests (compressive and flexural) and mercury intrusion porosimetry measurements at the time of 1, 3, 9, 15 months of curing. Water absorption measurements were performed at the time of 9 and 15 months and the total percentage of absorbed water. The aerial lime – artificial pozzolana mortar presented the best mechanical and microstructural performance. Hydraulic mortars acquired the maximum of the mechanical strength in 1 month, lime-pozzolana mortars in 3 months while aerial lime mortars continue to gain mechanical strength even in 15 months curing. Furthermore, the use of ceramic aggregates produces lightweight and elastic mortars, compatible to historic ones.
Surface Roughness Investigation in the Hard Turning of Steel Using Ceramic Tools

The present work evaluates the use of conventional and multi-radii ceramic tools in the turning of AISI H13 in terms of surface quality. The selected design factors are the cutting speed, feed rate, and type of tool. To carry out this research, a design of experiments was used. The obtained results were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), which allowed recognition of the influence of the feed rate and type of tool on the surface quality. By contrast, the cutting speed was found to be a factor that had no statistical significance. When comparing the experimental with the theoretical values, the results of the conventional and multi-radii tools were found to differ. In addition, it was highlighted that the feed rate has an important influence on the difference between the experimental and theoretical results.
Clinical manifestations of essential tremor

A clinical study of 42 patients with essential tremor is presented. In the case of 12 patients the family history strongly suggested an autosomal dominant mode of transmission, in four the mode of inheritance was indeterminate, and the remaining 26 patients were sporadic cases without an established genetic basis. The tremor involved the upper extremities in 41 patients, the head in 25, lower limbs in 15, and trunk in two. Seven patients showed involvement of speech. Variations were found in the speed and regularity of the tremor. Leg involvement took a variety of forms: (1) direct involvement by tremor; (2) a painful limp associated with forearm tremor; (3) associated dyskinetic movements; (4) ataxia; (5) foot clubbing; and (6) evidence of peroneal muscular atrophy. Several minor symptoms—hyperhidrosis, cramps, dyskinetic movements, and ataxia—were associated with essential tremor. Other features were linked phenotypically to the ataxias and system degenerations. Apart from minor alterations in tone, expression, and arm swing, features of Parkinsonism were notably absent.
Equivalence of Dynamical Systems

A general notion of bisimulation is defined for linear input-state-output systems, using analogies with the theory of concurrent processes. A characterization of bisimulation and an algorithm for computing the maximal bisimulation relation is derived using geometric control theory. Bisimulation is shown to be a notion which unifies the concepts of state–space equivalence and state–space reduction, and which allows to study equivalence of systems with nonminimal state–space dimension. The notion of bisimulation is especially powerful for “nondeterministic” dynamical systems, and leads in this case to a notion of equivalence which is finer than equality of external behavior. For abstractions of systems it is shown how the results specialize to previously obtained results by other authors. Extensions of the main results to the nonlinear case are provided.
Mirtazapine to reduce methamphetamine use: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT No approved pharmacologic treatments for methamphetamine dependence exist. Methamphetamine use is associated with high morbidity and is a major cofactor in the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). OBJECTIVE To determine whether mirtazapine would reduce methamphetamine use among MSM who are actively using methamphetamine. DESIGN Double-blind, randomized, controlled, 12-week trial of mirtazapine vs placebo conducted from September 5, 2007, to March 4, 2010. SETTING San Francisco Department of Public Health. PARTICIPANTS Participants were actively using, methamphetamine-dependent, sexually active MSM seen weekly for urine sample collection and substance use counseling. INTERVENTIONS Random assignment to daily oral mirtazapine (30 mg) or placebo; both arms included 30-minute weekly substance use counseling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary study outcome was reduction in methamphetamine-positive urine test results. Secondary outcomes were study medication adherence (by self-report and medication event monitoring systems) and sexual risk behavior. RESULTS Sixty MSM were randomized, 85% of follow-up visits were completed, and 56 participants (93%) completed the final visit. In the primary intent-to-treat analysis, participants assigned to the mirtazapine group had fewer methamphetamine-positive urine test results compared with participants assigned to the placebo group (relative risk, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.93, P = .02). Urine positivity decreased from 67% (20 of 30 participants) to 63% (17 of 27) in the placebo arm and from 73% (22 of 30) to 44% (12 of 27) in the mirtazapine arm. The number needed to treat to achieve a negative weekly urine test result was 3.1. Adherence was 48.5% by medication event monitoring systems and 74.7% by self-report; adherence measures were not significantly different between arms (medication event monitoring systems, P = .82; self-report, P = .92). Most sexual risk behaviors decreased significantly more among participants taking mirtazapine compared with those taking placebo (number of male partners with whom methamphetamine was used, P = .009; number of male partners, P = .04; episodes of anal sex with serodiscordant partners, P = .003; episodes of unprotected anal sex with serodiscordant partners, P = .003; episodes of insertive anal sex with serodiscordant partners, P = .001). There were no serious adverse events related to study drug or significant differences in adverse events by arm (P ≥ .99). CONCLUSION The addition of mirtazapine to substance use counseling decreased methamphetamine use among active users and was associated with decreases in sexual risk despite low to moderate medication adherence. Trial Registration clinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00497081.
Social inequalities in non-small cell lung cancer management and survival: a population-based study in central Sweden

Objectives To examine possible associations between socioeconomic status, management and survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods In a population-based cohort study, information was retrieved from the Regional Lung Cancer Register in central Sweden, the Cause of Death Register and a social database. ORs and HRs were compared to assess associations between educational level and management and survival. Results 3370 eligible patients with an NSCLC diagnosis between 1996 and 2004 were identified. There were no differences in stage at diagnosis between educational groups. A higher diagnostic intensity was observed in patients with high compared with low education. There were also social gradients in time between referral and diagnosis in early stage disease (median time: low, 32 days; high, 17 days). Social differences in treatment remained following adjustment for prognostic factors (surgery in early stage disease, high vs low OR 2.84; CI 1.40 to 5.79). Following adjustment for prognostic factors and treatment, the risk of death in early stage disease was lower in women with a high education (high vs low HR 0.33; CI 0.14 to 0.77). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that socioeconomically disadvantaged groups with NSCLC receive less intensive care. Low education remained an independent predictor of poor survival only in women with early stage disease. The exact underlying mechanisms of these social inequalities are unknown, but differences in access to care, co-morbidity and lifestyle factors may all contribute.
Age-associated and breed-associated variations in haematological and biochemical variables in young labrador retriever and miniature schnauzer dogs

Breed, sex and age effects on haematological and biochemical variables were investigated in 24 labrador retriever and 25 miniature schnauzer dogs during the first year of life. Blood samples were taken regularly between weeks 8 and 52. White blood cell and red blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, platelet count as well as total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatine and urea were evaluated. For all haematological and biochemical parameters, there were significant effects of age on test results. Statistically significant effects for breed and the breed×age interaction on test results were observed for most of the parameters with the exception of haemoglobin. Variations in test results illustrate growth related alterations in body tissue and metabolism leading to dynamic and marked changes in haematological and biochemical parameters, which have to be considered for the interpretation of clinical data obtained from dogs in the first year of life.
Adult Fat Intake Associated with the Presence of Children in Households: Findings from NHANES III

Background: Increasing prevalence of obesity and lifestyle related chronic disease is fundamentally tied to Americans’ poor eating habits. Family environment, including the presence of children, may affect adults’ diet behavior. Objective: To compare dietary fat intake between adults with and without minor children in the home. Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) public use dataset. Subjects: Adults aged 17 to 65 years with and without children younger than 17 years old in the home. Outcome variables: Intake of total fat, saturated fat, and kilocalories based on a 24-hour dietary recall and a selection of high-fat foods from a food frequency questionnaire. Methods: Linear and logistic regression, accounting for the sample weights and complex survey design. Results: The presence of children in the household was associated with significantly higher adjusted total fat consumption for adults (4.9 g/24 hours [95% CI: 0.8, 9.1]) and significantly higher adjusted saturated fat consumption (1.7 g/24 hours [0.3, 3.3]). Adults with children ate many high-fat foods more frequently than adults without children, including salty snacks, pizza, cheese, beef, ice cream, cakes/cookies, bacon/sausage/processed meats, and peanuts. Conclusions: The presence of children in the home may affect adults’ diets. Providers should emphasize dietary discretion for the entire family.
The relationship between lifestyle, occupational health, and work-related factors with presenteeism amongst general practitioners

ABSTRACT There is evidence that general practitioners (GPs) are more likely to exhibit sickness presenteeism than other health professional groups or other high-income earners and less likely to take sick leave. This study aims to examine the relationship between lifestyle, occupational health, and work-related factors with presenteeism amongst GPs. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst GPs in 2011. Logistic regression was used to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios between lifestyle, occupational health, and work-related factors with presenteeism. Whilst adjusting for age and gender, exercising 1 to 3 times a week (odds ratio [OR] = 4.88), not having a good work-life balance (OR = 4.2), work-related sleep problems (OR = 2.55), moderate psychological distress (OR = 3.94), and poor or fair health (OR = 6.22) were associated with presenteeism. Increased burnout and reduced job satisfaction and workability due to the physical demands of the job were also associated with presenteeism. In conclusion, presenteeism amongst GPs can be addressed by implementing interventions in relation to physical activity, stress reduction, and sleep hygiene and improving work-life balance and the physical demands of the job.
On the approximate W-disjoint orthogonality of speech

It is possible to blindly separate an arbitrary number of sources given just two anechoic mixtures provided the time-frequency representations of the sources do not overlap, a condition which we call W-disjoint orthogonality. We define a power weighted two-dimensional histogram constructed from the ratio of the time-frequency representations of the mixtures which is shown to have one peak for each source with: peak location corresponding to the relative amplitude and delay mixing parameters. All of the time-frequency points which yield estimates in a given peak are exactly all the non-zero magnitude components of one of the sources. We introduce the concept of approximate W-disjoint orthogonality, present experimental results demonstrating the level of approximate W-disjoint orthogonality of speech in mixtures of various order, and show that even with imperfect W-disjoint orthogonality the histogram can be used to determine the mixing parameters and separate sources. Example demixing results can be found online: http://www.princeton. edu/∼srickard/bss.html
Walking while Performing Working Memory Tasks Changes the Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamic Activations and Gait Kinematics

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that walking while performing a concurrent task negatively influences gait performance. However, it remains unclear how higher-level cognitive processes and coordination of limb movements are altered in challenging walking environments. This study investigated the influence of cognitive task complexity and walking road condition on the neutral correlates of executive function and postural control in dual-task walking. Methods: Twenty-four healthy young adults completed a series of overground walks with three walking road conditions (wide, narrow, with obstacles) with and without the concurrent n-back working memory tasks of two complexity levels (1-back and 3-back). Prefrontal brain activation was assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used simultaneously to measure gait performance and lower-extremity kinematics. Repeated measures analysis of variance were performed to examine the differences between the conditions. Results: In comparison with standing still, participants showed lower n-back task accuracy while walking, with the worst performance from the road with obstacles. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, lower-extremity joint movements, and the relative changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) concentration levels were all significantly different across the task complexity and walking path conditions. While dual-tasking participants were found to flex their hips and knees less, leading to a slower gait speed, longer stride time, shorter step length, and greater gait variability than during normal walking. For narrow-road walking, smaller ankle dorsiflexion and larger hip flexion were observed, along with a reduced gait speed. Obstacle negotiation was mainly characterized by increased gait variability than other conditions. HbO levels appeared to be lower during dual-task walking than normal walking. Compared to wide and obstacle conditions, walking on the narrow road was found to elicit a smaller decrement in HbO levels. Conclusion: The current study provided direct evidence that, in young adults, neural correlates of executive function and dynamic postural control tend to be altered in response to the cognitive load imposed by the walking environment and the concurrent task during ambulation. A shift of brain activation patterns between functionally connected networks may occur when facing challenging cognitive–motor interaction.
Exercise blood pressure predicts cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged men.

The outcome of 1999 apparently healthy men aged 40 to 59 years investigated from 1972 through 1975 was ascertained after 16 years to determine whether systolic blood pressure measured with subjects in the sitting position during a bicycle ergometer exercise test adds prognostic information on cardiovascular mortality beyond that of casual blood pressure measured after 5 minutes of supine rest. During a total follow-up of 31,984 patient years, 278 patients died, 150 from cardiovascular causes. Casual blood pressure and pulse pressure as well as peak exercise systolic blood pressure during 6 minutes on the starting workload of 600 kpm/min (approximately 100 W, 5880 J/min) were all related to cardiovascular mortality. The relative risk (RR) of dying from cardiovascular causes associated with an increment of 48.5 mmHg (= 2 SD) in systolic blood pressure at 600 kilopondmeter (kpm)/min was significant (RR = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-2.3, P = .040) even when adjusting for a large number of variables measured in the present study, including age, exercise capacity, smoking habits, and casual blood pressures. The influence of blood pressure at 600 kpm/min was so strong that the predictive value of resting casual blood pressures became nonsignificant when these were analyzed as continuous variables also including exercise blood pressure as a covariate. However, the maximal systolic blood pressure during the exercise test was unrelated to cardiovascular mortality. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Postconflict Conciliation within One-Male Breeding Units in Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkeys in the Qinling Mountains, China

This study analyzed conflict and postconflict (PC) conciliation between males and females within one-male breeding units in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains, China. The PC matched-control and time rule methods were used to collect and analyze data recorded from September 2013 to June 2014. The conciliatory tendency among individuals following conflict was 82.07%, and affiliation occurred within a few minutes after the conflict, which was not significantly different between mating and nonmating seasons. The PC conciliation scenarios were different from those reported from captivity. Lumbar hold and grooming were the most common expressions in reconciliation. In addition, bystander affiliation was uniquely found, which may be associated with the more terrestrial locomotion of R. roxellana, compared with other colobines.
Changes in spirituality and well-being in a retreat program for cardiac patients.

CONTEXT Many epidemiological studies indicate that spirituality or religion are positively correlated with health measures, but research is needed on interventions that change spirituality to verify that it actually affects health and to justify suggestions that changes in spiritual practices or beliefs may have health benefits. However, it is not clear that health interventions can influence spirituality or which techniques are effective. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether participation in a retreat program for cardiac patients and their partners resulted in changes in spirituality and whether changes in spirituality were related to changes in well-being meaning in life, anger, and confidence in handling problems. DESIGN Participants filled out questionnaires before and after participating in the retreat. SETTING Retreats were sponsored by the Health Promotion and Wellness Program, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and were held in a remote training center. PARTICIPANTS Notices were sent to cardiac rehabilitation programs and directly to heart patients, resulting in the enrollment of 72 first-time participants. INTERVENTION The 2.5-day educational retreats included discussion and opportunities to experience healthy lifestyle options. Exercise, nutrition, stress management techniques, communication skills that enhance social support, and spiritual principles of healing were incorporated. Experiential practices included yoga, meditation, visualization, and prayer. RESULTS Of the participants, 78% reported increased spirituality after the retreat. Changes in spirituality were positively associated with increased well-being meaning in life, confidence in handling problems, and decreased tendency to become angry. CONCLUSIONS Programs that explore spirituality in a health context can result in increased spirituality that is associated with increased well-being and related measures. Many patients and their families want to integrate the spiritual and health dimensions of their lives. Further work is needed to develop healthcare settings that can support this integration.
Comparing naive Bayes, decision trees, and SVM with AUC and accuracy

Predictive accuracy has often been used as the main and often only evaluation criterion for the predictive performance of classification or data mining algorithms. In recent years, the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curve, or simply AUC, has been proposed as an alternative single-number measure for evaluating performance of learning algorithms. We proved that AUC is, in general, a better measure (defined precisely) than accuracy. Many popular data mining algorithms should then be reevaluated in terms of AUC. For example, it is well accepted that Naive Bayes and decision trees are very similar in accuracy. How do they compare in AUC? Also, how does the recently developed SVM (support vector machine) compare to traditional learning algorithms in accuracy and AUC? We will answer these questions. Our conclusions will provide important guidelines in data mining applications on real-world datasets.
Cobalamin and Folic Acid Status in Relation to the Etiopathogenesis of Pancytopenia in Adults at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

Background. Pancytopenia has multiple etiologies like megaloblastic anemia, aplastic anemia, leukemia, and various infections. We investigated the clinical, etiological and hematological profile including bone marrow morphology of patients with pancytopenia in relation to their vitamin B12 and folic acid status at a tertiary care referral hospital in north India. Methods. A total of 140 consecutive patients with pancytopenia were selected from June 2007 to December 2008. Bone marrow examination and other tests were carried out as warranted, including serum cobalamin and folate assays using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC MS/MS). Results. The study population consisted of 92 males and 48 females with a mean age of 32.8 years. Megaloblastic anemia 60.7%, aplastic anemia (7.8%), and leukemia (9.2%) were common causes. Infectious causes (16.4% of all cases) included leishmaniasis, HIV–AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Severe cobalamin deficiency (B12 < 100 pg/mL) was seen in 81% of all patients including 91.6% of patients with MA. In contrast, only 7.14% of all pancytopenic patients were folate deficient. Folate deficiency (<5 ng/mL) was seen in just 5% MA patients. Combined cobalamin and folate deficiency was seen in 5 patients (3.51%). Conclusion. Cobalamin deficiency was found to be more common in our setting and is largely underdiagnosed in the age of folate supplementation. Infectious diseases like tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and increasingly HIV are important and treatable causes of pancytopenia. This is in contrast with the developed nations where the bulk of disease is due to malignancy or marrow aplasia.