Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-temperature tribological studies of plasma-nitrided tool steels

During hot forging/forming operations, the die surface and near surface region is subjected to severe wear. The failure of dies originates from the surface region. In this research work, plasma nitriding was done on two hot forming tool steels namely AISI H11 and AISI H13. The aim is to develop a hard and wear resistance surface required for hot forming operations. The mechanical and microstructural properties of the developed nitrided layer were critically examined. Thereafter the tribological characteristics of the untreated and plasma-nitrided specimens were studied on high-temperature pin-on-disc tribometer under the constant load of 25 N, sliding speed 0.5 m s−1, sliding distance of 1500 m at different temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600°C. The results showed that the main wear mechanisms is predominantly adhesive at room temperatures and 200°C and a combination of adhesive and abrasive at elevated temperatures (400°C and 600°C).
Energy expenditure during human gait. I — An optimized model

Within the framework of multibody dynamics, a 3D large scale neuromusculoskeletal model of the human body is presented. To characterize the dynamics of skeletal muscle, a phenomenological model of energy expenditure was developed for estimating energy consumption during normal locomotion. Such model is able for predicting thermal and mechanical energy liberation under submaximal activation, muscle fiber type, and varying contractile conditions, typically observed in human motion. Future formulations of the indeterminate biomechanical problem, solved through the physiological criteria of minimization of metabolical cost of transport during gait, should consider the role of muscle groups in coordinating multijoint motion. Such an approach is presented in part II of the paper.
Expression of keratin K14 in the epidermis and hair follicle: insights into complex programs of differentiation

Keratins K14 and K5 have long been considered to be biochemical markers of the stratified squamous epithelia, including epidermis (Moll, R., W. Franke, D. Schiller, B. Geiger, and R. Krepler. 1982. Cell. 31:11-24; Nelson, W., and T.-T. Sun. 1983. J. Cell Biol. 97:244-251). When cells of most stratified squamous epithelia differentiate, they downregulate expression of mRNAs encoding these two keratins and induce expression of new sets of keratins specific for individual programs of epithelial differentiation. Frequently, as in the case of epidermis, the expression of differentiation-specific keratins also leads to a reorganization of the keratin filament network, including denser bundling of the keratin fibers. We report here the use of monospecific antisera and cRNA probes to examine the differential expression of keratin K14 in the complex tissue of human skin. Using in situ hybridizations and immunoelectron microscopy, we find that the patterns of K14 expression and filament organization in the hair follicle are strikingly different from epidermis. Some of the mitotically active outer root sheath (ORS) cells, which give rise to ORS under normal circumstances and to epidermis during wound healing, produce only low levels of K14. These cells have fewer keratin filaments than basal epidermal cells, and the filaments are organized into looser, more delicate bundles than is typical for epidermis. As these cells differentiate, they elevate their expression of K14 and produce denser bundles of keratin filaments more typical of epidermis. In contrast to basal cells of epidermis and ORS, matrix cells, which are relatively undifferentiated and which can give rise to inner root sheath, cuticle and hair shaft, show no evidence of K14, K14 mRNA expression, or keratin filament formation. As matrix cells differentiate, they produce hair-specific keratins and dense bundles of keratin filaments but they do not induce K14 expression. Collectively, the patterns of K14 and K14 mRNA expression and filament organization in mitotically active epithelial cells of the skin correlate with their relative degree of pluripotency, and this suggests a possible basis for the deviation of hair follicle programs of differentiation from those of other stratified squamous epithelia.
Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers (kcahw) Questionnaire: Description, Reliability and Internal Consistency

Background: Knowledge and awareness about childhood autism is low among health workers and the general community in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. Poor knowledge and awareness about childhood autism, especially among health workers can compromise early recognition and interventions which had been known to improve prognosis in children with autism. In formulating policy and designing interventions for these children, there is need to develop a reliable tool that can be used in assessing baseline knowledge about childhood autism among health workers and the impact that future continued education and awareness campaign may have on such baseline knowledge. Knowledge about childhood autism among health workers (KCAHW) questionnaire was designed for this purpose.
A case controlled comparison of open and laparoscopic splenectomy in children.

BACKGROUND This case controlled study compares the efficacy, safety, and cost of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) and open splenectomy (OS) for hematologic disorders in children. METHODS The records of 82 consecutive children and adolescents undergoing splenectomy for hematologic disorders between August 1994 and September 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Fifty patients underwent LS by a lateral approach and 32 underwent OS through a left subcostal incision. Mean age was 7.76 years for LS and 6.9 years for OS. Patient weights were similar: (LS, mean 30.5 kg; OS, mean 27.6 kg). Hematologic indications included hereditary spherocytosis in 43 children (LS 26, OS 17), sickle cell anemia with sequestration in 13 (LS 7, OS 6), immune thrombocytopenic purpura in 14 (LS 8, OS 6), and 12 with other disorders (LS 9, OS 3). Concomitant cholecystectomy was performed in 10 of 50 LS and 6 of 32 OS cases. Accessory spleens were identified in 8 of 32 (25%) OS and 9 of 50 (18%) LS cases (P = .578). No LS procedures required conversion to OS. The mean estimated blood loss was 54.4 mL for LS and 49.0 mL for OS (P = .233). LS required a longer operative time (115 vs 83 minutes, P = .002), less need for postoperative intravenous narcotic (51% vs 100%, P < .0001), lower total narcotic doses (0.239 vs 0.480 mg/kg morphine, P = .006), shorter length of hospital stay (1.4 +/- 0.97 vs 2.5 +/- 1.43 days, P = .0001), and lower average total hospital charges ($5713 vs $6564) than OS. There were no deaths or major complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and effective procedure in children with hematologic disorders resulting in longer operative times, less narcotic administration, shorter length of stay, and lower total hospital charge.
Is the whole more than the sum of its parts? Evolutionary trade-offs between burst and sustained locomotion in lacertid lizards

Trade-offs arise when two functional traits impose conflicting demands on the same design trait. Consequently, excellence in one comes at the cost of performance in the other. One of the most widely studied performance trade-offs is the one between sprint speed and endurance. Although biochemical, physiological and (bio)mechanical correlates of either locomotor trait conflict with each other, results at the whole-organism level are mixed. Here, we test whether burst (speed, acceleration) and sustained locomotion (stamina) trade off at both the isolated muscle and whole-organism level among 17 species of lacertid lizards. In addition, we test for a mechanical link between the organismal and muscular (power output, fatigue resistance) performance traits. We find weak evidence for a trade-off between burst and sustained locomotion at the whole-organism level; however, there is a significant trade-off between muscle power output and fatigue resistance in the isolated muscle level. Variation in whole-animal sprint speed can be convincingly explained by variation in muscular power output. The variation in locomotor stamina at the whole-organism level does not relate to the variation in muscle fatigue resistance, suggesting that whole-organism stamina depends not only on muscle contractile performance but probably also on the performance of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
The Effects of Goods and Financial Market Integration on Macroeconomic Volatility

This paper aims to determine whether increasing goods and financial market integration raises or lowers macroeconomic volatility. The effects of shocks to the money supply, government expenditure, and labor supply on the volatility of macroeconomic variables are analyzed under different degrees of goods and financial market integration in a dynamic general equilibrium framework. Imperfect goods market integration is represented by pricing-to-market behavior by firms and imperfect financial market integration by adjustment costs to foreign asset stock changes. Simulations show that the effects of the different shocks on economic volatility change significantly depending on the presence of incompletely integrated goods and/or financial markets. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester
Fluid effect on wave propagation in heterogeneous porous media

Acoustic wave propagation through porous media is affected by the properties of the pore fluid and the matrix material. The acoustic velocity is extensively used for imaging of subsurface strata, and to predict petrophysical properties. In contrast, the attenuation (loss of wave energy) is not routinely used. This thesis reports the influence of fluid inhomogeneities (gas bubbles) on wave attenuation in fluid-saturated porous media. The underestimation of Biot-attenuation is due to heterogeneities on the microscale (microcracks in the grains or at the grain contacts) and on the mesoscale in the frame (e.g., interbedded shales) and the fluid (e.g., gas bubbles or gas layers). Mesoscopic inhomogeneities are described in local pressure equilibration models by local fluid flow. Applying the Rayleigh-Plesset-Biot model to literature data of resonant bar experiments on rock samples at frequencies from 0.6 to 6 kHz, a very good match between the reported and predicted attenuation was found. Using a gas-injection technique, a single bubble was created in an oil-saturated porous sample. Using Spectral Ratio Data Analysis, it was found that in this case the patchy saturation model gives a better prediction at 500 kHz. Differential Acoustic Resonance Spectroscopy (DARS) measurements on 45 natural rocks and artificial porous samples gave a good agreement with the Gassmann modulus for sealed porous samples. For open-pore samples the DARS modulus is governed by the relative fluid motion at the outer wall.
KRAS Mutation Is a Predictor of Oxaliplatin Sensitivity in Colon Cancer Cells

Molecular biomarkers to determine the effectiveness of targeted therapies in cancer treatment have been widely adopted in colorectal cancer (CRC), but those to predict chemotherapy sensitivity remain poorly defined. We tested our hypothesis that KRAS mutation may be a predictor of oxaliplatin sensitivity in CRC. KRAS was knocked-down in KRAS-mutant CRC cells (DLD-1G13D and SW480G12V) by small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and overexpressed in KRAS-wild-type CRC cells (COLO320DM) by KRAS-mutant vectors to generate paired CRC cells. These paired CRC cells were tested by oxaliplatin, irinotecan and 5FU to determine the change in drug sensitivity by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Reasons for sensitivity alteration were further determined by western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT -PCR). In KRAS-wild-type CRC cells (COLO320DM), KRAS overexpression by mutant vectors caused excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) downregulation in protein and mRNA levels, and enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity. In contrast, in KRAS-mutant CRC cells (DLD-1G13D and SW480G12V), KRAS knocked-down by KRAS-siRNA led to ERCC1 upregulation and increased oxaliplatin resistance. The sensitivity of irinotecan and 5FU had not changed in the paired CRC cells. To validate ERCC1 as a predictor of sensitivity for oxaliplatin, ERCC1 was knocked-down by siRNA in KRAS-wild-type CRC cells, which restored oxaliplatin sensitivity. In contrast, ERCC1 was overexpressed by ERCC1-expressing vectors in KRAS-mutant CRC cells, and caused oxaliplatin resistance. Overall, our findings suggest that KRAS mutation is a predictor of oxaliplatin sensitivity in colon cancer cells by the mechanism of ERCC1 downregulation.
Assessing Effectiveness of Research for Load Shedding in Power System

The research on loadshedding issues dates back to 1972 and till date many studies were introduced by the research community to address the issues. A closer review of existing techniques shows that still the effectiveness of loadshedding schemes are not yet benchmarked and majority of the existing system just considers the techniques to be quite symptomatic to either frequency or voltage. With an evolution of smart grids, majority of the controlling features of power system and networks are governed by a computational model. However, till date not enough evidences of potential computational model has been seen that claims to have better balance between the load shedding schemes and quality of power system performance. Hence, we review some significant literatures and highlights the research gap with the existing technqiues of load balancing that is meant for assisting the researcher to conclude after the selection process of existing system as a reference for future direction of study.
Distinct Contributions of the Nisin Biosynthesis Enzymes NisB and NisC and Transporter NisT to Prenisin Production by Lactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT Several Lactococcus lactis strains produce the lantibiotic nisin. The dedicated enzymes NisB and NisC and the transporter NisT modify and secrete the ribosomally synthesized nisin precursor peptide. NisB can function in the absence of the cyclase NisC, yielding the dehydrated prenisin that lacks the thioether rings. A kinetic analysis of nisin production by L. lactis NZ9700 demonstrated that the prenisin was released from the cell into the medium before the processing of the leader sequence occurred. Upon the deletion of nisC, the production of prenisin was reduced by 70%, while in the absence of nisB, the production of prenisin was nearly completely abolished. In cells lacking nisT, no secretion was observed, while the expression of nisABC in these cells resulted in considerable growth rate inhibition caused by the intracellular accumulation of active nisin. Overall, these data indicate that the efficiency of prenisin transport by NisT is markedly enhanced by NisB, suggesting a channeling mechanism of prenisin transfer between the nisin modification enzymes and the transporter.
Interaction of a focused laser beam and a coaxial powder jet in laser surface processing

Laser cladding, laser alloying, and laser free-form manufacturing are promising techniques where a laser beam is frequently used in conjunction with a coaxial powder jet for surface treating or rapid manufacturing. In the present work, a computational model was developed and used to simulate several experimental setups in order to optimize the processing conditions. More specifically, the model was used to calculate the distribution of particles temperature and the transmitted laser beam power as a function of the position of the origin of the powder jet in relation to the converging lens that focuses the laser beam. Two cases were analyzed, the first assuming that the powder density varies with the inverse of the square of the distance, and the second one considering a Gaussian powder density distribution. The intensity distribution in the laser beam was assumed to be Gaussian. In the present work, it was shown that when the characteristic parameters of the laser beam and of the powder jet are kept constant, the distance between the lens and the powder origin determines the particles temperature distribution and the laser beam attenuation and it is an important aspect in the optimization of energy transfer in the process.Laser cladding, laser alloying, and laser free-form manufacturing are promising techniques where a laser beam is frequently used in conjunction with a coaxial powder jet for surface treating or rapid manufacturing. In the present work, a computational model was developed and used to simulate several experimental setups in order to optimize the processing conditions. More specifically, the model was used to calculate the distribution of particles temperature and the transmitted laser beam power as a function of the position of the origin of the powder jet in relation to the converging lens that focuses the laser beam. Two cases were analyzed, the first assuming that the powder density varies with the inverse of the square of the distance, and the second one considering a Gaussian powder density distribution. The intensity distribution in the laser beam was assumed to be Gaussian. In the present work, it was shown that when the characteristic parameters of the laser beam and of the powder jet are kept const.
Update on the evidence for functional rhinoplasty techniques

Purpose of reviewFunctional rhinoplasty is a term that is commonly used to describe any technique used to address nasal obstruction in the nasal valve region. The cause of nasal valve collapse differs based on the site. Internal valve collapse may be idiopathic or associated with previous rhinoplasty, trauma, or weakened cartilage in older patients. External valve collapse is usually idiopathic and less likely to be associated with previous surgery. Various techniques have been developed over time, and the data in support of functional rhinoplasty continue to increase. Recent findingsThis article discusses popular techniques currently in use, as well as newer techniques that have been described over the past several years. In addition, there is a trend toward utilizing objective testing and validated assessment scales to assess postoperative changes. SummaryFunctional rhinoplasty utilizes a multitude of techniques to address nasal valve collapse. Although high-level data are lacking, the current literature is in support of nasal valve correction to improve nasal breathing. Most importantly, the technique employed is unique for each patient.
Improving Text Normalization by Optimizing Nearest Neighbor Matching

Text normalization is an essential task in the processing and analysis of social media that is dominated with informal writing. It aims to map informal words to their intended standard forms. Previously proposed text normalization approaches typically require manual selection of parameters for improved performance. In this paper, we present an automatic optimizationbased nearest neighbor matching approach for text normalization. This approach is motivated by the observation that text normalization is essentially a matching problem and nearest neighbor matching with an adaptive similarity function is the most direct procedure for it. Our similarity function incorporates weighted contributions of contextual, string, and phonetic similarity, and the nearest neighbor matching involves a minimum similarity threshold. These four parameters are tuned efficiently using grid search. We evaluate the performance of our approach on two benchmark datasets. The results demonstrate that parameter tuning on small sized labeled datasets produce state-of-the-art text normalization performances. Thus, this approach allows practically easy construction of evolving domain-specific normalization lexicons
Innovative system of high-temperature shape memory alloys

A new high temperature shape memory alloy system based on the Ni50Ti50-XHfX has been successfully developed. The experimental results show that the martensite transformation temperature increases significantly with an increase in Hf content. The elevating effect of Hf on the phase transformation temperature is much higher than that of Pd. The Af phase transformation temperature can reach as high as 503 degree(s)C when the Hf content is 25%. Examination of the one-way shape memory effect displays that the fully reversible strain decreases slightly as the Hf content increases, but the alloy also possesses a relatively high fully reversible strain even though the Hf content is 25%. It was also found that the new high temperature shape memory alloys demonstrate a very good two-way shape memory effect after proper training.
Exploring wait list prioritization and management strategies for publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services in ontario, Canada: further evidence of barriers to access for people with chronic disease.

BACKGROUND Timely access to publicly funded health services is a priority issue across the healthcare continuum in Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine wait list management strategies for publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services in Ontario, Canada. METHODS Ambulatory rehabilitation services were defined as community occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) services. A mailed self-administered questionnaire was sent to all 374 Ontario publicly funded sites. Descriptive statistics were used to explore management strategies. RESULTS The response rate was 57.2%. Client acuity was the most common method used to prioritize access across all settings. The most frequently reported methods to manage wait lists included teaching self-management strategies (85.0%), implementing attendance policies (69.5%) and conducting wait list audits (67.3%). CONCLUSION Ambulatory rehabilitation settings have implemented a number of strategies for wait list management. The results of this study suggest that an increasing number of Ontarians encounter barriers when accessing publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services.
Simulation of Networked Ensemble Performance with Varying Time Delays: Characterization of Ensemble Accuracy

The conditions of networked ensemble performance were simulated in an experiment. Pairs of musicians were placed apart in isolated rooms and given a simple rhythm to clap together. A microphone was placed as close as possible to each performer’s hands. Each monitored the other’s sound via headphones, and a delay was introduced between the source and listener. Starting tempo, given by a recorded count-in, and delay time were varied across trials. Recordings of the trials were analyzed with a precise event detection algorithm to locate clap onsets, from which the tempo was inferred. The rate of deceleration increased with longer delays, while shorter delays ( 11.5 ms) produced a modest, but significant acceleration. The goal is to identify the region of delay time that is most conducive to maintaining a steady tempo. This will help to determine the necessary delay conditions to support networked musical performance (which may be over long distances or in adjoining rooms). Humans performed significantly better than a simple model of a memoryless instantaneous reaction.