Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tangent curve utilization for description of mechanical behaviour of pressed mixture

Herak D. , Kabutey A. , Sedlacek A. , Gűrdil G. , 2011. Tangent curve utilization for description of mechanical behaviour of pressed mixture . Res. Agr. Eng., 57: 13-18. This article is focused on the utilization of tangent curve for description of mechanical behaviour of pressed mixture under compression loading. The aim of this experiment was to determine the general equation describing deformation characteristics of pressed mixtures under compression loading and to verify this equation. The experiment was carried out using mixture of seeds of common sunflower ( Heliantus annuus L.), jatropha ( Jatropha curcas L.), garden pea ( Pisum sativum L.), common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and also mixture of spruce wood chips and waste paper chips. The results from the experiment showed that mechanical behaviour of the pressed mixtures under compression loading can be described by tangent curve function. From the determined coefficients of determination R 2 it was clear that fitted tangent curve functions described the measured amounts exactly for all pressed mixtures. It can be therefore assumed that this tangent curve function is appropriate for use in pressing any pressed mixtures during linear compression.
A novel image encryption scheme based on different block sizes for grayscale and color images

In this paper, two image encryption schemes are proposed for grayscale and color images. The two encryption schemes are based on dividing each image into blocks of different sizes. In the first scheme, the two dimension (2D) input image is divided into various blocks of size N × N. Each plainimage block is transformed into a one dimensional (1D) array using the Zigzag pattern mode. Then, the exclusive or (XOR) logical operation is used to encrypt each block with the analogous secret key. In the second scheme, after the transformation process, the first block of each image is encrypted by the corresponding secret key. Then, before the next block is encrypted, it is XORed with the first encrypted block to become the next input to the encrypting routine and so on. This feedback mechanism depends on the cipher block chaining (CBC) mode of operation which considers the heart of some ciphers because it is highly nonlinear. In the case of color images, the color component is separated into blocks with the same size and different secret keys. The used secret key sequences are generated from elliptic curves (EC) over a binary finite field F2™. Finally, the experimental results are carried out and security analysis of the ciphered images are demonstrated that the two proposed schemes had a better performance in terms of security, sensitivity and robustness.
Validating performance of TRISS, TARN and NORMIT survival prediction models in a Norwegian trauma population

Anatomic injury, physiological derangement, age, injury mechanism and pre‐injury comorbidity are well‐founded predictors of trauma outcome. Statistical prediction models may have poorer discrimination, calibration and accuracy when applied in new locations. We aimed to compare the TRISS, TARN and NORMIT survival prediction models in a Norwegian trauma population.
Defining the safe working zones using the minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach: an anatomical study.

OBJECT The lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is being increasingly employed to treat various spinal disorders. The minimally invasive blunt retroperitoneal and transpsoas dissection poses a risk of injury to major nervous structures. The addition of electrophysiological monitoring potentially decreases the risk of injury to the lumbar plexus. With respect to the use of the direct transpsoas approach, however, there is sparse knowledge regarding the relationship between the retroperitoneum/psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus at each lumbar segment. The authors undertook this anatomical cadaveric dissection study to define the anatomical safe zones relative to the disc spaces for prevention of nerve injuries during the lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. METHODS Twenty lumbar segments were dissected and studied. The relationship between the retroperitoneum, psoas muscle, and the lumbar plexus was analyzed. The area between the anterior and posterior edges of the vertebral body (VB) was divided into 4 equal zones. Radiopaque markers were placed in each disc space at the midpoint of Zone III (middle posterior quarter). At each segment, the psoas muscle, lumbar plexus, and nerve roots were dissected. The distribution of the lumbar plexus with reference to the markers at each lumbar segment was analyzed. RESULTS All parts of the lumbar plexus, including nerve roots, were found within the substance of the psoas muscle dorsal to the posterior fourth of the VB (Zone IV). No Zone III marker was posterior to any part of the lumbar plexus with the exception of the genitofemoral nerve. The genitofemoral nerve travels obliquely in the substance of the psoas muscle from its origin to its innervations. It emerges superficially and anterior from the medial border of the psoas at the L3-4 level and courses along the anterior medial fourth of the L-4 and L-5 VBs (Zone I). The nerves of the plexus that originate at the upper lumbar segments emerge from the lateral border of the psoas major and cross obliquely into the retroperitoneum in front of the quadratus lumborum and the iliacus muscles to the iliac crest. CONCLUSIONS With respect to prevention of direct nerve injury, the safe anatomical zones at the disc spaces from L1-2 to L3-4 are at the middle posterior quarter of the VB (midpoint of Zone III) and the safe anatomical zone at the L4-5 disc space is at the midpoint of the VB (Zone II-Zone III demarcation). There is risk of direct injury to the genitofemoral nerve in Zone II at the L2-3 space and in Zone I at the lower lumbar levels L3-4 and L4-5. There is also a potential risk of injury to the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves in the retroperitoneal space where they travel obliquely, inferiorly, and anteriorly to the reach the iliac crest and the abdominal wall.
Electrochemical layer-by-layer approach to fabricate mechanically stable platinum black microelectrodes using a mussel-inspired polydopamine adhesive

Objective. Platinum black (PtBK) has long been used for microelectrode fabrication owing to its high recording performance of neural signals. The porous structure of PtBK enlarges the surface area and lowers the impedance, which results in background noise reduction. However, the brittleness of PtBK has been a problem in practice. In this work, we report mechanically stable PtBK microelectrodes using a bioinspired adhesive film, polydopamine (pDA), while maintaining the low impedance of PtBK. Approach. The pDA layer was incorporated into the PtBK structure through electrochemical layer-by-layer deposition. Varying the number of layers and the order of materials, multi-layered pDA-PtBK hybrids were fabricated and the electrical properties, both impedance and charge injection limit, were evaluated. Main results. Multilayered pDA-PtBK hybrids had electrical impedances as low as PtBK controls and charge injection limit twice larger than controls. For the 30 min-ultrasonication agitation test, impedance levels rarely changed for some of the pDA-PtBK hybrids indicating that the pDA improved the mechanical property of the PtBK structures. The pDA-PtBK hybrid microelectrodes readily recorded neural signals of cultured hippocampal neurons, where background noise levels and signal-to-noise were 2.43 ∼ 3.23 μVrms and 28.4 ∼ 69.1, respectively. Significance. The developed pDA-PtBK hybrid microelectrodes are expected to be applicable to neural sensors for neural prosthetic studies.
Effect of dimethyl fumarate on gray and white matter pathology in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral treatment for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) with anti‐inflammatory and possible neuroprotective properties. Its effect on white matter and gray matter pathology is still not fully understood. The aim of the study was to characterize the effect of DMF on normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) and thalamic pathology longitudinally.
Passivating Contacts for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells: From Concepts and Materials to Prospects

To further increase the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells, it is vital to reduce the recombination losses associated with the contacts. Therefore, a contact structure that simultaneously passivates the c-Si surface while selectively extracting only one type of charge carrier (i.e., either electrons or holes) is desired. Realizing such passivating contacts in c-Si solar cells has become an important research objective, and an overview and classification of work to date on this topic is presented here. Using this overview, we discuss the design guidelines for passivating contacts and outline their prospects.
Nonlinear Identification of a Magneto‐Rheological Damper Based on Dynamic Neural Networks

Semi‐active control of dynamic response of civil structures with magneto‐rheological (MR) fluid dampers has emerged as a novel revolutionary technology in recent years for designing “smart structures. ” A small‐scale MR damper model with the valve mode mechanism has been examined in this research using dynamic recurrent neural network modeling approach to reproduce its hysteretic nonlinear behavior. Modified Bouc–Wen model based on nonlinear differential equations has not only been employed as the reference model to provide a comprehensive training data for the neural network but also for comparison purposes. A novel frequency and amplitude varying displacement input signal (modulated chirp signal) associated with a random supply voltage has been introduced for persistent excitation of the damper in such a way to cover almost all of its operating conditions. Finally a series of validation tests were conducted on the proposed model which proved the appropriate performance of the model in terms of accuracy and capability for realization.
Health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression and impulsivity in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

AIM To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, depression, and impulsivity scores in patients with and without carcinoid syndrome (CS), and correlated them with serum 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels. METHODS Patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEPNET), with and without CS completed HRQoL QLQ-C30 and QLQ-GI.NET21, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) questionnaires. Two-sample Wilcoxon test was applied to assess differences in serum 5-HIAA levels, two-sample Mann-Whitney U test for HRQoL and BIS, and proportion test for HADS, between those with and without CS. RESULTS Fifty patients were included; 25 each with and without CS. Median 5-HIAA in patients with and without CS was 367nmol/L and 86nmol/L, respectively (P = 0.003). Scores related to endocrine symptoms were significantly higher amongst patients with CS (P = 0.04) and scores for disease-related worries approached significance in the group without CS, but no other statistically-significant differences were reported between patients with and without CS in responses on QLQ-C30 or QLQ-GI.NET21. Fifteen patients (26%) scored ≥ 8/21 on anxiety scale, and 6 (12%) scored ≥ 8/21 on depression scale. There was no difference in median 5-HIAA between those scoring < or ≥ 8/21 on anxiety scale (P = 0.53). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in first or second-order factors (BIS) or total sum (P = 0.23). CONCLUSION Excepting endocrine symptoms, there were no significant differences in HRQoL, anxiety, depression or impulsivity between patients with advanced GEPNET, with or without CS. Over one quarter of patients had high anxiety scores, unrelated to peripheral serotonin metabolism.
Temporal Expression of Genes in Biofilm-Forming Ocular Candida albicans Isolated From Patients With Keratitis and Orbital Cellulitis.

Purpose To study antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm-forming potential of ocular isolates of Candida albicans along with gene expression. Methods Seven clinical isolates of C. albicans (keratitis-6 and orbital cellulitis-1) were evaluated. Biofilm formation in one isolate was monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Expression of 27 genes (real-time PCR) associated with biofilm formation and virulence was compared between biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative ocular C. albicans isolates. The temporal expression (4 to 72 hours) of the 27 overexpressed genes was also determined. Similar studies were also done with biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative nonocular C. albicans. Results Four of seven ocular C. albicans isolates exhibited the potential to form biofilm, one of which was resistant to three antifungals, whereas three were susceptible to all. SEM studies indicated that biofilm increased from two to three adherent layers of cells at 24 hours to multiple layers by 72 hours. CLSM showed that biofilm thickness increased from 5.2 μm at 24 hours to 17.98 μm at 72 hours. Upregulation of 27 genes involved in virulence and biofilm formation was observed both in the ocular and nonocular C. albicans positive for biofilm formation and compared to the respective non-biofilm-forming C. albicans. The results also indicated similarity in expression of genes between biofilm-forming ocular and nonocular pathogenic C. albicans. Temporal expression of the 27 genes (involved in adhesion, initiation, maturation, and dispersal stages of biofilm) in the biofilm-positive ocular isolate indicated that expression pattern followed four different patterns. Conclusions This is the first study showing similarity in expression of genes in biofilm-forming ocular and nonocular isolates of C. albicans, suggesting that upregulated genes could serve as a potential target for developing therapeutic strategies.
Contact response maps for real time dynamic simulation

We describe the generation and use of "contact response maps" for real time dynamic simulation. Contact response maps are geometry and material dependent maps on physical objects which describe the surface tractions associated with local deformations during contact. We develop a technique for precomputing contact response maps for elastic bodies using the boundary element method to solve the corresponding plane strain problem. Such maps can then be used in a real time simulation environment to accurately resolve collision dynamics.
How Can We Not ‘Lose It’ if We Still Don’t Understand How to ‘Use It’? Unanswered Questions about the Influence of Activity Participation on Cognitive Performance in Older Age – A Mini-Review

The ‘use it or lose it’ hypothesis of cognitive aging predicts that engagement in intellectual, social, and physical activities offers protective benefits from age-related cognitive decline and lowers dementia risk. Although this hypothesis has not yet been supported conclusively, there is some empirical evidence in favor of the proposal. However, a number of questions surrounding the relationship between activity participation and cognitive ability in older adulthood are not yet well answered. This mini-review identifies seven key methodological and theoretical issues that are critical to our understanding and eventual possible promotion of activity participation as a way to maintain cognitive well-being. These include the mechanisms involved, the optimal ways of assessing activity engagement, which cognitive domains receive the most benefit from activity engagement, the temporal nature and the directionality of the relationship, the influence of demographic variables such as age, gender, or education, and whether one activity domain offers the most benefit to cognition. The current knowledge on each of these issues is critically evaluated, including describing what we already know about the issue, and identifying potential difficulties and opportunities that may exist in finding an answer. More studies need to take on the challenge of specifically targeting these issues, as each is essential to moving the field forward.
Fabrication of low-loss optical waveguides using a novel photosensitive polyimide

Fabrication of optical waveguides by a simple patterning process using photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) is described. Light waveguide based on PSPI was fabricated by photolithographic processing without use of dry etching process. The PSPI varnish is comprised of polyamic acid (PAA) which was made from fluorinated diamine and fluorinated tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and photosensitizer. The PSPI has the following characteristics: glass transition temperature (Tg) of 330 °C, coefficient of thermal expansion of 40 ppm/K. Moreover the PSPI is colorless, and posses low absorption at 1 . 3 and 1 . 55im. The sidewalls and the surfaces ofthe fabricated waveguide are very smooth, which is essential for the low loss optical mode propagation and lower scattering of the mode due to the imperfections. Single and multimode buried ridge waveguides on quartz glass substrate were fabricated and tested. Optical propagation losses were measured by standard cut back method and found to be as low as 0.4 dB/cm @ 1.55 jim. This fabrication process would be expected to contribute to low cost production for high performance opto-electronic devices.
Efficacy of Hemostatic Agents in Humans With Rotational Thromboelastometry: An in-vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in military conflicts. Different types of hemostatic dressings have been compared in animal studies for their ability to control bleeding. However, the effects of hemostatic agents in animals may be different from those in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of hemostatic dressings in human blood. METHODS Clotting time, clot formation time, α-angle, maximum clot firmness, and lysis index of human blood incubated with QuikClot Gauze, Celox Gauze, QuikClot ACS+, and standard gauze, were compared using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Nonactivated, intrinsically activated, extrinsically activated, and fibrin-based ROTEM were used to elucidate different mechanisms of action of those dressings. RESULTS QuikClot Gauze was the most efficacious hemostatic dressing, followed by Celox Gauze and standard gauze. QuikClot ACS+ was clearly outperformed. CONCLUSIONS Modern hemostatic dressings such as QuikClot Gauze and Celox Gauze should be preferred to previous generations of hemostatic dressings, such as QuikClot ACS+. In vitro studies like ROTEM can provide valuable information about the mechanisms of action of hemostatic dressings. A combination of different mechanisms of action may increase the efficacy of hemostatic dressings.
Association of IL28B gene variations with mathematical modeling of viral kinetics in chronic hepatitis C patients with IFN plus ribavirin therapy

Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are known to have better virological responses to pegylated (Peg) IFN-based therapy than Western patients. Although IL28B gene polymorphisms may contribute to this difference, whether favorable hepatitis C virus (HCV) kinetics during treatment plays a role remains unclear. We enrolled 145 consecutive Taiwanese patients with CHC receiving Peg-IFN α-2a plus ribavirin for the study. Blood samples were taken more frequently at defined intervals in the first 3 d. Peg-IFN was administered at week 1. It was then administered weekly in combination with daily ribavirin for 24 or 48 wk. A mathematical model fitted to the observed HCV kinetics was constructed, which could interpret the transient HCV titer elevation after Peg-IFN treatment. The results demonstrated a comparable viral clearance rate (c = 3.45 ± 3.73) (day−1, mean ± SD) but lower daily viral production rate (P = 106–1012) in our patients than those reported previously in Western patients. Of 110 patients with a sustained virological response (SVR), 47 (43%) had a transient elevation of viral titer within 12 h (proportion of 12 h/3 d: 44% in non-SVR vs. 70% in SVR; P = 0.029). Among 91 patients with available rs8099917 data, patients with the TT genotype had an early surge of viral titer after therapy and a higher SVR and viral clearance rate than those with the GT genotype. In conclusion, Taiwanese patients with CHC receiving Peg-IFN plus ribavirin therapy have a lower daily viral production rate than Western patients, and the rs8099917 TT genotype may contribute to the increased viral clearance rate and better virological responses in these patients.
Understanding the Role of Negative Emotions in Adult Learning and Achievement: A Social Functional Perspective

The role of emotions in adult learning and achievement has received increasing attention in recent years. However, much of the emphasis has been on test anxiety, rather than the wider spectrum of negative emotions such as sadness, grief, boredom and anger. This paper reports findings of a qualitative study exploring the experience and functionality of negative emotions at university. Thirty-six academic staff and students from an Australian university were interviewed about emotional responses to a range of learning events. Data analysis was informed by a prototype approach to emotion research. Four categories of discrete negative emotions (anger, sadness, fear, boredom) were considered by teachers and students to be especially salient in learning, with self-conscious emotions (guilt, embarrassment, shame) mentioned by more students than staff. While negative emotions were frequently viewed as detrimental to motivation, performance and learning, they were also construed under some circumstances as beneficial. The findings are discussed in relation to the value of social functional approaches for a better understanding of the diverse roles of negative emotions in learning and achievement.
Economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions: An analysis of Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper analyzes the empirical relationship between carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions per-capita and economic growth in a panel of 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries over the period 1971-2011. This empirical relationship, known in the economic literature as the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, suggests that the relationship between these variables, in the long run, follows an inverse U-shape, that is, from a certain level of per-capita income, an increased economic growth would be accompanied by improvements in environmental quality. Although this hypothesis has been studied since the 1990s, its empirical validity has recently been questioned on the basis of, among other things, the lack of diagnosis of the stationarity properties of the variables, and in a panel data context, the presence of cross-sectional dependence. Taking into account both criticisms, we use recent unit root tests and cointegration techniques that are robust to the presence of cross-sectional dependence. We find contradictory results depending on the assumption of cross-dependence. Under the assumption of cross-independence, the existence of an EKC with a realistic turning point is confirmed. However, this assumption is subsequently rejected, and because of the presence of cross-dependence in the panel, a long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables cannot be established, and we reject the existence of an EKC.