Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quick and Easy Correction of a Symptomatic Pincer Nail Using a Shape Memory Alloy Device

BACKGROUND Pincer nails are characterized by the transverse curvature increasing from the proximal to the distal aspect along the longitudinal axis. A novel treatment technique using a shape memory alloy device was recently introduced. OBJECTIVE To determine the treatment outcomes and safety of a shape memory alloy device. METHODS AND MATERIALS This was a retrospective analysis of 21 cases of pincer nail of the great toe in 14 patients. Subjective indices (pain, inconvenience, global assessment scores) and objective parameters (transverse angle, width index) on days 0 (D0) and 1 (D1) and weeks 2 (W2) and 12 (W12) were investigated. RESULTS All parameters started to show significant improvement on D1. From D0 to D1, pain score fell from 3.6 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.7, inconvenience score fell from 3.3 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.7, global assessment score increased from 1.5 ± 0.7 to 2.5 ± 0.7, transverse angle improved from 86.4 ± 27.7° to 114.7 ± 21.6°, and width index improved from 67.6 ± 13.1% to 89.0 ± 9.7%. These effects were consistent during 12 weeks of follow‐up. Two cases (9.5%) recurred, but symptoms were less severe than before. No complication was identified. CONCLUSION A shape memory alloy device was an effective and safe way to rapidly correct symptomatic pincer nail deformity.
The Visible and the Invisible Followed by Working Notes

"The Visible and the Invisible "contains the unfinished manuscript and working notes of the book Merleau-Ponty was writing when he died. The text is devoted to a critical examination of Kantian, Husserlian, Bergsonian, and Sartrean method, followed by the extraordinary "The Intertwining--The Chiasm," that reveals the central pattern of Merleau-Ponty's own thought. The working notes for the book provide the reader with a truly exciting insight into the mind of the philosopher at work as he refines and develops new pivotal concepts.
Skipping-oriented Partitioning for Columnar Layouts

As data volumes continue to grow, modern database systems increasingly rely on data skipping mechanisms to improve performance by avoiding access to irrelevant data. Recent work [39] proposed a fine-grained partitioning scheme that was shown to improve the opportunities for data skipping in row-oriented systems. Modern analytics and big data systems increasingly adopt columnar storage schemes, and in such systems, a row-based approach misses important opportunities for further improving data skipping. The flexibility of column-oriented organizations, however, comes with the additional cost of tuple reconstruction. In this paper, we develop Generalized Skipping-Oriented Partitioning (GSOP), a novel hybrid data skipping framework that takes into account these row-based and column-based tradeoffs. In contrast to previous column-oriented physical design work, GSOP considers the tradeoffs between horizontal data skipping and vertical partitioning jointly. Our experiments using two public benchmarks and a real-world workload show that GSOP can significantly reduce the amount of data scanned and improve end-to-end query response times over the state-of-the- art techniques.
Management of peri‐operative anti‐thrombotic therapy

The management of antithrombotic therapy in the peri‐operative setting is a common problem, balancing haemorrhagic risk with continued treatment and thrombotic risk when discontinued. High‐quality evidence is lacking regarding the optimal approach for patients on oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. This review discusses the available evidence for the management of patients on warfarin, non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant drugs, and antiplatelet therapy in the peri‐operative setting. Bridging therapy for patients on warfarin should be considered for those at highest risk of thrombosis, whereas it may not be necessary for those on non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant drugs given the reduced time off anticoagulation and their more predictable pharmacokinetics. Aspirin can be continued for most procedures. Dual antiplatelet agents for patients with a recently inserted coronary artery stent should be continued if possible but decisions should be individualised and taken after multidisciplinary discussion.
HI distribution and kinematics of NGC 1569

We present WSRT observations of high sensitivity and resolution of the neutral hydrogen in the starburst dwarf galaxy NGC 1569. Assuming a distance of 2.2 Mpc, we find a total HI mass of $1.3 \times 10^8~M_\odot$ to be distributed in the form of a dense, clumpy ridge surrounded by more extended diffuse HI containing a few additional discrete features, such as a Western HI Arm and an HI bridge reaching out to a small counterrotating companion cloud. About 10% by mass of all HI in NGC 1569 is at unusually high velocities. Some of this HI may be associated with the mass outflow evident from H α measurements, but some may also be associated with NGC 1569's HI companion and intervening HI bridge, in which case, infall rather than outflow might be the cause of the discrepant velocities. No indication of a large bubble structure was found in position-velocity maps of the high-velocity HI. The galaxy as a whole is in modest overall rotation, but the HI gas lacks any sign of rotation within $60''$ (0.6 kpc) from the center, i.e. over most of the optical galaxy. Here, turbulent motions resulting from the starburst appear to dominate over rotation. In the outer disk, the rotational velocities reach a maximum of $35 \pm 6\ \rm km\ s^{-1}$, but turbulent motion remains significant. Thus, starburst effects are still noticeable in the outer HI disk, although they are no longer dominant beyond 0.6 kpc. Even excluding the most extreme high-velocity HI clouds, NGC 1569 still has an unusually high mean HI velocity dispersion of $\sigma_{\rm v} = 21.3\rm~km\, s^{-1}$, more than double that of other dwarf galaxies.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 positive allosteric modulators are neuroprotective in a mouse model of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. We have previously demonstrated that the cell signalling of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is altered in a mouse model of HD. Although mGluR5‐dependent protective pathways are more activated in HD neurons, intracellular Ca2+ release is also more pronounced, which could contribute to excitotoxicity. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) could activate protective pathways without triggering high levels of Ca2+ release and be neuroprotective in HD.
Performance Analysis of High-Rate Full-Diversity Space Time Frequency / Space Frequency Codes for Multiuser MIMO-OFDM

MIMO-OFDM has been recognized as one of the most promising techniques to support high data rate and high performance wireless systems. In particular, coding over the space, time, and frequency domains provided by MIMO-OFDM enables a much more reliable and robust transmission over the harsh wireless environment. In this paper, the authors provide an overview of spacefrequency (SF) coding and space-time-frequency (STF) coding for MIMO-OFDM systems and compare the performance of different coding schemes. Performance results show that STF coding can achieve better coding and diversity gain in an end-to-end MIMO-OFDM system over broadband wireless channels. Key-Words: -multiple-input multipleoutput systems, multipath fading channels, multiple access channel (MAC), multiuser space time frequency (STF) coding, multiuser space-frequency (SF) coding. WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on COMMUNICATIONS R. Shelim, M. A. Matin, A. U. Alam E-ISSN: 2224-2864 51 Volume 13, 2014 codes) and space-time-frequency (for STF codes) matrix that provide full access to the channel frequency, time and spatial diversity in the absence of other threads. Diophantine approximation theory is then used where the Diophantine numbers are, , and is chosen such that the threads are transparent to each other. Furthermore, another Diophantine approximation is used where the Diophantine numbers are as follows so that users are transparent to each other. Depending on the pair wise-error probability of multiuser MIMO system, the full diversity performance of the multi-user STF codes is associated with the full-rank property of any codeword difference matrix and any set of users. In this paper, we attempt to provide an overview of SF coding, and STF coding for MIMO OFDM wireless systems, in particular focusing on recent work on high rate and full diversity multi-user SF/STF code design. For better understanding of SF/STF code design, SF and STF codes have been discussed in two separate sections. Simulation section compares the performance of the proposed STF codes with SF codes. The organization of this paper is as follows. The MIMOOFDM system is briefly introduced in section 2. In section 3, the design of full diversity and high code rate multiuser SF code with an example is presented. In section 4, a design of STF code is provided with an example to verify the code design. The presented code can also achieve full diversity and high code rate. Section 5 compares the performance of the STF codes with multiuser SF code and other typical SF codes. Finally, a conclusion is given in section 6.
Equilibrium in a market with sequential bargaining

This paper considers a market where pairs of agents who are interested in carrying out a transaction are brought together by a stochastic process and, upon meeting, initiate a bargaining process over the terms of the transaction. The basic bargaining problem is treated with the strategic approach. The paper derives the steady state equilibrium agreements; analyzes their dependence on market conditions such as the relative numbers of agents of different types; and discusses their relations with the competitive equilibrium outcome and other results in the search equilibrium literature. THIS PAPER CONSIDERS a market that operates in the following way. Pairs of agents who have mutual interest in carrying out a transaction are brought together by a stochastic process. When two agents meet, they initiate a bargaining process over the terms of the transaction. If two agents reach an agreement a transaction takes place and they leave the market. Of course, the bargaining positions and hence the agreement reached in any particular meeting will be affected by the conditions prevailing in the market. These will include the chances that each of the negotiating parties have of meeting other partners in the event that the agreement in the current negotiations is delayed; also the expected length of time required to achieve an alternative transaction, and the expected behavior of alternative partners. The study of such a market mechanism is of interest for two reasons. Firstly, it captures some realistic aspects of the trade in certain specific markets (e.g., asset markets such as housing and some labor markets). Secondly, it contributes to an understanding of the micro-mechanisms of price formation and their role in shaping market outcomes. In both cases, the features studied are largely neglected in the traditional market equilibrium analyses. The related literature includes the articles by Diamond [4, 5], Diamond and Maskin [6], Mortensen [8, 9], and Zusman and Bell [13]. These articles consider markets of the type described above, in which transactions are concluded at pairwise meetings of agents. The major difference between our work and these articles is in the approach to the basic bargaining problem. In the cited articles it is assumed that a meeting is concluded with an instantaneous agreement which divides the associated surplus in an arbitrary predetermined way (when the surplus is assumed to be divided equally, the division rule is, in fact, Nash's axiomatic bargaining solution). In contrast, the present paper treats the basic bargaining problem with the strategic approach (see Rubinstein [19]) which constitutes an attempt to look into the bargaining black-box. This approach explicitly models the time dimension of the bargaining process, describes in-detail the bargaining procedure, and justifies the agreement as a perfect equilibrium in
The organization of cholesteric spherulites

Germs of cholesteric liquids were studied in classical mixtures of nematic compounds (MBBA, PAA) with a twisting substance (cholesterol benzoate). These germs were also studied with different polymers of biological interest: synthetic polypeptides (PBLG), nucleic acids (DNA) and polysaccharides (xanthan). Germs are either spherical or elongated with a uniform orientation of layers; there are spherulites which are intermediate between these two types. The molecular orientations are continuous in the bulk of all germs, even in the presence of a disclination radius. In this case a continuous model of the disclination core is presented. The whole topology of germs is discussed and modelled. The only discontinuities are to be found at the interface only in the case of definite angular conditions. The occurrence of spherulites in biological systems is reviewed Etude de germes de cristaux liquides cholesteriques dans le MBBA et le PAA torsades par le benzoate de cholesterol et dans differents polymeres d'interet biologique. Observation de germes spheriques ou allonges presentant une orientation uniforme des couches, de spherulites a couches concentriques possedant un rayon de desinclinaison et des spherulites intermediaires entre ces deux types. Discussion et modelisation de la topologie d'ensemble des germes. Les seules discontinuites rencontrees sont localisees a l'interface et seulement dans le cas de conditions angulaires strictes
Ricean K-Factor Measurements and Analysis for Wideband High-Speed Railway Channels at 2.35 GHz

This paper presents the analysis of Ricean K-factor for wideband high-speed railway channels at 2.35 GHz, based on radio channel measurements under viaduct and U-shape cutting scenarios. We characterize the K-factor from the perspective of narrowband, wideband and delay, according to the measured channel responses. The time-frequency varying narrowband K-factors in two scenarios are analyzed and compared. A distance-based statistical narrowband K-factor model that covers the frequency variability is proposed. Then, the channel bandwidth dependent property of the wideband K-factor is investigated and we establish a simple bandwidth-based wideband K-factor model. Moreover, the K-factor for each delay bin is discussed. These results are provided for use in wireless system design and channel modeling of high-speed railway.
Hypoglycaemic effect of galactooligosaccharides in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study was conducted to assess the effect of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on alloxan-induced diabetes in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan (100 mg/kg) and rats were divided in 4 groups: normal control group (NCG), prebiotic control group (PCG), diabetic control group (DCG) and diabetic prebiotic group (DPG). While PCG and DPG were fed with GOS supplemented (10% w/w) diet, NCG and DCG were administered with basal diet. Rats were sacrificed after 42 d for collection of blood and liver. Faecal samples were collected at the interval of 7 d throughout the study for measurement of lactobacilli and coliform count. Feeding of GOS decreased or delayed the severity of diabetes by amelioration of diabetes associated markers including fasting blood glucose, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, creatinine and urea. GOS was also found to improve the levels of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in liver and blood. Improvement in lactobacilli count along with a concomitant decrease in coliform count was observed in GOS fed groups.
Dynamic fine-grain leakage reduction using leakage-biased bitlines

Leakage power is dominated by critical paths, and hence dynamic deactivation of fast transistors can yield large savings. We introduce metrics for comparing fine-grain dynamic deactivation techniques that include the effects of deactivation energy and startup latencies, as well as long term leakage current. We present a new circuit-level technique for leakage current reduction, leakage-biased bitlines, that has low deactivation energy and fast wake-up times. We show how this technique can be applied at a fine grain within an active microprocessor and how microarchitectural scheduling policies can improve its performance. Using leakage-biased bitlines to deactivate SRAM read paths within I-cache memories saves over 24% of leakage energy and 22% of total I-cache energy when using a 70 nm process. In the register file, fine-grained read port deactivation saves nearly 50% of leakage energy and 22% of total energy independently, turning off idle register file subbanks saves over 67% of leakage energy (57% total register file energy) with no loss in performance.
Voluntary Turnover and Job Performance: Curvilinearity and the Moderating Influences of Salary Growth, Promotions, and Labor Demand

In this study we investigated the relation between job performance and voluntary employee turnover for 5,143 exempt employees in a single firm in the petroleum industry. As hypothesized, we found support for Jackofsky's (1984) curvilinear hypothesis as turnover was higher for low and high performers than it was for average performers. Three potential moderators of this curvilinearity were examined in an attempt to explain conflicting results in the performance turnover literature and contradictory predictions from turnover models. As predicted, pay growth, promotions, and labor demand each differentially influenced the turnover patterns of low, average, and high performers. Most notably, paying high performers according to their performance predicted substantial decrements in turnover. A utility analysis indicated that the benefits of paying high performers according to their performance more than offset the costs and that such an approach was a superior strategy when compared to a more egalitarian pay growth policy.
From "Identical" to "Similar": Fusing Retrieved Lists Based on Inter-document Similarities

Methods for fusing document lists that were retrieved in response to a query often utilize the retrieval scores and/or ranks of documents in the lists. We present a novel fusion approach that is based on using, in addition, information induced from inter-document similarities. Specifically, our methods let similar documents from different lists provide relevance-status support to each other. We use a graph-based method to model relevance-status propagation between documents. The propagation is governed by inter-document-similarities and by retrieval scores of documents in the lists. Empirical evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of our methods in fusing TREC runs. The performance of our most effective methods transcends that of effective fusion methods that utilize only retrieval scores or ranks.
Anomalous thickness-dependence of photocurrent explained for state-of-the-art planar nano-heterojunction organic solar cells

Due to their simple geometry and design, planar heterojunction (PHJ) solar cells have advantages both as potential photovoltaics with more efficient charge extraction than their bulk heterojunction (BHJ) counterparts, and as idealized interfaces to study basic device operation. The main reason for creating BHJs was the limited exciton diffusion length in the active materials of the PHJ: if an exciton is generated at a distance greater than its diffusion length from the hetero-interface of the PHJ, it would be very unlikely to be able to contribute to the photocurrent. Based on this argument one expects a maximum in the photocurrent of PHJs for a thickness of the active layer equal to the exciton diffusion length (∼10 nm). However, in two recently developed PHJs that have appeared in the literature, a maximum photocurrent is observed for 60–65 nm of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). In this work, we explore this anomaly by combining both an optical T-matrix and a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation that tracks the exciton behavior in the PHJs. The two systems considered are a P3HT/single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) device, and a P3HT/phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) device. The model demonstrates how a bulk exciton sink can explain the shifted maximum in the P3HT/SWNT case, whereas in the P3HT/PCBM case the maximum is mainly determined by PCBM molecules interdiffusing in the P3HT upon annealing. Based upon the results of this model it will be possible to more intelligently design nanostructured photovoltaics and optimize them toward higher efficiencies.
The Prevalence of Superstitious Beliefs amongst Students of Educational Sciences Faculties at Jordanian Universities

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of superstitious beliefs amongst students of educational sciences faculties at Jordanian universities, and their relationship to some variables. A survey questionnaire consisting of (70) items was administered. The items were distributed on five domains of superstitious beliefs namely: optimism and pessimism, social issues, household work, superstition, and health issues. The psychometric properties of the items have been verified and were then applied to a sample of (223) male and female students from educational sciences faculties at Jordanian universities. The results of the study showed the prevalence of a few superstitious beliefs amongst students of faculties of education in Jordanian universities. Results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences amongst students on superstitious beliefs attributable to gender, specialization in high school, achievement level, and the parents’ level of education , while there were statistically significant differences between students pertaining to the domain of optimism and pessimism due to the place of residence in favor of students from villages, and in the superstition domain due to the GPA in favor of those with moderate GPA. The study put forward a number of recommendations. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى استقصاء درجة شيوع الأفكار الخرافية بين طلبة كليات العلوم التربوية في الجامعات الأردنية، وعلاقتها ببعض المتغيرات، استخدم في الدراسة استبانة تضمنت (70) فقرة تتوزع على خمسة مجالات للأفكار الخرافية، هي: التفاؤل والتشاؤم، والقضايا الاجتماعية، والأعمال المنزلية، والغيبيات، والقضايا الصحية، وقد تم التحقق من خصائصها السيكومترية، ثم تطبيقها على عينة مكونة من (223) طالباً وطالبة من طلبة الكليات التربوية في الجامعات الأردنية، بينت نتائج الدراسة قلة شيوع الأفكار الخرافية بين طلبة كليات التربية في الجامعات الأردنية، كما بينت عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين الطلبة على مقياس الأفكار الخرافية تعزى لكل من جنس الطالب، وتخصصه في الثانوية العامة، ومستواه الدراسي، ومستوى تعليم والديه، في حين ظهرت فروق دالة إحصائياً في مجال التفاؤل والتشاؤم تعزى لاختلاف مكان السكن، ولصالح طلبة القرية، وفي مجال الغيبيات تعزى لاختلاف المعدل التراكمي للطالب ولصالح فئة المقبول، وانتهت الدراسة بعدد من التوصيات.