Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selecting Appropriate Tests to Assess the Benefits of Bilateral Amplification With Hearing Aids

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bilateral hearing aids (HA) in subjects with mild and moderate-to-severe hearing loss. This study was designed as a within-subject feasibility study. Bilateral HA use was assessed using different laboratory tests on speech reception, listening effort, noise tolerance, and localization. All data were evaluated with bilateral and unilateral HA fittings. Forty experienced bilateral HA users were included with hearing impairment ranging from mild to moderate-to-severe. Subjects were stratified into two groups based on the degree of hearing loss. Speech reception in noise, listening effort, and localization tests showed a bilateral benefit for the moderate-to-severely hearing-impaired subjects. A bilateral benefit was also observed for listening effort in the mildly hearing-impaired group. The assessment of listening effort shows promise as a measure of bilateral HA benefit for mild hearing impairment. Localization and speech reception in noise tests provide additional value for larger losses. The next step is to compare experienced unilateral with bilateral HA users.
Contemporary best practice urolithiasis in pregnancy

Urolithiasis is the most common nonobstetric complication in the gravid patient. The experience can provoke undue stress for the mother, fetus, and management team. The physiologic changes of pregnancy render the physical exam and imaging studies less reliable than in the typical patient. Diagnosis is further complicated by the need for careful selection of imaging modality in order to maximize diagnostic utility and minimize obstetric risk to the mother and ionizing radiation exposure to the fetus. Ultrasound remains the first-line diagnostic imaging modality in this group, but other options are available if results are inconclusive. A trial of conservative management is uniformly recommended. In patients who fail spontaneous stone passage, treatment may be temporizing or definitive. While temporizing treatments have classically been deemed the gold standard, ureteroscopic stone removal is now acknowledged as a safe and highly effective definitive treatment approach. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary, team-based approach involving the patient, her obstetrician, urologist, radiologist, and anesthesiologist is needed to devise a maximally beneficial management plan.
Long-term transportation, by road and air, of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda).

During the second semester of 2009, three trips were made from Olhão (Southern Portugal) to Stralsund (Northern Germany) carrying 2.122 animals, which included multiple teleosts, elasmobranchs and invertebrates. This group included scombrids, such as 1.869 Scomber japonicus and 9 Sarda sarda, which are notoriously difficult to transport. However, multiple adaptations to transport regimes adopted regularly have allowed the authors to successfully move these animals by road and air over a total of up to 25 hr. Such adaptations included maintaining oxygen saturation rates at approximately 200%, and also the constant addition of AmQuel(®) , sodium bicarbonate, and sodium carbonate. Different formulations were used during the three trips, with the best results corresponding to 20/30/30 ppm of the three aforementioned chemicals, respectively. The authors suggest, however, that a modified formula of 20/40/40 ppm will allow for an even more stable pH on future trips.
Dietary nutrient composition affects digestible energy utilisation for growth: a study on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a literature comparison across fish species

The effect of the type of non-protein energy (NPE) on energy utilisation in Nile tilapia was studied, focusing on digestible energy utilisation for growth (kgDE). Furthermore, literature data on kgDE across fish species were analysed in order to evaluate the effect of dietary macronutrient composition. A total of twelve groups of fish were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design: two diets (‘fat’ v. ‘starch’) and two feeding levels (‘low’ v. ‘high’). In the ‘fat’-diet, 125 g fish oil and in the ‘starch’-diet 300 g maize starch were added to 875 g of an identical basal mixture. Fish were fed restrictively one of two ration levels (‘low’ or ‘high’) for estimating kgDE. Nutrient digestibility, N and energy balances were measured. For estimating kgDE, data of the present study were combined with previous data of Nile tilapia fed similar diets to satiation. The type of NPE affected kgDE (0·561 and 0·663 with the ‘starch’ and ‘fat’-diets, respectively; P < 0·001). Across fish species, literature values of kgDE range from 0·31 to 0·82. Variability in kgDE was related to dietary macronutrient composition, the trophic level of the fish species and the composition of growth (fat:protein gain ratio). The across-species comparison suggested that the relationships of kgDE with trophic level and with growth composition were predominantly induced by dietary macronutrient composition. Reported kgDE values increased linearly with increasing dietary fat content and decreasing dietary carbohydrate content. In contrast, kgDE related curvilinearly to dietary crude protein content. In conclusion, energy utilisation for growth is influenced by dietary macronutrient composition.
Progressive Damage Modeling of an Adhesively Bonded Unidirectional Composite Single-lap Joint in Tension at the Mesoscale Level

ABSTRACT: This study investigates initiation and propagation of damage zones in the composite plates of an adhesively bonded single-lap joint in tension at the mesoscale level. A set of material degradation rules is applied to the mechanical properties of each failed ply of the plates based on the Hashin failure criterion. The von Mises stress concentrates along the free edges of the adhesive layer and the corresponding lower and upper plate regions and peaks along the free edges of the adhesive–plate interfaces. Consequently, the damage initiates at the lower plate interface to the adhesive layer and propagates in the first ply along this adhesive free edge, and then spreads through the neighboring plies of the lower plate in a similar failure mechanism. The damage in the lower plate occurs in the matrix, delamination, and fiber–matrix failure modes, and the first ply-failure loads decrease significantly with increasing ply fiber angle. Tension tests showed that the adhesive joints with ply lay-ups between [0]10 and [15]10 fails through the adhesive layer, and the lower plates with larger fiber angles break along the free edge of the lower plate– adhesive interface whereas the adhesive layer is still intact. The adhesive failure is interfacial around the adhesive free edges and is through the adhesive in the middle of the overlap region in the joints with the ply lay-ups [0]10. Although a similar failure mechanism is observed in the ply lay-up [15]10, the damage zones in the first ply of the lower plate in which the matrix and fibers are damaged, are distributed in the overlap region. The damage is initiated in the first ply of the lower plate of the adhesive joints with the ply lay-ups [30–90]10 and propagated through the matrix in the fiber direction, and then the lower plate is broken. The present failure model predicts reasonably the initiation and propagation of the damage in the adhesively bonded single-lap joints in tension.
Antacid Therapy and Disease Progression in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Who Received Pirfenidone

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a potential risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progression; however, the impact of antacid therapy (AAT) is under debate. Objective: To evaluate the effect of AAT on IPF progression in pirfenidone-treated patients. Methods: This post hoc analysis included patients with IPF who received pirfenidone in 3 trials (CAPACITY [PIPF-004/PIPF-006] and ASCEND [PIPF-016]). Pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, survival, hospitalizations, and adverse events (AEs) over 52 weeks were analyzed by baseline AAT use. Disease progression was defined as a decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) of ≥10%, a decrease in 6-min walking distance of ≥50 m, or death over 1 year. Results: Of 623 patients, 44% received AAT. No significant differences were found at 52 weeks (AAT versus non-AAT, respectively) in disease progression (24.9 vs. 30.6%; p = 0.12), all-cause mortality rate (2.9 vs. 4.0%; p = 0.47), IPF-related mortality rate (1.1 vs. 2.0%; p = 0.37), all-cause hospitalization rate (16.1 vs. 18.3%; p = 0.48), or mean change in percent FVC (-2.7 vs. -3.1%; p = 0.44). A relative, but not absolute, FVC decline of ≥10% favored AAT (15 vs. 22%; p = 0.03). Severe gastrointestinal AEs (3.7 vs. 0.9%; p = 0.015) and severe pulmonary infections (3.7 vs. 1.1%; p = 0.035) were more frequent with AAT. Conclusions: AAT and pirfenidone had outcomes comparable to those of pirfenidone alone in patients with IPF, underscoring the need for prospective trials to elucidate the role of AAT with or without antifibrotic drugs as a treatment for IPF.
Contribution of the Vertebral Posterior Elements in Anterior–Posterior DXA Spine Scans in Young Subjects

Because DXA is a projection technique, anterior–posterior (AP) measurements of the spine include the posterior elements and the vertebral body. This may be a disadvantage because the posterior elements likely contribute little to vertebral fracture resistance. This study used QCT to quantify the impact of the posterior elements in DXA AP spine measures. We examined 574 subjects (294 females and 280 males), age 6–25 yr, with DXA and QCT. QCT measures were calculated for the cancellous bone region and for the vertebral body including and excluding the posterior elements. DXA data were analyzed for the entire L3 vertebra and for a 10‐mm slice corresponding to the QCT scan region. BMC and BMD were determined and compared using Pearson's correlation. The posterior elements accounted for 51.4 ± 4.2% of the total BMC, with a significant difference between males (49.9 ± 4.0%) and females (52.8 ± 3.9%, p < 0.001). This percentage increased with age in younger subjects of both sexes (p < 0.001) but was relatively consistent after age 17 for males and 16 for females (p > 0.10). DXA areal BMD and QCT volumetric BMD correlated strongly for the whole vertebra including the posterior elements (R = 0.83), with BMC measures showing a stronger relationship (R = 0.93). Relationships were weaker when excluding the posterior elements. We conclude that DXA BMC provides a measure of bone that is most consistent with QCT and that the contribution of the posterior elements is consistent in young subjects after sexual maturity.
A Comparison of the Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption Behavior of White Rice Husk Ash and Silica Filled Polypropylene Composites

This paper compares the processability, mechanical properties, and water absorption behavior of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with white rice husk ash (WRHA) and silica. It is shown that preparation of WRHA filled composites requires less energy than silica filled composites. WRHA-PP composites exhibit better impact properties while other mechanical properties are better in silica filled composites. WRHA-PP composites also showed a better resistance to the water absorption in comparison to silica composites. An increase in water uptake with increase in filler loading was observed for both fillers although the difference is not significant for WRHA-PP composites. The study further shows that the area of the specimen cut edges influences the water uptake. The effect of water uptake on tensile properties was also briefly examined.
The pattern of completed suicides seen in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital 1999.

UNLABELLED A study was done on 76 suicide cases managed by the Forensic Pathology Department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) from January till December 1999 to explore the pattern of suicide and psychiatric history. The Chinese contributed 52% (n=40) of cases followed by the Indians (29%, n=22) and the Malays (12%, n=9). After the age of sixty, 84.6% of the subjects were Chinese. The common methods of suicide were poisoning (39%), hanging (34%) and jumping from height (22%). Four out of 12 case-notes traced had documented psychiatric history i.e. schizophrenia. CONCLUSION the suicide rate for Kuala Lumpur is estimated at 7.4 per 100,000. The Indians has the highest suicide rate of 21.1 per 100,000 in keeping with other local studies. The suicide rate for the Chinese is 8.6 per 100,000, but it increased to 23 per 100,000 among the elderly Chinese. The suicide rate for Malays is 2.6 per 100,000, higher than what was cited in previous local studies. The incidence of jumping from height as a suicide method had doubled over the last 2 decades.
Phosphatase and tensin homolog–β‐catenin signaling modulates regulatory T cells and inflammatory responses in mouse liver ischemia/reperfusion injury

The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) deleted on chromosome 10 plays an important role in regulating T cell activation during inflammatory response. Activation of β‐catenin is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis. This study investigates the functional roles and molecular mechanisms by which PTEN–β‐catenin signaling promotes regulatory T cell (Treg) induction in a mouse model of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). We found that mice with myeloid‐specific phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout (PTENM‐KO) exhibited reduced liver damage as evidenced by decreased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, intrahepatic macrophage trafficking, and proinflammatory mediators compared with the PTEN‐proficient (floxed phosphatase and tensin homolog [PTENFL/FL]) controls. Disruption of myeloid PTEN‐activated b‐catenin promoted peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)‐mediated Jagged‐1/Notch signaling and induced forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)1 Tregs while inhibiting T helper 17 cells. However, blocking of Notch signaling by inhibiting γ‐secretase reversed myeloid PTEN deficiency‐mediated protection in ischemia/reperfusion–triggered liver inflammation with reduced FOXP3+ and increased retinoid A receptor–related orphan receptor gamma t–mediated interleukin 17A expression in ischemic livers. Moreover, knockdown of β‐catenin or PPARγ in PTEN‐deficient macrophages inhibited Jagged‐1/Notch activation and reduced FOXP3+ Treg induction, leading to increased proinflammatory mediators in macrophage/T cell cocultures. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that PTEN–β‐catenin signaling is a novel regulator involved in modulating Treg development and provides a potential therapeutic target in liver IRI. Liver Transplantation 23 813–825 2017 AASLD.
The fossil phase in the life of a galaxy group

We investigate the origin and evolution of fossil groups in a concordance ACDM cosmological simulation. We consider haloes with masses between 1 x 10 13 and 5 x 10 13 h -1 M ⊙ , and study the physical mechanisms that lead to the formation of the large gap in magnitude between the brightest and the second most bright group member, which is typical for these fossil systems. Fossil groups are found to have high dark matter concentrations, which we can relate to their early formation time. The large magnitude gaps arise after the groups have built up half of their final mass, due to merging of massive group members. We show that the existence of fossil systems is primarily driven by the relatively early infall of massive satellites, and that we do not find a strong environmental dependence for these systems. In addition, we find tentative evidence for fossil group satellites falling in on orbits with typically lower angular momentum, which might lead to a more efficient merger on to the host. We find a population of groups at higher redshifts that go through a 'fossil phase': a stage where they show a large magnitude gap, which is terminated by renewed infall from their environment.
Spectra Transmitted by Mortar Barite in x-ray Qualities Applied in Diagnostic Radiology as Shielding

Concrete which contains water, cement and aggregate, is widely used in building construction such as medical hospitals. The CdZnTe spectrometry system was used to acquire the transmitted spectra in the RQR qualities and the stripping procedure was performed by taking into account both the contributions of efficiency and x-ray escape fraction, experimentally determined. The samples were prepared in rectangular plate format with dimensions of (5 x 5) cm with thicknesses varying from 0.2cm to 2cm and exposed to x-ray beams generated. The HVL and the mean energy in this energy range was determined.
Stimulus Roving and Flankers Affect Perceptual Learning of Contrast Discrimination in Macaca mulatta

‘Stimulus roving’ refers to a paradigm in which the properties of the stimuli to be discriminated vary from trial to trial, rather than being kept constant throughout a block of trials. Rhesus monkeys have previously been shown to improve their contrast discrimination performance on a non-roving task, in which they had to report the contrast of a test stimulus relative to that of a fixed-contrast sample stimulus. Human psychophysics studies indicate that roving stimuli yield little or no perceptual learning. Here, we investigate how stimulus roving influences perceptual learning in macaque monkeys and how the addition of flankers alters performance under roving conditions. Animals were initially trained on a contrast discrimination task under non-roving conditions until their performance levels stabilized. The introduction of roving contrast conditions resulted in a pronounced drop in performance, which suggested that subjects initially failed to heed the sample contrast and performed the task using an internal memory reference. With training, significant improvements occurred, demonstrating that learning is possible under roving conditions. To investigate the notion of flanker-induced perceptual learning, flanker stimuli (30% fixed-contrast iso-oriented collinear gratings) were presented jointly with central (roving) stimuli. Presentation of flanker stimuli yielded substantial performance improvements in one subject, but deteriorations in the other. Finally, after the removal of flankers, performance levels returned to their pre-flanker state in both subjects, indicating that the flanker-induced changes were contingent upon the continued presentation of flankers.
Prediction and Measurement of Thermal Residual Stresses in AA2024-T3 Friction Stir Welds

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an emerging manufacturing technology increasingly used in the aerospace industry. The National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Aerospace Research has undertaken a major initiative to manufacture a fuselage panel using FSW. This multipronged study includes structural design, process optimization, evaluation of mechanical properties, NDE and robotic processing. Aircraft fuselage panels are usually composed of stringers and frames riveted onto a skin. For this application, FSW was an interesting alternative to rivets for creating lighter and more aerodynamic structures at lower cost [1,2]. However, stringer to skin joints pose a significant problem because of panel distortion [2,3]. The aim of the present work was to model the influence of friction stir welding parameters on the residual stresses, using a thermo-mechanical simulation developed using LS-DYNA finite element software.
Static and dynamic puncture properties of intra-/inter-laminar reinforced multilayer compound fabrics by needle-punching and thermal bonding

A new approach for intra-/inter-laminar reinforcement using needle-punching and thermal bonding was proposed for improvement of puncture resistance of multilayer compound fabrics that were composed of different kinds of nonwovens and woven fabrics. Effects of woven fabric orientation and thermal bonding on static and dynamic puncture properties were explored. Multilayer compound fabrics with different compositions of nonwoven and sequence of woven fabrics were comparatively discussed to confirm fabric and nonwoven influencing on static and dynamic puncture resistances. Puncture resistance mechanism of plied orientation and thermal bonding was analyzed for multilayer compound fabrics. The research result shows that woven fabric orientation affected static and dynamic puncture resistances more significantly when multilayer compound fabrics were comprised of high-modulus nonwovens and woven fabrics. Plied orientation correlated with the yarn density of woven fabric that was contained in compound fabrics. Contact length between woven fabric and nonwoven, as well as specific fiber toughness from nonwoven, was respectively responsible for static and dynamic puncture resistances of multilayer compound fabrics.
Age Differences and Changes in Resources Essential to Aging Well: A Comparison of Sexagenarians, Octogenarians, and Centenarians

This study examined change over time in five resources assessed by the Duke OARS Multidisciplinary Functional Assessment Questionnaire: social, economic, mental, physical, and functional resources. Two hundred and one participants in the Georgia Centenarian Study provided data for this longitudinal study: 70 sexagenarians, 63 octogenarians, and 68 centenarians. Those in their 60s and 80s were followed up within 60 months; due to mortality attrition, centenarians were followed up within 20 months. Centenarians experienced the lowest levels of resources relative to those in their 80s and 60s. Over time they primarily experienced loss in activities of daily living, highlighting that the ability to maximize gains and mitigate losses over time for older adults is highly associated with various resources essential to well-being. Findings suggest that older adults'—especially the very old—resources should be concurrently assessed in a multidimensional analysis by researchers and practitioners who work with older adults in various settings.
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of PCSK9 inhibitors, statins and ezetimibe with or without statins for cardiovascular outcomes

Background The comparative effects of statins, ezetimibe with or without statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors remain unassessed. Design Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to compare treatment groups. Methods Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials were selected using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (inception – September 2017). Results In network meta-analysis of 189,116 patients, PCSK9 inhibitors were ranked as the best treatment for prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (Surface Under Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA), 85%), myocardial infarction (SUCRA, 84%) and stroke (SUCRA, 80%). PCSK9 inhibitors reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with ezetimibe + statin (odds ratio (OR): 0.72; 95% credible interval (CrI), 0.55–0.95; Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria: moderate), statin (OR: 0.78; 95% CrI: 0.62–0.97; GRADE: moderate) and placebo (OR: 0.63; 95% CrI: 0.49–0.79; GRADE: high). The PCSK9 inhibitors were consistently superior to groups for major adverse cardiovascular event reduction in secondary prevention trials (SUCRA, 95%). Statins had the highest probability of having lowest rates of all-cause mortality (SUCRA, 82%) and cardiovascular mortality (SUCRA, 84%). Compared with placebo, statins reduced the risk of all-cause mortality (OR: 0.88; 95% CrI: 0.83–0.94; GRADE: moderate) and cardiovascular mortality (OR: 0.84; 95% CrI: 0.77–0.90; GRADE: high). For cardiovascular mortality, PCSK9 inhibitors were ranked as the second best treatment (SUCRA, 78%) followed by ezetimibe + statin (SUCRA, 50%). Conclusion PCSK9 inhibitors were ranked as the most effective treatment for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction and stroke, without having major safety concerns. Statins were ranked as the most effective therapy for reducing mortality.