Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fracture behavior of NR and SBR vulcanizates filled with ground rubber having uniform particle size

The use of recycled rubber including ground scrap vulcanizates in rubber compounds was studied. When ground rubber was incorporated into rubber compounds, the physical properties, especially the tensile strength, were deteriorated compared to the virgin rubber compound. Also, incorporating ground rubber caused a change of the cure behavior via migration of sulfur or an accelerator between the virgin rubber matrix and the ground rubber vulcanizate. In this study, the fracture behavior and abrasion property of carbon black-filled SBR and NR compounds containing ground rubber vulcanizate were investigated. Also, the effect of the particle size or loading volume of ground rubber powder on those properties was studied. Four different sizes, 420–600, 177–250, 125–150, and 75–88 μm, of ambient ground rubber powder recycled from waste tire were selected and used in the compounding. The loading amounts of ground rubber powder were 10, 30, and 50 phr. The flex crack growth of SBR- and NR-based compounds was altered by the addition of ground rubber particles. More delayed crack growth was observed with an increasing loading volume and decreasing particle size of the ground rubber powders, and this behavior was more prominent in SBR than in NR compounds. Tangent delta, a direct measure of internal energy dissipation, increased with an increasing loading volume of the ground rubber particles. The abrasion rate of ground rubber-filled compounds was more dependent on the size of the abrasion pattern than on the loading level or particle size of the ground rubber powders. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2491–2500, 2002
Renal-sparing strategies in cardiac transplantation

Purpose of reviewRenal dysfunction due to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity is a major clinical problem in cardiac transplantation. The aim of the article is to review the efficacy and safety of various renal sparing strategies in cardiac transplantation. Recent findingsSmall studies have documented that late initiation of CNI is safe in patients treated with induction therapy at the time of transplantation. Use of mycophenolate is superior when compared with azathioprine to allow for CNI reduction. More substantial reduction in CNI levels is safe and effective with the introduction of sirolimus or everolimus. However, studies that use very early CNI discontinuation have found an increased risk of allograft rejection, and this strategy requires further study before it can be routinely recommended. CNI discontinuation late after cardiac transplantation seems more effective than CNI reduction in terms of preserving renal function. Patients with longstanding CNI treatment or proteinuria are less likely to respond favourably to a switch from a CNI-based regimen to a proliferation signal inhibitor-based regimen. SummaryEach cardiac transplant recipient with renal dysfunction must be individually evaluated with respect to degree of renal dysfunction, proteinuria and rejection risk and a renal sparing strategy chosen accordingly.
Bond Convenience Yields and Exchange Rate Dynamics

This paper proposes a new explanation for the failure of Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) that rationalizes both the classic UIP puzzle and the evidence that the puzzle reverses direction at longer horizons. In the model, excess currency returns arise as compensation for endogenous fluctuations in bond convenience yield differentials. Due to the interaction of monetary and fiscal policy, the impulse response of the equilibrium convenience yield is nonmonotonic, which generates the reversal of the puzzle. The calibrated model fits exchange rate dynamics very well. I also find direct evidence linking convenience yields to excess currency returns. (JEL E43, E52, F31, F41, H63)
Persistent Loss of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Serum without Cellular Immunity by Combination of Peginterferon and Entecavir Therapy in Humanized Mice

ABSTRACT Nucleot(s)ide analogues and peginterferon (PEG-IFN) treatment are the only approved therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, complete eradication of the virus, as indicated by persistent loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is rare among treated patients. This is due to long-term persistence of the HBV genome in infected hepatocytes in the form of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). In this study, we investigated whether administration of a large dose of a nucleoside analogue in combination with PEG-IFN can achieve long-term loss of HBsAg in human hepatocyte chimeric mice. Mice were treated with a high dose of entecavir and/or PEG-IFN for 6 weeks. High-dose combination therapy with both drugs resulted in persistently negative HBV DNA in serum. Although small amounts of HBV DNA and cccDNA (0.1 and 0.01 copy/cell, respectively) remained in the mouse livers, some of the mice remained persistently negative for serum HBV DNA at 13 weeks after cessation of the therapy. Serum HBsAg and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) continued to decrease and eventually became negative at 12 weeks after cessation of the therapy. Analysis of the HBV genome in treated mice showed accumulation of G-to-A hypermutation and CpG III island methylation. Persistent loss of serum HBV DNA and loss of HBV markers by high-dose entecavir and PEG-IFN combination treatment in chimeric mice suggests that control of HBV can be achieved even in the absence of a cellular immune response.
Fully automatic 3D facial expression recognition using a region-based approach

In this paper, we address the problem of automatic 3D facial expression recognition. Automatic 3D Facial Expression Recognition techniques are generally limited in that they require manual, precise landmark points. Here, we propose a framework capable of handling the potential imprecision of automatic landmarking techniques, thanks to a region approach. After an automatic feature point localization step, we cluster the face into several regions, chosen for their importance into the facial expression process, according to the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and anatomic considerations. Then, we match those regions to reference models representing the six prototypical expressions using Iterative Closest Points (ICP). ICP tends to compensate the imprecisions in the face clustering relative to landmarks localization. Resulting matching scores are concatenated into a descriptor for the probe model. Finally, we use a standard classification tool; in our experiments, we used Support Vector Machines (SVM), and were able to provide comparable results to existing 3D FER methods over the same protocol, while being fully automatic.
Generalization in Deep Learning

This paper provides non-vacuous and numerically-tight generalization guarantees for deep learning, as well as theoretical insights into why and how deep learning can generalize well, despite its large capacity, complexity, possible algorithmic instability, nonrobustness, and sharp minima, responding to an open question in the literature. We also propose new open problems and discuss the limitations of our results.
Characteristics and Etiologies of Chronic Scrotal Pain: A Common but Poorly Understood Condition

Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) is a common and debilitating condition, but the underlying characteristics and etiology of CSP are poorly understood. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristic and etiologies of CSP. Men presenting for management of CSP completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent a complete physical examination. From Feb 2014 to Sep 2015, a total of 131 men (mean age 43) with CSP were studied. The CSP was of long duration (mean of 4.7 ± 5.95 years) and dramatically affected men's lives, with adverse effects on normal activities (71.%), ability to work (51.90%), and sexual functioning (61.8%). 50.4% felt depressed on most days, and 67.17% felt either unhappy or terrible with their present condition. Physical examination revealed that the epididymis was the most common tender area found in 70/131 men (53.43%), though a musculoskeletal source for the pain was found in 9.9%. Neuropathic changes were found in 30%. For close to half of the men (43.5%) we were unable to identify any potential cause for the CSP. This study characterizes the dramatic impact that CSP has on the lives of men, while providing an understanding of the common etiologies.
Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience

Yoga therapy is a newly emerging, self-regulating complementary and integrative healthcare (CIH) practice. It is growing in its professionalization, recognition and utilization with a demonstrated commitment to setting practice standards, educational and accreditation standards, and promoting research to support its efficacy for various populations and conditions. However, heterogeneity of practice, poor reporting standards, and lack of a broadly accepted understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in yoga therapy limits the structuring of testable hypotheses and clinical applications. Current proposed frameworks of yoga-based practices focus on the integration of bottom-up neurophysiological and top-down neurocognitive mechanisms. In addition, it has been proposed that phenomenology and first person ethical inquiry can provide a lens through which yoga therapy is viewed as a process that contributes towards eudaimonic well-being in the experience of pain, illness or disability. In this article we build on these frameworks, and propose a model of yoga therapy that converges with Polyvagal Theory (PVT). PVT links the evolution of the autonomic nervous system to the emergence of prosocial behaviors and posits that the neural platforms supporting social behavior are involved in maintaining health, growth and restoration. This explanatory model which connects neurophysiological patterns of autonomic regulation and expression of emotional and social behavior, is increasingly utilized as a framework for understanding human behavior, stress and illness. Specifically, we describe how PVT can be conceptualized as a neurophysiological counterpart to the yogic concept of the gunas, or qualities of nature. Similar to the neural platforms described in PVT, the gunas provide the foundation from which behavioral, emotional and physical attributes emerge. We describe how these two different yet analogous frameworks—one based in neurophysiology and the other in an ancient wisdom tradition—highlight yoga therapy’s promotion of physical, mental and social wellbeing for self-regulation and resilience. This parallel between the neural platforms of PVT and the gunas of yoga is instrumental in creating a translational framework for yoga therapy to align with its philosophical foundations. Consequently, yoga therapy can operate as a distinct practice rather than fitting into an outside model for its utilization in research and clinical contexts.
Engineering Approach to Modelling Metal THz Structures

When compared to the over-simplified classical skin-effect model, the accurate classical relaxation-effect modelling approach for THz structures at room temperature can be mathematically cumbersome and not insightful. This paper briefly introduces various interrelated electrical engineering concepts as tools for characterizing the intrinsic frequency dispersive nature of normal metals at room temperature. This engineering approach dramatically simplifies the otherwise complex analysis and allows for a much deeper insight to be gained into the classical relaxation-effect model. Three example applications are given for the calculation of important parameters and associated errors with hollow metal-pipe rectangular waveguides (MPRWGs), hollow MPRWG cavity resonators and single metal planar shield.
Metabolomic Insights into the Nutritional Status of Adults and Adolescents with Phenylketonuria Consuming a Low-Phenylalanine Diet in Combination with Amino Acid and Glycomacropeptide Medical Foods

Background Nutrient status in phenylketonuria (PKU) requires surveillance due to the restrictive low-Phe diet in combination with amino acid medical foods (AA-MF) or glycomacropeptide medical foods (GMP-MF). Micronutrient profiles of medical foods are diverse, and optimal micronutrient supplementation in PKU has not been established. Methods In a crossover design, 30 participants with PKU were randomized to consume AA-MF and Glytactin™ GMP-MF in combination with a low-Phe diet for 3 weeks each. Fasting venipunctures, medical food logs, and 3-day food records were obtained. Metabolomic analyses were completed in plasma and urine by Metabolon, Inc. Results The low-Phe diets in combination with AA-MF and GMP-MF were generally adequate based on Dietary Reference Intakes, clinical measures, and metabolomics. Without micronutrient supplementation of medical foods, >70% of participants would have inadequate intakes for 11 micronutrients. Despite micronutrient supplementation of medical foods, inadequate intakes of potassium in 93% of participants and choline in >40% and excessive intakes of sodium in >63% of participants and folic acid in >27% were observed. Sugar intake was excessive and provided 27% of energy. Conclusions Nutrient status was similar with AA-MF and Glytactin GMP-MF. More research related to micronutrient supplementation of medical foods for the management of PKU is needed.
A Novel Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine for Gas Utilization Ratio Prediction in Blast Furnaces

Gas utilization ratio (GUR) is an important indicator used to measure the operating status and energy consumption of blast furnaces (BFs). In this paper, we present a soft-sensor approach, i.e., a novel online sequential extreme learning machine (OS-ELM) named DU-OS-ELM, to establish a data-driven model for GUR prediction. In DU-OS-ELM, firstly, the old collected data are discarded gradually and the newly acquired data are given more attention through a novel dynamic forgetting factor (DFF), depending on the estimation errors to enhance the dynamic tracking ability. Furthermore, we develop an updated selection strategy (USS) to judge whether the model needs to be updated with the newly coming data, so that the proposed approach is more in line with the actual production situation. Then, the convergence analysis of the proposed DU-OS-ELM is presented to ensure the estimation of output weight converge to the true value with the new data arriving. Meanwhile, the proposed DU-OS-ELM is applied to build a soft-sensor model to predict GUR. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed DU-OS-ELM obtains better generalization performance and higher prediction accuracy compared with a number of existing related approaches using the real production data from a BF and the created GUR prediction model can provide an effective guidance for further optimization operation.
Exploring the factors motivating e-service users' WOM behaviour

Post adoption behaviours have been a hot topic in IS research. However, little research has been conducted to explore important post adoption behaviour – word of mouth. This paper investigated the factors influencing individual e-service users’ word of mouth behaviour based on an empirical study in the context of online travel services. This study found that satisfaction, perceived usefulness and service quality affect e-service users’ word of mouth positively. The study results imply that individuals would like to spread word of mouth more based on e-service attributes and service performance than on their own affect.
Damages to turbine engine components.

This article defines the typical damage to components of turbine engines, highlighting the differences between them and indicating possible causes. The distinction between various types of defects helps to explain the occurrence and supports personnel in defining the most suitable maintenance action to be performed. The defects described below are common in high-airflow turbine aviation engines on commercial and cargo aircrafts.
Detection of circulating tumor DNA in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) isolated from plasma has great potential in identification of gene mutation in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), which is a non-invasive technique and can avoid the inherent shortcomings of tissue biopsy. However the ability of NGS to detect gene mutation in plasma ctDNA has not been broadly explored. To assess the diagnostic ability of ctDNA for the total mutation profile, including single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions and deletions (indels) and gene rearrangements, we performed a targeted DNA sequencing approach to screen NSCLC related driver gene mutations in both tissue biopsies and matched blood plasma samples from 39 advanced NSCLC patients from China. The sensitivity of EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA mutations and gene rearrangements detected in plasma ctDNA was 70.6%, 75%, 50% and 60%, respectively and the overall concordance of gene mutations between tissue DNA and plasma ctDNA was 78.21%. Our data provide evidence that ctDNA in plasma is likely to become an alternative source for cancer-related mutations profiling in advanced NSCLC patients and targeted sequencing of ctDNA offers a promising perspective on precise diagnostics and may serve as a feasible option for clinical monitoring of NSCLC patients.
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane exposure and anogenital distance in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE) birth cohort study, South Africa

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is used for malaria control by 10 countries, nine of which are in Africa. Technical DDT contains various isomers with 65–80% insecticidal p,p’‐DDT and 15–21% o,p′‐DDT, an estrogenic chemical, while the persistent metabolite of p,p′‐DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′‐DDE), is an antiandrogen. In utero antiandrogenic exposure reduces anogenital distance in animal models and the anal position index in a single study. This study examined the associations between mother's serum DDT and DDE levels at delivery and anogenital distance in their children at birth and age 1 year. Data were collected as part of the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE), a birth cohort study located in rural South Africa. DDT and DDE concentrations were measured in blood samples collected from 752 mothers at delivery. Anogenital distance measurements, taken at birth (n = 671) and age 1 year (n = 674), included anofourchette and anoclitoral distances in girls, and anoscrotal and anopenile lengths in boys. We also measured anococcygeal and coccyx‐fourchette distances in girls, while in boys, we measured anococcygeal and coccyx‐scrotal distances as well as penile length and penile width. The anal position index is calculated for both sexes as anoscrotal/coccyx‐scrotal in boys and anofourchette/coccyx‐fourchette in girls. We found no associations between p,p′‐DDT/‐DDE or o,p′‐DDT and anogenital distance measurements at birth in either boys or girls. At 1 year, o,p′‐DDE was negatively associated with anofourchette in girls (β =−1.32 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −2.27, −0.38) and positively associated with penile width in boys (β = 0.30 mm, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.60). The results do not suggest an overt antiandrogenic or estrogenic effect on anogenital distance after long‐term DDT exposure. These weak associations may be due to chance.
Pectina: da matéria-prima ao produto final

Pectin, probably the most complex macromolecule in nature is a hetero-polysaccharide containing predominantly residues of galacturonic acid (GalA). This polymer, which belongs to a group of dietary fibers, is widely used as a gelling agent and stabilizer in the food industry. The main industrial processing to obtain pectin is based on the solubilization of protopectin from apple pomace and citrus peels, which is done under low acidity and heated conditions. Recent studies have reported the extraction of pectin from new raw materials and using different extraction conditions, which influence the yield and quality of the final product, and may improve the rheological properties. This review describes the structure, sources, applications and industrial extraction processes, as well as the analysis methods of physicochemical characterization of pectin.
Clinical implications, benefits and pitfalls of using and reversing non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) drugs is increasingly common in clinical practice. As compared to vitamin K antagonists they are more straightforward to initiate, require no hematological monitoring and offer potentially more stable therapeutic indices. Concern has been raised with regard to their safety profiles particularly in the context of acute reversal in major bleeding. Further issues pertain to patient concordance. Areas covered: This review article aims to provide an overview of the current evidence relating to NOAC safety as well as the management of NOAC-related major bleeding with particular emphasis on reversal agents in use and in development following a selective literature review. Second, the effects of medication concordance and dosing regimens on NOAC efficacy will be considered. Expert commentary: The short half-lives and low overall bleeding risk of NOACs is likely to mean that specific reversal agents in development are infrequently required and costly with associated practicality issues with their use in clinical emergencies. Concern regarding patient concordance can be practicably addressed with appropriate medication, dosing regimen and patient selection and continuous education with active, informed patient involvement in the decision-making process.
Red Sea fishes in the Mediterranean Sea: a preliminary investigation of a biological invasion using DNA barcoding

More than 90 marine fish species in the Mediterranean have been determined to be alien species of Red Sea origin to date and therefore it is important to prioritize research into cataloguing their distribution and impacts. The aims of this study were to establish a barcode library for alien Mediterranean fishes of probable Red Sea origin and to initiate analyses of their invasion dynamics.