Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Superplasticizers on the Dissolution of C3S

This paper describes how the hydration of tricalcium silicate (C3S), the major component of portland cement, determines setting and strength of concrete. Setting of portland cement pastes (that is, concretes) is strongly affected by the use of superplasticizers (SP). As it is commonly agreed, the hydration of C3S proceeds through a dissolution precipitation process. Thus, the paper investigates the dissolution behavior of C3S in dependence of SP addition. Dissolution experiments are carried out at paste conditions (w/C3S = 0.5) and at high liquid-solid ratio (w/C3S = 50). It is shown that in the presence of SP the ionic concentrations in the solution are shifted to lower calcium and higher silicon values. The reason might be a varied degree of C3S hydration, complex formation, or shifted ion concentrations due to the presence of ions introduced by SP addition (that is, Na). Additionally, calorimetric analysis clearly shows that in the presence of SP the dissolution heat of C3S is increased. It is concluded that in the presence of SP the dissolution of C3S is not diminished but rather unchanged or even increased.
Child Pornography on the Internet

Introduction A trans-border medium such as the Internet that has no regard for frontiers and national states will inevitably result in conflicting opinions in public morality and ethics. Sexual deviation and variation in one country may not be tolerated in another country. For example, Italy is less tolerant to homosexuality, in contrast to Sweden that has a liberal view and even allows homosexual couples to marry (or enjoy the legal equivalent to marriage). ' The same line of reasoning can apply to pornography and the law surrounding child pornography. One might assume that there would be some international consensus between national states to protect children from the abuse of being the subject of pornography. However, it is apparent that this is not always the case and public moral standards are extremely diverse all over the world. ' As a result, British authorities are trying to filter the vast amounts of pornography on the Internet as required by UK law, but, are unable to curve its lawful production in foreign states where it is legal. An example can be taken from Japan, which is the only industrialized country with a lawful child pornography industry that can legally produce, sell and distribute both hard and softcore images of children. ' This article will discuss the following:
Some Definability Results in Abstract Kummer Theory

Let $S$ be a semiabelian variety over an algebraically closed field, and let $X$ be an irreducible subvariety not contained in a coset of a proper algebraic subgroup of $S$. We show that the number of irreducible components of $[n]^{-1}(X)$ is bounded uniformly in $n$, and moreover that the bound is uniform in families $X_t$. We prove this by purely Galois-theoretic methods. This proof applies in the more general context of divisible abelian groups of finite Morley rank. In this latter context, we deduce a definability result under the assumption of the Definable Multiplicity Property (DMP). We give sufficient conditions for finite Morley rank groups to have the DMP, and hence give examples where our definability result holds.
A Survey: Privacy Preservation Techniques in Data Mining

Data mining tools aims to find useful patterns from large amount of data. These patterns represent information and are conveyed in decision trees, clusters or association rules. The knowledge discovered by various data mining techniques may contain private information about people or business. Preservation of privacy is a significant aspect of data mining and thus study of achieving some data mining goals without losing the privacy of the individuals’ . The analysis of privacy preserving data mining (PPDM) algorithms should consider the effects of these algorithms in mining the results as well as in preserving privacy. Within the constraints of privacy, several methods have been proposed but still this branch of research is in its formative years . The success of privacy preserving data mining algorithms is measured in terms of its performance, data utility, level of uncertainty or resistance to data mining algorithms etc. However no privacy preserving algorithm exists that outperforms all others on all possible criteria. Rather, an algorithm may perform better than another on one specific criterion. So, the aim of this paper is to present current scenario of privacy preserving data mining framework and techniques.
The effect of a combined preparation of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole following short-term and long-term administration on the flora of the human gut.

The effect of the combination preparation TMP/SMZ on the alimentary flora of human subjects was investigated at different doses. Following the short-term administration of the preparation, E. coli was particularly markedly reduced at doses as low as one tablet a day. The other alimentary organisms, however, showed no pronounced changes. Enterobacteriaceae, particularly E. coli, were markedly reduced in the course of long-term treatment, with four tablets daily for 3 months. No resistant populations were found. The response of enterococci, anaerobic lactobacteria and Gram-negative bacteria of the Bacteroidaceae family showed no uniformity. No overgrowth of the alimentary flora by Pseudomonas, staphylococci or Candida was observed.
The Interlaminar Mode I Fracture of IM7/LaRC-RP46 Composites at High Temperatures

In this paper, the interlaminar Mode I fracture behavior of a IM7/LaRC-RP46 composite laminate at elevated temperatures was investigated by DCB (double cantilever beam) static fracture testing. Straight-sided DCB specimens were made from unidirectional laminates and tested at three high temperature levels of 232°C (450°F), 288°C (550°F) and 343°C (650°F) at five crosshead rates from 0.51 mm/min. (0.00033 in./sec) to 6.1 mm/min. (0.004 in./sec). Unlike the linear load-displacement response observed at room temperature, the load-displacement response at high temperatures behaves nonlinearly before reaching the maximum load. Two crack growth regions of slow crack extension and relatively fast crack propagation were observed and the slow crack extension caused the nonlinear load-displacement response. The initial fracture toughness, G IC decreased slightly, while the propagation value increased by nearly 30% to 100% with increased temperature. The materials exhibited the highest fracture toughness at 288°C among the three different tested temperatures. The complex combination effects of fiber bridging and the change of matrix properties and fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion at elevated temperatures are found to be the major reason resulting in the variation of G IC with temperature. After the temperature increased beyond T g (glass transition temperature), which is approximately 310°C, the propagation fracture toughness decreased drastically and aging effects of the high temperature on the matrix are observed. No significant effects of crosshead rate on the G IC were observed in the range of the present rates. However, the crosshead rate is found to significantly influenced the crack growth rate.
Pattern of some risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and liver enzymes among Iranian seafarers

Background: Little information is available on the trend in cardiovascular risk factors and hepatic enzymes in Iranian seafarers. The present study aimed at assessing the pattern of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) in Iranian seafarers during 2010 to 2014. Methods: Data on cardiovascular risk factors and hepatic enzymes were extracted from seafarers’ annual health examination of National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) of 2010, 2012, and 2014. The repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare continuous variables across 3 years. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Over weight was defined as BMI (Body Mass Index) >25 kg/m2; obesity was defined as BMI>=30 kg/m2; hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP)> 140 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)> 90 mmHg, or a history of antihypertensive drug use. Diabetes (DM) was defined as fasting blood sugar (FBS) > 110 mg/dl, or having a history of oral hypoglycemic agents; and elevated SGOT and SGPT were defined as SGOT > 40 U/L and SGPT > 40 U/L, respectively. Results: The BMI mean±SD values of Iranian seafarers were 24.81±3.07 kg/m2, 25.51±2.96 kg/m2, and 25.96 ± 3.02 kg/m2 in 2010, 2012, and 2014, respectively. A significant difference was observed in BMI over the study period. The mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not significantly increase over time. The SGOT and SGPT means were not significantly different from 2010 to 2014. The prevalence of overweight increased significantly from 46.7% to 60.9% over the study period; however, the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, elevated SGOT, and elevated SGPT did not change significantly. Conclusion: The current survey showed that the obesity problem has increased among Iranian seafarers working on tankers, which is a concerning problem because obesity has negative effects on seafarers’ health.
Second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is unrelated to measures of somatic reproductive effort among young men from Cebu, the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES A low second-to-fourth (2D:4D) digit ratio, a retrospective marker of high prenatal androgens, predicts increased investment in costly sexually dimorphic traits in men in some studies, although results are mixed. Here we test the hypothesis that the association of low 2D:4D ratios with increased muscularity and decreased adiposity depends on current testosterone (T) levels, such that digit ratio will be a particularly strong predictor of outcomes among men exhibiting a mating-effort-oriented endocrinological profile (high T). We also test the association between 2D:4D and somatic traits independently of T. MATERIALS AND METHODS We related 2D:4D digit ratios, and their interaction with T, to handgrip strength, lean mass, arm muscle area, and skinfold thickness in a sample of young, childess men (20-22 y) from Cebu, Philippines (N = 623). RESULTS Digit ratio did not significantly predict men's T-dependent somatic traits. Interactions between 2D:4D and morning T, similarly, did not predict male muscularity or adiposity. Although two of the interactions were significant or marginally significant (p < .1), after adjusting for multiple testing the evidence in support of our hypothesis was weak. DISCUSSION We found no evidence that 2D:4D predicted measures of somatic reproductive effort in this sample of young men from Cebu, who as a group could be considered mostly mating-oriented. These relationships were also not contingent upon, or stronger, when considering the moderating effect of concurrent T levels. In this sample, 2D:4D was therefore either a poor proxy of prenatal androgen exposure or prenatal androgens had limited influence on adult somatic outcomes.
Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup Analysis Reveals no Association between the Common Genetic Lineages and Prostate Cancer in the Korean Population

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation has recently been suggested to have an association with various cancers, including prostate cancer risk, in human populations. Since mtDNA is haploid and lacks recombination, specific mutations in the mtDNA genome associated with human diseases arise and remain in particular genetic backgrounds referred to as haplogroups. To assess the possible contribution of mtDNA haplogroup-specific mutations to the occurrence of prostate cancer, we have therefore performed a population-based study of a prostate cancer cases and corresponding controls from the Korean population. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of mtDNA haplogroup frequencies was observed between the case and control groups of Koreans. Thus, our data imply that specific mtDNA mutations/lineages did not appear to have a significant effect on a predisposition to prostate cancer in the Korean population, although larger sample sizes are necessary to validate our results.
Dermal uptake of phthalates from clothing: Comparison of model to human participant results

In this research, we extend a model of transdermal uptake of phthalates to include a layer of clothing. When compared with experimental results, this model better estimates dermal uptake of diethylphthalate and di-n-butylphthalate (DnBP) than a previous model. The model predictions are consistent with the observation that previously exposed clothing can increase dermal uptake over that observed in bare-skin participants for the same exposure air concentrations. The model predicts that dermal uptake from clothing of DnBP is a substantial fraction of total uptake from all sources of exposure. For compounds that have high dermal permeability coefficients, dermal uptake is increased for (i) thinner clothing, (ii) a narrower gap between clothing and skin, and (iii) longer time intervals between laundering and wearing. Enhanced dermal uptake is most pronounced for compounds with clothing-air partition coefficients between 104 and 107 . In the absence of direct measurements of cotton cloth-air partition coefficients, dermal exposure may be predicted using equilibrium data for compounds in equilibrium with cellulose and water, in combination with computational methods of predicting partition coefficients.
Pain relief after transversus abdominis plane block for abdominal surgery in children: a service evaluation

We carried out a prospective service evaluation of the quality of pain control after preoperative transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block in 100 children undergoing abdominal surgery. Data were collected on type of procedure, age, weight, level of the block, local anesthetic used, additional analgesia, and hourly pain scores. Of the 100 patients, 87 were included in the evaluation, 77% of who were less than 1 year old. Adequate pain relief was achieved in 93% of all patients. Almost half (47%) of our patients did not require intravenous (IV) opioids in the postoperative period and 27% did not need any IV opioids at all. Our results confirm the good quality of perioperative analgesia achieved with a TAP block as part of a multimodal approach in children undergoing abdominal surgery. Depending on the patient’s age and the type of procedure, a TAP block may eliminate the need for IV opioids.
Functional Anatomy of the Anconeus: Muscle Architecture and Motor Unit Number Estimation

ii CO-AUTHORSHIP STATEMENT . iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF APPENDICIES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xi CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 MUSCLE ARCHITECTURE . 1 1.2 MOTOR UNIT . 1 1.3 ANCONEUS . 2 1.3. 1 Anatomy and Function of the Anconeus . 2 1.3. 2 EMG Studies of the Anconeus . 3 1.3. 2.1 Anconeus as a Clinical Model . 5 1.4 ULTRASOUND . 6 1.5 MOTOR UNIT NUMBER ESTIMATION . 7 1.5. 1 DE-STA and MUNE . 10 1.6 PURPOSES . 11 1.7 REFERENCES . 12 CHAPTER 2 STUDY 1: Muscle Architectural Properties of the Anconeus. 18 2.
Phentermine and topiramate for the management of obesity: a review

Obesity is now a major public health concern worldwide with increasing prevalence and a growing list of comorbidities and complications. The morbidity, mortality and reduced productivity associated with obesity and its complications result in a major burden to health care costs. Obesity is a complex chronic medical syndrome often with multiple different etiologic factors in individual patients. The long term successful management of obesity remains particularly challenging and invariably requires a multifaceted approach including lifestyle and behavioral modification, increased physical activity, and adjunctive pharmacotherapy. Bariatric surgery remains a last resort though at present it has the best results for achieving sustained robust weight loss. Obesity pharmacotherapy has been very limited in its role for long term obesity management because of the past history of several failed agents as well as the fact that presently available agents are few, and generally utilized as monotherapy. The recent FDA approval of the fixed drug combination of phentermine and extended release topiramate (topiramate-ER) (trade name Qsymia™) marks the first FDA approved combination pharmacotherapeutic agent for obesity since the Phen-Fen combination of the 1990s. This review details the history and clinical trial basis for the use of both phentermine and topiramate in obesity therapeutics as well as the results of clinical trials of their combination for obesity treatment in humans. The initial clinical approval trials offer evidence that this fixed drug combination offers synergistic potential for effective, robust and sustained weight loss with mean weight loss of at least 10% of baseline achieved and sustained for up to 2 years in over 50% of subjects treated. It is anticipated that this agent will be the first in a new trend of multi-agent combination therapy for the chronic adjunctive management of obesity.
Frontal and Sagittal Plane Biomechanics During Drop Jump Landing in Boys Who Are Obese

Purpose: To investigate the frontal and sagittal plane lower extremity biomechanics during drop jump landings in boys who were obese and boys who were of healthy weight. Methods: Twelve boys participated, 6 were considered as healthy weight (body mass index for age <85%, age 11.0 ± 0.8 years), and 6 were considered as obese (body mass index for age >95%, age 12.1 ± 0.7 years). Three-dimensional data were collected during landing from a drop jump. Group means were compared using Student t tests (α = 0.05). Results: Significant differences were found in peak hip adduction moment, timing of peak dorsiflexion and knee flexion angles, and timing of peak knee extension and abduction moments. Conclusions: Boys who were obese exhibited significant differences in frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics when landing from a jump compared with healthy weight peers. These differences could place boys who are obese at greater risk for lower extremity injuries when they engage in jump-landing activities.
Common drug interactions leading to adverse drug events in the intensive care unit: Management and pharmacokinetic considerations

Critically ill patients are predisposed to drug interactions because of the complexity of the drug regimens they receive in the intensive care setting. Drugs may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and/or elimination of an object drug and consequently alter the intended pharmacologic response and potentially lead to an adverse event. Certain disease states that afflict critically ill patients may also amplify an intended pharmacologic response and potentially result in an unintended effect. A team approach is important to identify, prevent, and address drug interactions in the intensive care setting and optimize patient outcomes.
Impact of Selection and Demography on the Diffusion of Lactase Persistence

Background The lactase enzyme allows lactose digestion in fresh milk. Its activity strongly decreases after the weaning phase in most humans, but persists at a high frequency in Europe and some nomadic populations. Two hypotheses are usually proposed to explain the particular distribution of the lactase persistence phenotype. The gene-culture coevolution hypothesis supposes a nutritional advantage of lactose digestion in pastoral populations. The calcium assimilation hypothesis suggests that carriers of the lactase persistence allele(s) (LCT*P) are favoured in high-latitude regions, where sunshine is insufficient to allow accurate vitamin-D synthesis. In this work, we test the validity of these two hypotheses on a large worldwide dataset of lactase persistence frequencies by using several complementary approaches. Methodology We first analyse the distribution of lactase persistence in various continents in relation to geographic variation, pastoralism levels, and the genetic patterns observed for other independent polymorphisms. Then we use computer simulations and a large database of archaeological dates for the introduction of domestication to explore the evolution of these frequencies in Europe according to different demographic scenarios and selection intensities. Conclusions Our results show that gene-culture coevolution is a likely hypothesis in Africa as high LCT*P frequencies are preferentially found in pastoral populations. In Europe, we show that population history played an important role in the diffusion of lactase persistence over the continent. Moreover, selection pressure on lactase persistence has been very high in the North-western part of the continent, by contrast to the South-eastern part where genetic drift alone can explain the observed frequencies. This selection pressure increasing with latitude is highly compatible with the calcium assimilation hypothesis while the gene-culture coevolution hypothesis cannot be ruled out if a positively selected lactase gene was carried at the front of the expansion wave during the Neolithic transition in Europe.
Evaluating strategic periodisation in team sport

ABSTRACT The planned peaking for matches or events of perceived greatest priority or difficulty throughout a competitive season is commonplace in high-level team sports. Despite this prevalence in the field, little research exists on the practice. This study aimed to provide a framework for strategic periodisation which team sport organisations can use to evaluate the efficacy of such plans. Data relating to factors potentially influencing the difficulty of matches were obtained for games played in the 2014 Australian Football League season. These included the match location, opposition rank, between-match break and team “form”. Binary logistic regression models were developed to determine the level of association between these factors and match outcome (win/loss). Models were constructed using “fixed” factors available to clubs prior to commencement of the season, and then also “dynamic” factors obtained at monthly intervals throughout the in-season period. The influence of playing away from home on match difficulty became stronger as the season progressed, whilst the opposition rank from the preceding season was the strongest indicator of difficulty across all models. The approaches demonstrated in this paper can be used practically to evaluate both the long- and short-term efficacy of strategic periodisation plans in team sports as well as inform and influence coach programming.
Novel gene arrangement in the mitochondrial genome of the Cortés Geoduck clam (Panopea globosa)

Abstract The mitogenome of the Cortés geoduck clam Panopea globosa (Genbank accession KM580068) has a length of 15,469 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNA genes, as conventional metazoan mitochondrial genomes. Structural genes start with ATG, ATA and GTG codons; whereas TAG and TAA are used as stop codons. Base composition is: 23.3% A, 40.4% T, 10.1% C and 26.1% G. As is typical of marine bivalves, all genes are coded on the same strand. On the other hand, the gene arrangement is considerably different from those found in other heterodont bivalve mitogenomes.