Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static and Dynamic Evaluation of Biophysical Properties of Footwear: The Jozef Stefan Institute Sweating Thermal Foot Manikin System

Abstract : Freezing and non-freezing cold injury occurs predominantly in the extremities, with the feet being at greatest risk. Inappropriate footwear is the main cause for cold injury of the feet. Ensuring that footwear meets minimal biophysical standards is therefore essential in preventing cold injury. The Thermal Foot Manikin System comprises a sweating thermal foot manikin, a gait simulator and a control unit. The foot manikin has 10 segments constructed of a silver-copper alloy. Each segment is heated and the temperature of each segment is monitored. Water is delivered to 6 sweat glands in each of the 10 segments, distributed over the segment surface by a thin cotton layer. Each segment is covered by a water impermeable, but water vapor permeable membrane, ensuring that only water vapor crosses the membrane. In this manner, the resistance to water vapor may be determined from each of the 10 segments. By disconnecting the sweat gland activity, the same analysis provides a value of insulation for each segment. The manikin is attached to a gait simulator, which can simulate different stride magnitudes and walking paces. The gait simulator simulates the heel-to-toe action of walking and also simulates the ground reaction forces. The manikin also allows biomechanical analysis of footwear during simulated gait. The thermal foot manikin is able to analyze the static and dynamic biophysical properties of footwear in sub-zero environments. The differences in the results obtained in the static and simulated gait mode are due to friction between the foot manikin and footwear, and due to footwear design. In the biomechanical mode, the foot manikin allows the assessment of wear, as well as how such wear affects biophysical properties. The developed thermal foot manikin gives industry the capability to develop footwear with biophysical properties specified by the customer. Such a strategy will reduce the risk of cold injury.
Prostate-Specific Antigen and New Related Markers for Prostate Cancer

Abstract Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA), or human kallikrein 3, is the most valuable tool available for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer, as currently used it is insufficiently sensitive and specific for early detection or staging of the malignancy. Many new concepts have been introduced in order to optimize the clinical use of PSA measurements, but each one has its own drawbacks. The molecular forms of PSA, especially the free PSA, seem to be useful for the detection of prostate cancer in men with PSA concentrations falling in the 4–10 μg/l range. New molecular techniques, such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the detection of minimal amounts of PSA messenger RNA and prostate-specific membrane antigen, offer new promise for the prognosis and possibly staging of prostate cancer. On the other hand, human kallikrein 2, a serine protease closely related to PSA that is also expressed predominantly in the prostate, may be a new adjuvant marker for prostate cancer. As for its biological functions, PSA can no longer be regarded as a specific prostate molecule associated mainly with semen liquefaction when it has a possible role as a prognostic indicator in female breast cancer. The biological role of PSA in normal tissues and tumors may be much more complex than previously thought and requires further investigation.
MBD2/NuRD and MBD3/NuRD, Two Distinct Complexes with Different Biochemical and Functional Properties

ABSTRACT The human genome contains a number of methyl CpG binding proteins that translate DNA methylation into a physiological response. To gain insight into the function of MBD2 and MBD3, we first applied protein tagging and mass spectrometry. We show that MBD2 and MBD3 assemble into mutually exclusive distinct Mi-2/NuRD-like complexes, called MBD2/NuRD and MBD3/NuRD. We identified DOC-1, a putative tumor suppressor, as a novel core subunit of MBD2/NuRD as well as MBD3/NuRD. PRMT5 and its cofactor MEP50 were identified as specific MBD2/NuRD interactors. PRMT5 stably and specifically associates with and methylates the RG-rich N terminus of MBD2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PRMT5 and MBD2 are recruited to CpG islands in a methylation-dependent manner in vivo and that H4R3, a substrate of PRMT, is methylated at these loci. Our data show that MBD2/NuRD and MBD3/NuRD are distinct protein complexes with different biochemical and functional properties.
New constraints on the upper mantle structure of the Slave craton from Rayleigh wave inversion

Rayleigh wave phase and amplitude data are analyzed to provide new insight into the velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath the Slave craton, in the northwestern Canadian Shield. We invert for phase velocities at periods between 20 s–142 s (with greatest sensitivity at depths of 28–200 km) using crossing ray paths from events recorded by the POLARIS broadband seismic network and the Yellowknife array. Phase velocities obtained for the Slave province are comparable to those from other cratons at shorter periods, but exceed the global average by ∼2% at periods above 60 s, suggesting that the Slave craton may be an end member in terms of its high degree of mantle depletion. The one‐dimensional inversion of phase velocities yields high upper‐mantle S‐wave velocities of 4.7 ± 0.2 km/s that persist to 220 ± 65 km depth and thus define the cratonic lithosphere. Azimuthal anisotropy is well resolved at all periods with a dominant fast direction of N59°E ± 20°, suggesting that upper mantle anisotropy beneath the Slave craton is influenced by both lithospheric fabric and sub‐lithospheric flow.
Scaling Binarized Neural Networks on Reconfigurable Logic

Binarized neural networks (BNNs) are gaining interest in the deep learning community due to their significantly lower computational and memory cost. They are particularly well suited to reconfigurable logic devices, which contain an abundance of fine-grained compute resources and can result in smaller, lower power implementations, or conversely in higher classification rates. Towards this end, the FINN framework was recently proposed for building fast and flexible field programmable gate array (FPGA) accelerators for BNNs. FINN utilized a novel set of optimizations that enable efficient mapping of BNNs to hardware and implemented fully connected, non-padded convolutional and pooling layers, with per-layer compute resources being tailored to user-provided throughput requirements. However, FINN was not evaluated on larger topologies due to the size of the chosen FPGA, and exhibited decreased accuracy due to lack of padding. In this paper, we improve upon FINN to show how padding can be employed on BNNs while still maintaining a 1-bit datapath and high accuracy. Based on this technique, we demonstrate numerous experiments to illustrate flexibility and scalability of the approach. In particular, we show that a large BNN requiring 1.2 billion operations per frame running on an ADM-PCIE-8K5 platform can classify images at 12 kFPS with 671 μs latency while drawing less than 41 W board power and classifying CIFAR-10 images at 88.7% accuracy. Our implementation of this network achieves 14.8 trillion operations per second. We believe this is the fastest classification rate reported to date on this benchmark at this level of accuracy.
Association of Fusobacterium species in pancreatic cancer tissues with molecular features and prognosis

Recently, bacterial infection causing periodontal disease has attracted considerable attention as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Fusobacterium species is an oral bacterial group of the human microbiome. Some evidence suggests that Fusobacterium species promote colorectal cancer development; however, no previous studies have reported the association between Fusobacterium species and pancreatic cancer. Therefore, we examined whether Fusobacterium species exist in pancreatic cancer tissue. Using a database of 283 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we tested cancer tissue specimens for Fusobacterium species. We also tested the specimens for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations and measured microRNA-21 and microRNA-31. In addition, we assessed epigenetic alterations, including CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). Our data showed an 8.8% detection rate of Fusobacterium species in pancreatic cancers; however, tumor Fusobacterium status was not associated with any clinical and molecular features. In contrast, in multivariate Cox regression analysis, compared with the Fusobacterium species-negative group, we observed significantly higher cancer-specific mortality rates in the positive group (p = 0.023). In conclusion, Fusobacterium species were detected in pancreatic cancer tissue. Tumor Fusobacterium species status is independently associated with a worse prognosis of pancreatic cancer, suggesting that Fusobacterium species may be a prognostic biomarker of pancreatic cancer.
The Effects of Background Music in the Classroom on the Productivity, Motivation, and Behavior of Fourth Grade Students.

ii DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this action research paper to my dad, Rodney White, my mom, Sherry White, my brother, Dustin White, and my extended family members. They have always been there for me. I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for their continued support and encouragement! iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge my principal, Dr. Richard Moore, for his cooperation throughout my study and his continued support. Also, Ms. Allison Kingsley and her fourth grade class for allowing me to conduct my research study in their classroom. They have helped me successfully complete the action research thesis as a part to fulfill a requirement in the Master of Education program in Divergent Learning.
Antecedents of commitment to and support of a proposed change initiative in a Southern Baptist congregation

This study extends research findings directed at a micro-focus of change by assessing individual organizational members' perspectives and psychological constructs influencing change efforts by an organization. The change initiative in question regards the construction of a new facility and subsequent relocation to said facility. Moral commitment to the organization (negative), change initiative's fit with organizational vision, and social influence significantly contributed to variance in members' affective commitment to change. Trust in leadership and normative commitment to the organization (NCO) significantly contributed to variance in members' normative commitment to change. Continuance commitment to the organization and participation (negative) significantly contributed to variance in members' continuance commitment to change. NCO, change initiative's fit with organizational vision, and participation significantly contributed to variance in support of the proposed change initiative. Affective commitment to the organization (negative), NCO (negative), trust in leadership (negative), and disruption of influence significantly contributed to variance in members' intent to leave the organization.
Does Political Instability Lead to Higher and More Volatile Inflation? A Panel Data Analysis

Economists generally accept the proposition that high and volatile inflation rates generate inefficiencies that reduce societys welfare. Furthermore, studies have shown that inflation is harmful to economic growth. However, determining the causes of the worldwide diversity of inflationary experiences is an important challenge not yet satisfactorily confronted by the profession. Based on a broad dataset covering over 100 countries for the period 1975-1997 and using dynamic and static panel data econometric techniques, this paper shows that a higher degree of political instability is associated with both higher inflation levels and volatility. Not only does this paper advance the political economy literature establishing a relationship between inflation moments and political instability, but it also has important policy implications regarding the optimal design of inflation stabilization programs and of the institutions favorable to price stability.
Adrenal function is related to prognosis in moderate community-acquired pneumonia

The aim of our study was to prospectively examine adrenal function, including cosyntropin stimulation, and its prognostic value in patients with moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). 59 consecutive adult patients hospitalised on normal wards because of CAP were enrolled. A cosyntropin stimulation test was performed and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, ACTH, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) were measured. Predefined outcome parameters were clinical instability after 72 h, mortality and combined intensive care unit (ICU) admission or mortality. Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) occurred in six patients (10.3%). Cortisol, age-corrected DHEA, ACTH and the DHEA/DHEAS ratio were elevated in patients remaining unstable after 72 h. In multivariate analysis, cortisol (p = 0.03), ACTH (p = 0.04) and the pneumonia severity index (PSI) score (p = 0.005) independently predicted clinical instability after 72 h, and only cortisol predicted mortality (p = 0.04) and combined ICU-admission or mortality (p = 0.006). The predictive value of serum cortisol after receiver operating characteristic curve analysis equalled that of the PSI score. Patients with serum cortisol >734 nmol·L−1 had a high probability for mortality (OR 38.3; p = 0.002). CIRCI is rare in patients with moderate CAP. Adrenal function is related to the prognosis of CAP. The diagnostic accuracy of serum cortisol equals that of the PSI score. Serum cortisol should be evaluated within clinical prediction scores on larger studies.
Dexmedetomidine in Children: Current Knowledge and Future Applications

More than 200 studies and reports have been published regarding the use of dexmedetomidine in infants and children. We reviewed the English literature to summarize the current state of knowledge of this drug in children for the practicing anesthesiologist. Dexmedetomidine is an effective sedative for infants and children that only minimally depresses the respiratory system while maintaining a patent airway. However, dexmedetomidine does depress the cardiovascular system. Specifically, bradycardia, hypotension, and hypertension occur to varying degrees depending on the age of the child. Hypertension is more prevalent when larger doses of dexmedetomidine are given to infants. Consistent with its 2-hour elimination half-life, recovery after dexmedetomidine may be protracted in comparison with other sedatives. Dexmedetomidine provides and augments analgesia and diminishes shivering as well as agitation postoperatively. The safety record of dexmedetomidine suggests that it can be used effectively and safely in children, with appropriate monitoring and interventions to manage cardiovascular sequelae.
Effect of inoculation by Moroccan rock phosphate-solubilizing rhizobia, versus phosphorus fertilization, on the growth and the phosphorus uptake BY Vicia faba

Low Phosphorus availability in soil is worldwide a frequent major constraint for crops. Rhizobial strains, beneficial N2-fixing symbiotic partners of legumes, were reported to solubilize both organic and inorganic complex phosphates. Thus they may play a significant role as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the biofertilization of crops. Natural rock phosphate may play a key role in sustainable agriculture, resulting in economic and environmental benefits. This work aims to evidence the capacity of rhizobial strains nodulating Vicia faba L. plants in Marrakech-Haouz region (Morocco) to solubilize Moroccan rock phosphate in vitro in either agar or liquid medium and to evaluate and compare the effect of these strains on growth and phosphorus uptake by V. faba plants of two Moroccan varieties (Defes and Aguadulce). Four rhizobial strains, contrasting for phosphate solubilization on agar medium, were further studied on liquid medium. RHOF147 and RHOF174 strains formed clear halos around colonies (1.37 cm and 1.2 respectively after 15 days); opposite RHOF170 and RHOF171 strains did not produce halo. The four strains were able to mobilize rock phosphate for growth in liquid medium (up to 0.59 mg/L of assimilated phosphorus). Lower pH values and most mobilized phosphorus production were registered for RHOF147 and RHOF174 strains. By screening the four rhizobial strains for growth on Chrome Azurol S (CAS) medium, only RHOF171 strain formed orange halo indicating its capacity to produce siderophores. Greenhouse experiments were undertaken including comparison of inoculated plants with these four rhizobial strains in the presence of rock phosphate as sole P source versus non-inoculated plants growing on KH2PO4 as sole P source (P-fertilized plants). Results show that the root length, the root dry weight and the ratio root /shoot dry weights were generally higher in the inoculated plants than in the P-fertilized plants, indicating the adaptation of the inoculated plants to phosphorus deficiency conditions. The effect of rock phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on plant growth depends on the symbiotic combination of the inoculated strain and the plant genotype. As for phosphorus uptake, rhizobial strains made phosphorus available to the plant at significant increased concentrations in some symbiotic combinations (e.g. Aguadulce-RHOF147). The use of selected symbiotic combinations having the capacity to solubilize rock phosphate may improve soil fertility and phosphorus availability to plants. (Resume d'auteur)
Populations of Methane-Producing Bacteria and In Vitro Methanogenesis in Salt Marsh and Estuarine Sediments

Most probable numbers (MPNs) of methanogens in various salt marsh and estuarine sediments were determined with an anaerobic, habitat-simulating culture medium with 80% H2 plus 20% CO2 as substrate. Average MPNs for the short Spartina (SS) marsh sediments of Sapelo Island, Ga. , were maximal at the 5- to 7-cm depth (1.2 × 107/g of dry sediment). Populations decreased to approximately 880/g of dry sediment at the 34- to 36-cm depth. There was no significant difference between summer and winter populations. In tall Spartina (TS) marsh sediments, average populations were maximal (1.2 × 106/g of dry sediment) in the upper 0- to 2-cm zone; populations from the 5- to 36-cm zones were similar (average of 9 × 104/g of dry sediment). Methanogenic populations for TS sediments of James Island Creek marsh, Charleston, S.C. , were similar (average of 3 × 106/g of dry sediment) for all depths tested (0 to 22 cm), which was comparable to the trend observed for TS sediments at Sapelo Island, Ga. Sediment grab samples collected along a transect of James Island Creek and its adjacent Spartina marsh had MPNs that were approximately 20 times greater for the region of Spartina growth (average of 106/g of dry sediment) compared with the channel (approximately 5 × 104 methanogens per g of dry sediment). A similar trend was found at Pawley's Island marsh, S.C. , but populations were approximately one order of magnitude lower. In vitro rates of methanogenesis with SS sediments incubated under 80% H2-20% CO2 showed that the 5- to 7-cm region exhibited maximal activity (51 nmol of CH4 g−1 h−1), which was greater than rates for sediments above and below this depth. SS sediment samples (5 to 7 cm) incubated under 100% N2 and supplemented with formate exhibited rates of methanogenesis similar to those generated by samples under 80% H2-20% CO2. Replacing the N2 atmosphere with H2 resulted in an eightfold decrease in the rate of methanogenesis. In vitro methanogenic activity by TS salt marsh sediments, incubated under 80% H2-20% CO2, was similar for all depths tested (0 to 22 cm). TS sediment samples (0 to 7 cm) supplemented with formate and incubated under 100% N2 had greater rates of methanogenesis compared with unsupplemented samples.
Assessment criteria for evaluating the stability and position of the centre of gravity on a balance training platform: a simulation with Matlab®

The anterior–posterior and medial–lateral tipping values of a training platform within the scope of a balance training activity should be evaluated in regard to position and the changing position of the centre of gravity (COG). Data streams are simulated and modulated with the help of the signal processing programme Matlab®. These data streams are evaluated using existing balance formulas and a specially developed formula. Active Balance Index referring to the zero point (ABI0) allows an assertion about the magnitude of the mean tipping angle with the magnitude origin in the centre of the training platform. Active Balance Index referring to the arithmetical mean COG (ABImean) enables an assertion about the mean tipping angle with the magnitude origin in the COG mean position. The deviation of the mean COG from absolute balance which is projected onto the platform is calculated by the Active Balance Ratio (ABR). The Active Balance Index (ABI) in combination with the ABR seems to be an adequate parameter for the evaluation of COG stability on a training platform.
Accurate modeling of voltage and current waveforms of nonlinear inductors with finite elements

In this paper, we present a theoretical-experimental comparison of the voltage and current waveforms of an inductor which is included in a buck DC-DC converter at switching frequencies of 40 kHz and 100 kHz. Theoretical waveforms are obtained by combining separate magnetic and electrical modeling procedures. The magnetic modeling is done by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) while the electrical modeling is carried out with a commercial circuit simulator. We study the application of the procedure to an inductor with a ferrite core. It is applied specifically to an RM-shaped core used in power electronics. The comparison between measurements and numerical data obtained from simulations validates the procedure.
High Human Immunodeficiency Virus-free Survival of Infants Born to Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Mothers in an Integrated Program to Decrease Child Mortality in Rural Rwanda

We retrospectively examined infant mortality and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-free survival among 211 infants who received a comprehensive package of health services, including breast milk substitution and clean water access, to prevent maternal-to-child transmission of HIV and improve child survival. The cumulative 12-month infant survival probability was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.94–0.99). The cumulative 12- to 18-month HIV-free survival probability was 0.95 (confidence interval: 0.91–0.97).
Premating Isolation Is Determined by Larval‐Rearing Substrates in Cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis. V. Deep Geographic Variation in Epicuticular Hydrocarbons among Isolated Populations*

Adult epicuticular hydrocarbon variation of 14 geographically isolated populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis was assessed to further investigate mechanisms of sexual isolation. Hydrocarbon transfer experiments demonstrated that these compounds are part of the mate recognition system in this species. Sixteen of the 23 epicuticular hydrocarbon components studied differed in amounts between males and females, and 13 differed in quantity between the geographic regions encompassing Baja California and mainland Mexico (Sonora and Sinaloa). Eight hydrocarbon components, seven of which differed in quantity between sexes, showed significant sex‐by‐region interactions, indicating region‐specific sex reversals in hydrocarbon quantities. Such regional variation in epicuticular hydrocarbon profiles suggests that these hydrocarbon differences have also evolved in D. mojavensis since this species invaded mainland Sonora and Sinaloa from Baja California by switching host plants, in addition to a number of key genetic, behavioral, and life‐history characters.