Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensionally woven glass fiber composite struts: characterization and mechanical response in tension and compression

Three-dimensionally woven E- and S2-glass fiber textiles have been used in the past to create delamination-resistant corrugated core sandwich panels. During subsequent out-of-plane loading, the E-glass composite core struts and S2-glass composite faces are subjected to either compressive or tension loads. This study has investigated the relationships between the three-dimensional fiber architecture, fiber properties and the mechanical response of representative samples of the core and faces. Using X-ray computed tomography and optical microscopy to characterize the three-dimensional fiber architectures, it is found that the in-plane warp and weft fibers suffer significant off-axis displacement (waviness) due to their interaction with through thickness z-fiber tows. The consequence of this fiber waviness on the relationships of the in-plane tensile and compressive mechanical properties, along with fiber type, fiber volume fraction, and strut aspect ratio are experimentally investigated. The large initial misalignment angle of the warp and weft fiber tows results in a strut compressive strength that is substantially lower than its tensile strength due to compressive failure by either elastic or localized fiber microbuckling. Simple micromechanical models are used to relate the compressive strength of the three-dimensional woven composite struts to strut aspect ratio, fiber volume fractions in the three directions and the three-dimensional fiber architecture.
Social Capital: Similarities and Differences Between Future Educators and Urban Youth Leaders

ABSTRACT This study examines differences in social capital between two demographically disparate groups: future education professionals and youth leaders living in urban communities. This is important because there is growing scholarly evidence of a positive relationship between social capital and student achievement. Social capital, defined as a constellation of privileges, is parallel to “the concepts of financial capital, physical capital, and human capital—but embodied in relations among persons” (Coleman, 1988). The impact of the varying access to social capital and its attendant resources may have profound implications on the interactions within the classroom; thus, this study measured this construct in a sample of students in education preparation programs (n = 145) and a sample of youth leaders living in urban communities (n = 119). There were significant differences between groups in: community participation, value of life, and feelings of trust and safety. Educational and consultative strategies to develop cultural competence and diversity sensitivity are discussed, with a particular focus on training future school professionals.
The Short- and Long-Term Effects of School Choice on Student Outcomes: Evidence from a School Choice Reform in Sweden

This paper evaluates the effects of a major Swedish school choice reform. The reform in 1992 increased school choice and competition among public schools as well as through a large-scale introduction of private schools. We estimate the effects of school choice and competition, using precise geographical information on the locations of school buildings and children’s homes for the entire Swedish population for several cohorts affected at different stages in their educational career. We can measure the long-term effects up to age 25. We find that increased school choice had very small, but positive, effects on marks at the end of compulsory schooling, but virtually zero effects on longer term outcomes such as university education, employment, criminal activity and health.
Patient knowledge and misconceptions of osteoarthritis assessed by a validated self-completed knowledge questionnaire (PKQ-OA).

OBJECTIVES To design and validate an osteoarthritis (OA) patient knowledge questionnaire (PKQ-OA) and to use it to assess the patients' level of knowledge of their disease, treatments and appropriate management techniques. METHODS The PKQ-OA comprises 16 multiple choice questions with 30 correct answers. It was developed in two phases and tested for face validity, readability (Flesch Reading Index) and understanding, reliability (Kuder-Richardson Formula 20) and reproducibility (test/retest). The questionnaire was then used to assess knowledge of disease and management of OA in a cohort of 83 patients with established disease. RESULTS The PKQ was found to be fairly easy to read, reliable (r = 0.75) and reproducible (r = 0.81; P < 0.01). The overall median score for the PKQ-OA was 19 ranging from 8 to 26. There was a highly significant association between the scores obtained and the number of years patients had spent in formal education, higher scores equating with greater length of education (P < 0.005). The majority of patients was knowledgeable about the symptoms of OA and exercise, but confused joint protection and energy conservation. The most worrying finding was the lack of knowledge regarding analgesics and some aspects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy. Less than a third of patients knew that analgesics could be taken prophylactically and 70% did not know that they should be taken when pain starts to build. Among the patients 34% did not know that NSAIDs should be taken with or following food. CONCLUSIONS The PKQ-OA is a readable, reliable and reproducible questionnaire. It is quick to complete and score and could be used in out patient clinics or GP surgeries to assess knowledge of patients with OA.
The pattern of pediatric surgical conditions in Tikur Anbessa Unversity Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES To assess the pattern and extent of pediatric surgical problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who had surgery at the TAUH over a five-year period RESULTS A total of 6070 surgical procedures were done, accounting for 31% of all operations and 33% of all pediatric admissions to the hospital The patients were predominantly male (M:F ratio of 2:1) with a mean age of 68 months. Congenital anomalies, trauma and inflammation cause most of the diseases, 37%, 17.1% and 16.8% respectively. The gastrointestinal system was most commonly affected (41.8%) followed by the musculoskeletal system (23%). The study demonstrates the presence of a wide range of pediatric surgical conditions that may cause significant health problems among children. Acute appendicitis was the commonest surgical condition, seen in 729 (12%) children and foreign body aspiration or swallowing in 331 (5.5%) cases. Several diagnoses were related with poor surgical care such as: post burn contracture (177), post circumcision phimosis (71) and chronic osteomyelitis (71). CONCLUSION It is suggested that improving the management of pediatrics surgical conditions would significantly reduce morbidity.
Tuning the Band Gap Energy of Reduced Graphene Oxide Using Biopolymer Chitosan for High Power and Frequency Device Applications

There has been continued research to realize the potential of wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors for power switching applications since larger band gap allows higher power and temperature operation and the generation of more energetic (i.e. blue) photons. As compared to other semiconductor materials, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has a low bandgap energy, which limits its application for high power semiconductors. Blending rGO with chitosan bio-polymer widens its bandgap, which can be tuned by controlling the amount of chitosan. In this study, the interplay between the resultant structure and opto-electronic properties of rGO obtained from coconut husks via thermal pyrolysis blended with chitosan from squid gladii have been systematically studied. We thus report that the optical band gap of rGO can be systematically controlled by careful addition of chitosan in their blend. This can give it a new application as high power semiconductors.
Not so risky business: the use of planning within rock climbing

To understand precautionary behaviour within risk sport, the present study assessed participants’ (n = 72) degree of planning for a rock climbing task and its impact on task performance. Participants with varying degrees of climbing experience were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) planning-inhibited, (b) planning, or a (c) control. Results indicated significantly (p < 0.01) more planning behaviour by planning and control participants than by those who were planning-inhibited. Additionally, inexperienced participants reported significantly (p < 0.01) more pre-task thoughts and mental preparation than experienced participants. Although climbing times were not significantly different among conditions, descriptively planning-inhibited participants climbed the slowest, while participants prompted to plan climbed the fastest. Results suggest that while participants appeared to engage in a degree of planning, the practice did not affect performance. Discussion concerns the use of planning as a precautionary behaviour in rock climbing.
Alcohol Consumption as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review of Associations at the Individual and at the Population Level

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to provide an updated review of the magnitude of the relationship between alcohol use and suicidal behaviour at the individual and the population level. Systematic literature searches retrieved 14 reviews of individual level studies and 16 primary population level studies. Alcohol abuse and alcohol intoxication are often present in suicidal behaviour; risk of suicide is elevated in alcohol abusers and increasing population drinking tends to be associated with increase in suicide rates. Estimated magnitude of the relationship differs for men and women and it varies at the population level across cultures with different drinking pattern. These variations probably reflect gender differences and cultural variation in drinking behavior generally. Empirical evidence for a causal relationship is still urgently needed.
Reactive oxygen species, ageing and the hormesis police.

For more than 50 years, the free radical theory served as the paradigm guiding most investigations of ageing. However, recent studies in a variety of organisms have identified conceptual and practical limitations to this theory. Some of these limitations are related to the recent discovery that caloric restriction and other experimental manipulations promote longevity by inducing hormesis effects in association with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). The beneficial role of ROS in lifespan extension is consistent with the essential role of these molecules in cell signalling. However, the identity of specific forms of ROS that promote longevity remains unclear. In this article, we argue that in several model systems, hydrogen peroxide plays a crucial role in the induction of hormesis.
A move to more systematic and transparent approaches in qualitative evidence synthesis: update on a review of published papers

In 2007, the journal Qualitative Research published a review on qualitative evidence syntheses conducted between 1988 and 2004. It reported on the lack of explicit detail regarding methods for searching, appraisal and synthesis, and a lack of emerging consensus on these issues. We present an update of this review for the period 2005–8. Not only has the amount of published qualitative evidence syntheses doubled, but authors have also become more transparent about their searching and critical appraisal procedures. Nevertheless, for the synthesis component of the qualitative reviews, a black box remains between what people claim to use as a synthesis approach and what is actually done in practice. A detailed evaluation of how well authors master their chosen approach could provide important information for developers of particular methods, who seem to succeed in playing the game according to the rules. Clear methodological instructions need to be developed to assist others in applying these synthesis methods.
The Arabidopsis HUELLENLOS Gene, Which Is Essential for Normal Ovule Development, Encodes a Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.010323.

The HUELLENLOS (HLL) gene participates in patterning and growth of the Arabidopsis ovule. We have isolated the HLL gene and shown that it encodes a protein homologous to the L14 proteins of eubacterial ribosomes. The Arabidopsis genome also includes a highly similar gene, HUELLENLOS PARALOG (HLP), and genes for both cytosolic (L23) and chloroplast ribosome L14 proteins. Phylogenetic analysis shows that HLL and HLP differ significantly from these other two classes of such proteins. HLL and HLP fusions to green fluorescent protein were localized to mitochondria. Ectopic expression of HLP complemented the hll mutant, indicating that HLP and HLL share redundant functions. We conclude that HLL and HLP encode L14 subunits of mitochondrial ribosomes. HLL mRNA was at significantly higher levels than HLP mRNA in pistils, with the opposite pattern in leaves. This differential expression can explain the confinement of effects of hll mutations to gynoecia and ovules. Our elucidation of the nature of HLL shows that metabolic defects can have specific effects on developmental patterning.
Cyclic tension promotes fibroblastic differentiation of human MSCs cultured on collagen‐fibre scaffolds

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as a potential cell source for tendon/ligament tissue engineering. Extrinsic cues, such as the chemical and physical properties of scaffolds, as well as external forces, play an important role in fibroblastic differentiation of these cells. In this study, we employed a collagen‐fibre scaffold that mimics the chemical and fibrous structure and mechanical properties of tendon/ligament, and studied how imparting cyclic tension to these fibrous collagen scaffolds affects tendon/ligament fibroblastic differentiation of MSCs. Human MSCs attached and spread on the surface of the scaffolds, and appeared aligned along the fibres 24 h after seeding. Cyclic tension was then applied to cell‐laden scaffolds over a period of 14 days (10% strain, 1 Hz, 3 h on/3 h off). Real time RT–PCR analysis indicated that scleraxis, a transcription factor associated with the tendon fibroblast phenotype, was found to be significantly upregulated only under cyclic tension. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that MSCs cultured under cyclic tension after 14 days secreted more extracellular matrix, including collagen I, collagen III and tenascin‐C, compared to constructs in static culture, after 14 days in vitro. Our data indicate that cyclic tension can promote fibroblastic differentiation of MSCs in these fibrous collagen‐based scaffolds, which may have significant applications in the development of tissue‐engineered graft alternatives for tendon and ligament injuries. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Roles of Myosin II during Vesicle Transport and Fusion in Chromaffin Cells*

Modified herpes virus (amplicons) were used to express myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) chimeras with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cultured bovine chromaffin cells to study myosin II implication in secretion. After infection, RLC-GFP constructs were clearly identified in the cytoplasm and accumulated in the cortical region, forming a complex network that co-localized with cortical F-actin. Cells expressing wild type RLC-GFP maintained normal vesicle mobility, whereas cells expressing an unphosphorylatable form (T18A/S19A RLC-GFP) presented severe restrictions in granule movement as measured by individual tracking in dynamic confocal microscopy studies. Interestingly, the overexpression of this mutant form of RLC also affected the initial secretory burst elicited by either high K+ or BaCl2, as well as the secretion induced by fast release of calcium from caged compounds in individual cells. Moreover, T18A/S19A RLC-GFP-infected cells presented slower fusion kinetics of individual granules compared with controls as measured by analysis of amperometric spikes. Taken together, our results demonstrate the implication of myosin II in the transport of vesicles, and, surprisingly, in the final phases of exocytosis involving transitions affecting the activity of docked granules, and therefore uncovering a new role for this cytoskeletal element.
Modeling Individuals' Post-Retirement Behaviors Toward Their Former Organization

SUMMARY This research was aimed at developing a model of individual and organizational factors related to retirees' desires to return to the organization they retired from. To test this model, a 92-item survey measuring perceived organizational support, organizational identification, retirement planning/preparedness, reasons for retirement, retirement satisfaction, meaning of work, and post-retirement work behaviors was mailed out to 3,511 retirees of a southern California utility company. One thousand ten (1,010) retirees responded. Some support was found for the hypothesized model of post-retirement behaviors. This suggested that perception of the organization, perception of retirement, and meaning of work factors were functioning to predict post-retirement behaviors directed toward the organization individuals retired from. The proposed model serves as an initial step for explaining and predicting post-retirement behaviors.
ATTITUDES TOWARD LEARNING ABOUT AND WORKING WITH COMPUTERS OF STUDENTS AT UiTM

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes toward learning about and working with computers of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam students. Attitudes were studied in an attempt to ascertain factors such as anxiety, confidence, liking and, usefulness at the university level. A total of 300 students at various stages of education from diploma to doctoral degrees participated in this study. Questionnaires were distributed to students and completed ones (100%) were collected by two research assistants. The instrument used was a questionnaire designed by Loyd and Gressard (1984). The questionnaire solicited demographic information, and 40 questions or statements structured on a scale of one to four. They were then utilized to measure attitudes toward learning about and working with computers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.0 for frequencies, mean, standard deviation and, cross tabulation. The results suggested that UiTM Shah Alam students, especially the female students, have positive attitudes toward learning about and working with computers.
Knuckle Print Biometrics and Fusion Schemes -- Overview, Challenges, and Solutions

Numerous behavioral or physiological biometric traits, including iris, signature, hand geometry, speech, palm print, face, etc. have been used to discriminate individuals in a number of security applications over the last 30 years. Among these, hand-based biometric systems have come to the attention of researchers worldwide who utilize them for low- to medium-security applications such as financial transactions, access control, law enforcement, border control, computer security, time and attendance systems, dormitory meal plan access, etc. Several approaches for biometric recognition have been summarized in the literature. The survey in this article focuses on the interface between various hand modalities, summary of inner- and dorsal-knuckle print recognition, and fusion techniques. First, an overview of various feature extraction and classification approaches for knuckle print, a new entrant in the hand biometrics family with a higher user acceptance and invariance to emotions, is presented. Next, knuckle print fusion schemes with possible integration scenarios, and traditional capturing devices have been discussed. The economic relevance of various biometric traits, including knuckle print for commercial and forensic applications is debated. Finally, conclusions related to the scope of knuckle print as a biometric trait are drawn and some recommendations for the development of hand-based multimodal biometrics have been presented.
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity During Wakefulness in Heart Failure Patients With and Without Sleep Apnea

Sympathetic activation and sleep apnea are present in most patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure (HF). Acutely, obstructive and central apneas increase muscle sympathetic activity (MSNA) during sleep by eliciting recurrent hypoxia, hypercapnia, and arousal. In obstructive sleep apnea patients with normal systolic function, this increase persists after waking. Whether coexisting sleep apnea augments daytime MSNA in HF is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that its presence exerts additive effects on MSNA during wakefulness. Overnight sleep studies and morning MSNA recordings were performed on 60 subjects with ejection fraction <45%. Of these, 43 had an apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 per hour. Subjects with and subjects without sleep apnea were similar for age, ejection fraction, HF etiology, body mass index, blood pressure, and heart rate. Daytime MSNA was significantly higher in those with sleep apnea (76±2 versus 63±4 bursts per 100 heartbeats [mean±SEM], P=0.005; 58±2 versus 50±3 bursts/min, P=0.037), irrespective of its etiology (the mean difference for central sleep apnea was 17 bursts per 100 heartbeats; n=14; P=0.006; and for obstructive sleep apnea, 11 bursts per 100 heartbeats; n=29; P=0.032). In a subgroup (n=8), treatment of obstructive sleep apnea lowered MSNA by 12 bursts per 100 heartbeats (P=0.003). Convergence of independent excitatory influences of HF and sleep apnea on central sympathetic neurons results in higher MSNA during wakefulness in HF patients with coexisting sleep apnea. This additional stimulus to central sympathetic outflow may accelerate the progression of HF; its attenuation by treatment of sleep apnea represents a novel nonpharmacological opportunity.
Assessing Within-Household Selection Methods in Household Mail Surveys

Household surveys are increasingly moving toward self-administered modes of data collection. To maintain a probability sample of the population, researchers must use probability methods to select adults within households. However, very little experimental methodological work has been conducted on within-household selection in mail surveys. In this study, we experimentally examine four methods�the next-birthday method, the last-birthday method, selection of the youngest adult in the household, and selection of the oldest adult in the household�in two mail surveys of Nebraska residents (n = 2,498, AAPOR RR1 36.3 percent, and n = 947, AAPOR RR1 31.6 percent). To evaluate how accurately respondents were selected from among all adults in the household, we also included a household roster in the questionnaire for one of the surveys. We evaluated response rates, the completed sample composition resulting from the different within-household selection methods, and the accuracy of within-household selection. The analyses indicate that key demographics differed little across the selection methods, and that all of the within-household selection methods tend to underrepresent key demographic groups such as Hispanics and persons with lower levels of education. Rates of selection accuracy were low among the four selection methods analyzed, and the rates were similar across all four methods.