Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design, Simulation and Fabrication of a New Finger Support

This paper reports on the results of design and fabrication of a new finger support. Finger deformation is very common and has many causes and severity. Most of the available finger supports are not resizable and comfortable. They are mainly designed to fully restrict the finger’s motion when there has been any type of injury. However, for example in the case of early stages of arthritis, the patient should be able to use them whenever they want. Furthermore, the available finger supports cannot be adjusted considering various fingers’ sizes and positions. In this research, seven models of a polymer-metal composite finger support are designed. They are made of a soft polymer with inserted sheets of aluminum, steel or carbon-fiber. The optimal models are strong, and allow for size and finger position adjustments, and can be used for patients who already have distorted fingers and are working on them to regain some functions. Extensive finite element analysis of the support under the distributed loads of the finger, confirmed by the results obtained by a MATLAB program, shows that the new support tolerates the applied forces without any permanent deformation. Finally, the fabricated part using 3D printing validates the results.
Alcohol modulation of BK channel gating depends on β subunit composition

Large conductance K+ channels of the slo1 family are gated by Ca2+ and voltage and either inhibited or potentiated by ethanol. Kuntamallappanavar and Dopico analyze the effects of ethanol in detail and find that the absence or presence of β subunits leads to differential modification of channel gating parameters by intoxicating levels of ethanol.
Better approximation guarantees for job-shop scheduling

Job-shop scheduling is a classical NP-hard problem. Shmoys, Stein, and Wein presented the first polynomial-time approximation algorithm for this problem that has a good (polylogarithmic) approximation guarantee. We improve the approximation guarantee of their work and present further improvements for some important NP-hard special cases of this problem (e.g., in the preemptive case where machines can suspend work on operations and later resume). We also present NC algorithms with improved approximation guarantees for some NP-hard special cases.
Interpreting in small-group bilingual videoconferences: Challenges and adaptation processes

When interpreting takes place in a videoconference setting, the intrinsic technological challenges and the very remoteness of the interpreters’ location compound the complexity of the task. Existing research on remote interpreting and the problems it entails focusses on remote conference interpreting, in which the interpreters are physically separated from the conference site while the primary interlocutors are together on site as usual. In an effort to broaden the scope of research in the area of remote interpreting to include other types and to address other questions, in particular that of the interpreters’ adaptability to new working conditions, this paper analyses small-group videoconferences in which the primary interlocutors as well as the interpreters all work from different locations. The findings from an empirical case study (based on recordings of videoconference sessions as well as introspective data) are used to identify and exemplify different types of interpreter adaptation.
The Role of Genetics in Advancing Precision Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease—A Narrative Review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, which has a substantial genetic component. AD affects predominantly older people. Accordingly, the prevalence of dementia has been rising as the population ages. To date, there are no effective interventions that can cure or halt the progression of AD. The only available treatments are the management of certain symptoms and consequences of dementia. The current state-of-the-art medical care for AD comprises three simple principles: prevent the preventable, achieve early diagnosis, and manage the manageable symptoms. This review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge of risk factors for AD, biological diagnostic testing, and prospects for treatment. Special emphasis is given to recent advances in genetics of AD and the way genomic data may support prevention, early intervention, and development of effective pharmacological treatments. Mutations in the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes cause early onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) that follows a Mendelian inheritance pattern. For late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), APOE4 was identified as a major risk allele more than two decades ago. Population-based genome-wide association studies of late onset AD have now additionally identified common variants at roughly 30 genetic loci. Furthermore, rare variants (allele frequency <1%) that influence the risk for LOAD have been identified in several genes. These genetic advances have broadened our insights into the biological underpinnings of AD. Moreover, the known genetic risk variants could be used to identify presymptomatic individuals at risk for AD and support diagnostic assessment of symptomatic subjects. Genetic knowledge may also facilitate precision medicine. The goal of precision medicine is to use biological knowledge and other health information to predict individual disease risk, understand disease etiology, identify disease subcategories, improve diagnosis, and provide personalized treatment strategies. We discuss the potential role of genetics in advancing precision medicine for AD along with its ethical challenges. We outline strategies to implement genomics into translational clinical research that will not only improve accuracy of dementia diagnosis, thus enabling more personalized treatment strategies, but may also speed up the discovery of novel drugs and interventions.
Methods for tracking athletes' competitive performance in skeleton

Abstract In many sports, changes in performance time between races arising from differences in venues and weather far exceed changes in an athlete's true ability. Here we compare three methods to track performance of individual athletes in one such sport, skeleton. We developed the methods with official times of 33 male and 34 female athletes competing in three or more of 26 World Cup races over 4 years leading up to, but not including, the 2006 Winter Olympics. For two methods accessible to coaches, we fitted simple quadratic trajectories to each athlete's race placing and to percent behind the winning time. For a more sensitive method, we fitted similar quadratic trajectories to race time using a mixed model to adjust for mean race times. Correlations between predicted and observed performance in the races used to develop the methods were all similar (∼0.7). Correlations between predicted and observed performance in the Olympics clearly favoured race placing (0.78) over race time (0.65) and percent behind the winner (0.63) for women, whereas race placing was clearly inferior (0.14) to percent behind the winner (0.30) and race time (0.46) for men. All three methods are potentially useful and need further investigation in skeleton and other sports.
Quadratic Hedging of Basis Risk

This paper examines a simple basis risk model based on correlated geometric Brownian motions. We apply quadratic criteria to minimize basis risk and hedge in an optimal manner. Initially, we derive the Follmer-Schweizer decomposition of a European claim. This allows pricing and hedging under the minimal martingale measure, corresponding to the local risk-minimizing strategy. Furthermore, since the mean-variance tradeoff process is deterministic in our setup, the minimal martingale- and variance-optimal martingale measures coincide. Consequently, the mean-variance optimal strategy is easily constructed. Simple closed-form pricing and hedging formulae for put and call options are derived. Due to market incompleteness, these formulae depend on the drift parameters of the processes. By making a further equilibrium assumption, we derive an approximate hedging formula, which does not require knowledge of these parameters. The hedging strategies are tested using Monte Carlo experiments, and are compared with recent results achieved using a utility maximization approach.
Boundary Layer Flow of Micropolar Fluid Along a Stretching Cone with Magnetic Effect

Similarity solution of unsteady forced convection magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow and heat transfer over a porous stretching cone are analyzed. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations by using local similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved numerically subject to the boundary conditions by using Nachtsheim-Swigert iteration technique along with the 4th order Runge-Kutta integration scheme. The numerical results are checked against previously published work for special cases of the problem in order to access the accuracy of the numerical method and found to be in good agreement. The results indicates that the fluid velocity decreases for increasing values of magnetic parameter, porosity parameter and unsteadiness parameter but the reverse results arises for pressure gradient parameter, material parameter and stretching ratio parameter. The heat transfer rate decreases for increasing values of stretching ratio parameter, material parameter, pressure gradient parameter but increases for magnetic parameter, unsteadiness parameter, porosity parameter, Prandtl number and wall temperature parameter. The numerical results are presented graphically and also in tabular form.
The effects of hydrocortisone on systemic arterial blood pressure and urinary protein excretion in dogs.

BACKGROUND Hypertension and proteinuria are commonly recognized in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism. There is, however, little information regarding the effect of exogenous glucocorticoids on blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria and whether these changes are reversible. HYPOTHESIS Hydrocortisone administration increases systemic BP and urinary protein excretion, and these effects are reversible after hydrocortisone withdrawal. ANIMALS Six control dogs and 6 dogs treated with hydrocortisone. METHODS BP, urine protein : creatinine ratio (UPC), microalbuminuria (MALB), urine albumin : creatinine ratio (UAC), and urine gel electrophoresis were evaluated before, during, and after administration of hydrocortisone (8 mg/kg PO q12h for 12 weeks) or placebo. RESULTS BP and UPC increased substantially during hydrocortisone administration from 123 mmHg (range 114-136 mmHg) and 0.17 (0.15-0.28) to a maximum of 143 mmHg (128-148 mmHg) and 0.38 (0.18-1.78), respectively, on day 28. MALB developed in 4 dogs and UAC significantly increased in all dogs during hydrocortisone administration with the maximum on day 84. Both increases in BP and proteinuria were reversible and completely resolved within 1 month after stopping hydrocortisone administration. SDS-AGE revealed the proteinuria to be primarily albuminuria with a pronounced increase during hydrocortisone treatment. Furthermore, a protein of 25-30 kDa was found in male dogs, identified by mass spectrometry to be arginine esterase, the major secretory prostatic protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Long-term hydrocortisone treatment results in significant but only mild increases in systemic BP and urinary protein excretion, which are both reversible within 1 month after discontinuation of hydrocortisone.
Finer Tight Bounds for Coloring on Clique-Width

We revisit the complexity of the classical $k$-Coloring problem parameterized by clique-width. This is a very well-studied problem that becomes highly intractable when the number of colors $k$ is large. However, much less is known on its complexity for small, concrete values of $k$. In this paper, we completely determine the complexity of $k$-Coloring parameterized by clique-width for any fixed $k$, under the SETH. Specifically, we show that for all $k\ge 3,\epsilon>0$, $k$-Coloring cannot be solved in time $O^*((2^k-2-\epsilon)^{cw})$, and give an algorithm running in time $O^*((2^k-2)^{cw})$. Thus, if the SETH is true, $2^k-2$ is the "correct" base of the exponent for every $k$. Along the way, we also consider the complexity of $k$-Coloring parameterized by the related parameter modular treewidth ($mtw$). In this case we show that the "correct" running time, under the SETH, is $O^*({k\choose \lfloor k/2\rfloor}^{mtw})$. If we base our results on a weaker assumption (the ETH), they imply that $k$-Coloring cannot be solved in time $n^{o(cw)}$, even on instances with $O(\log n)$ colors.
Enhanced through-plane thermal conductive properties of Ag/rGO nanocomposite

ABSTRACT High thermal conductivity of nanocomposite-based polymer matrix is one of the most important keys in developing many heat exchanger instruments. Here, we report a novel nanocomposite system based on silver-coated reduced graphene oxide (Ag/rGO) in silane cross-linked low-density polyethylene (XLPE) matrix with unprecedented through-plane thermal conductivity. Compared to the virgin rGO, Ag/rGO nanocomposite showed 67% higher thermal conductivity due to the Ag nanoparticles (NPs) decoration. The Ag NPs within the nanocomposites are believed to act as a thermal conductor among rGO nanosheets and eventually enhance the heat conduction in 3D manner. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
New evidence of the age of the Black Sea Pontian substage

For the five years a set of various data was obtained from the relatively deep-water Upper Miocene sediments exposed in the Zheleznyi Rog section (Taman Peninsula, Russia). The data includes measurements of magnetic susceptibility (MS) and its further time-series analysis. The aim of these studies is to recognize the astronomic cycles correspond to the obliquity and precession variations. The results of this study reflect the strong correlations to the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) of the Mediterranean. The study was supported by the RFBR 17-05-01085 A. This is the e-book version of the article, published in Russian Journal of Earth Sciences (doi:10.2205/2017ES000613). It is generated from the original source file using LaTeX’s ebook.cls class.
Simple But Powerful Health Messages for Increasing Condom Use in Young Adults

In a large longitudinal study involving young adults, we conducted an eight-hour STD educational intervention and examined the impact of the intervention on the efficacy of a message for promoting condom use. The message was framed in positive or negative terms and was presented visually or in numbers (percentages or frequencies). Results indicated that the numerical positive-framed message increased condom use among young adults who did not receive the intervention, whereas the numerical negative-framed message did not. Attitudes toward condom use along with changes in intentions to use condoms mediated this framing effect. In contrast, the positive-framed and negative-framed messages were equally and highly effective for promoting condom use when the messages were presented visually or when young adults received the STD educational intervention before reading the message, suggesting that the simple brochures featuring visual aids were as effective in changing attitudes and behavioral intentions as the extensive intervention. These findings add to a growing body of evidence detailing the mechanisms that allow well-constructed visual aids to be among the most effective, transparent, memorable, and ethically desirable means of risk communication. Clinical and public health implications are discussed.
Diachronous evolution of Late Jurassic–Cretaceous continental rifting in the northeast Atlantic (west Iberian margin)

Regional (2‐D) seismic reflection profiles, outcrop, and borehole data are used to characterize the evolution of deep offshore sedimentary basins in southwest Iberia (Alentejo Basin). The interpreted data indicate the bulk of Late Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous subsidence occurred in the present‐day continental slope area, as shown by (1) significant thickening of synrift strata basinward from a slope‐bounding fault system (SFS), west of which the total thickness of sediment can reach more than 9.0 km, and (2) relatively thin Mesozoic strata east of the SFS, where thickening of synrift units against principal faults is limited. Five principal regressive events and their basal unconformities reflect tectonic uplift and relative emersion in proximal basins, which were located on the rift shoulder to subsiding tilt blocks west of the SFS. These regressive events are correlated with major rift‐related events occurring on the deeper margin. Direct comparisons with the Peniche Basin of northwest Iberia reveal that significant portions of the Iberian lower plate margin were uplifted and eroded during the last stages of continental rifting. This process was repeated at different times (and in different areas) as the locus of rifting and continental breakup migrated northward. As a result, two distinct rift axes are recognized in west Iberia, a first axis extending from the Porto Basin to the Alentejo Basin and a second axis located on the outer proximal margin north of 38°30N. In addition, the SFS delimited (1) prograding deposits of Cretaceous‐Paleogene age and (2) late Cenozoic deposits draping the modern continental slope. These latter facts demonstrate that on lower plate passive margins, the relative position of the continental slope is established during the final rifting episode(s) preceding continental breakup.
A Large Retrospective Series of Pregnancy and Delivery After Midurethral Sling for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Objectives The aim of this study was to review the complete medical course, including safety, efficacy, and medical decision making, of patients who delivered a pregnancy after the placement of midurethral sling (MUS) within a large health maintenance organization. Methods We conducted a retrospective case series of patients within the Northern and Southern California Permanente Medical Group who were identified based on procedural codes for placement of MUS for stress urinary incontinence. Electronic medical records with MUS code were referenced against records of live births within the health care system. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted through extensive, standardized physician review of the electronic medical records of all identified patients. Results Twenty-six patients were identified and included in analysis. Sixteen patients had a retropubic MUS, and 10 had a transobturator MUS. Twenty-one of 26 patients reported subjective resolution of urinary incontinence after MUS. Fourteen of the 25 first deliveries after MUS were cesarean section (CS). Of these, 5 CS were elective primary for the indication of previous MUS, 5 were elective repeat CS, and the remaining 4 were for fetal indications. Eleven patients had spontaneous vaginal deliveries. There were no MUS-related pregnancy complications. One patient developed recurrent stress urinary incontinence postpartum, for which she underwent repeat MUS within a year resulting in cure of incontinence. Conclusions This case series corroborates previous series demonstrating the safety and durability of MUS after subsequent pregnancy.
The Role of Aesthetics and Design: Wearables in Situ

Wearable technologies are increasingly popular, but often abandoned. Given their highly personal nature, aesthetics and form factor play a key role in adoption and continued use, but thus far little work has focused on this. This paper presents a three-part study to better understand the role of aesthetics and personalisation within wearables. We provided 15 participants with customised, low-fidelity, non-functional "activity trackers", based on their own designs, for in the wild evaluation. Our participants' use of these prototypes provided us with insights into their feelings towards their existing commercial devices and their own designs alike. We found that aesthetics plays an important, and currently underappreciated, role in use and continued engagement, particularly when the context of use is considered. We suggest that manufacturers should embrace adaptability and DIY cultures, allowing end-users to customise their wearables and support them in appropriately choosing, and creating their own designs.
Thermal modelling of load bearing cold-formed steel frame walls under realistic design fire conditions

Cold-formed Light gauge Steel Frame (LSF) walls lined with plasterboards are increasingly used in the building industry as primary load bearing components. Although they have been used widely, their behaviour in real building fires is not fully understood. Many experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to investigate the fire performance of load bearing LSF walls under standard fire conditions. However, the standard fire time-temperature curve given in ISO 834 [1] does not represent the fire load present in typical modern buildings that include considerable amount of thermoplastic materials. Some of these materials with high in calorific values increase the fire severity beyond that of the standard fire curve. Fire performance studies of load bearing LSF walls exposed to realistic design fire curves have also been limited. Therefore in this research, finite element thermal models of LSF wall panels were developed to simulate their fire performance using the recently developed realistic design fire time-temperature curves [2]. Suitable thermal properties were proposed for plasterboards and insulations based on laboratory tests and available literature. The developed finite element thermal models were validated by comparing their thermal performance results with available realistic design fire test results, and were then used in a detailed parametric study. This paper presents the details of the developed finite element thermal models of load bearing LSF wall panels under realistic design fire time-temperature curves and the results. It shows that finite element thermal models of LSF walls can be used to predict the fire performance including their fire resistance rating with reasonable accuracy for varying configurations of plasterboard lined LSF walls exposed to realistic design fire time-temperature curves.
The impact of chronotype on melatonin levels among shift workers

Objectives The association between shift work and cancer, which is thought to be mediated by effects on circulating melatonin levels, may be modified by chronotype (ie, the inherent preference for activity in the morning or the evening); however, few studies have examined the potential impact of chronotype on the carcinogenic effects of shift work. The authors analysed the impact of chronotype on previously reported differences in melatonin levels among healthcare workers that exclusively worked night or day shifts. Methods The cross-sectional study included 664 men and women (310 day shift and 354 night shift workers) from which urine samples were collected throughout work and sleep periods and were assayed for 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. Participants also completed the Composite Scale of Morningness, a questionnaire used to assess chronotype. Results Among both morning and evening-type night shift workers, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels were constitutively lower during daytime sleep, night-time sleep and night work compared with day shift workers during night-time sleep. However, morning-type night shift workers consistently showed 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels that were closer to levels in day shift workers than did evening-type night shift workers. Differences in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels between morning-type and evening-type night shift workers relative to day shift workers were statistically significant in every instance (p<0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that morning-type night shift workers may be better able to maintain a ‘normal’ circadian pattern of melatonin production as compared with evening-type night shift workers. The impact of this chronotype effect on cancer risk among shift workers requires further study.