Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dairy Consumption and Stroke Risk

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of life-threatening disabilities and death around the world. Mortality rate is going to be doubled by 2030 in the Middle East countries. Prevention is a cost-effective approach to decrease risk of stroke. The present study assessed the relationship between dairy intake and stroke risk. Methods: This hospital-based case-control study was directed in a University hospital. The common food consumption of 129 men and women was assessed with food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The relationship between fermented and non-fermented dairy intake and stroke were assessed between two patient groups. Results: Total of dairy intake were lower in patients with stroke than control group (13.36 vs 19.61% in men and 11.14 vs 15.02% in women). Similar relationships were observed betweenfermented and non-fermented dairy intake and stroke in both genders. Conclusions: Lower dairyconsumption can increase stroke risk in men and women.
Twelve-month prevalence and predictors of self-reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among Korean adolescents in a web-based nationwide survey

Objective: The suicide rate in South Korea was the highest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in 2011. Although the suicide rate in adolescents is lower than that of adults and is reported to be decreasing in young males in some countries, it has consistently increased in recent years in South Korea. We aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and predictors of suicidal ideation and attempt in the past 12 months. Methods: A total sample of 72,623 adolescents aged 12–18 years who responded to a web-based anonymous self-reported survey between September and October 2010 was used for the analysis. Results: The suicidal ideation and suicide attempt rates were 19.1% and 4.9%, respectively. Being female, having a poor perceived socioeconomic status and a poor perceived academic performance, subjective feelings of depression, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, perceived general medical health, and experiences of any involvement with sexual intercourse were the contributing factors that predicted elevated risks for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. In contrast to previous reports in other countries, the suicide attempt rate in Korean female adolescents peaked at age 13 years, and there were no differences in suicidal ideation in females by age. There were no differences in both suicidal ideation and attempt rates in males by age. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach that takes into consideration the characteristics of Korean adolescents with suicidal ideation or suicide attempt is warranted for developing prevention and treatment programs.
Optimization of Asphalt Mixture Design for the Louisiana ALF Test Sections

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . v IMPLEMENTATION STATEMENT . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . ix LIST OF TABLES . xiii LIST OF FIGURES . xv INTRODUCTION . 1 OBJECTIVE . 5 SCOPE . 7 METHODOLOGY . 11 Aggregates . 11 Compactability of Asphalt Mixture . 11 Preparation of Test Specimens. 14 Laboratory Test Procedures . 16 Permeability . 16 Wheel Tracking Test (LWT) . 16 Semi-Circular Fracture Energy Test . 16 Indirect Tensile Strength Test (ITS) . 18 Dissipated Creep Strain Energy (DCSE) . 18 Dynamic Modulus Test . 19 PHASE 1: MIXTURE DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION . 21 Aggregate Structure Design . 21 Mixture Design . 26 Permeability . 30 Asphalt Mixtures Compactability . 31 SGC Locking Point . 32 PDA Locking Point . 33 SGC Compaction Densification Index (CDI) . 34 SGC Traffic Densification Index (TDI) . 34 PDA Compaction Force Index (CFI) . 34 PDA Traffic Force Index (TFI) . 34 Estimating Locking Point . 41 Gradation Analysis. 44 Gradation Parameters and Mixture Design . 45 Gradation Parameters and Mixture Compactability . 51
Ductility of large-scale dowelled CLT connections under monotonic and cyclic loading

In the last decade, several tall timber buildings have been constructed in Europe, North America and Australasia. Often engineered wood products such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) are used in combination with strong connections to construct timber buildings exceeding 10 storeys. For tall timber buildings located in seismic areas it can be challenging to design strong yet ductile hold-downs in CLT shear walls. One common solution is to use dowelled connections with inserted steel plates. Design code calculation rules for timber connections are usually derived from small-scale testing assuming that strength and ductility properties can be extrapolated for larger connections in actual buildings. For CLT connections, fastener spacing requirements are derived in a similar manner under the general assumption that brittle failure modes can be prevented due to the reinforcing effect of cross-layers in CLT. In order to assess the validity of these assumptions, experiments were conducted on different layouts of small-scale and large-scale dowelled connections in CLT, Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) as well as a LVL-CLT hybrid, all made out of New Zealand Radiata pine. The tests comprised of 40 small and 12 large samples subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. Strength and ductility were compared between the different connection sizes and layouts. For the large-scale connections, particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) was used for the first time to measure displacements.
Visualizing the Dynamics of the Onset of Turbulence

The onset of turbulence in fluid flow is observed when, for example, a faucet is opened and the initial regular flow changes into chaotic, irregular flow. Experimental studies of this transition go back to the 19th century, but as Busse explains in his Perspective, theoretical advances have been slower to emerge, and many aspects of the dynamics of the transition remain unknown. He highlights the report by Hof et al . , who have observed the predicted dynamical patterns in carefully prepared pipe flow experiments. Although these patterns are unstable, they do occur fleetingly and can be captured with sophisticated visualization techniques.
Electrical transport across grain boundaries in graphene monolayers on SiC(0 0 0 1¯)

We measure the role of structural defects, including grain boundaries and step edges, in determining the electrical transport characteristics of polycrystalline graphene monolayers synthesized on C-face SiC(0 0 0 ) by thermal decomposition. A combination of multi-probe scanning tunneling microscopy/potentiometry and low-energy electron microscopy allows the transport properties of individual grain boundaries to be correlated with their misorientation and atomic-level structure, without any device fabrication. We find that different types of grain boundary show dramatically different transport properties, and that boundaries can change structure and resistivity along their length. Boundary regions made up of dislocation superlattices separated by continuous graphene exhibit relatively low resistivity which is comparable to the resistivity of the graphene sheet itself. Other grain boundaries display trench structures with a resistivity 1–2 orders of magnitude greater and sufficient to dominate transport through the polycrystalline sheet. We also measure the transport properties of step edges and monolayer-bilayer boundaries on C-face graphene and compare them to Si-face graphene. Such measurements offer a guideline for optimizing graphene growth on SiC to improve its electronic properties.
Comparative study on toxic effects induced by oral or intravascular administration of commonly used disinfectants and surfactants in rats

Accidental ingestion or injection of household products sometimes occurs due to their accessibility, but the toxic manifestations have not been well characterized when they are internally administered. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects induced by ingestion or injection of different ionic surfactants and disinfectants in rats. The test drugs involved benzalkonium and benzethonium (BZK and BZT, both cationic surfactants used as disinfectants), alkyldiaminoethylglycine (AEG, an amphoteric surfactant used as a disinfectant), linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS, an anionic surfactant), polyoxyethylene cetylether (PEC, a nonionic surfactant), chlorhexidine (CHX, not a surfactant but a disinfectant) and saline (control). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were administered one of the test drugs orally (p.o.), intravenously (i.v.) or intraarterially (i.a.). The fatal effects appeared rapidly (<30 min) in i.v. ‐administered rats, while taking hours (>5 h) in i.a. /p.o. ‐administered rats after a dose of around LD50, although the progress and degree of toxic effects varied among the drugs tested. In intravascular administration, BZK and BZT were fatal at doses of 15–20 mg kg−1. Higher concentrations in lung and kidney than in blood were determined. CHX showed a high toxic effect compared with cationic surfactants. The rats administered anionic (LAS) or amphoteric (AEG) surfactant died in less than 24 h at doses over 100 mg kg−1. In p.o. administration, the toxic effects were concentration/dose‐dependent, and all rats administered high doses of surfactants except for PEC died at 5–20 h. The overall toxic ranks could be: cationic surfactant/CHX> anionic/amphoteric surfactant > nonionic surfactant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The efficacy of fibrinogen concentrate compared with cryoprecipitate in major obstetric haemorrhage – an observational study

Fibrinogen replacement is critical in major obstetric haemorrhage (MOH). Purified, pasteurised fibrinogen concentrate appears to have benefit over cryoprecipitate in ease of administration and safety but is unlicensed in pregnancy. In July 2009, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service replaced cryoprecipitate with fibrinogen.
Brains or Beauty

Software-based agents are becoming increasingly ubiquitous and automated. However, current technology and algorithms are still fallible, which considerably affects users’ trust and interaction with such agents. In this article, we investigate two factors that can engender user trust in agents: reliability and attractiveness of agents. We show that agent reliability is not more important than agent attractiveness. Subjective user ratings of agent trust and perceived accuracy suggest that attractiveness may be even more important than reliability.
Debye‐length scaled structure of perpendicular electric field in collisionless magnetic reconnection

Generation of electric fields at the scale of the local electron Debye length in collisionless magnetic reconnection is studied through two‐dimensional Darwin particle‐in‐cell simulation. For asymmetric initial temperature and density profile across the Harris current sheet, intense perpendicular electrostatic structure with the local electron Debye‐length scaling (∼2.9 λDe) is observed near the edge of the magnetic island in the high‐temperature/low‐density region. It is also found that a weak electron jet with return electron flow on the high‐density side results in the formation of an electron current loop. However, in the low density region only a strong electron outflow is detected. Because of a single‐looped electric current on each side of the outflow region, the usual quadrupole structure appearing in the earlier symmetric‐profile simulations is replaced by a dipole‐like structure of the guiding magnetic field. Possible applications of the present results in the dayside magnetopause are discussed.
DEMONSTRATION OF TWO STABLE POTENTIAL STATES IN THE SQUID GIANT AXON UNDER TETRAETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE

1. Intracellular injection of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) into a giant axon of the squid prolongs the duration of the action potential without changing the resting potential (Fig. 3). The prolongation is sometimes 100-fold or more. 2. The action potential of a giant axon treated with TEA has an initial peak followed by a plateau (Fig. 3). The membrane resistance during the plateau is practically normal (Fig. 4). Near the end of the action potential, there is an apparent increase in the membrane resistance (Fig. 5D and Fig. 6, right). 3. The phenomenon of abolition of action potentials was demonstrated in the squid giant axon treated with TEA (Fig. 7). Following an action potential abolished in its early phase, there is no refractoriness (Fig. 8). 4. By the method of voltage clamp, the voltage-current relation was investigated on normal squid axons as well as on axons treated with TEA (Figs. 9 and 10). 5. The presence of stable states of the membrane was demonstrated by clamping the membrane potential with two voltage steps (Fig. 11). Experimental evidence was presented showing that, in an "unstable" state, the membrane conductance is not uniquely determined by the membrane potential. 6. The effect of low sodium water was investigated in the axon treated with TEA (Fig. 12). 7. The similarity between the action potential of a squid axon under TEA and that of the vertebrate cardiac muscle was stressed. The experimental results were interpreted as supporting the view that there are two stable states in the membrane. Initiation and abolition of an action potential were explained as transitions between the two states.
Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of High Temperature Vacuum Brazed WC-Co-NiP Functional Composite Coatings

The present study aims to investigate the electrochemical corrosion behavior of high temperature vacuum brazed WC-Co-NiP coatings deposited onto 16MnCr5 (1.7131) case hardening steel in 3.5% NaCl (pH 7) electrolyte solutions. Corrosion resistance is appraised using the potentiodynamic polarization method at room temperature in a three-electrode cell configuration. The coating characteristics like morphology, microstructure and chemical composition before and after the corrosion tests have been analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. This coating technology makes possible the deposition of high quality hardfacings, with minimal influence on the metallic substrate. The electrochemical measurements resulted in a lower corrosion current density, correlated with a significant improvement in the corrosion behavior of the WC-Co-NiP coated samples, compared to the uncoated ones.
Risk factors for aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity in surgical intensive care unit patients

Background: Aminoglycosides are commonly used antibiotics in the intensive care unit (ICU), but are associated with nephrotoxicity. This study evaluated the development of aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity (AAN) in a single surgical intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: Adult patients in our surgical ICU who received more than two doses of aminoglycosides were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, serum creatinine, receipt of nephrotoxins [angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, vasopressors, vancomycin and intravenous iodinated contrast] and the need for dialysis. AAN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dL on at least 2 consecutive days. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Sixty-one patients (43 males) receiving aminoglycoside were evaluated. Mean age, weight, initial serum creatinine, and duration of aminoglycoside therapy were 58.7 (±15) years, 83.3 (±24.4) kg, 0.9 (±0.5) mg/dL, and 4 (±2.3) days, respectively. Thirty-one (51%) aminoglycoside recipients also received additional nephrotoxins. Seven aminoglycoside recipients (11.5%) developed AAN, four of whom required dialysis and all had received additional nephrotoxins. Only concurrent use of vasopressors (P = 0.041) and vancomycin (P = 0.002) were statistically associated with AAN. Receipt of vasopressors or vancomycin were independent predictors of acute kidney insufficiency (AKI) with odds ratios of 19.9 (95% CI: 1.6–245, P = 0.019) and 49.8 (95% CI: 4.1–602, P = 0.002), respectively. Four patients (6.6%) required dialysis. Conclusions: In critically ill surgical patients receiving aminoglycosides, AAN occurred in 11.5% of the patients. Concurrent use of aminoglycosides with other nephrotoxins increased the risk of AAN.
SYNTHESIS OF EVAgMA AND ITS EFFECTS ON TENSILE PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF ETHYLENE VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER/BAMBOO FLOUR AND POLYPROPYLENE/ BAMBOO FLOUR COMPOSITES

Thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fillers (WPCs) have being attracted many attentions in recent years. The biggest challenges for WPCs production have to face is the poor adhesion and interaction between the components in the composites. This study investigates the technique to overcome these challenges without the treatment and surface modification of natural additive fillers. The obtained experimental results showed that using maleic anhydride grafted ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAgMA) with 1.16 wt. % of MA could enhance the adhesion and interaction of bamboo flour (BF) with EVA and polypropylene (PP) matrices. These expressed through the improvement of tensile properties and mophological structure of EVA/BF composite and PP/BF composite with the presence of EVAgMA. Tensile strength of EVA/BF and PP/BF composites at the same 50 wt% of BF, increased 67 and 12%, respectively when EVAgMA was introduced.
Bacteriological Profile of Septicemia and the Risk Factors in Neonates and Infants in Sikkim

Background: Bacterial infections remain an important cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity. It might be possible to reduce these factors by early diagnosis and proper management. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the bacteriological profiles with their antibiogram, and to register the risk factors for septicemia in neonates and infants. Setting and design: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital at Gangtok, Sikkim, India, and included clinically suspected cases of septicemia in neonates and infants. Materials and Methods: Blood culture reports were studied in 363 cases of clinically suspected septicemia in neonates and infants, using the standard technique of Mackie and McCartney. The antibiotic sensitivity was performed by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method. Risk factors for sepsis in the children were registered. Results: Blood culture was positive in 22% of cases. Gram-negative septicemia was encountered in 61% of the culture-positive cases. Pseudomonas and Enterobacter species were the predominant pathogens amongst gram-negative organisms. Most gram-negative organisms were sensitive to Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Co-trimoxazole. The most common gram-positive organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (97%). More than 70% of Staphylococci isolated were resistant to Penicillin, but were sensitive to Clindamycin (70%) and Vancomycin (40%). The most important risk factors of septicemia in our study population were preterm birth (31%), followed by respiratory distress (5%) and low birth weight (4%). Conclusion: As the cultures showed variable antibiogram with complicated patterns of resistance, culture and sensitivity test should be performed in all cases of septicemia.
Activity of the Two-Component Regulatory System CiaRH in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6

The two-component regulatory system CiaRH of Streptococcus pneumoniae affects a variety of processes such as competence development, autolysis, bacteriocin production, host colonization, and virulence. While the targets of the regulator CiaR are known, the role of phosphorylation in CiaR regulation has not been defined. To address this issue, the presumed phosphorylation site of CiaR, aspartic acid at position 51, was replaced by alanine. The mutant CiaRD51A protein was no longer able to activate CiaR-dependent promoters, strongly suggesting that the phosphorylated form of CiaR is active in regulation. However, depending on the growth medium, inactivation of the kinase gene ciaH resulted in a subtle increase of CiaR-dependent promoter activities or in a strong reduction. Therefore, CiaH may act as a kinase or phosphatase and CiaR is apparently able to obtain its phosphate independently of CiaH. On the other hand, promoter measurements in cells with an intact CiaRH system demonstrated a high, nearly constitutive, expression level of the CiaR regulon independent from the growth medium. Thus, in contrast to many other two-component regulatory systems, CiaRH has apparently evolved to maintain high levels of gene expression under a variety of conditions rather than responding strongly to a signal.
African Cultural Practices and Health Implications for Nigeria Rural Development

African societies and cultural practices over these years had commanded global attention as it concern health conditions of the people. The paper looks at some of these practices (positive and negative) and showcases how these cultural heritages in attitudes and behaviors affect the overall progress of the people and society from the Nigerian perspective. The paper which qualitatively x-rays the African societal practices reveals that some of these practices are negatively affecting the lives of women and children and that cultural change and continuities in various angles will go a long way through enculturation to ensure that some of these negative practices are destroyed and new positive ones are enhanced. The paper concludes illnesses/diseases like malaria, typhoid, HIV/AIDS, cultural practices carried on by Africans makes the whole efforts a child’s play.
Increased plasma thrombopoietin levels in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: a reliable marker for a benign subset of bone marrow failure

Although myelodysplastic syndromes are heterogeneous disorders comprising a benign subset of bone marrow failure similar to aplastic anemia, no laboratory test has been established to distinguish it from bone marrow failures that can evolve into acute myeloid leukemia. Plasma thrombopoietin levels were measured in 120 patients who had myelodysplastic syndrome with thrombocytopenia (< 100 × 109/L) to determine any correlation to markers associated with immune pathophysiology and outcome. Thrombopoietin levels were consistently low for patients with refractory anemia with excess of blasts, while patients with other myelodysplatic syndrome subsets had more variable results. Patients with thrombopoietin levels of 320 pg/mL and over had increased glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein-deficient blood cells (49.1% vs. 0%), were more likely to have a low International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) score (≤1.0, 100% vs. 65.5%), a higher response rate to immunosuppressive therapy (84.2% vs. 14.3%), and a better 5-year progression-free survival rate (94.1% vs. 63.6% for refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia; 100.0% vs. 44.4% for refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia). In conclusion, increased plasma thrombopoietin levels were associated with a favorable prognosis of bone marrow failure and could, therefore, represent a reliable marker for a benign subset of myelodysplastic syndrome.
Business Continuity Planning: A Comprehensive Approach

Abstract The risks of business interruption expand as companies become more dependent on information technology (IT) infrastructure. A comprehensive approach to business continuity planning seeks to mitigate against all major business interruptions of business systems. This article analyzes recent national and international surveys to develop insights about the current status of business continuity plans, including perceptions about internal and external information security threats.