Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismic earth pressures on rigid and flexible retaining walls

While limiting-equilibrium Mononobe–Okabe type solutions are still widely used in designing rigid gravity and flexible cantilever retaining walls against earthquakes, elasticity-based solutions have been given a new impetus following the analytical work of Veletsos and Younan [23]. The present paper develops a more general finite-element method of solution, the results of which are shown to be in agreement with the available analytical results for the distribution of dynamic earth pressures on rigid and flexible walls. The method is then employed to further investigate parametrically the effects of flexural wall rigidity and the rocking base compliance. Both homogeneous and inhomogeneous retained soil is considered, while a second soil layer is introduced as the foundation of the retaining system. The results confirm the approximate convergence between Mononobe–Okabe and elasticity-based solutions for structurally or rotationally flexible walls. At the same time they show the beneficial effect of soil inhomogeneity and that wave propagation in the underlying foundation layer may have an effect that cannot be simply accounted for with an appropriate rocking spring at the base. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Phase-to-Ground and Phase-to-Phase Sparkover Characteristics of External Insulation at the Entrance of an UHV Substation

For rational insulation design of an UHV substation, full-scale switching impulse tests of phase-to-ground (shielding ring-to-tower) and phase-to-phase (shielding ring-to-shielding ring) insulating clearance have been carried out in dry and wet conditions. In the tests, shielding rings that will be installed on bushings at actual UHV substations were used. The sparkover voltages depend on not only gap configurations but also the waveform of applied switching impulses; in other words, they show what we refer to as U-characteristics. Critical sparkover voltages are higher than those of rod-rod gaps by 20-25% in dry conditions and by 7-10% in wet conditions.
Mid-Season Prediction of Wheat-Grain Yield Potential Using Plant, Soil, and Sensor Measurements

ABSTRACT The components that define cereal-grain yield potential have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to collect many differing biological measurements from a long-term winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) study in an attempt to better define yield potential. Four treatments were sampled that annually received 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha−1 at fixed rates of phosphorus (P) (30 kg ha−1) and potassium (K) (37 kg ha−1). Mid-season measurements of leaf color, chlorophyll, normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), plant height, canopy temperature, tiller density, plant density, soil moisture, soil NH4-N, NO3-N, organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), pH, and N mineralization potential were collected. In addition, soil texture and bulk density were determined to characterize each plot. Correlations and multiple linear-regression analyses were used to determine those variables that can predict final winter wheat grain yield. Both the correlation and regression analyses suggested mid-season NDVI, chlorophyll content, plant height, and total N uptake to be good predictors of final winter wheat grain yield.
Structure, mechanism and regulation of an artificial microbial ecosystem for vitamin C production

At present, the modern two-step fermentation process is one of the major approaches for the industrial production of vitamin C. The key step in this process is the conversion of L-sorbose to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG), the vitamin C precursor, which is accomplished by an artificial microbial ecosystem consisting of Ketogulonicigenium vulgare and Bacillus megaterium. This review describes current progress in understanding this ecosystem, not only the individual physiological characteristics of the two strains, but also the interactions between them. Special emphasis is placed on recent systems biology studies of the ecosystem. We also discuss the regulation and improvement of this ecosystem, including analysis of the fermentation medium components and genetic engineering and optimum fermentative strategies. Finally, perspectives on the knowledge and engineering of this important artificial microbial ecosystem are discussed.
Spitzer IRAC Photometry of M, L, and T Dwarfs

We present the results of a program to acquire photometry for 86 late M, L, and T dwarfs using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. We examine the behavior of these cool dwarfs in various color-color and color-magnitude diagrams composed of near-IR and IRAC data. The T dwarfs exhibit the most distinctive positions in these diagrams. In M5.8 versus [5.8]-[8.0], the IRAC data for T dwarfs are not monotonic in either magnitude or color, giving the clearest indication yet that the T dwarfs are not a one-parameter family in Teff. Because metallicity does not vary enough in the solar neighborhood to act as the second parameter, the most likely candidate then is gravity, which in turn translates to mass. Among objects with similar spectral type, the range of mass suggested by our sample is about a factor of 5 (~70MJ to ~15MJ), with the less massive objects making up the younger members of the sample. We also find the IRAC 4.5 μm fluxes to be lower than expected, from which we infer a stronger CO fundamental band at ~4.67 μm. This suggests that equilibrium CH4/CO chemistry underestimates the abundance of CO in T dwarf atmospheres, confirming earlier results based on M-band observations from the ground. In combining IRAC photometry with near-IR JHK photometry and parallax data, we find the combination of Ks, IRAC 3.6 μm, and 4.5 μm bands to provide the best color-color discrimination for a wide range of M, L, and T dwarfs. Also noteworthy is the M versus Ks-[4.5] relation, which shows a smooth progression over spectral type, and splits the M, L, and T types cleanly.
Psychometric properties of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised among a sample of non-clinical Iranian women

Abstract Objective. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (P-FSDS-R) among a sample of healthy Iranian women. Methods. A total of 562 healthy Iranian women completed a battery of questionnaires, including the P-FSDS-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) and Locke-Wallace-Marital Adjustment Test (LWMAT). The factor structure and the convergent and divergent validity of the P-FSDS-R were examined, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Pearson product-moment correlations, respectively. To examine the discriminant validity of the P-FSDS-R, data collected from 562 healthy participants were compared with data from 108 women with sexual problems who completed the P-FSDS-R measure. Results. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicate that the P-FSDS-R is conceptualized within a one - factor model. The results also indicate that the P-FSDS-R has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Significant correlations in the predicted directions between the P-FSDS-R scores and the scores of DASS, PANAS and LWMAT support both the convergent and divergent validity of the FSDS-R. The results also indicate that the scores of the P-FSDS-R tests significantly differentiated women with and without sexual problems. Conclusions. In general, these findings support the reliability and the validity of the P-FSDS-R among Iranian women.
Cerebroprotective effect of piracetam in patients undergoing coronary bypass burgery.

BACKGROUND Reduction of cognitive function is a possible side effect after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. We investigated the cerebroprotective effect of piracetam on cognitive performance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. MATERIAL/METHODS Patients scheduled for elective, primary and isolated coronary bypass surgery were randomised either to piracetam or placebo group. The study was performed in a double blind fashion. Patients received either 12 g piracetam or placebo at the beginning of the operation. Six neuropsychological subtests from the Syndrom Kurz Test and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale were performed preoperatively and on the third postoperative day. To assess the overall cognitive function and the degree of cognitive decline across all tests after surgery we combined the six test-scores by principal component analysis. RESULTS A total number of 120 patients were enrolled into the study. Preoperative overall cognitive function were not significantly different between the groups. The postoperative combined score of the neuropsychological tests showed a deterioration of cognitive function in both groups (placebo-pre: -0.06+/-0.99 vs placebo-post: -1.38+/-1.11; p<0.0005 and piracetam-pre: 0.06+/-1.02 vs piracetam-post: -0.65+/-0.93; p<0.0005). However, the piracetam patients performed significantly better compared to the placebo patients after the operation and had a less decline of overall cognitive function (p<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS Piracetam has a cerebroprotective effect in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. It reduces an early postoperative substantial decline of neuropsychological abilities.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[[[trans-bis(acetonitrile-κN)diaquacobalt(II)]-μ-pyrazine-κ2 N:N′] dinitrate]

The central structural motif of the title coordination polymer, [Co(C4H4N2)(CH3CN)2(H2O)2(NO3)2]n, is a chain composed of CoII ions linked by bis-monodentate bridging pyrazine ligands through their N atoms. Nitrate anions are situated in the space between the CoII chains
Transapical vs. transfemoral aortic valve implantation: Which approach for which patient, from a surgeon's standpoint.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has gained increasing acceptance for treating patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), especially in the presence of a higher risk profile. The procedure is performed a number of ways, however, the two main routes of access are the transfemoral (TF) retrograde approach and the transapical (TA) antegrade approach. At the present time TAVI is indicated in the presence of high risk according to current position statements from the European Society Cardiology and European Association Cardiothoracic Surgery (1). TAVI outcomes in intermediate risk patients, presenting with a logistic EuroSCORE lower than 20% or a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Score between 4% and 8% are currently being evaluated in prospective randomized trials such as the SURTAVI trial (TF CoreValve™ versus conventional surgery) and PARTNER 2 trial (Edwards SAPIEN-XT™ versus conventional surgery). Despite these advancements in endovascular approaches, conventional surgery remains the standard for many patients and is associated with excellent outcomes. For example, in 2011 a German registry reported an overall mortality to be as low as 3% in 11,500 patients undergoing conventional surgery for aortic valve disease (2). Our common goal is to perform the optimal therapy for an individual patient. This is fundamentally based on a low procedural risk together with immediate functional improvement and good longer term durability. Simplicity and safety will usually lead to good acceptance by the heart team of physicians, mostly cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, to use these approaches. For the individual patient, the overall balance of risks, which cannot be determined by incision length only but rather should prioritize hard endpoints such as mortality and morbidity such as stroke are extremely important. Thus, an objective pre-procedural informative discussion individualized to each patient’s unique risks and potential outcomes is mandatory before choosing between open versus percutaneous options. In this perspective, we highlight the different aspects of choosing the TF versus the TA approach using the best available current literature and propose future prospects for the care of aortic valve disease.
Inhibitors in haemophilia: pathophysiology

Summary. Development of inhibitors to coagulation factors is one of the major problems faced by people with haemophilia. Up to a third of patients, following treatment with factor concentrates, will develop an antibody (inhibitor) to that factor, rendering it inactive, and leaving the patient at risk from life‐threatening bleeding. Evidence shows that this immune response is T‐cell‐dependent, but as yet, the epitopes responsible have not been identified. Risk for inhibitor development is highest within the first 50 days of treatment, with reactions being rare after 200 days. The risk is mediated by the major histocompatibility complex class of the patient, and by mutations in the factor VIII genotype, with large deletions conferring greatest risk.
Structure and Profiles of Basic Motor Competencies in the Third Grade—Validation of the Test Instrument MOBAK-3

Basic motor competencies are defined as motor performance dispositions that evolve from specific requirements in sports and exercise. After validating the MOBAK-1 instrument for first graders, we developed the MOBAK-3 for the assessment of basic motor competencies in third graders. We investigated the factorial and diagnostic validity of this instrument in a sample of 323 children (age: M = 9.2 years, SD = .39; sex: boys, n = 158, girls, n = 165). A confirmatory factor analysis verified the theoretical structure with the two factors Locomotion and Object Control. By means of latent class analysis, we identified five latent classes that were connected with external criteria. We concluded that the MOBAK-3 effectively evaluates the basic motor competencies of 8- to 10-year-old students.
Domain Adaptation for Relation Extraction with Domain Adversarial Neural Network

Relations are expressed in many domains such as newswire, weblogs and phone conversations. Trained on a source domain, a relation extractor’s performance degrades when applied to target domains other than the source. A common yet labor-intensive method for domain adaptation is to construct a target-domain-specific labeled dataset for adapting the extractor. In response, we present an unsupervised domain adaptation method which only requires labels from the source domain. Our method is a joint model consisting of a CNN-based relation classifier and a domain-adversarial classifier. The two components are optimized jointly to learn a domain-independent representation for prediction on the target domain. Our model outperforms the state-of-the-art on all three test domains of ACE 2005.
Exploring the influence of ionospheric O+ outflow on magnetospheric dynamics: dependence on the source location

Heavy ions of ionospheric origin (O+) play an important role in altering global magnetospheric dynamics. While the heavy ions mainly originate from the dayside cusp and the nightside auroral region, the impact of these heavy ions on magnetospheric dynamics has not been differentiated. Controversy also remains on the role of heavy ions on tail stability and their energization mechanism in the magnetosphere. Two global MHD simulations are carried out to investigate the influence of heavy ion outflow from different source regions on reconnection rates, tail stability, and ring current energization. The local reconnection rate at the subsolar point and the total dayside reconnection rate are reduced after the outflow begins, but the decrease is more significant when the outflow comes out of the cusp region. Furthermore, the magnetotail is more disturbed when heavy ions flow out of the dayside cusp region as opposed to the nightside auroral zone. This implies that the role of O+ on tail stability is not definitively positive or negative; instead, the location of the source of heavy ions may be important in determining tail dynamics. Finally, the simulation reveals that the heavy ions originating from the dayside cusp region experience first adiabatic heating while traveling from the tail reconnection site toward the Earth and then further energization caused by flow braking near the outer boundary of the ring current.
Recent Progress on BaTiO3-Based Piezoelectric Ceramics for Actuator Applications

Due to issues with Pb toxicity, there is an urgent need for high performance Pb-free alternatives to Pb-based piezoelectric ceramics. Although pure BaTiO3 material exhibits fairly low piezoelectric coefficients, further designing of such a material system greatly enhances the piezoelectric response by means of domain engineering, defects engineering, as well as phase boundary engineering. Especially after the discovery of a Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 system with extraordinarily high piezoelectric properties (d33 > 600 pC/N), BaTiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics are considered as one of the promising Pb-free substitutes. In the present contribution, we summarize the idea of designing high property BaTiO3 piezoceramic through domain engineering, defect-doping, as well as morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). In spite of its drawback of low Curie temperature, BaTiO3-based piezoelectric materials can be considered as an excellent model system for exploring the physics of highly piezoelectric materials. The relevant material design strategy in BaTiO3-based materials can provide guidelines for the next generation of Pb-free materials with even better piezoelectric properties that can be anticipated in the near future.
Does Familiarity Breed Contempt? Inter-Ethnic Contact and Support for Illiberal Parties*

Does contact between ethnic groups lead to greater support for liberal parties? Research on this debate in the U.S. context is contaminated by high levels of mobility and a truncated party palette. This paper addresses the problem through an examination of the 1929 and 1935 national parliamentary elections in Czechoslovakia, where mobility was limited and the spectrum of parties was broad. We employ ecological inference on an original database of election and census results for several thousand municipalities to estimate ethnic group support for liberal and nonliberal parties across a variety of local demographic configurations. The results show that interethnic contact has indeterminate electoral effects: no uniform pattern of support for liberal parties exists either across or within ethnic groups. The electoral impact of contact depends upon the peculiarities of the group being studied and the national demographic context under which contact occurs. In and of itself, contact between ethnic groups breeds neither amity nor contempt.
Association of Driving Pressure With Mortality Among Ventilated Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

Objectives: A recent post hoc analysis suggested that driving pressure may be more important than traditional ventilatory variables in determining outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the risk of mortality for higher versus lower driving pressure. Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to February 10, 2017. Study Selection: Studies including mechanically ventilated adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, reporting driving pressure and mortality. Data Extraction: Seven studies including five secondary analysis of previous randomized controlled trials and two observational studies (6,062 patients) were eligible for study. All studies were judged as having a low risk of bias. Median (interquartile range) driving pressure between higher and lower driving pressure groups was 15 cm H2O (14–16 cm H2O). Median (interquartile range) mortality of all included studies was 34% (32–38%). Data Synthesis: In the meta-analyses of four studies (3,252 patients), higher driving pressure was associated with a significantly higher mortality (pooled risk ratio, 1.44; 95% [CI], 1.11–1.88; I2 = 85%). A sensitivity analysis restricted to the three studies with similar driving pressure cutoffs (13–15 cm H2O) demonstrated similar results (pooled risk ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14–1.43; I2 = 0%). Conclusions: Our study confirmed an association between higher driving pressure and higher mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. These findings suggest a possible range of driving pressure to be evaluated in clinical trials. Future research is needed to ascertain the benefit of ventilatory strategies targeting driving pressure in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The relative carcinogenic activities of a series of 5-methylchrysene derivatives.

Summary The carcinogenicity of 1,11-dimethylchrysene (≡5,7-dimethylchrysene) and its 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-, 3,4-dihydro-, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxo derivatives was tested by mouse skin painting. Each mouse received 30 µg of the chrysene on the dorsal skin twice weekly for one year, and the animals were observed for a second year. The 1-ketone was much more active than any of the hydrocarbons. Of the latter, the fully aromatic 1,11-dimethylchrysene was fairly active, the 3,4-dihydro derivative was less so, while the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro compound was a weak carcinogen. These results are discussed in connection with the carcinogenicity of the corresponding cyclopenta[ a ]phenanthrenes, which exhibit a similar structure-activity relationship.
Circadian variation in the urinary excretion of electrolytes and trace elements in men.

Three-hour urine specimens were collected over a period of 27 hours from 11 healthy adult male subjects. Each specimen was analyzed for Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Each sample was also dialyzed, pH 7.35, and subsequently analyzed for Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Pb, Al, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, Cr, Cd, and Mn using a multielemental argon-plasma emission system. The data were evaluated on conventional time plots (chronograms) and as computer-determined "cosinor" plots. A population circadian rhythm with a statistical significance was detected for total Na, K, Ca, and Mg, and for nondialyzable Na, K, P, Ca, Zn, and Mo. For almost every element studied the increase from lowest to highest 3-hour group mean along the 24-hour time scale was more than 100%. The 24-hour excretion of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn appeared in good agreement with the so-called "normals. " The nondialyzable levels of Fe, Pb, Al, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, Cr, Cd, and Mn were similar to the total urinary excretions reported in the literature.
Message framing with respect to decisions about vaccination: the roles of frame valence, frame method and perceived risk.

People respond differently when information is framed either positively or negatively (frame valence). Two prominent models propose that the effects of valence are moderated by (1) the method of framing (attributes vs. goals: Levin, Schneider, & Gaeth, 1998) and (2) perceived risk (Rothman & Salovey, 1997). This experiment (N=200) explores the joint influence of both of these moderators with respect to decisions about a flu vaccination. The study extends previous work by integrating these two models and exploring the moderating effects of two different aspects of perceived risk (personal outcome effectiveness and procedural risk). The results show that personal outcome effectiveness indirectly links frames to intentions. Procedural risk moderates the relationship between valence and method in a manner consistent with predictions from Levin et al. Partial support for the model proposed by Rothman and Salovey are observed for goal frames only.