Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data-Driven Method for Enhanced Corrosion Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Corrosion is a major problem affecting the durability of reinforced concrete structures. Corrosion related maintenance and repair of reinforced concrete structures cost multibillion USD per annum globally. It is often triggered by the ingression of carbon dioxide and/or chloride into the pores of concrete. Estimation of these corrosion causing factors using the conventional models results in suboptimal assessment since they are incapable of capturing the complex interaction of parameters. Hygrothermal interaction also plays a role in aggravating the corrosion of reinforcement bar and this is usually counteracted by applying surface-protection systems. These systems have different degree of protection and they may even cause deterioration to the structure unintentionally. The overall objective of this dissertation is to provide a framework that enhances the assessment reliability of the corrosion controlling factors. The framework is realized through the development of data-driven carbonation depth, chloride profile and hygrothermal performance prediction models. The carbonation depth prediction model integrates neural network, decision tree, boosted and bagged ensemble decision trees. The ensemble tree based chloride profile prediction models evaluate the significance of chloride ingress controlling variables from various perspectives. The hygrothermal interaction prediction models are developed using neural networks to evaluate the status of corrosion and other unexpected deteriorations in surface-treated concrete elements. Long-term data for all models were obtained from three different field experiments. The performance comparison of the developed carbonation depth prediction model with the conventional one confirmed the prediction superiority of the data-driven model. The variable .
Economic Consequences of Real and Accrual-Based Earnings Management Activities

We examine the relation between both real and accrual-based earnings management activities and firms’ investment behavior. We find that that firms managing earnings by either means overinvest in the years up to and including the period of high earnings management, and then underinvest, indicating that each type of earnings management is associated with significant real effects. Moreover, the excess investment associated with real earnings management is at least as great as the excess investment associated with accruals earnings management, and firms that engage in both real and accrual earnings management activities have greater investment effects than firms that engage in either one alone. By providing the first evidence that real earnings management has significant real effects on firms’ investment, we contribute important evidence on the consequences of earnings management. JEL Classification: G14; G32; M4; M41
Mentoring and Psychological Empowerment: Relationship with Turnover Intentions of Managers: A Study on Private Sector Banks of Delhi-NCR Region

The purpose of the study was to understand impact of mentoring and psychological empowerment on turnover intentions of managers of private sector banks of Delhi-NCR Region of India. The study was conducted on 280 middle-level managers of private sector banks. Validated instruments were used and SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, and moderated regression analysis were used for the study. A significant relationship was found between psychological empowerment and turnover intention. The result found a negative association between mentoring and turnover intention. The results further found that mentoring moderated the psychological empowerment–turnover intentions relationship. As human capital is the pillar of the organization, it is pertinent that organizations must emphasize the role of mentoring in making the employees realize the true sense of empowerment and thereby reducing turnover intentions. The study is first of its kind in Indian work setting that has tried to understand the relationship between mentoring, psychological empowerment, and turnover intentions with reference to banking sector employees.
The pathological findings in fatal craniospinal injuries.

✓ A series of 50 fatal cases of craniospinal injury were reviewed with particular attention to the pathological findings at the craniospinal junction. There was marked tendency for the spinal cord to be damaged in the upper cervical segments, whereas disc injuries predominated in lower cervical segments. The vertebral artery was rarely involved. The lateral ligamentous structures were often damaged, while the transverse ligaments of the odontoid were spared. Rupture of muscles was rare, although hemorrhage into muscles was common.
The subthalamic nucleus‐external globus pallidus loop biases exploratory decisions towards known alternatives: a neuro‐computational study

Theories and models of the basal ganglia have mainly focused on the role of three different corticothalamic pathways: direct, indirect and hyperdirect. Although the indirect and the hyperdirect pathways are linked through the bidirectional connections between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the external globus pallidus (GPe), the role of their interactions has been mainly discussed in the context of a dysfunction (abnormal oscillations in Parkinson's disease) and not of its function. We here propose a novel role for the loop formed by the STN and the GPe. We show, through a neuro‐computational model, that this loop can bias the selection of actions during the exploratory period after a change in the environmental conditions towards alternative responses. Testing well‐known alternative solutions before completely random actions can reduce the time required for the search of a new response after a rule change. Our simulations further show that the knowledge acquired by the indirect pathway can be transferred into a stable memory via learning in the hyperdirect pathway to establish the blocking of unwanted responses. After a rule switch, first the indirect pathway learns to inhibit the previously correct actions. Once the new correct association is learned, the inhibition is transferred to the hyperdirect pathway through synaptic plasticity.
Qualitative Consumer Preference Studies on Korean-style Kimchi in Chinese Living in Korea

The objective of this research was to determine the current consumer interest toward Korean Kimchi and identify the preferred sensory characteristics of Kimchi using qualitative consumer studies on Chinese consumers. Five different sessions of focus group interview (FGI) were conducted (n=39). The FGI session was designed to determine 1) current knowledge and interest as well as usage level of Korean-style Kimchi, 2) interests toward different Korean Kimchi based on appearance and tasting evaluation. Based on the results, radish was the most accepted ingredient for Kimchi among Chinese consumers, as it resembles the sensory characteristics of Chinese-style Kimchi. The sensory characteristics driving consumer preferences towards radish-based Kimchi included crunchy texture, and just-about-right sweet and spicy flavor. Thinly sliced radish was the most accepted shape of radish-based Kimchi. The current study provides practical information for product development of Kimchi targeted for Chinese.
ReXNet: Diminishing Representational Bottleneck on Convolutional Neural Network

This paper addresses representational bottleneck in a network and propose a set of design principles that improves model performance significantly. We argue that a representational bottleneck may happen in a network designed by a conventional design and results in degrading the model performance. To investigate the representational bottleneck, we study the matrix rank of the features generated by ten thousand random networks. We further study the entire layer's channel configuration towards designing more accurate network architectures. Based on the investigation, we propose simple yet effective design principles to mitigate the representational bottleneck. Slight changes on baseline networks by following the principle leads to achieving remarkable performance improvements on ImageNet classification. Additionally, COCO object detection results and transfer learning results on several datasets provide other backups of the link between diminishing representational bottleneck of a network and improving performance. Code and pretrained models are available at this https URL.
The nsdD gene encodes a putative GATA‐type transcription factor necessary for sexual development of Aspergillus nidulans

The ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually is one of the characteristics of the homothalic ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans. Unlike the other Aspergillus species, A. nidulans undergoes sexual development that seems to be regulated by internal and external stimuli. To begin to understand the sexual reproduction of A. nidulans we previously isolated and characterized several NSD (never in sexual development) mutants that failed to produce any sexual reproductive organs, and identified four complementation groups, nsdA, nsdB, nsdC, and nsdD. The nsdD gene has been isolated, and it is predicted to encode a GATA‐type transcription factor with the type IVb zinc finger DNA‐binding domain. The mRNA of the nsdD gene started to accumulate in the early phase of vegetative growth, and the level increased as sexual development proceeded. However, it decreased during asexual sporulation and no nsdD mRNA was detected in conidia. Deletion of nsdD resulted in no cleistothecia (fruiting bodies) formation, even under the conditions that preferentially promoted sexual development, indicating that nsdD is necessary for sexual development. In contrast, when the nsdD gene was over‐expressed, sexual‐specific organ (Hülle cell) was formed even in submerged culture, which normally completely blocked sexual development, and the number of cleistothecia was also dramatically increased on solid medium. These results lead us to propose that the nsdD gene functions in activating sexual development of A. nidulans. Multiple copies of the nsdD gene could suppress nsdB5 and veA1, indicating that either nsdD acts downstream of these genes or possibly functions in overlapping pathway(s).
On Dropout, Overfitting, and Interaction Effects in Deep Neural Networks

We examine Dropout through the perspective of interactions: learned effects that combine multiple input variables. Given $N$ variables, there are $O(N^2)$ possible pairwise interactions, $O(N^3)$ possible 3-way interactions, etc. We show that Dropout implicitly sets a learning rate for interaction effects that decays exponentially with the size of the interaction, corresponding to a regularizer that balances against the hypothesis space which grows exponentially with number of variables in the interaction. This understanding of Dropout has implications for the optimal Dropout rate: higher Dropout rates should be used when we need stronger regularization against spurious high-order interactions. This perspective also issues caution against using Dropout to measure term saliency because Dropout regularizes against terms for high-order interactions. Finally, this view of Dropout as a regularizer of interaction effects provides insight into the varying effectiveness of Dropout for different architectures and data sets. We also compare Dropout to regularization via weight decay and early stopping and find that it is difficult to obtain the same regularization effect for high-order interactions with these methods.
Catecholamine release mediates pressor effects of adrenomedullin-(15-22) in the rat.

Human adrenomedullin, a novel hypotensive peptide, contains a six-member ring structure similar to that found in calcitonin gene-related peptide and pancreatic amylin. Unlike the full-sequence peptide, human adrenomedullin-(15-22) [hADM-(15-22)], which contains the ring structure, increases systemic arterial pressure in the rat but not the cat. We undertook the present study to investigate the mechanism by which hADM-(15-22) increases systemic arterial pressure in the rat. Injection of hADM-(15-22) in doses of 10 to 300 nmol/kg i.v. increased systemic arterial pressure in a dose-dependent manner and was threefold less potent than norepinephrine when doses were compared on a nanomole basis. However, the ring structures of human calcitonin gene-related peptide and human amylin, human calcitonin gene-related peptide-(1-8) and human amylin-(1-8), respectively, had no significant effect on systemic arterial pressure in the rat. Pressor responses to hADM-(15-22) were reduced significantly after administration of phentolamine or reserpine. Responses to hADM-(15-22) were not altered by the angiotensin type 1 blocking agent DuP 753 or the endothelin-A/endothelin-B receptor blocking agent bosentan, and responses to hADM-(15-22) and the nicotinic agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) were reduced after bilateral adrenalectomy. Pressor responses to DMPP were reduced by hexamethonium, whereas the nicotinic blocking agent had no effect on the pressor response to hADM-(15-22). These data suggest that increases in systemic arterial pressure in response to hADM-(15-22) in the rat are mediated by the activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors by catecholamines released from the adrenal medulla. The present data suggest that hADM-(15-22) releases catecholamines from the adrenal medulla by a noncholinergic mechanism.
Inbound tourism market segmentation of the Andaman cluster, Thailand

Tourism export has become an important economic sector in many countries as a growing source of foreign exchange earnings. In addition, the competitive environment in tourism global market becomes more and more critical everyday. Many countries have significantly invested in national tourism marketing strategy to attract tourists, especially from foreign markets. Successful marketing requires careful planning and comprehensive analysis of data and information obtained from tourists. Hence, market segmentation has become a valuable tool in planning appropriate marketing strategies. This helps to divide tourist market into distinct groups of tourists with differing and specific needs and desires. Therefore, segmentation is justified on the grounds of achieving greater efficiency in the supply of products to meet identified demand as well as increasing cost-effectiveness in the marketing process. To achieve this purpose, the aim of this research is identifying relevant segments of the destinations’ international tourism market in The Andaman Cluster, Thailand as the group of three adjoining provinces (Phuket, Krabi and Phang-Nga) into one tourism destination. The first objective of this research “In-bound tourism market segmentation in The Andaman Cluster, Thailand” is to describe the socio-demographic and trip-related characteristics of international tourists visiting The Andaman Cluster, Thailand. The second is to identify the benefit segments of in-
Effect of Ruminally-protected leucine supplement on milk yield and plasma amino acids in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leucine supplement in the form of rumen-protected tablets on milk yield and composition and plasma amino acids in four high-yielding lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was carried out as a cross-over procedure and was divided into 4 periods of 14 d (10 d preliminary period and 4 d experimental period). Cows were fed ad libitum a diet based on maize silage, lucerne hay and a supplemental mixture. The diet, defficient in methionine, lysine, and leucine, was supplemented with methionine+lysine (Control) or methionine+lysine+leucine (Leu) in rumen protected form. The dry matter intake, milk yield and milk yield expressed in energy corrected milk did not differ significantly between the treatments. Milk protein content and yield did not show statistically significant variation. The contents and yield of casein, fat, lactose and urea were unaffected by the treatment. Blood metabolites did not vary between the treatments. The introduction of Leu resulted in higher plasma levels of proline (p<0.05) in comparison to Control. The calculated leucine defficiency in maize silage-concentrate diet used in the present experiment was approx 5.5%. The results of this experiment suggest that under the given conditions, leucine was not a limiting amino acid.
Does genetic variability in aldehyde oxidase and molybdenum cofactor sulfurase predict nonresponse to allopurinol?

SIRS, In his review Bajaj stated, ‘The administration of lactulose while the patient is admitted with HE is associated with improvement’. To support his statement, he cited Blanc et al. whose real conclusion of their article was, ‘Lactuloseneomycin combination should not be used in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy’. A few lines before, Bajaj indicated that ‘the Cochrane review did not find any significant difference in outcomes in patients treated with and without lactulose’. After more than 30 years of use, lactulose should no longer be part of standard care for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Abnormal Cervical Cytology and HighRisk HPV DNA among Bangkok Metropolitan Women.

BACKGROUND Many strategies are required for cervical cancer reduction e.g. provision of education cautious sexual behavior, HPV vaccination, and early detection of preinvasive cervical lesions and invasive cancer. Basic health data for cervical cytology/ HPV DNA and associated factors are important to make an appropriate policy to fight against cervical cancer. AIMS To assess the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and/or HPV DNA and associated factors, including sexual behavior, among Bangkok Metropolitan women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thai women, aged 25to65 years old, had lived in Bangkok for ≥5 years were invited into the study. Liquidbased cervical cytology and HPV DNA tests were performed. Personal data were collected. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Rates of abnormal cytology and/ or highrisk HPV (HRHPV) and factors associated with abnormal test(s) were studied. RESULTS Abnormal cytology and positive HRHPV were found in 6.3% (279/4442 women) and 6.7% (295/4428), respectively. The most common abnormal cytology was ASCUS (3.5%) while the most common HRHPV genotype was HPV 16 (1.4%) followed by HPV 52 (1.0%), HPV 58 (0.9%), and HPV 18 and HPV 51 at equal frequency (0.7%). Both tests were abnormal in 1.6% (71/4428 women). Rates of HRHPV detection were directly associated with severity of abnormal cytology: 5.4% among normal cytology and 13.0%, 30.8%, 40.0%, 39.5%, 56.3% and 100.0% among ASCUS, ASCH, AGCNOS, LSIL, HSIL, and SCC, respectively. Some 5% of women who had no HRHPV had abnormal cytology, in which 0.3% had ≥ HSIL. Factors associated with abnormal cytology or HRHPV were: age ≤40 years, education lower than (for cytology) or higher than bachelor for HRHPV), history of sexual intercourse, and sexual partners ≥2. CONCLUSIONS Rates for abnormal cytology and HRHPV detection were 6.3% and 6.7% HRHPV detection was directly associated with severity of abnormal cytology. Significant associated factors were age ≤40 years, lower education, history of sexual intercourse, and sexual partners ≥2.
Community-based Exercise Programs as a Strategy to Optimize Function in Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review

Background:Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Preliminary evidence suggests that community-based exercise (CBE) improves functional capacity (FC) and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Objective:To describe the structure and delivery of CBE programs for chronic disease populations and compare their impact on FC and HRQL to standard care. Research Design:Randomized trials examining CBE programs for individuals with stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease were identified. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.1. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42012002786). Results:Sixteen studies (2198 individuals, mean age 66.8±4.9 y) were included to describe program structures, which were comparable in their design and components, irrespective of the chronic disease. Aerobic exercise and resistance training were the primary interventions in 85% of studies. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference for FC, evaluated using the 6-minute walk test, was 41.7 m (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.5–62.8). The standardized mean difference for all FC measures was 0.18 (95% CI, 0.05–0.3). The standardized mean difference for the physical component of HRQL measures was 0.21 (95% CI, 0.05–0.4) and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.04–0.7) for the total score. Conclusions:CBE programs across chronic disease populations have similar structures. These programs appear superior to standard care with respect to optimizing FC and HRQL in individuals with osteoarthritis; however, the effect beyond this population is unknown. Long-term sustainability of these programs remains to be established.
Male factors determining the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa

During a period of 8 years, 1079 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures with aspirated epididymal or testicular spermatozoa were performed. Epididymal spermatozoa were used in 172 cycles and testicular spermatozoa or spermatids in 907 cycles. Multiple biopsies were obtained from at least two different locations in the testes. Retrieved spermatozoa were used after cryopreservation (frozen) or immediately after aspiration (fresh). Three hundred patients had obstructive azoospermia (OA) or ejaculation failure. In 414 cases, azoospermia was caused by impaired spermatogenesis resulting from maldescended testes, chemotherapy/radiotherapy, or by Sertoli‐cell‐only syndrome, genetic disorders or unknown aetiology. Transfer rates, pregnancy rates and birth rates per ICSI cycle showed no statistically significant differences between testicular and epididymal spermatozoa in men with OA (28% average birth rates in both cases). However, birth rates differed significantly with regard to the status of spermatogenesis. Treatment of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) resulted in a birth rate of 19% per cycle. In all patient groups, there was no difference in the birth rates achieved with fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. While testicular volume, follicle‐stimulating hormone level and age of the male patient are no statistically significant prognostic factors, the underlying cause of azoospermia is the most important factor determining the outcome of ICSI with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa. The pregnancy rate is lower in NOA patients than in those with OA.
Protoporphyrinogen oxidase and porphobilinogen deaminase in variegate porphyria

Abstract. Two enzymes of the haem biosynthetic pathway were investigated in patients with variegate porphyria. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase in cultures of Epstein‐Barr virus transformed lymphoblasts from twenty‐seven patients showed a mean maximal velocity (Vmax) of 0·39 ± 0·08+ nmol of protoporphyrin mg protein‐1 h‐1, a 52% reduction (P < 0·001) from a non‐porphyric control group (0·82 ± 0·10). Km values (1·00 ± 0·27 μM) did not differ significantly (P > 0·05) from control values in any of the patients. The mean Vmax of porphobilinogen deaminase in the cultures was 1·50 ± 0·18 nmol of uroporphyrin mg protein‐1 min‐1, a 24% reduction (P < 0·001) from controls (1·94 ± 0·14). Mean porphobilinogen deaminase activity in the erythrocytes of twenty‐one patients with variegate porphyria was 8·37 ± 1·99 nmol of uroporphyrin 1 erythrocytes‐1 s‐1, a 28% reduction (P < 0·001) from normal (11·98 ± 2·11). The reduced activities of these two enzymes comply with the expression of variegate porphyria during its quiescent and acute phases.