Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The advantages of 3D printing in undergraduate mechanical engineering research

In 2008 the Mechanical Engineering Science department at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) purchased a "Dimension Elite" 3D printer to be used in student design and research projects. The opportunities for application of the 3D printing technology were immediately apparent in the area of design but not so for research projects. Undergraduate students have specifically struggled with the capstone research projects which often become paper projects and lack practical measurement and research quality outputs. This paper reviews some of the advantages of using rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing in such a capstone research course. The primary advantage being the ability to verify different hypothesis research parameters and allowing for improved project completion while reducing the costs of manufacture of instrumentation and testing setups, shortening the design-test-revise cycle time in complex projects and introducing students to more practical research problems. The only disadvantage is that in certain cases the research components have been replaced with printed objects that often lack the specific strength / stiffness of the actual devices being investigated. This requires of the student the ability to recognize that scale effects are more important in such models than in normal research testing.
Prospective investigation on the transfer of Ara h 2, the most potent peanut allergen, in human breast milk

Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. Whether breastfeeding induces tolerance to peanuts or on the contrary, pre‐disposes at risk‐babies to occult allergic sensitization to peanuts is still a matter of discussion. We sought to investigate the transfer of the most potent peanut allergen Ara h 2 into human breast milk in a German breast milk study and to shed light on the time kinetics of Ara h 2 appearance.
Effects of pH on distribution of Listeria ribotypes in corn, hay, and grass silage

Listeria app, isolated from 13 of 129 (10%) corn silage samples, 21 of 76 (28%) hay silage samples, and 3 of 5 (60%) grass silage samples during a previous Vermont survey were subjected to automated ribotype (RT) analysis. The 13 positive corn silage samples contained 3 Listeria monocytogenes isolated (three RTs, including one known clinical RT) and 10 L. innocua isolates (four RTs). Similarly, 2 L. monocytogenes isolates (two RTs) and 19 L. innocua isolates (three RTs) were identified in the 21 positive hay silage samples. The three positive grass silage samples contained two L. innocua isolates (two RTs) and one isolate of L. welshimeri. One hundred seven of 129 (83%) high-quality (pH < 4.0) corn silage samples accounted for 8 of 13 Listeria isolates from corn silage, including isolates belonging to one L. monocytogenes clinical RT. In contrast, low-quality hay silage (70 of 76 [92%] samples having a pH of > or = 4.0) harbored 20 of 21 isolates, including isolates belonging to two nonclinical L. monocytogenes RTs. Poor-quality silage is readily discernible by appearance; however, these findings raise new concerns regarding the safety of high-quality (pH < 4.0) corn silage, which can contain Listeria spp. , including L. monocytogenes strains belonging to RTs of clinical importance in cases of food-borne listeriosis.
Review: Neuromuscular Disease in the Dialysis Patient: An Update for the Nephrologist

Neuromuscular disease is an extremely common complication of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), manifesting in almost all dialysis patients, and leading to weakness, reduced exercise capacity, and disability. Recent studies have suggested that hyperkalemia may underlie the development of neuropathy. As such, maintenance of serum K+ within normal limits between periods of dialysis in ESKD patients manifesting early neuropathic symptoms may reduce neuropathy development and progression. For patients with more severe neuropathic syndromes, increased dialysis frequency or a switch to high‐flux dialysis may prevent further deterioration, while ultimately, renal transplantation is required to improve and restore nerve function. Exercise training programs are beneficial for ESKD patients with muscle weakness due to neuropathy or myopathy, and are capable of improving exercise tolerance and quality of life. Specific treatments have recently been evaluated for symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, including sildenafil for impotence and midodrine for intra‐dialytic hypotension, and have been shown to be effective and well tolerated. Other important management strategies for neuropathy include attention to foot care to prevent callus and ulceration, vitamin supplementation, and erythropoietin. Treatment with membrane‐stabilizing agents, such as amitryptiline and gabapentin, are highly effective in patients with painful neuropathy.
Somatic complaints and psychopathology in children and adolescents: stomach aches, musculoskeletal pains, and headaches.

OBJECTIVE To examine the associations of somatic complaints with DSM-III-R-defined depression, anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a population-based sample of children and adolescents. METHODS Data from 4 annual waves of interviews with 9- to 16-year-olds from the Great Smoky Mountains Study were analyzed. RESULTS Overall, somatic complaints were strongly associated with emotional disorders in girls and with disruptive behavior disorders in boys. For girls, stomach aches and headaches together and musculoskeletal pains alone were associated with anxiety disorders. For boys, stomach aches were associated with oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Musculoskeletal pains were associated with depression in both girls and boys. CONCLUSIONS There were gender-, illness- and complaint-specific associations between somatic complaints and psychopathology. It appears likely that there are differences in the psychobiological processes underlying these associations in boys and girls. Clinical recommendations include screening children and adolescents with persistent complaints of headaches, stomach aches, or musculoskeletal pains for psychiatric disorders with an awareness that gender may affect the type of psychopathology associated with the somatic complaints.
Learning-based Approaches for Template Tracking and Interest Point Detection

This thesis is concerned with problems in the field of learning-based template tracking as well as in the field of 3D data processing. In the field of template tracking, efficient and robust learning approaches are presented that allow learning at run-time and high-speed tracking at more than 1000 fps. In the field of 3D data processing, a highly efficient normal estimation method as well as a learning-based 3D interest point detection approach are presented. The latter mimics existing methods at much higher speed as well as allows for optimizing a detector for specific characteristics.
A novel extracellular β-glucosidase from Trichosporon asahii: yield prediction, evaluation and application for aroma enhancement of Cabernet Sauvignon.

UNLABELLED The production and application of novel β-glucosidase from Trichosporon asahii were studied. The β-glucosidase yield was improved by response surface methodology, and the optimal media constituents were determined to be dextrin 4.67% (w/v), yeast extract 2.99% (w/v), MgSO(4) 0.01% (w/v), and K(2) HPO(4) 0.02% (w/v). As a result, β-glucosidase production was enhanced from 123.72 to 215.66 U/L. The effects of different enological factors on the activity of β-glucosidases from T. asahii were investigated in comparison to commercial enzymes. β-Glucosidase from T. asahii was activated in the presence of sugars in the range from 10% to 40% (w/v), with the exception of glucose (slight inhibition), and retained higher relative activities than commercial enzymes under the same conditions. In addition, ethanol, in concentrations between 5% and 20% (v/v), also increased the β-glucosidase activity. Although the β-glucosidase activity decreased with decreasing pH, the residual activity of T. asahii was still above 50% at the average wine pH (pH 3.5). Due to these properties, extracellular β-glucosidase from T. asahii exhibited a better ability than commercial enzymes in hydrolyzing aromatic precursors that remained in young finished wine. The excellent performs of this β-glucosidase in wine aroma enhancement and sensory evaluation indicated that the β-glucosidase has a potential application to individuate suitable preparations that can complement and optimize grape or wine quality during the winemaking process or in the final wine. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The present study demonstrated the usefulness of response surface methodology based on the central composite design for yield enhancement of β-glucosidase from T. asahii. The investigation of the primary characteristics of the enzyme and its application in young red wine suggested that the β-glucosidase from T. asahii can provide more impetus for aroma improvement in the future.
S&P 500 Inclusions and Stock Supply

I provide new evidence of the S&P500 inclusion effect that highlights the importance of stock supply. If excess demand from S&P500-linked capital drives the inclusion effect, it should depend as well on the effective supply of a stock. Standard & Poor’s index methodology gives two distinct features of a stock’s ownership composition a supply interpretation. Both measures significantly predict the cross-sectional size of inclusion returns. Switching to free-floating index weights in 2005 enables a quasi-natural experiment to one proxy and a placebo test to the other. Finally, evidence from the most recent decade indicates that any persistence in the inclusion effect has disappeared.
A histologic study (including DNA quantification and Ki-67 labeling index) in uveal melanomas after brachytherapy with ruthenium plaques.

PURPOSE To investigate the proliferative potential and DNA damage in uveal melanomas treated by brachytherapy. METHODS Forty-two enucleated eyes that had been treated with 106Ru/106Rh radioactive plaques for uveal melanoma were subgrouped according to the extent of irradiation damage. Cell proliferation was determined by immunoreactivity for the proliferation marker Ki-67 (Mib-1) and ploidy by quantitative DNA image analysis. Thirty globes containing uveal melanomas without prior brachytherapy served as a control group. RESULTS The values for Ki-67 reactivity and ploidy could be correlated with radiation-induced changes within the tumors. In regions of the tumor where complete exposure to the prescribed radiation dose was assumed from the histologic findings, the Ki-67 index was close to or equal to zero. Hypoploidy was exclusive to irradiated tumors and was most often detected in effectively irradiated regions. Tumor regions classified as partially irradiated or recurrent showed an increase of Ki-67 indices and DNA content. Values obtained in recurrent tumors did not significantly differ from the control group. CONCLUSIONS Tumor cell proliferation and variations in ploidy status could be detected after brachytherapy, but the response varied markedly both within individual tumors and within the irradiated group. Evidence of persisting proliferative potential could be obtained in ostensibly sterilized tumor tissue, but a negligible Ki-67 index and the presence of hypoploidy were considered to be reliable indicators for radiation-induced loss of proliferative potential.
Small dense low-density lipoprotein particles: priority as a treatment target in Type 2 diabetes?

During the past two decades, the importance of the quality of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles – in addition to its quantity – has become of increasing interest. The risk of cardiovascular events was recognized to be closely linked to a predominance of small, dense LDL particles. In addition, in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the disease itself and its severity (in particular the degree of insulin resistance) is associated with this subclass of LDL particles. Lipid lowering as well as antihyperglycemic drugs have been evaluated in many studies concerning their effect on LDL particle size. It has increasingly been recognized that a reduction of LDL quantity is not necessarily associated with a beneficial effect on LDL quality. Advances in the understanding of alterations in LDL quality may therefore influence the choice of the therapeutic regimen in patients with diabetes in the future.
A review of tobacco smoking and smoking cessation practices among physicians in China: 1987–2010

Background Tobacco use by physicians represents a significant barrier in promoting smoking cessation through physician interventions. To assess the need for and nature of smoking cessation services among physicians in China, a detailed literature review was conducted. Methods A literature review of studies published, in Chinese or in English, between 1987 and 2010, was carried out. The Medline, PubMed and Wanfang Data (a Chinese literature search database) electronic databases were searched for published studies. Results It was found that the overall current smoking prevalence among Chinese physicians ranged from 14% to 64% (men: 26% to 61%; women: 0% to 19%). There were significant gender differences in the smoking prevalence across studies with men smoking more than women. Though inconsistent, there were variations in smoking rates by professional posts and medical specialty. The quit smoking rates ranged from 5% to 14% across studies, with a higher rate among female physicians. Asking about smoking status or advising patients to quit smoking was not common practice among the physicians. Conclusions The results of this review suggest that while smoking habits of Chinese physicians vary among studies and across physicians in different specialties; prevalence rates tend to be higher than in physicians in the developed countries. Quitting rates were low among Chinese physicians, and the delivery of advice on quitting smoking was not common across the studies. Strategies to improve Chinese physicians' engagement in smoking cessation should address multiple factors including tobacco use and quitting practices among the physicians, their training needs and awareness of their professional responsibility with a healthcare system change approach.
The Radiographic Effects of the Scarf Bunionectomy on Rearfoot Alignment

Statement of Purpose. Excessive pronation of the rearfoot has been implicated as a destabilizing force in the progression of hallux abducto valgus. Although the scarf bunionectomy has been shown to effectively correct the intermetatarsal angle associated with hallux valgus deformity, its effect on the rearfoot has yet to be established. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate the effect of the scarf bunionectomy on rearfoot alignment. Methodology. Medical records were reviewed to isolate patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral scarf bunionectomies (with or without akin osteotomy) who had complete medical records, follow-up of at least 12 months, and met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements were analyzed at various postoperative time intervals. Standard deviations and statistical significance was obtained. Results. One hundred feet (71 patients) were included in this analysis. The long-term results of this study highlighted the scarf osteotomy’s ability to affect the medial longitudinal arch by decreasing the intermetatarsal angle and lateral talar-first metatarsal angle. The talar declination and calcaneal inclination angle were not significantly altered with the scarf bunionectomy. Conclusion. This case series demonstrates that the scarf bunionectomy had significant effect on radiographic alignment of the bunion deformity and medial longitudinal arch over time. However, its effect on the rearfoot position was not statistically significant. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case Series
Analysis of Conduction-Radiation Heat Transfer in a Planar Medium: Application of the Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract—In this paper, the 1-D conduction-radiation problem is solved by the lattice Boltzmann method. The effects of various parameters such as the scattering albedo, the conduction–radiation parameter and the wall emissivity are studied. In order to check on the accuracy of the numerical technique employed for the solution of the considered problem, the present numerical code was validated with the published study. The found results are in good agreement with those published
Day vs. Day-Night Use of Ankle-Foot Orthoses in Young Children with Spastic Diplegia: A Randomized Controlled Study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of treatment with hinged ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) during the day vs. during both the day and the night in young ambulant children with spastic diplegia. DesignIn this prospective randomized controlled trial, 112 ambulatory children (70 boys and 42 girls; mean age, 2 yrs 6.93 mos; range, 1 yr 1 mo to 4 yrs 0 mo) with spastic diplegia participated. Forty-eight were classified at level I of the Gross Motor Function Classification System; the remaining 64 were at level II. Using stratified randomization, all children were assigned to either the day AFO-wearing group (n = 56, wearing AFOs all day) or the day-night AFO-wearing group (n = 56, wearing AFOs all day and all night). The two groups underwent conventional rehabilitative treatments five times a week for 8 wks. The primary outcomes measured were passive ankle dorsiflexion angle and sections D and E of the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure; the root mean square of surface electromyography in the ventral and dorsal lower limb muscles was compared in a subgroup (ten from each group). ResultsSeven children did not complete the full intervention: three in the day AFO-wearing group and four in the day-night AFO-wearing group. Significant baseline-postintervention improvements were found for passive ankle dorsiflexion angle and the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure in both groups (P < 0.05). On the basis of the score changes, there was no significant difference between these two groups with respect to passive ankle dorsiflexion angle; however, the improvements in the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure were significantly better in the day AFO-wearing group (P < 0.01). A significant root mean square decrease in gastrocnemius (P < 0.05) was present after the intervention in the day AFO-wearing group, whereas the muscles affected in the day-night AFO-wearing group were the gastrocnemius (P < 0.05) and the tibialis anterior (P < 0.001). ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that the daytime use of AFOs was more effective in improving Gross Motor Function Measure scores than the day-night use. In addition, the prolonged wearing of AFOs may influence muscle activity, which should be monitored in the clinic.
BETA‐CELL APOPTOSIS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF IDDM IN THE MULTIPLE LOW‐DOSE STREPTOZOTOCIN MODEL

Although insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from irreversible loss of beta cells, the mode of cell death responsible for this loss has not previously been categorized. In this study, the multiple low‐dose streptozotocin (stz) model (intraperitoneal injection of stz at a concentration of 40 mg/kg body weight per day for five consecutive days) was used to investigate beta‐cell death during the development of IDDM in male C57B1/6 mice. Apoptotic cells were evident by light microscopy within the islets of Langerhans of treated animals from day 2 (the day of the second stz injection) until day 17. Immunohistochemical localization of insulin to the dying cells confirmed the beta‐cell origin of the apoptosis. Two peaks in the incidence of beta‐cell apoptosis occurred: the first at day 5, which corresponded to an increase in blood glucose concentration, and the second at day 11, when lymphocytic infiltration of the islets (insulitis) was maximal. Insulitis did not begin until day 9, by which time treated animals had developed overt diabetes as revealed by blood glucose and pancreatic immunoreactive insulin (IRI) measurements. Beta‐cell apoptosis preceded the appearance of T‐cells in the islets and continued throughout the period of insulitis. Thus, whether induced by stz or a subsequent immune response, apoptosis is the mode of cell death responsible for beta‐cell loss in the multiple low‐dose stz model of IDDM.
Comparison of Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Instrumental Delivery : Vacuum versus Forceps Vaginal Delivery

Objectives: To compare the proportions of successful vaginal deliveries following the use of forceps and vacuum extractor in second stage of labour and to compare the maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with these instruments in second stage of labour. Study design: Quasi experimental study Place and duration: June 2008 to December 2008, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Materials & methods: Sixty pregnant women with delayed second stage of labour. They were allocated randomly to two groups of 30 each, to either forceps or vacuum extraction using random number table. Results: Analysis revealed that success rate was similar with both instruments (94% with forceps & 92% with vacuum extraction). Majority of mothers were primigravida (74% in forceps 74% in vacuum group). Maternal birth canal injuries (P<0.003), >500 ml blood loss (8%) and infant soft tissue injuries were more common with forceps. No marked difference in 1 & 5 minutes Apgar score. Cephalhaematoma was more common among infants delivered by vacuum. Delay in second stage of labour was more common indication for vacuum delivery (46%) while fetal distress for forceps delivery (44%). Conclusion: Vacuum extraction should be considered over forceps delivery.
Cash-in Benefits of the Kisan Credit Card Scheme: Onus is Upon the Farmer

The introduction of modern technology to agricultural sector has led to intensive use of inputs and the package of practices, resulting in manifold increase in the requirement of production credit. Credit from informal sources is available but with strings attached to it. Thus realising this fact, Government of India in 1969 nationalised fourteen major banks and six more were added to this category in 1980. In spite of the various measures to rejuvenate farm credit, the flow of credit to agriculture sector remained quantitatively and qualitatively poor. The institutional sources of credit meet 51 per cent of the credit requirements of the farm sector (Rao, 2003). The non-institutional sources were mainly approached by the farmers due to lack of security assets with them, frequent needs, inadequate supply of institutional credit, undue delays, sophisticated procedure and malpractices adopted by institutional lending agencies (Singh, 1971; Singh H., 1971; Singh, 1973; Sharma, 1978; Nahatkar et al., 2002; Rao, 2003). With a view to inquire into the reasons for the tailbacks of the farm credit and suggest measures for improving the delivery systems as well as simplification of the procedures for farm credit, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had set up one man High Level Committee of Shri R.V. Gupta in December 1997. The Committee submitted its report in April 1998. It was against the background of this Committee’s report that RBI in 1998 directed all Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and co-operative banks to introduce Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCCS) on the lines of the model scheme formulated by National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and in due course of time the KCCS was adopted by all the directed agencies. At the all India level, the cumulative number of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) issued by all the implementing agencies as of, March 31, 2004, stood at 413.79 lac (Government of India, 2003-04), and the corresponding figure for Punjab was 13.88 lac (88th Meeting of State Level Bankers’ Committee). The KCCS aims at extending adequate and timely support from banking system to the farmer, to meet the crop production and ancillary activities. The credit limit