Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A particle mechanics approach for the dynamic strength model of the jointed rock mass considering the joint orientation

In nature, there exist several forms of anisotropy in rock masses due to the presence of bedding planes, joints, and weak layers. It is well understood that the anisotropic properties of jointed rock masses significantly affect the stability of surface and underground excavations. However, these critical anisotropic characteristics are often ignored in existing uniaxial dynamic failure criteria. This study investigates the effect of a pre‐existing persistent joint on the rate‐dependent mechanical behaviours of a rock mass using a particle mechanics approach, namely, bonded particle model (BPM), to realistically replicate the mechanical response of the rock mass. Firstly, in order to capture the rate‐dependent response of the jointed rock mass, the BPM model is validated using published experimental data. Then, a dynamic strength model is proposed based on the Jaeger criterion and simulation results. To further investigate the dynamic behaviours, the dynamic uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) for anisotropic rock masses with various joint orientations is investigated by subjecting the BPM models to uniaxial compression numerical tests with various strain rate. The proposed dynamic strength model is validated based on numerical simulation results. Finally, the fragmentation characteristics of the jointed rock masses are analysed, which demonstrate that the failure mode affects the dynamic UCS. This is further confirmed by the analysis of the orientations of microscopic cracks generated by the compression loading.
Prescribing Doctor attitudes, experiences and perspectives on the provision of methadone maintenance treatment in Dublin.

Ten Level 2 prescribing doctors and six Level 1 prescribing doctors were interviewed, of which five operated in both specialised clinics and private practice, three worked only in specialised clinics, and seven were in private practice. Three participants described situations where they were certified as Level 1 in their private practices, but were operating as Level 2 in specialised clinics. All participants described working closely with local pharmacists.
Creating Room for Learning at Work: Nurses’ Experiences of Participating in an Educational Program on the Function of Patient Teaching

The aim of this study was to describe an educational program concerning nurses’ patient-teaching work and how it was experienced by the nurses. The program consisted of five sessions, each with a main theme, which employed four main teaching/learning strategies. Interviews were conducted with the nurses and analyzed qualitatively. The analysis revealed three themes: inter-collegial learning, increased awareness of pedagogical complexity, and increased preparedness. The study showed that participation in an educational program at work is one strategy by which nurses can become more closely linked with their patient-teaching function, which has direct consequences for practice
Clinico-pathological and ultrasonographic observations in canine hepatopathies

Findings of ultrasonography were analyzed in 24 dogs with hepatopathies and in 3 dogs without hepatopathy and compared with the results of haemato-biochemical investigations. Ultrasonographic appearance of liver demonstrated diffuse hyperechoic "bright" but small liver in cirrhosis and in intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (PSS); and diffuse fine hypoechoic hepatic changes with hepatomegaly in chronic active hepatitis. Mostly a single shunt either between intrahepatic vena cava and portal vein (most common) or intrahepatic portal and hepatic vasculature was detected sonographically, confirming the diagnosis of intrahepatic PSS. Predominance of target cells, poikilocytes, microcytes, crystals of ammonium biurate in urine was constant finding in PSS. Serum protein, serum albumin, BUN, blood glucose, SAP, ALT were on lower side in PSS. However, SAP, ALT and arginase values were high in chronic active hepatitis.
Pathological changes and clinical use of the measurement of serum/plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) in horses, dogs and cats.

The biological effects of the growth hormone are in part mediated by the release of insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) by the liver but also from other non-hepatic tissues. As opposite as GH, IGF-1 is not release in an episodic manner, is stable in the bloodstream and has a long biological halflife. As a consequence, the measurement of serum IGF-1 is an indirect way to measure GH. The present article reviews the alterations in serum IGF-1 concentrations in veterinary medicine, focused mainly in the diagnosis and prognosis of liver, heart, musculoskeletal, endocrine diseases and tumors. Some applications of the measurements of serum IGF-1 concentrations in sport horses are also provided.
Electrophysiological evidence for the critical band in humans: middle-latency responses.

Electrophysiological evidence for the critical band phenomenon in humans using event‐related potentials has been sought for many years with conflicting results. Components Na and Pa of the middle‐latency response (MLR) and wave V of the auditory brain‐stem response (ABR) were simultaneously recorded in response to a two‐tone complex varying in bandwidth from 76 Hz to 1012 Hz, centered at 2 kHz, and presented at an overall level of 85 dB SPL, in ten normal female subjects. Only the amplitude of Na showed an abrupt increase as bandwidth changed from 268 to 330 Hz, yielding an estimate of critical bandwidth in good agreement with previous behavioral estimates.
Piezoresistive behaviour of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/PMMA spray coated sensors on a polymer matrix composite beam

Graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite solution was spray coated on a glass fibre reinforced polymer composite (GFRP) beam with different initial electrical resistance ( R 0 ). Scotch tape erosion method was used to tailor the R 0 of the sensors. Beams and the sensors were characterized by computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. The piezoresistive behaviour of these sensors was evaluated in monotonic, step and cyclic loading conditions. These spray coated sensors offered good sensitivity (38.5 times) as compared to a strain gauge. A gauge factor (GF) of 55±0.5, 70±2, and 77±1 was obtained for R 0 of 1, 7 and 21 kΩ GNP layers, respectively. Sensors showed good response and stability under the step and cyclic loading conditions. The ease in the process of application coupled with good sensitivity demonstrates that the GNP/PMMA spray coated sensor can be a potential candidate for the futuristic multi-functional materials for structural health monitoring.
Gender Exclusion in Textbooks: A Comparative Study of Female Representation in Provincial ELT Textbooks of Pakistan

The focus of this study was female gender representation in secondary level ELT textbooks published by four different textbook boards of Pakistan, namely Baluchistan Textbook Board, Sindh Textbook Board, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah Textbook Board and Punjab Textbook Board. It targeted a comprehensive comparison between the female gender images as represented in four sets of textbooks and gender conceptions of their respective female readers. To achieve the objectives, the study was divided into two parts: In part 1, the textbooks by four state-run textbook boards were analyzed and in part 2, their respective female readers’ gender conceptions were collected and analyzed. The study employed multi-dimensional analytical tools like manifest, latent analysis and Fairclough (2001) CDA model for interpretation and explanation of textbook discourse. The study revealed a low representation share of female gender in four sets of textbooks. It brought out that female readership had stereotype conceptions regarding the attributes, professions and activities as appropriate for the female gender. It was also found that Sindh and Punjab Textbook Boards had improved female gender representation than other provincial textbook boards. The quantitative findings of part 2 proposed that textbooks could play a vital part in modeling gender conceptions of readership as Sindh and Punjab Textbook Boards’ female readership showed better gender conceptions. The study recommended a gender-based test of the textbooks at national level prior to publication to ensure gender equality as directed in National Curriculum.
L'impact de la grossesse sur l'amplitude et la diversité de la reconnaissance antigénique des lymphocytes T cytotoxiques dirigés contre le VIH-1

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 is one of the major issues of the pandemic. Characterization of HIV-specific immunity during pregnancy, especially cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes (CTL), will lead to a better understanding of HIV pathogenesis and facilitate design of optimal strategies to prevent MTCT. Our objective is to describe the magnitude and the breadth of antigen recognition of HIV-specific CTL responses before, throughout and after pregnancy in a group of HIV-infected women. Our results revealed for the first time that initiation of pregnancy by itself doesn’t change the magnitude of CTL responses in terms of IFN-γ production. These findings support the fact that HIV-infected women maintain immunocompetence throughout gestation, at least in the context of effective antiretroviral treatment. These results provide a novel understanding of the dynamics of HIV-specific CTL responses during pregnancy and may help to promote maternal immunization as a strategy to prevent MTCT of HIV-1.
Persistence of Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria in Entrapped Cell-Based Partial Nitrifying Reactor Treating Ammonia-Rich Wastewater

A phosphorylated-polyvinyl alcohol (PPVA) entrapped cell-based reactor was employed to promote partial nitrification for ammonia-rich wastewater treatment. High partial nitrification (66% of nitrite accumulation in average) was achieved along the 165 days of operation indicating that the majority of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) activity was suppressed probably as a result of low oxygen environment created within the PPVA gel matrix. However, some portion of nitrate (5-17.6% of the influent ammonia) always appeared in the reactor throughout the operation period. Next-generation sequencing and clone library techniques revealed that NOB with different substrate affinities including Nitrobacter , Nitrospira lineage I and II existed within the gel matrix. The finding speculates that substrate gradient-like microenvironment within the gel matrix probably serves the different physiological groups of NOB to maintain their cells and activities in the reactor. Therefore, instead of using low oxygen environment in gel matrix as a sole control strategy, an additional strategy like promoting free ammonia inhibition in reactor is also needed to affirm the stability of long-term partial nitrification.
An exploration of reading comprehension challenges in Saudi Arabian university EFL students

3 ACKNOWLEDGMENT . 5 TABLE OF FIGURES . 12 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS . 13 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 14 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE CURRENT STUDY . 14 1.2 THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM . 15 1.3 RATIONALE FOR THE CURRENT STUDY . 18 1.4 AIM OF THE CURRENT STUDY . 20 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CURRENT STUDY . 21 1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS . 22 1.7 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS . 23 CHAPTER 2: CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND . 24 2.
Lorenz Type Behaviors in the Dynamics of Laser Produced Plasma

An innovative theoretical model is developed on the backbone of a classical Lorenz system. A mathematical representation of a differential Lorenz system is transposed into a fractal space and reduced to an integral form. In such a conjecture, the Lorenz variables will operate simultaneously on two manifolds, generating two transformation groups, one corresponding to the space coordinates transformation and another one to the scale resolution transformation. Since these groups are isomorphs various types isometries become functional. The Lorenz system was further adapted to describe the dynamics of ejected particles as a result of laser matter interaction in a fractal paradigm. The simulations were focused on the dynamics of charged particles, and showcase the presence of current oscillations, a heterogenous velocity distribution and multi-structuring at different interaction scales. The theoretical predictions were compared with the experimental data acquired with noninvasive diagnostic techniques. The experimental data confirm the multi-structure scenario and the oscillatory behavior predicted by the mathematical model.
Long-term visual follow-up in children with malarial retinopathy

Purpose: Paediatric cerebral malaria (CM), which results in coma, is associated with a distinct group of changes in the retina (eg retinal whitening, retinal haemorrhages) which together are called malarial retinopathy. These retinal changes have considerable diagnostic and prognostic value (Beare et al, 2004, Arch Ophthalmol 122:1141). What is less clear is whether CM has long term visual consequences either due to retinal or central nervous system damage.
Climate Changes and Vision Loss a Possible Problem of Public Health

Weather changes raise a major concern during last decades, in all areas, including their consequences on public health. The impact of changing weather on eye pathology was not widely studied. Ocular diseases have a major impact on the quality of life and on working ability. Thus we considered of interest to investigate the possibility of any correlation between meteorological factors and ocular diseases. Glaucoma is known to be a degenerative multifactorial eye disease, which may lead to blindness. Its pathogeny still remains controversial for ophthalmologists worldwide. This work points out the correlation found between weather factors and acute glaucoma. Our study included 262 cases of patients, presented in Ophthalmology Department from Constanta Emergency Hospital, between 2002 and 2013. As weather element, the phase’s survey offers the opportunity to study glaucoma during stable or changing weather, because it provides the advantage of synthetically vision on the situation of all meteorological factors. Weather changes turned out to have an obvious role in generating acute glaucoma.
Music therapy with adults with learning difficulties and 'severe challenging behaviour' : an action research inquiry into the benefits of group music therapy within a community home

This thesis describes and analyses an action research inquiry where weekly group music therapy sessions were offered to five residents in their community home over the course of a year. The residents each had a history of institutional living, learning difficulties, and the label of ‘severe challenging behaviour’. The inquiry is in the tradition of participatory action research, and draws from both the new paradigm approaches of Reason and Heron and critically reflexive action research. The inquiry took the form of two parts. A co-operative inquiry involved home staff, music therapists and daycare workers who reflected critically on the impact, benefits, barriers and threats to the music therapy process. The therapy sessions became the arena for inquiry between the residents, music therapists and daycare worker. Involvement in the dual aspects of therapeutic process and research inquiry was managed by careful consideration of the therapeutic boundaries, ongoing ethical discussion within the co-operative inquiry and perspectives from independent advisers with learning difficulties. We as co-researchers sought to inquire into the benefits of the music therapy group within the community home. The perspective of the residents, who had few language skills, became central to this process. The main focus for inquiry within the sessions was through changes that developed within the musical relationships and by resident action. The extended epistemology of new paradigm research emphasises forms of knowing that were accessible to the residents, such as experiential, practical and arts-based forms of knowledge. Analysis of the data involved collaborative reflection, often provoked by the use of different media, rigorous thematic analysis and creative forms in the representation of the data. I situate the context through personal, practical, theoretical, historical, political and ethical perspectives, leading to the inquiry narratives. A detailed explanation of the thematic analysis follows before the data are presented in chapters named after each resident. The use of music as a primary means of inquiry has meant a tension when this non-verbal experience is described in words. A number of benefits of the music therapy emerged, such as changing fixed relationship patterns and the expression of a group identity. However, the primary contribution of this research is the way in which people with severe learning difficulties were able to influence the course of the inquiry themselves, and challenge staff and institutional perceptions.
The impact of blood flow restricted exercise on the peripheral vasculature

Distortion to hemodynamic, ischemic and metabolic stimuli during low load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) may influence regional vascular adaptation. This thesis investigated the acute response and chronic adaptations of the peripheral vasculature to low load resistance exercise with BFR. The methodology utilised Doppler ultrasound, strain gauge plethysmography and muscle biopsy for insightful measures of the vasculature at different regions of the arterial tree. Short term (4-6 weeks) localised low load (30-40% 1RM) resistance exercise with BFR increased brachial (3.1%) and popliteal (3.3%) artery maximal diameter (in response to ischemic exercise), forearm (29%) and calf (24%) post-occlusive blood flow, and calf filtration capacity (14%). These findings indicate potential vascular remodelling at the conduit (chapters 3, 4) resistance (chapter 4) and capillary (chapter 4) level of the vascular tree. Regional, rather than systemic, factors are responsible for these adaptations as evidenced by an absent response in the contralateral control limb. Transient improvements in popliteal artery FMD% occurred at week 2 before increased maximal diameter at week 6, suggesting functional changes precede structural remodelling (chapter 4). Maximal brachial artery diameter and forearm post-occlusive blood flow returned to baseline values after a 2 week detraining period, signifying rapid structural normalisation after stimulus removal (chapter 3). Enhanced capillarity, despite low training loads, could be explained by augmentation of VEGF (~7 fold), PGC-1α (~6 fold) and eNOS (~5 fold) mRNA, and upregulation VEGFR-2 (~5 fold) and HIF-1α (~2.5 fold) mRNA with BFR (chapter 5). This indicates a targeted angiogenic response potentially mediated through enhanced metabolic, ischemic and shear stress stimuli. Large between subject variability in the level of BFR was observed during upper and lower limb cuff inflation protocols. Adipose tissue thickness and mean arterial pressure were the largest independent determinants of upper and lower limb BFR, respectively (Chapter 6). In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that low load resistance exercise with BFR induces adaptation in the conduit, resistance and capillary vessels. The mediators of this response are likely to be the hemodynamic and chemical signals elicited by repeated bouts of BFR resistance exercise, although confirmation of these mechanisms is required. The functional significance of these adaptations is unknown and warrants further investigation.
Dynamic Prediction in Clinical Survival Analysis

There is a huge amount of literature on statistical models for the prediction of survival after diagnosis of a wide range of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Current practice is to use prediction models based on the Cox proportional hazards model and to present those as static models for remaining lifetime after diagnosis or treatment. In contrast, Dynamic Prediction in Clinical Survival Analysis focuses on dynamic models for the remaining lifetime at later points in time, for instance using landmark models. Designed to be useful to applied statisticians and clinical epidemiologists, each chapter in the book has a practical focus on the issues of working with real life data. Chapters conclude with additional material either on the interpretation of the models, alternative models, or theoretical background. The book consists of four parts: Part I deals with prognostic models for survival data using (clinical) information available at baseline, based on the Cox model Part II is about prognostic models for survival data using (clinical) information available at baseline, when the proportional hazards assumption of the Cox model is violated Part III is dedicated to the use of time-dependent information in dynamic prediction Part IV explores dynamic prediction models for survival data using genomic data Dynamic Prediction in Clinical Survival Analysis summarizes cutting-edge research on the dynamic use of predictive models with traditional and new approaches. Aimed at applied statisticians who actively analyze clinical data in collaboration with clinicians, the analyses of the different data sets throughout the book demonstrate how predictive models can be obtained from proper data sets.
Socio-Cultural Determinants of Contraceptives Use Among Adolescents in Northern Ghana

Adolescent in both rural and urban areas in developing nations are often underserved by family planning service providers. This limits the knowledge level of young men and women about contraceptive methods. The purpose of this study was to examine what determines contraceptive use among adolescents. Data collection spans January to December 2013 with 400 adolescent men and women of reproductive age as study respondents in the Yendi Municipality of Northern Region of Ghana. The data collection tool was questionnaire and focus group discussion. SPSS version 20 was used in the analysis. It was found that most adolescents would use contraceptives if they did not want to get pregnant or if they want to continue with their education. Overall, the desired family size was lower among all the adolescents. It was observed that once a teenage woman has had a child; contraceptive use prevalence rises to a level comparable to that of women in their twenties. The paper recommends that the family planning officers should give more attention to adolescents. Successful side-effect management and proper education in family planning could increase contraceptive use among adolescents.
Mathematical model and optimization of a thin-film thermoelectric generator

The thriving of the Internet of Things is set to increase the demand for low-power wireless sensing devices. Thin-film thermoelectric generators are ideal as a sustainable power source for Internet of Things devices as they allow for low maintenance and energy autonomy. This work presents a model to estimate the performance of a thin-film thermoelectric generator. Verified by finite-element method simulation, the results from the model show that increasing the interconnect electrical conductivity and reducing the device pitch increases the power density. The power density can also be increased by increasing the fill factor and reducing the thermal conductivity of the insulating materials. A new corrugated thin-film thermoelectric generator design is proposed in this work that allows for higher fill factors than conventional square designs where a limit on the minimum feature size is imposed, as is the case with photolithography.