Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contact Bounce Phenomena in a MEM Switch

Contact bounces are usually erratic and undesirable phenomena that greatly affect the lifetime and reliability of electrical contacts. This paper deals with bounce phenomena that are experimentally observed during DC contact make and break in a MEM switch. In such a device, the bouncing behavior cannot be explained by inertia forces that are far lower from those existing in macroscopic relays. Therefore this study aims at providing a better understanding of bounce phenomena at the nanometer scale. Experiments have been performed with a nano-indenter and an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), both used to actuate a contact with a well controlled electrode velocity. Multiple voltage transients of several tens of ms are observed when make/break operations are performed at an extremely low velocity (few tens of nm/s). This occurs when the distance between contact electrodes is of the order of 10nm. A simple analysis of the static balance of forces shows that the electrostatic force becomes predominant at this scale, and that bounces result from a competition between the electrostatic force and the restoring force of the mobile contact. This paper highlights that in a MEMS switch a minimal actuation velocity (here 1μm/s) is required to prevent contacts from bouncing.
Factors Influencing the Agricultural Technology Adoption: The Case of Improved Rice Varieties (Nerica) in the Northern Region, Ghana

This paper analyses factors that influence the adoption of (Nerica) rice technology in the Northern Region of Ghana. Both logit and probit models were used in the analysis. The results from the two models are consistent with each other; they have similar signs for each variable but slight difference in the magnitude of the coefficients. Factors such as farm size, credit access, on-farm demonstration, tractor ownership, and family labor had positive influence on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. The age, and profit orientation of the farmers had negative influence on the adoption on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. Keywords: Nerica rice; probit; logit; technology adoption; Northern Ghana.
Anterior Transposition of the Radial Nerve-A Cadaveric Study

Objective: The radial nerve is at risk during the posterior plating of the humerus. The purpose of this anatomic study was to assess the extent of radial nerve dissection required for anterior transposition through the fracture site (transfracture anterior transposition). Methods: A cadaver study was conducted approaching the humerus by a posterior midline incision. The extent of dissection of the nerve necessary for plate fixation of the humerus fracture was measured. An osteotomy was created to model a humeral shaft fracture at the spiral groove (OTA classification 12-A2, 12-A3). The radial nerve was then transposed anterior to the humeral shaft through the fracture site. The additional dissection of the radial nerve and the extent of release of soft tissue from the humerus shaft to achieve the transposition were measured. Results: Plating required a dissection of the radial nerve 1.78 cm proximal and 2.13 cm distal to the spiral groove. Transfracture anterior transposition of the radial nerve required an average dissection of 2.24 cm proximal and 2.68 cm distal to the spiral groove. The lateral intermuscular septum had to be released for 2.21 cm on the distal fragment to maintain laxity of the transposed nerve. Conclusions: Transfracture anterior transposition of the radial nerve before plating is feasible with dissection proximal and distal to the spiral groove and elevation of the lateral intermuscular septum. Potential clinical advantages of this technique include enhanced fracture site visualization, application of broader plates, and protection of the radial nerve during the internal fixation.
Signaling pathways to neuronal damage and apoptosis in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated dementia: Chemokine receptors, excitotoxicity, and beyond

Dementia can occur as a debilitating consequence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. The neuropathology incited by HIV infection involves activation of chemokine receptors, inflammatory factors, and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, all of which can activate several downstream mechanisms. This article discusses recently identified pathways to neuronal damage triggered by HIV-1 and efforts aimed at development of applicable therapeutic intervention.
Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis as a cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome with multiple underlying causes. Wild-type transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRwt) is an underdiagnosed cause of HFpEF that might benefit from new specific treatments. ATTRwt can be diagnosed non-invasively by (99m)Tc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid ((99m)Tc-DPD) scintigraphy. We sought to determine the prevalence of ATTRwt among elderly patients admitted due to HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively screened all consecutive patients ≥60 years old admitted due to HFpEF [left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥50%] with LV hypertrophy (≥12 mm). All eligible patients were offered a (99m)Tc-DPD scintigraphy. The study included 120 HFpEF patients (59% women, 82 ± 8 years). A total of 16 patients (13.3%; 95% confidence interval: 7.2-19.5) showed a moderate-to-severe uptake on the (99m)Tc-DPD scintigraphy. All patients with a positive scan underwent genetic testing of the TTR gene, and no mutations were found. An endomyocardial biopsy was performed in four patients, confirming ATTRwt in all cases. There were no differences in age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or atrial fibrillation between ATTRwt patients and patients with other HFpEF forms. Although patients with ATTRwt exhibited higher median N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (6467 vs. 3173 pg/L; P = 0.019), median troponin I (0.135 vs. 0.025 µg/L; P < 0.001), mean LV maximal wall thickness (17 ± 3.4 vs. 14 ± 2.5 mm; P = 0.001), rate of pericardial effusion (44 vs. 19%; P = 0.047), and rate of pacemakers (44 vs. 12%; P = 0.004), clinical overlap between ATTRwt and other HFpEF forms was high. CONCLUSION ATTRwt is an underdiagnosed disease that accounts for a significant number (13%) of HFpEF cases. The effect of emerging TTR-modifying drugs should be evaluated in these patients.
The antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatment to prevent heart attack trial (ALLHAT)

Este artigo analisa o grande estudo "The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial" (ALLHAT), em andamento atualmente nos Estados Unidos, em Porto Rico e nas Ilhas Virgens. O ALLHAT e um estudo multicentrico randomizado, duplo-cego, com um total de 40.000 pacientes hipertensos leves ou moderados, seguidos por 5 anos. A previsao e de que todos os pacientes sejam incluidos ate meados de 1998. O estudo envolve a utilizacao de varias drogas anti-hipertensivas (lisinopril, amlodipina, doxazosina) e sua resposta comparada com clortalidona. O objetivo principal e determinar o efeito dessas drogas na incidencia de doenca coronariana e morte cardiaca. Alem disso, procura esclarecer se a reducao do colesterol com o uso de pravastatina pode reduzir a mortalidade nos pacientes hipertensos hipercolesterolemicos.
Mechanical factors in the initiation of eccentric contraction‐induced injury in rat soleus muscle.

1. Mechanical factor(s) associated with the initiation of eccentric contraction‐induced muscle injury were investigated in isolated rat soleus muscles (n = 180; 42 protocols with 4‐6 muscles per protocol). Five eccentric contractions were performed with 4 min between contractions. Three levels of peak eccentric contraction force (100, 125 and 150% of pre‐injury maximal isometric tetanic tension, P0), length change (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 muscle length, L0) and lengthening velocity (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 L0/s) were utilized. Force was varied with stimulation frequency (10‐150 Hz). The eccentric contractions were initiated at muscle lengths of 0.85 or 0.90 L0. Following the fifth eccentric contraction, the muscle was incubated in Krebs‐Ringer buffer for 60 min. Peak isometric twitch tension (PT), P0, maximal rate of tension development (+ dP/dt), maximal rate of relaxation (‐dP/dt), and creatine kinase (CK) release were measured prior to the five eccentric contractions and at 15 min intervals during the incubation period. Total muscle [Ca2+] was measured after 60 min incubation. 2. The mean (+/‐ S.E.M.) initial decline in P0 for the muscles performing the most injurious protocol was 13.6 +/‐ 4.8% (n = 6); P0 in control muscles immediately following performance of five isometric contractions was elevated 1.2 +/‐ 1.0% (n = 8). These means were different at probability, p = 0.005. Mean [ATP] in muscles immediately following the isometric control and most injurious protocols, respectively, were 16.30 +/‐ 1.49 and 19.84 +/‐ 1.38 mumol/g dry wt (p = 0.229). 3. Decrements in P0, PT, +dP/dt, and ‐dP/dt immediately after the injury protocol were related most closely to the peak forces produced during the eccentric contractions; greater initial declines in P0, +dP/dt and ‐dP/dt were also observed at higher lengthening velocities independent of peak force. Slow declines in P0 and ‐dP/dt during the 60 min incubation following the injury protocol were greatest for muscles performing contractions at the longer initial length. CK release was independent of all mechanical factors with the exception of lengthening velocity. CK activity at 45 and 60 min into the incubation period was greater for muscles lengthened at the highest velocity used (1.5 L0/s). Mean total muscle [Ca2+] for muscles performing the eccentric contractions was elevated by 38% over isometric control muscles but the elevation was unrelated to any of the four mechanical factors. 4. These data support the hypothesis that eccentric contraction‐induced injury is initiated by mechanical factors, with muscle tension playing the dominant role. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The disposition effect in farmers’ selling behavior: an experimental investigation

The identification of the optimal selling time of stored goods is among the most essential eco-nomic decisions on a farm. Beyond monetary aspects, behavioral factors may influence farmers' selling behavior. In financial economics, the disposition effect is a commonly observed phenomenon. It indicates that investors hold losing stocks too long, while they sell stocks that have increased in value too early. In the context of agriculture, this behavioral bias has not been analyzed thoroughly yet. To close this research gap, we conducted an incentivized online experiment with 112 farmers in Germany. The experimental design was based on well-proven experiments from financial economics and adapted to an agricultural decision context where stored goods must be sold. Farmers were provided information on the uncertain price developments. In addition, lotteries were conducted to elicit farmers' risk attitude, probability weighting, and loss aversion. Results indicate that there is a robust disposition effect in farmers' selling behavior. Furthermore, more loss-averse farmers exhibited a higher disposition effect.
Measurement issues in the comparative manifesto project data set and effectiveness of representative democracy

THESIS 8709%%%%In this dissertation I focus on the very widely used Comparative Manifesto Project (CMP) as the source of measurements of the policy positions of political parties. The CMP data confuse the separable notions of party's position on an issue and the importance of the issue to that party. Furthermore, the CMP data are provided without a basic feature considered essential to any estimate: a measure of the uncertainty surrounding the estimated quantity. This dissertation comprises of three papers. In the ? rst paper, drawing on results from linguistic and behavioural research, I show that party's position on an issue and the importance of the issue to that party are conceptually and empirically distinguishable. I show how to differentiate between position and importance in the CMP data, and contrast this to the saliency-based scaling models currently used by CMP consumers. I evaluate these alternative scales in several replication studies, and propose the use of the existing CMP data that is consistent with the standard spatial models of party competition. The second paper focuses on the analysis of the two main stochastic processes that are involved in the creation of the CMP data: manifesto writing and manifesto coding. Decomposition of the possible stochastic elements in the manifesto generation process that leads to the CMP estimates allows the effects of these to be simulated. Based on these simulation studies, I show how to calculate standard errors for each estimate in the CMP data set. Analysing these error estimates, I show that many CMP quantities should be associated with substantial uncertainty. Next I focus on measurement error arising from stochastic variation in the coding of a given observed text by human coders. I develop a more systematic characterisation of the problems of reliability and bias in the data than has hitherto been attempted. I set out a framework for reliability and misclassi? cation in categorical content analysis, and apply this framework to the CMP coding scheme. In the third paper, I apply the results of the ? rst two papers to address the question of the effectiveness of democratic representation process. In the paper I focus on one linkage element in the chain of democratic representation: between policy positions of political parties and policy output of governments observed in public spending. Using positional scaling models and correcting for measurement error in the CMP data, I show that most of the positive results previously reported in the literature can be explained by measurement issues (scaling and uncertainty) in the CMP data. Moreover, I show that spending on social security is in? uenced not only by parties that are elected to government, but also by parties in the opposition, thereby undermining the logical consistency of the responsible party model.
Women's thoughts about sexual life after childbirth: focus group discussions with women after childbirth.

BACKGROUND To give birth and become a parent is a source of many emotions and expectations. Several studies show that women experience different problems after giving birth. It can bring many physical, emotional and social changes that may alter the woman's sexual needs and impact on her relationship. The aim of this study was to elucidate how some women experienced their sexual life with their partner after giving birth. METHODS Twenty-seven women participated in six focus group discussions (FGDs). These discussions took place 3-24 months postdelivery. The midwives at their antenatal clinics selected them. A discussion guide with broad questions related to the subject was used and an observer took notes during the FGD. RESULTS Four themes were identified: body image after childbirth, how sexual patterns are altered following new stresses of family life, discordance of sexual desire with the partner and the necessity for reassurance. The women did not feel comfortable with the physical changes that had taken place and their body image. Childbirth meant less sleep and less free time; consequently, instead of having sex, women wanted to sleep or have time for themselves and that led to a changed sex pattern. Discordance of sexual desire with the partner was a problem but most of the women expressed confidence that their sexual desire would return shortly. Reassurance and confirmation that they were physically alright and back to normal was essential. CONCLUSION New mothers are concerned with their body image and the ability to adapt to parenting. They need sensitive, professional counselling and reassurance about their body, as well as about sexual life after childbirth. This level of professional counselling is presently not widely available to new mothers, while midwives and gynaecologists should be the key persons to provide this service.
Health and Well-Being of Older Adults in Ghana: Social Support, Gender, and Ethnicity

Social support is an important resource in old age in many developing countries including Ghana. Typically, in the absence of a well-developed welfare state, the traditional kinship ties serve as old age security. However, these relationship support links tend to differ by ethnicity and gender of older adults. The first goal of this paper is to examine how structural and functional social support are associated with disparities in health and well-being at older ages in Ghana. The second goal is to tease out how ethnicity and gender affect support in old age and its impact on health and well-being. The data come from Wave 1 of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (SAGE) (2007). Patrilineal ethnicities seem to offer more support in old age. Overall, the results show that structural support factors are more important than functional support factors. Regarding functional support, older adults who receive support, provide support, and perceive the availability of support are less likely to report better health and well-being outcomes. Structural support factors such as the size of one’s household, contact with social ties, and the perceived quality of one’s relationship are significantly associated with health and well-being. Also, older adults are more concerned with their level of social connectedness than with the material resources that flow out of these social relationships. The results suggest that structural and functional social support cannot be substituted for each other, to the extent that each aspect serves different purposes in the lives of current older adults. This evidence further underscores the distinct effects of structural and functional support on health and well-being of older adults in Ghana.
High Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Homozygous Sickle Cell Patients with Leg Ulceration

Pulmonary hypertension is a common complication and is a risk factor for death in adult patients with sickle cell disease. Chronic leg ulceration is a major cause of morbidity in homozygous sickle cell disease. We aimed to determine prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in homozygous sickle cell patients and if there is any relation of pulmonary hypertension with leg ulceration. A total of 88 patients, asymptomatic for pulmonary hypertension, were enrolled in the study. Doppler echocardiography was performed on homozygous sickle cell patients with and without leg ulceration. 12 patients (10 male, 2 female) had active ulcer or healed scar (group I) and 76 patients (40 male, 36 female) had no active leg ulcer or history of (group II). The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in group I and group II were 91.6% (n = 11) and 31.6% (n = 24), respectively (p = 0.0001). Patients with leg ulceration had increased left atrium and right ventricular diameters at diastole and also had increased left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. We determined an increased prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with leg ulceration. Patients with homozygous sickle cell disease, especially those with leg ulcers should be screened for pulmonary hypertension, since pulmonary hypertension is a frequent and generally asymptomatic complication and a risk factor of mortality.
No relationship between fear of childbirth and pregnancy-/delivery-outcome in a low-risk Dutch pregnancy cohort delivering at home or in hospital

Objective: To examine the relationship of fear of childbirth (FOC), general anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum with birth complications. Methods: For this prospective cohort study 105 healthy women with low-risk pregnancies (until at least 30 weeks gestation) completed the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 30 weeks gestation and 6 weeks postpartum. These results were related with delivery characteristics. Results: FOC during pregnancy was not related to complications during labour and delivery. In a regression analysis, both multiparity and medical interventions were predictors for higher postpartum FOC. A positive correlation was found between FOC during pregnancy and FOC at six weeks postpartum, corrected for complications during childbirth (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The birth giving process was not related to FOC during pregnancy, but the pre-partum level of FOC certainly is predictive of the level of postpartum FOC, suggesting that FOC as measured during gestation may influence the interpretation of the birth experience itself. We did find a positive relationship between both parity and medical interventions during childbirth and FOC postpartum.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Promotes Angiogenesis by Inducing Angiopoietin-2 Expression via AP-1 and Ets1

ABSTRACT Infection by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is required for the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a highly inflammatory angiogenic tumor of endothelial cells commonly found in untreated AIDS patients. Angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) modulates the vasculature during inflammation and angiogenesis, but the mechanism by which KSHV regulates Ang-2 expression has not been investigated. Here, we show that KSHV infection of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced the expression and release of Ang-2, which in turn was required for KSHV-induced paracrine-dependent angiogenesis in vivo. Ang-2 was strongly expressed in small vessels and spindle tumor cells in KS tumors. Mechanistically, KSHV activated the Ang-2 promoter via AP-1 and Ets1 transcriptional factors, which were mediated by ERK, JNK, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Our findings demonstrate the importance of Ang-2 in KS angiogenesis and define a novel role for AP-1 and MAPK pathways in regulating angiogenesis. This study also illustrates a distinct mechanism by which a tumor virus modulates vasculature to promote tumorigenesis and exemplifies the convergence of oncogenesis and angiogenesis pathways in tumor development.
Possible Contribution of Central Gamma‐Aminobutyric Acid Receptors to Resting Vascular Tone in Freely Moving Rats

Previous studies have shown that central administration of GABA (gamma‐aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, preferentially reduces hindquarters and carotid vascular resistances but not renal and coeliac vascular resistances in conscious rats. This study tested the hypothesis that these preferential actions of central GABA receptors are related to differences between vessels in resting autonomic vascular tone in freely moving rats. Rats were chronically implanted with intracisternal cannulas and/or electromagnetic probes to measure regional blood flows. In response to GABA administration, the changes in vascular resistance (arterial blood pressure/regional blood flow) of the hindquarters (n = 23) and carotid (n = 12) vascular beds were significantly and negatively correlated with basal vascular resistance. No such relationship was found for the renal (n = 21), coeliac (n = 13) and superior mesenteric (n = 23) vascular beds. This finding indicates that the responsiveness to GABA of brainstem pathways controlling the hindquarters and carotid vascular beds co‐varies with resting resistance in hindquarters and carotid vessels. A similar analysis was performed, correlating the ongoing vascular resistance of each vessel with its response to ganglionic blockade by chlorisondamine. In this case, a significant negative correlation was also found for the hindquarters (n = 26) and carotid (n = 15) vascular beds, but not for the coeliac (n = 17) or superior mesenteric (n = 19) vessels. Together, these findings suggest that central GABA receptors accessible from the cisterna magna preferentially affect two vascular beds which, in the freely moving rat, show resting autonomic vascular tone.