Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SLOPE FAILURE EVALUATION BY ENERGY APPROACH IN HYDRAULIC FILL DAMS DUE TO LIQUEFACTION-INDUCED WATER FILMS

Earth dams constructed by hydraulically filling methods are composed of loose sandy soils with laminations of different particle sizes. If such fill materials liquefy during strong earthquakes, the void redistribution effect becomes dominant to generate water films beneath less permeable layers, which will destabilize dam slopes in a greater extent than uniform soil materials. An energy approach is proposed in which flow deformation of dam slopes is evaluated considering the water film effect. The residual shear strength exerted along the water film is evaluated about 20% of uniform sand according to the energy approach applied to model shaking table tests.
The Pharmacological Potential of Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP) Individual Components

The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) from the family Arecaceae is a high oil-producing agricultural crop. A significant amount of vegetation liquor is discarded during the palm oil milling process amounting to 90 million tons per year around the world. This water-soluble extract is rich in phenolic compounds known as Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP). Several phenolic acids including the three isomers of caffeoylshikimic acid (CFA), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and hydroxytyrosol are among the primary active ingredients in the OPP. Previous investigations have reported several positive pharmacological potentials by OPP such as neuroprotective and atheroprotective effects, anti-tumor and reduction in Aβ deposition in Alzheimer's disease model. In the current review, the pharmacological potential for CFA, PHBA, PCA and hydroxytyrosol is carefully reviewed and evaluated.
Probabilistic human daily activity recognition towards robot-assisted living

In this work, we present a human-centered robot application in the scope of daily activity recognition towards robot-assisted living. Our approach consists of a probabilistic ensemble of classifiers as a dynamic mixture model considering the Bayesian probability, where each base classifier contributes to the inference in proportion to its posterior belief. The classification model relies on the confidence obtained from an uncertainty measure that assigns a weight for each base classifier to counterbalance the joint posterior probability. Spatio-temporal 3D skeleton-based features extracted from RGB-D sensor data are modeled in order to characterize daily activities, including risk situations (e.g.: falling down, running or jumping in a room). To assess our proposed approach, challenging public datasets such as MSR-Action3D and MSR-Activity3D [1] [2] were used to compare the results with other recent methods. Reported results show that our proposed approach outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of overall accuracy. Moreover, we implemented our approach using Robot Operating System (ROS) environment to validate the DBMM running on-the-fly in a mobile robot with an RGB-D sensor onboard to identify daily activities for a robot-assisted living application.
PATTERNS OF FIREWOOD EXPLOITATION AND UTILIZATION IN PERI- URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF OWERRI ZONE IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria E-mail: adeyemiadesoji@yahoo.com; Phone: +234(0)8032082627 A study was conducted to assess the firewood extraction and utilization patterns in two local government areas of Owerri zone, Imo State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for sites selection based on the prominence and prevalence of firewood extraction and utilization in the areas. Five communities each were chosen from the two local government areas. Both primary and secondary data collections were made. The primary data collection involved the use of a well-structured questionnaire, and the secondary data were obtained from National Bureau of Statistics’ Annual Abstract of Statistics. The third part of data collection involved the measurement of the amount of firewood collected by individual using a weighing balance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test of significance. The result indicated that majority of the firewood exploiters were women, who are above forty years of age. The major sources of firewood in the area remain natural forests with only a fraction exploited from the farm/fallow lands. There was no established fuel-wood plantation in the area, and plan to establish such appears non-existent. The species mostly extracted are Acioa barteri, Alconia cordifolia, Anthonatha macrophylum, Dialium guinense, Harungana madagascariensis, Macaranga barterii, Milicia excelsa and Pentaclethra macrophylla, with preference for Acioa barteri, Dialium guinense and Pentaclethra macrophylla due to their low moisture contents and ability to burn faster and efficiently. Firewood was exploited in both farming and off-farming seasons at varied degrees with most exploitation done in the off-farming season. Firewood was found to be more expensive during farming season. The most expensive species are Dialium guinense, Macaranga barterii and Pentaclethra macrophylla, which are sold for N18.18 each during the farming season, and N13.64 kg, N15.21 kg and N15.21 kg respectively in the offfarming season. The result revealed that the average per capita firewood consumptions were 1.83±1.62 kg day and 2.15±0.94 kg day in Owerri North and West Local Government Areas respectively. The study shows that the patterns of exploitation and utilization in the area are not sustainable. It is therefore recommended that a strategy be put in place to ensure adequate replenishment to avoid over-exploitation, deforestation and environmental degradation.
New Injection Scheme of J-PARC Rapid Cycling Synchrotron

The 3-GeV Rapid Cycling Synchrotron of Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex aims to deliver 1-MW proton beam to the neutron target and Main Ring synchrotron. Present beam power of the Rapid Cycling Synchrotron is up to 500-kW and the higher radiation doses were concentrated in the injection area. These activations were caused by the interaction between the foil and the beam. To reduce the worker dose near the injection point, we have studied a new design of the injection scheme to secure enough space for radiation shielding and bellows. In the new system, two of four injection pulse bump magnets are replaced and we are able to ensure the additional space around the injection foil chamber. So far, new injection system seems not impossible. However, preliminary study result indicated that temperature of the duct and shielding metals would be slightly higher. The eddy current due to the shift bump magnet field generates heat. Thus we have to study details of above effect.
Rationale to study the early natural history of heart disease: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

The Bogalusa Heart Study now establishes that precursors of adult cardiovascular diseases begin in childhood. The clearest evidence comes from autopsy studies that show coronary atherosclerotic lesions occur in early life and are strongly associated with very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and obesity, and have an inverse relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Observations of cardiovascular risk factors span a period of life from birth to 31 years of age, and longitudinal studies span a 15-year period. Risk factor variables tend to persist over time, "track. " Although tracking is best for height and weight, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum total cholesterol track at a high order; blood pressure tends to track at a lower order. Obesity and body fatness have an adverse influence on risk factors in children, just as noted in adults, with central obesity becoming more obvious after puberty, and having a greater adverse effect on risk factors. The emergence of abnormal levels of risk factors by adult criteria begins to occur in young adults, and is not evident in childhood. Retrospective studies, interestingly, for obesity, higher blood pressure, and dyslipidemia reveal evidence of their presence already in childhood. These findings have strong implications for undertaking prevention in early life.
Identification and Characterisation of A Locally Isolated Lipolytic Microfungus-Geotrichum candidum

A strain of Geotrichum candidum was successfully isolated from local soil samples and some of its characteristics determined. The strain produces lipase that hydrolysed palm olein on a selective agar incorporated with Nile Blue sulphate and palm olein. Suspension culture was used to study the growth and lipolytic activity. The results showed that the highest dry cell mass of G. candidum was achieved after 96 hours of growth when 2% (v/v) seed culture was used as inoculum. Using spore suspension as an inoculum was not favourable since less yield of mycelia mass was obtained at peak of log phase and the culture exhibited relatively low lipolytic activity and efficiency of hydrolysis. The maximum amount of free fatty acids (90.5%) was released after 48 hours of incubation. However, the highest lipolytic activity, 7.02 mmole FFA/g dry cell was detected at 54 hours. The production of cell-bound lipase of G. candidum was concomitant with growth and declined when growth ceased. During the course of growth, changes to palm olein added into the culture medium caused the growth culture to turn into a creamy colloidal emulsion. Towards the end of the incubation period, solid fatty particles were formed. Thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that triacylglycerols in the palm olein were rapidly hydrolysed to fatty acids in 18 hours, with no pronounced change in the amounts of 1,2-diacylglycerols and 1,3-diacylglycerols.
Outcomes After Liver Transplantation in Young Infants

Background: Liver transplantation in infants younger than 90 days is increasingly common. These infants typically arrive for transplantation in fragile medical condition. It is commonly assumed that they may experience high complication rates, difficult postoperative courses, and poor graft and patient survival. Objectives: We sought to understand whether graft and patient survival rates in these young infants were lower than in older children, these patients experienced more complications than older children, and health care resource utilization was higher in this population. Patients and Methods: Data queried from the Study of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) database were limited to infants ages 0 to 90 days who had received their primary liver transplant between February 1996 and May 2004. Patients older than 90 days registered in the SPLIT database were used for comparison. Results: Thirty-eight patients, ages 0 to 90 days, were included in the analysis. Their severity of illness was reflected by a median calculated Pediatric Endstage Liver Disease score of 34.8 at transplant. A majority (89.5%) of infants received cadaveric liver grafts, of which 47% were reduced organs. The infants experienced prolonged hospitalizations, spending an average of 50.9 ± 7.6 days in the hospital after transplant. Long stays in the intensive care unit (average 22.1 ± 1.5 days) and need for mechanical ventilation (average 16.2 ± 2.7 days) also occurred. Length of hospitalization, intensive care, and mechanical ventilation were significantly higher than in older children (P < 0.0001). The reoperation rate (60.5%) was high and significantly greater than in older children (P = 0.007), with 10 patients (26.3%) needing 3 or more early reoperations. Reoperations occurred for bleeding, wound complications, biliary complications, and sepsis. There was no difference in vascular or biliary tract complications compared with older children. Bacterial infections were also common (52.6%) and were seen with greater frequency than in older children (P < 0.04). This infant cohort had an overall graft survival of 76.1% and overall patient survival of 87.8% at 1 year, with median follow-up of 12.5 months (range 0.6–84.0 months). Graft and patient survival in infants younger than 90 days was similar to that in older infants and children (P = NS). Conclusions: Young infants experience graft and patient survival similar to that in older cohorts of liver transplant recipients. Posttransplant complication rates, including the reoperation rate, were higher in this younger group, and the duration of hospitalization and intensive support were significantly longer. Future studies to better examine the factors, including age, that may contribute to the need for reoperation in children are warranted. Recognition and further analysis of the cost of care in this age group is also needed.
RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN RETROFIT OF RC SHEAR WALLS

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are widely used in mediumto high-rise buildings to provide the lateral strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity required to resist lateral loads arising from wind or earthquakes. In the past few decades, there has been considerable advancement in the design of RC walls for new construction. The newly adopted performance evaluation methodology and capacity design principles are examples of these important advancements in seismic engineering. Therefore, there is an essential need to upgrade the seismic performance of existing RC shear walls so that they can meet the requirements of the new performance-based seismic design techniques. Several retrofit techniques using different materials are reported in the literature. These ranged from using steel, concrete, fiber-reinforced polymers, and shape memory alloys as retrofitting materials used in different methods of application. This paper presents different retrofit techniques that were used to increase the seismic resistance of existing RC shear walls. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each retrofit technique and the corresponding characteristic enhancements. The objective of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art on the recent advancements and challenges in the area of retrofit of RC shear walls.
ASEISMIC EFFECT ON RADIATION DAMPING FOR HIGH DUCTILITY STRUCTURES

In this paper, seismic behaviors of high ductility structures including dynamic soil-structure interaction are estimated through numerical simulation. Transfer functions are defined on soil-foundation boundary around sway and rocking motions. The following parameters are selected out among various properties of interaction system to investigate response behavior properly; ductility factors and natural periods in upper structures as well as shear wave velocities in soil ground. Response measurement is arrayed in yield shear force, input earthquake energy, energy assumption ratio, radiation damping energy and cumulative plastic deformation for upper structures under serious earthquake motion. As a result, effect of dynamic soil-structure interaction is assured in high ductility structures.
Overexpression of IL-12 reverses the phenotype and function of M2 macrophages to M1 macrophages

The characteristic of M2-polarized macrophage is IL-10highIL-12low. Reports have shown that the combined application of CpG and anti-interleukin-10 receptor antibody could switch M2 to M1, while there are few literatures about the impact of over-expression of IL-12 on M2. After infected with the recombinant adenovirus Ad-IL-12-GFP for 60 h, the generated M2 macrophages were harvested for analysis of PCR/FCM/WB, and the supernatants were collected as conditioned media. HepG2 cells were examined by MTT assay and FCM following incubated with different conditioned media. After overexpression of IL-12, The PCR analysis showed that the M2 macrophages exerted a high level of M1 macrophage specific markers (such as IL-23, IL-1β, et al), a low level of M2 macrophage specific markers (IL-10, TGF-β), the FCM analysis showed that CD86 was up-regulated while CD206 was down-regulated, and the WB showed a similar change trend. The conditioned medium of IL-12 overexpressed macrophages suppressed the proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells compared to the control groups (P<0.05). To conclude, these results have indicated that the phenotype and function of M2 macrophages could be reversed by the overexprression of IL-12. It may be beneficial to explore the anti-cancer immunotherapy strategy switching the M2 macrophages to M1 macrophages.
HIV prevalence, sexual and behavioral correlates among Shan, Hill tribe, and Thai male sex workers in Northern Thailand

Abstract This paper reports demographic characteristics, HIV prevalence, and correlates among male sex workers (MSW) in Chiangmai, Thailand. A behavioral assessment survey was included as part of the Thailand Ministry of Public Health HIV sentinel surveillance conducted during June 2003. A sample of 181 MSW from 14 sex establishments around Chiangmai who self-identified as sex workers were interviewed. Non-Thai MSW made up half of the sample (48.6%), with the majority being of Shan ethnicity (64.7%). Thai MSW were significantly more likely to report having had receptive anal intercourse (38.0% vs. 11.8%, p<0.001) and to have higher HIV prevalence than non-Thai MSW (11.8% vs. 3.4%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, having one or more than one steady male partner in the past month (Odds Ratio: 5.56, 95% Confidence Intervals: 1.13–27.27 and 8.29, 2.01–34.20, respectively), and being older than 21 years (2.26, 1.04–4.90) were significantly and independently associated with prevalent HIV infection. While Thai MSW had higher HIV prevalence and engage in riskier activities, culturally appropriate education and outreach activities are still needed for the large number of ethnic minority MSW, particularly Shan MSW.
Caffeine prevents apoptosis and cell cycle effects induced by camptothecin or topotecan in HL-60 cells.

Caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1,3,7,-trimethyl-1H-purine-6,6-dione; CAF) is known to potentiate the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents such as ionizing radiation and alkylating agents. In contrast, however, the cytotoxic and cytostatic activity of aromatic, DNA-intercalating, DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors such as Adriamycin, ellipticine, or mitoxantrone are diminished in the presence of CAF. To resolve whether the protective effect of CAF is associated with a particular mechanism of drug interaction (e.g., intercalation into DNA, inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II), or the aromatic nature of the drug structure, per se, we have presently studied the effects of CAF on the cytostatic and cytotoxic action of camptothecin (CAM) and its less toxic but more water soluble derivative topotecan (TPT) on HL-60 human myelogenous leukemia cells: both drugs have aromatic structures but are nonintercalating inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase I. By using spectroscopy and titration microcalorimetry, we have also studied the direct interaction between CAF and TPT in solution. Low (20 nM) concentrations of CAM or TPT perturbed progression of HL-60 cells through S-phase, whereas higher concentrations (0.15 microM) of these drugs induced apoptosis; both effects were easily demonstrable after 4 h of treatment. When added simultaneously with CAM or TPT, CAF prevented both effects. The protective effect of CAF was concentration dependent and evident within the concentration range of 1-5 mM; nearly total protection was seen at a CAF concentration of 5 mM. The bathochromic and hypochromic shift in the absorption spectrum of the water soluble compound TPT upon addition of CAF indicated that CAF and TPT interact (stack) in a fashion similar to that previously observed for CAF and DNA intercalators. Microcalorimetric measurements of TPT titration with CAF indicate an exothermic reaction between these compounds (the enthalpy change was delta H degree = -4.2 kcal/mol), which is consistent with a stacking model of CAF-TPT interaction. Thus, the ability of CAF to protect HL-60 cells against the cell kinetic effects of CAM or TPT, as in the case of DNA intercalating topoisomerase II inhibitors, is most likely due to formation of complexes between CAF and these aromatic molecules, which result in reducing the effective concentration of the free form of these drugs available to the cells.
Value creation and appropriation in asymmetric alliances: the case of tech startups

This study of asymmetric supplier-customer alliances examines how different tensions and dimensions within the alliance shape value creation and value appropriation. This question would appear to be fundamental—as for many startups, successful launch and growth hinge on the ability to build lasting alliances with key industry players. The authors use resource dependence theory to carry out an analysis of two polar cases—one success story, one failure—involving tech startups and large customers. By analyzing the elements that impact value creation and value appropriation, we contribute to identifying: (1) the sources of asymmetry in vertical alliances—relative supplier-customer characteristics (2) two conditions of success when it comes to overcoming the tensions and problems brought about by asymmetries—learning with large customers and customer-specific investments and (3) positive results— dual value appropriation when the conditions for alliance success are properly implemented. In this paper, we shed light on this novel concept of dual value appropriation—where both firms aim for superior joint value creation as the basis for their own competitiveness. Startup and customer firms may fully appropriate jointly generated value, in a relationship of symbiotic interdependence. We discuss the implications of these findings and compare them with existing resource dependence studies which delve into the subject of asymmetries. It should be noted that this research considers points of view from both supplier and customer sides of the alliance.
Knowledge Levels and Assumed Impact of Alternative Uses of Orphan Crops on Income and Poverty Levels in Kwara State , Nigeria

The study investigated the knowledge levels of orphan crops among farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria using primary data collected from 80 farmers randomly selected from Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. It was found that farmers are generally aware of them but are not much involved in their production. The alternative use of cassava for ethanol production has the potential to reduce the number of poor farmers from 55% to 47% based on 50% of the mean of gross income or from 90% to 57.5% based on $1/day. The farmers should be encouraged to engage in the production of these orphan crops for their alternative uses as a quick fix for poverty.
ADRENAL AND GONADAL STEROIDS IN GIRLS DURING SEXUAL MATURATION

The peripheral venous plasma concentrations of gonadotrophins (LH and FSH), prolactin (Prl), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone‐sulphate (DHA‐S), pregnenolone (Δ5P), progesterone (P), 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17P), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestradiol (E2) were measured in girls at different stages of sexual development (from P1 to P4–5 according to Tanner, 1962). Both gonadotrophins increase progressively during sexual maturation, to reach the highest concentrations in P4–5. However, the FSH values were significantly lower in these P4–5 pre‐menarchal girls than those found in adult women in the early follicular phase. No significant changes were found in plasma Prl, cortisol and 17P levels during pubertal development; in contrast, plasma concentrations of DHA tripled from P1 to P4–5, reaching adult levels. A progressive rise was also found in DHA‐S plasma levels. A significant, but less evident increase was found in Δ5P and P plasma concentrations, from group P1 to P4–5. A, T and DHT levels rose progressively and significantly from P1–2 to the end of sexual maturation. In the case of E2, only a moderate increase was found during pubertal development.