Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of combined effect of mixture variables on mechanical properties of cement treated demolition waste

One of high efficient ways to reuse the recycled construction and demolition waste (CDW) is to consider it as a road base material. The recycled CDW however is mainly a mix of recycled masonry and concrete with a wide variation in composition. This results that the mechanical properties of cement treated demolition waste are not only determined by cement content and degree of compaction, but also by the composition ratio of masonry to concrete. This paper investigates the combined effect of those three mixture variables on the mechanical properties of cement treated demolition waste by using response surface technique. The evaluated mechanical properties include the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), the elastic modulus and their ratio. Analytical results indicate that increasing the degree of compaction is an economic technique to obtain the required mechanical properties, but it is not an efficient method to enhance the admissible elastic strain (the ratio of UCS to E). Considering the pavement structure design with cement treated demolition base, improvement of its structural performance needs adjusting the masonry content and the cement content.
A curve model for association of serum homocysteine with carotid artery hemodynamics

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between carotid artery hemodynamics and serum homocysteine. Methods: A total of 894 participants made up of 439 male (49.11 %) and 455 female (50.89 %) from Ma’anshan, China, enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Data collection included demographics, blood sample and carotid ultrasonography. Piecewise linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between serum homocysteine and carotid artery hemodynamics. Results: Homocysteine (Hcy) levels were divided into four groups by quartiles. The populations of the groups were 226, 220, 222, 226; and their mean ages were 56.52 ± 10.49, 62.27 ± 10.06, 63.42 ± 9.81 and 65.38 ± 10.56 years, respectively. After adjustment for blood biochemical and demographics factors, U-shaped and S-shaped curves were as observed between Hcy and carotid artery hemodynamics. The adjusted regression analysis showed that the threshold values of Hcy with end diastolic velocity (EDV) of right common carotid artery (CCA) were 12.50 and 19.00, while for the EDV of right internal carotid artery (ICA), the values were 11.50 and 22.00. U-shaped curves were observed between Hcy and peak systolic velocity (PSV) of left CCA, EDV of left CCA, PSV of left ICA and EDV of left ICA. The threshold values of Hcy with PSV of left CCA, EDV of left CCA, PSV of left ICA and EDV of left ICA were 14.00, 14.00, 14.00 and 13.50, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that a significant correlation exists between homocysteine at different concentrations and carotid artery hemodynamics. Keywords: Homocysteine, Hemodynamics, End diastolic velocity, Peak systolic velocity
Epidemiological survey of oral and maxillofacial complex biopsies: 13 year retrospective study

Objective: To conduct a retrospective study through epidemiological survey of the biopsies of oral cavity performed at the Center of Pathology, Cytology, and Cytopathology– CEPACC in Parnaiba-PI, from 1998 to 2011. Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine referrals and reports were analyzed by evaluating the group and prevalence of oral lesions, anatomical location, and distribution in relation to type, gender, and age. Results: Females (52%) showed the greatest prevalence, observing more cases in the age range of 41 to 60 years. The lip was the preferable location of the analyzed lesions. The groups of the lesions in salivary glands (17%), malignant tumors of epithelial origin, benign tumors of conjunctive origin, premalignant lesions of epithelial origin, and odontogenic cysts were the most common lesions. Considering the isolated lesions, squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent. We observed a greater preference for salivary gland lesions, although great diversity of clinical cases was found. Conclusion: The reported lesions occurred mostly in adult females and in groups with salivary gland diseases. Keywords Epidemiology; Oral lesions; Biopsy; Oral Pathology; Diagnosis.
Labor Market Search, Wage Bargaining and Inflation Dynamics

This paper integrates a theory of equilibrium unemployment into a monetary model with nominal price rigidities. The model is used to study the dynamic response of the economy to a monetary policy shock. The labor market displays search and matching frictions and bargaining over real wages and hours of work. Search frictions generate unemployment in equilibrium. Wage bargaining introduces a microfounded real wage rigidity. First, I study a Nash bargaining model. Then, I develop an alternative bargaining model, which I refer to as right-to-manage bargaining. Both models have similar predictions in terms of real wage dynamics: bargaining significantly reduces the volatility of the real wage. But they have different implications for inflation dynamics: under right-to-manage, the real wage rigidity also results in smaller fluctuations of inflation. These findings are consistent with recent evidence suggesting that real wages and inflation only vary by a moderate amount in response to a monetary shock. Finally, the model can explain important features of labor-market fluctuations. In particular, a monetary expansion leads to a rise in job creation and to a hump-shaped decline in unemployment.
Digital Gender Divides and E-Empowerment in the UAE: A Critical Perspective.

The phenomenal diffusion and adoption of ICTs in the UAE is widely viewed as a game changer in the country’s struggle to address continuous significant gender gaps in the country. The small body of research on this topic has been, however, inconclusive, overtly optimistic, and insufficiently theorized. Addressing these lacuna, the article uses a survey covering 190 UAE students to answer the following three main questions: (Q1): To what extent have Emirati women appropriated the Internet in their everyday life? (Q2): How do gender relations inform the use and appropriation of the Internet in the country? (Q3): To what extent have Emirati women, through their use of the Internet and ICTs, been empowered to bridge existing gender divide? Drawing on Kabeer’s (2001; 2005) work, particularly her distinction between “active” and “transformative” agency, the article argues that while ICTs help Emirati women have better access to various resources, such as education and the job market, there is little evidence to suggest that new technologies alone enable women to alter dominant gender power relations in society.
An empirical model of capital structure: Some new evidence

Using a general autoregressive distributed lag model, we estimate the longrun steady state determinants of corporate capital structure. We find that, in the long run, the leverage ratio is related positively to the corporate tax rate and firm size and negatively to future growth opportunities and stock returns. By contrast, there appears to be no relation between leverage and the corporate tax rate on a short-run year to year basis. Our results suggest that prior empirical evidence on capital structure is of questionable value precisely because of its failure to clearly separate the short-run relationship between leverage and its determinants from its long-run relationship.
The Relative Importance of Indicators of Perceived Jordanian Islamic Garments Quality: An Application of Non-Jordanian Consumers in Foreign Markets

This study aims at identifying the relative importance of quality measures elements of the Jordanian Islamic garments as perceived by non-Jordanian consumers in foreign markets. In addition, it examines the moderating effect of demographic characteristics and the country of citizenship on the perceived quality of Jordanian garments. The study's population consists of consumers of Islamic women garments in the UK and Canada. A structured questionnaire was sent to several Islamic women clothes retail shops, in both the UK and Canada, where Jordanian Islamic clothes are being displayed. Depending on this study type and hypotheses, frequency table, percentages, t-Test, and ANOVA test, were used for hypotheses testing. The reliability and validity of the scales were found to be satisfactory. The study found that the four most important quality indicators as perceived by Non-Jordanian consumers of the Islamic women' garments are: The product attributes (design, appearance, sizing and textile factor), price (value), store attributes, and promotion . It was also found that all of the study’s quality indicators of Jordanian Islamic garments were positively perceived by Non- Jordanian consumers in foreign markets. Furthermore, the perceived quality indicators were found to differe in terms of the demographic variables (age, education level, income level, and marital status) .
Features Screen-Detected Lung Nodules Shows Multiple Malignant Molecular Profiling of Computed Tomography

Rationale and Purpose: Low-dose spiral computerized axial tomography (spiral CT) is effective for the detection of small early lung cancers. Although published data seem promising, there has been a significant degree of discussion concerning the potential of overdiagnosis in the context of spiral CT–based screening. The objective of the current study was to analyze the phenotypic and genetic alterations in the small pulmonary malignancies resected after detection in the University of Navarra/International Early Lung Cancer Action Project spiral CT screening trial and to determine whether their malignant molecular features are similar to those of resected lung tumors diagnosed conventionally. Experimental Design: We analyzed 17 biomarkers of lung epithelial malignancy in a series of 11 tumors resected at our institution during the last 4 years (1,004 high-risk individuals screened), using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A parallel series of 11 gender-, stage-, and histology-matched lung cancers diagnosed by other means except screening was used as control. Results: The molecular alterations and the frequency of phenotypic or genetic aberrations were very similar when screen-detected and nonscreen-detected lung cancers were compared. Furthermore, most of the alterations found in the screen-detected cancers from this study were concordant with what has been described previously for stage I-II lung cancer. Conclusions: Small early-stage lung cancers resected after detection in a spiral CT-based screening trial reveal malignant molecular features similar to those found in conventionally diagnosed lung cancers, suggesting that the screen-detected cancers are not overdiagnosed. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(2):373–80)
Bend-Flow Simulation Using 2D Depth-Averaged Model

The purpose of this paper is to present a 2D depth-averaged model for simulating and examining flow patters in channel bends. In particular, this paper proposes a 2D depth-averaged model that takes into account the influence of the secondary flow phenomenon through the calculation of the dispersion stresses arisen from the integration of the products of the discrepancy between the mean and the true velocity distributions. The proposed model uses an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system to efficiently and accurately simulate the flow field with irregular boundaries. As for the numerical solution procedure, the two-step split-operator approach consisting of the dispersion step and the propagation step with the staggered grid is used to numerically solve the flow governing equations. Two sets of experimental data from de Vriend and Koch and from Rozovskii were used to demonstrate the model’s capabilities. The former data set was from a mildly curved channel, whereas the latter was from a sharply curved channel. The simulations considering the secondary flow effect agree well with the measured data. Furthermore, an examination of the dispersion stress terms shows that the dispersion stresses play a major role in the transverse convection of the momentum shifting from the inner bank to the outer bank for flows in both mild and sharp bends.
Effects of Fermented Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) Seed Meal on Growth Performance, Carcass and Internal Organs Evaluation of Broiler Finisher Chickens

Two hundred (200) day-old broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effects of graded levels of fermented Jatropha curcas seed meal on growth performance, carcass yield and internal organ characteristics of broiler chickens. The chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments consisting of four replicates of ten birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were the inclusion levels of fermented Jatropha curcas meal at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7% and 10%. Data were collected for eight weeks on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the experiment, 8 birds were randomly selected from each treatment and slaughtered to determine the effect of graded levels of fermented Jatropha curcas seed meal on carcass yield and internal organs characteristics. The result of growth performance revealed that all parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments except FCR. Carcass yield and internal organs characteristics were significantly different (P<0.05) across the treatment groups except for large intestine weight. Birds on 2.5% replacement level gave better weight gain than other treatments that contain fermented Jatropha seed meal.
Simulation of rice yield under different irrigation and nitrogen application managements by CropSyst model

The aim of this study was the calibration and validation of CropSyst model for rice in the city of Rasht. The necessary data were extracted from a field experiment which was carried out during 2005-2007 in a split-plot design. The main plots were irrigation regimes including continuous flooding irrigation and 5-day irrigation intervals. The subplots consisted of four nitrogen levels: zero N application, 45, 60 and 75 kg N ha -1 . Normalized Root Mean Squared Error (nRMSE) and Residual Mass Coefficient (Crm) in calibration years were 9.3 % and 0.06, respectively. In validation year, nRMSE and Crm were 9.7 % and 0.11, respectively. According to other indices to assess irrigation regimes and fertilizer levels, the most suitable treatments regarding environmental aspect were 5-day irrigation regime and 45 kg N ha -1 .
THE CORRELATION OF WELD MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES WITH ELEMENT TRANSFER IN SAW WELDS

This study explores the effect of various elements transfer to the welds on its microstructure and properties. The fluxes were designed using RSM and were made by agglomeration technique. This study reveals that the pearlite or ferrite formation in the welds depends upon the flux constituents. The carbon, manganese, oxygen and nickel transfer have been correlated with the pearlite formation in the welds. The welds dilution also shows a significant effect on weld properties.
Examining the Legibility of Two New ClearType Fonts

Summary: This article introduces six new ClearType fonts developed by Microsoft. Legibility of two of the serif fonts, Cambria and Constantia, is compared to the traditional serif font Times New Roman. Results show that the legibility, as measured by the number of correct identifications of briefly presented characters, was highest for the new font Cambria, followed by Constantia, and then Times New Roman. Old style digits, such as 0,1, and 2, used in Constantia resulted in confusion with the letters o, l, and z. Times New Roman symbols were confused with both letters and other symbols.
Cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures

Background: This study compared functional outcome and results between cemented and uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty in patients older than 60 years with displaced femoral neck fracture. Methods: Total fifty four patients with displaced femoral neck fracture were enrolled in this study. Out of total twenty eight patients underwent uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty and remaining twenty six patients underwent cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Physical examination and radiographs were performed at the first and sixth months after operation and results were recorded. The patient’s pain and functions were evaluated with visual analogue scale and Harris Hip Score and then compared to each other. Results: All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Mean operation and bleeding times were longer in cemented group compared to the uncemented group (p>0.05). The mean pain score was significantly less in the cemented group compared to the uncemented group (p=0.001). Hip functional outcome based on HHS was more in the cemented (p=0.001). The intraoperative and postoperative complication rate was higher in the uncemented group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Although higher rates of intraoperative bleeding and surgery time were seen with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty in older patients with femoral neck fracture compared to uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty, cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty can cause less complication and improve patient’s function in less time.
Analizing high school students' problem solving through their personal epistemologies

A case study is presented in which the epistemic aspects of three students’ productions during problem solving are analyzed. These students address a non-instructional Mechanics problem. The theoretical framework adopted is that of Cognitive Resources, which assumes that students’ cognitive activities are epistemicaly framed via the activation of epistemic resources. The analysis shows that students’ epistemic frames can account for certain characteristics of their reasonings. Furthermore, the epistemic analysis offered gives insight into how they are able to carry out a metacognitive analysis on their own reasoning. Regarding the characteristics in these students personal epistemologies, these high-school students exhibit an epistemic sophistication compared to that of more advanced university students reported in the literature.
The Effects of Short-Term Exercise on Anthropometric Measurements

Currently in the United States, one in four adults is considered either overweight or obese and efforts are underway by U.S. government agencies and health professionals to encourage adults to take control of their health status; including more exercise and dietary changes. In response, a new exercise program called “boot camp” has been introduced in communities across the U.S. The boot camps are a series of short-term programs 4 weeks in duration and are modeled after military basic training for new recruits, or boot camp. During these four weeks, participants undergo a rigorous cardiovascular, weight training and dietary program. For this study, 62 subjects participated in a series of boot camps in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA. These subjects, in coordination with the boot camp instructor, were body scanned before and after completing the program. This allowed the participants to determine where anthropometric changes occurred in their somatotypes. This paper discusses the temporal changes in anthropometric measurements obtained from a 3D body scanner and a medical-grade scale as a result of a rigorous exercise and dietary program. Of the 74 subjects, 5 were male and 69 were female, and ages ranged from 18 to 58 at the time of the boot camp program. Pre-program BMIs for female subjects ranged from 19.5 to 41.1 and for male participants 26.2 to 32.4. The female subjects lost an average of 2.5 kilograms during the 4 week period, while males lost an average of 5.4 kilograms. On average, the female subjects lost 2.54 cm and men lost 4.1 cm in belly circumference. Preversus post-body scanning results indicated that the change in belly circumference is correlated with the change in BMI for both genders (r = 0.46 for females, r = 0.75 for males). This paper presents the protocol and other statistics describing how the results of changes in somatotypes as a result of an exercise program can be captured by body scanning technology. In addition, this paper explores how people attempting to alter their body shape, such as professional athletes gaining weight or persons in weight loss programs, can measure their progress from the scans. 3D body scans may be much more affirming and motivating to an individual trying to reduce or reshape their body, especially when weight stays the same or is slow to change.
The role of adjunct nanofibrillar collagen scaffold implantation in the surgical management of secondary lymphedema: Review of the literature and summary of initial pilot studies

Secondary lymphedema is a worldwide affliction that exacts a significant public health burden. This review examines the etiology, presentation, and management of secondary lymphedema. In addition, emerging adjunctive strategies are explored, specifically evidence from animal and pilot human studies regarding implantation of a collagen nanofibrillar scaffold (BioBridge™; Fibralign Corporation, Union City, CA) in promoting lymphangiogenesis, preventing and treating lymphedema, and enhancing outcomes with lymphaticovenous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node transfer.
Intra-household sharing of financial resources : a review

Since the 1960s, the allocation of resources in couples has been the object of much research in both the fields of economics and sociology. Today, the growth of women’s economic independence and their increased potential to control economic resources within their households raise important questions about the dynamics of intra-household sharing and calls for a reconsideration of existing theories on the allocation of household resources. This article reviews, in a non-technical way, the two lines of research, in economics and sociology respectively, which have focused on the sharing of financial resources within a common unit of analysis: the household. After outlining their alternative applications and highlighting the similarities and differences between the two – starting from the unitary models of behaviour and encompassing bargaining theory, collective goods, and transaction cost approach – we discuss new developments in the form of the dynamic models and preference theory. Finally, we reflect on the challenges that the field currently faces and suggest possible pathways for future research.