Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OC04.03: Comparison between two surgical techniques for prenatal correction of meningomyelocele in sheep

OBJECTIVE To compare the classical neurosurgical technique with a new simplified technique for prenatal repair of a myelomeningocele-like defect in sheep. METHODS A myelomeningocele-like defect (laminectomy and dural excision) was created in the lumbar region on day 90 of gestation in 9 pregnant sheep. Correction technique was randomized. In Group 1 the defect was corrected using the classic neurosurgical technique of three-layer suture (dura mater, muscle and skin closure) performed by a neurosurgeon. In Group 2, a fetal medicine specialist used a biosynthetic cellulose patch to protect the spinal cord and only the skin was sutured above it. Near term (day 132 of gestation) fetuses were sacrificed for pathological analysis. RESULTS There were two miscarriages and one maternal death. In total, six cases were available for pathological analysis, three in each group. In Group 1, there were adherence of the spinal cord to the scar (meningo-neural adhesion) and spinal cord architecture loss with posterior funiculus destruction and no visualization of grey matter. In Group 2, we observed in all cases formation of a neo-dura mater, separating the nervous tissue from adjacent muscles, and preserving the posterior funiculus and grey matter. CONCLUSION The new simplified technique was better than the classic neurosurgical technique. It preserved the nervous tissue and prevented the adherence of the spinal cord to the scar. This suggests the current technique used for the correction of spina bifida in humans may need to be reassessed.
Study of thermal instability of HMX crystalline polymorphs with and without molecular vacancies using reactive force field molecular dynamics

John F. Moxnes, Tomas L. Jensen, Erik Unneberg Study of thermal instability of HMX crystalline polymorphs with and without molecular vacancies using reactive force field molecular dynamics Advanced Studies in Theoretical Physics, Vol. 10, 2016, no. 7, 331-349
DETERMINANTS OF STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE IN BANGLADESH

Stock market influences economic activity through the creation of liquidity of capital investment. Liquid stock markets make investment less risky and more investment. Stock market in Bangladesh is characterized by frequent changes in regulations, low market sizes-market capital & turnover, lowest number of financial products, low contribution to national exchequer, influx of large number investors without relevant knowledge, and expertise. Besides, Bangladesh stock market experienced different problems-regulatory failure, unethical and ill objective oriented behavior of market participants, lack of due diligence, and manipulation. So, market cannot perform well. In view of this, the present study has been undertaken aiming at identifying determinants of stock market in Bangladesh. The study has collected data from the secondary sources and analyzed the data collected by applying some descriptive measures, and linear regression model. The study has found that the stock market of the country is characterized by different features such as low size, low liquidity, low depth, acute fund crisis and so on. The study has also found from linear regression analysis that all macro-economic variables such as CPI, Interest Rate, IR, and ER have significant impact on the stock market performance. Finally, the paper concludes with some pragmatic policy measures such as sound macroeconomic policy for monitoring interest rate and exchange rate movement. Keywords : Stock Market, Liquidity, Performance, Macro-economy, and investment
Leaning In and Pushing Through: The Challenges and Strategies of African American Women Executives of Nonprofit Organizations in the New York Metropolitan Area

Within the nonprofit sector, people of color aspire to be leaders more than their White counterparts (Thomas-Breitfeld & Kunreuther, 2017). Black women are 2.8 times more likely than White women to aspire to powerful positions with a prestigious title, but 44% feel stalled and 26% feel their efforts go unrecognized by superiors more than their White female counterparts (Hewlett & Green, 2015). With a limited number of Black women in executive positions within the social sector, little is known about the perceived obstacles and employed strategies to navigate their way to the decision-making positions, specifically social justice organizations. The purpose of this study was to delve into the lived experiences of African American women who have acquired executive positions in the social sector and uncover a blueprint for success in navigating through the leadership labyrinth. The study utilizes social capital theory and Black feminist theory in exploring the narratives of the participants. The study utilized a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants from the New York metropolitan area. The findings of obstacles African American women experienced included (a) negative feedback, (b) perception of leadership, (c) fiscal solvency, and compensation. The strategies revealed by African American women were (a) positive feedback, (b) professional development and academic advancement, (c) connection to culture, (d) unsolicited opportunity, (e) mentoring and sponsorship, and (f) trailblazing. The women also shared recommendations of what those who aspire to be leaders should consider while on their journey to acquiring a nonprofit executive position. Document Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Janice Kelly Second Supervisor Bil Leipold Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: https://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/342 Leaning In and Pushing Through: The Challenges and Strategies of African American Women Executives of Nonprofit Organizations in the New York Metropolitan Area
Heat transport and the large-scale circulation in rotating turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection

Measurements of the Nusselt number Nu and of properties of the large-scale circulation (LSC) for turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection are presented in the presence of rotation about a vertical axis at angular speeds 0 ≤ Ω ≲ 2 rad s−1. The sample chamber was cylindrical with a height equal to the diameter, and the fluid contained in it was water. The LSC was studied by measuring sidewall temperatures as a function of azimuthal position. The measurements covered the Rayleigh-number range 3 × 108 ≲ Ra ≲ 2 × 1010, the Prandtl-number range 3.0 ≲ Pr ≲ 6.4 and the Rossby-number range 0 ≤ (1/Ro ∝ Ω) ≲ 20. At modest 1/Ro, we found an enhancement of Nu due to Ekman-vortex pumping by as much as 20%. As 1/Ro increased from zero, this enhancement set in discontinuously at and grew above 1/Roc. The value of 1/Roc varied from about 0.48 at Pr = 3 to about 0.35 at Pr = 6.2. At sufficiently large 1/Ro (large rotation rates), Nu decreased again, due to the Taylor–Proudman (TP) effect, and reached values well below its value without rotation. The maximum enhancement increased with increasing Pr and decreasing Ra and, we believe, was determined by a competition between the Ekman enhancement and the TP depression. The temperature signature along the sidewall of the LSC was detectable by our method up to 1/Ro ≃ 1. The frequency of cessations α of the LSC grew dramatically with increasing 1/Ro, from about 10−5 s−1 at 1/Ro = 0 to about 2 × 10−4 s−1 at 1/Ro = 0.25. A discontinuous further increase of α, by about a factor of 2.5, occurred at 1/Roc. With increasing 1/Ro, the time-averaged and azimuthally averaged vertical thermal gradient along the sidewall first decreased and then increased again, with a minimum somewhat below 1/Roc. The Reynolds number of the LSC, determined from oscillations of the time correlation functions of the sidewall temperatures, was constant within our resolution for 1/Ro ≲ 0.3 and then decreased with increasing 1/Ro. The retrograde rotation rate of the LSC circulation plane exhibited complex behaviour as a function of 1/Ro even at small rotation rates corresponding to 1/Ro < 1/Roc.
Importance of Characterizing Determinants of Variability in Exposure: Application to Dasatinib in Subjects With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Characterizing the key determinants of variability in the exposure of orally administered drugs may be important in understanding the implications of exposure variability on clinical responses. In particular, partitioning overall variability into interoccasion variability (IOV) and interindividual variability (IIV) allows a better assessment of the clinical importance of exposure variability. The IOV characterizes the dose‐to‐dose variability in exposure within a subject and is likely to be less clinically relevant than IIV for chronically administered drugs as the effect of IOV averages out over repeated dosing. The main aims of this model‐based analysis were (1) to characterize the IOV and IIV of dasatinib, a novel, orally administered, multitargeted kinase inhibitor of BCR‐ABL and SRC family kinases that is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and (2) to demonstrate using simulated data that it is possible to estimate IIV and IOV in relative bioavailability (FR) of an orally administered drug, given an adequate sampling scheme. Variability in dasatinib exposure was estimated to be mainly due to IOV in FR (44% coefficient of variation [CV]) and, to a lesser extent, due to IIV in FR and IIV in clearance (32% and 25% CV, respectively). The IIV is expected to be more clinically relevant than IOV for chronically administered oral drugs such as dasatinib, as the overall variability in cumulative exposure will be mainly due to IIV. The analysis of simulated data demonstrated that models ignoring either IIV or IOV in FR resulted in upwardly biased estimates of interindividual or residual variability. Thus, it may be important to account for both IIV and IOV in FR, particularly for orally administered agents that exhibit absorption‐related variability in exposure.
Effects of Central Cortical EEG Feedback Training on Incidence of Poorly Controlled Seizures

This study examined the clinical effects of central cortical EEG feedback training in 8 patients with poorly controlled seizures. After base‐line recordings, patients were trained in the laboratory and then initiated on a double or triple crossover design using portable equipment at home, with bimonthly laboratory test sessions. Performance at home was monitored by a strip chart recorder with the portable unit. Training was based on the simultaneous detection of two central cortical (C3‐T3) EEG frequency bands (6–9 Hz and either 12–15 or 18–23 Hz), with reward provided for the occurrence of one in the absence of the other. The design consisted of successive 3 month periods of training, with reward contingencies reversed after each period without the subject's knowledge. Seizure incidence records were compared statistically before, during, and after the design. Six of the 8 patients reported significant and sustained seizure reductions, which averaged 74%, following reward for either 12–15 or 18–23 Hz in the absence of 6–9 Hz. Response to positive reward for 12–15 Hz was specific, with seizure rates returning to base line when reinforcement contingencies were reversed. Reduced seizure rates following positive reward for 18–23 Hz were not altered with contingency reversals. A nonspecific interpretation of these effects is rejected in favor of an EEG normalizing hypothesis.
Determinant Micro Financing Repayment In Bank Bri Syariah Kcp Cimahi

The purpose of this research is to know the determinant of micro financing repayment. This research was triggered by phenomena delay in micro financing repayment by customers who caused increase NPF (Non Performing Financing) a bank because of repayment disorder. The method of this research used explanatory survey by data collecting technique with primary and secondary data from the bank and by interviewed through questionnaire to micro financing customers. This research obtained 117 samples consits of 65 good customers and 52 bad customers in this research. To get data this research use Probability Sampling. Analysis instrument which used by logistic regression method. The result of this research showed that multivariates analysis to six independen variables, only earning business variable and loan period which are significantly affected to micro financing repayment. While, educational level, loan amount, collateral value, and numbers of family did not significantly to micro financing repayment.
Breast cancer incidence in ex‐smokers in relation to body mass index, weight gain and blood lipid levels

According to several studies breast cancer is more common among former smokers. This study explores whether this association has any relationship with anthropometric measurements or blood lipid levels. The 2082 ex‐smokers (mean age 49.9 years) in the Malmö Preventive Cohort were followed for an average of 13.3 years using official cancer registries. This yielded 93 incident breast cancer cases. Oestrogen receptor (ER) status was assessed by an immunological method. Incidence of breast cancer covaried with height, body mass index, weight gain and cholesterol levels. None of these associations reached statistical significance. Incidence of breast cancer increased over quartiles of serum triglycerides, Ptrend: 0.02, relative risk (RR) for triglycerides as a continuous variable: 1.46 (1.21–1.77). Nineteen tumours were ER negative; this subgroup was similarly related to high triglycerides, 1.76 (1.40–2.21). All results were similar when BMI and cholesterol levels were entered into the model. It is concluded that breast cancer incidence covaries with triglyceride levels in ex‐smokers.
An Accurate and Robust Strip-Edge-Based Structured Light Means for Shiny Surface Micromeasurement in 3-D

Three-dimensional measurement of shiny or reflective surface is a challenging issue for optical-based instrumentations. In this paper, we present a novel structured light approach for direct measurement of shiny target so as to skip the coating preprocedure. In comparison with traditional image-intensity-based structured light coding strategies like sinusoidal and line patterns, strip edges not raw image intensities are encoded in the illuminated patterns. With strip edges generally better preserved than individual image intensity in the image data in the presence of surface reflections, such a coding strategy is more robust. To remove the periodic ambiguity within strip patterns, traditional Gray code patterns are adopted. To localize the strip edges more precisely, both positive and negative strip patterns are used. An improved zero-crossing feature detector that has subpixel accuracy is proposed for strip-edge localization. The experimental setup is configured with merely an off-the-shelf pico-projector and a camera. Extensive experiments including accuracy evaluation, comparison with previous structured light algorithms, and the reconstruction of some real shiny objects are shown to demonstrate the system's accuracy and endurance against reflective nature of surfaces.
Safety of cryopreservation straws for human gametes or embryos: a preliminary study with human immunodeficiency virus-1.

The aim of this preliminary experimental study was to test the stability of cryopreservation straws to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Three kinds of straws were tested: four polyvinyl chloride (PVC), four polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and 20 high-security ionomeric resin (IR). The PVC and PETG straws were sealed ultrasonically, and the IR straw by thermosoldering. Each sealed straw was cut in half to produce two demi-straws and then filled with 100 microl of HIV-1-containing supernatant (reverse transcriptase activity: 15 000 c.p.m./50 microl). The unsealed cotton end of PVC and PETG straws and the two halves of the IR straws (cotton and plastic plug ends) were tested. Each demi-straw was two- thirds submerged in RPMI medium at 37 degrees C, and RPMI samples were withdrawn on days 3, 7 and 11. Viral RNA was extracted from the medium and then amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by nested PCR using primers specific to HIV-1 protease. On day 7, no HIV-1 RNA was detected in any of the different samples of medium that had surrounded the unsealed PVC and PETG straws with cotton ends, but three IR specimens were positive. On day 11, PVC and PETG remained negative but HIV-1 RNA was detected in RPMI samples for two more IR demi-straws (n = 5). In conclusion, under these experimental conditions (at 37 degrees C), the unsealed cotton end PVC, PETG and thermosoldered cotton end IR demi-straws appeared to be safe for HIV-1, while IR straws, sealed or unsealed with a plastic plug and with unsealed cotton ends, leaked.
Summaries of Current Research Findings in the Children ’ s Mental Health Field issue numbers 71-93 december , 2003

for Children’s Mental Health Department of Child & Family Studies Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute University of South Florida 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33612-3807 813/974-4661 Fax: 813/974-6257 kutash@fmhi.usf.edu http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu Summaries of Current Research Findings in the Children’s Mental Health Field issue numbers 49-70 december, 2002 Robert M. Friedman, Ph.D. Krista Kutash, Ph.D. Catherine C. Newman, M.A.
Young children's performance on the balance scale: the influence of relational complexity.

Three experiments investigated the effect of complexity on children's understanding of a beam balance. In nonconflict problems, weights or distances varied, while the other was held constant. In conflict items, both weight and distance varied, and items were of three kinds: weight dominant, distance dominant, or balance (in which neither was dominant). In Experiment 1, 2-year-old children succeeded on nonconflict-weight and nonconflict-distance problems. This result was replicated in Experiment 2, but performance on conflict items did not exceed chance. In Experiment 3, 3- and 4-year-olds succeeded on all except conflict balance problems, while 5- and 6-year-olds succeeded on all problem types. The results were interpreted in terms of relational complexity theory. Children aged 2 to 4 years succeeded on problems that entailed binary relations, but 5- and 6-year-olds also succeeded on problems that entailed ternary relations. Ternary relations tasks from other domains--transitivity and class inclusion--accounted for 93% of the age-related variance in balance scale scores.
High-intensity interval training and athletic performance in Taekwondo athletes.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on athletic performance in Taekwondo athletes. METHODS Thirty-three male and female collegiate Taekwondo athletes were randomly divided into a HIIT group (N.=16) or a high-intensity continuous running (HICR) group (N.=17). The HIIT group undertook training of high-intensity sprints interspersed with active rest periods whilst the HICR group participated in high-intensity running for a continuous period. Both groups completed 11 sessions over 4 weeks. Physique, body composition, Wingate anaerobic test and VO2max test were measured. The vertical jump test, agility T-test and sit-ups were used to assess physical fitness. Repeated measures ANCOVAs with sex as a covariate were applied and significant level was set at 0.05. RESULTS Following 11 sessions of training, significant improvements in anaerobic peak power (P<0.05), relative peak power (P<0.05), and mean power (P<0.05) were observed only in HIIT group compared to HICR group. A greater improvement of aerobic capacity was observed in HIIT group (8.8%) compared to the HICR group (1.7%). In relation to physical fitness, the HIIT group improved in the vertical jump while the HICR group did not change. Both the HIIT and HICR groups showed greater improvements in T-test and sit-ups during the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the effectiveness of eleven sessions of HIIT in producing significant improvements in anaerobic capacity relevant to successful Taekwondo competition performance in collegiate Taekwondo athletes. This could inform the future planning of Taekwondo athletes' pre-competition training, specifically the influence of training intensity on anaerobic capacity.
Do Cash Transfers Trigger Investments? Evidence for Peru

This paper provides an impact evaluation of the Juntos programme on households' decision to invest in livestock and agricultural and non-agricultural assets used for income generating activities. Using Propensity Score Matching and Difference in Difference techniques, we show: i) that beneficiaries are significantly more likely to invest in productive assets and activities with respect to non-beneficiaries; ii) that Juntos is more likely to relax liquidity contraints rather than to be used as an insurance for risky investments; iii) that the program benefits the poor but not the poorest of the poor. Duration and transfers regularity do not produce significant differences between groups of beneficiaries. However, results show a sustained impact of the programme over time.
Glycogen metabolism in aerobic mixed cultures.

In this study, the metabolism of glycogen storage and consumption in mixed cultures under aerobic conditions is described. The experimental results are used to calibrate a metabolic model, which as sole stoichiometric variables has the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation (delta) and maintenance requirement in units of adenosine triphosphate (m(ATP)). Using the experimental data and values from the literature we show that delta and m(ATP) are strongly coupled and that the values determined for glycogen and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) metabolism are similar. We also demonstrate that storage of glycogen and subsequent growth occur without significant loss of energy, as compared with direct growth on glucose. For kinetic modeling, Monod kinetics is used most commonly in activated sludge models to describe the rate of microbial transformation. Monod kinetics, however, does not provide a good description of the data obtained. Second-order kinetics gives a better description of the rate of glycogen degradation. Formation and consumption of glycogen appears to be much faster than for PHB.
Application of Microemulsions in Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable colloidal dispersions of water and oil stabilized by a surfactant and, in many cases, also a cosurfactant. In the pharmaceutical field, microemulsions have been used as drug carriers for percutaneous, ocular, oral and parenteral administration. This review discusses some of the applications of microemulsions specifically for topical and transdermal applications. Microemulsion nomenclature and composition, with particular emphasis on choice of surfactant and cosurfactant, is discussed. Methods used to characterize microemulsions are reviewed. Microemulsion formulations for dermal and transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical agents with particular emphasis on anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic agents are critically evaluated. Finally, the issues which warrant further investigation by researchers in order to realize the full potential of the technology are discussed.