Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational Simulations of Bone Remodeling under Natural Mechanical Loading or Muscle Malfunction Using Evolutionary Structural Optimization Method

Live bone inherently responds to applied mechanical stimulus by altering its internal tissue composition and ultimately biomechanical properties, structure and function. The final formation may structurally appear inferior by design but complete by function. To understand the loading response, this paper numerically investigated structural remodeling of mature sheep femur using evolutionary structural optimization method (ESO). Femur images from Computed Tomography scanner were used to determine the elastic modulus variation and subsequently construct finite element model of the femur with stiffest elasticity measured. Major muscle forces on dominant phases of healthy sheep gait were imposed on the femur under static mode. ESO was applied to progressively alter the remodeling of numerically simulated femur from its initial to final design by iteratively removing elements with low strain energy density (SED). The computations were repeated with two different mesh sizes to test the convergence. The elements within the medullary canal had low SEDs and therefore were removed during the optimization. The SEDs in the remaining elements varied with angle around the circumference of the shaft. Those elements with low SED were inefficient in supporting the load and thus fundamentally explained how bone remodels itself with less stiff inferior tissue to meet load demand. This was in line with the Wolff’s law of transformation of bone. Tissue growth and remodeling process was found to shape the sheep femur to a mechanically optimized structure and this was initiated by SED in macro-scale according to traditional principle of Wolff’s law.
An evaluation of algorithms designed to classify the results from frequency doubling perimetry

All previously published algorithms for the interpretation of frequency doubling perimetry test results were compared in full‐threshold mode in a large group of glaucoma patients (n = 452) and normal subjects (n = 237). Areas under the receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve ranged from 0.86 to 0.92. None of the algorithms performed substantially better than simply counting the number of defects p < 1% in the total deviation plot. For this algorithm, we found a sensitivity of 0.90 and a specificity of 0.81 at a cut‐off point of >1 defect, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.92.
Freestyle race pacing strategies (400 m) of elite able-bodied swimmers and swimmers with disability at major international championships

ABSTRACT Freestyle race pacing strategies (400 m) were compared between elite able-bodied swimmers and those with minimal physical (International Paralympic Committee S10 classification) and visual disabilities (International Paralympic Committee S13 classification). Data comprised 50-m lap splits and overall race times from 1176 400-m freestyle swims from World Championships, European Championships and Olympic/Paralympic Games between 2006 and 2012. Five pacing strategies were identified across groups (even, fast start, negative, parabolic and parabolic fast start), with negative and even strategies the most commonly adopted. The negative pacing strategy produced the fastest race times for all groups except for female S13 swimmers where an even strategy was most effective. Able-bodied groups swam faster than their S10 and S13 counterparts, with no differences between S10 and S13 groups. The results suggest adoption of multiple pacing strategies across groups, and even where impairments are considered minimal they are still associated with performance detriments in comparison to their able-bodied counterparts. The findings have implications for the planning and implementation of training related to pacing strategies to ensure optimal swimmer preparation for competition. Analogous performance levels in S10 and S13 swimmers also suggest a case for integrated competition of these classifications in 400-m freestyle swimming.
Development and validation of the Nursing Workplace Satisfaction Questionnaire (NWSQ)

Abstract A nursing job satisfaction questionnaire was designed by a project group of nurses seeking a suitable job satisfaction measure to track as an outcome in a large Sydney hospital-wide models of nursing care project. Existing tools were rejected by the group as overly lengthy, US-biased and over-using respondent assessment of the character of the work environment as a proxy for job satisfaction, or happiness at work. A one-page, 14-item tool was developed after instrument reviewing and facilitated groupwork. The tool reduces to three measurable domains: intrinsic, extrinsic and relational job satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 220 responses) confirmed the validity of this ‘three-way’ conceptualisation of nursing job satisfaction. Internal consistency analysis on a larger sample of responses (n = 459) yielded high Cronbach’s Alpha values for all three domains and for the total overall, suggesting a stable and reliable measure. The NWSQ is short, one page, sensibly worded for Australian conditions and yields scoring against three validated domains. It holds significant potential utility as a standard metric for prospective ward-based or institution-wide performance trending.
Treatment Outcome of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Physiological and Neuropsychological Concomitants

This study examines the cognitive and emotional changes associated with successful surgical treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OS A). By comparing the OS A patients with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery before (2 weeks) and after (3 months) surgical intervention on a comprehensive psychological battery, it was determined that both groups exhibited anxiety and depression before surgery and these elevations (MMPI) were significantly lower after surgery. However, no differences were found between groups on any emotional or cognitive variable before or after surgical treatment.
Effects of nifedipine GITS and diuretics in isolated systolic hypertension - a subanalysis of the INSIGHT study

Aims: This study tested the effects on cardiovascular outcomes of treatments based on nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) compared with the diuretic combination co-amilozide in a pre-specified subset of patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) enrolled in the International Nifedipine GITS Study: Intervention as a Goal in Hypertension Treatment (INSIGHT) study. Major findings: Of 6321 randomized patients, 1498 (23.7%) had ISH with a baseline mean BP of 173/88 mmHg in both treatment groups. Mean BP fell by 29/10 mmHg in the nifedipine and 30/10 mmHg in the diuretic group to a mean BP of 144/78 mmHg and 143/79 mmHg, respectively, at endpoint. The percentage of primary outcomes in patients with ISH was not significantly different between the two treatment groups (nifedipine GITS 6.0%, co-amilozide 6.6%). The number of ISH patients with composite secondary outcomes was 90 (12.2%) in the nifedipine GITS group and 110 (14.5%) in the co-amilozide group (not significant). The incidence rates of primary and secondary outcomes were similar in patients without ISH. Conclusion: In patients with ISH, nifedipine GITS and co-amilozide had similar effects on clinical outcomes and BP lowering. They lend support to international guidelines for the treatment of hypertension recommending the use of long-acting dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers as one treatment option for patients with ISH.
Epidemiology of Kidney Discard from Expanded Criteria Donors Undergoing Donation after Circulatory Death.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The broader use of combined expanded criteria donor and donation after circulatory death (ECD/DCD) kidneys may help expand the deceased donor pool. The purpose of our study was to evaluate discard rates of kidneys from ECD/DCD donors and factors associated with discard. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS ECD/DCD donors and kidneys were evaluated from January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2011 using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The kidney donor risk index was calculated for all ECD/DCD kidneys. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors for discarding both donor kidneys. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method and the log-rank statistic were used to assess the cumulative probability of graft failure for transplants from ECD/DCD donors where the mate kidney was discarded versus both kidneys were used. RESULTS There were 896 ECD/DCD donors comprising 1792 kidneys. Both kidneys were discarded in 44.5% of donors, whereas 51.0% of all available kidneys were discarded. The kidney donor risk index scores were higher among donors of discarded versus transplanted kidneys (median, 1.82; interquartile range, 1.60, 2.07 versus median, 1.67; interquartile range, 1.49, 1.87, respectively; P<0.001); however, the distributions showed considerable overlap. The adjusted odds ratios for discard were higher among donors who were older, diabetic, AB blood type, and hepatitis C positive. The cumulative probabilities of total graft failure at 1, 3, and 5 years were 17.3%, 36.5%, and 55.4% versus 13.8%, 24.7%, and 40.5% among kidneys from donors where only one versus both kidneys were transplanted, respectively (log rank P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows a significantly higher discard rate for ECD/DCD kidneys versus prior reports. Some discarded ECD/DCD kidneys may be acceptable for transplantation. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the factors that influence decision making around the use of ECD/DCD kidneys.
An energy‐aware performance analysis of SWIMM: Smith–Waterman implementation on Intel's Multicore and Manycore architectures

Alignment is essential in many areas such as biological, chemical and criminal forensics. The well‐known Smith–Waterman (SW) algorithm is able to retrieve the optimal local alignment with quadratic time and space complexity. There are several implementations that take advantage of computing parallelization, such as manycores, FPGAs or GPUs, in order to reduce the alignment effort. In this research, we adapt, develop and tune the SW algorithm named SWIMM on a heterogeneous platform based on Intel's Xeon and Xeon Phi coprocessor. SWIMM is a free tool available in a public git repository https://github.com/enzorucci/SWIMM. We efficiently exploit data and thread‐level parallelism, reaching up to 380 GCUPS on heterogeneous architecture, 350 GCUPS for the isolated Xeon and 50 GCUPS on Xeon Phi. Despite the heterogeneous implementation obtaining the best performance, it is also the most energy‐demanding. In fact, we also present a trade‐off analysis between performance and power consumption. The greenest configuration is based on an isolated multicore system that exploits AVX2 instruction set architecture reaching 1.5 GCUPS/Watts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A readiness model for IT investment in the construction industry

The issues of IT failures have led to wide investigations efforts over the years. Ample evidence discovered that inability to evaluate organisation readiness among the main factor contributes to the failure. Most of the current IT/IS evaluation model focused on the post-implementation which failed to address the readiness of the organisation prior to the implementation. Assessing organisation readiness is critically important as a means for planning and adopting IT in organisation. Construction industry is among the critical industry that used IT extensively to support its long production processes. However, it is noted that the failure rate of IT project in this industry was also high, and one of the reasons identified was that the IT investment decision was made through ad-hoc manner without any adequate preparation. To date, it is found that only three readiness models available for IT evaluation in construction industry. Therefore, this paper will review the current available readiness model relating to IT investment in construction industry. It is anticipated that the findings can highlight the importance of developing an IT readiness model specifically for construction industry that focus on one aspect only that is the ‘soft issue’. Key words: Readiness, construction, IT evaluation, IT construction, readiness model.
Time difference of arrival dilution of precision and applications

Performance prediction for time difference of arrival (TDOA) systems that rely on standard covariance methods exhibit poor correlation with simulated results. A superior metric (TDOA dilution of precision (DOP)) is derived. DOP is familiar to Global Positioning System (GPS) users and, although the equations governing TDOA DOP are quite different, application of the concept is identical.
Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Particulate Deposition in the Lungs

Detailed knowledge of the transport of air and particles in the human lungs is needed for two reasons: the selection of the right dosage of aerosol drugs used in respiratory therapy and the analysis of the maximum allowable concentration for particulate in air. This work is the first step of a more complex study, purpose of which is to provide some predictive relationships in order to evaluate the depth reached by the particles in the lungs as a function of their size using numerical modeling. In this phase we validated our numerical method, comparing the obtained results with those found in the literature. The Computational Fluid Dynamics code FLUENT 6 with the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach was used to simulate particle trajectories. A model of double bifurcation, based on the morphometric studies by Weibel and Hammersley and Olson, was adopted in order to represent the whole central part of the respiratory system with the same geometry, appropriately scaled down. A method to create a realistic velocity profile at the inlet of the domain was developed, in order to obtain data about particle deposition also reliable about the first bifurcation, unlike previous works.
In the Eye of the Beholder: Motivational Effects of Gender Differences in Perceptions of Teachers

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether girls’ and boys’ perceptions of their teacher may explain gender-related difference in academic motivation. One hundred and twenty-nine ninth-grade Israeli students (67 males and 62 females) completed a questionnaire designed to assess their motivation to learn, their affect while studying in school, and their perception of their teachers’ behaviors. The results indicate that girls tend to perceive their teacher as more supportive than do boys and that this perception mediates gender-related differences in motivation and emotional experience. This finding suggests a mechanism to explain gender-related differences in motivation and highlights the importance of investigating those characteristics that can affect student perception of the teacher as supportive. Beyond the known contribution of the need for a supportive environment, knowledge of such characteristics can help promote adaptive motivation.
Visual Confrontation Naming Outcome After Standard Left Anterior Temporal Lobectomy with Sparing Versus Resection of the Superior Temporal Gyrus: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial

Summary: Purpose: Intraoperative mapping of eloquent cortex during left (speech dominant) anterior temporal lobectomy has shown a significant proportion of patients to have sites on the anterior superior temporal gyrus at which visual confrontation naming can be disrupted by electrical stimulation. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a randomized clinical trial to determine whether sparing versus resection of the superior temporal gyrus affected visual confrontation naming outcome after standard left anterior temporal lobectomy. Also examined was the degree to which inherent patient characteristics were associated with language outcome regardless of surgical technique.
The efficient provision of public goods through non-distortionary tax contests

We use a simple balanced budget contest to collect taxes on a private good in order to ? nance a pure public good. We show that-with an appropriately chosen structure of winning probabilities-this contest can provide the public good efficiently and without distorting private consumption. We provide extensions to multiple public goods and private taxation sources, asymmetric preferences, and show the mechanismâ€™s robustness across these settings.
Genetic population structure, queen supersedure and social polymorphism in a social Hymenoptera

In social insects, the emergence of multiple queening is linked to changes in a suite of traits such as the reproductive life span of queens, mating patterns and population structure. We investigated queen turnover, colony longevity, spatial distribution patterns and genetic differentiation in a population of the socially polymorphic ant Formica fusca. Genetic differentiation between the social forms was absent, and mating patterns were similar in the two forms. The spatial distribution of single‐ and multi‐queen colonies indicated an absence of colony reproduction by budding in both colony types. However, the rate of queen supersedure was high in multi‐queen colonies and absent in single‐queen ones. The social structure of colonies remained stable across years, but colony mortality did not differ between the two social forms. These results imply that differences between social types may appear and persist also in sympatry, and that these differences may occur in some traits, but not others, despite the presence of homogenizing gene flow.
Alcohol Use in Adolescents Whose Fathers Abuse Drugs

Abstract This study examined the interrelation of several domains, including father attributes, father-child relations, peer influences, environmental factors, and youth personality, as they related to adolescent alcohol use. Several aspects of the father-child relationship were also examined as possible protective factors against adolescent drinking. Subjects consisted of 204 HIV-positive and HIV-negative drug-abusing fathers and their adolescent children between the ages of 12–20. Data were collected via individual structured interviews of both the fathers and the youth. Results indicated that several items from each domain were related to adolescent drinking, and that an affectionate father-child bond had a protective effect. Moreover, hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that the youth's personality mediated between all other domains and adolescent alcohol use. There was also a direct effect of peer influences on adolescent drinking. Findings extend the literature on the specific mechanisms which link parental substance use with adolescent alcohol use in a high-risk population.
Insights Into the Operation of Hyper-FET-Based Circuits

Devices combining transistors and phase transition materials are being investigated to obtain steep switching and a boost in the ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ ratio and, thus, to solve power and energy limitations of CMOS technologies. This paper analyzes the operation of circuits built with these devices. In particular, we use a recently projected device called hyper-FET to simulate different circuits, and to analyze the impact of the degraded dc output voltage levels of hyper-FET logic gates on their circuit operation. Experiments have been carried out to evaluate power of these circuits and to compare with counterpart circuits using FinFETs. The estimated power advantages from device level analysis are also compared with the results of circuit level measurements. We show that these estimations can reduce, cancel, or even lead to power penalties in low switching and/or low-frequency circuits. We also discuss relationships with some device level parameters showing that circuit level considerations should be taken into account for device design.
Evaluation of incidence of zidovudine induced anemia in Indian human immunodeficiency virus positive patients in comparison with stavudine based highly active antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES In patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), zidovudine has been known to cause a severe anemia that resolves promptly when the drug is stopped. The study was aimed to assess the incidence, the pattern of occurrence of zidovudine induced anemia, causality, severity, predictability, preventability and to identify risk factors for zidovudine induced anemia in Indian HIV positive patients in comparision with stavudine based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS This was a prospective observational study conducted over a period of 6 months by clinical pharmacists. Enrolled HIV positive patients were intensively monitored for zidovudine and stavudine induced anemia. zidovudine and stavudine fixed dose drug combinations of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were only included. The World Health Organization (WHO)/AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) definition of a severity grading of anemia was adopted. Each reported case of zidovudine and stavudine induced anemia was assessed for its causality by using the WHO probability scale and also with Naranjo's algorithm. Preventability was assessed using Schumock and Thornton criteria and severity was assessed using the modified Hartwig and Siegel scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the influence of zidovudine induced anemia. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Monitoring of ninety eight HIV positive patients with fixed dose highly active antiretroviral therapy identified 19 cases of zidovudine induced anemia and 2 cases of stavudine induced anemia from 55 and 43 patients respectively. Incidence of zidovudine induced anemia in intensively monitored HIV positive patients was found to be 34.5%. Chi Square tests identified statistically significant incidence differences of anemia (p < 0.05) between the zidovudine group and the stavudine group. Grade 2 and grade 4 anemia accounted for 42.1%. Causality was 'probable' by WHO probability scale and 'definite' and 'probable' by Naranjo's algorithm. The Majority (89.4%) of zidovudine induced anemias were 'moderate' in severity. A total of 94.8% zidovudine induced anemias were probably preventable. Low baseline hemoglobin concentration less than 10.5 g/dl was observed as a risk factor for zidovudine induced anemia by multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSION With the increasing access to zidovudine usage in India, clinicians must focus to avoid zidovudine based HAART regimens if baseline hemoglobin concentration is low, (i.e. less than 8 g/dl) thereby avoiding the occurrence of zidovudine induced anemia. Frequent monitoring of complete blood count (CBC) is important in patients on zidovudine therapy to prevent zidovudine induced anemia.
Protein interaction surface of the POU transcription factor UNC‐86 selectively used in touch neurons

The Caenorhabditis elegans POU protein UNC‐86 specifies the HSN motor neurons, which are required for egg‐laying, and six mechanosensory neurons. To investigate how UNC‐86 controls neuronal specification, we characterized two unc‐86 mutants that do not respond to touch but show wild‐type egg‐laying behavior. Residues P145 and L195, which are altered by these mutations, are located in the POU‐specific domain and abolish the physical interaction of UNC‐86 with the LIM homeodomain protein, MEC‐3. This results in a failure to maintain mec‐3 expression and in loss of expression of the mechanosensory neuron‐specific gene, mec‐2. unc‐86‐dependent expression of genes in other neurons is not impaired. We conclude that distinct residues in the POU domain of UNC‐86 are involved in modulating UNC‐86 activity during its specification of different neurons. A structural model of the UNC‐86 POU domain, including base pairs and amino acid residues required for MEC‐3 interaction, revealed that P145 and L195 are part of a hydrophobic pocket which is similar to the OCA‐B‐binding domain of the mammalian POU protein, Oct‐1.