Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of wrist manipulation in the management of lateral epicondylitis

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is the most common clinical condition characterized by pain generally localized around the lateral epicondyle but sometimes radiating distally to the forearm. Objectives: The study's primary objective was to find out the efficacy of multiple therapeutic interventions consisting of wrist manipulation, ultrasound therapy, and stretching exercise on lateral epicondylitis patients. Subjects and methods: A pre-test, post-test experimental study design was used. A criterion-based simple random sampling was used to recruit patients (N=30) diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis, and they were randomized into two treatment groups. The experimental group-1 was exposed to ultrasound therapy and stretching exercises, whereas those assigned to experimental group-II were given ultrasound therapy, stretching exercise, and wrist manipulation for the period of 2 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was measured through visual analogue scale (VAS), manual hand dynamometer, and DASH Scale. Both paired and unpaired ‘t’ test was employed to study the treatment effectiveness. A p-value <0.05 was considered ‘significant’. Result: The group, which was exposed to the treatment combinations of wrist manipulation, ultrasound therapy, and stretching exercise showed a better reduction in pain intensity (mean difference 1.4) & self-reported upper extremity disability score (mean difference 8.06) and a notable improvement in grip strength (mean difference 4.73) than the other group, that was exposed to the treatment combinations of ultrasound therapy and stretching exercise at 0.05 levels of significance. Conclusion: There is a significant reduction in pain intensity, improvement in pain-free grip strength, and the overall function of the arm following the application of 2 weeks of wrist manipulation technique along with conventional treatment in Lateral Epicondylitis patients. Clinical Implications: Manipulation of the wrist is found to produce a significant effect when combined with conventional methods like ultrasound stretching and strengthening to manage lateral epicondylitis patients. KEY WORDS: Lateral epicondylitis, Ultrasound, Passive stretching, Wrist manipulation.
Improvements in Calibration of GSO Scintillators in the Suzaku Hard X-Ray Detector

Improvements of the in-orbit calibration of GSO scintillators in the Hard X-ray Detector aboard Suzaku are reported. To resolve an apparent change in the energy scale of GSO, which appeared across the launch for unknown reasons, consistent and thorough re-analyses of both pre-launch and in-orbit data have been performed. With laboratory experiments using spare hardware, the pulse-height offset, corresponding to zero energy input, was found to change by ~0.5% of the full analog voltage scale, depending on the power supply. Furthermore, by carefully calculating all of the light outputs of secondaries from activation lines used in the in-orbit gain determination, their energy deposits in GSO were found to be effectively lower, by several percent, than their nominal energies. Taking both of these effects into account, the in-orbit data agree with the on-ground measurements within ~5%, without employing the artificial correction introduced in previous work (Kokubun et al. 2007, PASJ, 59, S53). With this knowledge, we updated the data processing, the response, and the auxiliary files of GSO, and reproduced the HXD-PIN and HXD-GSO spectra of the Crab Nebula over 12–300 keV by a broken power-law with a break energy of ~110 keV.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Axial Biaryl Imines via a DKR strategy

Significance: Methods to generate biaryl compounds with axial chirality are sought after because of the presence of such scaffolds in a number of natural products, pharmaceuticals and ligands. This work reports the synthesis of these compounds through ruthenium-catalyzed reductive amination. Comment: The authors employed a dynamic kinetic resolution strategy to afford products of good to excellent enantiopurities, with good yields. The expected imine atropoisomer was reduced through a transfer hydrogenation using formic acid as the hydrogen source. O
Maintaining Stasis: Why Oser Acceptance of Advanced Technology is So Hard to Get (and What to do about it)

The focus of this paper is on user-centered systems engineering activities supporting the acquisition, requirements gathering, and preliminary design of a major technology advancement for an operating commercial command and control system. Major activities included establishment of user-centered customer and developer organizations, knowledge acquisition, human-machine interface design and prototyping, scenario and system simulation development, and demonstration of the proposed system. Because the system was designed with substantial user input, it received a high degree of user acceptance.
Thermohydrodynamic behaviors of finite journal bearings with cavitation

This paper presents thermohydrodynamic solutions for a finite-width journal bearing with single axial groove on the crown by considering turbulent effects in lubricant film. Appropriate governing equations and boundary conditions are used for the fluid flow and heat transfer process occurring in finite full journal bearings. A general computer program is developed to numerically solve the set of governing equations. Results are provided for THD characteristics of journal bearing in terms of Reynolds number, clearance ratio and eccentricity ratio. Good agreement with published experimental results was achieved. The results indicate that the bearing temperature field and pressure field are considerably influenced by the journal bearing parameters.
Structural Dynamic Loads in Response to Impulsive Excitation

The modal approach is used to analyze the dynamic loads on a flexible structure due to local impulsive excitations such as that caused by store ejection from a flight vehicle. First-order, time-domain equations of motion in generalized coordinates are constructed for restrained and free-free structures, without and with unsteady aerodynamic effects. The dynamic loads associated with the structural response are expressed by the mode displacement (MD) and by the summation-of-forces methods. The MD approach is simpler and easier to apply, but requires the inclusion of more modes for obtaining results of acceptable accuracy. A rigorous comparison between the resulting loads shows that the performance of the MD method is especially poor when the excitation is local and impulsive. A dramatic improvement is obtained when the generalized coordinates are based on normal modes calculated with fictitious masses at the excitation points. Fictitious masses are also used to generate artificial load modes that yield simple and efficient expressions for integrated shear forces, bending moments, and torsion moments at various structural sections.
Power-level sampling of metal cutting machines for data representation in discrete event simulation

An extension to the application area for discrete event simulation (DES) has been ongoing since the last decade and focused only on economic aspects to include ecologic sustainability. With this new focus, additional input parameters, such as electrical power consumption of machines, are needed. This paper aim at investigating how NC machine power consumption should be represented in simulation models of factories. The study includes data-sets from three different factories. One factory producing truck engine blocks, one producing brake disc parts for cars and one producing forklift components. The total number of data points analysed are more than 2,45,000, where of over 1,11,000 on busy state for 11 NC machines. The low variability between busy cycles indicates that statistical representations are not adding significant variability. Furthermore, results show that non-value-added activities cause a substantial amount of the total energy consumption, which can be reduced by optimising the production flow using dynamic simulations such as DES.
The lightning flash

Charge structure and geographical variation of thunderclouds Thunderstorm electrification and mechanisms Mechanism of electrical discharges The mechanism of the lightning flash Computation of electromagnetic fields from lightning discharge Mathematical modelling of return strokes The effects of propagation on electric radiation fields Interaction of electromagnetic fields generated by lightning with electrical networks Lightning and EMC Principles of protection of structures against lightning Electrical aspects of lightning strike to humans Index
Knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers on prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infection among their preschool children in Sekota town, Waghimra zone, Ethiopia

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the common communicable diseases across the world. Globally, more than 1.5 billion individuals infected with one or more parasitic agents. Of the victim individuals, 700 and 807 million people were infected by Hookworm and Ascariasis respectively. Intestinal parasites are prevalent in developing countries and to the most in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of helminthiases in Ethiopia range from 27.2% to 85.1%. Particularly, young children have a high infestation rate and they suffer from a substantial burden of Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura, and Schistosomiasis. Therefore, this study was intended to assess mother’s knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infection among their pre-school children in Sekota town, Ethiopia.Methods: A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 378 mothers using simple random sampling method, and gave a response rate of 98.4%. The findings are presented in percentage, frequency and tables. In all of the data collection, data analysis, and write up phases, a standard operational procedure was followed. A bivariate covariate analysis were undertaken to assess the correlation of total knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Results: The level of good maternal knowledge, positive maternal attitude, and good maternal practice in preventing and controlling intestinal parasitic infection on their preschool children was 45.2% (95% CI, 40.2, 50.5), 55.3% (95% CI, 50.8, 61.1), and 51.1 (95% CI, 46.0, 56.1) respectively. In assessing mothers knowledge, seventy seven (20.4%) of them reported that they knew Ascaris lumbricoides, and on the maternal practices in preventing IP infection, 62 (16.4%) mothers wash vegetables, and 252 (66.7%) mothers stated that their children had at least one history of stool examination. Conclusions: The overall level of good maternal knowledge, positive maternal attitude, and good maternal practice on prevention and control of intestinal parasites was low. Specifically, the level of knowledge was significantly low. Therefore, community awareness about intestinal parasitic infection prevention and control methods should be created.
Nanoscale and macroscopic electrical ac transport along conductive domain walls in lithium niobate single crystals

The electrical impedance properties of UV-illuminated (λ = 310 nm) charged, conductive domain walls (CDWs) in 5 mol% magnesium-doped lithium niobate (LNO) single crystals are investigated on the nm-length scale using nanoimpedance microscopy (NIM) as well as by comparing the macroscopically measured complex impedance response between multi- and single-domain LNO samples. Similar to the case of dc conductivity, a higher conductivity of domain walls (DWs) compared to the bulk insulating matrix was observed. The contrast between DWs and bulk is most pronounced at lower frequencies (f < ? > 200 Hz) due to the large bulk capacitance at higher frequencies. Moreover, the simultaneous application of both an ac and dc bias results in an increased real part of the ac DW current. Also, equivalent circuits accurately describing both the domain and CDW contributions were developed; as a result we are able to analyze and quantify the complex dielectric conductive behavior of both bulk and CDWs in LNO within the framework of the mixed conduction model. Hopping of excited charge carriers along the CDWs was identified as the dominant charge transport process.
Effects of adapting the rules on weights and dimensions of heavy commercial vehicles as established within Directive 96/53/EC. Final report.

es to the road transport equipment constraints that were valid in 2000. The scenario takes into account projected economic developments and projected transport demand in Europe until 2020. All other scenarios take this one as the reference base case. Scenario 2: LHV Full option: Europe-wide permission of 25.25 m and 60 t trucks. These LHVs trucks are allowed on all European motorways (i.e. backbone roads). The usage of LHVs on regional roads may be restricted. Scenario 3: Corridor/Coalition: LHVs of 25.25 m and 60 t are allowed in some countries, while Europe-wide only 18.75 m and 40 t trucks are allowed. This scenario is a mix of scenarios 1 and 2. There is a group of countries that permit LHVs on their motorways, possibly putting some restrictions for the usage of regional roads, while the rest stick to the current restrictions (40t 18.75m). We include into the coalition 6 European countries: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. Scenario 4: Intermediate: Europe-wide permission of up to 20.75 m 44 t trucks. This scenario represents agradual increase in vehicle constraints, namely 10% of carrying capacity. The choice of dimensions and constraints is realistic and reflects wishes of car transporters and chemical industry.
Flux distribution and core loss calculation for single phase and five limb three phase transformer core designs

This paper presents results of an analytical core loss calculation method developed for single phase and five limb three phase core types. Shown are calculation results of flux distributions, flux density waveshapes, spatial flux density curves and loss distributions in cores other than the 3 phase-3 limb core. The analytical results show that the flux distribution is essentially uniform in the single-phase 2 limb and 3 limb cores. The flux waveforms are also shown to be essentially sinusoidal in different regions of the core. However, for the single-phase 4 limb core and the three-phase 5 limb core, the flux distribution is nonuniform and flux waves are very distorted. The calculated values of core losses were, generally, in excellent agreement with tested core losses of actual commercial transformers. The results on the very large 4 and 5 limb cores show that the production complexity of these cores cause a slightly higher tested core loss which needs to be included in the development of the core loss calculation for these cores.
BREAKING WAVES AND COHERENT STRUCTURES

Near-shore dynamics and costal sediment transport are strongly affected by turbulence induced by breaking waves in the surf zone. The present study examines the occurrence and spreading of turbulent vortex structures due to wave breaking and named coherent structures, primarily controlling sediment movements and possible tracers’ diffusion. Considering that previous studies have mainly focused on spilling waves in analogy with bores and jumps, in this experimental research we especially address to plunging waves, which are characterized by higher turbulence due to the presence of the overturning jet and the splash-up cycle. Measurements have been carried out by means of a Laser Doppler Anemometer in a wave flume, in the breaking region. Coherent motions are identified as a function of the wave phase and the bursting processes are quantified especially using the quadrant analysis technique. Useful hints to turbulence spreading and transport are obtained.
Particle Swarm Optimization Based Approach for Estimating the Fuel-cost Function Parameters of Thermal Power Plants with Valve Loading Effects

Abstract In this article, a new and accurate method for estimating the parameters of thermal power plant fuel-cost function is proposed. The input–output characteristics of thermal power plants are affected by many factors such as the ambient operating temperature and aging of generating units. Thus, periodical estimation of power plant characteristics is very crucial to improve the overall operational and economical practices. The higher the accuracy of the estimated coefficients, the more accurate the results obtained from the economic dispatch and optimal power flow calculations. Different models that describe the input–output relationship of thermal units are considered, including the one that accounts for the valve loading point. The traditional estimation problem is viewed and formulated as an optimization one. The goal is to minimize the total estimation error such that the selected model follows field data measurements as closely as possible. A particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to minimize the error associated with the estimated parameters. The proposed approach relieves some of the mathematical restrictions typically imposed on system modeling, since it does not require convexity or differentiability, as in the case of many conventional estimation techniques. Various study cases are considered in this work to test the performance of the method. Results obtained are partially compared to those computed by the least error square method. Comparison results are in favor of the particle swarm optimization algorithm in all study cases considered.
Therapeutic potential of L-arginine in a rat model of ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious problem subsequent to reperfusion treatment for ovarian torsion. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in ovarian I/R injury is debatable. The main focus of this study was to explore the protective role of L-arginine, a potent NO precursor, on ovarian I/R injury. Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 5). In the control group, only laparotomy was performed. In the I/R group, ischaemia and reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. In the I/R + arginine group, ischaemia was followed by reperfusion and 200 mg kg–1 L-arginine was injected 5 min before reperfusion. Concentration of malondialdehyde, NO and reduced glutathione, as well as activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were microscopically examined for histological evaluation of the ovaries. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity along with concentration of reduced glutathione and NO were significantly lower in the I/R group in comparison to the control group. Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in the I/R group than in control group. These results were reversed with supplementation of L-arginine. Light microscopic examination revealed severe vascular congestion, edema, haemorrhage, and follicular degeneration in the ovary tissue. The extent of ovarian damage was much higher in the I/R group than in the I/R + L-arginine group. Treatment with L-arginine seems to have an ameliorating effect against oxidative stress in I/R injury in rat ovary. It considerably reduced the altered histological changes in the ovaries. Thus, it can be speculated that L-arginine might play a pivotal role as a potent therapeutic agent against ovarian torsion.
Manufacturing technology sourcing practices in the USA

Some companies are heavily reliant on the capabilities of their manufacturing technology for product competitiveness. Likewise, the capabilities of a manufacturing technology are dependent on the sourcing policy that the host company practices. This paper describes research that has explored a wide variety of US companies to understand manufacturing technology sourcing policies and how they have been formed. This research finds that there is a preference amongst the US organizations studied not to become involved with equipment manufacture, though some examples of full integration do occur. These policies are not determined by formalized decision processes, rather they are formed implicitly during technology choice. In this research, factors that influence a technology source have been identified. These drivers are then used to establish a methodology that will help practising managers to form a technology sourcing decision. This methodology takes into account the business demands placed on a technology, along with the characteristics of the host company's supplier base.
Analytical Model of Viscoelastic Fluid Dampers

An analytical approximate constitutive relation is derived for a form of fluid damper, which exhibits viscoelastic behavior. The damper is used for vibration isolation of piping systems and industrial equipment, as well as for vibration and seismic isolation of building structures. The damper consists of an open pot, filled with highly viscous fluid, and a piston that moves within the fluid. The analytical solution relates the damping constant of the unit at vanishingly small frequencies with the material constants of the fluid used in the damper and the geometric characteristics of the damper. With the determination of the damping constant, a macroscopic model may be constructed that describes the damper behavior over a large frequency range. The other parameters of the macroscopic model are identical to those in the corresponding constitutive relation of the damper fluid. The results of the analytical solution are in very good agreement with experimental data and with numerical solutions based on boundary-element analysis.
Variable-speed heat pump model for a wide range of cooling conditions and loads

A modular variable-speed heat pump model is developed from first principles. The system model consists of steady-state evaporator, compressor, and condenser component sub-models. The compressor model currently implemented accounts for re-expansion, valve pressure drop, and back leakage using empirical coefficients obtained from tests covering a wide range of pressure ratio and shaft speed. Variations in heat transfer coefficients with refrigerant and secondary fluid flow rates are modeled over a wide range of capacity. Pressure drops in piping and heat exchangers are also modeled. The resulting heat pump model is flexible and fast enough for use in finding optimal compressor, fan, and pump speeds and optimal subcooling for any specified capacity fraction and operating condition. To confirm the model's accuracy, simulation results are compared to experimental data with condenser inlet air temperatures ranging from 15°C to 45°C, evaporator inlet air (dry) from 14°C to 34°C, and cooling capacity from 1.1 kW to 3.9 kW. The refrigerant charge balance has not been modeled; instead, it is assumed that a liquid receiver maintains the necessary charge balance. Over this wide range of conditions, the coefficient of performance prediction errors are found to be ±10%. An example of configuring the HPM with a different evaporator demonstrates the benefits of a modular approach.
The Influence of Economic Freedom, Government Effectiveness and Human Development on Shadow Economy in the European Union

Decreasing the size of the shadow economy is a priority for the states that want their economy to evolve. But shadow economy encompasses all spots of economic environment. Being such a complex phenomenon, it is imperative not to neglect the factors that shape the behaviour of citizens in general, but especially of taxpayers, when it comes to shadow economy activities. Therefore, this paper intends to highlight the influences involved by the standard of human development, the economic freedom a taxpayer perceives and the government effectiveness, in relation to the shadow economy and to add another piece in understanding the tax compliance puzzle. The paper covers the 28 EU member states for a period of 20 years.