Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meat consumption and age of menarche among schoolgirls in Shanghai

Background：The relationship between dietary intake and pubertal development is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between meat consumption and early menarche among schoolgirls in Shanghai. Methods：The study randomly selected 1981 schoolgirls aged 6–18 years in Shanghai using a two-stage random sampling design. Information on meat intake was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Menarche age, household income, physical activity and other covariates were obtained by standardized questionnaires. Height, weight and percentage of body fat were measured by trained field staff. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between intake of meat and early menarche. Results：Among all the school girls who had experienced menarche (n=986), the mean age at menarche was 11.97±1.24 years. Of the girls, 26.10% (n=518) had early menarche. After adjusting for body mass index, age, physical activity, sleep, household income and parental education, consumption of poultry was positively associated with risk of early menarche (P-trend=0.03). Girls who never consumed poultry had a lower risk of early menarche (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.96). Poultry consumption less than once a week was not significantly associated with early menarche compared with those consuming poultry once or more a week (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.50–1.08). Neither the consumption of pork, beef, lamb, processed meat nor total meat consumption were associated with menarche age. Conclusions: Higher consumption of poultry was associated with an earlier age at menarche.
The Bank of England's forecasting platform: COMPASS, MAPS, EASE and the suite of models

This paper introduces the Bank of England's new forecasting platform and provides examples of how it can be applied to practical forecasting problems. The platform consists of four components: COMPASS, a structural central organising model; a suite of models, used to fill in the gaps in the economics of COMPASS and provide cross-checks on the forecast; MAPS, a macroeconomic modelling and projection toolkit; and EASE, a user interface. The platform has been in use since the end of 2011 in support of production of the projections produced for the Monetary Policy Committee’s quarterly Inflation Reports. In this paper we provide a full description of COMPASS, including discussion of its estimation and its properties. We also illustrate how the suite of models can be used to mitigate some of the trade-offs inherent in building a projection with a central organising model such as COMPASS, and discuss the role of the suite in addressing problems of model misspecification.
Attitude of Primiparous Mothers Towards Exclusive Breastfeeding: Application of Indirect Measurement

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is a very important principle in ensuring the health of infants. Its benefits for the infant, mother, family, and community are emphasized by all experts. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of mothers toward exclusive breastfeeding and its related factors.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study performed on 420 women referred to comprehensive health services centers in Tehran. The samples were selected through multistage sampling. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of two sections: behavioral beliefs and evaluation of behavioral outcomes and were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA using SPSS 16.Results: There was a significant relationship between attitude, behavioral beliefs, and evaluation of behavioral outcomes in mothers with their age, job, place of delivery and hospitalization of infants. There was also a significant relationship between mothers’ attitudes and behavioral beliefs with their husband’s education and the status of infants (P<0.05), but there was no significant relationship between attitude, behavioral beliefs, and evaluation of behavioral outcomes with other variables (P > 0.05). Findings showed that most mothers' beliefs about the outcomes of exclusive nutrition (increased emotional bond between the mother and the infant, growth and strength of infant's bones and teeth, and infant's immunity to diseases such as diarrhea) were significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: When designing interventions, efforts should be made to create and maintain a positive attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding through the promotion of behavioral beliefs and evaluation of behavioral outcomes.
3-Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking Training Can Enhance Selective Attention, Psychomotor Speed, and Cognitive Flexibility in Healthy Older Adults

Objectives: The objective of this pilot study was to determine if a 3-dimensional multiple object tracking training (3D-MOT) intervention could improve performance on measures of attention, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility in healthy older adults. Methods: Forty-six individuals aged 63–87 years old participated in the study. Twenty-five participants in the intervention group completed the Stroop task before and after intervention that consisted of seven training sessions with the Neurotracker, a 3D-MOT software program. Stroop test scores were examined for changes in selective attention, cognitive flexibility (CF), as well as psychomotor speed preand post-intervention. The 21 individuals in the control group completed the Stroop test at the pre-post interval, without completing the Neurotracker intervention. Results: The Neurotracker training intervention group showed significant improvements in both cognitive flexibility (M = 5.01, SE = 1.44, p = 0.002), and psychomotor speed and selective attention (M = 4.90, SE = 1.44, p = 0.002). Significant changes were also detected in a condition that measured psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility together (M = 9.39, SE = 1.74, p < 0.001). No significant changes were detected in the control group. Conclusion: The current results suggest that the Neurotracker may be an effective tool for improving selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and psychomotor speed in healthy older individuals.
Innovation of the runway system maintenance strategy at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol using the Value Operations Methodology

The main goal of this research is to create and analyse a series of alternative runway system maintenance strategies for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. For the analysis, a trade-off framework is built to determine whether these alternatives are an improvement over the current strategy. This framework thus assists the decision making process regarding the runway system maintenance strategy. In the trade-off not only the goals of the airport operator are considered, but the interests of all relevant stakeholders are taken into account. The trade-off framework is founded on the concept of 'value' and the philosophy of 'value-focused thinking'. To make this concept and the framework operational, the Value Operations Methodology (VOM) is chosen as the central methodology in this research. While the general approach of the VOM is well defined in literature, several steps in the methodology lacked a sound theoretical foundation. By thoroughly analysing each step, a number of improvements to the VOM are proposed in this research.
Study investigating executive function in schizophrenia patients and their unaffected siblings

Introduction Schizophrenia (SCZ) is characterized by widespread cognitive impairments, such as executive functions. Most of the available research indicate that executive impairment has a certain genetic predisposition. Shared neuropathological characteristics of patients with SCZ and their siblings may reveal intermediate behavioral phenotypes that can be used to further characterize the illness. Methods Our study involved 32 SCZ patients, 32 unaffected siblings (US), and 33 persons as healthy controls (HCS). These three groups underwent a computerized version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and a battery of cognitive neuropsychological assessments. These tests also evaluate executive function and several cognitive domains. Results The performed study on SCZ patients and their unaffected siblings showed an inferior WCST performance to the HCS subjects, further indicating that unaffected siblings have a functional impairment, and they also performed poorly on the neuropsychological assessment compared with the HCS. Conclusion This result supports the claim that the development of functional impairment is not limited to SCZ patients and unaffected siblings may also have a certain level of abnormal brain function. Consequently. neurological abnormalities lead to the abnormal functioning in siblings and patients, suggesting that genetics plays a considerable role in such results.
A New Approach to Direct Torque Control of Induction Motor Drives for Constant Inverter Switching Frequency and Torque Ripple Reduction Yen-Shin Lai, Member, IEEEand Jian-Ho Chen

In this paper, a new approach to the direct torque control (DTC) of induction motor drives is presented. In comparison with the conventional DTC methods, the inverter switching frequency is constant and is dramatically increased, requiring neither any increase of the sampling frequency, nor any high frequency dither signal. The well-developed space vector modulation technique is applied to inverter control in the proposed DTC-based induction motor drive system, thereby dramatically reducing the torque ripple and speed ripple. As compared to the existing DTC approach with constant inverter switching frequency, the presented new approach does not invoke any concept of deadbeat control, thereby dramatically reducing the computations. Experimental results are illustrated in this paper confirming that the proposed DTC method has the above-mentioned features even at the low speed range down to /spl plusmn/1 r/min.
Computer-based Approaches for Training Interactive Digital Map Displays

Abstract : Five variations of computer-based training (CBT) for learning to use functions underlying a digital map interface were compared using 85 Infantry One-Station-Unit Training (OSUT) Soldiers and 67 Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) Soldiers. The variations were a pure map exploration condition, a lesson followed by exercise condition, a guided-exploratory condition in which the map functions were learned through solving problems, a lesson followed by map exploration condition, and a condition in which Soldiers could select the mode(s) of training they preferred. The results showed that the pure exploratory condition was the least effective for all Soldiers, particularly those in OSUT. The traditional lesson and exercise combination was effective for all the participants as was the guided-exploratory, problem-solving condition. The condition in which Soldiers could select their own mode(s) of training produced quite different training strategies on the part of the OSUT and IOBC Soldiers. IOBC Soldiers used more consistent and fewer training strategies than did OSUT Soldiers, whereas OSUT Soldiers benefited from the more structured environments that provided performance feedback. IOBC Soldiers did not necessarily require exercises, but did benefit from the lesson information and the capability to control their training strategy. The findings reinforce the need to tailor training to Soldiers when the target population is diverse and common skills and knowledge must be acquired. The results suggest that giving the same training to all participants is not the most efficient, effective, nor motivating strategy.
A new detailed multi-body model of the pedestrian lower extremity: development and preliminary validation

A mathematical model of the lower extremity was developed, capable of predicting injury risk and simulating the kinetic and kinematic response of the pedestrian lower extremity under vehicle impact loading. The hip-to-foot multi-body model incorporates a detailed facet contact surface, 50th percentile male anthropometric and inertial properties, and stiffness and failure tolerances from the most recent literature. Model validation was achieved using a combination of parameter optimization for component-level kinetic response and full-scale simulations for kinematic response. The three-dimensional kinematic response of the struck-side lower extremity of seven post-mortem human surrogates struck laterally by a sedan at 40 km/h is also presented. For the covering abstract see ITRD E144229.
New records of lichens from Tasmania, principally from the 2018 TMAG Expedition of Discovery to Musselroe Bay

Kantvilas, G. , Coppins, B.J., McCarthy, P.M. & Elix, J.A. 2020 (9:xii). New records of lichens from Tasmania, principally from the 2018 TMAG Expedition of Discovery to Musselroe Bay. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 154: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154. 1 Tasmanian Herbarium, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Box 5058, UTAS LPO, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7005, Australia (GK). Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, United Kingdom (BJC). 64 Broadsmith St, Scullin, A.C. T. 2614, Australia (PMMcC). Research School of Chemistry, Building 137, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C. T. 2601, Australia (JAE). Author for correspondence: Email: Gintaras.Kantvilas @tmag.tas. gov.au Nineteen lichen species are recorded for the first time from Tasmania: Amandinea conranensis Elix & P.M. McCarthy, Bacidia laurocerasi (Delise ex Duby) Zahlbr. , Buellia extenuatella Elix & Kantvilas, Catinaria atropurpurea (Schaer.) Vězda & Poelt, Collema crispum (Huds.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg. , Diploschistes euganeus (A.Massal.) J.Steiner, D. gyrophoricus Lumbsch & Elix, Endocarpon crassisporum P.M. McCarthy & Filson, Gyalecta pellucida (Coppins & Malcolm) Baloch & Lücking, Lecanora pseudogangaleoides Lumbsch subsp. pseudogangaleoides, L. strobilina (Spreng.) Kieff. , Opegrapha niveoatra (Borrer) J.R. Laundon, O. spodopolia Nyl. , O. varia Pers. , Physcia austrostellaris Elix, Ramonia absconsa (Tuck.) Vězda, Trapelia concentrica Elix & P.M. McCarthy and Xanthoparmelia xerica (Elix) Elix. The new combination Austroparmelina corrugativa (Kurok. & Filson) Elix & Kantvilas is proposed and Austroparmelina euplectina (Kurok. ex Elix). A.Crespo et al. is reduced to synonymy. The salient morphological and anatomical features, ecology and distribution are discussed for each species.
Fluorinated Mannosides Inhibit Cellular Fucosylation.

Fucose sugars are expressed on mammalian cell membranes as part of glycoconjugates and mediates essential physiological processes. The aberrant expression of fucosylated glycans has been linked to pathologies such as cancer, inflammation, infection, and genetic disorders. Tools to modulate fucose expression on living cells are needed to elucidate the biological role of fucose sugars and the development of potential therapeutics. Herein, we report a novel class of fucosylation inhibitors directly targeting de novo GDP-fucose biosynthesis. We demonstrate that cell permeable fluorinated mannoside 1-phosphate derivatives (Fucotrim I & II) are metabolic prodrugs that are metabolized to their respective GDP-mannose derivatives and efficiently inhibit cellular fucosylation.
Applied numerical modeling of saturated / unsaturated flow and reactive contaminant transport - evaluation of site investigation strategies and assessment of environmental impact

In this thesis numerical models of variably saturated flow and reactive transport processes in porous media are employed as assessment tools in two different fields of application. The first thematic complex studied is the computer based evaluation of investigation strategies for contaminated soils and aquifers. For this purpose the “Virtual Aquifer” (VA) concept is introduced and demonstrated by an assessment of the so called center line method for contaminant plume investigation. Errors and uncertainties in the estimation of contaminant degradation rates from center line data, which is often collected at field sites, are analysed. This is done by application at synthetic contaminated aquifers models, which are generated in the computer by numerical simulation of contaminant spreading. Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity studies are performed to quantify the influences of sampling error magnitude, aquifer heterogeneity and model parameterisation on the estimated rate constants. In a second application example, the VA concept is used for the development and testing of a new approach for biodegradation parameter estimation. The performance of this method is studied in heterogeneous synthetic aquifers. Also, the propagation of errors and uncertainties from estimated rate parameters to a prognosis of the contaminant plume lengths is studied to obtain an indicator for the significance of the estimated degradation potential. The performance of the new parameter estimation method is assessed by comparison to frequently used approximations by first order kinetics. The second thematic complex addressed in this thesis is the evaluation of environmental impact of contaminant emissions from road constructions by type scenario modelling. Two general concepts for modelling of flow and transport, i.e. the Eulerian and the Lagrangian points of view, are combined in this study to assess the extent of leaching from contaminated demolition waste within road structures to the groundwater surface. Transport simulations are performed for a number of typical subsoil units of Germany to analyse the sensitivity of contaminant transport behaviour on subsoil properties. The relevant contaminant transport and attenuation processes in road constructions and the different subsoils are identified. The study allows to draw important conclusions on how these mechanisms could be used or enhanced to reduce contaminant leaching to groundwater.
Diagnostic value of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase among the patients with pleural tuberculosis

Purpose Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis occurs in about 10-20% of patients most commonly as tuberculous lymphadenitis or pleural effusion. Pleural fluid Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity considered as a useful biomarker for detecting pleural tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase level in patients with pleural tuberculosis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 113 patients with exudative pleural effusion with unknown underlying diagnosis, were enrolled. Physical examination, chest CT, measurement of ADA level of pleural fluid, direct thoracoscopic examination, and biopsy of pleura were performed for all individuals. Results The diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy was established in 40 individuals regarding the pathology report of biopsy samples. The mean ADA level of the TB and the non-TB group was 39.90±22.93 IU/L and 30.74±38.27 IU/L respectively, which was not statistically significant (P-value=0.167). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ADA test were 35%, 86.30%, 58.33%, and 70.79%, respectively. Conclusion Based on low sensitivity and specificity of ADA test, in patients with unexplained exudative pleural effusion especially in those who were suspicious for tuberculous pleurisy, despite the low level of ADA, direct thoracoscopic pleural observation and multiple biopsies of pleura is highly recommended.
Brick and mortar chip fabrication

While Moore's Law has advanced the semiconductor and technology industries, it has simultaneously driven up the cost of engineering a chip in a modern silicon process. The result is that fewer and fewer chips are produced in larger and larger volumes, stifling hardware diversity. This thesis introduces brick and mortar chips, which aim to obtain the benefits of Moore's Law without the financial side effects. Brick and mortar chips are made from small, pre-fabricated hardware components (called bricks) that are bonded in a designer-specified arrangement to a communication backbone chip which serves as the mortar (called the I/O cap). Our research examines several aspects of this chip manufacturing system. We develop a family of functional bricks, demonstrating a methodology for developing families that make efficient use of physical computation and communication resources. For high-performance communication between arbitrary combinations of bricks we propose a polymorphic on-chip network. This network allows a single I/O cap to be configured to implement the ideal network for any particular application. We analyze a low-cost, physical component assembly technique called fluidic self-assembly, and find that the chip production rate is intertwined with the architectural design of the components. To minimize application execution time on these partitioned chips, we develop software partitioning and mapping techniques which balance communication costs against computational resource contention. We close with a case study: an analysis of a brick and mortar implementation of a chip multiprocessor. Despite this being a highly latency sensitive design, our measurements indicate a worst case 36% average slowdown in application execution compared to a traditional, monolithic chip. Based on this, our cost analysis, and a survey of related technologies, we conclude that brick and mortar offers the best available performance for its price.
First Zircon Evidence of Hadean Material in the Ukrainian Shield

First zircon evidence of Hadean material in the Ukrainian Shield SHUMLYANSKYY L. 1, WILDE S.A. 1, ARTEMENKO G. 2, BEKKER A. 3, WHITEHOUSE M.J. 4, NEMCHIN A.A. 1 1 School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Leonid.Shumlyanskyy@curtin.edu. au; s.wilde@curtin.edu. au 2 M.P. Semenenko Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation, Kyiv, Ukraine; regulgeo@gmail.com 3 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA; andreyb@ucr.edu 4 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden; martin.whitehouse@nrm.se
THE FUTURE OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION III. DEVELOPING CRITICAL SKILLS

currently and (we predict) in other countries in the near future. In the second paper 3 we described a variety of instructional methods that have been shown to improve student learning. In this part we consider the application of some of those methods to the development of the desired skills. Process skills are “soft” skills used in the application of knowledge. The degree to which students develop these skills determines how they solve problems, write reports, function in teams, self-assess and do performance reviews of others, go about learning new knowledge, and manage stress when they have to cope with change. Many instructors intuitively believe that process skills are important, but most are unaware of the fundamental research that provides a foundation for development of the skills. Their efforts to help their students develop the skills may consequently be less effective than they might wish. 4,5 Fostering the development of skills in students is challenging, to say the least. Process skills—which have to do with attitudes and values as much as knowledge—are particularly challenging in that they are hard to define explicitly, let alone to develop and assess. We might be able to sense that a team is not working well, for example, but how do we make that intuitive judgment quantitative? How might we provide feedback that is helpful to the team members? How can we develop our students’ confidence in their teamwork skills?