Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of pre-crack on RC behavior in shear

Researches on reinforced concrete have primarily focused on members and structures with very few initial defects. Comprehensive scrutiny of reinforced concrete through experimental and theoretical methodologies has provided the recent advanced understanding in reinforced concrete mechanics1),2) However, it is necessary to recognize that current gigantic volume of knowledge base was mostly accomplished in the experimental laboratory where the well-controlled conditions can be acquired. One of the most underlying assumptions following conventional research methodology is that RC member is devoid of initial defects. As a result, researchers then intentionally prepare the specimens as perfectly as possible to minimize the undesired original damages. It is only these typical nearperfect RC members that we can claim to have the advanced insight. As a matter of fact, real reinforced concrete member is hardly exempt from initial defects. The difference in real and laboratory members can be explained by Fig.1. Real RC members live much longer than laboratory ones. In terms of structural behavior, it is quite common that a majority of laboratory specimen stays up to at most 2 months since casting time until testing date. Moreover, during young age period, they are so well nurtured that cracking attack becomes a minor problem. On the contrary, real RC members may live up to 50 years under generic environmental conditions, which are perhaps grossly different from those available in the experimental room. This much longer time scale allows the time dependent deteriorating mechanism to attack concrete. Moreover, during the life time of RC members, they may be subjected to unexpected non-proportional loading condition. Concrete is a highly pathdependent material memorizing the loading history through which it has experienced. Previous loading may result in cracking, state of stress/strain, state of residual deformation. These characteristics are of anisotropic nature and may play crucial role in the next loading event. Cracking is one of the most dominant events representing previous loading history of the RC members. This paper aims to clarify the influence of perpendicular pre-cracks on the structural behavior of RC members. In terms of structural concern, two major behaviors may be recognized, namely shear and flexure. As commonly accepted, flexure is governed by a sectional behavior. The flexural capacity is rooted in the internal couple of compressive force provided by concrete and tension force by reinforcing bars. In this respect, pre-cracks do not seem to affect the flexural capacity since concrete can still acquire compression once the closure of pre-cracks while reinforcement tension is hardly affected by the presence of pre-cracks. On the other hand, the shear behavior may offer
Analysis of alternatives for computing backwater at bridges for free-surface, subcritical flow conditions

The performance and reliability of four of the more popular methods for one-dimensional flow analysis of bridges were investigated. These four methods were the HEC-2 Normal Bridge Method, HEC-2 Special Bridge Method, WSPRO, and Modified Bradley Method. The study was based on models of 13 flood events at nine different bridge sites in the southeastern United States. The sites were located on wide, flat, heavily vegetated floodplains where only free-surface, subcritical flow conditions occurred. The results showed that the HEC-2 Normal Bridge Method was able to accurately simulate the measured backwater values when the recommended 4:1 expansion ratio assumption was not applied. The application of the 4:1 expansion ratio assumption generally resulted in water surface elevations and backwater values that were higher than the measured values. The HEC-2 Special Bridge Method generally underpredicted the measured backwater, and WSPRO tended to compute the backwater to be slightly greater than the measured values. The Modified Bradley Method consistently underpredicted the measured backwater amount at each site.
Evaluation of diagnostic components and management of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective study from Istanbul, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is difficult and most of the patients are diagnosed clinically. The objective of this study is to reveal the diagnostic and therapeutic components of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis and to analyze the changes that occurred in our country over the years. METHODOLOGY All patients diagnosed with tuberculosis between 2006 and 2016 were included. Demographic characteristics, diagnostic and treatment outcomes were recorded and patients were followed up prospectively. RESULTS A total of 492 patients were included in the study. 97% had Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine, 36% were diagnosed with microbiologically-confirmed tuberculosis and 64% were diagnosed with clinically-proven tuberculosis. 94% of the patients had symptoms consistent with tuberculosis, all patients had radiologic findings, 74% had a history of tuberculosis contact and 63% had tuberculin skin test positivity. The diagnoses included primary tuberculosis in 62%, secondary tuberculosis in 21%, progressive primary tuberculosis in 13% and miliary tuberculosis in 4%. 48% of the patients received a treatment regimen containing three drugs as the initial treatment, and drug-related side effects developed in 12%. Isoniazid resistance was detected in 13% of the patients and rifampicin resistance was detected in 8%. None of the patients died due to tuberculosis. In the last 50 years in Turkey, the rates of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination and diagnosis of tuberculosis cases have increased and the mortality rates have decreased over the years. CONCLUSIONS Our study is one of the few prospective studies and revealed the differences between the recent data and the past 50 years in childhood tuberculosis in Turkey.
Helmet Use in Sledding: Do Users Comply with Manufacturer Warnings?

Sledding, like other recreational sports, is associated with inherent risks of injury in which behavioral factors may influence the accident and injury modes. In the present work, we examined the rate of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and its relationship to various environmental and user characteristics at three popular sledding sites in California. Experimenters measured speeds and collected observations of equipment type, helmet use, sledder age and gender, along with on-product warnings and safety information for some of the products observed during data collection. The recorded sledder speeds were within the range of impact speeds for which helmets have been shown to reduce the likelihood of head injury. Despite this, and despite the prevalence of on-product warnings recommending helmet use, the observed usage rate of protective equipment while sledding was less than 5 percent for all sledders. Given the importance of helmets in reducing the risk of head injury in snowsports, these findings have important implications for the snowsport and broader safety community.
Ultra-low-power carbon nanotube FET-based quaternary logic gates

ABSTRACT This paper presents low-power carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET)-based quaternary logic circuits. The proposed quaternary circuits are designed based on the CNTFET unique properties, such as the same carrier mobility for N- and P-type devices and also providing desirable threshold voltages by adopting proper diameters for the nanotubes. In addition, no paths exist between supply and ground rails in the steady states of the proposed designs, which eliminates the ON state static current and also the stacking technique is utilised in order to significantly reduce the leakage currents. The results of the simulations, conducted using Synopsys HSPICE with the standard 32 nm CNTFET technology, confirm the significantly lower power consumption, higher energy efficiency and lower sensitivity to process variation of the proposed designs compared to the state-of-the-art quaternary logic circuits. The proposed quaternary logic circuits have on average 92, 99 and 91% less total power, static power and PDP, respectively, compared with the most low-power and energy-efficient CNTFET-based quaternary logic circuits, recently presented in the literature.
Geogrid Reinforced Railways Embankments: Design Concepts and Experimental Test Results

Over the past years, considerable advances have been made into the understanding of the behaviour of using geosynthetics to improve the performance of shallow embankments. Detailed investigations have been performed using small scale and large scale models to evaluate their performance and to develop rational methods for design. This document provides a guide to geotechnical engineers who wish to analyse the performances of geogrid reinforcements when installed in different locations of the track structure.
The use of serial ultrasound evaluation of body composition traits to predict performance endpoints in commercial beef cattle

The Use of Serial Ultrasound Evaluation of Body Composition Traits to Predict Performance Endpoints in Commercial Beef Cattle. (August 2009) Sorrel Ann Clement, B.S., Texas A&M University; M.Ed., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Andy D. Herring Bos indicus influenced primiparous heifers (n = 300) and yearling Beefmaster heifers (n = 172) were evaluated to determine relationships between serial carcass ultrasound traits and ability to breed in short (45 to 90 d) breeding seasons. Data collected included carcass ultrasound traits: ribeye area (REA), intramuscular fat (IMF), rump fat (UFAT), ribfat, weight, and body condition score taken at yearling age, pregnancy determination, before breeding, and after the breeding season when pregnancy status was recorded. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of ultrasound traits and body condition on pregnancy status. Odds ratios suggested the likelihood of primiparous cattle rebreeding would have been increased by 93% if IMF would have averaged 3.5% instead of 2.5% as yearlings, or an increase in the average ribfat as yearlings from 0.287 to 0.387 cm would have increased the odds of rebreeding by 88%. Increased average body condition score of 6.5 rather than 5.5 at 30 days postpartum in primiparous cows was estimated to have increased rebreeding 367%. The odds of yearling Beefmaster heifers successfully breeding during a 45-day season would have been increased by 73% (year 1) or
Preoperative clinical-radiomics nomogram for microvascular invasion prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma using 
 
 
 
 $$^{18}$$
 
 
 
 18
 
 
 F-FDG PET/CT

Purpose To develop a clinical-radiomics nomogram by incorporating radiomics score and clinical predictors for preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A total of 97 HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled from Shanghai Universal Medical Imaging Diagnostic Center and Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University. 909 CT and 909 PET slicers from 97 HCC patients were divided into a training cohort (N = 637) and a validation cohort (N = 272). Radiomics features were extracted from each CT or PET slicer, and features selection was performed with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and radiomics score was also generated. The clinical-radiomics nomogram was established by integrating radiomics score and clinical predictors, and the performance of the models were evaluated from its discrimination ability, calibration ability, and clinical usefulness. Results The radiomics score consisted of 45 selected features, and age, the ratio of maximum to minimum tumor diameter, and $$^{18}$$ 18 F-FDG uptake status were independent predictors of microvascular invasion. The clinical-radiomics nomogram showed better performance for MVI detection (0.890 [0.854, 0.927]) than the clinical nomogram (0.849 [0.804, 0.893]) ( $$p<0.05$$ p < 0.05 ). Both nomograms showed good calibration and the clinical-radiomics nomogram’s clinical practicability outperformed the clinical nomogram. Conclusions With the combination of radiomics score and clinical predictors, the clinical-radiomics nomogram can significantly improve the predictive efficacy of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma ( $$p<0.05$$ p < 0.05 ) compared with clinical nomogram.
Development of high-speed micro computed tomography system based on carbon nanotube emitter x-ray source

A carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter-based high-speed micro-computed tomography (CT) system is designed herein. CT scans result in prolonged exposure to radiation, thus, pulsed-field emission is performed to generate pulsed X-rays to reduce radiation dose. The radiation dose rates of continuous X-rays and X-rays generated by different pulses were compared. X-rays were stably generated 40 times per second through a pulsed-field emission current with MOSFET circuit. The CNT field emitter characteristic was maintained for more than 35 hours continuously, which means more than 5 million X-ray shots can be taken when sufficient current flows on pulse mode. X-ray images were also successfully acquired through such pulse driving.
Cholestatic Liver Disease and Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are two types of chronic cholestatic liver disease (CCLD). Little is known regarding the relationship between these conditions and pregnancy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the maternal and fetal outcomes amongst patients with a known diagnosis of PBC and PSC undergoing pregnancy. Our analysis shows that patients with PBC and PSC who undergo pregnancy are at an increased risk of pre-term delivery, as well as the development of new or worsening pruritus during pregnancy. Additionally, patients with PBC are at higher risk of undergoing a biochemical disease flare during the postpartum period compared to during pregnancy. However, there were no documented cases of maternal mortality or development of decompensated cirrhosis during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
Recent results on B spectroscopy from Tevatron

The Tevatron collider at Fermilab provides a rich environment for B spectroscopy. Recently the first direct observation of the Bc meson has reduced its mass uncertainty by two orders of magnitude. A search for ηb mesons provides the best limit on its production in pp colliders. In studies on orbitally excited Bd mesons for the first time the narrow states could be separated from each other. The orbitally excited Bs mesons have been observed for the first time. With the charged Σ (∗) b a second B baryon could be established beside the Λb.
The Association of the Prevalence of Depression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Visual-Related Quality of Life and Social Support

Aim To report the prevalence of depression and its association with vision-related quality of life and social support in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population. Methods Patients were recruited from a community-based study, Fushun Diabetic Retinopathy Cohort Study (FS-DIRECT), conducted between July 2012 and May 2013 in China. Depression was assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Vision-related quality of life was evaluated using the Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25). Social support was captured with the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Generalized linear models were used to estimate the individual and joint association of VFQ-25 composite score (VFQCS) and SSRS score (SSRSS) with depression. Results A total of 1618 subjects (60.9% female) aged 61.69 ± 8.72 years in an urban district of Jiangjun Street, Fushun City, Liaoning province, Northeast China from July 2012 to May 2013 were recruited, of which, 23.36% (95% CI: 21.30–25.42%) were identified with depression. Every 14.1 increase in VFQ-25 composite score decreased the risk of depression by half (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.4–0.6); with the elevation of 10.0 SSRS score the risk of depression decreased by 40% (OR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5–0.7). Patients with the VFQCS less than 91.3 and SSRSS less than 38.0 had 5.9 times more risk of depression (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 3.6–9.7). Age (over 60 years) (OR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9) and medical history of cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.5) were independently correlated with depression symptom. Conclusion The prevalence of depression is high among patients with T2DM in urban district in northeast China. Vision-related quality of life and social support scores are significantly associated with depression. Measures should be taken to screen depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes patients. These patients need to be intervened with appropriate and effective treatment as early as possible. Meanwhile, behavioral health specialists should guide the patient to get and use social support sources effectively.
Which characteristics and integrations between characteristics in blue–green spaces influence the nature experience?

This study aims to investigate the impact of characteristics in blue–green spaces and integrations between characteristics on people’s preference for nature experience (perception of and interaction with nature). A total of 795 participants performed two sets of twelve choice tasks, each task presenting two photographs where eight characteristics were manipulated. Participants indicated which photograph was preferred for perception of and interaction with nature, respectively. Conjoint analysis was used to analyze the data. Water features were the most important characteristic, followed by bushes, upkeep, and trees. Integrating wildlife, peers, flowers, and paths with vegetation and water features can improve their attractiveness for nature experience. Upkeep should be prioritized in the single green space, but the integration between water features and bushes or trees in the blue–green space appeared to be most important. Through the design and integration of different characteristics, our research results contribute to the construction of nature experience environments in blue–green spaces.
Health-Related Quality of Life Assessments by Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease and Their Parents in Portugal

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) can be used to measure the impact of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on the child and their family and is generally reduced. No research has yet measured HRQL in Portuguese pediatric SCD patients. Objectives: (1) Describe and compare HRQL of children with SCD reported by them and their parents; (2) Compare with a pediatric population with no SCD; (3) Find predictive factors of HRQL in SCD children. Methods: Descriptive, case-control study that included sixty-eight children and adolescents with SCD (aged 3 to 18 years) and their parents. Control group—children with no SCD, matched by age, gender and ethnic background. HRQL was assessed using the multidimensional self-report PedsQL® 4.0 Generic Scales. Summary scores for overall HRQL and subscale scores for physical, emotional, social and school functioning were compared within groups (children-parents) and with the control group. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were analyzed to find predictive factors of HRQL in pediatric SCD patients. Results: Children with SCD and their parents had significantly lower overall and all subdomains of HRQL, compared with the control group. Children with SCD also rated lower when compared with their parents (only significant for social functioning), with low to moderate correlations. Children and parent reports declined with increasing age. Higher pain frequency was associated with worse total and psychosocial domains of HRQL. The number of hospitalizations was a predictor of worse school score, and female gender was a predictor of worse emotional score. Conclusions: SCD significantly affects children’s HRQL. Parents can provide a good proxy report, although both evaluations are beneficial. Disease status, like number of hospitalizations and frequency of pain, influences HRQL. Interventions in SCD should consider improvements in HRQL as an important outcome.
Riociguat in Patients with CTEPH and Advanced Age and/or Comorbidities

Riociguat is licensed for the therapy of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We aimed to investigate whether age and comorbidities influence its tolerability and efficacy. Retrospectively, we analyzed data of tolerability, non-invasive, and invasive efficacy at baseline and follow up (FU) of all patients with CTEPH treated with riociguat at the Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Munich (n = 47), grouping patients according to age (<65 versus 65–79 versus ≥80 years) and risk factors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (<2 versus ≥2 risk factors). During dose titration patients >80 years reported side effects more frequently (40%) than the other age groups (23% and 21% for patients <65 years and patients 65–79, respectively). Cessation of riociguat was rare and occurred independent of age. When looking at the total cohort of 47 patients, three patients stopped therapy and three patients had a reduced maintenance dosage, while 41/47 (87%) and all octogenarians reached the highest maintenance dosage of 7.5 mg/d. The frequency of any side effect was similar in patients in both risk factor groups, and hypotension was only observed in those with <2 risk factors. Parameters of efficacy improved significantly under riociguat treatment. Improvement in 6-min walk distance (6 mwd), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) and hemodynamics did not differ between age or risk factor groups. In this small real-life cohort, riociguat was well-tolerated and effective in advanced age and risk factors for HFpEF.
Effects of image denoising on quantitative material decomposition in photon-counting spectral computed tomography

Material decomposition algorithms enable discrimination and quantification of multiple contrast agent and tissue compositions in spectral image datasets acquired by photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT). Image denoising has been shown to improve PCCT image reconstruction quality and feature recognition while preserving fine image detail. Reduction of image artifacts and noise could also improve the accuracy of material decomposition but the effects of denoising on material decomposition have not been investigated. In particular, deep learning methods can reduce inherent PCCT image noise without using a system-based or assumed prior noise model. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of image denoising on quantitative material decomposition in the absence of an influence of spatial resolution on feature recognition. Phantoms comprising multiple pure and spatially uniform contrast agent (gadolinium, iodine) and tissue (calcium, water) compositions were imaged by PCCT with four energy thresholds chosen to normalize photon counts and leverage contrast agent k-edges. Image denoising was performed by the established blockmatching and 3D-filtering (BM3D) algorithm or deep learning using convolutional neural networks. Material decomposition was performed on as-acquired, BM3D-denoised, and deep-learning-denoised datasets using constrained maximum likelihood estimation and compared to known material concentrations in the phantom. Image denoising by BM3D and deep learning improved the quantitative accuracy of material concentrations determined by material decomposition compared to ground truth, as measured by the root-mean-squared error. Material classification was not improved by image denoising compared with as-acquired images, suggesting that material decomposition was robust against inherent acquisition noise when feature recognition was not challenged by the system spatial resolution. Deeplearning-denoised images balanced preservation of local detail compared to more aggressive smoothing with BM3D, as measured by line profiles across features.