Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF EXTRACTS OF GINKGO BILOBA LEAF AND PANAX GINSENG ROOT ON CARBOHYDRATE AND LIPID METABOLISM GENE EXPRESSION IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic properties of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GBE) and Panax ginseng roots extract (PGE) in different combinations. A total of 40 rats were fed on high-fat-diet for 14-days, then divided into five groups (N=8). Non diabetic group (NDG), Diabetic-group (DG), Mixed-group-1 (MG1), Mixed-group2 (MG2), Mixed-Group-3 (MG3). Alloxan monohydrate (120-130 mg/Kg BW) was used as a diabetogenic agent. The data of blood glucose and body weight (BW) were monitored regularly weekly. Basal blood was collected from the heart for biochemical analyses. Skeletal muscle, hepatic, and adipose tissue were obtained for mRNA expression of genes. A Significant decrease in BW was found in all treated groups. A significant reduction in fasting serum glucose, AST, ALT, and creatinine were recorded in dose dependent-manner. The treatments showed up-regulation of GLUT-4 in the muscle (all treated groups) and hepatic tissues (MG3); IR in the muscle (MG3) and adipose tissue (MG3), and IRS-1 in hepatic (MG3) and adipose tissue (MG3). Our results showed that these herbs improve dyslipidemia and have strong antioxidant activities. We found significant down-regulation for SREBP-1c in dose-dependent manner in the liver and significant upregulation for FAS (MG2 & MG3) in the liver. Significant up-regulation was found for PPAR-α in muscles and PPAR-γ in adipose tissues in all treated groups. Significantly down-regulation for TNF-α seemed in all studied organs. In conclusion, GBE and PGE showed strong anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemia and anti-oxidative effects in combination by regulating the genes involved in carbohydrate and lipids metabolism.
Approximate Formulas for the Computation of Connection Delays under Capacity Restrictions in Rail Freight Transportation

This paper presented a method that permits both the formulation of a precise model for railyard connection delays and the derivation of closed-form formulas for the average connection delay. These formulas are obtained through accurate approximation of the waiting time in the queue of a scheduled departure fixed batch size bulk service queuing model. Their utilization allows the formulation of more elegant and computational efficient global tactical strategic planning models for rail freight transportation. The authors plan to generate these results to other intercity freight transportation modes and to apply the same methodology to the other terminal delays, especially the classification type.
Qualidade de vida de idosos: efeitos de um protocolo de inclusão digital no sul do Brasil

Contexto: O rápido crescimento da população idosa no mundo é causado pela longevidade e pelo envelhecimento, o qual indica a necessidade de implementação de medidas para garantir a esta população uma melhor qualidade de vida. A perspectiva de uma nova e rápida sociedade digital, está fazendo parte do dia a dia destes idosos, sendo que muitos ainda não foram incluídos nas redes sociais digitais. Objetivo: Verificar se existem efeitos de um programa de inclusão digital na qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas. Metodologia: Aplicação de um protocolo de intervenção com 44 participantes idosos, onde 21 foram submetidos a um protocolo de inclusão digital - grupo chamado de experimento (GE), durante dois meses, com 10 encontros de 2 horas e 2 grupos controles, um com atividades (GCA) não relacionadas à informática e outro sem atividades (GSA). Para avaliar os efeitos desta inclusão digital, foram aplicados instrumentos pré e pós intervenção. Instrumentos utilizados: Questionário sóciodemográfico, Questionário econômico Critério Brasil da ABEP, o WHOQOL-BREF e WHOQOL-OLD. Conclusão: não foram encontradas diferenças estatíticamente significantes e comprovadas para afirmar quaisquer efeitos da inclusão digital na qualidade de vida de idosos.
The Benefits of Reading Aloud for Children: A Review in EFL Context

ABSTRACTAlthough reading aloud is an old teaching strategy, its relevance has been vouched by research from time to time. The present study aimed to critically review experts' opinions and results of previous research on the definition and characteristics of reading aloud and its benefits for young children in the EFL contexts by employing George’s (2008) model of literature review. The review revealed that the teacher plays the most crucial role in reading aloud, acting as the bridge between the text and the student's comprehension. A good design of reading aloud demands the teacher’s competence in choosing the text to meet the students’ interest and level; planning the tempo of the reading and the pauses to pose questions and comments; and making connections with the text and the children. Reading aloud benefits children’s English regarding their vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension, listening skills, reading skills, speaking skills, communicative skills, and motivation, literacy, and critical thinking skills. These results imply that reading aloud is still relevant to be implemented nowadays because of the benefits it brings to children’s English. ABSTRAKMeski sering dianggap metode lama, membaca nyaring memberi banyak manfaat. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk melakukan kajian kritis terhadap pendapat ahli dan penelitian terdahulu mengenai pengertian, ciri khas, serta manfaat membaca nyaring, dengan mengikuti model penelitian kajian pustaka George (2008). Diungkapkan bahwa guru menjadi penentu kesuksesan kegiatan membaca nyaring sebagai jembatan yang menghubungkan siswa dengan teks yang dibaca. Kegiatan membaca nyaring bergantung pada kemampuan guru untuk memilih teks yang sesuai dengan minat dan kemampuan siswa, serta merancang proses pembacaan terkait tempo dan penempatan jeda untuk memberi komentar, bertanya, maupun membuat kaitan-kaitan antara teks dan siswa. Ahli dan penelitian terdahulu berpendapat bahwa kegiatan membaca nyaring berkontribusi secara positif terhadap siswa terkait pembentukan kosakata, pelafalan, pemahaman, keterampilan mendengar, membaca, berbicara, dan berkomunikasi, serta motivasi, literasi, dan kemampuan berpikir kritis berkomunikasi mereka. Jadi, membaca nyaring sangat relevan diimmplementasikan pada jaman sekarang karena kegiatan ini sangat positif untuk perkembangan Bahasa Inggris siswa.
THE EVALUATION OF AIDS TO THE DAYTIME CONSPICUITY OF MOTORCYCLES

Studies indicate that there are many cases in which a contributory factor in accidents is the failure of other road users to see motorcycles. TRRL and ICE have investigated this problem and made assessments of means of enhancing the conspicuity of motorcyclists. Early experimental work of various forms showed that either the use of a large dipped headlamp or a pair of specially-designed running lamps considerably enhances conspicuity in daylight. This report describes field trials to assess a wide range of lighting arrangements to determine whether there are simple and cheap options which are effective. A small number of options, previously found to be effective, was examined using a newly-developed technique which was representative of field conditions. The results of earlier work were confirmed in that the use of a large, powerful headlamp, pairs of running lamps or fluorescent clothing were found to improve the conspicuity of a motorcyclist. An important finding was that of the effect of environmental features on the benefits obtained from the use of such measures and a strong recommendation is made that a study be made of accidents to determine the potential role of conspicuity aids. (Author/TRRL)
Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum

Proven, 100% Practical Guidance for Making Scrum and Agile Work in Any Organization This is the definitive, realistic, actionable guide to starting fast with Scrum and agileand then succeeding over the long haul. Leading agile consultant and practitioner Mike Cohn presents detailed recommendations, powerful tips, and real-world case studies drawn from his unparalleled experience helping hundreds of software organizations make Scrum and agile work. Succeeding with Agile is for pragmatic software professionals who want real answers to the most difficult challenges they face in implementing Scrum. Cohn covers every facet of the transition: getting started, helping individuals transition to new roles, structuring teams, scaling up, working with a distributed team, and finally, implementing effective metrics and continuous improvement. Throughout, Cohn presents Things to Try Now sections based on his most successful advice. Complementary Objection sections reproduce typical conversations with those resisting change and offer practical guidance for addressing their concerns. Coverage includes Practical ways to get started immediatelyand get good fast Overcoming individual resistance to the changes Scrum requires Staffing Scrum projects and building effective teams Establishing improvement communities of people who are passionate about driving change Choosing which agile technical practices to use or experiment with Leading self-organizing teams Making the most of Scrum sprints, planning, and quality techniques Scaling Scrum to distributed, multiteam projects Using Scrum on projects with complex sequential processes or challenging compliance and governance requirements Understanding Scrums impact on HR, facilities, and project management Whether you've completed a few sprints or multiple agile projects and whatever your rolemanager, developer, coach, ScrumMaster, product owner, analyst, team lead, or project leadthis book will help you succeed with your very next project. Then, it will help you go much further: It will help you transform your entire development organization.
Heritage, place, and community

The Rhondda Heritage Park is the only colliery building left in a valley which at one time supported sixty-six deep mines. As the only significant public memorial the Rhondda has to its mining industry, it demonstrates the potential of heritage to offer a thought-provoking and accessible representation of local identity and community. However, critics of heritage point out its pretensions, banalities and failures, and its tainted, entrepreneurial character. In Heritage, Place and Community, Bella Dicks explores these contradictions in the concept and practice of heritage, shows how heritage has come to be adopted as an attempt to regenerate the cultural and economic identity of former industrial areas and discusses the role of heritage in the formation and negotiation of social identity. This ground-breaking book is more than just a study of the development of the Rhondda Heritage Park. Using an innovative theoretical framework, Heritage, Place and Community brings together the economic, cultural, social and political dimensions of heritage production and consumption and seeks to trace the ways in which the study of heritage opens up wider questions of representation and politics.
The Great Reset: How New Ways of Living and Working Drive Post-Crash Prosperity

Like the Great Depression and the Long Depression before it, experts have viewed prolonged economic downturns as crises. In "The Great Reset", bestselling author Richard Florida argues that we should instead see the recent recession as an opportunity to create entirely new ways of working and living - and new economic practices that are more sustainable than current systems. Studying successful examples from the past, Florida surmises that for a reset to work, it must move beyond the limited realm of companies, business models, innovations, even public policies. It must be a rethinking of our very way of life in which we recreate and redefine the geography of capitalism. Combining academic research, real life vignettes, and historical examples, Florida identifies the four major pillars of the reset, explaining how each will lead to transformation, opportunity, and new prosperity, including: flexible housing; new and faster public transportation; more affordable consumption bundles such as food and energy; and, new jobs, industries, and sources of innovation. Going beyond economics and social geography, "The Great Reset" provides a new framework for understanding the roots of new growth, details the essential actions for recovery; shows the often-overlooked importance of place; and, paints a picture of what our new lives could soon look like.
Concrete-filled Tubular Members and Connections

1. Introduction 2. Concrete-Filled Tubular Sections 3. Members Subjected to Static Loading at Ambient Temperatures 4. Members Subjected to Fire 5. Members Subjected to Seismic Loading 6. Connections to Concrete-Filled Tubular Columns 7. Recent Developments. Appendix A: Summary of Design Rules. Appendix B: Practical Design Examples
Progressive Design-build Delivery Method: Assessment of Project Performance

ABSTRACT As the progressive design-build (PDB) delivery method is gained traction in the construction industry, owners are interested to understand the factors that govern performance in such projects. This study examined the impact of variables such as time of involvement, team selection, and team behavior on project performance for projects delivered using the PDB method. To achieve our goal, the research team first compiled a database of 19 completed PDB projects and analyzed the data using Mann–Whitney U test. The significant results of the statistical analysis provided a list of best practices owners can follow to increase their chances of achieving success in PDB projects. Within academia, this study contributes an early performance database for assessing PDB projects. Within industry, practitioners will benefit from the results, which identify best practices for maximizing success in PDB projects and provide guidelines for using PDB as a delivery method, based on owner and project characteristics.
Augmented Renal Clearance in Chinese Intensive Care Unit Patients After Traumatic Brain Injury: Identifying Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate Cut-off Value as a Risk Factor

BackgroundAugmented renal clearance (ARC) is common in trauma patients and associated with subtherapeutic antimicrobial concentrations. China has more patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) than most other countries in the world. However, there were no studies that focus on the ARC in Chinese TBI patients. In this study, we report the incidence of ARC in patients with TBI as well as risk factors for ARC. Besides, we evaluated the ability of four commonly used estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) formulas and other covariates to predict the presence of ARC.MethodsThe prospective observational study was conducted in a 24-bed tertiary level, university-affiliated hospital, and 54 TBI patients with normal serum creatinine enrolled. We measured 24-h creatinine clearance after admission, and ARC defined as measured creatinine clearance ≥ 130 ml/min/1.73 m2. Demographic variables were then compared, and multivariate analysis was performed. Receiver operating curve, bias, and precision analyses were conducted to examine eGFR and ARCTIC score accuracy in predicting ARC. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk factors contributing to ARC. ResultsThe incidence of ARC was 50%. A moderate correlation was shown between measured Crcl and four eGFR (rs/r was 0.590, 0.499, 0.404, and 0.518, respectively). All of the equations significantly underestimated the measured Crcl, especially in the ARC group. Neither had excellent precision for clinical application in this setting. ARCTIC score can't accurately distinguish ARC either. Multivariable analysis displayed that four factors independently correlated to ARC: male, larger BMI, lower serum creatinine, and without a history of hypertension. Further investigation found eGFR higher than the threshold, without a history of hypertension, and/or bigger BMI were independent risk factors for ARC, and they had good accuracy in predicting the occurrence of ARC.ConclusionsARC was frequently observed in Chinese TBI patients. The estimated methods of GFR and ARCTIC score inaccurate and couldn't be directly used as a screening tool to identify ARC in Chinese TBI patients. But if we take the cut-off values of different formulas into account, the estimated GFR could be used as a decisive risk factor in helping to screen the ARC.
Planning and Engineering Guidelines for the Seismic Retrofitting of Historic Adobe Structures

This is a companion volume to "Seismic Stabilization of Historic Adode Structures: Final Report of the Getty Seismic Adode Project", and it offers guidance for planners, architects and engineers in the retrofitting of historic and culturally significant adode structures. The text consists of two parts: a "planning guide", which outlines the fundamental conservation principles and preparatory steps in the design of a plan, and an "engineering guide", which describes the types of earthquake damage typically encountered in historic adode buildings and presents detailed technical procedures for applying the appropriate retrofit measures. The book also includes a directory of pertinent government agencies, possible funding sources, an abstract of the California seismic safety code, an article describing historic adobe and excerpts from the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Wind Turbine Engineering Design

The authors explain the fundamental theory behind wind turbines as well as the basic mathematical models needed for their design. They give engineers a solid physical understanding of the dynamics of machines from both theory and field experience. Alerting readers to the engineering trade-offs inevitably encountered by designers, they provide the facts and data (complete with references) that enable engineers to design sound and cost-effective wind turbines.
LEGIBILITY AND CONSPICUITY PERFORMANCE OF DRY AND WET BEADS ON PAINT AND REFLECTIVE SHEETING LICENSE PLATES UNDER LOW-BEAM ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT

Results of five similar but independent field studies investigating the nighttime legibility and conspicuity of two different types of reflective license plates under low-beam illumination are consolidated. In each study reflective sheeting license plates (12 new and 12 used Texas license plates with blue characters on white background) were compared with beads-on-paint reflective license plates [12 new and 12 used Arizona license plates with white characters (beads on paint) on dark red background]. The same set of 48 plates was used in each of the studies. In the legibility studies the license plates were displayed at different distances straight ahead along the longitudinal axis of the experimental car. In the conspicuity studies the plates were displayed either 20 ft (6.1 m) to the right or 20 ft (6.1 m) to the left of the longitudinal axis ahead of the experimental car. A car providing opposing glare was positioned 200 ft (61 m) ahead of the experimental car to simulate a tangent section of a two-lane rural highway at night with an opposing car. The studies were conducted with five independent groups of subjects. Twenty subjects were used to determine the nighttime legibility [75 ft (22.9 m)] and conspicuity [550 ft (167.6 m)] of dry license plates in Study 1, and 12 subjects each were used in the remaining four studies. Studies 2 and 3 investigated the legibility of both dry and wet license plates, respectively, at 50, 75, and 100 ft (15.2, 22.9, and 30.5 m). Study 4 investigated the conspicuity of wet license plates at 550 and 750 ft (167.6 and 228.6 m), and Study 5 investigated the conspicuity of dry license plates at 750 ft (228.6 m). The results of the legibility studies (Studies 1, 2, and 3) indicate that the dry reflective sheeting plates consistently performed slightly better than the dry beads-on-paint plates. Furthermore, the wet reflective sheeting plates provided considerably better legibility performance when compared with that of the wet beads-on-paint plates. The conspicuity results (Studies 1, 4, and 5) indicate a consistent slight to considerable advantage of the dry or wet reflective sheeting license plates over the dry or wet beads-on-paint plates depending on the display location (left or right) at 550 and 750 ft (167.6 and 228.6 m). All these performance differences were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. In general the results of this investigation suggest that the reflective sheeting design is a much more robust product design when compared with the beads-on-paint design, because it will retain a much greater degree of legibility and conspicuity performance under adverse conditions such as opposing car glare or wetness of the plates.
THEORY, VALIDATION AND APPLICATION OF THE VISCO-ELASTIC MULTILAYER PROGRAM VEROAD

VEROAD is a linear visco-elastic multilayer program. The acronym VEROAD stands for Visco-Elastic ROad Analysis Delft. The program takes fully into account both the visco-elasticity of the asphalt material and the movement of the wheel. Thus the actual time dependent displacements, stresses and strains and the permanent deformation are obtained, fully three-dimensionally. From these quantities others can be derived: the dissipated energy due to the passage of a wheel, the effect of lateral wandering on permanent deformation, the principal stresses, the rotation of the principal stresses, etc. The underlying theory is briefly described. The program has been validated by comparing the longitudinal and transverse strains measured in full scale tests with those calculated by using VEROAD. The agreement can be called excellent. The field of application is obvious. It ranges from analyzing full scale test results to pavement design, from mix design to analysis of the damaging effects of different wheel configurations. In the article also attention is paid to the experimental determination of the material parameters to be used in VEROAD.