Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
University of Birmingham Extending TDR capability for measuring soil density and water content to field condition monitoring

: Time domain reflectometry (TDR) can be used to measure the dry density of compacted soils, although it is believed that TDR could also be used to monitor the long-term performance of aging geotechnical assets. Understanding the deterioration of aging assets (earth dams, embankments) can be problematic; monitoring the relative condition with time may prove advantageous. In such applications, it would be likely that commercially available TDR probes and multiplexers would be used, and this paper illustrates that the current method does not perform particularly well with these. Therefore, an alternative method has been developed that, when applied to six fine-grained soils (exhibiting a range of plasticities), can deal with the impacts of multiplexers and commercial probes. It is shown that the dry density and gravimetric water content can be predicted with an accuracy of (cid:1) 5 and (cid:1) 2% , respectively. The accuracy can also be improved by correcting the TDR parameters for temperature. The new method is robust, relatively independent of the compactive effort and only marginally affected by the presence of multiplexers, making it suitable for field-monitoring applications. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001792. This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, http://
Alzraikat H et al: Properties of Biodentine www.jrmds.in

Background: Physical and mechanical properties are important during the selection of materials which is used for root repair and root end filling to ensure their success and longevity. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the compressive and diametral tensile strengths and solubility of Biodentine and ProRoot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). Material & Methods: Cylindrical samples of tested materials were constructed for compressive and diametral tensile strength. After then, it was immersed in distilled water for 24 hours or 21 days at 37 o C before testing. Solubility was determined by preparing discs of each material, and then stored in 50ml distilled water at 37°C for 1, 7, and 21 days. Solubility was measured as the difference between the initial weight and the weight at the end of each storage period. Results were analyzed using One-way ANOVA, Student’s t-test, and Tukey’s HSD posthoc test (P<0.05). Results: Biodentine showed significantly higher compressive and diametral tensile strength values compared with MTA after 1 day (P<0.01). Strength values of Biodentine significantly decreased after 21 days compared with day 1 (P<0.01). On the other hand, MTA showed a significantly higher diametral tensile strength after 21 days compared with day 1 (P<0.01). Biodentine showed higher solubility than MTA (P<0.05). In addition, the solubility of Biodentine and MTA significantly decreased after 21 days compared with 1 day (P<0.01). Conclusion: Although Biodentine showed higher initial strength than MTA, the values were not significantly different after 21 days. Biodentine was more soluble than MTA.
Numerical and Experimental Study of Flow Structure and Cooling Behavior of Air Impingement on a Target Plate

Abstract Numerical and experimental study is carried out to investigate flow structure and heat transfer of air jet normally impinging on a flat plate. Three orifices of 5, 10 and 20 mm diameters and Z/d ratios in the range of 2 to 8 were used. The numerical simulations were performed with the ANSYS FLUENT for steady, three-dimensional, incompressible, and turbulent flow from the jet. The comparison of CFD predictions with experimental results show that a good agreement of the average Nusselt number, the pressure coefficients distributions, radial velocity distributions of the fee jet. Keywords: CFD simulation, Nusselt number, jet flow, Wall jet velocity 1. Introduction Air impingement is one of the efficient solutions of cooling hot objects in industrial processes as it produces higher heat transfer rate through forced convection. Jet impingement was used in cooling of turbine blades, quenching of steel and glass products in production line and the enhancement of cooling efficiency in the electronic industry. Heat transfer by impingement is also studied as side effects of vertical/ short take-off and landing of aircraft. The flow structure and the mechanism of heat transfer have been studied experimentally by a number of researchers. San et al [1] carried out an experimental study of air impingement on a flat plate that flow through two exits in opposite directions. Four orifices of 3, 4, 6 and 9 mm diameters were used with jet Reynolds number in the range of 30000 – 67000 at orifice-to-plate distance /diameter, Z/d = 2. The results showed that for the same Reynolds number, the smaller orifice diameter give lower Nusselt number but the influence decreased for d>6 mm. The measured local surface temperature shows that transition from impingement region to a wall jet region take place at (r/d) values close to 1.0. Goldstien and Bahbahani [2] reported local heat transfer coefficients measured on a plate exposed to an impinging air jet from orifice diameter, d=12 mm with and without a cross flow. The results show that the peak heat transfer coefficient disappeared with cross flow at the large Z values but it increased at small Z values with cross flow. Lee et al [3] examine the heat transfer from a flat plate to a fully developed axisymmetric impinging jet from a nozzle of 11 mm diameter at different Z/d ratios. The correlation of Nusselt number with Re
Effect of Particle Size of Zinc Oxides on Cytotoxicity and Cell Permeability in Caco-2 Cells ⁃ Research

The cell permeability and cytotoxic effects of different-sized zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were investigated using a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line called Caco-2. Morphological observation by scanning electron microscopy revealed that three zinc oxides with different mean particle sizes (ZnO-1, 20 nm; ZnO-2, 90 ～ 200 nm; ZnO-3, 1 ～ 5 μm) tended to aggregate, particularly in the case of ZnO-1. When cytotoxicities of all three sizes of zinc oxide particles were measured at concentration ranges of 1 ～ 1000 μg/mL, significant decreases in cell viability were observed at concentrations of 50 μg/mL and higher. Among the three zinc oxides, ZnO-1 showed the lowest viability at 50 μg/mL in Caco-2 cells, followed by ZnO-2 and ZnO-3. The permeate concentration of ZnO-1 from the apical to the basolateral side in the Caco-2 model system after four hours was about three-fold higher than that of either ZnO-2 or ZnO-3. These results demonstrated that ZnO-1, with a 20 nm mean particle size, had poorer viability and better permeability in Caco-2 cells than ZnO-2 and ZnO-3.
Effect of Streptozotocin on Biochemical Parameters in Rats

This study was carried out to investigate whether streptozotocin induced diabetic rats could effect some of serum biochemical parameters. Twenty Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into two experimental: Control (50 mg/kg SF) and streptozocin (60 mg/kg), Control rats were given only physiological saline (50 mg/kg). Serum glucose, AST, ALT and cholesterol levels of rats were determined after treatment of 1, 3 and 6 h, while the level of glucose, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were increased and cholesterol level was decreased. It is concluded from the experimental study that streptozocin (60 mg/kg) may increase of serum glucose, AST, ALT levels and cause diabet in rats.
Black-White Segregation, Discrimination, and Home Ownership Black-White Segregation, Discrimination, and Home Ownership

Panel Abstract The effect of discrimination on black-white racial segregation is studied using a confidential supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). Audit studies reveal that the rate of discrimination in rental housing is substantially higher than in owner-occupied housing. Thus, a variable indicating home ownership is used to proxy for the discrimination rate faced by blacks. The fixed-effects estimates of segregation imply that home ownership is associated with a decline in black-white segregation. This effect decreases slightly at higher income levels but increases substantially with the education of the head of household. Evidence is presented that the effect of discrimination on segregation disappears in cross-sectional data but reappears when using a panel and controlling for fixed-effects. The findings of this study suggest that increased government enforcement of fair housing laws may have a quantitatively different effect on different segments of society and that future research on racial segregation should emphasize the use of panel, as opposed to cross-sectional, data.
CEOR_A_305154 377..394

1Health Outcomes Division, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; 2Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; 3Neurology, Immunology, & Inflammation, Sanofi Genzyme, Cambridge, MA, USA Objective: To evaluate the effect of comorbidities on healthcare expenditures and perceived physical and mental health status among adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, matched cohort study was conducted using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2005–2015) data. The base study sample consisted of adults (age ≥18 years) who were alive and had positive total healthcare expenditures during the survey calendar year. Adults with MS were propensity-matched (1:1) to non-MS controls based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity using greedy matching algorithm. Healthcare expenditures consisted of total and subtypes of expenditures. Health status consisted of perceived physical and mental health status. Comorbidities were identified using ICD-9-CM and Clinical Classification System codes. Ordinary least squares regression and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze the healthcare expenditures and health status variables, respectively. Results: Final study sample consisted of 541 adults in each MS and non-MS control groups after propensity score matching. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with MS had greater total and subtypes of expenditures compared to non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, depression, hypertension) were significantly associated with increased healthcare expenditures. Yearly average total expenditures (expressed in 2018 US$) were significantly (p<0.001) higher for adults with MS ($29,396) than propensity score-matched non-MS adults ($7875). Moreover, after adjusting for all individual-level factors, adults with MS experienced 363% (p<0.001) higher total expenditures compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls. Individuals with MS were more likely to report poorer physical and good mental health status compared to propensity scorematched non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, anxiety, depression) were significant independent predictors of poorer health status. For example, adults with MS were four times more likely (OR: 4.10, 95% CI: 2.42–6.96) to report fair/poor physical health status compared to excellent/very good physical health status compared with non-MS controls. Adults with MS were 42% (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01–1.99) more likely than propensity score-matched non-MS controls to report good rather than very good or excellent mental health status. However, there was no difference between adults with MS and propensity score-matched non-MS controls in terms of reporting fair or poor than very good or excellent mental health status. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate substantial economic and health status burdens among adults with MS at the US national-level that are significantly influenced by comorbidities.
CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREMS FOR INTEGRATED SQUARE ERROR OF NONPARAMETRIC DENSITY ESTIMATORS BASED ON ABSOLUTELY REGULAR RANDOM SEQUENCES

where $m_{a}^{b}$ denotes the $\sigma$ -algebra generated $X_{a},$ $\cdots$ , $X_{b}(a\leqq b)$ . Suppose that the distribution function $F(x)$ of $X_{0}$ has a density function $f(x)$ and let $f_{n}(x)$ be a nonparametric estimator of $f(x)$ based on $X_{1},$ $\cdots$ , $X_{n}$ . In this Paper, we focus our attentions on a global measure of performance of $f_{n}(x)$ which is called an integrated square error (ISE)
Career decision difficulties and decision statuses among greek student teachers

: This study examined the perceived career decision-making difficulties among Greek student teachers via the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). The Greek version of CDDQ was firstly analyzed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. In a sample of student teachers majoring in humanities and social sciences (N= 780), the initially proposed structure of CDDQ was partially confirmed with seven of the ten anticipated factors present. These factors were used as independent variables in multivariate models predicting participants' overall difficulty during the career decision-making process, the degree of certainty for their choices, and their decision status. Discussion of the findings is provided.
Effects of Steroid Hormones and Opioid Peptides on the Growth of Androgen-responsive Shionogi Carcinoma (SC115) Cells in Primary Culture1

We investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), hydrocorti-sone (HO, basic fibroblast growth factor ilil (.1 i. and opioid peptides on the growth nf cells from the androgen-responsive Shionogi mouse mam mary carcinoma (SC115) in primary culture. Androgen-responsive SC115 tumor cells were stimulated to grow in response to DHT, IK. and bFGF in a dose-responsive manner in both serum-containing and serum-free media. Moreover, anti-lil <,1 antibody had a marked inhibitory effect on DHT- and bFGF-induced growth. Three opioid agonists, ÃŸ-endorphin (ÃŸ-EP),cyclazocine. and morphine sulfate, markedly inhibited SC1I5 tu mor cell growth at concentrations ranging from 10 " to 10 Min serum-containing medium with or without DHT, lit. or bFGF, with the greatest inhibition occurring in medium with DHT. In serum-free medium, ÃŸ-EP had no inhibitory effects on cell growth. However, ÃŸ-EPat concentrations of III " M or greater significantly inhibited cell growth in serum-free medium containing DHT, lie. or bFGF, with the greatest inhibition again occurring in medium with DHT. Naloxone (I0~" and III '' M),an opioid receptor antagonist, blocked the inhibitory effects of ÃŸ-EPand morphine sulfate. These results suggest that SC115 tumor cells in primary culture are stimulated to grow in a dose-responsive manner by DHT, HC, or bFGF in both serum-containing and serum-free media. It appears that bFGF may mediate, at least partially, DHT-stimulated cell growth. In addition, the opioid peptide system may be involved in regulating endocrine control of growth of the androgen-responsive SC115 carcinoma. The dose-respon sive inhibitory effects of opioids and their reversal by naloxone suggest that these effects may be mediated by opioid receptors. cells and cultured on collagen-coated dishes in either serum-containing or scrum-tree medium, with or without the physi ological concentration of DHT (3.5 X 10~KM)or a pharmacological concentration of HC (10~(>M). Experiments were terminated 5. or 7 days culture. Cell counts indicated that virtually all cells attached to the substrate and that cultures were still in the exponential phase of growth at 5 to 7 days. Cells in either taining or serum-free medium alone grew slowly; by days they increased approximately 1.5- to 2-fold the initial DHT. cell growth was initial
Vortex Dynamics in Complex Fluids

The present chapter provides an overview of vortex dynamics in complex fluids by taking examples of Taylor vortex flow. As complex fluids, non-Newtonian fluid is taken up. The effects of these complex fluids on the dynamic behavior of vortex flow fields are discussed. When a non-Newtonian shear flow is used in Taylor vortex flow, an anomalous flow instability is observed, which also affects heat and mass transfer characteristics. Hence, the effect of shear-thinning on vortex dynamics including heat transfer is mainly referred. This chapter also refers to the concept of new vortex dynamics for chemical process intensification technologies that apply these unique vortex dynamics in complex fluids in Conclusions.
The effect of the July 14, 2000 “Bastille Day” solar flare event on >70 MeV galactic cosmic rays observed at V1 and V2 in the distant heliosphere

Decreases in the >70 MeV rates of galactic cosmic rays are observed in the outer heliosphere in 2001 at V2 (63 AU) and V1 (80 AU) coincident with the arrival of the interaction region from the Bastille Day event in 2000 at the Earth. These decreases began ∼180 days after the event at the Sun at V2 and ∼245 days at V1 corresponding to average propagation speeds of 605 and 567 km/s respectively. The intensity decrease was 13.1% at V2 and 9.3% at V1. The intensity of these galactic cosmic rays recovered very slowly at V2 and V1 this recovery continuing for ∼150–120 days or more after the transient passed these spacecraft. The intensity time profiles show no obvious effects at the time when the interaction region might be expected to encounter the termination shock and suggest that the modulation associated with interaction region continued well beyond the location of the termination shock, into the heliosheath and perhaps to the heliopause.
1403 Age-dependent Requirement for (cid:2)(cid:3) T Cells in the Primary but Not Secondary Protective Immune Response against an Intestinal

UK Abstract Between weaning (3 wk of age) and adulthood (7 wk of age), mice develop increased resistance to infection with Eimeria vermiformis , an abundant intestinal parasite that causes coccidiosis. This development of resistance was perturbed in T cell receptor (TCR) (cid:3) (cid:4) / (cid:4) mice, which at 4 wk of age remained largely susceptible to infection and prone to infection-associated dehydration. These phenotypes were rescued by the repopulation of (cid:2)(cid:3) cells after adoptive transfer of lymphoid progenitors into newborn recipients. Because (cid:5)(cid:6) T cells are necessary and sufficient for the protection of adult mice against E. vermiformis , the requirement for (cid:2)(cid:3) cells in young mice shows a qualitative difference between the cellular immune responses operating at different ages. An important contribution toward primary immune protection in young hosts may have provided a strong selective pressure for the evolutionary conservation of (cid:2)(cid:3) cells. This notwith-standing, the development of effective, pathogen-specific immunity in young mice requires (cid:5)(cid:6) T cells, just as it does in adult
University of Birmingham Tail risk and systemic risk of US and Eurozone financial institutions in the wake of the global financial crisis

We evaluate multiple market-based measures for US and eurozone individual bank tail risk and bank systemic risk. We apply statistical extreme value analysis to the tails of bank equity capital losses to estimate the likelihood of individual institutions’ financial distress as well as individual banks’ exposure to each other (“spillover risk”) and to global shocks (“extreme” systematic risk). The estimation procedure presupposes that bank equity returns are “heavy tailed” and “tail dependent” as identifying assumption. Using both US and eurozone banks allows one to make a cross-atlantic comparison of tail risks and systemic stability. We also assess to what extent magnitudes of tail risk and systemic risk have been altered by the global financial crisis. The results suggest that both tail risk and systemic risk in the US are higher than in the eurozone regardless of the considered sample
EFFECT OF RUMINAL DEGRADABILITY OF CRUDE PROTEIN AND NON STRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING GOATS: 2. FEED DIGESTIBILITY, SOME BLOOD CONSTITUENTS AND MILK PRODUCTION AND ITS COMPOSITION

Twenty four lactating Zaraibi goats in mid lactation were used in a 2 x 2 factorial experimental design to evaluate two different sources of ruminally degradable non structural carbohydrates (high and low RDNSC) and two different sources of ruminally degradable protein (high and low RDP). Four experimental diets were formulated to study their effects on digestion coefficients, some blood constituents and milk production and its composition. The obtained results indicated that digestibility coefficients for DM, OM, CP and NFE and the nutritive value in terms of TDN and DCP% were significantly (P<0.05) higher for goats received low RDP and high RDNSC diets than those received high RDP and low RDNSC diets. The concentration of plasma urea-N was decreased (P<0.05) when goats were fed low RDP diets than those fed high RDP ones, whereas the concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin were increased indicating once more better utilization of low RDP. Regardless the RDP, plasma urea-N was significantly (P<0.05) lower in goats fed high RDNSC diets than in those fed low RDNSC diets. Yields of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk (4%-FCM) and milk components were higher (P<0.05) when goats fed low RDP diets than those fed high RDP ones. Milk non-protein-nitrogen (NPN) was lower (P<0.05) with low RDP diets. On the other hand, yield of true protein nitrogen, casein nitrogen, whey nitrogen and unsaturated fatty acids in milk were higher (P<0.05) with goats fed low RDP than those fed high RDP. Regardless the RDP content of the tested diets, a slight improvement in milk yield and 4%-FCM detected for goats given high RDNSC diets compared to those given low RDNSC ones without significant differences. Goats received low RDP with high RDNSC (diet 4) were higher and more persistent for milk yield during the experimental period. On the other hand goats received diets contained high RDP with high RDNSC produced the lowest milk yield.
University of Birmingham Patient and general practitioner attitudes to taking medication to prevent cardiovascular disease after receiving detailed information on risks and benefits of treatment: a qualitative study

Background: There are now effective drugs to prevent cardiovascular disease and guidelines recommend their use. Patients do not always choose to accept preventive medication at levels of risk reduction recommended in guidelines. The purpose of the study was to identify and explore the attitudes of patients and general practitioners towards preventative medication for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after they have received information about it; to identify implications for practice and prescribing. Methods: Qualitative interviews with GPs and patients following presentation of in depth information about CVD risks and the absolute effects of medication. Setting: GP practices in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Results: In both populations: wide variation on attitudes to preventative medication; concerns about unnecessary drug taking & side effects; preferring to consider lifestyle changes first. In patient population: whatever their attitudes to medication were, the vast majority explained that they would ultimately do what their GP recommended; there was some misunderstanding of the distinction between curative and preventative medication. A common theme was the degree of trust in their doctors ’ judgement and recommendations, which contrasted with scepticism of the role of pharmaceutical companies and academics. Scepticism in guidelines was also common among doctors although many nevertheless recommended treatment for their patients Conclusions: A guideline approach to prescribing preventative medication could be against the interests and preferences of the patient. GPs must take extra care to explain what preventative medication is and why it is recommended, attempt to discern preferences and make recommendations balancing these potentially conflicting concerns.