Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulfur dioxide and exacerbation of allergic respiratory diseases: A time-stratified case-crossover study

Background: Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that air pollution plays a significant role in the exacerbation of allergic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to assess the potential relationship between daily levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic diseases. Materials and Methods: Data regarding ED visits for allergic respiratory diseases were routinely collected from the EDs in the Zlatibor district, and the General Hospital, Užice. The daily average concentrations of SO2 were obtained from the regional automatic air quality monitoring stations. All data were collected from June 2012 to July 2014. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and ORs adjusted for weather conditions were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Results: Statistically significant associations were seen between 0-day lagged exposure to SO2 and ED visits for all allergic diseases (OR = 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–2.48; P = 0.028) and between 2-day lagged exposure to SO2 and ED visits for asthma with allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.03–3.88; P = 0.042). These results were adjusted for temperature, temperature2, and humidity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to SO2 conferred an increased risk of ED visits for allergic respiratory diseases, particularly for asthma with concomitant allergic rhinitis.
A pipelined ASIC for color matrixing and convolution

A VLSI chip that can perform either 3*3 matrix multiplication or 3*3 digital convolution is discussed. Built-in self-test (BIST) techniques have been incorporated into the chip to ensure high fault coverage. The chip is designed in a 2- mu m CMOS technology using a silicon compiler for physical layout. The device is designed to operate at 14.3 MHz, making it suitable for real-time video and image processing applications. <<ETX>>
EVALUATION OF ELECTRIC POWERED WHEELCHAIRS AND EXPOSURE TO WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION

The detrimental results of whole-body vibration (WBV) and their effect on humans in the seated position have been documented. Although wheelchair users are subjected to WBV little research has been conducted to assess these vibrations or attempt to reduce them.Sixteen able bodied subjects tested two powered wheelchairs: a Quickie S-626 and an Invacare 3G Torque SP. Each subject tested all of the configurations of the suspension wheelchairs and solid inserts to represent a non-suspension wheelchair. In each of the configurations of the wheelchairs, the subjects traversed an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) course. Vibrations were collected from a tri-axial accelerometer mounted to a ¼ inch aluminum seat plate during driving over the activities course. Root Mean Square Values and Vibration Dose Values were analyzedStatistical analyses of the RMS and VDV data revealed significant differences between the six different suspensions over each of the obstacles in the activities of daily living course. Post-hoc analyses revealed that for each of the obstacles, significant differences existed between the Invacare suspension and the Invacare solid insert. For the Quickie power wheelchair the solid insert setting was not significantly different from the most-stiff setting for each of the obstacles except the smooth surface. The solid insert setting was significantly different than the lowest and mid stiffness settings for all of the obstacles except the smooth surface and the deck surface.Without significant periods of rest the effects of WBV are cumulative throughout the course of the day, and the longer the exposure time the lower the threshold of non-harmful vibrations. Although most of the suspension systems are capable of reducing the amounts of vibration transmitted to the users the results of the vibration dose values seem to indicate that they may not reduce them enough to reduce probability of injury in powered wheelchair users.Future work should move towards examining these vibrations to evaluate what actual levels of WBV wheelchair users are experiencing over the course of an entire day and examining relationships between suspension and user weight to make data available to clinicians and wheelchair companies for suspension tuning.
Geriatric Depression and Inappropriate Medication: Benefits of Interprofessional Team Cooperation in Nursing Homes

An investigation of inappropriate medication use in treatment of depressivity in institutionalized older adults, based on a nurse-led evaluation of functional status and depressive symptoms in nursing home residents. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study was performed using records from 1087 residents cared for in fifteen nursing homes (NHs) in the Czech Republic. Inclusion criteria were being a permanent resident of one of the facilities, being 60 years of age or older, having a Geriatric Depression Scale score of 6 or more, and having a Mini Mental State examination score 10 or more. The final sample for analysis included 317 depressed NH residents. Results: 52 percent of NH residents with depressivity had no antidepressant treatment. Benzodiazepines were the only medication in 16 percent of depressed residents, and were added to antidepressant treatment in 18 percent of residents. Benzodiazepine users had significantly higher GDS scores compared to non-users (p = 0.007). Conclusion: More than half of depressed NH residents remained without antidepressant treatment. Residents inappropriately treated with benzodiazepines were more depressed than residents treated with antidepressants only, or even not treated at all. Cooperation of the interprofessional team in the screening of depressive symptoms has the potential to improve the quality of care.
Analysis of Serum Metabolomics in Obese Mice Induced by High-Fat Diet

Background Obesity is a public health problem all over the world, and dietary habits are considered one of the important reasons. Methods In this study, serum metabolites of mice fed a normal or high-fat diet (HFD) were analyzed using UPLC-QTOF-MS. Results A significant increase in body weight was noted in HFD mice. The HFD and control groups were significantly different from each other on OPLS-DA scores. The major metabolites contributing to obesity were lipid metabolites (phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamine, and lysophosphatidylcholines). In addition, this study revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism were related to obesity and obesity-associated diseases. Conclusion These results can be used to better understand obesity and assess its risk, which will provide new ideas for treatment.
Analysis of 3-D metallization structures by a full-wave spectral-domain technique

A full-wave method for the investigation of microstrip and coplanar structures including 3-D metallization structures is presented. The spectral-domain analysis method is used to calculate the S-parameters of unshielded microwave components containing bond-wires and air-bridges. The general formulation and the implementation procedure of the method are described. The application of the theory is given by a comparison of measured and calculated results for a spiral inductor, including an air-bridge. >
Dual-band CPW-fed cross-slot monopole antenna for WLAN operation

A novel dual-band design of a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed monopole antenna with a cross slot is proposed. The antenna, comprising a planar patch element embedded with a cross slot, is capable of generating two separate resonant modes with good impedance matching conditions. Prototypes of the proposed antenna have been constructed and experimentally studied. The measured results show both good agreement with the numerical prediction and good dual-band operation, with −10-dB impedance bandwidths of 13.7% and 28.3% at the resonant frequencies of 2.48 and 5.23 GHz, respectively, suitable for applications to the 2.4/5.2/5.8-GHz WLAN communication systems. Also, good monopole-like radiation patterns and antenna gains over the operating bands have been obtained. The design considerations for achieving dual-band operation of the proposed cross-slot antenna are discussed, and both theoretical and experimental results are presented.
Design of a Portable Fuel Fired Cylindrical TPV Battery Replacement

A novel portable fuel fired cylindrical thermophotovoltaic battery charger is described. It uses an array of GaSb TPV cells along with a novel Omega recuperator design and a novel IR emitter design. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) calculations are presented for this TPV cylinder design showing the potential for an overall fuel to electricity conversion efficiency of 10.9%. The estimated weight of the TPV cylinder is 200 gm and its volume is 900 cc. Fuel volume is arbitrary, but a comparable 900 cc of fuel will weigh 540 gm. The specific energy in a hydrocarbon fuel is 12,900 Wh/kg, resulting in 6970 W-hr of energy in the 900 cc tank. The weight of the TPV cylinder and the fuel cylinder combined is thus 740 gm. Given a TPV conversion efficiency of 10%, the converted energy available from the fuel will be 697 W-hr. The specific energy for this TPV system will then be 697 W-hr/0.74 kg = 942 W-hr/kg. A lithium ion rechargeable battery weighing 1.1 kg has a specific energy of 145 W-hr/kg, The TPV power system described here is lighter, has 6.5 times higher specific energy, operates 7 times longer, and is easily refueled.
Unified Solution of Coulomb’s Active Earth Pressure for Unsaturated Soils without Crack

Based on the unified solution of shear strength in terms of double stress state variables for unsaturated soils, whilst considering the effect of the intermediate principal stress rationally, the unified solution of Coulomb’s active earth pressure for unsaturated soils without cracks is developed. Comparability of the solution is analyzed and influencing characteristic of each factor is obtained. The research result indicates that: the intermediate principal stress and matric suction have obvious impacts on Coulomb’s active earth pressure for unsaturated soils; Coulomb’s active earth pressure has been decreasing until zero with the increase of unified strength theory parameter and matric suction; Coulomb’s active earth pressure increases with the increase of grading angle of retaining wall and slop angle of backfill, but decreases with the increase of matric suction, effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle, while external friction angle has no obvious influence. The proposed unified solution of Coulomb’s active earth pressure enjoys a wider application, and unified solution of Rankine’s active earth pressure is just the special case. The results are of great significance to soil pressure determination such as slope and foundation pit, and to retaining structures design.
Tensegrity Active Control: Multiobjective Approach

A multiobjective search method is adapted for supporting structural control of an active tensegrity structure. Structural control is carried out by modifying the self-stress state of the structure in order to satisfy a serviceability objective and additional robustness objectives. Control commands are defined as sequences of contractions and elongations of active struts to modify the self-stress state of the structure. A two step multiobjective optimization method involving Pareto filtering with hierarchical selection is implemented to determine control commands. Experimental testing on a full-scale active tensegrity structure demonstrates validity of the method. In most cases, control commands are more robust when identified by a multiobjective optimization method as compared to a single objective one. This robustness leads to better control over successive loading events. Evaluation of multiple objectives provides a more global under- standing of tensegrity structure behavior than any single objective. Finally, results reveal opportunities for self-adaptive structures that evolve in unknown environments.
Multi-Level Analysis of Severe Crashes Along Arterials Including the Effect of Road Entity and Collision Type

A large-scale injury severity analysis for arterial roads in Florida was conducted using roadway and crash information. The objective was to compare the reliability of different arterial road crash involvement modeling frameworks (combining crash locations vs. traditional analysis by location) and to find new contributing factors using newly available data. In the first phase of the investigation, logistic regression models of all driver involvements by roadway locations (i.e., segments and intersections) were developed and compared. The second phase involved an extension of these models, controlling by crash types, including rear-end, angle, and left turn. The results suggest a method for arterial road systematic analysis by modeling all crashes combined complemented by two models of involvements at signalized intersections and on segments combined with access points (nonsignalized intersections). The crash type models showed some possible safety strategies not clearly shown by the road entity models alone. Important contributing factors were significant, including driver age, gender, speeding, aggressive driving, seat belt use, alcohol or drug use, driver ejection, type of collision, type of vehicle, and point of impact. Significant road-related factors included speed limit, ADT per lane, access management class, land use, lane and sidewalk width, roadway lighting, curves, and friction characteristics. Suggested applications for future crash analysis and roadway design guidelines are discussed.
The Relation Between Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior The Usage of Personal Protective Equipment With Accident at Work on Pt. X Project Apartment Bekasi Workers.

Based on the research, which conducted by Vondra Anggi Saputro about the application of PPE (personal protective equipment) with an accident at work in 2015 in the Metal Casting Production Work Unit found that there is a significant relation between acknowledging and attitude. The purpose of this research is that knowing the relation between acknowledging, attitude, and the behavior of application PPE (personal protective equipment) with the accident at the project Apartment Bekasi worker. this research is using the observational type, quantitative descriptive research design with cross-sectional oncoming. Data collection technic did by using a questionnaire sheet from a google form. The population is PT X project apartment Bekasi workers around 150 people. Sample determination in this research is using nonprobability sampling with the purposive sampling method. The result of this research shows the knowledge variable of PPE (personal protective equipment) (P=0,051), attitude variable of PPE (personal protective equipment) (P=0,070), behavior variable of PPE (personal protective equipment) (P=0,674). The three variables represent that there is no significant relation with the accident at work. From the result of this research, there is a significant difference between previous research and this study, due to differences such as statistical tests, the methods used, and other supporting factors.
Modeling Human Behavior in Vessel Maneuver Simulation by Optimal Control and Game Theory

This paper presents an innovative way to model the decision-making process of the bridge team of a ship. The model aims to provide methods to include human decision making in comprehensive simulation models that can describe the movement of vessels, including hydrodynamic effects; external effects due to wind, current, and waves; waterway geometry; and the interaction with other vessels. The paper uses a simple model to describe a vessel's dynamics and the impact of the control decisions on these dynamics, although generalization to more comprehensive maneuver models is straightforward. The mathematical modeling framework is presented on the basis of a set of behavioral assumptions. The model is described as a differential game in which the bridge team is assumed to react on the expected behavior of other vessels. Different behavioral strategies (risk prone, average risk, and neutral risk) lead to the different models described in the paper. The dynamics of the model are illustrated by simple examples. The results are plausible and clearly show the potential of the approach. The paper offers some direction for future development.
Validation of an actuator disk model for numerical simulation of propeller

In this article, an actuator disk model for simulating propeller is presented by coupling the momentum and the blade element theories. The pressure jump across the disk is computed by integrating the blade aerodynamic characteristics of specific geometric topology, three-dimensional induced velocities and tip-loss correction. Validations have been performed to assess the simulated ability of the developed actuator disk model. The computational results show a good agreement of the experimental data in terms of thrust and torque coefficients. Moreover, the flow visualization indicated a considerable accuracy by comparing with full modelling computation. The actuator disk model can be therefore be regarded as a reliable model for predicting propeller flow.
Automatic Extraction of Nested Entities in Clinical Referrals in Spanish

Here we describe a new clinical corpus rich in nested entities and a series of neural models to identify them. The corpus comprises de-identified referrals from the waiting list in Chilean public hospitals. A subset of 5,000 referrals (58.6% medical and 41.4% dental) was manually annotated with 10 types of entities, six attributes, and pairs of relations with clinical relevance. In total, there are 110,771 annotated tokens. A trained medical doctor or dentist annotated these referrals, and then, together with three other researchers, consolidated each of the annotations. The annotated corpus has 48.17% of entities embedded in other entities or containing another one. We use this corpus to build models for Named Entity Recognition (NER). The best results were achieved using a Multiple Single-entity architecture with clinical word embeddings stacked with character and Flair contextual embeddings. The entity with the best performance is abbreviation, and the hardest to recognize is finding. NER models applied to this corpus can leverage statistics of diseases and pending procedures. This work constitutes the first annotated corpus using clinical narratives from Chile and one of the few in Spanish. The annotated corpus, clinical word embeddings, annotation guidelines, and neural models are freely released to the community.
Stress polarity dependence of degradation and breakdown of SiO/sub 2//high-k stacks

In this paper, we summarize our findings on two material systems: SiO/sub 2//Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and SiO/sub 2//ZrO/sub 2/. Relatively thick high-k layers are used to avoid defect related problems and to assess the bulk properties of the layers. We show Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown data for both polarities and at various stress conditions. We explain how the properties of the time-to-breakdown distribution provide valuable information that can help identify the physical degradation mechanism. We demonstrate that the degradation in double layers strongly depends on the injection polarity and this can only be explained consistently if the conduction mechanism through both constitutive layers and the energy of the injected carriers are taken into account. Furthermore, we hint at how the process impact on the reliability can be observed and evaluated.
Improved Operating Characteristics of Three Phase Single-Stage Soft-Switched AC-to-DC Bridge Converter in DCM

This paper presents more accurate operating performance characteristics of a 3 -phase single-stage ac-to-dc bridge converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Operating characteristics obtained by MATHCAD analyses of steady-state equations are presented for a wide line and load range. Results obtained from PSPICE simulation are presented. Results clearly depict the improvement in the performance prediction of the 3- phase single-stage ac-to-dc bridge converter for different line and load conditions.
Reduced emotion regulatory selection flexibility in post-traumatic stress disorder: converging performance-based evidence from two PTSD populations

Abstract Background Contemporary views of emotion dysregulation in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highlight reduced ability to flexibly select regulatory strategies according to differing situational demands. However, empirical evidence of reduced regulatory selection flexibility in PTSD is lacking. Multiple studies show that healthy individuals demonstrate regulatory selection flexibility manifested in selecting attentional disengagement regulatory strategies (e.g. distraction) in high-intensity emotional contexts and selecting engagement meaning change strategies (e.g. reappraisal) in low-intensity contexts. Accordingly, we hypothesized that PTSD populations will show reduced regulatory selection flexibility manifested in diminished increase in distraction (over reappraisal) preference as intensity increases from low to high intensity. Methods Study 1 compared student participants with high (N = 22) post-traumatic symptoms (PTS, meeting the clinical cutoff for PTSD) and participants with low (N = 22) post-traumatic symptoms. Study 2 compared PTSD diagnosed women (N = 31) due to childhood sexual abuse and matched non-clinical women (N = 31). In both studies, participants completed a well-established regulatory selection flexibility performance-based paradigm that involves selecting between distraction and reappraisal to regulate negative emotional words of low and high intensity. Results Beyond demonstrating adequate psychometric properties, Study 1 confirmed that relative to the low PTS group, the high PTS group presented reduced regulatory selection flexibility (p = 0.01, $\eta _{\rm p}^2$ = 0.14). Study 2 critically extended findings of Study 1, in showing similar reduced regulatory selection flexibility in a diagnosed PTSD population, relative to a non-clinical population (p = 0.002, $\eta _{\rm p}^2$ = 0.114). Conclusions Two studies provide converging evidence for reduced emotion regulatory selection flexibility in two PTSD populations.
HAND WASHING PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLERS IN HAND WASHING PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLERS IN HAND WASHING PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLERS IN HAND WASHING PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLERS IN HAND WASHING PRACTICES OF FOOD HANDLERS IN THE

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the hand washing practices of the food handlers in the restaurants located in District of Peshawar. Material and Methods: Material and Methods: Material and Methods: Material and Methods: Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across different restaurants of Peshawar that were selected using a simple random selection process. This study adapts the World Health Organization's (WHO) Five Keys to Safer Food check list that are implemented using face-to-face interview via open and close ended questions. The results presented are based on a total sample of 250 food handlers that are spread as follows: 83 lower tier restaurants; 83 middle tier restaurants; and 84 upper tier restaurants. Results: Results show that hand washing facilities are available as follows: 100% in upper, 94% in middle and 11% in lower restaurants. However, only 27.6% of the total population washes their hands regularly before the activity or after the activity, for the reason that the food handlers are not given training on food safety. Conclusion: It is concluded that majority of the food handlers do not wash their hands before or after handling food because of a lack of training on food safety leading to contamination of food and sporadic food borne illnesses.