Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of critical traction values for maximum athletic performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mechanically available footwear traction and performance in top-speed curved sprint running and maximum effort linear acceleration. Based on results from previous studies, it was hypothesized that performance would increase as available traction increased but only to a point after which performance would plateau and further increases in available traction would not affect performance. The goal of this study was to identify such critical traction values. Thirty-two recreational athletes performed maximum effort 2.3 m radius curve sprints and linear accelerations from a standing start using four identical mid-cut basketball shoes differing only in outsole traction. Available traction was modified by manipulating the outsole material. The traction coefficients of the test shoes, quantified with a portable traction tester on the actual test surface, were 0.26, 0.54, 0.82 and 1.13. Ground reaction forces and three-dimensional kinematics were quantified during the tests. Greater amounts of traction (both peak and average) were utilized as the mechanically available traction increased. Increases in available traction from 0.26 to 0.54 to 0.82 provided systematic performance advantages for both curved sprinting and linear acceleration. However, no further performance enhancements were detected when the available traction increased beyond 0.82. Increases in the use of available traction beyond a threshold of 0.82 were reflected in the peak but not the average utilized traction or overall ground reaction impulse generation.
The Effect of the ‘Touch Screen-Based Cognitive Training’ for Children with Severe Cognitive Impairment in Special Education

Traditional education in special schools have some limitations. We aimed to investigate if the ‘touch screen-based cognitive training’ is feasible and effective for children with severe cognitive impairment (developmental age 18–36 months) in special education. In this case, 29 children were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 17, ‘touch screen-based cognitive training’, 30 min/session, 3 times/week, 12 weeks) and control (n = 12, traditional education) groups. Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ), Sequenced Language Scale for Infants (SELSI), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were measured before and after 12 weeks of education. The ‘touch screen-based cognitive training’ was applicable in special education. When repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, significant groupⅹtime effect was found for GAS, and significant group effect was found for ECBQ (attentional shifting) and GAS. When adjusting for pre-education measurements, the intervention had a significant effect on the post-education measurements of ECBQ (attentional shifting) and GAS (p < 0.05). No relationship existed between the degree of improvements and the severeness of developmental delay in the measurements. ‘Touch screen-based cognitive training’ in special school was feasible and it improved cognition in children with severe cognitive impairment (developmental age 18–36 months), irrespective of the severeness of the developmental delay.
Evolution of Non-standard Bituminous Mix—A Study on Indian Specification

In India, the aggregate gradation of bituminous mixes and acceptable limits of mix design parameters have evolved through experience in construction and performance. Emphasis, generally, is on the maximum attainable density and strength parameters. However, in view of the fact that pavement failure due to fatigue cracking is predominantly observed in bituminous roads in India, it is necessary to develop or revise suitable specifications for bituminous mixes so that the mixes have high fatigue strength while satisfying the Marshall stability requirement. The present work reports a comparative study of the engineering parameters of various bituminous mixes with aggregate gradations that are different from those recommended in the Ministry of Surface Transport (MOST) specifications for bituminous concrete (BC). New mix specifications for BC have been proposed in this paper, which showed better performance than the conventional gradation without compromising with the Marshall stability and other mix volumetric requirements. A model table is presented to show the economy in terms of reduction of design thickness of pavement compared to the conventional BC mix.
Relative intensity noise of multiwavelength fibre laser

Relative intensity noise of a six-channel multiwavelength distributed Fabry-Perot fibre laser is compared to the noise of a singlemode distributed feedback fibre laser. The noise characteristics of individual channels are similar to that of the singlemode laser, offering a low-cost and compact solution for wavelength multiplexing applications without noise penalty.
The effects of childhood unpredictability and harshness on emotional control and relationship quality: A life history perspective

Abstract Being able to control oneself in emotionally upsetting situations is essential for good relationship functioning. According to life history theory, childhood exposure to harshness and unpredictability should forecast diminished emotional control and lower relationship quality. We examined this in three studies. In Studies 1 and 2, greater childhood unpredictability (frequent financial, residential, and familial changes), but not harshness (low SES), was associated with lower emotional control in adolescents (N = 1041) and adults (N = 327). These effects were stronger during the participants’ reproductive years. Moreover, in Study 2, greater childhood unpredictability was indirectly associated with lower relationship quality through lower emotional control. In study 3, we leveraged the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (N = 160). Greater early-life unpredictability (ages 0–4) prospectively predicted lower relationship quality at age 32 via lower emotional control at the same age. This relation was serially mediated by less supportive observed early maternal care (ages 1.5–3.5) and insecure attachment representations (ages 19 and 26). Early unpredictability also predicted greater observed emotional distress during conflict interactions with romantic partners (ages 19–36). These findings point to the role of emotional control in mediating the effects of unpredictable childhood environments on relationship functioning in adulthood.
Understanding and Supporting Window Switching

Switching between windows on a computer is a frequent activity, but finding and switching to the target window can be inefficient. This thesis aims to better un-derstand and support window switching. It explores two issues: (1) the lack of knowledge of how people currently interact with and switch between windows and (2) how window switching can be supported better. Having a good understanding of how users interact with windows is important for informing the design of new and improved window management tools. How-ever, there have been relatively few empirical studies of window manipulation on commonly used operating systems, and those that do exist may no longer reflect current use. To address this lack of knowledge a three week log-based longitudi-nal study of window use by 25 participants was conducted using the custom-made tool PyLogger, which recorded actual window switching behaviour. However, the analysis of longitudinal log data, such as the data gathered by PyLogger, is problematic as it is difficult to extract meaningful characterisations. Therefore, this thesis also presents a visualisation tool called Window Watcher that assists understanding and interpreting the low level event logs of window use generated by PyLogger. Window Watcher’s design objectives are described, and examples demonstrate the ways that it summarises and elucidates window use. The results of the PyLogger study provide an empirical characterisation of in-teraction with windows, and results include the following: (1) the participants had fewer windows open and visible than in previous studies; (2) window switching is a frequent activity; (3) several findings related to specific window switching tools, including that acquiring a particular window by navigating through application-grouped items on the Taskbar is slow, and that Alt+Tab is seldom used for re-trieving anything other than the most recently used window; (4) an updated clas-sification of stereotypical window management styles pilers, maximisers, near maximisers, and splatterers); and (5) there are strong window and application re-visitation patterns. Finally, implications of the results of the log study for the design of window switching tools are discussed.
Uso de un polímero hidrófilo en chile Anaheim (Capsicum annuum L.) bajo condiciones de invernadero Use of a hydrophilic polymer in Anaheim pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under greenhouse conditions

In order to improve the efficiency of water use in vegetable production, during autumn-winter 2011-2012 the use of a polyacrylamidebased hydrophilic polymer (PAM) was evaluated in Anaheim pepper cv. Cardon in full production using drip irrigation undergreenhouse conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five replicates. The experimental unit was 4 m long, 1.5 m wide (6 m2) with 20 total plants and five used for measurements. The parameters evaluated were: fruits per plant, fruit weight, commercial yield, size (length and diameter), volume of water applied, water use efficiency (WUE) and chlorophyll content. The incorporation of the hydrophilic polymer had no positive effect on production, fruit quality or WUE; however, there was an effect on the volume of applied water and chlorophyll content. With the polymer a yield of 1.5 kg m–2 with 24.9 fruits m–2, fruit weight 59.2 g, 16.2 cm length, 3.9 cm diametr, and WUE of 5.0 kg m–3 were obtained; whereas in the control without polymer the yield was 1.7 kg m–2, with 26.7 fruits m–2, fruit weight 62.1g, 16.3 cm length, 4.0 cm diameter and WUE of 4.9 kg m–3. With the incorporation of the polymer a 1.5% increase in soil moisture content was obtained, which represented a 12% reduction in the volume of water applied and a SPAD reading of 58.4 versus 57.7 of the control, thus the use of a hydrophilic polymer may be an important practice for producers who need to irrigate less frequently and reduce watering time.
Unified constant-frequency integration control of three-phase standard bridge boost rectifier

In this paper, a three-phase six-switch standard boost rectifier with unity-power-factor-correction is investigated. A general equation is derived that relates input phase voltage and duty ratios of switches in continuous conduction mode. Based on one of solutions and using one-cycle control, a unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) controller for power-factor-correction (PFC) is proposed. For the standard bridge boost rectifier, unity-power-factor and low total-harmonic distortion (THD) can be realized in all three phases with a simple circuit that is composed of one integrator with reset along with several flips-flops, comparators, and some logic and linear components. It does not require multipliers and three-phase voltage sensors, which are used in many other control approaches. In addition, it employs constant switching frequency modulation that is desirable for industrial applications. The proposed control approach is simple and reliable. Theoretical analysis is verified by simulation and experimental results.
Distinguishing Features Common to Dual Fatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections That Occur in Both a Pregnant Woman and Her Newborn Infant

Deaths from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are rare. A major exception is perinatally acquired HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection where the neonatal death rate is substantial. Fatal HSV infection also occurs occasionally in pregnant women. The goal of this review is to enumerate the reports that describe dual deaths of both a pregnant woman and her newborn from a herpesvirus infection. A total of 15 reports were found in the medical literature, of which five described pregnant women with HSV encephalitis and 10 described women with disseminated HSV infection. When the virus was typed, most cases of dual mother/newborn deaths were caused by HSV-2. Of interest, in two situations caused by HSV-1, the pregnant woman probably acquired her primary HSV-1 infection from one of her children and not by sexual transmission. Complete genomic sequencing was performed on one set of HSV-1 isolates collected from mother (blood) and newborn (blood and skin). The mother’s strain and the newborn’s skin strain were 98.9% identical. When the newborn’s two strains were compared, they were 97.4% identical. Only one mother was tested by the HerpeSelect IgG antibody kit. During the nine days of her undiagnosed disseminated infection preceding her death, her serology was negative. In summary, although dual mother/newborn deaths from HSV infection are rare, they continue to be reported as recently as 2017.
Background to multi-scale modelling of unbonded Post-Tensioned concrete structures

Finite element analyses of unbonded Post-Tensioned (PT) concrete structures were carried out with a focus on the modelling of unbonded tendons embedded in the concrete. Two modelling approaches were studied to simulate unbonded conditions using the software package ABAQUS. The first approach was based on contact techniques, which reflect the true physical condition. The other approach used a multiple-spring system that provides more flexibility in modelling and robustness in convergence issues. First, this paper presents comparative results from those two approaches. Subsequently, more detailed analytical studies are described that adopt the spring system for modelling of unbonded PT concrete structures. The analytical results show a reasonably good agreement with experimental results and verify the effectiveness of the spring system approach that could be used for future studies of unbonded PT concrete structures.
The Proliferation of Pre-Pubertal Porcine Spermatogonia in Stirred Suspension Bioreactors Is Partially Mediated by the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Male survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of suffering from infertility in adulthood because of gonadotoxic chemotherapies. For adult men, sperm collection and preservation are routine procedures prior to treatment; however, this is not an option for pre-pubertal children. From young boys, a small biopsy may be taken before chemotherapy, and spermatogonia may be propagated in vitro for future transplantation to restore fertility. A robust system that allows for scalable expansion of spermatogonia within a controlled environment is therefore required. Stirred suspension culture has been applied to different types of stem cells but has so far not been explored for spermatogonia. Here, we report that pre-pubertal porcine spermatogonia proliferate more in bioreactor suspension culture, compared with static culture. Interestingly, oxygen tension provides an avenue to modulate spermatogonia status, with culture under 10% oxygen retaining a more undifferentiated state and reducing proliferation in comparison with the conventional approach of culturing under ambient oxygen levels. Spermatogonia grown in bioreactors upregulate the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway, which, along with enhanced gas and nutrient exchange observed in bioreactor culture, may synergistically account for higher spermatogonia proliferation. Therefore, stirred suspension bioreactors provide novel platforms to culture spermatogonia in a scalable manner and with minimal handling.
Risk factors related to the appearance of umbilical disorders in dairy calves

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the types of calve housing used in dairy farms, the prevalence of umbilical disorders and related risk factors. The 16 farms studied were visited to characterize the types of installation and possible risk factors, as well as information obtained from a questionnaire applied to the farmers. 806 Holstein calves were physically examined, in addition to collecting blood samples for the evaluation of Failures in Passive Immunity Transfer (FPIT), in animals that manifested inflammatory omphalopathies, and were also submitted to ultrasound examination. The prevalence of omphalopathies was assessed by Fisher's test, and multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors. Eight types of installation were found: tropical house, suspended cage, collective stall, collective picket, Argentinean type, single-story cage, individual stall, and collective picket with chain. Omphalopathies accounted for 6.45% of the calves. Small size farms (up to 99 lactation cows) had high risk for umbilical disorders, ground floor collective calves, without side protection, with sand floor, in closed sheds and without heatstroke were considered risk factors for omphalopathies. Adequate colostrum and umbilical antisepsis are not associated with disease, its appearance being related to the housing conditions of the animals.
Finite Element Analysis and Tests on Bolted End-Plate Connections in Steel Portal Frames

Bolted end-plate connections are being widely used in steel portal frames. In this paper, some tests on beam-to-column and beam-to-beam end-plate connections are reported and the corresponding finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out to analyze their loading resistance and rotational stiffness characteristics. The design method about extended end-plate connections in current design code is discussed, and the necessary improvements are proposed. Especially, some precautions about the classification criterion of the joint stiffness in steel structures are recommended. From the results of comparison, one new model of the bolt tension force distribution and the corresponding design method are presented. It has been verified by the tests that this method can calculate the actual stresses of the bolts and the end-plates more accurately and mobilize their loading capacities more efficiently with sufficient safety and reliability.
Engineering and Communication Integrated Learning – Collaboration Strategies for Skills and Subject Experts

This paper focuses on the integrated learning of communication and communication skills within engineering education, and on the respective roles of the communication expert and the subject expert in courses and throughout the curriculum. Approaches to the function of communication in an overall engineering curriculum and to the learning activities are here referred to as learning-to-communicate and communicating-to-learn . These concepts are further merged into the term communicating-to-engineer . This means that all communication aspects are intrinsic components in engineering education and that factors such as learning activities, ambition, maturity, and resources together contribute to deciding how and to what extent communication can be effectively learnt and taught. This paper then suggests two distinct roles of the communication expert: the direct and the indirect where the direct approach implies an active classroom role, and the indirect approach being more focused on course and staff development. These roles are then placed on a continuum where the role may change over time, in accordance to the learning objectives and staff development ambition. By categorizing the role of the communication expert into these functionally and strategically different functions, the corresponding role of the subject expert is also changed.
Enterprise Architecture Practice under a Magnifying Glass: Linking Artifacts, Activities, Benefits, and Blockers

Enterprise architecture (EA) is a collection of artifacts describing an organization from an integrated business and IT perspective intended to improve business and IT alignment. EA artifacts can be very diverse in nature and have different use cases in disparate organizational activities. Previous studies have identified numerous benefits and challenges of establishing EA practice. However, most existing studies discuss the benefits and problems of EA practice in general without relating them to any particular activities constituting EA practice. In order to address this gap, this study analyzes the benefits and blockers associated with specific EA-related activities and respective artifacts. Based on 18 interviews with practicing architects, we identify eight consistent activity areas constituting EA practice. Each of these activity areas essentially represents a separate “story” in the context of EA practice and implies certain activities supported by some EA artifacts leading to specific benefits often impeded by some blockers. These eight activity areas provide a more detailed understanding of EA practice than the one offered by the current EA literature. Moreover, our findings indicate that EA practice should not be viewed as some homogeneous organizational activity, while EA should not be conceptualized simply as a unified blueprint for information systems. We also argue for the need to rethink the very terms “enterprise architecture” and “EA practice” which appear to be oversimplified and unsuitable for an in-depth analysis of EA practice. This study has significant implications for both research and practice.
Intelligent Power Management enables Autonomous Power Supply of Sensor Systems for Modern Prostheses

Department of Biosignal Processing, Ilmenau University of Technology, Ilmenau, Germany, daniel.laqua@tu-ilmenau.deAbstract— Modern intelligent prosthesis or robotic extremi-ties use a combination of mechanically, hydraulically and elec-tronically controlled components and joints for motion. For pre-cise controlling, stepping motors are used. Here, passive move-ment of the extremity, like the lowering of the arm caused bythe gravity, produces unexploited energy. Utilization of this nor-mally lost energy expands the lifetime of non-rechargeable bat-teries or the time for recharging the accumulators. Main compo-nent of the energy harvesting system is a double-layer capacitor(ultracap) for storing the electrical energy. This energy buffer isnecessary, because a switching converter needs a startup time towork properly. A MOSFET switch is used to avoid a backﬂowinto the motor or the motor driving unit. Charging up a RC-element indicates the stored energy and represents the load ofthe ultracap. It activates a high efﬁcient DC/DC buck boost con-verter for stabilizing the voltage and driving a microcontrolleror another sensor circuit. The rotation of the rotor through thelimb produces a sinusoidal output voltage. The input energy isirregular and aperiodic. Its amplitudes are in the range of 2 Vto 4V with current pulses about 30 µA depending on the type ofthe used stepping motor and the rotation speed of the rotor. Thebuilt energy harvesting system enables recovering of unused en-ergy for driving a sensor circuit. Furthermore, it supports thepower supplies by improving the efﬁciency. The advantages arethat this system will be activated when enough energy is gath-ered and that there is no running out of power in comparison toa battery powered system.Keywords— energy harvesting, intelligent implants