Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Respiratory Function and Physical Capacity among Smokers after Switching to IQOS: One Year Follow-Up

Background: Combustible cigarettes (CC) smoking is a common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the fourth leading cause of death in Kazakhstan. Switching to “heat-not-burn” tobacco products (IQOS) has been shown to have less deleterious health effect compared to CC for those who cannot quit smoking. The goal of the study was to explore respiratory and physical effects of switching from CC to IQOS in a population of long-time smokers in Kazakhstan. Methods: Two cohorts of men and women aged between 40 and 59 residing in Almaty (a large two-million city of Kazakhstan) were recruited into two cohort of 801 CC smokers and 400 IQOS users and matched by gender, age, education, and smoking history. Analyses also included 627 CC smokers and 308 IQOS users who maintained their tobacco product use during the first year of observation. Spirometry measurements and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed as a part of the baseline and one-year comprehensive assessments. In addition to spirometry, clinical assessments included components of metabolic syndrome and anthropometry. For comparative analysis between two cohorts Student’s t-test and Chi-squared tests were used. Results: We observed significantly better outcomes for IQOS users in most of CAT scores, spirometry outcomes, and in some metabolic syndrome components. Although changes in the results between the baseline and the one-year assessments show comparable results, smokers of CC often show significantly faster decline in the health status compared to IQOS. Specifically, the changes in CAT score and in spirometry FEV1 over FVC ratios were worsening at higher pace for CC smokers compared to IQOS users. Conclusions: After one year of observation IQOS users demonstrated better outcomes for most of CAT scores and in the ratio of FEV1 over FVC in comparison to CC smokers.
Artificial War: Multiagent-Based Simulation of Combat

Military conflicts, particularly land combat, possess all of the key attributes of complex adaptive systems: combat forces are composed of many nonlinearly interacting parts and are organized in a dynamic command-and-control hierarchy; local action, which often appears disordered, self-organizes into long-range order; military conflicts, by their nature, proceed far from equilibrium; military forces adapt to a changing combat environment; and there is no master "voice" that dictates the actions of every soldier (i.e., battlefield action is decentralized). Nonetheless, most modern "state of the art" military simulations ignore the self-organizing properties of combat. This book develops the proposition that combat is more like an interpenetration of two living, coevolving fluids rather than an elastic collision between two hard billiard balls. Artificial-life techniques - specifically, multiagent-based models coupled with evolutionary learning algorithms - provide a powerful new approach to understanding the fundamental processes of war. The book introduces an artificial-life model of combat called EINSTein. Recently developed at the Center for Naval Analyses, USA by the author, EINSTein is one of the first systematic attempts to simulate combat on a small-to-medium scale by using autonomous agents to model individual behaviors and personalities rather than hardware. EINSTein shows that many aspects of land combat may be understood as self-organized, emergent phenomena resulting from the dynamic web of interactions among coevolving agents. Thus, its bottom-up, synthesist approach to modeling combat stands in vivid contrast to the current top-down, reductionist approach taken by conventional models. EINSTein is the first step toward a complex-systems-theoretic toolbox for identifying, exploring, and exploiting self-organized emergent patterns of behavior on the real battlefield.
Four Failures to Demonstrate that Scarcity Magnifies Preference for Familiarity

As economic inequality increases in the United States and around the world, psychologists have begun to study how the psychological experience of scarcity impacts people's decision making. Recent work in psychology suggests that scarcity—the experience of having insufficient resources to accomplish a goal—makes people more strongly prefer what they already like relative to what they already dislike or like less. That is, scarcity may polarize preferences. One common preference is the preference for familiarity: the systematic liking of more often experienced stimuli, compared to less often experienced stimuli. Across four studies—three experiments and one cross-sectional survey (all pre-registered; see https://osf.io/7zyfr/)—we investigated whether scarcity polarizes the preference for familiarity. Despite consistently replicating people's preference for the familiar, we consistently failed to show that scarcity increased the degree to which people preferred the familiar to the unfamiliar. We discuss these results in light of recent failures to replicate famous findings in the scarcity literature.
Passing on Success? Productivity Outcomes for Quarterbacks Chosen in the 1999-2004 National Football League Player Entry Drafts

Seventy quarterbacks were selected during six NFL drafts held 1999-2004. This paper analyzes information available prior to the draft (college, college passing statistics, NFL Combine data) and draft outcomes (overall number picked and signing bonus). Also analyzed for these players are measures of NFL playing opportunity (games played, games started, pass attempts) and measures of productivity (Pro Bowls made, passer rating, DVOA, and DPAR) for up to the first seven years of each drafted player’s NFL career. We find that more highly-drafted QBs get significantly more opportunity to play in the NFL. However, we find no evidence that more highly-drafted QBs become more productive passers than lower-drafted QBs that see substantial playing time. Furthermore, QBs with more pass attempts in their final year of more highly-ranked college programs exhibit lower NFL passing productivity.
Test Track Lateral Stability Performance of Motorcoaches Equipped with Electronic Stability Control Systems

The research detailed in this report supports The Motorcoach Safety Action Plan released by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on November 16, 2009 and ongoing safety research by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Electronic stability control (ESC), a crash avoidance technology was identified in the plan as a potential motorcoach safety enhancement designed to improve stability in rollover and loss-of-control scenarios. The research described in this report was performed by the NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) from 2008-2010. The goals of this testing were to evaluate motorcoach lateral stability and understand how motorcoach ESC systems modify the handling and stability characteristics on the test track. Measures of performance from preceding commercial vehicle research with truck tractors were evaluated to determine their potential use in assessing lateral stability and responsiveness of motorcoaches equipped with stability control systems. Performance maneuvers evaluated were the sine with dwell, half-sine with dwell, ramp with dwell, ramp steer maneuver, slowly increasing steer maneuver, and the constant radius maneuver. These test track maneuvers are representative of lane changes, obstacle avoidance, or negotiating-a-curve crash scenarios. Using these maneuvers, three commercial Class 8 (air braked) motorcoaches were equipped with safety outriggers and tested with and without ESC enabled. The motorcoaches and ESC systems were evaluated lightly loaded and at a loaded weight with simulated passengers. Maneuvers were performed on high friction dry asphalt and reduced friction Jennite test surfaces. Using data from this test track research, several measures of performance were analyzed that have merit for use in evaluating the lateral stability performance of commercial vehicles.
Drying Tomatoes in a Small Tray Dryer

Drying tomatoes with high initial moisture content have advantages such as: maintenance of mineral constituents, inhibition of the action of microorganisms, reduction of the cost of transportation, handling, and storage and is an alternative to the problems of waste disposal and pollution. Moreover, dried products, besides the more economical and affordable package, is an option for light and quick meals. Small and low cost tray dryers are hard to find in the Brazilian market. Producing your own dehydrated food is a practice used in many countries for domestic consumption, as a gift, for small-scale enterprises, because some people appreciate handmade products that are related to a healthier product, without additives. The present study aimed to dry tomatoes and evaluates the characteristics such as: loss of final mass, drying time, and cost of drying in a portable low cost tray dryer. The dryer was built in plastic body and trays. Two heating conical resistors with 600 W each, and a 26W-fan were used. Approximately 1.4 kg of tomatoes was used in this test. They were previously sliced, washed, and the endocarp and seeds were removed. The weight loss during the process was obtained ​​ by successive weightings of tomatoes in the trays each hour. The final drying was determined when the tomatoes were around 25% of moisture content. The initial moisture content of the tomatoes was determined by oven drying using 10 g of chopped tomatoes, dried at 95°C for 24h. To evaluate the drying cost the yield of dried tomatoes, the losses during the preparation of the fresh tomatoes slices, the drying time, and the rate of product ready for the drying period were determined. The energy cost was R$ 4,72, plus R$ 0,30 of osmotic solution, additional R$ 7.80/kg of tomatoes (off season). The final cost was R$ 12,82 (U$S 5.35) to process 1 kg of fresh tomatoes. During the season, one can buy tomatoes at R$ 1,00/kg, which reduces the cost to R$ 6.02/kg (U$S 2.50). Whereas the process reduces weight by 10.83 times, the pound of dried tomatoes would cost R$ 65,20 (U$S 27.15) in crop condition. As this portable dryer holds 2 kg of tomatoes by drying, the cost could be reduced to R$ 3.66/kg (U$S 1.55) considering fresh tomatoes or R$ 39,60/kg (U$S 16.50) dried tomatoes. The dryer presented the ideal medium parameters for drying fruits (51.6°C and 1.2 m/s) in a drying process of 8 hours. The cost per hour of drying in this experiment, due to be in between tomato crop season was considered high. However, there are conditions to reduce this cost at the harvest time and by increasing the density of tomatoes in the dryer trays.
Sensors, Nanoscience, Biomedical Engineering, and Instruments

Sensors, Materials, and Nanoscience Sensors . Introduction Rosemary L. Smith . Electrochemical Sensors Bryan Stewart Hobbs . The Stannic Oxide Semiconductor Gas Sensor J. Watson An Introduction to Multi-Sensor Data Fusion David L. Hall and James Llinas Magnetooptics David Young and Yuan Pu Materials and Nanoscience . Carbon Nanotubes M. Meyyappan . Modeling MEMS and NEMS John Pelesko . Micromechatronics Victor Giurgiutiu and Sergey Edward Lyshevski . Nanocomputers, Nanoarchitectronics, and NanoICs Sergey Edward Lyshevski . Semiconductor Nano-electronics and Nano-Optoelectronics Nelson Tansu, Ronald Arif, and Zhian Jin Instruments and Measurements . Explosion-Proof Instruments Sam S. Khalilieh, P.E. Portable Instruments and Systems Halit Eren . G (LabVIEW(TM)) Software Engineering Christopher G. Relf Reliability Engineering B.S. Dhillon Biomedical Systems Introduction Joseph D. Bronzino Bioelectricity . Neuroelectric Principles John A. White and Alan D. Dorval II . Bioelectric Events L.A. Geddes (revised by R.C. Barr) . Biological Effects and Electromagnetic Fields Bonnie Keillor Slaten and Dr. Frank Barnes . Embedded Signal Processing David R. Martinez, Robert A. Bond, and M. Michael Vai Biomedical Sensors Michael R. Neuman Bioelectronics and Instruments . The Electroencephalogram Joseph D. Bronzino . The Electrocardiograph Edward J. Berbari Tomography M.D. Fox Mathematics, Symbols, and Physical Constants Introduction Ronald J. Tallarida . Greek Alphabet . International System of Units (SI) . Conversion Constants and Multipliers . Physical Constants . Symbols and Terminology for Physical and Chemical Quantities . Credits . Probability for Electrical and Computer Engineers Charlie Therrien Index
Phenotypic plasticity in diatoms: Janus cells in four Gomphonema taxa

We observed four Gomphonema taxa with a high abundance of Janus cells, which are cells that have valves of two different morphologies, also termed heterovalvar cells. The specimens were collected from a habitat with periodic drying, alternating with standing water. A high proportion of Gomphonema Janus cells (up to 20% of the frustules for each taxon) were found. Heterovalvy within a frustule is based on stria count, and two types of heterovalvy were observed. Cells produced either coarsely or finely striated valves with discontinuous phenotypic plasticity or highly variable stria density within a frustule along a continuous phenotypic gradient. In our study, we measured stria density in complete frustules and single valves. Other features of the frustules showed no noticeable variation. Variable stria density was found in frustules and single valves, although it is not possible to determine whether the single valves were part of Janus cells or homomorphic frustules. Therefore, our conclusions are based on the measurements of complete frustules only. We propose that Janus cells result from two ecophenotypic responses (reaction norm and polyphenism) of these taxa to one or more environmental factors. As such, Gomphonema taxa that produce Janus cells may be model organisms for deciphering the genetic basis of developmental plasticity in diatoms.
Effect of Air Supply Temperature on the Performance of Displacement Ventilation (Part I) - Thermal Comfort

The effect of the air supply temperature on the performance of a displacement ventilation (DV) system has been investigated. The study looks into the case of a typical office building in Hong Kong, under local thermal environment and airflow conditions. These are characterised by the high cooling load density, which commonly occurs in Hong Kong. The lower supply temperatures were found to result in higher draft effects, yet increasing temperatures leads to an increase in the predicted percentage of dissatisfied people (PPD). The DV system was found to provide acceptable thermal comfort at certain air supply temperatures. The levels of PPD could be marginal should the parameters of the system not be optimised.
Humanistic Design of Assisted Living

Assisted living, a relatively new industry, provides an alternative to traditional long-term care. These residences serve the increasing numbers of elders who need help with daily activities but wish to maintain independence. Although they are promoted as resident centered and noninstitutional, research based on consumer input indicates that many older adults and their family members do not find the buildings to be particularly friendly, warm, or supportive In Humanistic Design of Assisted Living, John P. Marsden has translated research-based information into innovative and practicable design strategies that directly address those unfavorable perceptions. Marsden provides an overview of assisted living's evolution then addresses the current information resources available to designers. He discusses successful humanistic design and presents a conceptual framework, based on consumer-based research, composed of six themes: familiar housing cues, protective enclosure, caring cues, human scale, usability, and naturalness. He applied this framework to specific guidelines for building exteriors, interior entries, and common shared spaces. His recommendations are supported by photographs that demonstrate effective design strategies as well as some less-successful examples. This comprehensive and accessible book presents essential design guidelines for housing owners, operators, administrators, policy makers, gerontologists, interior designers, and architects.
Effects of Boswellia serrata resin extract on motor dysfunction and brain oxidative stress in an experimental model of Parkinson’s disease

Objective: Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin (frankincense) exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against several diseases, such as; asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. In the current study, the influences of B. serrata resin extract on motor dysfunction and oxidative stress markers were investigated in the intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly assigned to sham, lesion (6-OHDA), and three lesion groups treated with ethyl alcoholic extract of B. serrata at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The neurotoxin 6-OHDA (12.5 µg) was microinjected into the left striatum to induce PD in male rats. Motor behavior was assessed by rotational and elevated narrow beam tests. Oxidative stress markers were measured in striatal and midbrain homogenates. Results: There was a significant increase in contralateral rotations in 6-OHDA group versus sham group (p<0.001), and treatment with B. serrata resin extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg significantly decreased the rotations in comparison to 6-OHDA group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The 6-OHDA group also showed considerable elevation in the latency to initiate crossing (p<0.001) and the total time (p<0.001) on narrow beam test. Moreover, treatment with B. serrata extract at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg caused a significant reduction in the latency and total time (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.01, respectively). Biochemical analysis showed no significant difference in oxidative stress markers levels among the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that B. serrata resin extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that protects nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and improve motor impairments in PD.
Return to Sport of Male Judokas who have Various Surgical Treatments of Lumbar Disk Herniation

Lower back pain is one of the most common sources of pain in professional athletes. Regarding flexion pain in athletes, lumbar disk herniation is the most common disorder. The limited evidence on the effectiveness of surgical treatment does not allow conclusions to be drawn about the relative effectiveness of various surgery treatments for facilitating a rapid return to sport. The present paper aimed to search for objective data on the period return to sport of elite male judokas with various surgical treatment modalities of lumbar disk herniation. Participants: elite male judokas (n=8). All athletes had complaints of lower back pain. All judokas were recommended surgery: removal of lumbar disk herniation (L5-S1). Two methods of surgical treatment were used: Group 1 (n=4): total resection of the intervertebral disc and installation of the functional endoprosthesis and Group 2 (n=4): spinal fusion. Athletes’ pain level using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Russian Oswestry Disability Index (RODI) was assessed for 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery. Athletes’ personal diary data to estimate the period return to sport was used. Group 1 VAS and RODI indicators were significantly (p<0.01) lower 6 and 9 months after surgery. The daily training time of Group 1 was significantly (p<0.01) longer in 6 and 9 months after surgery. A special judo performance test (60 Ippon-seoi-nage) showed a significant (p<0.01) advantage of Group 1 9 months after surgery. Research shows that Group 1 judokas returned to sport after 6-9 months, and Group 2 judokas after more than 9 months.
Aspirational Rules

A long-standing puzzle in comparative constitutional law revolves around the negative correlation between the number of constitutional rights incorporated in constitutions and a country’s human rights situation. Is it only a correlation, driven by other sociological or historical factors? Is it that committing to more de jure rights hurts the protection of de facto human rights? Or is it that countries with worse human rights records are more likely to amend their constitutions to include more rights? This article discusses an experiment that examines the existence and direction of a causal effect between setting overly ambitious goals and achieving outcomes and the potential mechanisms underlying it. The main finding is that setting overly ambitious goals may not only be counterproductive in the domains in which such goals are set but may also have a negative spillover effect to other domains.
Investigation of the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in groundwater of Jazan area, Saudi Arabia

Purpose : To investigate the possible occurrence of some selected pharmaceutical compounds in the groundwater of Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. Methods : Water samples from 46 wells were collected from different sites covering Jazan area of Saudi Arabia between February and March 2017. These samples were first analyzed to investigate the presence of eleven drugs mostly used in the study area. Thereafter, samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) by direct injection and external standard calibration. Results : Despite the low detection limit (0.001 - 0.02 μg/L) applied to the investigated compounds with a variety chemical groups (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen, metronidazole, caffeine, olmesartan, omeprazole, nifedipine, diclofenac sodium, glibenclamide and loratidine), none of these compounds was detected in any of the analyzed samples. Conclusion : The main source of environmental contamination with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is wastewater. The results obtained reveal the absence of groundwater contamination by these compounds in Jazan area. However, further extended investigations and monitoring are recommended. Keywords : Pharmaceuticals, Groundwater, Wastewater, Pollution, Personal care products, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS)
A novel dual-randomization PWM scheme for power converters

Randomized pulse width modulation schemes in power converters have shown potential for relaxing filtering requirements and reducing electromagnetic interference. Existing schemes invariably randomize one modulation parameter to disperse the harmonic contents of the output of the power converter. This paper concerns the investigation of a new dual-randomization scheme using an analytical approach. The effects of randomizing the two independent modulation parameters, carrier frequency and pulse position, on the harmonic content for a given output of the converter are examined. Analytical and simulation results show the new scheme leads to a further degree of dispersion of harmonic contents when compared with the single randomization schemes.
Not Willing, Not Able: Causes of Measurement Error in Business Surveys

National statistical institutes must collect accurate data from businesses in a timely and cost-effective way and without causing too much response burden. An adequate design of the information request is critical in achieving this goal. This paper describes the lessons we have learned about the design of business survey questionnaires from a thorough evaluation of the questionnaires of a typical business survey for official statistics, the Structural Business Survey. The paper presents a framework for understanding factors that contribute to missing and inaccurate data and draws a number of conclusions regarding how the design of business surveys can be improved to take these factors into account.