Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photogrammetric and stereo vision techniques for evaluating material properties in timber and timber-based composite structures

ii DECLARATION.iv DEDICATION.v AKNOWLEDGEMENT.vi LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF TABLES . xviii 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Introduction. 1 1.2 Research Objectives and Plan . 6 1.3 Significance of the Study . 11 1.4 Outline of the thesis . 12 2. LITERATURE REIVEW . 14 2.1 Timber and Glued-laminated Timber . 14 2.2 Mechanical Properties of Timber and Timber-based Composite Materials . 15 2.2.1 Wood as an Orthotropic Material . 16 2.2.2 The Elastic Properties . 18 2.3 Current Methods for Measuring Displacement and Deformation in Structures . 19 2.4 Photogrammetry and Stereo Vision . 21 2.4. 1 Historical Background of Photogrammetry . 21 2.4. 2 Review of Close-Range Photogrammetric Methods to Wood Properties . 22 2.4. 3 Application of the Photogrammetric Techniques to Materials Other than Timber . 26 2.4. 4 Application of the Photogrammetric Techniques to Industry . 27
Investigation of Loneliness and Social Support in Patients with Eating Disorders: A Case-Control Study

Loneliness and, to a lesser degree, social support are considered under-researched topics in the literature on eating disorders (ED). This study attempted to expand the relevant body of research by examining loneliness in combination with social support in ED patients and in healthy controls (HC). Binge-eating problems, emotional eating, resilience, anxiety, and depression symptoms were also assessed. Thirty-two patients with ED and twenty-nine HC completed the following measures: UCLA Loneliness Scale, Social Support Questionnaire—Short Form, Binge Eating Scale, Emotional Eating Scale, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Eating-disorder patients showed higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of social support—both in terms of perceived availability and satisfaction—than HC. Anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED) subgroups did not differ significantly on either of these variables. In ED patients, loneliness was only correlated with Social Support Satisfaction (negatively) and depressive symptomatology (positively). Patients with ED appear to be lonelier and less satisfied with their social support compared to HC. We found similar levels of loneliness and social support between AN, BN, and BED sufferers. Decreased social support satisfaction and elevated symptoms of depression could account for ED patients’ high levels of loneliness.
Exploring Porcine Precision-Cut Kidney Slices as a Model for Transplant-Related Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Marginal donor kidneys are more likely to develop ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), resulting in inferior long-term outcomes. Perfusion techniques are used to attenuate IRI and improve graft quality. However, machine perfusion is still in its infancy, and more research is required for optimal conditions and potential repairing therapies. Experimental machine perfusion using porcine kidneys is a great way to investigate transplant-related IRI, but these experiments are costly and time-consuming. Therefore, an intermediate model to study IRI would be of great value. We developed a precision-cut kidney slice (PCKS) model that resembles ischemia-reperfusion and provides opportunities for studying multiple interventions simultaneously. Porcine kidneys were procured from a local slaughterhouse, exposed to 30 min of warm ischemia, and cold preserved. Subsequently, PCKS were prepared and incubated under various conditions. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and histological tissue integrity were assessed for renal viability and injury. Slicing did not influence tissue viability, and PCKS remained viable up to 72 h incubation with significantly increased ATP levels. Hypothermic and normothermic incubation led to significantly higher ATP levels than baseline. William’s medium E supplemented with Ciprofloxacin (and Amphotericin-B) provided the most beneficial condition for incubation of porcine PCKS. The porcine PCKS model can be used for studying transplant IRI.
Relationship between metabolic syndrome and follicle-stimulating hormone in postmenopausal women

Abstract Depletion of ovarian reserve during menopausal transition raises follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) markedly and menopause is related to an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study examined the relationship between FSH and MetS in postmenopausal women. We evaluated the anthropometric values, lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum adipokines levels in 219 postmenopausal women. Serum FSH and estradiol levels were significantly lower in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group. An inverse correlation was observed between FSH with body fat mass (BFM), and HOMA-IR, and a positive correlation was found between FSH and adiponectin level after adjustment for age, years since menopause, BMI, and serum estradiol. The odds ratio for MetS was higher significantly in the lowest quartile of FSH level than the highest quartile of FSH level (odd ratio = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.09–1.75). Our study showed an increased FSH level favored insulin sensitivity with a higher adiponectin and lower HOMA-IR as well as a lower incidence of MetS in postmenopausal women. These findings suggest a new approach to the role of FSH for regulating energy metabolism and for use as a biomarker of MetS risk in postmenopausal women. This systematic review is based on published researches, so there is no ethical approval required.
The Aortic Ductus Diverticulum—Innocent Bystander or Potential Source of Thromboembolic Stroke?

Objective Due to reversal blood flow in the diastolic phase, outpouchings at the aortic isthmus may carry the risk of thrombus formation and subsequent thromboembolism. The objective was to evaluate the association between aortic ductus diverticula (ADDs) and ischemic brain alterations in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. Methods A retrospective analysis of 218 patients who received both a dedicated computed tomography angiography of the thoracic aorta and a brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Two radiologists independently reviewed all examinations for the presence of ADD as well as ischemic alterations of the brain. The association between this anatomical variant and ischemic brain alterations was evaluated by univariate and bivariate logistic regression analyses. Results ADDs were identified/present in 35 of 218 patients (16%). Ischemic brain alterations were found in 57% of patients (20/35) with an ADD and in 42% of the control group (77/183, P = 0.1). The presence of an ADD did not prove to be an independent risk factor for ischemic brain alterations after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval = 0.72–3.96, P = 0.225). Conclusions In the present study, ADDs were not significantly associated with ischemic brain alterations. Therefore, ADDs seem to be an innocent bystander with respect to the pathogenesis of ischemic brain alterations.
Psychometric Properties of the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire in Mexican University Students

The objective was to evaluate the psychometric proper ties of the Spanish version of the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire. A total of 997 university students (718 women and 279 men), aged between 18 and 35 years (M = 23.76; SD = 4.45), were randomly assigned to three samples (n1 = 333; n2 = 335; n3 = 329). The exploratory factor analysis identified a structure of two factors which explain 49.85% of the variance. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed adequate goodness and fit indexes for this model (RMSEA = .067; SRMR = .049; CFI = .931; TLI = .922). Furthermore, invariance by weight status was confirmed. Internal consistency and temporal stability were excellent. Body exposure during the sexual intercourse was pos itively associated with body esteem and sexual satisfaction. It is concluded that the BESAQ is a valid and reliable two-dimensional instrument to evaluate body exposure during sexual intercourse in Mexican university students.
Impact of At-home Short Daily Hemodialysis on Restless Legs Symptoms and Sleep Disturbances

SummaryBackground and objectives Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep disturbances are common among in-cen-ter hemodialysis patients and are associated with increased morbidity/mortality. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The FREEDOM study is an ongoing prospective cohort study investigating the benefits of home short daily hemodialysis (SDHD) (6 times/week). In this interim report, we examine the long-term effect of SDHD on the prevalence and severity of RLS, as measured by the International Restless Legs Syndrome (IRLS) Study Group rating scale, and sleep disturbances, as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study sleep survey. Results 235 participants were included in this report (intention-to-treat cohort), of which 127 completed the 12-month follow-up (per-protocol cohort). Mean age was 52 years, 55% had an arteriovenous fistula, and 40% suffered from RLS. In the per-protocol analysis, among patients with RLS, the mean IRLS score improved significantly at month 12, after adjustment for use of RLS-related medications (18 versus 11). Among patients with moderate-to-severe RLS (IRLS score (cid:1) 15), there was an even greater improvement in the IRLS score (23 versus 13). The intention-to-treat analysis yielded similar results. Over 12 months, there was de-cline in the percentage of patients reporting RLS (35% versus 26%) and those reporting moderate-to-severe RLS (59% versus 43%). There was a similar and sustained 12-month improvement in several scales of the sleep survey, after adjustment for presence of RLS and use of anxiolytics and hypnotics. Conclusions Home SDHD is associated with long-term improvement in the prevalence and severity of RLS and sleep disturbances.
Lipids, thrombosis and cardiovascular disease in diabetes

Diabetes is associated with a twoto five-fold increase in mortality from CHD (Fuller et al. 1980), an excess risk which does not appear to be explained by the well-recognized abnormalities of the other cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients (Rosengren et al. 1989). Lipoprotein abnormalities are common in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The major changes seen in this condition are an increase in concentrations of the triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, in particular VLDL, a particle which itself is probably not atherogenic. Nevertheless, increased concentrations of VLDL are associated with other lipoprotein abnormalities in NIDDM, including triacylglycerol enrichment of LDL and a consequent increase in oxidizability, as well as with a reduction in concentration of HDL. Both of these are potentially atherogenic. Moreover, the increase in VLDL concentration found in NIDDM induces abnormalities of coagulation and fibrinolysis, which, by producing a procoagulant state, may further contribute to the increased incidence of CHD. The role of these changes in explaining the excess risk, along with the possible therapeutic implications, will be explored in the present article.
Inducing Keratinocyte Apoptosis T Cytotoxic 1 Cells + Recruitment of CD8 Hypersensitivity Is Mediated by Early Skin Inflammation During Contact

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a T cell-mediated, Ag-speciﬁc skin inﬂammation induced by skin exposure to haptens in sensitized individuals. Th1/T cytotoxic 1 cells are effector cells of CHS, whereas Th2/T regulatory CD4 (cid:1) T cells have down-regulating properties. We have previously shown that CHS to 2,4-dinitroﬂuorobenzene is mediated by speciﬁc CD8 (cid:1) effector cells, whose cytolytic activity is mandatory for induction of skin inﬂammation. In this study, using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis, we show that CD8 (cid:1) T cells are rapidly recruited into the skin at the site of hapten challenge before the onset of clinical and histological signs of skin inﬂammation. This early CD8 (cid:1) T cell recruitment is concomitant with: 1) transient IFN- (cid:2) mRNA expression suggesting local activation of effector cells; and 2) induction of keratinocyte (KC) apoptosis which gradually increased to a maximum at the peak of the CHS response. Alternatively, skin inﬁltration of CD4 (cid:1) T cells occurred later and coincided with the peak of the CHS reaction and the beginning of the resolution of skin inﬂammation. Mice deﬁcient in CD8 (cid:1) T cells did not develop CHS, whereas mice deﬁcient in CD4 (cid:1) T cells developed an enhanced inﬂammatory response with increased numbers of CD8 (cid:1) T cells recruited in the skin associated with massive KC apoptosis. These data show that CHS is due to the early and
Prevention of forging cracks in heavy hydro-generator shafts

The high-temperature mechanical properties of the 20SiMn steel used in heavy hydro-generator shafts where forging cracks often occur were measured experimentally.The results show that higher temperatures and lower strain rates help prevent the initiation of forging cracks.The experimental data was analyzed based on the Cockcroft Latham ductile fracture criterion to give a calculational damage parameter of 30.0. The flange forging process for a heavy hydro-generator shaft was simulated using Deform 3D to predict the crack initiation trends and zones in a hollow upsetting process.The optimum forging design is recommended to use a press distance variation rate of less than 8% in a single step and less than 45% in the local hollow upsetting process.
Kingella kingae Virulence Factors and Insights into Pathogenicity

The emergence of Kingella kingae as an important etiology of pediatric osteoarticular infections over the past three decades has led to significant research efforts focused on understanding the pathogenicity of this fastidious Gram-negative bacterium. This work has uncovered multiple virulence factors that likely play key roles in the ability of the organism to colonize the upper respiratory tract, breach the epithelial barrier, and disseminate to distal sites of infection. Herein the current body of knowledge about K. kingae virulence factors is reviewed in the context of K. kingae disease pathogenesis. The work summarized here has identified multiple targets for therapeutic intervention as well as potential vaccine antigens.
X‐Ray Amorphous Sulfur‐Bearing Phases in Sedimentary Rocks of Gale Crater, Mars

The Curiosity rover in Gale crater is investigating a mineral transition observed from orbit—an older “clay unit” to a younger “sulfate unit”—hypothesized to reflect the aridification of Mars' climate. Below this transition, the rover detected crystalline Ca‐sulfates with minor Fe‐sulfates but also found that some fraction of a rock's bulk SO3 is often in the poorly constrained X‐ray amorphous component. Here, we characterize the abundances and compositions of the X‐ray amorphous sulfur‐bearing phases in 19 drilled samples using a mass balance approach, and in a subset of 5 samples using evolved SO2 gas measured using the SAM instrument. We find that ∼20–90 wt% of a sample's bulk SO3 is in the X‐ray amorphous state and that X‐ray amorphous sulfur‐bearing phase compositions are consistent with mixtures of Mg‐S, Fe‐S, and possibly Ca‐S phases, likely sulfates or sulfites. These phases reside in the bedrock, perhaps as cementing agents deposited with detrital sediments or during early diagenesis, and in diagenetic alteration halos deposited after lithification during late diagenesis. The likely presence of highly soluble Mg‐sulfates in the rocks suggests negligible fluid flow through the bedrock post‐Mg‐sulfate deposition. The X‐ray amorphous sulfur‐bearing phases probably became amorphous through dehydration in the current Martian atmosphere or inside the CheMin instrument. X‐ray amorphous sulfur‐bearing materials likely contribute to orbital spectral detections of sulfates, and so our results help form multiple hypotheses to be tested in the sulfate unit and are important for understanding the evolution of the Martian surface environment at Gale crater.
Efficient catalytic liquefaction of organosolv lignin over transition metal supported on HZSM-5

In this work, the catalytic liquefaction of eucalyptus organosolv lignin (EOL) over hydrogen type-zeolite socony mobile-five (HZSM-5) zeolite supported transition metals in an ethanol system was studied, and a cheap transition metal NiCr/HZSM-5 catalyst was prepared. Among them, nickel and chromium proved to have a good synergistic effect, which could remarkably enhance the acidity of the catalyst surface, and the catalytic effect was better than Ru-based precious metal catalysts and commercial Raney Ni catalysts. Meanwhile, the optimal reaction process of NiCr/HZSM-5 and Raney Ni catalyst for synergistic catalysis of EOL was explored. Under the optimal process conditions, the lignin liquefaction rate reached 95.9%, the monophenol yield was 8.64%, and the char content was only 2.08%. Furthermore, 1H-13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-13C HSQC NMR) showed that the β-O-4, β-β, and β-5 linkages of lignin were effectively broken. Thus, a higher liquefaction rate of lignin was realized, which provided the possibility for further comprehensive utilization of lignin.
GMM Approach to Residential Electricity Consumption in Indonesia

This study reinvestigates the effects of socioeconomic factors on residential electricity consumption in 33 provinces of Indonesia during 2014–2020. We estimate two dynamic panel models of electricity demand at two levels, namely, the household and aggregate residential sectors. The gross regional domestic product per capita, unlike tariffs, significantly impacts consumption. The population size and electrification ratio also positively impact aggregate demand, suggesting the effectiveness of policy related to electricity access.
Effect of different voxel sizes on the accuracy of CBCT measurements of trabecular bone microstructure: A comparative micro-CT study

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images obtained using different voxel sizes in measuring trabecular bone microstructure in comparison to micro-CT. Materials and Methods Twelve human skull bones containing posterior-mandibular alveolar bone regions were analyzed. CBCT images were obtained at voxel sizes of 0.075 mm (high: HI) and 0.2 mm (standard: Std), while micro-CT imaging used voxel sizes of 0.06 mm (HI) and 0.12 mm (Std). Analyses were performed using CTAn software with the standardized automatic global threshold method. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the consistency and agreement of paired measurements for bone volume (BV), percent bone volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular separation (TbSp), trabecular number (TbN), trabecular pattern factor (TbPf), and structure model index (SMI). Results When compared to micro-CT, CBCT images had higher BV, BV/TV, and TbTh values, while micro-CT images had lower BS, TbSp, TbN, TbPf, and SMI values (P<0.05). The BV, BV/BT, TbTh, and TbSp variables were higher with Std voxels, whereas the BS, TbPf, and SMI variables were higher with HI voxels for both imaging methods. For each imaging modality and voxel size evaluated, BV, BS, and TbTh were significantly different (P<0.05). TbN, TbPf, and SMI showed statistically significant differences between imaging methods (P<0.05). The consistency and absolute agreement between micro-CT and CBCT were excellent for all variables. Conclusion This study demonstrated the potential of high-resolution CBCT imaging for quantitative bone morphometry assessment.
Aldehyde content of dialdehyde cellulose determined via nitrate analysis

Dialdehyde cellulose was synthesized via the heterogeneous periodate oxidation of microcrystalline cellulose in an aqueous solution. The aldehyde content of the dialdehyde cellulose was determined via nitrate analysis based on a two-step sequential approach. The approach first employed hydroxylamine to react with the aldehyde groups and to produce oxime groups via Schiff’s replacement reaction. Then, the oxime groups were oxidized via persulfate to produce nitrate. The nitrate concentration was analyzed via two highly sensitive methods, i.e., ion chromatography and ultraviolet light absorption. The aldehyde content was approximately one-fifth of the theoretical value. The resulting aldehyde groups were found primarily distributed over the surface layers. A solubility parameter calculation suggested that the increase of the aldehyde groups caused the detachment and dissolution of the dialdehyde cellulose chains and consequently led to the determination of a relatively low aldehyde content.
Züchterisches Potenzial von Roggen (Secale cereale L.) für die Biogaserzeugung

In den vorliegenden Untersuchungen wurde divergentes Roggenmaterial (Populationssorten mit Korner- und Grunschnittnutzung, Hybriden, aktuelles Zuchtmaterial, Tetraploider Roggen, pflanzengenetische Ressourcen (PGR)) in einem zweijahrigen Anbau anhand seiner Biomasseleistung auf seine Eignung zur energetischen Nutzung von Roggen uberpruft, die erfassten agronomischen Merkmale wurden auf ihre Relevanz fur die Biomassebildung beurteilt, verschiedene Schnittzeitpunkte zur Biomassenutzung untersucht und uber einen NIRS-Ansatz Aussagen uber das Gasbildungsvermogen der untersuchten Roggenformen getroffen. Fur die Merkmale Gesamttrockenmasseertrag (GTMErtrag) und Biogasausbeute zu zwei Grunschnitt-Zeitpunkten – Mitte Ahrenschieben und Milchreife – sowie Kornertrag lagen im untersuchten Material signifikante genotypische Varianzen vor. Bei den Grunschnitten 1 und 2 betrugen die mittleren GTM-Ertrage 70,1 und 131,9 dt/ha. Grunschnittroggen-Sorten erwiesen sich im 1. Grunschnitt und Hybriden im 2. Grunschnitt als uberlegen, wogegen in der Testkreuzungsleistung beim 2. Grunschnitt mehrere Grunschnittroggen und PGRs sowie eine Populationssorte die hochsten GTM-Ertrage zeigten. Bei den Grunschnitten 1 und 2 sowie dem Kornertrag ergaben sich beachtliche Heterosiszuwachse von durchschnittlich 9,3%, 11,6% bzw. 32,3%. Bedeutsame Merkmale fur die Biomasseproduktion (Wuchshohe, Termin Ahrenschieben, TS-Gehalt) wurden identifiziert und deren Korrelationen berechnet. Die fur das Gasbildungsvermogen wesentlichen Inhaltstoffe konnten mittels NIRS-Untersuchungen quantifiziert und die Biogasausbeute rechnerisch bestimmt werden. Korrelationen zwischen dem GTM-Ertrag, der Biogasausbeute und dem Ligningehalt wurden ermittelt. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen das hohe Biomassepotenzial verschiedener Roggen-Materialgruppen fur die Bioenergienutzung.