Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In–Plane And Biaxial Performance Of Seismic Precast Hollow Core Wall With Different Types Of Energy Dissipators

Sebanyak dua buah precast hollow core dinding yang mempunyai geometri yang sama telah dibina berserta dengan tapak asas untuk diuji dengan daya selari mendatar, daya bertentangan dan dwi–daya yang berbentuk dua, empat dan lapan kelopak bunga di atas shaking table. Kedua–dua dinding itu telah dimasukkan ke dalam keluli berbentuk ‘C’ dan diletakkan ke atas kepingan keluli. Model 1 telah direka dengan meletakkan unbonded tendons dan fuse–bar ke dalam tapak asas manakala Model 2 telah direka bentuk dengan menggunakan beberapa jenis energy dissipator berserta dengan unbonded tendon. Empat gabungan antara energy dissipator dan unbonded tendon telah direka, dibina dan diuji di dalam makmal. Keputusan makmal menunjukkan bahawa kedua–dua model tidak mengalami sebarangan kerosakan dan keretakan. Daripada uji kaji ini, 50% daripada initial prestressing unbonded tendons telah dipilih kerana menunjukkan keputusan yang paling terbaik di mana tiada keretakan pada model dan kebengkokan pada fuse–bar. Kata kunci: Daya mendatar, dwi–daya, kerosakan, daya yang berputar, zon sangga plastik Two geometrically identical seismic precast hollow core walls with foundation beams were constructed and tested under in–plane, out of plane and biaxial loading on shaking table. Both of the walls were steel–armoured at bottom with steel channel and allowed to rock on steel plate located on top of foundation beams. Wall 1 was designed with fixed location of unbonded tendons and a pair of bonded fuse–bar was inserted into the foundation beam. Wall 2 was designed with some flexibility of locations, cross–sectional areas, initial prestressing of unbonded tendons and fuse–bars. Four different combinations of unbonded tendons, unbonded fuse–bars and mechanical energy dissipators were tested using Wall 2. The experimental results showed that Wall 2 performed better than Wall 1 under different load paths without any damage and residual drift. The stiffness of the wall is significantly influenced by the level of initial prestressing, location and cross–sectional area of energy dissipators and unbonded tendons. Fuse–bar with 50% initial prestressing force is recommended because it works efficiently under reverse cyclic loading whereby buckling and plastic hinge zone can be prevented. Key words: In–plane loading, biaxial loading, damage, cyclic loading, plastic hinge zone
Experimental Research on Impacts of Operation Parameters on Agglomeration Characteristics during CFB Biomass Gasification

The impacts of operation parameters on agglomeration characteristics during biomass gasification in fluidized bed were studied experimentally in a 0.02MWt CFB gasifier using cotton stalk pellet as fuel. The experimental results indicated that among the temperature range (600 °C-800 °C), bed agglomeration would occur after a period running with sand, high alumina bauxite or periclase as the bed material, and potassium gathered on the surface of bed materials. In the process of the fluidized-bed gasification of biomass, air velocity affected the degree of bed agglomeration, and the agglomeration problem in return valve was more serious than that in main bed.
The effect of empagliflozin on the total burden of cardiovascular and hospitalization events in the Asian and non‐Asian populations of the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial of patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

The sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduced the total burden of cardiovascular, mortality, and all‐cause hospitalization events, including first and recurrent events, in EMPA‐REG OUTCOME participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We investigated the effect of empagliflozin on the total burden of cardiovascular and hospitalization events in Asian participants.
Characteristics of shaft voltage and bearing currents

This article reviews investigations into reduced bearing life due to voltage source adjustable speed drive (ASD) AC motor operation. Relevant bearing failure mechanisms and indicators are discussed. dv/dt and electric discharge machining (EDM) contributions are discussed and experimental data presented showing the voltage levels on motor shafts when operating with ASDs. Finally, techniques to reduce shaft voltage are discussed, along with the electrical characteristics and interaction of system components. The example chosen is electrostatic shielded induction motors.
Do Younger Patients with Colorectal Cancer Presents with More Advanced Disease at Initial Presentation?

Introduction: Colorectal cancer the second most lethal malignancy widely considered a disease that affects people after the 4th decade of life but an interesting change in trend is observed and it was found that colorectal cancer rate has been increasing in young patients living under their 4th decade. These patients even present with more advanced diseases and generally have a poor overall prognosis compared to the older patients. Material and Methods: Colorectal cancer patients presented in Sindh Institute of urology and transplantation from January 2011 till December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. For data analysis, all patients were divided into two groups, Group A young age population (age between 18 to 50 years) Group B old age population (above 50 years). Subgroup analysis of study period (from January 2011 to December 2015 first period while from January 2016 to December 2020 second period) was performed to check the progressive change in the trend of stage and clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer in young and old patients. Data reviewed from patient’s files and collected as per Proforma requirement. Collected data was analyzed for results using SPSS version 23.0. Result: Total of 612 patients with colorectal cancer presented between 2011 till 2020. Among these patients 243 (39.7%) presented between January 2011 till December 2015. Patients age 50 years and younger were 410 (66.8%). Results showed a statistically significant association between patient age and tumor characteristics (histopathology and tumor differentiation). When data was analyzed over different study periods results showed that there is a statistically significant association between tumor differentiation and patient age. A change in the trend of clinical stage of the tumor concerning patient age over this period was also noted. Conclusion: The development and implementation of screening protocols and awareness programs will have an impact to control disease incidence, patient prognosis, and survival outcome.
Leisure Cycling Entrepreneurialism in Johannesburg, South Africa

It is estimated that by 2050 as many as five billion bicycles could be in use globally. Reasons for this growth vary, with utility cycling strong in Europe and Asia; while in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand cycling is a sport and leisure activity, with cycling deemed the ‘new golf’. Within this context, there is a rise in community or local bike shops (or LBS) which sell bicycles, related equipment and services. This qualitative study explored LBSs in greater Johannesburg, focusing on who the entrepreneurs are, how they service their clients, and what links the sector has to serious leisure. It was found that the owners demonstrated high levels of serious leisure cycling engagement and passion for the sport. A sense of being part of a bigger cycling community strongly influenced their entrepreneurial practices. This included how they ran their businesses, the employees they hired, as well as how they viewed cycling in general. The research also yielded insights into operational and sectoral realities, trends and challenges. Generally, it was found that the local bike shops in greater Johannesburg are key players in the supply, growth and development of sport and leisure cycling, thereby making a positive contribution to the cycling community. This is important in the light of the COVID-19 challenges experienced by the sport and leisure sector, as a loss of these shops will likely have a negative impact on cycling in Johannesburg.
Flagmill -A new power generator utilizing flexible sheet-

The present study proposes “a flagmill”, which is a new power generator utilizing the flutter of a flexible sheet such as a flag. The sheet flutter causes the angular oscillation of the supporting pole. Since the supporting pole is connected to the power generator axis, the angular oscillation produces the electromotive power. The flutter and the power generation characteristics were investigated experimentally and analytically. The flutter occurs by decreasing the relative stiffness or increasing the mass ratio. The electromotive force cause the increase of the critical flutter speed. The higher flutter frequency and the larger amplitude of the angular oscillation of the sheet leading edge can generate the larger electromotive power.
The application of understeer gradient in stability analysis of articulated vehicles

This paper introduces the generalised algebraic formula for understeer gradient (Ku) of articulated vehicles. This formula plays a similar role as that for a single vehicle system. The articulated vehicle is understeer if Ku is positive, neutral steer if it is equal to zero, and oversteer if it is negative. It is not stable in the yaw plane if it is oversteer and driven above the critical speed. The algebraic solutions are validated numerically and compared to experimental data measured from an 18-wheel tractor semi-trailer system. The impedance concept is introduced to facilitate the process of the algebraic analysis of articulated vehicles. This allows Ku and critical speed equations to be expressed in a compact systematic form.
Study of interface state density and effective oxide charge in post-metallization annealed SiO/sub 2/-SiC structures

A systematic study of post-metallization annealing (PMA) effect on the quality of thermal SiO/sub 2/ on p-type 6H- and 4H-SiC has been carried out. A simultaneous quasi-static hi-lo frequency capacitance-voltage method has been employed to measure the total effective oxide charge (N/sub eff/) and interface state density (D/sub it/). To ensure accurate results, D/sub it/ was measured at 350/spl deg/C which, depending on the hole capture cross sections, should enable the measurement of interface states located in the band gap as deep as 1.3-1.5 eV from the valence band edge. The dependence of N/sub eff/ and D/sub it/ on annealing temperature and ambient as well as the effect of thermal and sputtered gate metal on the oxide quality are reported. It is shown that N/sub eff/ values close to the detection limit due to the uncertainty in SiC electron affinities and D/sub it/ values below 1/spl times/10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2//eV deep in the band gap can be reproducibly obtained for both p-type 6H- and 4H-SiC.
High-extinction ratio and low-loss silica-based 8/spl times/8 strictly nonblocking thermooptic matrix switch

This paper describes a silica-based 8/spl times/8 strictly nonblocking thermooptic matrix switch with a high-extinction ratio and low loss. We realized this matrix switch by using a configuration which combines a double Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switching unit and an N/spl times/N matrix arrangement thus reducing the total waveguide length. The 8/spl times/8 matrix switch was fabricated on a 4-in wafer using planar lightwave circuit technology. We obtained an average extinction ratio of 60.3 dB and an average insertion loss of 5.1 dB. The operating wavelength bandwidth completely covers the gain band of practical erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).
Severe COVID-19 Complicated by Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Newborn Successfully Treated with Remdesivir, Glucocorticoids, and Hyperimmune Plasma

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, affecting all age groups with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation ranging from asymptomatic to severe interstitial pneumonia, hyperinflammation, and death. Children and infants generally show a mild course of the disease, although infants have been observed to have a higher risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes. Here, we report the case of a preterm infant with a severe form of SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis successfully treated with steroids, hyperimmune plasma, and remdesivir.
Hysterosalpingography findings of female partners of infertile couple attending fertility clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Introduction Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an outpatient fluoroscopic method for the evaluation of the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, and the surrounding peritoneal cavity. Female fertility depends greatly on normal female reproductive organs; hence tubal abnormalities may contribute significantly to female infertility. HSG is an invaluable screening tool in the evaluation of women with suspected tubal factor infertility. This study aims to review the HSG findings of women who sought fertility treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (LUTH). Methods this was a retrospective study of the pattern of HSG findings among female partners of infertile couples seeking fertility treatment at the LUTH, over a 2-year period, from January 2018 to December 2019. Results a total of 266 medical records and HSG results were reviewed and included in the data analysis. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 38.4 (± 0.3) years with a range of 24 to 50 years. Most (80.5%) of the participants have secondary infertility and majority (65.4%) were nulliparous. Tubal pathology was the commonest abnormality detected on HSG in 54.9% of women. About one-third (30.8%) of women had bilateral tubal occlusion on HSG. With regards to the right fallopian tube, 43.2% of the participants had tubal occlusion, which differs from 41.7% on the left fallopian tube. Similarly, 10.2% of the women had hydrosalpinx on the left tube when compared with 9% on the right tube. Age (OR 1.055; 95% CI: 1.006, 1.106, p-value 0.028), and previous salpingectomy [OR 6.151; 95% CI: 1.335, 28.349] and myomectomy [OR 4.6; 95% CI: 1.814, 11.67] were identified as risk factors for tubal pathologies on HSG. Conclusion tubal abnormalities are common findings on HSG and the identifiable risk factors for tubal pathologies include age, salpingectomy, and myomectomy. HSG remains a vital screening tool in the evaluation of tubal-factor infertility in Nigeria.
Quantifying machine flexibility

There are several studies aiming to quantify several aspects of flexibility in manufacturing systems like routing flexibility, product mix flexibility, volume flexibility, etc. However, there is still a need to develop more generic measures that can be used to quantify flexibility of systems in order to enable decision-makers to reach better decisions in selecting between different system configurations. In this study, a new approach which is based on digraph theory and matrix algebra is proposed to quantify flexibility. Several examples are also provided to illustrate the proposed approach and its practicality and usefulness. The proposed approach is a novel one and can be used to model and quantify several types of flexibilities. In this research, the proposed modelling approach is explained through machine flexibility mainly due to the fact that most of the other flexibility types in manufacturing systems rely on this flexibility type.
Digital Preservation Education: Educating or Networking?

Digital preservation training, especially continuing education, is now recognized as an essential component of an archivist's education. This paper reports on a research project that evaluated the effectiveness of continuing education experiences for increasing participants' skills in digital preservation and their ability to implement these skills in their repositories. The research project studied the impact of four workshops and five seminars in an international setting sponsored by the Electronic Resource Preservation and Access Network (ERPANET). The study findings indicate that the participants viewed the training events as successful, but that very few participants were able to implement the skills once they returned to their work environments. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of these kinds of training events and looks carefully at how they can be realistically measured.
Framing Leaders’ Discourses on College and Career Readiness

Purpose: This multiple comparative case study investigated district and high school leaders’ framing mechanisms and discourses around priorities and challenges to understand their equity aims and their preparation of diverse student populations’ college, career, and civic readiness. Research Methods/Approach: This research used framing theory to examine semistructured interviews and focus groups with 34 educational leaders from four sample schools with above average percentages of Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or economically disadvantaged students. Three positive outlier schools were sampled as they achieved statistically significantly better graduation outcomes, whereas the comparison typical school performed as predicted. Findings: Positive outlier leaders coupled diagnostic and prognostic framing to address priorities and challenges while advancing an equity-oriented agenda. In addition, the positive outlier leaders’ discourses prioritized local needs and values, contextual challenges, and organizational learning. Furthermore, positive outlier leaders used a hybrid frame (motivational, normative, and regulatory) to emphasize academic achievement and student needs in service of improving outcomes for diverse students. In these schools, these hybrid discourses amount to a normative frame: “the way we do things around here. ” In contrast, typical school leaders framed a narrower agenda focused on compliance-oriented discourses structured by policy regulations, and these acted as the primary motivators for action. Implications: Understanding framing mechanisms and discourses has import for educational leaders’ practices as they make sense of improvement efforts for underserved youth. Leaders’ frames and discourses may provide a consequential improvement mechanism for schools and entire districts caught in suboptimal organizational patterns and behavioral routines.
Recent Insights into the Role of Gut Microbiota in Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract The microbiome has become a hot issue in recent years. The composition, modification, alteration, and disturbance of gut microbiota were found to influence important physiological processes, including energy metabolism and microenvironmental homeostasis, and lead to various diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and one of the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. The underlying mechanisms in DR pathogenesis remain limited. Recently, important insights have been made regarding possible connections between gut microbiome dysbiosis and ocular disease including DR, uveitis, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration, and the concept of a “microbiota–gut–retina axis” has been put forward. Hence, we reviewed current understanding of the relationship between DR and gut microbiota. We summarized potential pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the role of the gut microbiota on DR, including hyperglycemia, anti-diabetes drugs, microbial metabolites, and inflammatory properties. We aimed to find novel effective therapeutic options to prevent the onset and development of DR.
Verification of effectiveness of chip seal as a pavement preventive maintenance treatment using LTPP data

It is hypothesised that maintenance treatments should be applied in the preventive mode before pavements display significant amounts of distress in order to be more cost-effective. The objective of this study was to verify the concept of preventive maintenance by examining the long-term effectiveness of chip seal treatment in four climatic zones in the USA using the long-term pavement performance database. Pavement sections were categorised into smooth, medium and rough pavements, based upon initial condition (IC) as indicated by the international roughness index. Pavement performance of treated and untreated sections was collectively modelled using exponential regression analysis. Effectiveness was evaluated in terms of life extension, relative benefit and benefit–cost ratio. The results showed that preventive maintenance is cost-effective. The life extension, relative benefit and benefit cost ratio were highest for sections whose IC was smooth at the time of treatment. Chip seal treatment effectiveness showed no correlation to climatic conditions or to traffic levels.
Prevalence of malnourishment and predictive factors associated with the nutritional status of gynecologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a cross-sectional analysis

Objective To investigate the prevalence and predictive factors of malnourishment in patients with gynecologic cancer during chemotherapy. Methods A total of 101 patients treated with chemotherapy between April 2020 and February 2021 were interviewed using the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Clinical and laboratory data were also collected. The total number of lymphocytes per cubic milliliter (total lymphocyte count, TLC) and serum albumin were calculated to provide an optimal cut-off point using receiver operating characteristic curves. Clinicopathological variables were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses to identify the independent predictive factors for malnourishment. Results The prevalence of good, moderate, and severe nourishment was 73.3%, 18.8%, and 7.9%, respectively. The optimal cut-off points for TLC and albumin were 1,450 cells/μL and for albumin was 3.9 g/dL. Univariate analysis indicated that the number of chemotherapy cycles ≤3, albumin level ≤3.95 g/dL, body mass index ≤25 kg/m2, TLC <1,450 cells/μL, anemia, and no neutropenia were significantly associated with malnutrition. However, only a serum albumin level ≤3.95 g/dL was independently associated with malnourishment. Conclusion Patients with gynecologic cancer treated with chemotherapy were occasionally found to be malnourished, with the independent predictive predictor being a blood albumin level less than or equal to 3.95 g/dL.
Relation-Attention Networks for Remote Sensing Scene Classification

Remote sensing (RS) scene classification plays an important role in a wide range of RS applications. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been applied to the field of scene classification in RS images and achieved impressive performance. However, to classify RS scenes, most of the existing CNN methods either utilize the high-level features from the last convolutional layer of CNNs, missing much important information existing at the other levels, or directly fuse the features at different levels, bringing redundant and/or mutually exclusive information. Inspired by the attention mechanism of the human visual system, in this article, we explore a novel relation-attention model and design an end-to-end relation-attention network (RANet) to learn powerful feature representations of multiple levels to further improve the classification performance. First, we propose to extract convolutional features at different levels by pretrained CNNs. Second, a multiscale feature computation module is constructed to connect features at different levels and generate multiscale semantic features. Third, a novel relation-attention model is designed to focus on the critical features whilst avoiding the use of redundant and even distractive ones by exploiting the scale contextual information. Finally, the resulting relation-attention features are concatenated and fed into a softmax layer for the final classification. Experiments on four well-known RS scene classification datasets (UC-Merced, WHU-RS19, AID, and OPTIMAL-31) show that our method outperforms some state-of-the-art algorithms.