Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of methods for evaluating bond strength between concrete substrate and repair materials

Placing freshly mixed concrete against old existing concrete is a point of interest in repair applications, and can be sometimes a vital issue. Unless good bond is ensured at the interface, the concrete section may become improper and sometimes unsafe. An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of testing methods on bond strength between concrete substrate and repair material. 27 numbers of sample with different dimension were prepared according to different type of testing. Sample with dimension of 150x150x150 mm cubes were required for spliting test. The cubes is constructed into two parts as old substrate concrete and repair material with a size of base size 75x150 mm and a height of 150mm. In the Bi-Surface shear method, the repair material constitutes one third of the samples which means the prisms with a base size of 100x150 mm and a height of 150 mm are cast as old or substrate concrete. Then the repair materials are cast in prisms with a base of 1 50x50 mm and a height of 150 mm and are bonded to the concrete substrate. Slant Shear Test samples were lOOxlOOx400 mm and it is cut at angle 60° to their cross sectional axis whereas the old substrate designed with a base size of lOOxlOOmm and height 1 13.5mm as well as the repaired material samples. Steel wire brush were rub to bonding surface in order to produce different surface roughness. The estimated amplitude of low roughness was 3-4 mm and using a similar approach, the high-roughness was roughened to amplitude of 7-8 mm. After two weeks, the new concrete was added to the substrate concrete. Splitting prism test, BiSurface direct shear test and Slant shear tests were performed to evaluate the bond strength at age 7 days, 14 days and 28 days The results shows sample with high roughness surface were produce more conpressive strength in all type of testing. Hence, direct shear test was develop greater comprasive strength compare to spliting prism test and slant sheat test.
Improved iodine status is associated with improved mental performance of schoolchildren in Benin.

BACKGROUND An adequate iodine supply in utero and shortly after birth is known to be crucial to an individual's physical and mental development. The question of whether iodine supplementation later in life can exert a favorable influence on the mental performance of iodine-deficient populations was addressed in various studies, but with contradictory results. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an improvement in iodine status on mental and psychomotor performance of schoolchildren (7-11 y) who were moderately to severely iodine deficient. DESIGN The study, which was originally planned as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention, was carried out in an iodine-deficient population of schoolchildren (n = 196) in northern Benin. As the population began to have access to iodized salt during the 1-y intervention period, the study population was split post hoc-on the basis of urinary iodine concentrations-into a group with improved iodine status and a group with unchanged iodine status. Changes in mental and psychomotor performance over the intervention period were compared. RESULTS Children with increased urinary iodine concentrations had a significantly greater increase in performance on the combination of mental tests than did the group with no change in urinary iodine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS An improvement in iodine status, rather than iodine status itself, determined mental performance in this population, which was initially iodine deficient. These findings suggest a "catch-up" effect in terms of mental performance.
Exploiting Data Reuse in Mobile Crowdsensing

Mobile crowdsensing emerges as a promising sensing paradigm through leveraging the diverse embedded sensors in massive mobile devices. A key objective in mobile crowdsensing is to efficiently schedule mobile device users to perform multiple sensing tasks. Prior work mainly focused on the interactions between the task layer and the user layer, without considering the similarity of tasks' data requirements and the heterogeneity of users'sensing capabilities. In this work, we propose a three-layer data-centric crowdsensing model by introducing a new data layer between tasks and users, which allows us to effectively leverage both the task similarity and the user heterogeneity. We formulate a joint task selection and user scheduling problem on top of the data layer, aiming at maximizing the social welfare. This problem is difficult to solve due to the combinatorial nature as well as the two-sided private information of tasks and users. To address both issues, we propose a two- sided randomized auction mechanism, which is computationally efficient, individually rational, and incentive compatible in expectation. Simulations show that (i) the proposed randomized auction can achieve 90% of the maximum social welfare (benchmark), and (ii) the social welfare gain due to data reuse increases with the task similarity and reaches up to 1300% in our simulations.
Trajectories of function and biomarkers with age: the CHS All Stars Study.

BACKGROUND Multimorbidity is a major driver of physical and cognitive impairment, but rates of decline are also related to ageing. We sought to determine trajectories of decline in a large cohort by disease status, and examined their correspondence with biomarkers of ageing processes including growth hormone, sex steroid, inflammation, visceral adiposity and kidney function pathways. METHODS We have followed the 5888 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) for healthy ageing and longevity since 1989-90. Gait speed, grip strength, modified mini-mental status examination (3MSE) and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST) were assessed annually to 1998-99 and again in 2005-06. Insulin-like growth hormone (IGF-1), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin and cystatin-C were assessed 3-5 times from stored samples. Health status was updated annually and dichotomized as healthy vs not healthy. Trajectories for each function measure and biomarker were estimated using generalized estimating equations as a function of age and health status using standardized values. RESULTS Trajectories of functional decline showed strong age acceleration late in life in healthy older men and women as well as in chronically ill older adults. Adiponectin, IL-6 and cystatin-C tracked with functional decline in all domains; cystatin-C was consistently associated with functional declines independent of other biomarkers. DHEAS was independently associated with grip strength and IL-6 with grip strength and gait speed trajectories. CONCLUSIONS Functional decline in late life appears to mark a fundamental ageing process in that it occurred and was accelerated in late life regardless of health status. Cystatin C was most consistently associated with these functional declines.
An Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen That Was Difficult to Diagnose Due to Temporal Changes after Splenectomy

Accessory spleen (AS) is common anomaly, and 20% of AS cases occur in the pancreatic tail. An intrapancreatic AS can be difficult to distinguish from pancreatic neoplasms. In most cases, an AS is described as a hypervascular and solitary tumor, but an AS sometimes takes other forms. We herein report a rare case of an intrapancreatic AS with temporal changes in its appearance after splenectomy, which mimicked aspects of pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and 99mTc sulfur colloid scintigraphy were useful for the diagnosis.
Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol.

BACKGROUND Berries are a particularly rich source of polyphenols. They also contain other bioactive substances, such as vitamin C. Previous studies indicated that the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods (eg, cocoa, tea, and red wine) may induce beneficial changes in pathways related to cardiovascular health. Whether the consumption of berries has similar effects is unknown. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the effects of berry consumption on hemostatic function, serum lipids, and blood pressure (BP). DESIGN Middle-aged unmedicated subjects (n = 72) with cardiovascular risk factors consumed moderate amounts of berry or control products for 8 wk in a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. RESULTS Berry consumption inhibited platelet function as measured with a platelet function analyzer (using collagen and ADP as platelet activator) [changes: 11% and -1.4% in the berry and control groups, respectively; P = 0.018, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)]. Plasma biomarkers of platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis did not change during the intervention. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations increased significantly more (P = 0.006, ANCOVA) in the berry than in the control group (5.2% and 0.6%, respectively), but total cholesterol and triacylglycerol remained unchanged. Systolic BP decreased significantly (P = 0.050, ANCOVA); the decrease mostly occurred in subjects with high baseline BP (7.3 mm Hg in highest tertile; P = 0.024, ANCOVA). Polyphenol and vitamin C concentrations in plasma increased, whereas other nutritional biomarkers (ie, folate, tocopherols, sodium, and potassium) were unaffected. CONCLUSION The consumption of moderate amounts of berries resulted in favorable changes in platelet function, HDL cholesterol, and BP. The results indicate that regular consumption of berries may play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Assessment of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part II) numerical assessment of induced SAR within the human body

Human body exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from smart meters was assessed using various exposure configurations. Specific energy absorption rate distributions were determined using three anatomically realistic human models. Each model was assigned with age‐ and frequency‐dependent dielectric properties representing a collection of age groups. Generalized exposure conditions involving standing and sleeping postures were assessed for a home area network operating at 868 and 2,450 MHz. The smart meter antenna was fed with 1 W power input which is an overestimation of what real devices typically emit (15 mW max limit). The highest observed whole body specific energy absorption rate value was 1.87 mW kg−1, within the child model at a distance of 15 cm from a 2,450 MHz device. The higher values were attributed to differences in dimension and dielectric properties within the model. Specific absorption rate (SAR) values were also estimated based on power density levels derived from electric field strength measurements made at various distances from smart meter devices. All the calculated SAR values were found to be very small in comparison to International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection limits for public exposure. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:200–216, 2018. © 2017 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
The Physician Recommendation Coding System (PhyReCS)

Background. Physicians’ recommendations affect patients’ treatment choices. However, most research relies on physicians’ or patients’ retrospective reports of recommendations, which offer a limited perspective and have limitations such as recall bias. Objective. To develop a reliable and valid method to measure the strength of physician recommendations using direct observation of clinical encounters. Methods. Clinical encounters (n = 257) were recorded as part of a larger study of prostate cancer decision making. We used an iterative process to create the 5-point Physician Recommendation Coding System (PhyReCS). To determine reliability, research assistants double-coded 50 transcripts. To establish content validity, we used 1-way analyses of variance to determine whether relative treatment recommendation scores differed as a function of which treatment patients received. To establish concurrent validity, we examined whether patients’ perceived treatment recommendations matched our coded recommendations. Results. The PhyReCS was highly reliable (Krippendorf’s alpha = 0.89, 95% CI [0.86, 0.91]). The average relative treatment recommendation score for each treatment was higher for individuals who received that particular treatment. For example, the average relative surgery recommendation score was higher for individuals who received surgery versus radiation (mean difference = 0.98, SE = 0.18, P < 0.001) or active surveillance (mean difference = 1.10, SE = 0.14, P < 0.001). Patients’ perceived recommendations matched coded recommendations 81% of the time. Conclusion. The PhyReCS is a reliable and valid way to capture the strength of physician recommendations. We believe that the PhyReCS would be helpful for other researchers who wish to study physician recommendations, an important part of patient decision making.
Catching RNAs on chromatin using hybridization capture methods

The growing appreciation of the importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), together with the awareness that some of these RNAs are associated with chromatin, has inspired the development of methods to detect their sites of interaction on a genome-wide scale at high resolution. Hybridization capture methods combine antisense oligonucleotide hybridization with enrichment of RNA from cross-linked chromatin extracts. These techniques have provided insight into lncRNA localization and the interactions of lncRNAs with protein to better understand biological roles of lncRNAs. Here, we review the core principles of hybridization capture methods, focusing on the three most commonly used protocols: capture hybridization analysis of RNA targets (CHART), chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and RNA affinity purification (RAP). We highlight the general principles of these techniques and discuss how differences in experimental procedures present distinct challenges to help researchers using these protocols or, more generally, interpreting the results of hybridization capture experiments.
Language Parameters of 4- to 7-Year-Old Persian-Speaking Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: There are several risk factors including hearing difficulties, lack of language stimulation, and parents' low level of expectation leading to language disorders in children with cleft palate. Therefore, formal language assessments of children with cleft palate are of great importance in order to prevent further disabilities. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate language parameters in 4- to 7-year old Persian-speaking children with cleft palate. Patients and Methods: 16 children with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate aged between 4 and 7 years participated in the experiment. The Test of Language Development-Primary, third edition (TOLD-P3) was performed to evaluate the language parameters. The results were scored according to the test manual and compared to normative data published with the TOLD-P3. Results:t test analysis showed a significant difference between language parameters in children with cleft lip and palate and the normative data (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between different aspects of language performance. Conclusion: The findings emphasize that speech-language pathologists should also concentrate on early language assessment and treatment for children with cleft lip and palate.
Homocysteine, B vitamin status, and cognitive function in the elderly.

BACKGROUND Old age is associated with reduced cognitive performance. Nutritional factors may contribute to this association. OBJECTIVE We tested associations between cognitive performance and plasma vitamin B-12, folate, and homocysteine concentrations in the elderly. DESIGN We studied survivors of the Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 (Aberdeen 1921 Birth Cohort, or ABC21) and 1947 (Aberdeen 1936 Birth Cohort, or ABC36), which surveyed childhood intelligence quotient. We measured folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine concentrations in fasting blood samples and cognitive performance by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), National Adult Reading Test (NART), Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), digit symbol (DS) subtest, and block design (BD) subtest. RESULTS Homocysteine was higher in the ABC21 than in the ABC36 (P < 0.0001). There were positive correlations between folate and vitamin B-12 and negative correlations between homocysteine and both folate and vitamin B-12. MMSE, RPM, AVLT, DS, and BD scores were higher in the ABC36. In the ABC21, folate, vitamin B-12, and MMSE score were positively correlated and homocysteine was negatively correlated with RPM, DS, and BD scores. Folic acid was positively correlated with AVLT and DS scores. In the ABC36, folate was positively correlated with BD score. After adjustment for childhood intelligence quotient, partial correlations were strengthened between vitamin B-12 and NART score and between homocysteine and RPM score but weakened between red blood cell folate and DS score. CONCLUSIONS B vitamins and homocysteine are associated with cognitive variation in old age. In the ABC21 but not the ABC36, homocysteine accounted for approximately 7-8% of the variance in cognitive performance. This may prove relevant to the design of neuroprotective studies in late life.
Cognate Mapping - A Heuristic Strategy for the Semi-Supervised Acquisition of a Spanish Lexicon from a Portuguese Seed Lexicon

We deal with the automated acquisition of a Spanish medical subword lexicon from an already existing Portuguese seed lexicon. Using two non-parallel monolingual corpora we determined Spanish lexeme candidates from Portuguese seed lexicon entries by heuristic cognate mapping. We validated the emergent lexical translation hypotheses by determining the similarity of ﬁxed-window context vectors on the basis of Portuguese and Spanish text corpora.
Occasional physical inactivity combined with a high-fat diet may be important in the development and maintenance of obesity in human subjects.

BACKGROUND A better understanding of the environmental factors that contribute to obesity is imperative if any therapeutic effect on the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States is to be achieved. OBJECTIVE This study examined the effect of the interaction of diet composition and physical inactivity on energy and fat balances. DESIGN Thirty-five normal-weight and obese subjects were randomly assigned to either a 15-d isoenergetic high-carbohydrate (HC) or high-fat (HF) diet according to a crossover design. During the first 14 d, body weight and physical activity were maintained. On day 15, subjects spent 23 h in a whole-room indirect calorimeter and were fed a diet similar to that consumed during the previous 7 d while remaining physically inactive. RESULTS Energy intakes required to maintain body weight stability during the first 14 d were similar between diets. Normal-weight and obese subjects consuming both diets had a positive energy balance on the sedentary day (day 15), suggesting that subjects were less active in the calorimeter. There was no significant effect of diet composition on total energy balance and total protein-energy balance on day 15; however, carbohydrate balance was more positive with the HC (2497.8 +/- 301.2 kJ) than with the HF (1159 +/- 301.2 kJ) diet (P = 0.0032). Most importantly, fat balance was more positive with the HF (1790.8 +/- 510.4 kJ) than with the HC (-62.8 +/- 510.4 kJ) diet (P = 0.0011). CONCLUSION Chronic consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet could provide some protection against body fat accumulation in persons with a pattern of physical activity that includes frequent sedentary days.
CpG and UpA dinucleotides in both coding and non-coding regions of echovirus 7 inhibit replication initiation post-entry

Most vertebrate and plant RNA and small DNA viruses suppress genomic CpG and UpA dinucleotide frequencies, apparently mimicking host mRNA composition. Artificially increasing CpG/UpA dinucleotides attenuates viruses through an entirely unknown mechanism. Using the echovirus 7 (E7) model in several cell types, we show that the restriction in E7 replication in mutants with increased CpG/UpA dinucleotides occurred immediately after viral entry, with incoming virions failing to form replication complexes. Sequences of CpG/UpA-high virus stocks showed no evidence of increased mutational errors that would render them replication defective, these viral RNAs were not differentially sequestered in cytoplasmic stress granules nor did they induce a systemic antiviral state. Importantly, restriction was not mediated through effects on translation efficiency since replicons with high CpG/UpA sequences inserted into a non-coding region were similarly replication defective. Host-cells thus possess intrinsic defence pathways that prevent replication of viruses with increased CpG/UpA frequencies independently of codon usage.
Efficient and Fair Collaborative Mobile Internet Access

The surging global mobile data traffic challenges the economic viability of cellular networks and calls for innovative solutions to reduce the network congestion and improve user experience. In this context, user-provided networks (UPNs), where mobile users share their Internet access by exploiting their diverse network resources and needs, turn out to be very promising. Heterogeneous users with advanced handheld devices can form connections in a distributed fashion and unleash dormant network resources at the network edge. However, the success of such services heavily depends on users’ willingness to contribute their resources, such as network access and device battery energy. In this paper, we introduce a general framework for UPN services and design a bargaining-based distributed incentive mechanism to ensure users’ participation. The proposed mechanism determines the resources that each user should contribute in order to maximize the aggregate data rate in UPN, and fairly allocate the benefit among the users. The numerical results verify that the service can always improve users’ performance, and such improvement increases with the diversity of the users’ resources. Quantitatively, it can reach an average 30% increase of the total served traffic for a typical scenario even with only six mobile users.