Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward a Stakeholder Perspective on Social Stability Risk of Large Hydraulic Engineering Projects in China: A Social Network Analysis

In China, large hydraulic engineering projects have made a great contribution to social economic development; at the same time, they also lead to social risks that affect social stability. The pluralism of stakeholders in large hydraulic engineering projects and the complex interrelationship among stakeholders are the important factors affecting social stability risk. Previous studies of social stability risk have mainly focused on risk identification and risk assessment, without considering the relationships among stakeholders and their linkages of risks. For large hydraulic engineering projects, this paper investigated the relevant risk factors and their interrelationships through a literature review and interviews that represented stakeholder perspectives. The key social stability risk factors were identified based on social network analysis. A multi-channel project financial system, a perfect interest compensation mechanism, an efficient prevention mechanism of group events, and a complete project schedule control system were proposed to mitigate the social stability risks. This study combined stakeholder management with risk management by using social network analysis, providing reference for the social stability risk management of large engineering projects in China.
A Three-Year Study of Campylobacter jejuni Genotypes in Humans with Domestically Acquired Infections and in Chicken Samples from the Helsinki Area

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni isolates from stool samples of patients with domestically acquired sporadic infections and from chicken from retail shops were studied during seasonal peaks from June to September over a 3-year period from 1996 to 1998. A large number of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes (a combinedSmaI-SacII pattern) were identified each year. Certain genotypes persisted for the whole study period, and predominant genotypes represented 28 to 52% of the strains during a restricted period of time. The peak level of positive chicken samples was between July and August of each study year, when 10 to 33% of the samples were positive for campylobacter. The same PFGE genotypes found in humans were also detected in the chicken samples. This suggests that common genotypes were circulating in the area.
Bilateral Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

BACKGROUND: Unilateral posterior tibial nerve stimulation has been shown to improve fecal incontinence in the short term. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation is believed to work by stimulation of the ascending afferent spinal pathways. Bilateral stimulation may activate more of these pathways. This may lead to an improved therapeutic effect. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of bilateral transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence. DESIGN: This was a single-group pilot prospective study. SETTING: The study was conducted from June 2012 to September 2012 at the authors’ institution. PATIENTS: Twenty patients with fecal incontinence were recruited consecutively. Conservative therapy had failed to improve the fecal incontinence in all 20 patients. INTERVENTION: All patients received 30 minutes of daily bilateral stimulation for 6 weeks. The bilateral stimulation was administered by each patient at home. No further stimulation was given after 6 weeks, and the patients were followed up until their symptoms returned to the prestimulation state (baseline). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was a change in the frequency of incontinent episodes per week. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed 6 weeks of treatment. Two patients achieved complete continence. Ten (59%) achieved a ≥50% reduction in frequency of incontinent episodes. Overall, there was a significant reduction in median (interquartile range) frequency of incontinent episodes per week of 6 (8.25) to 2 (7.25) (p = 0.03). There was a significant improvement in the ability to defer defecation from 3 (4) to 5 (8) minutes (p = 0.03). There was no change in the St Mark's incontinence score. One domain of the Rockwood fecal incontinence quality-of-life score and of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 score improved significantly. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its small size and its lack of blinding and control. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation appears to be a cheap and effective treatment for fecal incontinence. It can easily be used by the patient at home.
Dietary counselling and food fortification in stable COPD: a randomised trial

Background: Malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a poor prognosis, yet evidence to support the role of dietary counselling and food fortification is lacking. A study was undertaken to assess the impact of dietary counselling and food fortification on outcome in outpatients with COPD who are at risk of malnutrition. Methods: A randomised controlled unblinded trial was performed in 59 outpatients with COPD (6 months intervention and 6 months follow-up). The intervention group received dietary counselling and advice on food fortification and the controls received a dietary advice leaflet. Outcome measures were nutritional status, respiratory and skeletal muscle strength, respiratory function, perceived dyspnoea, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. Results: The intervention group consumed more energy (difference 194 kcal/day; p = 0.02) and protein (difference 11.8 g/day; p<0.001) than controls. The intervention group gained weight during the intervention period and maintained weight during follow-up; the controls lost weight throughout the study. Significant differences were observed between the groups in St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score (difference 10.1; p = 0.02), Short Form-36 health change score (difference 19.2; p = 0.029) and Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (difference 1.0; p = 0.03); the difference in ADL score approached statistical significance (difference 1.5; p = 0.06). No differences were observed between groups in respiratory function or skeletal and respiratory muscle strength. Improvements in some variables persisted for 6 months beyond the intervention period. Conclusion: Dietary counselling and food fortification resulted in weight gain and improvements in outcome in nutritionally at-risk outpatients with COPD, both during and beyond the intervention period.
Dose-related effects of prolonged NaHCO3 ingestion during high-intensity exercise.

PURPOSE Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion may prevent exercise-induced perturbations in acid-base balance, thus resulting in performance enhancement. This study aimed to determine whether different levels of NaHCO3 intake influences acid-base balance and performance during high-intensity exercise after 5 d of supplementation. METHODS Twenty-four men (22 +/- 1.7 yr) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (eight subjects per group): control (C, placebo), moderate NaHCO3 intake (MI, 0.3 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and high NaHCO3 intake (HI, 0.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Arterial pH, HCO3(-), PO2, PCO2, K+, Na, base excess (BE), lactate, and mean power (MP) were measured before and after a Wingate test pre- and postsupplementation. RESULTS HCO3(-) increased proportionately to the dosage level. No differences were detected in C. Supplementation increased MP (W x kg(-)) in MI (7.36 +/- 0.7 vs 6.73 +/- 1.0) and HI (7.72 +/- 0.9 vs 6.69 +/- 0.6), with HI being more effective than MI. NaHCO3 ingestion resulted postexercise in increased lactate (mmol x L(-1)) (12.3 +/- 1.8 vs 10.3 +/- 1.9 and 12.4 +/- 1.2 vs 10.4 +/- 1.5 in MI and HI, respectively), reduced exercise-induced drop of pH (7.305 +/- 0.04 vs 7.198 +/- 0.02 and 7.343 +/- 0.05 vs 7.2 +/- 0.01 in MI and HI, respectively) and HCO3(-) (mmol x L(-1)) (13.1 +/- 2.4 vs 17.5 +/- 2.8 and 13.2 +/- 2.7 vs 19.8 +/- 3.2 for HCO3 in MI and HI, respectively), and reduced K (3.875 +/- 0.2 vs 3.625 +/- 0.3 mmol x L(-1) in MI and HI, respectively). CONCLUSION NaHCO3 administration for 5 d may prevent acid-base balance disturbances and improve performance during anaerobic exercise in a dose-dependent manner.
No oculomotor plant, no final common path

The assumption that there is an oculomotor plant, a fixed relationship between motoneuron firing rate and eye position, is disproved by brainstem recording studies showing that this relationship depends on which supernuclear subsystem determines firing rate. But it remains possible that there is a final common path (FCP), a fixed relationship between firing rate and muscle force. But then, brainstem recording studies predict that lateral rectus (LR) forces (and probably medial rectus (MR) forces, as well) will be higher in converged than in unconverged gaze for a given eye position. We recently measured these forces and found that they are slightly lower in convergence, disproving the FCP hypothesis. Thus, even the relationship between motoneuron firing rate and muscle force is under supernuclear control. What peripheral oculomotor articulations could vary the relationship of firing rate to muscle force? : (1) Actively movable EOM pulleys could alter oculorotary muscle force for a given oculorotory innervation by altering muscle lengths. (2) ‘Outer’ motoneurons may function as gamma efferents in conjunction with palisade endings and non-twitch global EOM fibers. (3) Complex nonlinear interactions likely arise among both parallel and serially connected muscle fibers.
Cognitive brain activity in Alzheimer's disease: Electrophysiological response during picture semantic categorization

Semantic memory deterioration is a major component of the cognitive decline seen in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT); however, the exact nature of this deficit remains unclear. Some research data support a procedural deficit where there is an inability to access or retrieve the contents of semantic memory, while other data point to a degraded semantic store where the actual content of semantic memory is degraded. Additional information about semantic processing in DAT can be obtained through the use of an event-related potential (ERP) component known as N400. In the present study, ERPs were recorded from 10 young control participants, 10 elderly control participants, and 10 DAT patients in a picture–semantic matching task. Stimuli were presented sequentially as prime–target pairs, with one-half of the targets matching the primes via semantic relationships (e.g., piano–violin) and the other half mismatching the prime (e.g., helmet–violin). The task was to discriminate between semantically related and unrelated pairs of pictures. In the young and elderly control groups, ERPs generated a larger N400 for unrelated than related target pictures, with a maximum amplitude around 380 ms in the young group and around 480 ms in the elderly group. The amplitude of the N400 was significantly reduced in the DAT patients. However, a separate analysis of congruent and incongruent ERPs trials revealed significant differences only with the incongruent trials. The amplitude of incongruent recordings was larger for the elderly control group than for the DAT patients, while the amplitude for congruent recordings was similar in both groups. These findings are consistent with the neuropathological evidence that Alzheimer's disease is a neocortical disconnection syndrome in which there is a loss of structural and functional integrity of long corticocortical tracts. The semantic activation created by the context is not used efficiently in processing stimuli, which affects access to specific concepts and gradually leads to a breakdown in the structure and organization of semantic memory. (JINS, 1998, 4, 415–425.)
Removal of 1,3-Dichloro2-Propanol and 3-Chloro1,2-Propanediol by the Whole Cell System of Pseudomonas putida DSM 437

The removal of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP), 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-CPD) and their mixtures at concentrations up to 1000 mg · L−1 by the whole cell system of Pseudomonas putida DSM 437 was investigated. The 1,3-DCP removal rates ranged from 2.36 to 10.55 mg · L−1 · h−1; 3-CPD exhibited approximately two times higher removal rates compared to 1,3-DCP for all concentrations tested. Removal of 1,3-DCP and 3-CPD followed first-order kinetics with rate constants of 0.0109 h−1 and 0.0206 h−1, respectively. When the whole cell system of P. putida DSM 437 was applied to mixtures of the two halohdrins, complete removal of 1,3-DCP was achieved at 144 h while removal of 3-CPD was completed at times ranging from 72 to 144 h. Time to achieve 50% removal of both halohydrins depends on the initial concentration of each in the mixture. For 1,3-DCP, it ranged from 40.55 h at 200 mg · L−1 to 53.28 h at 500 mg · L−1 while the respected values for 3-CPD were 33.39 and 68.91 h.
Media Portrayal of GM Science and Citrus Greening in State and National Newspapers

Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening, is a bacterial disease severely affecting the profitability and continuation of the citrus industry in Florida and is threatening the citrus industry in other states as well. Currently, the disease only can be managed, not cured. Gene-based therapies, such as GM science, have been identified as a viable long-term solution. However, consumer acceptance of genetically modified food is low and their understanding and acceptance of new technologies is largely dependent on what they receive through mass media. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand news coverage of both citrus greening and gene modification science. This content analysis studied news articles of either citrus greening or gene modification science in national and state-specific newspapers and identified that while citrus greening is not highly covered by newspapers, it is accurately described via appropriate terminology. Genetic modification science is more commonly a topic of news coverage and is somewhat neutral and balanced in coverage. This research shows that source use in media coverage of gene modification science is balanced, but sources are most commonly chosen from organizations with a directed opinion or position on the topic.
Measuring elementary teachers’ understanding of the NGSS framework: An instrument for planning and assessing professional development

The arrival of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) marks a new era in science education. However, like all education reform, the success of NGSS implementation lies with teachers. Effective and targeted professional development will play a key role in preparing teachers who work from the framework. This study sought to design and validate a survey instrument measuring elementary teachers’ perceptions of their understanding of the NGSS framework. After developing and modifying the initial item pool through expert review and piloting, the instrument was administered to 167 elementary teachers from Montana, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Results from an exploratory principal components analysis yielded a five-factor model which explained 74% of the variance. Through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the model was found to be an acceptable fit to the hypothesized population model. The 31-item instrument holds promise as a tool for informing professional development efforts related to teachers’ understanding of NGSS concepts.
DNA-Directed immobilization: efficient, reversible, and site-selective surface binding of proteins by means of covalent DNA-streptavidin conjugates.

Covalent DNA-streptavidin conjugates have been utilized for the reversible and site-selective immobilization of various biotinylated enzymes and antibodies by DNA-directed immobilization (DDI). Biotinylated alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, and horseradish peroxidase as well as biotinylated anti-mouse and anti-rabbit immunoglobulins have been coupled to the DNA-streptavidin adapters by simple, two-component incubation and the resulting preconjugates were allowed to hybridize to complementary, surface-bound capture oligonucleotides. Quantitative measurements on microplates indicate that DDI proceeds with a higher immobilization efficiency than conventional immobilization techniques, such as the binding of the biotinylated proteins to streptavidin-coated surfaces or direct physisorption. These findings can be attributed to the reversible formation of the rigid, double-stranded DNA spacer between the surface and the proteins. Moreover, BIAcore measurements demonstrate that DDI allows a reversible functionalization of sensor surfaces with reproducible amounts of proteins. Ultimately, the simultaneous immobilization of different compounds using microstructured oligonucleotide arrays as immobilization matrices demonstrate that DDI proceeds with site selectivity due to the unique specificity of Watson-Crick base pairing.
Diagnosis of scaphoid fracture displacement with radiography and computed tomography.

BACKGROUND Displacement is an important risk factor for nonunion of scaphoid wrist fractures. We compared computed tomography with radiographs with regard to their ability to detect displacement. METHODS Six blinded observers rated thirty scaphoid fractures (ten displaced and twenty nondisplaced) with use of radiographs and computed tomography. The radiographs were evaluated separately from the computed tomography scans and then, in a third evaluation, the two imaging studies were reviewed simultaneously. The evaluations were repeated four weeks later. Observers were asked to evaluate specific measures of fracture displacement and then to judge the fracture as being displaced or nondisplaced. RESULTS Intraobserver reliability was better for computed tomography alone and the combination of radiographs and computed tomography than it was for radiographs alone (kappa values, 0.65, 0.63, and 0.54, respectively; all p<0.001). The interobserver reliability was also better for computed tomography alone and the combination of radiographs and computed tomography than it was for radiographs alone (kappa values, 0.43, 0.48, and 0.27, respectively; all p<0.001). The average sensitivity was 75% for radiographs alone, 72% for computed tomography alone, and 80% for both; the average specificity was 64%, 80%, and 73%, respectively; the average accuracy was 68%, 77%, and 75%, respectively. The positive predictive values (assuming a 5% prevalence of fracture displacement) were low (0.10, 0.13, and 0.16) and the negative predictive values were high (0.97, 0.98, and 0.99) for the radiographs, computed tomography, and combined modality. CONCLUSIONS Computed tomography improves the reliability of detecting scaphoid fracture displacement but has a more limited effect on accuracy, which remains <80%. The utility of computed tomography scans for diagnosing scaphoid fracture displacement is affected by the low prevalence of fracture displacement. This study suggests that computed tomography scans are useful for ruling out displacement but not for diagnosing it. We recommend that all scaphoid fractures be evaluated with computed tomography in order to rule out displacement.
Tests of Efficiency in the Foreign Exchange Market

The objective of this paper is to test the efficiency in the foreign exchange market by using four exchange rates ($/â‚¬, $/Â£, C$/$, and Â¥/$). Different theoretical models are applied, like the random walk hypothesis, the unbiased forward rate hypothesis, the composite efficiency hypothesis, the semi-strong market efficiency, and the exchange rate expectations based on anticipated and unanticipated events (â€œNewsâ€ ). If exchange rate efficiency does not hold, a risk premium must exist and can be measured. Also, the determination of this exchange risk premium is taking place by using a GARCH (p, q) model. The empirical results for these four major exchange rates (five currencies) show that relative efficiency exists, but there are significant risk premia for some exchange rates used, here. Â
Rotary-Type Electromagnetic Power Generator Using a Cardiovascular System As a Power Source for Medical Implants

Power-harvesting devices have received attention as power supplies for implantable medical devices. Power-harvesting technologies can overcome the limitation of a battery, such as limited battery lifetime and repeated surgical interventions. However, micropower generators do not meet the energy requirements of medical implants such as neural recording, implantable hearing aids, and implantable wireless sensors. They require an electrical power from 1 to 10 mW. This paper introduces an electromagnetic power generator using blood flow and blood pressure to drive an implanted medical device. The fabricated power generator, which is composed of a tiny rotor with magnets and external coils with ferrite cores, operates within a wide blood pressure range from 6.75 to 54.75 mmHg. In addition, the total volume and weight of the generator are 3.16 cc and 24 g, respectively. Using animal and mock-up tests, we verified the ability of the self-powered device to drive the medical implants. In the animal test, we utilized a blood pump to control the blood flow and blood pressure. The generator generated a maximum electrical power of 3.4 mW (conversion efficiency of 1.04%) at a blood pressure drop of 54.75 mmHg and blood flow of 2.68 L/min.
EnSights: A tool for energy aware software development

Software developers strive to make mobile applications energy efficient because applications that consume high energy are unpopular among mobile users. Unfortunately, software developers lack knowledge and tools which would help them make their applications efficient in terms of energy. To facilitate them in this regard, we introduce EnSights, a tool that provides critical energy change information to the developer using structural properties of the software application. We test EnSights tool on different versions of three open-source android applications namely BeHe ExploreR, PDFCreator, and QKSMS. Our tool successfully estimates change in energy consumption across versions of these applications with F-scores of up to 86%.
A latent class mixed model for analysing biomarker trajectories with irregularly scheduled observations.

This paper considers a latent class model to uncover subpopulation structure for both biomarker trajectories and the probability of disease outcome in highly unbalanced longitudinal data. A specific pattern of trajectories can be viewed as a latent class in a finite mixture where membership in latent classes is modelled with a polychotomous logistic regression. The biomarker trajectories within a latent class are described by a linear mixed model with possibly time-dependent covariates and the probabilities of disease outcome are estimated via a class specific model. Thus the method characterizes biomarker trajectory patterns to unveil the relationship between trajectories and outcomes of disease. The coefficients for the model are estimated via a generalized EM (GEM) algorithm, a natural tool to use when latent classes and random coefficients are present. Standard errors of the coefficients are calculated using a parametric bootstrap. The model fitting procedure is illustrated with data from the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trials; we use prostate specific antigen (PSA) as the biomarker for prostate cancer and the goal is to examine trajectories of PSA serial readings in individual subjects in connection with incidence of prostate cancer.