Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CROSS-HOLE PERIODIC HYDRAULIC TESTING OF INTER-WELL CONNECTIVITY

Harmonic (periodic) hydraulic tests can establish formation hydraulic properties during active production of geothermal wells. Field experiments were conducted in a fractured sandstone to establish the value of these tests for establishing inter-well connectivity. Sinusoidal head oscillation was induced in well and the propagation of the pressure pulse through a single fracture was measured in four observation wells. Pressure response was interpreted by non-linear regression fitting of the hydraulic diffusion equation to drawdown. Hydraulic diffusivity (transmissivity / storativity) inverted from these tests were found to be much more sensitive to local heterogeneity than traditional constant rate (Theis) tests. The method may be particularly useful for anticipating hydraulic short circuiting in fractured geothermal reservoirs.
Gimme 5 Fruit, Juice, and Vegetables for Fun and Health: Outcome Evaluation

A theory-based multicomponent intervention (Gimme 5) was designed and implemented to impact fourth- and fifth-grade children’s fruit, juice, and vegetable (FJV) consumption and related psychosocial variables. Gimme 5 was a randomized controlled intervention trial with school (n = 16 elementary) as unit of random assignment and analysis. Participants included the cohort of students who were in the third grade in the winter of 1994 and students who joined them in the fourth and fifth grades. The intervention included a curriculum, newsletters, videotapes, and point-of-purchase education. Evaluation included 7-day food records and psychosocial measures from students, telephone interviews with parents, and observational assessments. Favorable results were observed for consumption of FJV combined, FJV consumed at weekday lunch, eating FJV self-efficacy, social norms, asking behaviors, and knowledge. A theory-based school nutrition education program can help change children’s FJV consumption and impact factors at home that predispose to FJV consumption, but changes were small, and their persistence is unknown.
Isolation and Culture of Individual Myofibers and their Satellite Cells from Adult Skeletal Muscle

Muscle regeneration in the adult is performed by resident stem cells called satellite cells. Satellite cells are defined by their position between the basal lamina and the sarcolemma of each myofiber. Current knowledge of their behavior heavily relies on the use of the single myofiber isolation protocol. In 1985, Bischoff described a protocol to isolate single live fibers from the Flexor Digitorum Brevis (FDB) of adult rats with the goal to create an in vitro system in which the physical association between the myofiber and its stem cells is preserved 1. In 1995, Rosenblattmodified the Bischoff protocol such that myofibers are singly picked and handled separately after collagenase digestion instead of being isolated by gravity sedimentation 2, 3. The Rosenblatt or Bischoff protocol has since been adapted to different muscles, age or conditions 3-6. The single myofiber isolation technique is an indispensable tool due its unique advantages. First, in the single myofiber protocol, satellite cells are maintained beneath the basal lamina. This is a unique feature of the protocol as other techniques such as Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting require chemical and mechanical tissue dissociation 7. Although the myofiber culture system cannot substitute for in vivo studies, it does offer an excellent platform to address relevant biological properties of muscle stem cells. Single myofibers can be cultured in standard plating conditions or in floating conditions. Satellite cells on floating myofibers are subjected to virtually no other influence than the myofiber environment. Substrate stiffness and coating have been shown to influence satellite cells' ability to regenerate muscles 8, 9 so being able to control each of these factors independently allows discrimination between niche-dependent and -independent responses. Different concentrations of serum have also been shown to have an effect on the transition from quiescence to activation. To preserve the quiescence state of its associated satellite cells, fibers should be kept in low serum medium 1-3. This is particularly useful when studying genes involved in the quiescence state. In serum rich medium, satellite cells quickly activate, proliferate, migrate and differentiate, thus mimicking the in vivo regenerative process 1-3. The system can be used to perform a variety of assays such as the testing of chemical inhibitors; ectopic expression of genes by virus delivery; oligonucleotide based gene knock-down or live imaging. This video article describes the protocol currently used in our laboratory to isolate single myofibers from the Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) muscle of adult mice (6-8 weeks old).
Reporting of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H) on cervical samples: Is it significant?

“Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H)” is a new diagnostic category in the 2001 Bethesda nomenclature system for cervical cytology. The purpose of this 7‐mo retrospective study (March 1, 2002–September 30, 2002) was to evaluate the significance of ASC‐H on cervical Thin Prep® Pap Tests™. During this period, 25 (0.27%) of 9,214 Pap Tests were diagnosed as ASC‐H, 22 of which resulted in either follow‐up cervical biopsies and/or cervical cones, and which formed the basis of this study. Tissue specimens (22 cases) were negative in 5 cases (23%) and positive in 17 cases (77%). Of the positive specimens, there were 2 (12%) low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 15 (88%) high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Of the 22 cases, ASC‐H diagnoses included immature/atypical squamous metaplasia vs. a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) in 19 (86%) cases, and tight clusters of small cells with a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio in 3 (14%) cases. The results of this study indicate that the reporting of ASC‐H on cervical samples does lead to the detection of HSILs in a significant number of cases (68% in this study). Therefore, further evaluation of the patient is warranted. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;29:38–41. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radio buttons in web surveys: Searching for alternatives

Web surveys are struggling to attract and retain respondents due to high burden and competition for the users’ attention. One possible solution to this issue is the improvement of the visual design of surveys. In this article, we evaluate the impact of visual aids such as smiley faces, stars, hearts, and thumbs as alternatives to traditional radio buttons. We use an experimental design in a nonprobability online survey to investigate how the new designs compare with radio buttons and how the results might interact with device used for completion (PC vs mobile), the use of labels, the type of response scale (bipolar vs unipolar), and the number of response categories (5 vs 7 point). While we do not find big differences in response, quality and experience, there seem to be some indication that the use of smiley faces leads to worse data quality.
Accelerating Graph Adjacency Matrix Multiplications with Adjacency Forest

We propose a method for accelerating matrix multiplications that are iteratively performed with a sparse adjacency matrix. These operations appear in a wide range of data analyses and data mining situations, which include the computation of Personalized PageRank (PPR) and Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF). We exploit the fact that the intermediate computational results for the matrix multiplication of equivalent partial row vectors of a matrix are the same. Our new data structure, the adjacency forest, uses this property and represents an adjacency matrix as a rooted tree that is made by sharing the common su xes of the row vectors of the matrix. By exploiting the structure of the tree, we can perform a matrix multiplication while sharing intermediate computational results to reduce the number of required operations. We also show that we can further accelerate computation by dividing a matrix into several sub-matrices and representing the original matrix as a forest. We confirm experimentally that our approach can speed up the computation of Personalized PageRank and NMF up to 300%.
Small Innovators: No Risk, No Return

We find that small innovators earn higher returns than small non-innovators for up to five years. We find no such innovation premium among large firms. A battery of tests shows that this innovation premium among small firms is explained by risk. Our findings, which are based on a simple measure to identify innovative firms, are in contrast with previous papers that attribute higher returns to innovation to investor underreaction. We argue that an innovation premium exists among small firms, but not large firms, because small innovators focus more on risky product innovation and rely more on organization capital, which amplifies their systematic risk. In addition, small innovators contribute significantly to the size premium. Overall, the higher cost of equity among small innovators has implications for their investment, growth, and capital structure decisions.
RARgamma and Cdx1 interactions in vertebral patterning.

Exogenous retinoic acid (RA) can evoke vertebral homeosis when administered during late gastrulation. These vertebral transformations correlate with alterations of the rostral limit of Hox gene expression in the prevertebrae, suggesting that retinoid signaling regulates the combinatorial expression of Hox genes dictating vertebral identity. Conversely, loss of certain RA receptors (RARs) results in anterior homeotic transformations principally affecting the cervical region. Despite these observations, the relationship between retinoid signaling, somitic Hox expression, and vertebral patterning is poorly understood. The members of the murine Cdx family (Cdx1, Cdx2, and Cdx4) are the homologues of Drosophila caudal and encode homeobox-containing transcription factors. Cdx1 homozygous null mutants exhibit anterior homeotic transformations, some of which are reminiscent of those in RARgamma null offspring. In Cdx1 mutants, these transformations occur concomitant with posteriorized prevertebral expression of certain Hox genes. Cdx1 has recently been demonstrated to be a direct RA target, suggesting an indirect means by which retinoid signaling may impact vertebral patterning. To further investigate this relationship, a complete allelic series of Cdx1-RARgamma mutants was generated and the skeletal phenotype assessed either following normal gestation or after administration of RA. Synergistic interactions between these null alleles were observed in compound mutants, and the full effects of exogenous RA on vertebral morphogenesis required Cdx1. These findings are consistent with a role for RA upstream of Cdx1 as regards axial patterning. However, exogenous RA attenuated several defects inherent to Cdx1 null mutants. This finding, together with the increased phenotypic severity of RARgamma-Cdx1 double null mutants relative to single nulls, suggests that these pathways also function in parallel, likely by converging on common targets.
Isolation and identification of Clostridium perfringens type A in the wastewater from dining kitchen

To isolate and indentify Clostridium perfringens in the wastewater from dining kitchen,the conventional methods including TSC anaerobic culture and microscopy and so on,were used to extract bacterial genome. The α-,β-,e-and ι-toxin gene primers of Clostridium perfringens were designed and synthesized,and then the PCR reaction system was prepared with proper reaction conditions. Finally,the amplification product was detected by electrophoresis. The results showed that black colonies appeared on the TSC medium,and the agarose gel electrophoresis showed that only alpha-toxin gene was amplified well. The results indicate that the isolate is identified as Clostridium perfringens type A.
Electron Microscopic Radioautographic Study on Protein Synthesis in Hepatocyte Mitochondria of Aging Mice

For the purpose of studying the aging changes of intramitochondrial protein synthesis in mouse hepatocytes, 10 groups of aging mice, each consisting of 3 individuals (total 30), from fetal day 19 to postnatal month 24, were injected during development with 3H-leucine, a protein precursor, sacrificed 1 h later, and the liver tissues processed for electron microscopic (EM) radioautography. On EM radioautograms obtained from each animal, the number of mitochondria, the number of labeled mitochondria, and the mitochondrial labeling index labeled with silver grains due to H-leucine showing protein synthesis in each mononucleate hepatocytes were counted and the averages in respective aging groups were compared. From the results, it was demonstrated that the numbers of mitochondria, the numbers of labeled mitochondria, and the labeling indices of intramitochondrial protein syntheses in mononucleate hepatocytes of mice at various ages from embryonic day 19 to postnatal month 24 increased and decreased due to development and aging of animals.
Performance management of National Sports Organisations: a holistic theoretical model

Purpose Organisational performance of sport organisations has been studied over the last three decades. However, little attention was paid towards performance management (PM) compared to performance measurement. The purpose of this paper is to close this research gap by establishing a holistic perspective for PM of National Sports Organisations (NSOs) that accounts for their uniqueness, the interdependence of their operating systems and their relationship with their environments. Furthermore, this paper presents a holistic model of PM for NSOs. Design/methodology/approach The model was developed from a literature review process and uses the macro, meso and micro framework to describe external and internal environmental influences that affect the PM of NSOs. Findings The NSO’s ability to respond to the dynamics of their external environment by implementing organisational processes that account for the resources available and their structural designs influences their PM. Furthermore, the ability of the individuals within NSO to create enabling environments for PM influences organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes to sport management literature on the PM of NSOs, and informs sport managers on ways to improve organisational performance by implementing holistic approaches to PM. Originality/value This is the first study that takes a holistic approach to PM of NSO and depicts the specific elements that play a crucial role in managing NSO’s multi-dimensional performance.
Independent association of HLA-DR and FCgamma receptor polymorphisms in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES To determine the distribution of HLA-DR type and FcgammaRIIa/IIIa polymorphisms, and to analyse the combined effects of these genes for susceptibility in Korean systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS A total of 299 SLE patients meeting 1982 ACR criteria and 144 Korean disease-free controls were enrolled. Genotyping for the FcgammaRIIa 131 R/H and FcgammaRIIIa 176 F/V was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of genomic DNA using allele-specific primers. HLA-DRB1 typing was performed by the PCR-SSOP method. RESULTS There was significant skewing in the distribution of the three FcgammaRIIa genotypes between the SLE patients and the controls [P = 0.002 for R/R131 vs R/H131 and H/H131, relative risk (RR) 2.6 (95% CI 1.3-5.2)], but not in FcgammaRIIIa genotypes. HLA-DRB1*15 allele was significantly more prevalent among SLE patients than the control population [P < 0.02, RR = 1.7 (1.1-2.6)]. HLA-DRB1 genotypes or allele frequencies of the SLE patients with nephritis did not differ significantly from those of the SLE patients without nephritis. We analysed the combined effects of the two candidate genes on SLE susceptibility. HLA-DRB1*15 allele was a significant predictor of SLE in individuals who were not homozygous for FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 [RR = 2.1 (1.2-3.7), P < 0.008], and the FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 genotype vice versa [RR = 5.3 (1.9-15.4), P < 0.001]. However, an additive or synergistic effect of both susceptible genes on relative risk for SLE was not evident. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that FcgammaRIIa-R/R131 homozygote and HLA-DRB1*15 allele are independent risk factors in Korean SLE patients without additive or synergistic effects.
Clinimetrics corner: a closer look at the minimal clinically important difference (MCID)

Abstract Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) scores are commonly used by clinicians when determining patient response to treatment and to guide clinical decision-making during the course of treatment. For research purposes, the MCID score is often used in sample size calculations for adequate powering of a study to minimize the false-positives (type 1 errors) and the false-negatives (type 2 errors). For clinicians and researchers alike, it is critical that the MCID score is a valid and stable measure. A low MCID value may result in overestimating the positive effects of treatment, whereas a high MCID value may incorrectly classify patients as failing to respond to treatment when in fact the treatment was beneficial. The wide range of methodologies for calculating the MCID score results in varied outcomes, which leads to difficulties with interpretation and application. This clinimetrics corner outlines key factors influencing MCID estimates and discusses limitations with the use of the MCID in both clinical and research practice settings.
A control strategy for high-speed running within unknown environments for a 3D bipedal robot

Cette these vise a ameliorer la comprehension de la locomotion bipede en se basant sur les connaissances acquises en robotique et biomecanique. L'etude conduite est essentiellement centree autour du probleme de la course bipede, ceci dans le but de mieux comprendre une partie de la locomotion bipede qui reste encore non maitrisee concernant la strategie de commande employee par les robots bipedes. Fondee sur une approche intuitive, telle que celle utilisee pour le robot marcheur M2 par J. E. Pratt et G. Pratt, une strategie de commande pour realiser des courses a haute vitesse avec un robot bipede 3D est proposee et evaluee en simulation. En considerant des observations biomecaniques, le robot bipede simule est capable de courir a des vitesses comprises entre 2. 7m/s et 7m/s, de faire face a de fortes perturbations externes, i. E. Terrain variable et poussees externes, tout en manifestant un comportement tres semblable a celui de l'homme.
Estimation of the effective self-diffusion tensor from the NMR spin echo.

The diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the effective self-diffusion tensor, Deff, are related to the echo intensity in an NMR spin-echo experiment. This relationship is used to design experiments from which Deff is estimated. This estimate is validated using isotropic and anisotropic media, i.e., water and skeletal muscle. It is shown that significant errors are made in diffusion NMR spectroscopy and imaging of anisotropic skeletal muscle when off-diagonal elements of Deff are ignored, most notably the loss of information needed to determine fiber orientation. Estimation of Deff provides the theoretical basis for a new MRI modality, diffusion tensor imaging, which provides information about tissue microstructure and its physiologic state not contained in scalar quantities such as T1, T2, proton density, or the scalar apparent diffusion constant.
Analysing and detecting twitter spam

Through in-depth data-drive analysis, we provide insights on deceptive information in Twitter spam, spammers' behaviours and emerging spamming strategies. We also firstly identify and solve the "spam drift" problem. Online social network providers can adopt our findings and proposed scheme to re-design their detection system to improve its efficiency and accuracy.
On the buckling of an elastic holey column

We report the results of a numerical and theoretical study of buckling in elastic columns containing a line of holes. Buckling is a common failure mode of elastic columns under compression, found over scales ranging from metres in buildings and aircraft to tens of nanometers in DNA. This failure usually occurs through lateral buckling, described for slender columns by Euler’s theory. When the column is perforated with a regular line of holes, a new buckling mode arises, in which adjacent holes collapse in orthogonal directions. In this paper, we firstly elucidate how this alternate hole buckling mode coexists and interacts with classical Euler buckling modes, using finite-element numerical calculations with bifurcation tracking. We show how the preferred buckling mode is selected by the geometry, and discuss the roles of localized (hole-scale) and global (column-scale) buckling. Secondly, we develop a novel predictive model for the buckling of columns perforated with large holes. This model is derived without arbitrary fitting parameters, and quantitatively predicts the critical strain for buckling. We extend the model to sheets perforated with a regular array of circular holes and use it to provide quantitative predictions of their buckling.
Material : Asynchronous Stochastic Gradient Descent with Delay Compensation

where Cij = 1 1+λ ( uiujβ lilj √ α ), C ′ ij = 1 (1+λ)α(lilj) , and the model converges to the optimal model, then the MSE of λG(wt) is smaller than the MSE of G(wt) in approximating Hessian H(wt). Proof: For simplicity, we abbreviate E(Y |x,w∗) as E, Gt as G(wt) and Ht as H(wt). First, we calculate the MSE of Gt, λGt to approximate Ht for each element of Gt. We denote the element in the i-th row and j-th column of G(wt) as Gij and H(wt) as Hij(t). The MSE of Gij : E(Gij − EH ij) = E(Gij − EGij) + (EH ij − EGij) = E(Gij) − (EGij) + εt (2)
Consumer Acceptance of Online Banking: Application of Technology Acceptance Model

This research reports the findings of a study concerning the acceptance of online banking in Pakistan. It investigates customer's adoption within the context of Pakistan online banking services whereby the research frame work is based on the extension of Technology Acceptance Model. The research model included factors that would influence the acceptance of online banking. The frame work dimensions includes online banking usage, quality of internet connection, perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and security & privacy. A survey was conducted to gather the data for study. Reliability, correlation and factor analysis were used to analyse the data. Results showed that quality of internet connection, amount of information on online banking and security and privacy has positive influence on online banking usage. Theoretical contributions and practical implications of the findings are discussed in the paper and suggestions for future research are proposed.