Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Syddansk Universitet Exploring the causal and effect nature of EQ-5 D dimensions an application of confirmatory tetrad analysis and confirmatory factor analysis

Background: The relationship between the various items in an HRQoL instrument is a key aspect of interpreting and understanding preference weights. The aims of this paper were i) to use theoretical models of HRQoL to develop a conceptual framework for causal and effect relationships among the five dimensions of the EQ-5D instrument, and ii) to empirically test this framework. Methods: A conceptual framework depicts the symptom dimensions [Pain/discomfort (PD) and Anxiety/depression (AD)] as causal indicators that drive a change in the effect indicators of activity/participation [Mobility (MO), Self-care (SC) and Usual activities (UA)], where MO has an intermediate position between PD and the other two effect dimensions (SC and UA). Confirmatory tetrad analysis (CTA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to test this framework using EQ-5D-5L data from 7933 respondents in six countries, classified as healthy (n = 1760) or in one of seven disease groups (n = 6173). Results: CTA revealed the best fit for a model specifying SC and UA as effect indicators and PD, AD and MO as causal indicators. This was supported by CFA, revealing a satisfactory fit to the data: CFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.972, RMSEA = 0.075 (90% CI 0.062–0.088), and SRMR = 0.012. Conclusions: The EQ-5D appears to include both causal indicators (PD and AD) and effect indicators (SC and UA). Mobility played an intermediate role in our conceptual framework, being a cause of problems with Self-care and Usual activities, but also an effect of Pain/discomfort. However, the empirical analyses of our data suggest that Mobility is mostly a causal indicator.
Evaluation of Point Positioning Using the Global Positioning System and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System as Measured from South Korea

The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a dedicated regional Japanese satellite system currently under development, was designed to complement the performance of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The high elevation angle of the QZSS satellite is expected to enhance the effectiveness of GPS in urban environments. Thus, the work described in this paper, aimed to investigate the effect of QZSS on GPS performance, by processing the GPS and QZSS measurements recorded at the Bohyunsan reference station in South Korea. We used these data, to evaluate the satellite visibility, carrier-to-noise density (C/No), performance of single point positioning, and Dilution of Precision (DOP). The QZSS satellite is currently available over South Korea for 19 hours at an elevation angle of more than 10 degrees. The results showed that the impact of the QZSS on users’ vertical positioning is greatest when the satellite is above 80 degrees of elevation. As for Precise Point Positioning (PPP) performance, the combined GPS/QZSS kinematic PPP was found to improve the positioning accuracy compared to the GPS only kinematic PPP.
An alternative approach to acid–base abnormalities in critically ill patients

Traditionally, clinical acid–base abnormalities have been interpreted using the pH notation proposed by Sorensen, and the PCO2/bicarbonate model of Henderson and Hasselbalch (H– H). However, for some patients in the operating theatre or intensive care unit (ICU), the traditional method is often inadequate to explain the severity and complexity of acid–base disorders as it emphasizes interpretation rather than pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss some of the limitations of the traditional approach and how, using an alternative physical chemical approach, we can improve our understanding of perioperative acid–base balance.
The Relationship Between Pain, and Freezing of Gait and Falls in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction To investigate the relationship between pain, freezing of gait (FOG) and falls in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Methods The study included 110 PD patients. The Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr Scale were used to evaluate disease severity. The patients self-reported occurrence of FOG and falls, and the FOG Questionnaire was administered to evaluate the severity of FOG. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure the severity of pain and pain localization was self-reported by the patients. Results Fifty-eight of the patients had FOG and 43 experienced falls. Among the patients, 42 had no pain, whereas 35 had lower extremity pain. Higher UPDRS motor and FOG scores, and advanced-stage disease were noted in significantly more of the patients with FOG and falls. VAS scores were not affected by the presence of FOG or falls. There was a positive correlation between the severity of FOG and VAS score in the male patients (r=0.308; p=0.010). More patients with falls had lower extremity pain than those without falls (r=0.308; p=0.010). Discussion Patients with FOG and falls had more severe motor findings. Pain is correlated with both FOG and falls. Further investigations should be done to understand the mechanism of this relationship to prevent the motor complications in advanced PD.
A Comparative study of intra-articular injection of steroid versus prolotherapy for pain relief in patients of osteoarthritis knee

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major source of disability owing to pain and loss of function. Intra-articular (IA) injection is the last nonoperative modality that can be used. We compared the efficacy of IA steroids and prolotherapy for relieving pain in patients of knee OA. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind comparative study on 56 patients of OA knee assigned into two groups: steroid and prolotherapy group. Injections were given at 0, 1, and 2 months. During 6-month follow-up, patients were evaluated for pain relief by visual analog scale (VAS) score, quality of life (QOL) score, and requirement of rescue analgesic. Results: At baseline, mean VAS score of prolotherapy group (6.71 ± 0.94) and steroid group (6.36 ± 0.99) were comparable (P = 0.166). After 6 months, mean VAS score in prolotherapy group was 4.07 ± 1.44 as compared to 3.14 ± 0.89 in steroid group, and difference was statistically significant (P = 0.009). Furthermore, at baseline, QOL score of prolotherapy group (81.75 ± 4.69) and steroid group (79.29 ± 3.89) were comparable. After 6 months, it was found to be 70.43 ± 4.97 in prolotherapy group and 67.36 ± 2.74 in steroid group, the difference being highly significant (P = 0.007). Number of patients requiring rescue analgesia (P = 0.280) and the mean number of doses of rescue analgesic consumed (P = 0.538), both were slightly higher in prolotherapy group. Conclusion: Intra-articular steroid was better than prolotherapy in relieving pain of OA knee.
Investigation of the premelanosome protein ( PMEL or SILV ) gene and identification of polymorphism excluding it as the determinant of the dilute locus in domestic rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus )

Abstract. After the rediscovery of the Mendel’s laws, the domesticated European rabbit (Orycolagus cuniculus) has been the objective of pioneering studies on coat colour genetics. However, despite the early role of this species in defining genetic mechanisms determining this phenotypic trait, only recently a few loci have been characterized at the molecular level analysing also in rabbits genes already shown to affect coat colour in mice. We herein investigated the rabbit premelanosome protein (PMEL) gene, also known as melanocyte protein Pmel 17 (PMEL17) or silver (SILV), as mutations in the homologous gene in mice and other species produce phenotypic effects similar to what is observed in the dilute coat colour in rabbit. The rabbit dilute locus is determined by a recessive coat colour mutation that dilutes the black to blue (grey) interacting with the basic colours influenced by the agouti and extension loci. To investigate this candidate gene, we isolated and sequenced cDNAs as well as portions of intronic and exonic regions of the PMEL gene in several rabbits with different coat colours and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms, including several missense mutations. One polymorphism, positioned in intron 7, was genotyped in a family in which there was segregation of the dilute coat colour. The results excluded PMEL as the causative gene for the dilute locus in rabbits, shortening the list of candidate genes that should be analysed to identify the mutation determining this phenotypic trait.
A normal-faulting seismic sequence triggered by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake: Wholesale stress regime changes in the upper plate

We here show relocated hypocenters within a seismic sequence with normal faults in the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, triggered after the M 9.0 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake. Depth-sections of the hypocenters from the center of the northern Ibaraki region to the north show an earthquake alignment dipping westwards at 40° to 50° at depths shallower than 10 km. On the other hand, hypocenters from the center to the south show a cross-cutting geometry consisting of conjugate westward- and eastward-dipping planes at the same depths. The dip angles of the hypocenter alignments are roughly consistent with the nodal planes of focal mechanisms of large normal earthquakes, and exhibit optimal-orientations in terms of the frictional failure criterion. Furthermore, comparison of the focal mechanisms recorded before and after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake suggests that the stress field abruptly changed from horizontal compression to extension in the study area. The most plausible explanation of the drastic stress changes is a significant reduction in trench-normal compressive stress compared with reduction in trench-parallel stress accompanying large horizontal extensional deformation within the overlying plate.
Triple-band compact circularly polarised stacked microstrip antenna over reactive impedance meta-surface for GPS applications

In this study, a compact, triple-band, circularly polarised stacked microstrip antenna is proposed over the artificial eta-surface called reactive impedance surface (RIS) for enhancing antenna radiation efficiency for GPS applications. The proposed design utilises the concept of combining multi-stacked patches with RIS as imaginary-impedance metamaterial-ground-plane for selective frequency reduction of lower bands with improvement in antenna radiation properties for multi-band applications. The circularly polarised (CP) radiation with compact antenna size is achieved for triple-band GPS frequencies of L1 (1.575 GHz), L2 (1.227 GHz) and L5 (1.176 GHz) by placing three stacked patches with two different pairs of symmetric slits, four different sized symmetric cross-shaped slots and truncated corners over RIS. As RIS meta-surface reduces the wave penetration through the lossy substrate beneath it, the proposed stacked patch antenna over RIS demonstrates enhanced forward gain with suppressed back radiation. The measured results for antenna prototype are (1.168-1.185 GHz): L5 band, (1.2-1.245 GHz): L2 band and (1.51-1.59 GHz): L1 band for 10 dB return loss bandwidth with good CP radiation. Forward (boresight) right-handed CP gain of 2.88 dBic (L5 band), 3.25 dBic (L2 band) and 5.53 dBic (L1 band) is observed for compact antenna overall volume of 0.32 λ o × 0.32 λ o × 0.024 λ o at 1.2 GHz.
High cervical spinal cord stimulation for occipital neuralgia: a case series and literature review

Background Occipital neuralgia (ON) is defined as paroxysmal pain in the distribution of the greater, lesser, and/or third occipital nerves. ON can be refractory to conservative management and minimally invasive interventions. Neuromodulatory procedures can potentially treat refractory ON and include occipital nerve stimulation and the sparsely reported high cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Objective To report our experience and conduct a systematic literature review of studies evaluating the effect of high cervical SCS as a treatment modality for refractory ON. Methods A retrospective review of patients with refractory ON who underwent high cervical SCS was conducted. In addition, a systematic literature review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results Five patients with refractory ON were treated with high cervical (C1–C3) SCS in our institution. Two out of five (40%) patients reported a successful trial stimulation (>50% pain reduction) and received permanent implantation. During the follow-up, the visual analog scale score decreased from 7.5 to 4 and from 6.5 to 5 in these patients. No complications were reported for any of the patients. The systematic literature review, identified two eligible studies, comprising 18 patients overall who underwent cervicomedullary junction SCS. Nine out of 18 patients (50%) had a successful trial and received permanent implantation. Conclusion High cervical or cervicomedullary junction SCS is associated with a 40–50% successful trial rate in refractory ON. No major complications were noted during the follow-up. Future studies are needed to compare the different neurosurgical options, in order to identify the optimal treatment strategy for refractory ON.
Preparation of yttrium iron garnet thin films by mist chemical vapor deposition method and their magneto-optical properties

Polycrystalline and epitaxial thin films composed of a single phase of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) have been synthesized on silica glass and single-crystalline gadolinium gallium garnet substrates, respectively, by the mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The element Y can be found in the deposited thin films only when an aprotic polar solvent such as acetone is employed for the preparation of the precursor solutions. The crystal structure, magnetic properties, and magneto-optical properties of the thin films are explored. The maximum Faraday rotation angle observed in the present epitaxial YIG thin film is 3.66°/µm at 441 nm, as far as we know, which is higher than those reported for YIG films prepared by other methods, suggesting that the mist CVD method is effective for obtaining epitaxial thin films of multiple oxides.
Conformal symmetries in warped manifolds

The existence of a Conformal Vector Field (CVF) is studied in the important class of warped manifolds of arbitrary dimension generalizing in this way the corresponding results of the four dimensional geometries. As a concrete example we apply the geometric results in the case of brane-world scenarios when the bulk geometry admits a hypersurface orthogonal Killing Vector Field (KVF) and is filled with a perfect fluid matter content.
Vibration Measurement and Trend Analysis of a Light Transport Aircraft Engine

Vibration is an important parameter to judge the safety, integrity and efficiency of an engine installation in any aircraft. Certification authorities usually require proof that the engine installation meets the specified requirements of the engine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This paper describes a method for vibration measurement and trend analysis of a Light Transport Aircraft (LTA) turbo prop engine. In the process, a transducer mounting bracket is designed and analyzed for mode shapes using commercial software ANSYS and the results have shown that the natural frequency is within the safe limits. Architecture of the data acquisition system and the signal processing are clearly elaborated. The engine vibration level measured for different power settings on the aircraft is within the limits specified by the engine OEM. Thus, the vibration measurement system developed has been successfully meeting the requirement and the data is used for engine health monitoring. Keywords— Vibration measurement, condition monitoring, data acquisition, signal processing, trend analysis
High grade renal trauma management: a survey of practice patterns and the perceived need for a prospective management trial.

Background To evaluate the current practice patterns of practitioners managing high grade renal trauma and determine perceived need for a prospective trial on the management of renal trauma. Methods We distributed an electronic survey to members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and The Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS). The survey evaluated demographics, interventional radiology (IR) access, and renal trauma management. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze participants' responses. Results A total of 253 practitioners responded (age 48.4±10.4 years). The majority were acute care/trauma surgeons (ACS/TS) (63.2%), followed by urologists (34.4%) practicing at level 1 trauma centers (80.6%) in 39 US states. Most participants were in practice >10 years (62.8%); and had completed an ACS/TS (53.8%), or trauma/reconstructive urology (25.7%) fellowship. Ninety-five percent (241/253) found value in renal preservation with 74% utilizing IR embolization in the last year. However, there was wide variation in threshold for angiography, low rates of renal repair (24%) or packing (20%) and half reported performing a nephrectomy within the prior year. More than 80% believed there was value in a prospective trial to evaluate a protocol to decrease nephrectomy rates in renal trauma management. Conclusions The majority of respondents had access to IR, reported comfort in renorrhaphy, and valued renal preservation. There was variation in thresholds for bleeding intervention, and nephrectomy was still a common management strategy. There is great interest among trauma surgeons and urologists for a prospective trial of renal trauma management aimed at decreasing nephrectomy when possible.
Sensemaking as a methodology for ISCRAM research : Information processing in an ongoing crisis

This paper attempts to reveal the “black box” of information processing activities by relying on Sensemaking as a methodology and as the object of research. In particular, this research aims at studying intuitive information processing activities in ongoing crisis situations, one of the most extreme contexts in which discontinuity is the rule and continuity the exception. The authors argue that this Sensemaking approach offers valuable insights for the design of information systems for crisis response and management (ISCRAM). This paper describes an interpretive case study methodology as it was applied to discover Sensemaking episodes in the daily work of humanitarian relief actors in the ongoing crisis of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Initial Factors Behind the Third Wave of Democratization

We identify permanent democratic transitions during the Third Wave of Democratization and the nineties, when many former socialist countries moved towards representative rule. Using subjective political freedom indicators, electoral archives, and historical resources in 174 countries in the period 1960-2005, we identify 63 incidents of permanent democratic transitions, 3 reverse transitions from relatively stable democracy to autocracy and 6 episodes of small improvements in representative norms (borderline democratizations). We also classify non-reforming countries to stable autocracies and always democratic. We then use the constructed dataset to identify the significant correlates of successful democratic transitions, placing an emphasis to those countries that were non-democratic in the beginning of the Third Wave.
Indexing of patterns in graph DB engine Neo 4 j I

This thesis introduces a new method for indexing graph patterns within a graph database. The new method is analyzed, designed and implemented for Neo4j graph database engine. It enables to create, use and update indexes that are used to speed-up the process of matching graph patterns. The thesis provides a comparison between queries with and without using indexes. It also provides a comparison of the method with an alternate method that is presented in a concurrent master’s thesis.
CYCLIC STRESS ANALYSIS OF POLYESTER, ARAMID, POLYETHYLENE AND LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER YARNS

Mooring ropes used in offshore oil platforms are exposed to a set of extreme environmental conditions that can be crucial to their behaviour in service. Considering the elevated mechanical demands on these ropes imposed by both the undersea environment and the station keeping of the vessel, this paper is focused on the experimental determination of the yarns fatigue behavior. In order to be able to foresee and compare their general wear rate, a diagram that correlates the force to which the specimens are submitted to the number of cycles for failure for each material is achieved. The analyzed fibers are Polyester, Aramid, Polyethylne and Liquid Crystal Polymer (henceforth quoted as PET, AR, PE and LCP, respectively), and this work followed a pattern composed by a fixed test frequency and an established maximum stress for the diagrams.
A Critical Review of the Recent Improvements in Minimizing Nuclear Waste by Innovative Gas-Cooled Reactors

This paper presents a critical review of the recent improvements in minimizing nuclear waste in terms of quantities, long-term activities, and radiotoxicities by innovative GCRs, with particular emphasis to the results obtained at the University of Pisa. Regarding these last items, in the frame of some EU projects (GCFR, PUMA, and RAPHAEL), we analyzed symbiotic fuel cycles coupling current LWRs with HTRs, finally closing the cycle by GCFRs. Particularly, we analyzed fertile-free and Pu-Th-based fuel in HTR: we improved plutonium exploitation also by optimizing Pu/Th ratios in the fuel loaded in an HTR. Then, we chose GCFRs to burn residual MA. We have started the calculations on simplified models, but we ended them using more “realistic" models of the reactors. In addition, we have added the GCFR multiple recycling option using calculations for all the reactors. As a conclusion, we can state that, coupling HTR with GCFR, the geological disposal issues concerning high-level radiotoxicity of MA can be considerably reduced.
Shear stress distribution prediction in circular channels using Tsallis entropy

Detailed knowledge of flow and shear stress distribution in channels is essential in accurately calculating the rates of sediment transport and deposition for geomorphic adjustment. Circular cross sections are usual in sewer channels, and the sedimentation of suspended material is a significant matter in such sections. In this study, an analytical model is extended to predict the shear stress distribution in circular channels based Tsallis entropy concept. A new formula for estimating shear stress distribution in circular channels is derived by maximizing the Tsallis entropy subject to mass conservation. The distribution derived from the Tsallis entropy is examined using experimental data. The Tsallis entropy-based shear stress distribution appears to be in reasonable agreement with the measurements. According to the results, with increasing flow depth the proposed model showed good fit with the laboratorial outcomes and with mean Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.0516 it presented high performance in predicting shear stress distribution in circular channels. The results of equation derived of Tsallis entropy were compared with the results of another equation based Shannon entropy that proposed by other researchers. Based the results, the proposed model with PE of 0.0083 performed better than equation based Shannon entropy with PE of 0.0091. In highest flow depth, both models performance was the same, but for other flow depths, the proposed model performs better than Shannon entropy. The principal differences between the measured and calculated data are the results of secondary circulation, which are not included in the calculation. The main advantage of these new equations is that they are simpler than previous equations extracted with the entropy concept; besides, their parameters can be easily acquired based on a quadratic equation, and it is not necessary to solve complicated equations to obtain the entropy parameters. Since the obtained equations are simpler than those based on the entropy concept and their results are more accurate, they can be applied confidently for circular channels.