Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of architecture on microdamage susceptibility in trabecular bone

by Xiutao Shi Trabecular architecture plays an important role in trabecular bone mechanics. The objectives of this dissertation were to investigate the effects of architecture on microdamage susceptibility and the failure mechanisms in trabecular bone using computational methods. Direct prediction of microdamage by computational models is challenging. Since Weibull’s probabilistic model did not improve the ability of computational models to predict damage, the morphology, number, and mean size of the predicted yielded regions were studied for overloading of trabecular specimens along two orthogonal directions. During on-axis overloading, the expanding compressively yielded regions and the increasing number of tensilely yielded regions indicate the importance of vertical trabeculae and stress redistribution. During transverse overloading, the simultaneous increase in the number and mean size of both the compressively and tensilely yielded regions suggests buckling of the struts. In a following study, an Individual Trabeculae Segmentation (ITS) technique was used to label the type and orientation of the failed trabeculae. For both on-axis and transverse overloading, most of the yielding occurred in longitudinal plates. However, their yielding modes are axial compression superposed with bending and mostly bending, respectively. In addition, the yielding mode of plates does not depend on their orientation relative to the loading direction, which is different from rods, being compressed along the loading direction and bent perpendicular to the loading direction. When yielding with respect to trabecular type and orientation was compared to experimental measures of microdamage in the same specimens, only the proportion of the predicted tissue yielding in longitudinal rods was correlated with the measured microcrack density. This suggests that although longitudinal plates provide most of the mechanical supporting, longitudinal rods determine the whole structure’s susceptibility to microdamage formation. In the end, effects of the tissue constitutive model and geometric nonlinearity on the amount and location of the predicted tissue yielding were compared between a asymmetric principal-strain based tissue constitutive model and the fully nonlinear Drucker-Lode tissue constitutive model. Results from the investigations confirm that using a simple bilinear model and omitting the geometric nonlinearity should not compromise the conclusions of the research for the type of bone used. Overall, this study provided a quantitative way to look at the role of trabecular architecture in microdamage susceptibility and explored the yielding modes of individual trabeculae during microdamage formation.
COVID-19 Pandemic in a Vulnerable Population: Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has produced negative mental health outcomes. These effects were more prominent in vulnerable communities that experienced prior similar disasters. The study aimed to examine the likelihood and correlates of anxiety symptoms among Fort McMurray (FMM) residents, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was applied between 24 April and 2 June 2021, at FMM, to gather sociodemographic, COVID-19, and clinical information, including generalized anxiety disorder (using GAD-7 scale). Results: Overall, 186 individuals completed the survey (response rate 74.7%). Most of the respondents were females (159, 85.5%); above 40 years (98, 52.7%); employed (175, 94.1%); and in relationship (132, 71%). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety was (42.5%, 71) on GAD-7 self-reported scale. Subscribers who reported that they would like to receive mental health support; have received no family support since COVID-19 declaration; and have lost their job during the pandemic were all more likely to report moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.29–8.88), (OR = 4.85; 95% CI: 1.56–15.03), and (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 1.01–19.24), respectively. Conclusions: Anxiety levels were high among FMM residents, compared to levels before COVID-19. Clinical and social factors significantly predicted likely anxiety in the Fort McMurray population, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that resources are mobilized to support vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Development and Characterization of a High Precision Vibratory MEMS Gyroscope System with Low-Noise Integrated Readout and Control Electronics

In this work a MEMS vibratory gyroscope fabricated with a high aspect ratio technology (25:1) and high quality factor (Q> 90,000) in combination with an ASIC for low noise integrated readout (0.4 µV/ rtHz), control and compensation electronics will be introduced. The development of the sensor system focuses on a very symmetric design of the mechanical element as well as of the electronics excitation and detection to be able to detect capacitance changes of few aF. The angular rate sensitivity is 0.7 mV/ (°/s) at the first analog stage. Measurement results of the start-up behavior drive amplitude and frequency stability as well as angular rates will be shown.
Automated and Manual Commanding Concepts for Orion Ascent Guidance, Navigation, and Control

The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) program requires automated capability for numerous Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) functions during th e ascent phase of flight, particularly the automated execution of ascent abort scenarios. To satisfy the requirements for automated capabilit y, a GN&C architecture is needed that can sequence through the necessary segments of flight as well as accommodate manual commanding and control. This paper outlines a preliminary architecture for the execution of GN&C for the Orion vehicle. The GN&C segments described capture the necessary GN&C functionality used to perform nominal ascent and ascent aborts. The G N&C segments are described that capture the necessary GN&C functionality used to perform nominal ascent and ascent aborts. This architecture is also used to help determine the division of responsibility between the GN&C executive and the Vehicle Systems M anager (VSM) software , which is responsible for coordination between subsystems at the vehicle level as well as current vehicle phases, segments, modes and the overall mission timeline. As part of this analysis, preliminary manual commanding and control c oncepts are also captured. These results will be used to derive detailed designs for Orion commanding and sequencing.
The strength and direction of local (mal)adaptation depends on neighbour density and the environment

Populations are embedded in communities, but despite their potential to affect individual fitness, it is unknown whether and how species interactions evolve in communities. Evolutionary outcomes are likely more complex in natural communities because (a) the evolution of interactions may not be evenly distributed among all community members and (b) coevolution is conditional on the environmental conditions within which interactions are playing out. To test the evolution of interaction strengths in natural communities, we performed two common garden experiments in grassland communities in Northern California. In each garden, we transplanted individuals of four populations (one local, three foreign) of an annual invasive grass Bromus hordeaceus into natural communities, characterized the interaction neighbourhood around each focal individual, and quantified individual fitness. This method allowed us to fit multispecies competition models to fitness data, estimating interaction strengths between focal B. hordeaceus populations and each of seven species that were common in the interaction neighbourhoods, in each garden. We found that interaction strengths significantly differed among local and foreign source populations, but the direction and magnitude of evolution differed among common gardens and among neighbour species—in neither garden were interactions experienced more strongly by foreign populations compared to local populations. The fitness of local populations (relative to foreign populations) decreased when neighbours were removed, strongly enough in one garden to cause strong local maladaptation, and the local population did not perform the best in either garden. Synthesis. Together, our results demonstrate how species interactions evolve to determine fitness in ecological communities, providing a richer view of adaptation in natural systems. In our study, this richness included the unique challenges populations face in nature: uneven abundances and a diffuseness of species interactions, nonlinear density effects on fitness, and evidence of (mal)adaptation that is conditional on local conditions. We conclude by hypothesizing the causes and consequences of challenges to adaptation and how they help identify priority areas for the field.
Approach to Automated Location Planning of Fixture Based on the Processing Procedure Requirements

A series of principles about fixture locating plan are proposed to automate the selection of locating datum and the layout of locating points. The constraint degrees of freedom(DOF) of workpiece datum can be classified into four types:linear translation DOF,linear rotation DOF,planar translation DOF and planar rotation DOF. The acquirement of constraint DOFs is realized by automatically extracting process requirements. Four kinds of constraint DOFs are represented in the format of vectors,and the locating capability of workpiece datum is denoted by the layout of locating points,by which the operation rules of constraint DOFs,such as merge rule,decomposition rule and coordinate transformation rule,are established. The evaluation method of datum locating ability and the judging method of datum conflicts are studied. The approach to the resolution of the datum conflicts and the datum locating problem is presented,and the rule of the layout of locating points is established.
Motivation of people with intellectual disabilities in technology design activities: the role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness

ABSTRACT While people from marginalised groups are increasingly involved in design processes, research is scarce on the reasons why people with intellectual disabilities participate in such activities. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, we explore what motivates young adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in technology design activities. This case study is based on reoccurring interviews and focus groups interviews with seven young adults with intellectual disabilities who participated in design activities. We also gathered reflective notes from eight support staff and conducted participant observations of the activities. An inductive thematic data analysis revealed six themes that contribute to motivation. These themes were deductively analysed with a focus on the three basic psychological needs in Ryan and Deci’s (2002) Self-Determination Theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Our study shows that a sense of enjoyment, influencing the designed technology and the design activity, enhancing skills and knowledge, experiencing a sense of self-efficacy, developing social relationships, and experiencing a sense of meaningfulness can lead to the fulfilment of the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The results suggest that participation over time is essential to understand participants’ needs for autonomy, competence, relatedness and to facilitate enjoyable design activities that motivate participants with intellectual disabilities.
A dynamical systems analysis of the neural basis of behavior in an artificial autonomous agent

This thesis proposes that one may study the neural basis of behavior by applying standard dynamical systems analysis techniques to artificially evolved biologically-plausible nervous systems. It introduces a specific artificial agent to be controlled, and a number of tasks for that agent to perform. Several hundred continuous time recurrent neural networks of various architectures are evolved to allow the agent to accomplish each task. The best performing networks are subjected to various analyses to determine how they generate appropriate control efforts. The author hopes to use the collected experiments to provide support for the following propositions: (1) That it is possible to artificially evolve neural network control systems, specifically, continuous time recurrent neural networks (CTRNNs), that direct interesting behaviors. (2) That the operation of the artificially evolved CTRNNs is understandable using existing mathematical and experimental techniques. (3) That artificially evolved neural networks can be biologically plausible and may be used as the basis of theories about how natural nervous systems produce similar behaviors. (4) That artificially evolved neural networks are implementable using existing technologies and may be used as the basis of completely artificial control systems.
The Impact of Modifying Sunitinib Treatment Scheduling on Renal Cancer Tumor Biology and Resistance

With sunitinib treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, most patients end up developing resistance over time. Recent clinical trials have shown that individualizing treatment protocols could delay resistance and result in better outcomes. We developed an in vivo xenograft tumor model and compared tumor growth rate, morphological, and transcriptomic differences between alternative and traditional treatment schedules. Our results show that the alternative treatment regime could delay/postpone cancer progression. Additionally, we identified distinct morphological changes in the tumor with alternative and traditional treatments, likely due to the significantly dysregulated signaling pathways between the protocols. Further investigation of the signaling pathways underlying these morphological changes may lead potential therapeutic targets to be used in a combined treatment with sunitinib, which offers promise in postponing/reversing the resistance of sunitinib.
Gene drive communication: exploring experts’ lived experience of metaphor use

Metaphors have been crucial in making genetics and genomics public, from the code and the book of life to genetic scissors and gene surgery. A new field is emerging called “gene drive” – a range of controversial technologies that can potentially be used for the eradication or conservation of animal species. At the same time, metaphors are emerging to talk about the promises and dangers of “gene drive”. In this article we use thematic analysis to examine thirty interviews with gene drive science and communication experts, and stakeholders, focusing on how they talk about their lived experience of metaphor use in the context of gene drive communication, including their struggle to remember salient metaphors and their reflections on which metaphors to use and which to avoid. We discuss the significance of our findings for research and practice of responsible science communication.
Developing a Personalized Integrative Obesity-Coaching Program: A Systems Health Perspective

Current obesity management strategies are failing to achieve sustainable and favorable long-term results. We propose a more personalized, dynamic, and systemic perspective on the interactions of key determinants and coaching advice on obesity. The aim of this study was to use a systems view on overweight, complexity science, and a transdisciplinary process to develop a five-year personalized integrative obesity-coaching and research program. Managers, medical specialists, clinical psychologists, dieticians, physical- and psychomotor therapists, and lifestyle coaches aligned their perspectives and objectives with experts in systems thinking and systems biology. A systems health model of obesity was used to identify the causal relations of variables with the most influence on obesity. The model helped to align and design a personalized integrative obesity-coaching program and to identify the key variables to monitor the progress and to adjust the personalized program, depending on the goals and needs of the participant. It was decided to use subtyping of participants by a systems biologist, based on traditional Chinese medicine symptoms, as a novel method to personalize the intervention. The collaborative transdisciplinary approach based upon a systems view on obesity was successful in developing a personalized and adaptive five-year obesity-coaching and research program.
Usefulness of Silent MRA for Evaluation of Aneurysm after Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization

Objective To determine the usefulness of Silent MR angiography (MRA) for evaluating intracranial aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coil embolization. Materials and Methods Ninety-nine patients (101 aneurysms) treated with stent-assisted coil embolization (Neuroform atlas, 71 cases; Enterprise, 17; LVIS Jr, 9; and Solitaire AB, 4 cases) underwent time-of-flight (TOF) MRA and Silent MRA in the same session using a 3T MRI system within 24 hours of embolization. Two radiologists independently interpreted both MRA images retrospectively and rated the image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. The image quality and diagnostic accuracy of the two modalities in the detection of aneurysm occlusion were further compared based on the stent design and the site of aneurysm. Results The average image quality scores of the Silent MRA and TOF MRA were 4.38 ± 0.83 and 2.78 ± 1.04, respectively (p < 0.001), with an almost perfect interobserver agreement. Silent MRA had a significantly higher image quality score than TOF MRA at the distal internal carotid artery (n = 57, 4.25 ± 0.91 vs. 3.05 ± 1.16, p < 0.001), middle cerebral artery (n = 21, 4.57 ± 0.75 vs. 2.19 ± 0.68, p < 0.001), anterior cerebral artery (n = 13, 4.54 ± 0.66 vs. 2.46 ± 0.66, p < 0.001), and posterior circulation artery (n = 10, 4.50 ± 0.71 vs. 2.90 ± 0.74, p = 0.013). Silent MRA had superior image quality score to TOF MRA in the stented arteries when using Neuroform atlas (4.66 ± 0.53 vs. 3.21 ± 0.84, p < 0.001), Enterprise (3.29 ± 1.59 vs. 1.59 ± 0.51, p = 0.003), LVIS Jr (4.33 ± 1.89 vs. 1.89 ± 0.78, p = 0.033), and Solitaire AB stents (4.00 ± 2.25 vs. 2.25 ± 0.96, p = 0.356). The interpretation of the status of aneurysm occlusion exhibited significantly higher sensitivity with Silent MRA than with TOF MRA when using the Neuroform Atlas stent (96.4% vs. 14.3%, respectively, p < 0.001) and LVIS Jr stent (100% vs. 20%, respectively, p = 0.046). Conclusion Silent MRA can be useful to evaluate aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coil embolization, regardless of the aneurysm location and type of stent used.
High School Experiences That Support Post-School Success: What Can We Learn?

Students with disabilities continue to lag behind their peers without disabilities in the area of post-school success. This study qualitatively analyzed individual responses from 6 years of post-school outcomes survey data in one state to identify positive experiences said to help students reach their post-school goals. Respondents reported nine themes as being the most helpful in meeting their goals after high school, including having supportive staff members, taking career development coursework, and developing success attributes such as self-advocacy. A negative experience theme also emerged in the analysis. Implications for educators are discussed related to emphasizing instruction in self-determination and career development. Implications for states are discussed related to the post-school outcomes data collection process.
Different trends of Cr, Fe and Zn contents in hair between obese, overweight and normal-weight men.

OBJECTIVES Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many diseases, nutrition leading to these phenomena is not only a question of disbalance between energy intake and expenditure, but also the presence of micronutrients. In our study, we focused on measuring residues of chromium, zinc and iron in the hair of men with different BMI. METHODS Hair samples and anthropometric questionnaires were collected from 45 males. Numbers of subjects and age structure were comparable between the three BMI groups. The determination of metal levels was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after mineralization of the hair. RESULTS The hair of obese men contained significantly higher chromium (0.096 μg/g vs. 0.045 μg/g, p = 0.0039) and iron (9.42 μg/g vs. 5.84 μg/g, p = 0.0009) concentrations than that of overweight men, but no significant difference between the normal-weight group and the obese group were found. The concentration of zinc was lower in obese subjects compared to overweight subjects (183.5 μg/g vs. 206.2 μg/g, p = 0.038). Also, statistically significant correlations between chromium and iron concentrations in hair and BMI were found (r = 0.307, p = 0.040, r = 0.360, p = 0.015, respectively). According to our results, age did not significantly affect chromium, iron and zinc concentrations in hair. CONCLUSION Consistent with some published studies, we have found that obese men have higher chromium and iron concentrations and lower zinc concentrations in hair.
Systemic infection of SARS-CoV-2 in free ranging Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in India

We report patho-morphological and virological characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in naturally infected, free ranging Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). Whole genome sequence analysis confirmed infection of Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, possibly spill over from humans, but the case was detected when infection level had dropped significantly in human population. This report underlines the need for intensive screening of wild animals for keeping track of the virus evolution and development of carrier status of SARS-CoV-2 among wildlife species.
Long Distance Exploding Wires

Electrical arcs are usually created with the breakdown of air, requiring an average electric field (AEF) of at least 100 kV/m in long spark gaps. This thesis explores a novel method of creating long electrical arcs using exploding wires (EWs). Arcs up to 60 m long have been produced with AEFs of just 4.5 kV/m. Extensive observations of the EW process are presented, which demonstrate that the arcs, which are a type of ‘restrike’, form via the seldom-reported ‘plasma bead’ restrike mechanism. Beads of plasma appear to form at sites of wire fragmentation, and can expand and coalesce into a continuous plasma column. There are strict conditions under which the plasma beads, and hence restrike channels, are produced. A restrike prediction model has been developed to provide a reliable method of producing restrike. The model was derived from the improved understanding of the restrike mechanism, and uses the wire’s length and the energy supply voltage and characteristics as inputs. Capability diagrams are then constructed, which allow researchers to easily design experiments that will produce restrike. Extensive descriptions are provided of the experimental environments that were designed and constructed to facilitate long distance EW experiments. Experiments have been performed inside a high voltage laboratory, in the laboratory’s outdoor compound, off the laboratory’s earth grid and completely off-site. The off-site location allowed vertical experiments, suspended by a weather balloon, to be performed. This led to a theory on artificially triggered lightning, which is one of many exciting future applications that are suggested. It is also predicted that other research groups will be able to create arcs of several hundred metres long.