Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of biochar additions on the fracture behavior of foamed concrete

The present study concerns the experimental investigation of foamed concretes with 1600 kg/m3 density that incorporate biochar additions in the mix. A series of small notched beams are prepared to determine the fracture energy in CMOD (crack mouth opening displacement) mode and the mechanical properties in terms of flexural and compressive strength. Besides the evaluation of such properties for classical foamed concrete, the influence of the addition of biochar in the lightweight cementitious paste is comparatively investigated. Two different concentrations of biochar are analyzed, namely 2% and 4% of the cement weight, and two different curing conditions are studied, namely in air and in water at controlled temperature for 28 days. The results demonstrate that better fracture behavior are obtained with 2% biochar and air curing conditions. The biochar additions in moderate concentrations (e.g. 2%) seems to make the fracture surface more tortuous, thus justifying the numerical outcomes, and does not impair the flexural strength. Further microstructural investigation is underway to confirm the experimental observations. This research paves the way for a promising construction material that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable than traditional materials used in the building industry.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Stunting among 6-59 Months Children in Pastoral Community of Korahay Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia 2016

Back ground: Stunting is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia with an estimated 44.4% of children less than five years of age being stunted. Thus, this study aimed to assess prevalence and associated factors of stunting among 6-59 months children in pastoral community of Korahay Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. Objective of the study: To assess prevalence and associated factors of stunting among 6-59 months children in pastoral community of Korahay Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, 2016. Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was done among 770 children in pastoral community of Korahay Zone. Systematic sampling techniques were used to select households and took child-mother pair from each selected households. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Odd ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to assess level of significance. Result: Prevalence of stunting among 6-59 months age children was 31.9%. Sex (AOR: 1.47, 95%CI 1.02, 2.11), age (AOR: 2.10, 95%CI 1.16, 3.80), maternal education (AOR: 3.42, 95%CI 1.58, 7.41), maternal occupation (AOR: 3.10, 95%CI 1.85, 5.19), monthly income (AOR: 1.47, 95%CI 1.03, 2.09), postnatal care visits (AOR: 1.59, 95%CI 1.07, 2.37), source of water (AOR: 3.41, 95%CI 1.96, 5.93), toilet availability (AOR: 1.71, 95%CI 1.13, 2.58), first milk feeding (AOR: 3.37, 95%CI 2.27, 5.02) and bottle feeding (AOR: 2.07, 95%CI 1.34, 3.18) were significant predictors of stunting. Conclusion and recommendations: Prevalence of stunting among 6-59 months children was high 31.9%. Lack of maternal education, not feeding first milk, unsafe water supply, unavailability of toilet facilities and bottle feeding can increase the risk of stunting. So, educating mothers on child feeding practice, sanitation and important of first milk can reduce stunting.
ErrorX: automated error correction for immune repertoire sequencing datasets

Motivation Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have allowed deep profiling of B- and T-cell receptor sequences on an unprecedented scale. However, sequencing errors pose a significant challenge in expanding the scope of these experiments. Errors can arise both by PCR during library preparation and by miscalled bases on the sequencing instrument itself. These errors compromise the validity of biological conclusions drawn from the data. Results To address these concerns I have developed ErrorX, a software for automated error correction of B- and T-cell receptor NGS datasets. ErrorX uses deep learning to automatically identify bases that have a high probability of being erroneous. In benchmark studies, ErrorX reduced the overall error rate of public datasets by up to 36% with a false positive rate of 0.05% or less. Since ErrorX is a pure bioinformatics approach, it can be directly applied to any existing antibody or T-cell receptor sequencing datasets to infer sites of probable error without any changes in library preparation. Availability ErrorX is free for non-commercial use, with both a command-line interface and GUI available for Mac, Linux, and Windows operating systems, and full documentation available. Pre-compiled binaries are available at https://endeavorbio.com/downloads/.
Relationship between red cell distribution width and heart failure

Objective: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has recently been discovered to be a novel prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. There is lack of published reports regarding relationship between RDW and Heart Failure in India. The purpose of this study is to determine whether RDW levels can be used as a prognostic marker in heart failure patients. Materials and Methods: The study was a Cross-sectional study conducted with sample size of 70 subjects with heart failure and 30 subjects without heart failure were selected for the assessment of RDW. Results: The mean RDW in patient was 15.763 ± 2.609 and in controls was 13.17± 0.75 respectively. The RDW was higher in the cases compared to controls with p value of 13.6 and 11 of them had RDW ≤ 13.6. When compared this distribution of RDW in HFREF with the controls, the difference was significant with a p value of 0.001. Of the 26 patients of HFPEF, 20 had RDW > 13.6 and 6 had RDW ≤ 13.6. When compared this distribution of RDW with the control group, there was a significant difference with a p value of < 0.001. Conclusion: RDW is a readily available test and with good prognostic value even when compared with a relatively expensive NT-pro BNP measurement. It can be used as an additional marker for diagnosing heart failure.
Development of Alternative Bridge Superstructures for South Dakota Local Roads

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) allows the use of precast double-tee bridges in counties because they are economical and fast in construction. Alternative durable prefabricated bridge systems are needed to provide more options to local governments. The present study was carried out to investigate the feasibility of alternative prefabricated bridge systems that can be incorporated in South Dakota. The project technical panel approved testing of two superstructure bridge systems: (1) precast full-depth deck panels on prestressed inverted tee girders and (2) glulam timber bridges. The present report includes the design, construction, testing methods, and recommendations for the selected bridge alternatives. Three full-scale bridges, one fully precast and two glulam timber, were tested under fatigue and ultimate loading. The precast bridge specimen was 50-ft long by 9.5-ft wide. No significant damage beyond the prior-to-testing shrinkage cracks was observed throughout the entire fatigue test, and the overall bridge stiffness did not deteriorate. The strength load testing showed that the load amplitude at the first crack was higher than the AASHTO Service and Strength I limit state loads, indicating sufficient performance. Based on the construction, testing, and cost analysis, it was concluded that the precast full-depth deck panels on prestressed inverted tee girder bridge is a viable alternative to the double-tee girder bridge. The full-scale glulam girder bridge test model was 50-ft long and 9.25-ft wide. The full-scale glulam slab bridge was 16.5-ft long and 8-ft wide. Both timber bridge types showed minimal damage during fatigue testing. The only damage to the girder timber bridge was cracking of tongue-and-groove deck-to-deck connections, which can be eliminated using flat-end panels. Ultimate testing of the two bridge systems confirmed that the AASHTO design method for timber bridges is adequate. Girders of glulam bridges should be designed as fully non-composite members. Based on the construction, testing, and cost analysis, it was concluded that both types of glulam timber bridges are viable alternatives to the double-tee girder bridges.
Disponibilité de l'évaluation de la fonction rénale des personnes âgées de plus de 75 ans en pharmacie d'officine : étude de son intérêt pour une dispensation optimisée

La fonction renale decline avec l’âge et expose les personnes âgees a un risque de surdosage de nombreux medicaments. Malheureusement son evaluation est rarement disponible a la pharmacie d’officine lors de la dispensation. Notre etude, realisee sur un mois en pharmacie d’officine, avait comme objectifs de mesurer la prevalence de la prescription des medicaments necessitant une adaptation de posologie a la fonction renale chez les personnes de plus de 75 ans et d’etudier la necessite de disposer de la fonction renale pour assurer une dispensation securisee. Les ordonnances de 124 patients, soit 829 medicaments, ont ete analysees au regard des Debits de Filtrations Glomerulaires (DFG) transmis par le medecin generaliste. Les resultats montrent que tous les patients de plus de 75 ans ont au moins un medicament prescrit qui necessite une adaptation a la fonction renale et que plus de la moitie des medicaments prescrits (51,6%) doit etre adaptee a celle-ci. De ce fait, une evaluation de la fonction renale est indispensable avant toute prescription dans cette population et cette donnee doit etre transmise au pharmacien d’officine pour assurer une dispensation securisee. De plus, l’etude a revele que pres d’une personne sur 5 âgee de plus de 75 ans (18,5%) a un DFG < 60 ml/min/1,73m² et que chez ces personnes, ¼ des medicaments qui doivent l’etre, ne sont pas adaptes a la fonction renale (23,5%). Ce travail a permis de demontrer que le manque de donnees est un frein a la qualite de la dispensation et que les outils actuels de transmission d’informations securisee entre professionnels de sante doivent integrer ces donnees et etre consultables par le pharmacien d’officine.
Primary Care For The Physical Therapist Examination And Triage

Thank you for reading primary care for the physical therapist examination and triage. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look hundreds times for their chosen readings like this primary care for the physical therapist examination and triage, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some malicious virus inside their computer.
A Time-Delayed Control Scheme Using Adaptive Law with Time-Varying Boundedness for Robot Manipulators

This paper presents an adaptive time-delayed control based on the sliding-mode (ATDC-SM). The proposed ATDC-SM provides a new adaptive law imposing time-varying boundedness that is developed to adjust the control gains appropriately while suppressing the negative impact generated by the robot manipulators. Moreover, the control gains are constructed as a continuous function with a fast adaptation rate and hence can remedy chattering and fluctuation inherent in the existing adaptive time-delayed control. These synergistic effects provide a fast convergence rate while producing stable control gains. Besides, the proposed ATDC-SM uses one-sample delayed estimation to cancel out complex nonlinear dynamics and unknown disturbances. Thus, it produces a simple structure but effective approach due to this estimation. From these benefits, the proposed ATDC-SM provides precise tracking performance without undesired side effects. It is shown that the tracking errors are uniformly ultimately bounded through a Lyapunov function. The effectiveness of the proposed ATDC-SM is illustrated through simulation with a one-link robot manipulator, which is compared to that of the existing control approaches.
Do psychological barriers exist in Latin American stock markets?

We examine for the first time the major stock markets of eight Latin American countries for indication of psychological barriers at round numbers. We test for uniformity in the trailing digits of the indices and use regression and GARCH analysis to assess the differential impact of being above or below a possible barrier. The Chilean stock market seems to be significantly different from its counterparts as it is the only one that showed virtually no signs of psychological barriers. There is mild to strong evidence of barriers in the remaining markets. These findings challenge the notion that most Latin American markets are unpredictable and lend credit to the claim that technical analysis strategies can be useful in some of these markets.
APHRODISIAC ACTIVITY OF VENTHAMARAI MAGARANTHA CHOORANAM (STAMENS OF NELUMBONUCIFERA WHITE VARIETY) ON HEALTHY WISTER ALBINO RATS

Nelumbonucifera is often used in siddha medicine as an aphrodisiac and to improve male reproductive functions.Since systematic study on these aspects are few and fare between,we studied its aphrodisiac effect on Normal wister albino rats.Adult wister albino rats were used for aphrodisiac activity protocol. Sexual behavioural parameters were observed on wister albino rats. Blood samples were collected from control and experimental rats to measure hormone testosterone.Testosterone levels showed significant increase in experimental animal compared with control.The test drug may be effective as aphrodisiac through mechanisms such as vasodilation, generation of nitric oxide, elevation of androgens and gonadotropins. It has also been documented that sexual behaviour and erection are dependent on androgen, which may act through central and peripheral mechanisms.Stamens of Nelumbonucifera white variety has definite positive effect on male sexual behaviour and increased in hormone profile.
Fractional Order Based Modeling and Identification of Coupled Creep and Hysteresis Effects in Piezoelectric Actuators

Accurate modeling and identification of piezoelectric actuators are increasingly demanded for intelligent micro–nano manufacturing to improve the accuracy of positioning and scanning. In this article, one coupled fractional-order creep and hysteresis model is established using only five parameters. Then, the properties of the coupled fractional-order creep and hysteresis are investigated under sinusoidal and step inputs. The identification approaches are thus proposed by leveraging the special characteristics of the proposed fractional-order model. Simulation and experimental studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed fractional-order creep and Bouc–Wen hysteresis model. Additionally, model-based inversion feedforward is implemented to validate the parameter identification. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the modeling and parameter identification approaches.
Potential causes of chronic anterior knee pain in a former winner of the Tour de France : case report

Little focus has been placed on the effects of cadence on pedalling action and subsequent risk of knee related overuse injuries. Ergometers with the capacity to measure torque throughout the knee extension cycle of each leg's pedalling motion (i.e. Computrainer ergometer with Spinscan function) have the potential to provide the clinician with additional insight into the causes of anterior knee pain in selected patients. A 32-year-old male professional cyclist and former winner of the Tour de France with a 7-year history of recurrent anterior knee pain presented to the authors' Sports Medicine Clinic with an acute exacerbation of anterior right knee pain following early season volume-based training. MRI findings were of a low grade patellar tendinopathy. Isokinetic testing revealed increased eccentric knee flexion strength of the right (injured) vs. left leg (213.4Nm vs. 166.3Nm). The rate of fatigue for right knee concentric endurance extension was greater than the left leg (22.8% vs. 10.1%). A Computrainer Spinscan analysis was performed at cadences of 65-, 75-, 85-, 95- and 105rpm respectively. Mean power balance (51.0 ± 0.9%) was in favour of the right leg. This abnormality in power balance was most prevalent at cadences lower than 75rpm (51.9 ± 1.5%). Mechanical efficiency scores for cadences below 85rpm (57.8 ± 3.8%) were significantly lower than recorded for other elite male road cyclists in these authors' laboratory (70-85%). Right leg mean torque angles were lower for all cadences (84.3 ± 3.0) in comparison to the left leg. This was accentuated for cadences of 85rpm or lower (82.3 ± 2.4). These findings were consistent with a low grade infra-patellar tendinosis attributable to force overload induced by high volume, low cadence activity.
The Impacts of the Perceived Golf Course Brand Globalness on Customer Loyalty through Multidimensional Perceived Values

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationships among brand globalness, perceived values (i.e., functional, emotional, social, and altruistic values), and customer loyalty in the context of Korean professional golf tournaments. Data were collected from spectators (n = 198) of two golf tournaments organized by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). The results showed that golf course brand globalness positively influenced perceived value (i.e., functional, emotional, social, and altruistic). Perceived value (i.e., functional, emotional, and social) was found to be related to customer loyalty. We also found a mediating effect of perceived value (i.e., functional, emotional, and social) on the relationship between golf course brand globalness and customer loyalty. Theoretical and managerial implications along with suggestions for future research are discussed.
Development of Effective Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer Using Adoptive gamma-delta T Cells and Small Targeting Molecules

ii Dedication.iv Acknowledgements.v Vita.vi List of Figures.xii List of Abbreviations. xiv Chapter 1: Introduction. 1 Chapter 2: Human ovarian tumor cells escape γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxic lysis partly by down regulating surface expression of MICA. 18 Chapter 3: Inducing ATM/ATR pathway in combination with γδ T cells enhanced cytotoxicity of ovarian cancer cells.52 References.81
Examining the relationship between spirituality and character virtues : an empirical study among a sample of 11- to 16-year-old UK students

The importance of character virtues for shaping personal and social wellbeing remain the subject for both philosophical analysis and empirical investigation. While the identification, conceptualisation, and operationalisation of character virtues remain contested, useful instruments are available. The effect of personality and spirituality on the formation of character virtues is of both theoretical and empirical concern, although the conceptualisation and operationalisation of both personality and spirituality are also contested constructs. The present study reports on the association of personality, spirituality and character virtues among a sample of 6,749 11to 16-year-old students attending ten Christian ethos secondary schools in England and Wales, employing an adaptation of the Narnian Character Virtue Scales, the Junior Eysenck personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated, and a single-item measure of spirituality. The data demonstrated the positive effects of spirituality on eight character virtues, after controlling for the effects of age, sex, extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. The eight character virtues are: courage, forgiveness, generosity, hard work, integrity, love, self-control, and wisdom
Seasonal movements of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia

Nineteen adult female White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), fitted with very high frequency or global positioning system collars in the Rocky Mountains of southeast British Columbia, exhibited straight-line seasonal movements ranging from <4 km to 109 km. Movement was almost entirely along the floor of both low- and high-elevation valleys, although there was some use of mid-elevation mountainsides during early winter. Spatial locations of deer spanned 891–2234 m above sea level. Seasonal movements of these deer from a single winter range extended to two provinces, three national parks, one provincial park, non-park provincial Crown land, and private land. Deer populations with similar movement patterns may be most effectively managed by considering their extensive movements and coordinating approaches across jurisdictions.
Prospective elementary teachers' abilities in tackling a contextualized physics problem as guided inquiry

This article presents a qualitative study, with a descriptive and interpretative nature, of the abilities of prospective elementary teachers (PETs) to solve a contextualized problem of physics through a process of guided inquiry. Specifically, an analysis was made of the PETs’ abilities to (a) formulate hypotheses; (b) plan inquiry procedures aimed at testing hypotheses; and (c) draw conclusions from the inquiry (i.e., interpret experimental data to accept or reject their hypotheses, and recognize the limitations of the inquiry that they had conducted). The study participants were 17 PETs who were receiving training in science teaching. They were organized into small groups to solve the physics problem proposed to them. The study’s data were extracted from the inquiry reports that the groups prepared by following a script with open-ended questions. The results revealed the PETs’ strengths and weaknesses in addressing the different scientific practices that had been required in the process, as well as showing that they all had achieved some improvement in their inquiry abilities after completing the activity. A discussion of the results is given with a view to improving the training of PETs in inquiry-based science learning.
Hiding among traps? Mortality of early instar odonate larvae in the presence of bladderwort plants

We investigated the effects of the presence of bladderwort plants on survival of early instar larvae of one coenagrionid and two libellulids in laboratory experiments. In all three species survival was reduced compared to treatments with a non-carnivorous submerged plant, with effective mortality that could be related to bladderwort being 19–45% dependent on the prey species. Individuals of all species were found in capture bladders. We also recorded the microhabitat use of the early instar larvae and found that the species with highest use of vegetation had highest mortality due to bladderwort. We conclude that bladderwort may have effects on odonate larvae that translate into natural conditions and we discuss factors that may affect predation by bladderwort on odonates in the field.
Quantification de la fixation tumorale du fluoro-deoxyglucose

L'interet du [ 18 F]-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) en cancerologie est desormais un fait inconteste. La quantification de la fixation tumorale du FDG peut etre utile, en particulier dans le suivi therapeutique de ces tumeurs. Le calcul du SUV (pour Standardized Uptake Value) est la methode la plus simple a appliquer en routine, cependant des precautions doivent etre prises compte-tenu des multiples facteurs dont il depend. La connaissance de ces parametres est indispensable afin de choisir la procedure la plus adaptee a sa pratique quotidienne.
The Recurrence and 5-Year Survival Rates in Patients with Borderline Ovarian Tumors in Yazd from 2006 to 2016

Materials & Methods: This census survival study was performed on 24 patients with borderline ovarian tumors who referred to hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences from 2006 to 2016. A data collection checklist was used as a measurement tool and was completed by the researcher by reviewing the subjects’ medical records. The questionnaire included age, infertility, the number of delivery, contraceptive use, body mass index, time of diagnosis, time to start the treatment, whether alive or not, stage of the disease, the type of pathology, the type of surgery, and postoperative treatment. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 using descriptive statistics.