Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic susceptibility artifacts on high-resolution MR of the temporal bone.

PURPOSE To determine whether signal variations and subtle anatomic deformities observed in high-resolution MR studies of temporal bones were caused by the large susceptibility differences at air-fluid interfaces near the round and oval window. METHODS A systematic study of healthy subjects and plastic phantoms was conducted. The phantom consisted of a series of cylindrical holes of various small sizes within a solid block of plastic. These holes were partially filled with water and then covered with a reservoir of gelatin to simulate the otic capsule air-water interfaces. On a 1.5-T system, T2-weighted fast spin-echo images and three-dimensional Fourier transform gradient acquisition in steady state images were obtained using dedicated phased-array radio frequency coils. The directions of the frequency and in-plane phase-encoding gradients were swapped, and the receiver bandwidth was changed to demonstrate the dependence of the artifacts on these parameters. RESULTS The phantom images confirmed and characterized artifacts consistent with magnetic susceptibility differences at the air-water interfaces. There is a combination of signal loss, misregistration in the frequency-encoding direction, and high signal foci related to the air-water interfaces. Furthermore, the artifacts were worse with narrower receiver bandwidth. Similar consistent artifact patterns were seen near the oval and round windows in studies of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS In high-resolution MR imaging there are significant deformities in the display of the normal anatomy because of magnetic susceptibility.
Strength and Power Characteristics in English Elite Rugby League Players

Comfort, P, Graham-Smith, P, Matthews, MJ, and Bamber, C. Strength and power characteristics in English elite rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1374-1384, 2011-The aim of this article is to present data on the strength and power characteristics of forwards and backs in a squad of elite English rugby league players and compare these findings to previously published literature from Australia. Participants were elite English rugby league players (n = 18; height 184.16 ± 5.76 cm; body mass 96.87 ± 10.92 kg, age 21.67 ± 4.10 years) who were all regular first team players for an English Superleague club. Testing included 5-, 10-, 20-m sprint times, agility, vertical jump, 40-kg squat jump, isometric squat, concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee flexion and extension. Independent t-tests were performed to compare results between forwards and backs, with paired samples t-tests used to compare bilateral differences from isokinetic assessments and agility tests. Forwards demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) greater body mass (102.15 ± 7.5 kg), height (186.30 ± 5.47 cm), power during the 40-kg jump squat (2,106 ± 421 W), isometric force (3,122 ± 611 N) and peak torque during left concentric isokinetic knee extension (296.1 ± 54.2 N·m) compared to the backs (86.30 ± 8.97 kg; 179.87 ± 3.72 cm; 1,709 ± 286 W; 2,927 ± 607 N; 241.7 ± 35.2 N·m, respectively). However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were noted between forwards and backs during right concentric isokinetic knee extension (274.8 ± 37.7 and 246.8 ± 25.8 N·m), concentric isokinetic knee flexion for both left (158.8 ± 28.6 and 141.0 ± 22. 7 N·m) and right legs (155.3 ± 22.9 and 128.0 ± 23.9 N·m), eccentric isokinetic knee flexion and extension, hamstring quadriceps ratios, or vertical jump (37.25 ± 4.35 and 40.33 ± 6.38 cm). In comparison, relative measures demonstrated that backs performed significantly better compared to the forwards during the 40-kg jump squat (20.71 ± 5.15 and 19.91 ± 3.91 W·kg−1) and the isometric squat (34.32 ± 7.9 and 30.65 ± 5.34 N·kg−1). Bilateral comparisons revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between left and right leg performances in the agility test (3.26 ± 0.18 and 3.24 ± 0.18 seconds), or between left (0.7 ± 0.10) and right (0.71 ± 0.17) leg eccentric hamstring concentric quadriceps ratios. The results demonstrate that absolute strength and power measures are generally higher in forwards compared to in backs; however, when body mass is taken into account and relative measures compared, the backs outperform the forwards.
Peculiarities Of Interpersonal Communication Of Adolescents – Active Internet Users

Analysis of foreign and domestic approaches to the problem of studying the peculiarities of virtual communication and interpersonal communication in adolescence is presented in the paper. The increasing influence of information-communicative technologies on the social and interpersonal interaction of participants of communication is demonstrated. A significant role of virtual reality (cyberspace), existing on the basis of network technologies (Internet environment), in the life of the human being, and first of all, of the adolescent, was determined. Peculiarities of the influence of the long-term communication in the social networks on the personality of the oncoming generation were discovered. The results of empirical study of peculiarities of virtual and real communication of adolescents, the level of formation of communicative situations are presented. A comparative analysis of peculiarities of adolescents’ communication showed that adolescents, preferring virtual communication to the real one, are characterised by a low level of sociability, insufficiently formed communicative abilities, demonstrate dependent and aggressively-competence reactions in the situations of criticism (both just and unjust), of conflict, the necessity to make a request, to show and accept sympathy and support, to come in contact with other person. On the basis of the obtained results, recommendations for parents of adolescents, spending a significant amount of time in cyberspace, which are reduced to setting a time limit, which can be spent on the Internet, blocking the programmes, lacking educational and pedagogical nature; for psychologists of educational organisations, including the complex of psychological-pedagogical measures, aimed at formation of communicative competence in adolescents. © 2018 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
The patient's perspective of irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The researchers wanted to understand how irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects patients' lives and their interactions with physicians and the health care system. STUDY DESIGN A qualitative study was performed using focus groups of people with physician-diagnosed IBS. Immersion/crystallization was used to identify overriding themes. POPULATION Adult volunteers with a previous physician diagnosis of IBS were included. OUTCOMES MEASURED The outcomes were patient-reported symptoms, episode triggers, treatments, lifestyle changes, and interactions with their physicians that were related to IBS, and overriding themes identified from the focus groups. RESULTS The subjects described IBS as a chronic episodic illness that affects their daily lives. Interaction with the medical community seldom clarified understanding of the condition or improved its management. Three overriding themes emerged from the groups: a sense of frustration, a sense of isolation, and a search for a niche in the health/sick role continuum. Frustration was evident in the perceived inability to control symptoms, prevent episodes, identify episode triggers, and obtain medical validation of the condition. The constant anticipation of the next IBS episode, the need for immediate access to toilet facilities, and the nature of the bowel symptoms often required withdrawal from social activities and resultant isolation. CONCLUSIONS IBS is perceived as a chronic condition resulting in frustration and social isolation, and physicians are perceived to be providing inadequate medical information or support to patients with IBS.
Peierls-Nabarro model of dislocations in silicon with generalized stacking-fault restoring forces.

Using generalized stacking-fault (gsf) energies obtained from first-principles density-functional calculations, a zero-temperature model for dislocations in silicon is constructed within the framework of a Peierls-Nabarro (PN) model. Core widths, core energies, PN pinning energies, and stresses are calculated for various possible perfect and imperfect dislocations. Both shuffle and glide sets are considered. 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} partials are shown to have a lower Peierls stress than the 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} partials in accord with experiment.
IS Based Asset Management - An Evaluation

Information systems (IS) for engineering asset lifecycle management act as strategy translators as well as enablers. Therefore, the real value of IS relies upon how effectively these systems are mapped to asset lifecycle management processes, and how effectively they are synchronised with other IS in the organisation. On the other hand, engineering asset managing organisations adopt a traditional technologycentred approach to asset management, where technical system implementation command most resources and are considered first, whereas skills, process maturity, and other organisational factors are only considered relatively late and sometimes only after the systems are operational. This paper provides an evaluation of the IS implemented to support asset lifecycle in an asset managing organisation.
Nerve‐Driven Immunity: The Direct Effects of Neurotransmitters on T‐Cell Function

Abstract: We carried out studies to explore whether neurotransmitters can directly interact with their T‐cell‐expressed receptors, leading to either activation or suppression of various T‐cell functions. Human and mouse T cells were thus exposed directly to neurotransmitters in the absence of any additional molecule, and various functions were studied, among them cytokine secretion, proliferation, and integrin‐mediated adhesion and migration. In this review, I describe the effects of four neuropeptides: somatostatin (SOM), calcitonin‐gene‐related‐peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and substance P (Sub P), and one non‐peptidergic neurotransmitter‐dopamine. We found that SOM, NPY, CGRP, and dopamine interact directly with T cells, leading to the activation of β1 integrins and to the subsequent integrin‐mediated T‐cell adhesion to a component of the extracellular matrix. In contrast, Sub P had a reverse effect‐full blockage of integrin‐mediated T‐cell adhesion triggered by a variety of signals. Each of these neurotransmitters exerted its effect through direct interaction with its specific receptor on the T‐cell surface, since the effect was fully blocked by the respective receptor‐antagonist. Taken together, this set of findings indicates that neurotransmitters can directly interact with T cells and provide them with either positive (integrin‐activating, pro‐adhesive) or negative (integrin‐inhibiting, anti‐adhesive) signals. We further found that the above neurotransmitters, by direct interaction with their specific receptors, drove T cells (of the Th0, Th1, and Th2 phenotypes) into the secretion of both typical and atypical (“forbidden”) cytokines. These results suggested that neurotransmitters can substantially affect various cytokine‐dependent T‐cell activities. As a whole, our studies suggest an important and yet unrecognized role for neurotransmitters in directly dictating or modulating numerous T‐cell functions under physiological and pathological conditions.
Differences in current amplitude evoking leg extension in individuals with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of regional thigh composition that result in different responses to current amplitude among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during applications of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to evoke dynamic leg extension. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTINGS Academic Settings. METHODS Five males with chronic motor complete SCI completed 3 visits of NMES to determine the current amplitude required to evoke full knee extension. The participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging of both thighs to measure skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and intramuscular fat (IMF). Applicants were classified into high (n = 3) and low-responders (n = 2) based on the determined current amplitude. RESULTS The low-responders required 48-59% greater current amplitude to complete the same task as the high-responders. Low-responders had greater thigh SAT CSA (51-56%) than the high-responders with SCI. After adjusting to whole thigh CSA, IMF CSA was significantly greater in the low- responders; whereas skeletal muscle CSA was lower compared to the high-responders. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that thigh SAT and IMF act as insulation against propagation of current during surface NMES applications in individuals with SCI.
A branch-and-price approach for a biomass feedstock logistics supply chain design problem

Abstract This article addresses a biomass feedstock logistics supply chain design problem, which comprises a multi-period facility location problem, a special case of a single-item parallel-facilities capacitated lot-sizing problem, and a network flow problem. We formulate this problem as a mixed-integer program and propose a branch-and-price-based method for its solution that relies on effective implementation strategies. Our computational investigation reveals efficacy of the proposed method in obtaining near-optimal solutions for large-sized problem instances over direct solution of our model formulation of the problem by CPLEX. Several useful managerial insights resulting from our analysis are also presented.
Mass versus Direct Advertising and Product Quality

This paper analyzes how the use of mass vs. direct advertising can affect the pattern of price and quality competition in a market where two ﬁrms compete with vertically differentiated products. We show that, compared to the casewheresellersemployonlymassadvertising,theuseofdatabaseadvertising based on historical sales records improves the competitive position of the lowquality ﬁrm, which achieves a larger market share and can obtain higher proﬁts. As a result, the high-quality ﬁrm lowers the supply of quality, which decreases thedegreeofproductdifferentiationinthemarketandtriggersstrongpricecompetition,thusdecreasingitsproﬁtsandincreasingconsumersurplus. Finally,we show that, although database advertising is more cost-efﬁcient than mass advertising, the market distortion in the provision of quality implies that the use of direct advertising can yield a welfare loss.
Machine learning enhanced virtual autopsy

a University of Sao Paulo (USP), Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology. São Paulo, SP, Brazil. b Medical University of Graz, Institute for Medical Informatics/Statistics, Holzinger Group. Graz, Austria. c Medical University of Graz, Institute of Pathology. Graz, Austria. d University of de Sao Paulo (USP), Institute of Advanced Studies. São Paulo, SP, Brazil. e Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Department of Upper GI Surgery. Wirral, United Kingdom. f University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Department of Intensive Care. Hamburg, Germany. STATE-OF-THE-ART AND OBJECTIVES
Gold Exchange Traded Funds: Their Evolution and Their Role

Gold is a small market by comparison with equities and bonds, but it is a liquid market, with best estimates putting global trading volume above $40 billion per day. Gold ETFs were created to grant all investors access to gold with the ease of trading an equity share on an exchange, and are a low-cost option for gaining exposure to the market through the use of a standard brokerage account. The first gold ETF was launched in Australia in 2003 with the World Gold Council. All gold ETFs supported by the WGC are 100% backed by the physical metal. Since their inception, the combined value of gold ETFs has grown to more than $13.3 billion, approximately the market capitalization of the average North American gold mining company. Because of gold9s qualities as a hedge against the dollar, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, it is considered a safe haven and preserves its value over time. Gold is also a portfolio diversifier and risk management tool because it has no significant correlation with any other asset class.
Evaluation of purified UspA from Moraxella catarrhalis as a vaccine in a murine model after active immunization

Moraxella catarrhalis causes otitis media, laryngitis, and respiratory infections in humans. A high-molecular-weight outer membrane protein from this bacterium named ubiquitous surface protein A (UspA) is present on all isolates. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) to UspA that recognizes a conserved epitope of this protein has been shown to promote pulmonary clearance of bacteria in passively immunized mice. In the present study, M. catarrhalis heterologous isolates were screened by dot blot with a panel of four additional MAbs specific for surface-exposed epitopes of UspA from M. catarrhalis isolate 035E. Three of the MAbs were specific for 035E, and the fourth reacted with 17 (74%) of the 23 isolates tested. Thus, UspA contains highly conserved, semiconserved, and variable surface-exposed epitopes. The UspA was purified from the 035E isolate by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography, formulated with the adjuvant QS-21, and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Upon pulmonary challenge with either 035E or the heterologous isolate TTA24, significantly fewer bacteria were recovered from the lungs of immunized mice 6 h postchallenge than from control mice. The immune sera from mice or guinea pigs contained high titers of antibodies to the homologous isolate and heterologous isolates in a whole-bacterial-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera against UspA, whether prepared in mice or guinea pigs, had complement-dependent bactericidal activity toward homologous and 11 heterologous M. catarrhalis isolates. These results indicate that the conserved epitopes of the UspA are highly immunogenic and elicit broadly reactive and biologically functional antibodies. UspA may offer protection against M. catarrhalis infections and is being further evaluated as a vaccine candidate.
An ontology for the generalisation of the bathymetry on nautical charts

On nautical charts, undersea features are portrayed by sets of soundings (depth points) and isobaths (depth contours) from which map readers can interpret landforms. Different techniques were developed for automatic soundings selection and isobath generalisation from a sounding set. These methods are mainly used to generate a new chart from the bathymetric database or from a large scale chart through selection and simplification however a part of the process consists in selecting and emphasising undersea features on the chart according to their relevance to navigation. Its automation requires classification of the features from the set of isobaths and soundings and their generalisation through the selection and application of a set of operators according not only to geometrical constraints but also to semantic constraints. The objective of this paper is to define an ontology formalising undersea feature representation and the generalisation process achieving this representation on a nautical chart. The ontology is built in two parts addressing on one hand the definition of the features and on the other hand their generalisation. The central concept is the undersea feature around which other concepts are organised. The generalisation process is driven by the features where the objective is to select or emphasise information according to their meaning for a specific purpose. The ontologies were developed in Protege and a bathymetric database server integrating the ontology was implemented. A generalisation platform was also developed and examples of representations obtained by the platform are presented. Finally, current results and on-going research are discussed.
Isolation of wild poliovirus type 3 among members of a religious community objecting to vaccination--Alberta, Canada, 1993.

During September 1992-February 1993, 68 cases of poliomyelitis occurred among members of a religious community in the Netherlands. Because members of an affiliated religious community in Alberta, Canada, had direct contact (i.e, travel to and from the Netherlands) with members of the affected community, health authorities in Alberta conducted an investigation during January-February 1993 to determine whether this poliovirus had been imported. This report summarizes the results of this investigation.
Structural basis for the binding of an immunodominant peptide from myelin basic protein in different registers by two HLA-DR2 proteins.

Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with certain MHC class II haplotypes, in particular HLA-DR2. Two DR beta chains, DRB1*1501 and DRB5*0101, are co-expressed in the HLA-DR2 haplotype, resulting in the formation of two functional cell surface heterodimers, HLA-DR2a (DRA*0101, DRB5*0101) and HLA-DR2b (DRA*0101, DRB1*1501). Both isotypes can present an immunodominant peptide of myelin basic protein (MBP 84-102) to MBP-specific T cells from MS patients. We have determined the crystal structure of HLA-DR2a complexed with MBP 86-105 to 1.9 A resolution. A comparison of this structure with that of HLA-DR2b complexed with MBP 85-99, reported previously, reveals that the peptide register is shifted by three residues, such that the MBP peptide is bound in strikingly different conformations by the two MHC molecules. This shift in binding register is attributable to a large P1 pocket in DR2a, which accommodates Phe92, in conjunction with a relatively shallow P4 pocket, which is occupied by Ile95. In DR2b, by contrast, the small P1 pocket accommodates Val89, while the deep P4 pocket is filled by Phe92. In both complexes, however, the C-terminal half of the peptide is positioned higher in the binding groove than in other MHC class II/peptide structures. As a result of the register shift, different side-chains of the MBP peptide are displayed for interaction with T cell receptors in the DR2a and DR2b complexes. These results demonstrate that MHC molecules can impose different alignments and conformations on the same bound peptide as a consequence of topological differences in their peptide-binding sites, thereby creating distinct T cell epitopes.
The Impact of Computer-Tailored Feedback and Iterative Feedback on Fat, Fruit, and Vegetable Intake

A randomized trial was conducted to study the impact of individualized computer-generated nutrition information and additional effects of iterative feedback on changes in intake of fat, fruits, and vegetables. Respondents in the experimental group received computer-generated feedback letters tailored to their dietary intake, intentions, attitudes, self-efficacy expectations, and self-rated behavior. After the first feedback letter, half of the experimental group received additional iterative feedback tailored to changes in behavior and intentions. The control group received a single general nutrition information letter in a format similar to the tailored letters. Computer-tailored feedback had a significantly greater impact on fat reduction and fruit and vegetable intake than did general information. Iterative computer-tailored feedback had an additional impact on fat intake. The results confirm that computer-generated individualized feedback can be effective in inducing recommended dietary changes and that iterative feedback can increase the longer term impact of computertailored nutrition education on fat reduction.
Colour Size Effect

In this paper, the colour perception of fully immersive self-luminous colour stimuli is investigated. 16 colours were presented on a large-screen plasma monitor placed in an observing chamber with mirror walls to achieve full visual immersion to the colour stimulus. By the aid of two methods, experimental data were collected to learn more about the “size effect”. Immersive stimuli appeared to be lighter in all cases but chroma shifts were not so systematic. Results were compared to those of recent literature.