Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Engineering the Keyboard

The standard typewriter keyboard serves as a model for keyboards of teletypewriters, desk calculators, consoles, computer keysets, cash registers, etc. This man-machine interface should be designed to allow high-frequency, error-free operation with the least possible strain on the operator. This paper discusses several feasible biomechanical improvements of the keyboard. Some experimental findings are described which support the following design concepts: (1) the keys should be arranged in a “hand-configured” grouping to simplify the motion patterns of the fingers; (2) the keyboard sections allotted to each hand should be physically separated to facilitate the positioning of the fingers; and (3) the keyboard sections allotted to each hand should be declined laterally to reduce postural muscular strain of the operator.
Comparison of Final Fracture Extraction Techniques for Interrupted In situ Tensile Tests of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers

To develop and optimize advanced composite materials such as glass fiber reinf orced polymers (GFRPs) is an important topic for various application areas. To inspect mechanical properties of GFRPs, material engineers use interrupted in situ tensile tests. During these tests, a specimen is scanned multiple times in an industrial com puted tomography (CT) device under increasing tensile loads, starting from no load until finally the fracture of the sp ecimen occurs. In this work, we focus on the final step of the interrupted in situ tensile test, which is scanned when the specimen is com pletely losing its structural integrity in the final fracture zone. The defects occurring in the first loading stages merge and ultimately form the final fracture. For this reason, conventional techniques tend to generate error prone final fracture regions or surfaces and thus require more advanced algorithms for extraction. The main contribution of this paper is the comparison o f different techniques for extracting the final fracture. In the comparison, we outline advantages and drawbacks of the presented te chniqu s relative to each other.
Unemployment, job retention, and productivity loss among employees with depression.

OBJECTIVE This study comprehensively assessed the work outcomes of employees with depression. METHODS We collected baseline and six-month follow-up survey data from 229 employees with depression and two employee comparison groups: a group of healthy patients for the control group (N=173) and a group with rheumatoid arthritis (N=87), a frequent source of work disability. Outcomes included new unemployment and, within the employed subgroup, job retention (versus job turnover), presenteeism (that is, diminished on-the-job performance and productivity), and absenteeism. RESULTS At the six-month follow-up, persons with depression had more new unemployment--14 percent for persons in the dysthymia group, 12 percent for persons in the major depression group, and 15 percent for persons in the group with both dysthymia and major depression, compared with 2 percent for persons in the control group and 3 percent for persons in the rheumatoid arthritis group. Among participants who were still employed, those with depression had significantly more job turnover, presenteeism, and absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS In addition to helping employees with depression obtain high-quality depression treatment, new interventions may be needed to help them to overcome the substantial job upheaval that this population experiences.
An integrated Monte Carlo dosimetric verification system for radiotherapy treatment planning

An integrated Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation system, MCRTV (Monte Carlo for radiotherapy treatment plan verification), has been developed for clinical treatment plan verification, especially for routine quality assurance (QA) of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans. The MCRTV system consists of the EGS4/PRESTA MC codes originally written for particle transport through the accelerator, the multileaf collimator (MLC), and the patient/phantom, which run on a 28-CPU Linux cluster, and the associated software developed for the clinical implementation. MCRTV has an interface with a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) (Eclipse, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) and reads the information needed for MC computation transferred in DICOM-RT format. The key features of MCRTV have been presented in detail in this paper. The phase-space data of our 15 MV photon beam from a Varian Clinac 2300C/D have been developed and several benchmarks have been performed under homogeneous and several inhomogeneous conditions (including water, aluminium, lung and bone media). The MC results agreed with the ionization chamber measurements to within 1% and 2% for homogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions, respectively. The MC calculation for a clinical prostate IMRT treatment plan validated the implementation of the beams and the patient/phantom configuration in MCRTV.
Hoxa‐10 deficient male mice exhibit abnormal development of the accessory sex organs

The role of mammalian Hox genes in regulating segmental patterning of axial structures and the limb is well established. A similar role in development of soft tissue organ systems has recently been suggested by observations linking several 5′ members of the HoxA and HoxD clusters to segmentation events and morphogenesis in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. We have specifically examined the role of Hoxa‐10 in development of the male accessory sex organs by characterizing expression of Hoxa‐10 in the developing male reproductive tract and correlating expression to morphologic abnormalities in knockout mice deficient for Hoxa‐10 function. We report that Hoxa‐10 expression in the Wolffian duct and urogenital sinus is regionally restricted and temporally regulated. The domain of expression is defined anteriorly by the caudal epididymis and extends posteriorly to the prostatic anlagen of the urogenital sinus. Expression was maximal at E18 and down‐regulated postnatally, well before accessory sex organ morphogenesis is completed. Expression in the prostatic anlagen of the urogenital sinus cultured in vitro does not depend upon the presence of testosterone. Loss of Hoxa‐10 function is associated with diminished stromal clefting of the seminal vesicles and decreased size and branching of the coagulating gland. The ductal architecture of the coagulating gland was altered in approximately 30% of mutants examined and suggests a partial posterior morphologic transformation of the coagulating gland. We interpret these data to indicate that Hoxa‐10 is expressed in a region specific manner during late gestation and into the perinatal period and that Hoxa‐10 is required for normal accessory sex organ development. Dev Dyn 1999;214:1–12. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modelling Java requires state

Interesting questions concerning Java-like languages are often studied in the context of smaller programming calculi such as Featherweight Java. The simplicity of the syntax, and small number of features, and in particular the lack of state, make it possible to focus on the issues of interest. Although the programming languages are imperative, Featherweight Java and various similar calculi are functional. We argue that the study of the type system of Java 5.0 and beyond requires a calculus with state. For example, the treatment of wildcards in Java is tailored to preserve soundness in the presence of stateful computation, a feature that is not present in functional calculi. A stateful calculus is necessary before the potential pitfalls of an incorrect proposal can be seen. We illustrate this point by showing that a traditional treatment of existential types (based on that historically known for the Lambda Calculus) is unsound for Java but remains sound for Featherweight Java.
Social Interactions and Distribution of Bacillus subtilis Pherotypes at Microscale

ABSTRACT Bacillus subtilis strains communicate through the comQXPA quorum sensing (QS) system, which regulates genes expressed during early stationary phase. A high polymorphism of comQXP′ loci was found in closely related strains isolated from desert soil samples separated by distances ranging from meters to kilometers. The observed polymorphism comprised four communication groups (pherotypes), such that strains belonging to the same pherotype exchanged information efficiently but strains from different pherotypes failed to communicate. To determine whether the same level of polymorphism in the comQXP′ QS system could be detected at microscale, B. subtilis isolates were obtained from two separate 1-cm3 soil samples, which were progressively divided into smaller sections. Cross-activation studies using pherotype-responsive reporter strains indicated the same number of communication pherotypes at microscale as previously determined at macroscale. Sequencing of the housekeeping gene gyrA and the QS comQ gene confirmed different evolutionary rates of these genes. Furthermore, an asymmetric communication response was detected inside the two pherotype clusters, suggesting continuous evolution of the QS system and possible development of new languages. To our knowledge, this is the first microscale study demonstrating the presence of different QS languages among isolates of one species, and the implications of this microscale diversity for microbial interactions are discussed.
Hematological, Serum Biochemical and Trace Mineral Indices of Cattle with Foreign Body Rumen Impaction

This study was aimed at investigating the hematological, biochemical and trace mineral status of cattle with foreign body rumen impaction. Hematological, serum biochemical and trace mineral parameters of cattle with Foreign Body Rumen impaction (FBR) and normal cattle Without Foreign Body Rumen impaction (WFBR) were analyzed in order to evaluate their influence as risk factors in the etio-pathogenesis of non-penetrating foreign body rumen impaction. Blood samples with appropriate preservatives were analyzed using appropriate techniques for FBR and WFBR animals. The mean erythrocytic values of packed cell volume (PCV; 24.81%), Red blood cell count (RBC; 3.93×10 6/ µL) and Hemoglobin (Hb; 7.04 g/dL) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in FBR than in WFBR. Mean White blood cell count (WBC; 20.41×103 µL) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in FBR than in WFBR animals. Mean biochemical values of serum total protein (5.74 g/dL), phosphorus (2.37 mg/L), glucose (31.08 mg/L), calcium (2.01 mmol/L), urea (1.42 mmol/L) and creatinine (131 µmol/L), were significantly lower (p<0.05) in FBR than WFBR cattle. Mean serum values of sodium, potassium and Magnesium did not differ significantly (p<0.05) between FBR and WFBR animals. Mean trace mineral values of copper (0.24 mg/L), Zinc (0.42 mg/L), cobalt (0.005 mg/L), Manganese (0.005 mg/L) and Selenium (0.076 mg/L), were significantly lower (p<0.05) in FBR than WFBR animals. The results suggest that some hematological, biochemical and trace mineral parameters may influence foreign body rumen impaction in cattle and these could be used as a basis for diagnosis and formulation of preventive measures.
Identification of four novel COL10A1 missense mutations in schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia: Further evidence that collagen X NC1 mutations impair trimer assembly

Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting the growth plate cartilage of long bones caused by heterozygous mutations in the gene for collagen X (COL10A1), a short‐chain collagen expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes of growth plate cartilage. In this paper we analyzed six unrelated patients clinically determined as affected by SMCD, and characterized four missense mutations, c.52G>A (p.G18R), c.1744T>G (p.Y582D), c.1792T>G (p.Y598D) and c.1958A>C (p.Q653P). These mutations were clustered in the two regions of the collagen X protein shown to contain all previous SMCD mutations; the signal sequence cleavage site (p.G18R), or the C‐terminal NC1 trimerization domain (p.Y582D, p.Y598D and p.Q653P). To determine the functional effect of the mutations we produced engineered p.Y582D, p.Y598D and p.Q653P cDNA and expressed these in vitro. Our data showed that while the wild‐type collagen X assembled in vitro into trimers that were stable to SDS‐PAGE analysis, p.Y582D (the most N‐terminal of the SMCD NC1 mutations described), p.Q653P, and the previously analyzed p.Y598D impair collagen X trimerization. However, in two patients no mutations were detected despite complete sequence analysis of the COL10A1 coding region, the exon‐intron splice consensus sequences and the 500bp gene promoter region. Heterozygosity for known polymorphisms ruled out major COL10A1 gene deletions and Southern analysis excluded major rearrangements. The data suggest that in these two patients, SMCD results from mutations at another gene locus. No mutations were detected in RMRP, the gene for cartilage‐hair hypoplasia that has phenotypic overlap with SMCD. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Creatine monohydrate increases strength in patients with neuromuscular disease

Article abstract Creatine monohydrate has been shown to increase strength in studies of young healthy subjects and in a few studies with patients. Creatine monohydrate (10 g daily for 5 days to 5 g daily for 5 days) was administered to patients with neuromuscular disease in a pilot study (Study 1; n = 81), followed by a single-blinded study (Study 2; n = 21). Body weight, handgrip, dorsiflexion, and knee extensor strength were measured before and after treatment. Creatine administration increased all measured indices in both studies. Short-term creatine monohydrate increased high-intensity strength significantly in patients with neuromuscular disease.
Fabrication of  $\hbox{K}_{\rm x}\hbox{Fe}_{2-{\rm y}}(\hbox{Se}_{1-{\rm z}}\hbox{S}_{\rm z})_{2}$  Superconducting Tapes by a Chemical-Phase-Transformation PIT

We have fabricated monocore superconducting tapes of K<sub>x</sub>Fe<sub>2-y</sub>(Se<sub>1-z</sub>S<sub>z</sub>)<sub>2</sub> using a process based on a chemical phase transformation from 112-type KFe(Se<sub>1-z</sub>Sz)<sub>2</sub> (nonsuperconducting) to 122-type K<sub>x</sub>Fe<sub>2-y</sub>(Se<sub>1-z</sub>S<sub>z</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (superconducting) via a supply of Fe from the Fe sheath by annealing. Transformation of tape core from the 112 type to the 122 type was observed at the annealing temperature above 600°C. The obtained superconducting tape showed superconductivity at 29.1 K. The magnetic J<sub>c</sub> of 1.6 × 10<sup>2</sup> A/cm<sup>2</sup> (at 4.2 K and self-field) was obtained for the sample annealed at 625°C for 5 h followed by quenching.
Disparity implications of proposed 2015 Medicare eligibility criteria for medication therapy management services

Previous studies found that racial and ethnic minorities may be less likely than non‐Hispanic whites (whites) to meet existing Medicare medication therapy management (MTM) eligibility criteria. To address these issues, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed alternative Medicare MTM eligibility criteria for 2015. Due to opposition to other Part D reforms proposed simultaneously by various stakeholders, CMS rescinded all proposed reforms. This study was conducted to determine whether non‐Hispanic blacks (blacks) and Hispanics have lower likelihood of meeting the proposed 2015 Medicare MTM eligibility criteria.
A guidance law design using the combination of ISMC and SDRE schemes

This paper studies the design of a robust guidance law for missiles in the presence of uncertainties, which may include inaccurate prediction of target maneuver. Under the design, the closed-loop guidance system is shown to be robust to the uncertainties. Additionally, the scheme presented possesses the flexibility of allowing the engineer to select a desired guidance law for the nominal system (i.e., system without uncertainty) so that the state response of the overall uncertain guidance system is close to that of the selected nominal closed-loop guidance system. The simulation results demonstrate the benefits of the presented scheme.
Meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella species in a live-stranded striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) in south-west England

THE first recovery of a Brucella species from marine mammals was reported in Scotland in 1994 ([Ross and others 1994][1]). Since then, there have been many reports of both serological evidence and isolations of Brucella species from many marine mammal species around the world ([Dawson 2005][2], [
Escherichia Coli Endophthalmitis after Trans-Scleral Resection of Uveal Melanoma

Purpose To report a case of Escherichia coli endophthalmitis after trans-scleral resection of an uveal melanoma. Methods A large ciliary body melanoma was treated by trans-scleral resection and full-thickness sclerectomy because of epibulbar tumor extrusion, followed by adjuvant ruthenium plaque therapy. Results Two months after treatment the patient developed wound dehiscence and consecutive endophthalmitis. Cultures of the involved sclera yielded Escherichia coli. The infection resolved after systemic intravenous ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, with aggressive topical ciprofloxacin and tobramycin. Final visual acuity was light perception. Conclusions We assume that the ruthenium plaque placed over the scleral patch was responsible for the delay in scleral healing, with consequent wound dehiscence and E. coli endophthalmitis.
Response of weaner pigs to feed rationing and frequency of feeding

Forty-eight crossbred weaner pigs divided into three groups of sixteen pigs each were used to assess the effect of feeding frequency on the performance and nutrient digestibility. The same type and quantity of feed was rationed once, twice and thrice daily. Performance of pigs fed twice daily was better than those fed once per day. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre increased with twice versus once daily feeding. There were no apparent advantages from increasing the feeding frequency to thrice daily.
A New Postulate on Two Stages of Dandruff: A Clinical Perspective

Dandruff (pityriasis capitis, seborrheic dermatitis confined to the scalp) is a disease that has been around for centuries despite several treatment options. Almost every day new players are entering the market with various antidandruff products, perhaps due to an increase in the incidence of dandruff all over the world. Interestingly, clinicians, especially dermatologists, gave little attention to this problem. At the end, the dandruff sufferer is puzzled by the array of antidandruff products with varied claims entering the market day by day. Why have we not achieved complete treatment success against dandruff? Is dandruff a disease or disorder? It seems that our understanding about dandruff perfectly fits into the famous saying of Albert Einstein, “as the area of light increases, so does the circumferences of darkness. ” Have dermatologists left dandruff unattended, only to be exploited by the personal care industry?
The Analysis of Real Option Valuation Methods in Crossborder Mergers & Acquisitions

In western countries, real option has been widely used in enterprises’ investment strategies in multinational mergers acquisitions (MA). It has become one of the main valuation methods. After analyzing the trend in China’s multinational MA, the writer tries to study how to make the real option valuation methods implemented in practice by Chinese overseas investors. The final objective is to provide some reasonable foundation for the multinational MA strategy of Chinese enterprises in the future.
Exposure to and deposition of fine and ultrafine particles in smokers of menthol and nonmenthol cigarettes

Introduction: Research on the deposition of mainstream smoke particulate in the respiratory tract of smokers is needed to understand how exposure may vary based on cigarette menthol content. Methods: We conducted a nine-participant crossover study in which smokers were randomly assigned to cigarettes differing primarily in menthol content. Participants smoked the test cigarettes ad libitum for one week, provided spot urine samples, and then smoked four test cigarettes in a laboratory session; this was repeated for the other test cigarette in week two. Fine and ultrafine particulate matter in exhaled breath were characterized, and smoking behavior was monitored. Participant-specific mainstream smoke, generated using each participant’s topography data, was characterized. During home smoking, participants collected their spent test cigarette butts for estimates of mouth-level exposures (MLE) to mainstream nicotine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Results: Participant-specific mainstream smoke NNK was higher (39%) and daily MLE to NNK was also higher (52%) when participants smoked the menthol cigarette. Nicotine was not significantly different. Participants retained more ultrafine particulate (43%) and fine particulate benzo(a)pyrene (43%) when smoking the menthol cigarette. There were no significant differences in the levels of urinary biomarkers for nicotine, NNK, or pyrene. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the use of noninvasive real-time techniques to measure exposure differences between cigarettes differing primarily in menthol content. Differences between NNK exposure, ultrafine particle and benzo(a)pyrene deposition, and smoking behavior were observed. Additional research using these techniques with cigarettes that differ only in menthol content is required to unequivocally attribute the exposure differences to presence or absence of menthol.
THE REVERSE VACCINOLOGY - A CONTEXTUAL OVERVIEW

ABSTRACT In recent years, the wide availability of complete genome sequences has changed the way we think about vaccine targets. From a few dozen potential targets we can now count on hundreds of targets per organism. This candidate vaccine is an extensively scrutinized plethora based on the concept of reverse vaccinology (RV) with special attention reserved for exported targets, generating promising results for various organisms. However it should be borne in mind that we still lack effective vaccines for organisms sequenced within a decade, a period much longer than expected for producing an effective vaccine by RV. This consideration leads to the reflection that, in the research on a vaccine, other variables may be as important as choosing a target exported. Attention is paid to the fact that the universe of possibilities for an effective vaccine can be exponential in the order of 2 n where n is the number of variables. This review compiles results of some key research using the concept of RV and raises some potential issues that may be hindering the efficient use of this technique to attain attractive and promising targets for vaccine research.
Severity: A meta-analysis

This article reports the complex results of meta-analyses of gender differences in attitudes and affect specific to mathematics. Overall, effect sizes were small and were similar in size to gender differences in mathematics performance. When differences exist, the pattern is for females to hold more negative attitudes. Gender differences in self-confidence and general mathematics attitudes are larger among high school and college students than among younger students. Effect sizes for mathematics anxiety differ depending upon the sample (highly selected or general). One exception to the general pattern is in stereotyping mathematics as a male domain, where males hold much more stereotyped attitudes (d = -.go). While affect and attitudes toward mathematics are not the only influences on the development of gender differences in mathematics performance, they are important, and both male and female affect and attitudes should be considered in conjunction with other social and political influences as explanations.