Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Load-displacement characteristics of the cervical spine during shear loading

Introduction: The biomechanics of the cervical spine during shear loading are not well-established as compared to other loading regimes. This knowledge deficit is problematic as it has been demonstrated that shear loads may be implicated in fracture-dislocation injuries1, which are the most common mode of traumatic spine injury leading to spinal cord injury2. Thus, the objectives of this study are to determine the load-displacement characteristics including stiffness and 3D kinematics during the application of pure shear loads.
DIFFERENTIATION OF DISCRETE AND EXPERIMETNAL DATA

Se indagara en los metodos numericos existentes para la diferenciacion de datos obtenidos en experimentos y funciones dadas. Se hara una comparacion de los metodos en terminos de complejidad, la dificultad de implementar y la precision del resultado obtenido. Por ultimo, se mostrara la utilidad de la diferenciacion numerica de alto orden para analizar el comportamiento de un fenomeno optico con datos experimentales.
Anthropometric Study to Understand Body Size and Shape for Plus Size People at Work

Over 60% of the adult population in the United Kingdom is now overweight/obese or classed as ‘plus size’ and as the incidence of being plus size rises the demographics of the working population have also changed.A first stage scoping study[1] found that fit (equipment, tools, furniture, uniforms and personal protective equipment) and space (circulation and shared spaces within the working environment) were issues of concern to plus size people. This suggests that aspects of the current design of the workplace are not suitable and may exclude plus size people and a better understanding of the anthropometric requirements of plus size workers is needed. This paper will present the findings of an Anthropometric Measurement Validation Study to establish if self-measured anthropometric data (including novel measures such as knee splay) in a plus size working age population is feasible as the data collection method for a larger scale survey. A sample of 20 plus size working participants (10 male and 10 female) aged 18 years and over were recruited. Data were collected for weight and stature, and 12 anthropometric measurements recorded via self-measurement and researcher measurement for comparison. Self-measurement was completed by participants following instructions in a self-measurement guide. Data analysis using t -testsfoundthat the two methods of measurement (self and researcher) agreed sufficiently closely for 11 of the 14 measurements. This resulted in the self-measurement method being utilised for data collection in an ongoing larger scale anthropometric study to understand the body size and shape for plus size people at work.
Identifying behavioral markers of disordered Internet sports gambling

Objective: To identify patterns of sports gambling that discriminate sports bettors with self-reported gambling-related problems from sports bettors without such difficulties. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the actual betting behavior observed during the first 2 years of a longitudinal study of 47,134 subscribers to an Internet sports gambling site. This sample included the gambling behavior of 679 bettors who self-reported the reason for closing their accounts during that period. We contrasted the behavior of those who closed their accounts because of gambling-related problems (n = 215, 32%) to the behavior of other account closers (ACs) who were either not satisfied with the service (n = 113, 17%) or no longer interested in betting (n = 351, 52%). Results: Exploratory multivariate discriminant function analyses identified a sub-group of approximately half the ACs with gambling-related problems who exhibited a homogeneous and distinct pattern of sports-betting behavior. Compared to other ACs, this sub-group made more and larger bets, bet more frequently, and were more likely to exhibit intense betting soon after enrollment. The group estimation formula derived from this prototype applied to an independent sample of ACs confirmed the prevalence of this distinct gambling pattern. Conclusion: Because Internet gambling provides a unique opportunity to study actual gambling behavior, it is possible to identify betting patterns that can lead to the development of gambling-related problems. This pattern recognition can inform the development of interventions to help disordered gamblers recognize their risky behavior and avoid further problems.
Commercialization of Patents and External Financing During the R&D-Phase

Using a unique database on individual Swedish patents, a survival model estimates how different factors influence the time it takes until commercialization starts. To the best of my knowledge, such an analysis has not been undertaken before. For external financing of patent projects and small technology-based firms, Sweden has during long time relied on government support rather than private venture capital firms. The empirical results show that the larger share of the patent-owners’ costs during the RD and 2) the competence and incentives of the government institutions, which are not profit maximizing. A policy implication is therefore that the government should either change the conditions of the loans or, preferably, stop acting as a venture capital firm. The government should instead facilitate private solutions and the growth of private venture capital firms.
Debt limits and endogenous growth

This paper studies the consequences on growth and welfare of imposing limits to public borrowing. In the model economy, government spending may play two different roles, either as input in the production function, or providing services directly in the utility function. In these setups I study the effects of different fiscal policies with and without debt limits both in the balanced growth path and during the transitional dynamics. In the long run, if there is no limit, the growth effects of raising labor income taxes are negative, regardless of the role of government spending. However, the role public spending is crucial for the growth effects of changes in the ratio of public expenditures to output. In the presence of a limit to debt, higher labor tax rates have a positive effect on growth if government spending is productive. The opposite is true when private capital drives growth. Regarding welfare, raising labor income taxes imply a lower welfare cost of reducing debt than does cutting government spending, when this is productive.
Effect of pequi tree Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. leaf extracts on different mouse skin inflammation models: inference with their phenolic compound content

Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. (pequi) has been popularly used in Northeastern Brazil in the treatment of inflammation, pain and respiratory affections. This study evaluated the topical anti-inflammatory activity of C. coriaceum hydroethanolic extract (CCHE) and methanolic fraction (CCMF) from pequi tree leaves against different skin sensitizer agents (arachidonic acid, croton oil, phenol and histamine), as well their antioxidant activity and phenolic compound profile. High performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis pointed the presence of chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin and lower concentrations of caffeic and gallic acids. Both CCHE and CCMF 1 mg/ear demonstrated significant topical anti-inflammatory effect against arachidonic acid, phenol and histamine single application (antiedematous effect ranging from 48 to 69% for CCHE and 36 to 64% for CCMF; P 0.05). Additionally, both extracts exhibited strong DPPH• free radical scavenging activity in vitro (EC50 = 5.02 ± 4.37 μg/ml for CCMF and 6.06 ± 4.03 μg/ml for CCHE). Together, the results give important support that CCHE and CCMF (and their phenolic compounds, according to previous data from literature) could exert topical anti-inflammatory activity by possibly modulate the local production of inflammatory mediators including histamine, arachidonic acid metabolites and reactive oxygen species. Key words: Topical anti-inflammatory activity, mouse ear edema, dermatitis, Caryocar coriaceum, polyphenols, skin disorders.
Smart-clothing Platform for Elderly Care : Monitoring of Physical Activities , Physiological Status and Outdoor Localization in Real Time

Faculty of Technology and Maritime Department of Micro and Nano Systems Technology Master of Engineering Smart Clothing Platform for Elderly Care: Monitoring of Physical Activities, Physiological Status and Outdoor Localization in Real Time by He Niu The emerging research on smart clothing platform in health monitoring field has been a great concern both in academia and products industry. And with the problem of global population aging, the need for more services with higher quality in eldercare environment is poised to become significant. Advances in micro technologies, flexible sensors and related technologies make a new smart clothing can be developed to enhance the efficiency of eldercare, illness and unpredictable event prevention with monitoring and alarming method. This master thesis provides a design of a smart-clothing platform based on embedded and wearable technology, which is a continuous monitoring to track the physical activities, physiological status and achieves automatic outdoor positioning for the elderly. Based on sensor network technology and Qt Creator development environment, the platform uses a greater number of sensor nodes to detect the different parts of the body to improve the detection accuracy. Front-end system uses STC12C5A60S2 microcontroller as the central node to receive the data of each sub-node, and through the wireless network data transfer to the PC for analysis. PC research algorithm to deal with the relevant data. Finally, the human-computer interface display and store results. Compared with traditional smart clothing, this system can provide a multifunctional specialization monitoring for elderly who need extra cares. This thesis is organized as follows. Chapter 1is an introduction including the smart clothing concept, the review of previous works, motivations, and the objectives of this thesis is
An acoustic emission slope displacement rate sensor — case studies

Research over a period of 20 years has resulted in development of a battery operated unitary acoustic emission (AE) sensor which, when used with a standard active waveguide installation, can quantify soil slope displacement rates continuously and in near real‐time. The active waveguide is installed in a borehole through existing or anticipated shear zones, and comprises a steel tube with granular soil surround. The AE sensor is located at ground level and with the waveguide is encased in a cover. Deformation of the slope strains the granular backfill, which generates AE through rearrangement of the particles. The AE propagate as stress waves along the steel tube to the ground surface where they are detected and quantified by the sensor, which is used to provide alert text messages if pre‐determined thresholds are exceeded. The use of a reproducible waveguide allows standard interpretation of the generated AE to provide information on soil slope displacement rates, and the granular soil backfill generates measureable AE when the system is installed in slopes formed in ‘quiet’ fine grained soils. The approach monitors AE at high frequencies to exclude environmental background noise and hence ensure that false alarms are not generated. In rock slopes, the grouted waveguide is passive, with measured AE generated by rock deformation mechanisms. The sensors have been deployed on multiple sites in the UK and in Italy, Austria and Canada. At all sites performance of the AE sensors has been compared with traditional deformation monitoring instrumentation including ShapeAccelArray, inclinometer, extensometer and time‐domain reflectometry. Measurements from these field studies have demonstrated that generated AE are proportional to slope displacement rates. This paper outlines the AE measurement and the interpretation techniques developed, and presents field comparisons of measured AE trends and slope displacement rates obtained from extended trials at several sites. It is concluded that the AE technique can be used as a reliable early warning system for soil slope instability. Applications in rock slopes are promising but further work is required to link detected AE to rock deformation mechanisms and hence to derive thresholds as a basis for early warnings.
Influence of oxygen partial pressure and salinity on the community composition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the Schelde estuary

The influence of environmental factors on the community structure of ammonia- oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was investigated in the Schelde estuary. Simultaneously with the increase of oxygen and salinity, a shift of the dominant AOB was observed. Molecular analysis based on 16S rRNA genes showed that the freshwater area was dominated by Nitrosomonas-like sequences which were closely related to N. ureae and N. oligotropha. In the brackish area, sequences of a novel group of Nitrosomonas-like bacteria and relatives of N. marina and N. aestuarii were found. Batch and con- tinuous culture experiments were used to investigate the reason behind the community shift. Batch incubations showed a positive influence of the natural water from the Schelde estuary on ammonia oxidation, compared to mineral medium. The ammonia oxidation rates of the AOB originating from the brackish water were higher in the absence of salt. Water from the freshwater part was incubated in continuous cultures under 3 different conditions of salinity and oxygen partial pressure. Under all conditions, ammonia consumption in the continuous cultures started at once. Molecular analysis resulted in a clear phylogenetic difference between the absence and presence of salt, indicating that salt is the factor which causes the community shift of the AOB in the Schelde estuary.
Spatial Luminance Contrast Sensitivity: Effects of Surround

This study examined the effects of surround luminance on the shape of the spatial luminance contrast sensitivity function (CSF). The reduction in brightness of uniform neutral patches shown on a computer controlled display screen is also assessed to explain the change of CSF shape. Consequently, a large amount of reduction in contrast sensitivity at middle spatial frequencies can be observed; however, the reduction is relatively small for low spatial frequencies. In general, the effect of surround luminance on the CSF appears similar to that of mean luminance. Reduced CSF responses result in less power of the filtered image; therefore, the stimulus should appear dimmer with a higher surround luminance.
Exploring the CO/CN line ratio in nearby galaxies with the ALMA archive

We describe an archival project using Cycle 0 data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submilleter Array to survey the CO/CN line ratio in 17 nearby galaxies. CN is an interesting molecule that traces dense gas exposed to ultraviolet radiation and its N=1-0 lines can be observed simultaneously with the CO J=1-0 line. We identify 8 galaxies with distances < 200 Mpc for which both lines are detected. Signal-to-noise matched CO/CN ratios range from as low as 7 to as high as 65, while ratios using the total detected flux range from 20 to 140. Spatial variations greater than a factor of 3 are seen in several galaxies. These line ratio changes are likely due to changes in the [CN]/[H2] abundance ratio and/or the CN excitation. Additional measurements of the warm gas pressure and the CN excitation should help to distinguish between these two possibilities. 3 of the 4 active galactic nuclei in our sample show CO/CN line ratios that are roughly a factor of 2-3 larger than those seen in starburst-dominated regions, which may be in conflict with models of molecular abundances in X-ray dominated regions.
Corporate citizenship: Cultural antecedents and business benefits

The article explores the nature of corporate citizenship and its relevance for marketing practitioners and academic researchers. Specifically, a conceptualization and operationalization of corporate citizenship are first proposed. Then, an empirical investigation conducted in two independent samples examines whether components of an organization’s culture affect the level of commitment to corporate citizenship and whether corporate citizenship is conducive to business benefits. Survey results suggest that market-oriented cultures as well as humanistic cultures lead to proactive corporate citizenship, which in turn is associated with improved levels of employee commitment, customer loyalty, and business performance. The results point to corporate citizenship as a potentially fruitful business practice both in terms of internal and external marketing.
Atypical Wing Venation in Dialictus and Hemihalictus and Its Implications for Subgeneric Classification of Lasioglossum

The subgeneric classification of hundreds of species in Lasioglossum Curtis sensu lato is currently unstable due to differing opinions on the suitability of wing venation characters for differentiating subgenera. The subgenera Dialictus Robertson and Hemihalictus were both originally defined primarily by the forewing having two submarginal cells. I present examples of variation in submarginal cell number in the type species of these two subgenera: L. (Dialictus) anomalum (Robertson) and L. (Hemihalictus) lustrans (Cockerell). These results suggest that submarginal cell number is insufficient for recognizing subgenera in Lasioglossum. The variability of this character is used to refute the classification proposed by some authors that Chloralictus Robertson, but not Dialictus, be synonymised with Evylaeus Robertson.
Empirical Bayes Matrix Factorization

Matrix factorization methods, which include Factor analysis (FA) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA), are widely used for inferring and summarizing structure in multivariate data. Many such methods use a penalty or prior distribution to achieve sparse representations (“Sparse FA/PCA”), and a key question is how much sparsity to induce. Here we introduce a general Empirical Bayes approach to matrix factorization (EBMF), whose key feature is that it estimates the appropriate amount of sparsity by estimating prior distributions from the observed data. The approach is very flexible: it allows for a wide range of different prior families and allows that each component of the matrix factorization may exhibit a different amount of sparsity. The key to this flexibility is the use of a variational approximation, which we show effectively reduces fitting the EBMF model to solving a simpler problem, the so-called “normal means” problem. We demonstrate the benefits of EBMF with sparse priors through both numerical comparisons with competing methods and through analysis of data from the GTEx (Genotype Tissue Expression) project on genetic associations across 44 human tissues. In numerical comparisons EBMF often provides more accurate inferences than other methods. In the GTEx data, EBMF identifies interpretable structure that agrees with known relationships among human tissues. Software implementing our approach is available at https://github.com/stephenslab/flashr.
A LATTICE-PARTICLE APPROACH FOR THE SIMULATION OF FRACTURE PROCESSES IN FIBER-REINFORCED HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

The use of fiber-reinforced high-performance concrete (FRHPC) is becoming more extended; therefore it is necessary to develop tools to simulate and better understand its behavior. In this work, a discrete model for the analysis of fracture mechanics in FRHPC is presented. The plain concrete matrix, made of mortar and coarse aggregates, is modeled by means of a three-dimensional random particle model. The fiber inclusions are modeled as truss elements linked to the matrix via special interface elements. Fiber pull-out tests are performed to characterize the interface behavior and implemented into direct tension tests with different fiber configurations.
Gender roles in livestock management and their implication for poverty reduction in rural Toba Tek Singh, Punjab-Pakistan

The present study was designed to measure the role of livestock in poverty reduction in the rural areas of the Punjab province. For present study, district Toba Tek Singh was selected due to its central location in the Punjab Province and a sample of 600 small farmers was taken from three Tehsils of the district. A majority (58.0%) of the farmers of the sample area reported that livestock was their first choice to augment their income while 27 percent and 11 percent of the farmers put livestock at a second or third place respectively. In other words a very huge majority (96.0%) of the farmers recognized the role of livestock in poverty reduction. The results depicted that crops & livestock combination was the main source of respondent’s income and sharing about 69 percent of total income. As the women’s involvement in various livestock related activities increased, the proportion of income from this source also increased and subsequently poverty reduced. The poor and non-poor farmers comparison showed that the reduction in poverty among the small farmers was significantly related to the livestock keeping in conjunction with crop growing.
The shape of galaxy dark matter haloes in massive galaxy clusters: insights from strong gravitational lensing

We assess how much unused strong lensing information is available in the deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging and Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer spectroscopy of the Frontier Field clusters. As a pilot study, we analyse galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1−2403 (z = 0.397, M(R < 200 kpc) = 1.6 × 1014 M⊙), which has 141 multiple images with spectroscopic redshifts. We find that many additional parameters in a cluster mass model can be constrained, and that adding even small amounts of extra freedom to a model can dramatically improve its figures of merit. We use this information to constrain the distribution of dark matter around cluster member galaxies, simultaneously with the cluster’s large-scale mass distribution. We find tentative evidence that some galaxies’ dark matter has surprisingly similar ellipticity to their stars (unlike in the field, where it is more spherical), but that its orientation is often misaligned. When non-coincident dark matter and stellar haloes are allowed, the model improves by 35 per cent. This technique may provide a new way to investigate the processes and time-scales on which dark matter is stripped from galaxies as they fall into a massive cluster. Our preliminary conclusions will be made more robust by analysing the remaining five Frontier Field clusters.