Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of cone penetration and indentation tests in clayey soils

Des essais de penetration a vitesse constante a l'aide de cones d'acier de 20 mm de diametre ont ete effectues dans des echantillons cylindriques de silt argileux reconstitue artificiellement. L'article presente la relation entre la resistance a la pointe q c , l'angle a la pointe du cone 2θ, et la resistance au cisaillement non draine S u du sol. Pour tous les cones, les resultats experimentaux concordent avec les valeurs deduites de la theorie de penetration de Baligh. Les essais montrent que la resistance a la pointe diminue, en premier lieu, avec l'augmentation de l'angle du cone et atteint une valeur minimale pour un cone de 60°; par la suite, q c augmente de nouveau et atteint la valeur maximale pour un cone plat. Des essais de penetration ont aussi ete effectues a partir de la base de trous verticaux pre-fores dans les echantillons d'argile, de facon a etudier la mobilisation de la resistance a la pointe en fonction de la profondeur. Les resultats indiquent que la resistance maximale est atteinte apres de tres faibles penetrations et est beaucoup plus elevee que celle predite par la theorie de l'expansion de cavites dans les milieux elasto-plastiques. De plus, des essais de penetration superficielle ont ete effectues a l'aide du cone de 60° dans deux silts argileux. Ces essais permettent de determiner la resistance au cisaillement non draine des sols argileux en utilisant la theorie de penetration superficielle.
Behavior of road accidents: Structural time series approach

Road accidents become a major issue in contributing to the increasing number of deaths. Few researchers suggest that road accidents occur due to road structure and road condition. The road structure and condition may differ according to the area and volume of traffic of the location. Therefore, this paper attempts to look up the behavior of the road accidents in four main regions in Peninsular Malaysia by employing a structural time series (STS) approach. STS offers the possibility of modelling the unobserved component such as trends and seasonal component and it is allowed to vary over time. The results found that the number of road accidents is described by a different model. Perhaps, the results imply that the government, especially a policy maker should consider to implement a different approach in ways to overcome the increasing number of road accidents.
Frequency‐dependent and montage‐based differences in phosphene perception thresholds via transcranial alternating current stimulation

It is well known that applying transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to the scalp can generate artefactual visual perceptions of flashing or shimmering light known as phosphenes. The thresholds for generating these phosphenes have been used by international standards bodies to provide conservative estimates of the field strength required to interfere with human neural functioning and set safety limits accordingly. However, the precise relationship between electric currents and phosphene perception thresholds remains uncertain. The present study used tACS to systematically investigate the effects of the location and the frequency of stimulation on phosphene perception thresholds. These thresholds were obtained from 24 participants using a within‐subject design as a function of scalp stimulation sites (FPz‐Cz versus Oz‐Cz) and stimulation frequency (2–30 Hz in steps of 2 Hz). Phosphene perception thresholds were consistently lower for FPz‐Cz stimulation, and regardless of tACS location were lowest for 16 Hz stimulation. Threshold variation between participants was very small, which is meaningful when setting standards based on phosphenes. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:365–374. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Aqueous alteration of carbonaceous chondrites: Evidence for preaccretionary alteration—A review

Abstract— In most groups of carbonaceous chondrites, minerals occur that are formed due to aqueous alteration in the nebula and/or within meteorite parent bodies. For determining the evolution of materials in the early solar system, it is of significant importance to clearly identify evidence for either nebular or planetary aqueous alteration. Therefore, results from the study of chondrites have fundamental implications for ideas concerning nebular dynamics, gas‐solid interactions in the nebula, and accretionary processes.
Surface Modification of Titanium for Orthopedic and Drug Delivery Applications

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF TITANIUM FOR ORTHOPEDIC AND DRUG DELIVERY APPLICATIONS Prantik Roy Chowdhury, MS Department of Mechanical Engineering Northern Illinois University, 2020 Dr. Sahar Vahabzadeh, Director Titanium is one of the most attractive metals used in orthopedic and drug delivery applications because of its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and high corrosion resistance. However, due to its bio-inertness, fibrous tissue forms between the bone and implant which causes loosening of the implant. Surface modification can play an important role to enhance interaction between implant and the surrounding tissues, which reduces the implant failure. The aim of this study is to a) incorporate magnesium (Mg) into modified titanium surface by different deposition methods for bone-implant interaction, b) modify the surface of titanium by alkali treatment, and c) investigate the release behavior of aloe-emodin (AE) from surface-modified titanium substrate. Different deposition methods were used to investigate the doping of magnesium content on titanium-modified surface. Our result showed that the magnesium content on titanium-modified surface was enhanced with the increase of magnesium precursor concentration in the deposition solution. Alkali treatment was performed using different concentrations of NaOH, temperatures and rotation of speeds and we found these parameters affect formation of web-like or nearly weblike structures on polished titanium samples. Release behavior of AE from modified Ti samples was controlled by applying PLGA coating at different PLA:PGA ratios, and increase in osteoblast cell adhesion and proliferation was found in polymer-coated samples. In conclusion, the study investigated various routes to modify the surface of Ti for drug delivery and bone tissue engineering application. NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DEKALB, ILLINOIS
The ring effect in skylight polarisation

Skylight reflectivity and polarisation spectra across the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) wavelength range show abundant features coinciding with solar Fraunhofer lines. Although the appearance of these features in reflectivity spectra has been shown to be caused by rotational Raman scattering by atmospheric molecules, quantitative modelling of this so‐called Ring effect as observed in polarisation spectra of scattered sunlight is still lacking. Accurate modelling of UV‐VIS radiances and polarisation at high‐spectral resolution has, however, become increasingly important because of the increased use of high‐spectral resolution spectrophotometers, that are often highly polarisation sensitive. In this paper, we present high‐spectral resolution skylight polarisation spectra and show that the Ring effect in these spectra can be simulated using a radiative transfer program that includes rotational Raman scattering up to the second order of scattering.
Perceptions of Participants on Trial Participation and Adherence to Tai Chi: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Trial participation and adherence to interventions can directly influence the evaluation of outcomes in clinical trials for real world applications. The factors that influence trial participation and adherence to Tai Chi interventions in people with cardiovascular diseases remains unknown. This study aimed to explore participants’ perceptions of influential factors on their trial participation and adherence to a Tai Chi intervention within a trial setting. Patients and Methods: Participants had coronary heart disease and/or hypertension in a randomized controlled trial comparing Tai Chi with a waitlist control. Data were collected via face-to-face, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-four participants from the Tai Chi group who completed the randomized trial were interviewed. Six dominating themes and four sub-themes are discussed under the facilitators of internal and external motivation, positive feelings, benefits of Tai Chi and future practice with an overall internal motivation to improve health. Positive feelings had three sub-themes: positive feelings toward Tai Chi, the project, and the learning experience. The Tai Chi instructor(s) was found to be a crucial element in motivating participants’ adherence to Tai Chi. Conclusion: From the perception of participants, the facilitators to their trial participation and adherence to a Tai Chi intervention included internal and external motivation, positive feelings towards Tai Chi, the project and the learning experience, and perceived benefits of Tai Chi. Perceived barriers included concerns about the safety and complexity of Tai Chi practice, lack of group atmosphere outside of class, and scheduling conflicts. Future researchers can address these factors to improve trial recruitment and implementation of Tai Chi and other mind-body interventions in research and for real world applications.
A loophole in soap dispensers mediates contamination with Gram‐negative bacteria

Liquid soap dispensers are widely used in domestic and clinical settings. In previous studies, the risk of bacterial contamination of refillable systems was pointed out and a bacterial contamination rate of 25%, with values of up to 108 colony‐forming units/mL (CFU/mL), was reported. However, the route of contamination remains elusive. To address this point, we determined the microbial contamination of refillable standard pump dispensers and nonrefillable press‐dispenser systems. Following the collection of 104 liquid soap dispensers from hotel rooms across Germany, bacterial counts were determined. Isolates of samples containing nonfastidious Gram‐negative(lac−) bacteria were further analyzed by the Vitek 2 system for the determination of species. 70.2% of the refillable pump dispensers (mean total bacterial count = 2.2 × 105 CFU/mL) but only 10.6% of the nonrefillable press dispensers, were contaminated (mean total bacterial count = 1.5 × 101 CFU/mL). Of samples containing nonfastidious Gram‐negative(lac−) bacteria, Pluralibacter gergoviae was present in 41.7%, Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida) in 25%, Serratia marcescens in 16.7%, and Klebsiella oxytoca and Pasteurella testudinis in 8.3%. After the initial assessment, we contaminated different dispensing systems with P. aeruginosa/P. gergoviae, to reveal the route of contamination and identied the pressure release of standard pump dispensers as the loophole for microbial contamination.
Remote Monitoring in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy-First Experience in Romania with a CRT Virtual Ward

Background: Remote monitoring (RM) is becoming a standard of care for patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This technology combines the use of pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) and wireless communication to provide physicians with continuous, real-time information on the patient's cardiac activity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if the remote monitoring technology in the follow-up CRT patients is feasible and safe. Methods: A total of nine patients were enrolled in the study, implanted with a CRT system with wireless transmission capabilities. Immediately after the procedure received the RM, were enrolled in the virtual clinic and instructed by the doctor how to use the device at home. Regular virtual transmissions were made automatically every 3 weeks, respecting optimal transmission conditions. The accumulation of fluid in the lungs, atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia together with system integrity automatically activate alerts. Results: One hundred and one transmissions were collected and analyzed from the virtual ward. Average follow-up was 7.7±4.8 months, longest follow-up was 18 months. None of the patients experienced complications during the study period, with three of them being follow-up solely through telemetric means by implanting physician. Treatment optimization was successfully conducted via phone consultations, when necessary, without any adverse events. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that RM could be integrated into routine CRT management protocols, enhancing patients care and resource utilization.
The moving boundaries of sea level change: understanding the origins of geographic variability

As ice sheets gain or lose mass, and as water moves between the continents and the ocean, the solid Earth deforms and the gravitational field of the planet is perturbed. Both of these effects lead to regional patterns in sea level change that depart dramatically from the global average. Understanding these patterns will lead to better constraints on the various contributors to the observed sea level change and, ultimately, to more robust projections of future changes. In both of these applications, a key step is to apply a correction to sea level observations, based on data from tide gauges, satellite altimetry, or gravity, to remove the contaminating signal that is due to the ongoing Earth response to the last ice age. Failure to accurately account for this so-called glacial isostatic adjustment has the potential to significantly bias our understanding of the magnitude and sources of present-day global sea level rise. This paper summarizes the physics of several important sources of regional sea level change. Moreover, we discuss several promising strategies that take advantage of this regional variation to more fully use sea level data sets to monitor the impact of climate change on the Earth system
Predictability of living marine resources

Living marine resources are difficult to observe. They are also potentially highly variable. Most plants, and most animals that feed directly on them, are extremely small and short lived. Most marine ecosystems therefore lack the stability provided by the trees and long-lived animals and plants on land. Variations of a hundredfold in abundance, from year to year or over periods of decades, are not uncommon. This variability makes prediction of natural changes important, and also makes prediction and evaluation of the effects of human intervention difficult. These uncertainties raise difficulties in the way scientific advice on the use of marine resources is offered and how the advice is used in formulating national policy, both in developing new fisheries and in controlling over-exploitation. The technical problems will be briefly reviewed, and the need for modifications to the ways scientists and policy makers interact will be discussed.
A tidal model for eastern Juan de Fuca Strait and the southern Strait of Georgia

A three-dimensional, barotropic, finite element model is used to calculate the tidal flows in eastern Juan de Fuca Strait and the southern Strait of Georgia. The harmonics of eight constituents are computed and compared with those from previous finite difference models and those from historical tide gauge and current meter observations. Root-mean-square differences between observed and calculated sea level amplitudes are within 2.0 cm for all constituents, and the phases are within 4.0° for all constituents except K2. Horizontal currents from the model are found to reproduce the observed vertical variations in shear except in regions where stratification effects and internal tides exist. In particular, the model representation of currents at six stations in the Canadian Tide and Current Tables (volume 5) is accurate. The pattern of tidal residual currents has much more detail than previous, coarser resolution models, and numerous eddies are predicted. Computed energy flux fields reveal that over a 29-day period only 38% of the tidal power entering Juan de Fuca Strait is transmitted into the southern Strait of Georgia, and of the 39% entering Haro Strait, 36% is dissipated within the strait itself.
GWAS Meta-Analysis of Suicide Attempt: Identification of 12 Genome-Wide Significant Loci and Implication of Genetic Risks for Specific Health Factors.

OBJECTIVE Suicidal behavior is heritable and is a major cause of death worldwide. Two large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) recently discovered and cross-validated genome-wide significant (GWS) loci for suicide attempt (SA). The present study leveraged the genetic cohorts from both studies to conduct the largest GWAS meta-analysis of SA to date. Multi-ancestry and admixture-specific meta-analyses were conducted within groups of significant African, East Asian, and European ancestry admixtures. METHODS This study comprised 22 cohorts, including 43,871 SA cases and 915,025 ancestry-matched controls. Analytical methods across multi-ancestry and individual ancestry admixtures included inverse variance-weighted fixed-effects meta-analyses, followed by gene, gene-set, tissue-set, and drug-target enrichment, as well as summary-data-based Mendelian randomization with brain expression quantitative trait loci data, phenome-wide genetic correlation, and genetic causal proportion analyses. RESULTS Multi-ancestry and European ancestry admixture GWAS meta-analyses identified 12 risk loci at p values <5×10-8. These loci were mostly intergenic and implicated DRD2, SLC6A9, FURIN, NLGN1, SOX5, PDE4B, and CACNG2. The multi-ancestry SNP-based heritability estimate of SA was 5.7% on the liability scale (SE=0.003, p=5.7×10-80). Significant brain tissue gene expression and drug set enrichment were observed. There was shared genetic variation of SA with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, smoking, and risk tolerance after conditioning SA on both major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Genetic causal proportion analyses implicated shared genetic risk for specific health factors. CONCLUSIONS This multi-ancestry analysis of suicide attempt identified several loci contributing to risk and establishes significant shared genetic covariation with clinical phenotypes. These findings provide insight into genetic factors associated with suicide attempt across ancestry admixture populations, in veteran and civilian populations, and in attempt versus death.
Seismic explorations of the buried fault associated with The 1948 Fukui Earthquake.

and captions). AMAIKE, F. , K. KASUGA, K. KISIMOTO, T. IWATA, K. IRIKURA, and Y. KOBAYASHI, Estimation of base rock structure using reflected waves, Proc. 6th Jpn. Earthq. Eng. Symp. , 57-64,
Obsidian Industries and Cultural Evolution in the Basin of Mexico Before 500 B.C.

AbstractNeutron activation analysis of a large sample of obsidian artifacts from Early Horizon and First Intermediate sites in the Basin of Mexico has allowed identification of the geologic sources that were exploited. Combining the geologic source data with obsidian manufacturing data in a diachronic fashion permits one to suggest a series of obsidian utilization stages that correlate with growing cultural complexity.
The Impact of Ketamine for Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.

BACKGROUND Ketamine has been used in anesthesia, pain management, and major depressive disorder. It has recently been studied in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of ketamine on PTSD symptomatology and depression scores. METHODS We conducted a literature search of Medline 1960 to May 20, 2023, and found 6 randomized controlled trials that met our inclusion criteria. We extracted data on the Clinician-Administered PTSD (CAPS), PTSD Checklist (PCL), or Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating (MADRS) scales. RESULTS The use of ketamine significantly reduced CAPS scores (n = 5, MD: -10.63 [95% CI -14.95 to -6.32]), PCL scores (n = 3, MD: -6.13 [95% CI -8.61 to -3.64]), and MADRS scores (n = 3, MD: -6.33 [95% CI -8.97 to -3.69]) at the maximal follow-up times versus control. Significant benefits were found at day 1 and weeks 1, 2, and 4 for CAPS and PCL scores as well as MADRS scores at day 1, week 1, and week 4 for ketamine versus control. The time to PTSD relapse was prolonged in the patients receiving ketamine versus control (n = 2, 15.74 days [95% CI 3.57 to 29.91 days]). More dry mouth (n = 2, OR 5.85 [95% CI 1.32 to 25.95]), dizziness (n = 2, OR 3.83 [95% CI 1.28 to 11.41]), and blurred vision (n = 2, OR 7.57 [1.00 to 57.10]) occurred with ketamine than control therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Ketamine modestly reduced PTSD and depression scores as early as 1 day of therapy, but the longevity of effect needs to be determined. Given similar magnitude of benefit with SSRIs and venlafaxine, ketamine would not supplant these traditional options for chronic use.
Dynamic Evolution of Bacterial Ligand Recognition by Formyl Peptide Receptors

The detection of invasive pathogens is critical for host immune defense. Cell surface receptors play a key role in the recognition of diverse microbe-associated molecules, triggering leukocyte recruitment, phagocytosis, release of antimicrobial factors, and cytokine production. The intense selective forces acting on innate immune receptor genes has led to their rapid diversification across plant and animal species. However, the impacts of this genetic variation on immune functions are often unclear. Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are a family of animal G-protein coupled receptors which are activated in response to a variety of ligands including formylated bacterial peptides, microbial virulence factors, and host-derived peptides. Here we investigate patterns of gene loss, sequence diversity, and ligand recognition among primate and carnivore FPRs. We observe that FPR1, which plays a critical role in innate immune defense in humans, has been lost in New World primates. Patterns of amino acid variation in FPR1 and FPR2 suggest a history of repeated positive selection acting on extracellular domains involved in ligand binding. To assess the consequences of FPR variation on bacterial ligand recognition, we measured interactions between primate FPRs and the FPR agonist Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B, as well as S. aureus FLIPr-like which functions as an FPR inhibitor. We find that comparatively few sequence differences between great ape FPRs are sufficient to modulate recognition of S. aureus ligands, further demonstrating how genetic variation can act to tune FPR activation in response to diverse microbial binding partners. Together this study reveals how rapid evolution of host immune receptors shapes the detection of diverse microbial molecules.
Seasonal Variability of the North Atlantic Ocean—a Model Intercomparison

Abstract The seasonal variability of the North Atlantic Ocean is investigated through a comparison of two different numerical models. One is a primitive equation model (PEM) forced with monthly wind stress and surface buoyancy flux. The other is a quasi-geostrophic model (QGM) forced with the monthly wind-stress curl only. Both models include realistic bottom topography and are solved for spherical geometry. We find a great diversity in the baroclinic Rossby wave response over the models' latitudinal span. The diversity partly stems from the latitudinal variation of the internal Rossby radius and therefore cannot be captured with β-plane models. The QGM is used to investigate the coupling of barotropic and baroclinic modes over topography, especially its role on the propagation properties of the baroclinic waves. A comparison of the model solutions reveals that in midlatitudes, the spatial variability of the density distribution and the finite amplitude aspects of the bottom topography are the most import.