Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Audio-Visual Interactions on Psychological Responses of Young People in Urban Green Areas: A Case Study in Two Parks in China

Audio-visual interactions in green spaces are important for mental health and wellbeing. However, the influence of audio-visual interactions on psychological responses is still less clear. This study introduced a new method, namely the audio-visual walk (AV-walk), to obtain data on the audio-visual context, audio-visual experiences, and psychological responses in two typical parks, namely Cloves Park and Music Park in Harbin, China. Some interesting results are as follows: First, based on Pearson’s correlation analysis, sound pressure level and roughness were significantly correlated with psychological responses in Cloves Park (p < 0.05). Second, the results of stepwise regression models showed the impact intensity of acoustic comfort was 1.64–1.68 times higher than that of visual comfort on psychological responses of emotion dimension, while visual comfort was 1.35–1.37 times higher than acoustic comfort on psychological responses of cognition dimension in Music Park. In addition, an orthogonal analysis diagram explained the influence of audio-visual interactions on psychological responses of young people. The audio-visual context located beside the waterscape with a relatively higher level of acoustic and visual comfort was the most cheerful (2.60), relaxed (2.45), and energetic (2.05), while the audio-visual context close to an urban built environment tended to be both acoustically and visually uncomfortable, and the psychological state was decreased to the most depressed (−0.25), anxious (−0.75), fatigued (−1.13) and distracted (−1.13).
Independent Generative Adversarial Self-Imitation Learning in Cooperative Multiagent Systems

Many tasks in practice require the collaboration of multiple agents through reinforcement learning. In general, cooperative multiagent reinforcement learning algorithms can be classified into two paradigms: Joint Action Learners (JALs) and Independent Learners (ILs). In many practical applications, agents are unable to observe other agents' actions and rewards, making JALs inapplicable. In this work, we focus on independent learning paradigm in which each agent makes decisions based on its local observations only. However, learning is challenging in independent settings due to the local viewpoints of all agents, which perceive the world as a non-stationary environment due to the concurrently exploring teammates. In this paper, we propose a novel framework called Independent Generative Adversarial Self-Imitation Learning (IGASIL) to address the coordination problems in fully cooperative multiagent environments. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to combine self-imitation learning with generative adversarial imitation learning (GAIL) and apply it to cooperative multiagent systems. Besides, we put forward a Sub-Curriculum Experience Replay mechanism to pick out the past beneficial experiences as much as possible and accelerate the self-imitation learning process. Evaluations conducted in the testbed of StarCraft unit micromanagement and a commonly adopted benchmark show that our IGASIL produces state-of-the-art results and even outperforms JALs in terms of both convergence speed and final performance.
Phase I dose escalation of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine with autologous bone marrow support in refractory neuroblastoma.

PURPOSE The analogue 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), which is specifically targeted to neuroblastoma cells, may provide more effective and less toxic treatment for neuroblastoma than conventional external-beam radiotherapy. We report a dose escalation study of 131I-MIBG to define dose-limiting toxicity without and with autologous bone marrow support. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with relapsed neuroblastoma were treated in groups of six with escalating doses of 3 to 18 mCi/kg of 131I-MIBG. After rapid escalation in the first three patients treated at 3 to 6 mCi/kg, treatment was escalated in 3-mCi/kg increments from 9 to 18 mCi/kg. Autologous tumor-free bone marrow was cryopreserved in all patients receiving 12 mCi/kg and more. Toxicity and response were assessed. RESULTS Eighty percent of patients who received 12 mC/kg or more experienced grade 4 thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia. Dose-limiting hematologic toxicity was reached at 15 mCi/kg, at which level two of five assessable patients required bone marrow reinfusion for absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 200/microL for more than 2 weeks, and four of nine at the 18-mCi/kg level. Prolonged thrombocytopenia was common, with failure to become platelet-transfusion independent in nine patients. One patient with extensive prior treatment developed secondary leukemia and three became hypothyroid. Responses were seen in 37% of patients, with one complete response (CR), 10 partial response (PR), three mixed response, 10 stable disease, and six progressive disease. The minimum dose of 131I-MIBG for 10 of the 11 responders was 12 mCi/kg. CONCLUSION Treatment with 131I-MIBG has mainly hematologic toxicity, which can be abrogated with bone marrow rescue. The high response rate in refractory disease suggests that this agent may be useful in combination with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell rescue to improve outcome in advanced neuroblastoma.
Long-term metabolic syndrome is associated with periodontal pockets and alveolar bone loss.

AIM To investigate whether the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with deepened periodontal pockets and alveolar bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was based on a subpopulation of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 survey (n = 1964). The criteria of the AHA/NHLBI were used to determine MetS. The analyses were based on the metabolic data at ages 31 and 46, and probing pocket depth and alveolar bone level data at age 46. Relative risks (RR, 95% CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS Relative risks for PD ≥ 4 mm and BL ≥ 5 mm were higher in individuals with an exposure to MetS ≥ 15 years (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.1 and RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.9, respectively) than in those whose exposure was <15 years (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3 and RR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3, respectively). Consistently stronger associations were found in never smokers. Women showed stronger associations of MetS with PD ≥ 4 mm than men. The association with BL ≥ 5 mm was observed only in men. CONCLUSION A long-term exposure by MetS was associated independently and in an exposure-dependent manner with periodontal pockets and alveolar bone level.
The Influence of Competitiveness on SMEs Internationalization Effectiveness. Online Versus Offline Business Networking

ABSTRACT The article aims to analyze the importance of reinforcing the relational capital of the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of a globalized market. It elaborates on the influences of competitiveness on online versus offline business networking with a view to achieve effectiveness in the European steel pipe SMEs internationalization process. The results indicate that internationalization effectiveness is indirectly influenced by competitiveness, with online and offline networking mediating the relationship between the two variables.
Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA

Abstract Context: Tuberculosis and leprosy are readily recognised in human remains due to their typical palaeopathology. Both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and Mycobacterium leprae (ML) are obligate pathogens and have been detected in ancient human populations. Objective: To demonstrate historical tuberculosis and leprosy cases in Europe and beyond using molecular methods, as human populations are associated with different mycobacterial genotypes. Methods: MTB and ML ancient DNA (aDNA) has been detected by DNA amplification using PCR, or by whole genome sequencing. Mycobacterial cell wall lipids also provide specific markers for identification. Results: In 18th century Hungary, the European indigenous MTB genotype 4 strains have been found. However, many individuals were co-infected with up to three MTB sub-genotypes. In 8th–14th century Europe significant differences in ML genotypes were found between northwest Europe compared with central, southern, or eastern Europe. In addition, several co-infections of MTB and ML were detected in historical samples. Conclusion: Both MTB and ML strain types differ between geographically separate populations. This is associated with ancient human migration after an evolutionary bottleneck and clonal expansion. The absence of indigenous leprosy in Europe today may be due to the greater mortality of tuberculosis in individuals who are co-infected with both organisms.
Behavioral Modeling of Resonant Power Transfer Systems with Capacitive Coupling: Two-Port Network Approach

In this paper, a network based approach to model resonant conversion systems with capacitive coupling is introduced. The modeling methodology provides an efficient tool to investigate capacitive-based wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, in particular for the output characteristics under variations of the components and the coupling parameters. The model enables to explore the dynamics as well as the intricate interactions between the multiple parameters of the systems that can be translated into guidelines in the design of compensators and operation in closed-loop. In addition, a simulation-compatible model of the capacitive coupler using a continuous-time variable capacitor has been constructed in order to provide a simulation framework for the analysis of capacitive-based WPT systems under medium variations. To validate the modeling approach, an experimental capacitive WPT prototype operating at the MHz range has been designed and examined for various air-gaps. The experimental results of the prototype are in excellent agreement with the theoretical analysis and simulations.
Monetary Transfers from Children and the Labour Supply of Elderly Parents: Evidence from Vietnam

Abstract In the absence of a broad-based pension scheme, the elderly in developing countries may rely on monetary transfers made by their children and on their own labour supply. This article examines whether monetary transfers from children help to reduce elderly parents' need to work. Taking the possible endogeneity of children's transfers in the parents' labour supply into account and using maximum likelihood methods and Vietnamese data, we find that monetary transfers help the elderly cope with risks associated with old age or illness. At the same time, however, monetary transfers are not sufficient to fully substitute for parents' labour supply.
Kin-FOG: Automatic Simulated Freezing of Gait (FOG) Assessment System for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the leading neurological disorders in the world with an increasing incidence rate for the elderly. Freezing of Gait (FOG) is one of the most incapacitating symptoms for PD especially in the later stages of the disease. FOG is a short absence or reduction of ability to walk for PD patients which can cause fall, reduction in patients’ quality of life, and even death. Existing FOG assessments by doctors are based on a patient’s diaries and experts’ manual video analysis which give subjective, inaccurate, and unreliable results. In the present research, an automatic FOG assessment system is designed for PD patients to provide objective information to neurologists about the FOG condition and the symptom’s characteristics. The proposed FOG assessment system uses an RGB-D sensor based on Microsoft Kinect V2 for capturing data for 5 healthy subjects who are trained to imitate the FOG phenomenon. The proposed FOG assessment system is called “Kin-FOG”. The analysis of foot joint trajectory of the motion captured by Kinect is used to find the FOG episodes. The evaluation of Kin-FOG is performed by two types of experiments, including: (1) simple walking (SW); and (2) walking with turning (WWT). Since the standing mode has features similar to a FOG episode, our Kin-FOG system proposes a method to distinguish between the FOG and standing episodes. Therefore, two general groups of experiments are conducted with standing state (WST) and without standing state (WOST). The gradient displacement of the angle between the foot and the ground is used as the feature for discriminating between FOG and standing modes. These experiments are conducted with different numbers of FOGs for getting reliable and general results. The Kin-FOG system reports the number of FOGs, their lengths, and the time slots when they occur. Experimental results demonstrate Kin-FOG has around 90% accuracy rate for FOG prediction in both experiments for different tasks (SW, WWT). The proposed Kin-FOG system can be used as a remote application at a patient’s home or a rehabilitation clinic for sending a neurologist the required FOG information. The reliability and generality of the proposed system will be evaluated for bigger data sets of actual PD subjects.
Endogenous signaling pathways and chemical communication between sperm and egg

SUMMARY Red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) sperm detect a waterborne chemical cue released by conspecific eggs, and change their swimming behavior to increase the likelihood of fertilization success. Previously, we isolated the natural sperm attractant by bioassay-guided fractionation and high-performance liquid chromatography, and chemically identified it as the free-amino acid l-tryptophan (l-Trp). In the present study, levels of this ecologically meaningful compound were quantified in various abalone tissues, and in freshly spawned eggs. Tryptophan was the least abundant of 19 dissolved free amino acids (DFAAs) in ovary, testis, foot muscle, gill, stomach and hemolymph. As a proportion of the DFAA pool, however, Trp concentrations were significantly elevated in eggs (three- to seven-times higher) relative to all other sampled tissues. Natural rates of Trp release from eggs also were measured and correlated with fertility. Fertilization success peaked during an initial 30 min period (post-spawn), but decreased to nil over the next 50 min. Closely paralleling these events, Trp accumulated in seawater around freshly spawned eggs for the first 45 min (post-spawn) before decaying rapidly from solution. Older eggs stopped releasing Trp approximately when they became infertile, revealing a critical link between gamete physiology and chemical signaling. This apparent negative feedback loop did not arise from tryptophan oxidation, uptake by bacteria in seawater, or a degrading enzyme released by eggs. As a metabolic precursor critical to development of the larval nervous system, Trp could be an honest indicator of egg fitness for prospective sperm suitors. Our results suggest that endogenous signaling pathways have been co-opted for external communication between gametes, as an adaptation to increase reproductive success by promoting sperm navigation towards fertile eggs.
A Fully Integrated Bluetooth Low-Energy Transceiver with Integrated Single Pole Double Throw and Power Management Unit for IoT Sensors

This paper presents a low power Gaussian Frequency-Shift Keying (GFSK) transceiver (TRX) with high efficiency power management unit and integrated Single-Pole Double-Throw switch for Bluetooth low energy application. Receiver (RX) is implemented with the RF front-end with an inductor-less low-noise transconductance amplifier and 25% duty-cycle current-driven passive mixers, and low-IF baseband analog with a complex Band Pass Filter(BPF). A transmitter (TX) employs an analog phase-locked loop (PLL) with one-point GFSK modulation and class-D digital Power Amplifier (PA) to reduce current consumption. In the analog PLL, low power Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) is designed and the automatic bandwidth calibration is proposed to optimize bandwidth, settling time, and phase noise by adjusting the charge pump current, VCO gain, and resistor and capacitor values of the loop filter. The Analog Digital Converter (ADC) adopts straightforward architecture to reduce current consumption. The DC-DC buck converter operates by automatically selecting an optimum mode among triple modes, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM), and retention, depending on load current. The TRX is implemented using 1P6M 55-nm Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) technology and the die area is 1.79 mm2. TRX consumes 5 mW on RX and 6 mW on the TX when PA is 0-dBm. Measured sensitivity of RX is −95 dBm at 2.44 GHz. Efficiency of the DC-DC buck converter is over 89% when the load current is higher than 2.5 mA in the PWM mode. Quiescent current consumption is 400 nA from a supply voltage of 3 V in the retention mode.
A Data Augmentation Methodology to Improve Age Estimation Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Recent advances in deep learning methodologies are enabling the construction of more accurate classifiers. However, existing labeled face datasets are limited in size, which prevents CNN models from reaching their full generalization capabilities. A variety of techniques to generate new training samples based on data augmentation have been proposed, but the great majority is limited to very simple transformations. The approach proposed in this paper takes into account intrinsic information about human faces in order to generate an augmented dataset that is used to train a CNN, by creating photo-realistic smooth face variations based on Active Appearance Models optimized for human faces. An experimental evaluation taking CNN models trained with original and augmented versions of the MORPH face dataset allowed an increase of 10% in the F-Score and yielded Receiver Operating Characteristic curves that outperformed state-of-the-art work in the literature.
Enzymatic Formation of Polyaniline, Polypyrrole, and Polythiophene Nanoparticles with Embedded Glucose Oxidase

Polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (Ppy), and polythiophene (PTh) composite nanoparticles with embedded glucose oxidase (GOx) were formed by enzymatic polymerization of corresponding monomers (aniline, pyrrole, and thiophene). The influence of monomers concentration, the pH of solution, and the ratio of enzyme/substrate on the formation of PANI/GOx, Ppy/GOx, and PTh/GOx composite nanoparticles were spectrophotometrically investigated. The highest formation rate of PANI-, Ppy-, and PTh-based nanoparticles with embedded GOx was observed in the sodium acetate buffer solution, pH 6.0. The increase of optical absorbance at λmax = 440 nm, λmax = 460 nm, and λmax = 450 nm was exploited for the monitoring of PANI/GOx, Ppy/GOx and PTh/GOx formation, respectively. It was determined that the highest polymerization rate of PANI/GOx, Ppy/GOx, and PTh/GOx composite nanoparticles was achieved in solution containing 0.75 mg mL−1 of GOx and 0.05 mol L−1 of glucose. The influence of the enzymatic polymerization duration on the formation of PANI/GOx and Ppy/GOx composite nanoparticles was spectrophotometrically investigated. The most optimal duration for the enzymatic synthesis of PANI/GOx and Ppy/GOx composite nanoparticles was in the range of 48–96 h. It was determined that the diameter of formed PANI/GOx and Ppy/GOx composite nanoparticles depends on the duration of polymerization using dynamic light scattering technique (DLS), and it was in the range of 41–167 nm and 65–122 nm, when polymerization lasted from 16 to 120 h.
The Adverse Impact of Unplanned Extubation in a Cohort of Critically Ill Neonates

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe adverse events associated with unplanned extubation (UE) and to explore risk factors for serious adverse events post-UE among infants who experienced UE. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on all infants who had a UE event at a single institution over a 4-y period. Demographic information and information on outcomes were obtained retrospectively. We described the frequency of post-UE adverse events: success or failure of extubation trial if offered, rate of re-intubation, post-UE changes in ventilator settings, and serious adverse events post-UE (eg, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, clinical sepsis, and death or tracheostomy prior to discharge). We used a multivariate logistic regression model to identify the risk factors associated with serious adverse events. RESULTS: There were 134 documented UE events. Agitation was the most common known cause. After UE, 49% of the subjects were given a trial of extubation, and 65% of the trials were successful at 48 h. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 13% of cases. In subjects requiring immediate re-intubation, mean airway pressure (̄Paw) and oxygen requirement increased in 33% and 55% of the subjects, respectively. Post-UE clinical sepsis occurred in 17% of subjects. Higher pre-UE ̄Paw and difficult re-intubation were associated with a need for CPR. Subjects who received CPR had increased odds (3.7×) of developing clinical sepsis. CONCLUSION: UE can result in serious adverse events, including hemodynamic instability and possibly an increased risk for clinical sepsis. Difficult re-intubation was associated with a higher risk of needing CPR and, later, tracheostomy and death.
Labor induction with misoprostol vaginal insert compared with dinoprostone vaginal insert

Misoprostol vaginal insert could lead to a significant reduction in the time to vaginal delivery, and an increase in the proportion of women achieving vaginal delivery, compared with dinoprostone vaginal insert. We compared the delivery outcomes of misoprostol 200 μg vaginal insert and dinoprostone 10 mg vaginal insert for induction of labor in women with an unfavorable cervix.
Psychometric Properties of an Italian Version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) Scale

This study examined the psychometric properties of a newly translated Italian version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR–R) Scale. The sample comprised 1,363 adults (906 women, 456 men, 1 unreported sex; ages 18–64 yr., M=33.4, SD=8.9; 84.4% reported being engaged in a romantic relationship, 9.4% declared being single), all living in Italy and speaking Italian as their first language. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed the expected bi-factorial (anxiety/avoidance) structure and a close correspondence between factors and scales. Test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities were adequate. Correlations with the Relationship Questionnaire, a categorical measure of attachment, and with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were consistent with the theoretical relations among the constructs. The findings confirm the transcultural validity of the ECR–R.
An e-Learning Theoretical Framework

E-learning systems have witnessed a usage and research increase in the past decade. This article presents the e-learning concepts ecosystem. It summarizes the various scopes on e-learning studies. Here [the authors] propose an e-learning theoretical framework. This theory framework is based upon three principal dimensions: users, technology, and services related to e-learning. This article presents an in-depth literature review on those dimensions. The article first presents the related concepts of computer use in learning across time, revealing the emergence of new trends on e-learning. The theoretical framework is a contribution for guiding e-learning studies. The article classifies the stakeholder groups and their relationship with e-learning systems. The framework shows a typology of e-learning systems' services. This theoretical approach integrates learning strategies, technologies and stakeholders.