Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of residual displacements of double concave friction pendulum isolation systems Residual displacements of friction pendulum isolation systems

Abstract— After an earthquake, non-negligible residual displacements can occur if the isolation system does not possess a good restoring capability. In this paper the residual displacement of friction pendulum isolation systems is investigated through an extensive experimental campaign of controlled-displacement and seismic input experiments, both under uni-directional motion. A sequence of natural earthquakes was applied in three different lubrication conditions of sliding surfaces, corresponding to High, Medium and Low Friction. In order to improve current design method of sliding isolation systems, a simple equation for the estimation of the maximum expected residual displacements is proposed and compared with the experimental results.
Attitudes to Organ Donor Registration in England Under Opt-Out Legislation

Introduction: In England, everyone is considered an organ donor unless they have registered for opt-out donation. Research Question: This study evaluated positive statements and negative affective attitudes against anticipated organ donor status and whether the order in the attitudes and statements presented impacted organ donor intention under an opt-out system. Design: A quasi-experimental mixed between-within design was employed with participants assigned to 1 of 2 conditions. Participants in the first condition received negative affective attitude statements followed by positive statements. This was reversed in the second condition to combat ordering effects. Participants (N = 679) were asked about their donor status under an opt-out system. There were three groups: opt-in (actively), opt-out/not sure, and deemed consent (no objection). Organ donor intentions were measured at three intervals: baseline, post-positive statements, and post-negative attitudes. Results: Approximately 10% of participants would opt-out or were unsure of their intentions to be an organ donor under an opt-out system. Significant effects were found in both positive statements and negative affective attitudes. All groups expressed greater medical mistrust and were most influenced by cognitive attitudes. Conclusions: Under the opt-out system in England, it is anticipated that the majority would actively opt-in or have no objection to being automatically registered as an organ donor. Public health campaigns would benefit from promoting the most influential positive statements and refuting the most detrimental negative attitudes to increase intentions of those who plan to opt-out or are unsure.
What determines the optimal pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation? Insights from in silico trials in 800 virtual atria

The best pharmacological treatment for each atrial fibrillation (AF) patient is unclear. We aim to exploit AF simulations in 800 virtual atria to identify key patient characteristics that guide the optimal selection of anti‐arrhythmic drugs. The virtual cohort considered variability in electrophysiology and low voltage areas (LVA) and was developed and validated against experimental and clinical data from ionic currents to ECG. AF sustained in 494 (62%) atria, with large inward rectifier K+ current (IK1) and Na+/K+ pump (INaK) densities (IK1 0.11 ± 0.03 vs. 0.07 ± 0.03 S mF–1; INaK 0.68 ± 0.15 vs. 0.38 ± 26 S mF–1; sustained vs. un‐sustained AF). In severely remodelled left atrium, with LVA extensions of more than 40% in the posterior wall, higher IK1 (median density 0.12 ± 0.02 S mF–1) was required for AF maintenance, and rotors localized in healthy right atrium. For lower LVA extensions, rotors could also anchor to LVA, in atria presenting short refractoriness (median L‐type Ca2+ current, ICaL, density 0.08 ± 0.03 S mF–1). This atrial refractoriness, modulated by ICaL and fast Na+ current (INa), determined pharmacological treatment success for both small and large LVA. Vernakalant was effective in atria presenting long refractoriness (median ICaL density 0.13 ± 0.05 S mF–1). For short refractoriness, atria with high INa (median density 8.92 ± 2.59 S mF–1) responded more favourably to amiodarone than flecainide, and the opposite was found in atria with low INa (median density 5.33 ± 1.41 S mF–1). In silico drug trials in 800 human atria identify inward currents as critical for optimal stratification of AF patient to pharmacological treatment and, together with the left atrial LVA extension, for accurately phenotyping AF dynamics.
A sub-region combination scheme for spatial coding in a high-frequency SSVEP-based BCI

Objective. In studying the spatial coding mechanism of visual evoked potentials, it is significant to construct a model that shows the relationship between steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) responses to the local and global visual field stimulation. In order to investigate whether SSVEPs produced by sub-region stimulation can predict that produced by joint region stimulation, a sub-region combination scheme for spatial coding in a high-frequency SSVEP-based brain-computer interface (BCI) is developed innovatively. Approach. An annular visual field is divided equally into eight sub-regions. The 60 Hz visual stimuli in different sub-regions and joint regions are presented separately to participants. The SSVEP produced by the sub-region stimulation is superimposed to simulate the SSVEP produced by the joint region stimulation with different spatial combinations. A four-class spatially-coded BCI paradigm is used to evaluate the simulated classification performance, and the performance ranking of all simulated SSVEPs is obtained. Six representative stimulus patterns from two performance levels and three stimulus areas are applied to the online BCI system for each participant. Main results. The experimental result shows that the proposed scheme can implement a spatially-coded visual BCI system and realize satisfactory performance with imperceptible flicker. Offline analysis indicates that the classification accuracy and information transfer rate (ITR) are 89.69 ± 8.75% and 24.35 ± 7.09 bits min−1 with 3 s data length under the 3/8 stimulus area. The online BCI system reaches an average classification accuracy of 87.50 ± 9.13% with 3 s data length, resulting in an ITR of 22.48 ± 6.71 bits min−1 under the 3/8 stimulus area. Significance. This study proves the feasibility of using the sub-region’s response to predict the joint region’s response. It has the potential to extend to other frequency bands and lays a foundation for future research on more complex spatial coding methods.
From Over-Tourism to Under-Tourism via COVID-19: Lessons for Sustainable Tourism Management

With various strains of the novel coronavirus emerging during the last few years, there is a need to reinvent and manage the tourism industry by engaging various stakeholders. Industry and policymakers need to observe the shift and curate tourism-related products and offerings accordingly. In light of the increasing demand for innovations and future directions in the post-COVID-19 period, this article conducts a bibliometric analysis for sustainable tourism studies spanning the years 1990–2021. This paper presents an integrative review of tourism, environment and sustainable tourism to reveal geographical, contextual, and methodological directions for future research. The comprehensive analysis includes contributions on topics and methods, country collaborations, and thematic analysis. The findings are consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals of sustainable production and consumption (SDG-12), with a particular emphasis on sustainable tourism to promote local culture and create jobs (SDG-12.b) and on sustainable growth (SDG-13). The study’s findings can be used to inform future policies and directions; for example, the findings indicate that the hospitality industry is facing challenges that necessitate new regulations to address its socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
The Clinical Characteristics and Related Factors of Centrally Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics and related factors of centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS). METHODS: Our study included 73 patients with CAPS and 132 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls. The general information of the participants was collected, and the questionnaires were completed including the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Visual Analog Scale, and Short-Form 36. Univariate and forward stepwise regression analyses were performed to explore the influencing factors of CAPS. RESULTS: Nonexercise (adjusted odds ration [AOR] 4.53; confidence interval [CI] 1.602-12.809), mild-to-moderate depression (AOR 7.931; CI 3.236-19.438), married status (AOR 3.656; CI 1.317-10.418), and drinking coffee (AOR 0.199; CI 0.051-0.775) were found to be related with centrally mediated abdominal syndrome. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale score (7–13) was significantly related to moderate-to-severe abdominal pain (AOR 7.043; CI 1.319–37.593). Higher Hamilton Depression Scale score was related to lower mental component scale score (β = −0.726, P < 0.01) and physical component scale score (β = −0.706, P < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Depression, married status, and nonexercise were the independent risk factors of CAPS. Conversely, coffee intake was an independent protective factor of CAPS. Anxiety was related to the severity of abdominal pain, while depression was related to low health-related quality of life.
Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical fitness among college women living in China

Abstract Purposes The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical fitness among college women living in China and to explore how fitness changed with different physical conditions. Methods We performed repeated measures of BMI, 800 m running and sit-up performance assessment on college women from one university in China pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 3658 (age 19.15 ± 1.08 yr.) college women who completed the same assessment pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown were included in the analysis. We analyzed the data using one way ANOVA and paired-samples t-test. Results Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the result shows a significant increase in BMI by 2.91% (95% CI =0.33, 0.40) and a significant decline in 800 m running and sit-up by 7.97% (95% CI =0.69, 0.77) and 4.91% (95% CI = −0.27, −0.19), respectively. College women in the highest quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 4) had more decreases than college women in the lowest quartile level (Quartile 1). Their BMI level was increased by 3.69% and 0.98% in college women in Quartile 4 and Quartile 1, respectively. Their performance of 800 m running was decreased by 9.32% and 7.37% in college women in Quartile 4 and Quartile 1, respectively. Their performance of sit-up was decreased by 13.88% in college women in Quartile 4 while it increased by 10.91% in college women in Quartile 1, respectively. Conclusions The COVID-19 lockdown might increase the BMI level and decrease 800 m running and sit-up performance among college women living in China. The decrease for college women in higher quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 4) were more seriously while college women in lower quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 1) were modest. KEY MESSAGES This study performed repeated tests on a large sample of 3658 college women before and after the COVID-19 lockdown to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on physical fitness. The COVID-19 lockdown decreased physical fitness (BMI, 800 m running and sit-up performance) among college women living in China. College women in higher level of physical condition at baseline were more seriously affected by the COVID-19 lockdown than college women in lower level of physical condition.
Scientific Evidence, Big Data and the Curse of Dimensionality

The curse of dimensionality is one of the most prominent challenge that data scientists face when trying to make valuable inferences. It is an epistemic problem that hits particularly hard in "Big Data" research contexts, where the volume of the data set is particularly large (wide and long). The way in which we tackle with this problem sheds light on the notion of scientific evidence. Yet, it is virtually absent from the current philosophical literature. In this paper, I aim to broaden the focus of that literature by showing that the dimensions in which the data are embedded are an integral part of scientific evidence. This is an aspect of scientific evidence that is often hidden behind the traditional observation/theory dichotomy that we often encounter in philosophy of science. Dimensions are abstract objects. They are not observables like tables and chairs, nor are they entries in a data set (rows and columns). Ultimately, I aim to show that empirical adequacy is not merely a matter of finding the model that best fit the relevant observational data. It is also a matter of finding the model that best fit the relevant observational data inside the relevant dimensions.
Neuropathy in prediabetes

Diabetic neuropathies are the most frequent complications of diabetes, contributing to high morbidity, excess mortality, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Prediabetes is characterised by glucose levels within an intermediate range above normoglycaemia yet below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. In 2021, 10.6% and 6.2% of adults worldwide were estimated to have impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose, respectively, the majority of whom are unaware of having prediabetes. Evidence has accumulated suggesting that prediabetes is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased mortality. The past 2 decades have witnessed an extensive debate, particularly among diabetologists and neurologists, as to whether prediabetes is associated with peripheral neuropathy. In this review, we elaborate on the current evidence, particularly from population‐based studies supporting an increased risk of distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in people with prediabetes. Moreover, we discuss whether lifestyle interventions showing efficacy in preventing or delaying the transition from prediabetes to diabetes in persons with prediabetes may also exert favourable effects on the development and progression of DSPN and CAN. This review should help in raising the awareness of and translating the current knowledge on neuropathies in people with prediabetes into clinical practice and public health. The current recommendation that adults who are overweight or obese should be screened for prediabetes and referred to or offered preventive interventions should ultimately culminate in preventing not only CVD but also prediabetic neuropathy.
Clinical features and outcomes of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Purpose To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathological features, and outcomes of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in northwest China. Methods This retrospective study included 491 patients with SLE tested for ANCA antibodies and 171 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) as controls. Subgroup analysis limited to those with renal involvement, and by ANCA antibody subtype (PR3 vs MPO). To compare the proteinuria remission rates between ANCA-positive and ANCA-negative lupus nephritis (LN) groups, a logistic regression model was used for propensity score matching based on age, hemoglobin, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results Compared to ANCA-negative SLE (n = 442), ANCA-positive SLE (n = 46) occur in older patients; however, these patients were younger than those with AAV (n = 167). The eGFR of patients with ANCA-positive LN (n = 25) was higher than that of patients having AAV with renal involvement (n = 56) but lower than that of patients with ANCA-negative LN (n = 163). Patients with SLE who had MPO-ANCA (n = 16) had higher levels of serum creatinine compared to those with PR3-ANCA (n = 30) (156.5 µmol/L vs. 45.5 µmol/L, p = 0.005). During the follow-up period, the remission rate of proteinuria in patients with ANCA-positive LN was lower than that of patients with ANCA-negative LN (50% vs. 75%, p = 0.008). Conclusion Patients with ANCA-positive LN may have worse baseline renal function and lower protein remission rates compared to patients with ANCA-negative LN. ANCA titers should be regularly monitored throughout the follow-up period in patients with SLE, especially in cases of renal involvement.
Combining electromyography and Raman spectroscopy: optical EMG

Electromyography (EMG) remains a key component of the diagnostic work‐up for suspected neuromuscular disease, but it does not provide insight into the molecular composition of muscle which can provide diagnostic information. Raman spectroscopy is an emerging neuromuscular biomarker capable of generating highly specific, molecular fingerprints of tissue. Here, we present “optical EMG,” a combination of EMG and Raman spectroscopy, achieved using a single needle.
Control of microwave assisted macadamia drying

ABSTRACT We studied the microwave-assisted macadamia drying, using surface temperature control and without surface temperature control as well as hot air drying, and assessed the drying time, drying rate, colour values, hardness and water activity of nuts and efficiency. The surface temperature of macadamia nuts was controlled between 60 and 80 °C using a thermal radiation detector. For drying without the surface temperature control, drying temperatures in the range of 40–60 °C and microwave power were controlled in the range of 1.6–4.4 Wg−1. We found that increase in microwave power and temperature had a positive effect with shorter drying time and increased drying rate. Microwave assisted hot air drying by surface temperature control led to a better quality product in respect of kernel brightness and suitable aw for storage, but a harder kernel. In addition, drying without surface temperature control had the highest energy efficiency followed by surface temperature control and hot air only. Considering quality, the recommended condition was drying by surface temperature control at 60 °C with 60 °C hot air combined with microwave.
The link between deductive reasoning and mathematics

ABSTRACT Recent studies have shown that deductive reasoning skills (including transitive and conditional inferences) are related to mathematical abilities. Nevertheless, so far the links between mathematical abilities and these two forms of deductive inference have not been investigated in a single study. It is also unclear whether these inference forms are related to both basic maths skills and mathematical reasoning, and whether these relationships still hold if the effects of fluid intelligence are controlled. We conducted a study with 87 adult participants. The results showed that transitive reasoning skills were related to performance on a number line task, and conditional inferences were related to arithmetic skills. Additionally, both types of deductive inference were related to mathematical reasoning skills, although transitive and conditional reasoning ability were unrelated. Our results also highlighted the important role that ordering abilities play in mathematical reasoning, extending findings regarding the role of ordering abilities in basic maths skills. These results have implications for the theories of mathematical and deductive reasoning, and they could inspire the development of novel educational interventions.
Phenomenology at a future 100 TeV hadron collider

Run 1 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has been one of the most successful experiments in particle physics. We are now approaching the end of LHC Run 2, and whether we will discover new physics or not, the high energy particle physics community is already inspecting various possibilities for the future generation of colliders. One of the most intriguing scenarios deals with the exploration of energies so far not reached, with energy scales up to several TeVs, as for example a $\sqrt{s} = 100 $ TeV hadron-hadron collider. This thesis inspects the phenomenological potential of such a machine from two different viewpoints. First, the perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) perspective. Monte Carlo event generators play an essential role for data analysis and interpretation at the LHC, and they are vital for exploring the potential of future machines. We aim at improving our current perturbative QCD descriptions with precise predictions through resummation methods. These represent all-orders analytical results which properly account for divergences appearing in the calculations, as those related to the emission of soft gluons. We discuss the automation of soft-gluon resummation within the \Sherpa Monte Carlo event generator framework. We present comparisons between resummed and parton-showered predictions, thereby inspecting which are the necessary steps to be taken in passing from Monte Carlo simulations at the LHC to a Future Circular Collider. In the second part of the thesis we discuss the phenomenology related to Vector Boson Scattering at $\sqrt{s} = 100 $ TeV in a Composite Higgs model scenario, based on the coset $SU(4)/Sp(4)$. We predict limits for the appearance of resonant and non-resonant excesses in the production channel $pp\to ZZjj$. This process provides one of the most interesting possibilities for finding deviations from the Standard Model at a Future Circular Collider.
Inhibition of MiR‐106b‐5p mediated by exosomes mitigates acute kidney injury by modulating transmissible endoplasmic reticulum stress and M1 macrophage polarization

Acute kidney injury (AKI), mainly caused by Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), is a common and severe life‐threatening disease with high mortality. Accumulating evidence suggested a direct relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and AKI progression. However, the role of the transmissible ER stress response, a new modulator of cell‐to‐cell communication, in influencing intercellular communication between renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and macrophages in the AKI microenvironment remains to be determined. To address this issue, we first demonstrate that TECs undergoing ER stress are able to transmit ER stress to macrophages via exosomes, promoting macrophage polarization towards the pro‐inflammatory M1 phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Besides, the miR‐106b‐5p/ATL3 signalling axis plays a pivotal role in the transmission of ER stress in the intercellular crosstalk between TECs and macrophages. We observed an apparent increase in the expression of miR‐106b‐5p in ER‐stressed TECs. Furthermore, we confirmed that ALT3 is a potential target protein of miR‐106b‐5p. Notably, the inhibition of miR‐106b‐5p expression in macrophages not only restores ATL3 protein level but also decreases transmissible ER stress and hinders M1 polarization, thus alleviating AKI progression. Additionally, our results suggest that the level of exosomal miR‐106b‐5p in urine is closely correlated with the severity of AKI patients. Taken together, our study sheds new light on the crucial role of transmissible ER stress in the treatment of AKI through the regulation of the miR‐106b‐5p/ATL3 axis, offering new ideas for treating AKI.