Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 'pop off' effect: different regimes of a light ball in water

The authors describe the acceleration from rest of a buoyant sphere rising freely in water. They analyse in detail the first phase characterised by a constant acceleration due to the combined action of gravity, buoyancy and turbulent drag. The acceleration equation includes a contribution due to the flow of the fluid induced by the motion of the sphere (Kelvin drag term). In a first, accelerated, regime the authors measure this term while neglecting the viscosity as the boundary layer has not yet developed. The transition of this regime to a constant velocity one takes place, in an abrupt way, for a time which corresponds, for different spheres, to a displacement of 1.55 diameters of the sphere. They discuss qualitatively this transition and also a second in which the trajectory oscillates, in response to a periodic emission of non-asymmetric vortex rings, using a simple visual experiment. The existence of two different regimes: an accelerated, inviscid one, followed by a vortex regime, can be easily revealed by watching a buoyant sphere rise in water and 'pop off' across the upper free surface.
Exponential Stabilization for Time-Delay Nonlinear Interconnected Systems With Unknown Control Directions and Unmodeled Dynamics

An exponential stable control scheme based on state transformation and Lyapunov functions is presented for a class of large-scale nonlinear time-delay interconnected systems subjected to unknown control directions and unmodeled dynamics. By regulating the transformed state, the original system state is regulated to the origin at an exponential rate. By introducing a class of type-B Nussbaum functions, the obstacle caused by multiple unknown control coefficients is successfully overcome. Dynamic gains technique and changing supply function idea are established to tackle time-delay terms and unmodeled dynamics in the system. It turns out that the system state converges to the origin at a prescribed speed, and all the closed-loop signals remain bounded. Finally, simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Surrogate-based Optimization with Parallel Simulations using the Probability of Improvement

In surrogate-based optimization, each cycle consists of carrying out a number of simulations, fitting a surrogate, performing optimization based on the surrogate, and finally running exact simulation at the candidate solutions. Adaptive sampling algorithms that add one point per cycle are readily available. For example, the efficient global optimization (EGO) algorithm uses the kriging prediction and uncertainty estimate to guide the selection of the next sampling point. However, the addition of one point at a time may not be efficient when it is possible to run simulations in parallel. Additionally, the extension to include multiple points per cycle turns out to be either limited or computationally challenging. We propose an algorithm for adding several points per optimization cycle based on approximated computation of the probability of improvement. We assume that the probabilities at different points of the design space are independent from each other. The approach was tested on three analytic examples. For these examples we compare our approach with traditional sequential optimization based on kriging. We found that indeed our approach was able to deliver better results in a fraction of the optimization cycles needed by the traditional kriging implementation.
Kinetic model for dependence of thin film stress on growth rate, temperature, and microstructure

During deposition, many thin films go through a range of stress states, changing from compressive to tensile and back again. In addition, the stress depends strongly on the processing and material parameters. We have developed a simple analytical model to describe the stress evolution in terms of a kinetic competition between different mechanisms of stress generation and relaxation at the triple junction where the surface and grain boundary intersect. The model describes how the steady state stress scales with the dimensionless parameter D/LR where D is the diffusivity, R is the growth rate, and L is the grain size. It also explains the transition from tensile to compressive stress as the microstructure evolves from isolated islands to a continuous film. We compare calculations from the model with measurements of the stress dependence on grain size and growth rate in the steady state regime and of the evolution of stress with thickness for different temperatures.
The Interplay of Challenge-Hindrance-Appraisal and Self-Efficacy: Technostress and Remote Working Performance

Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have caused many employees to work from home; a novel situation in which individuals used information systems (IS) more intensively to stay in touch with coworkers. This novel IS use situation affected individuals differently and resulted in both positive and negative outcomes. Recent calls for research advocate for clarification regarding the conceptualisation of appraisal, which explains different individual responses to objectively equal environments. In particular, challenge-hindrance-research does not differentiate between primary and secondary appraisal. Therefore, it remains unclear how individual capability beliefs, such as self-efficacy, affect challenge and hindrance IS use appraisal. We conduct an empirical study with 1,553 German employees to investigate these relationships and the positive and negative outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that challenge and hindrance IS use appraisal, and remote working self-efficacy are interconnected, yet different constructs. We find that self-efficacy is related to challenge IS use appraisal, rather than hindrance IS use appraisal. Further, challenge IS use appraisal is a driver for performance in a remote working environment. We conclude that there are stressful aspects of IS use that are not influenced by an individual’s belief in their abilities. Our study emphasises the importance of remote working self-efficacy and IS use appraisal to mitigate techno-distress and increase performance during remote work.
Dipole-dipole interaction in a quantum dot and metallic nanorod hybrid system

We have studied quantum coherence and interference phenomena in a quantum dot (QD)-metallic nanorod (MNR) hybrid system. Probe and control laser fields are applied to the hybrid system. Induced dipole moments are created in the QD and the MNR, and they interact with each other via the dipole-dipole interaction. Using the density matrix method, it was found that the power spectrum of MNR has two transparent, states and they can be switched to one transparent state by the control field. Ultrafast switching and sensing nanodevices could be produced using this model.
Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels: Comparing the Nordic Keyhole and Nutri-Score in a Swedish Context

The extent to which different front-of-pack nutrition labels (FOPNLs) agree or contradict each other has been insufficiently investigated. Considering the 2020 proposal from the European Commission to create a harmonized FOPNL, the aim of this study was to assess agreements and disagreements between two FOPNL schemes—the Keyhole and the Nutri-Score—in a Swedish context. The current Keyhole criteria and the updated Nutri-Score 2022 algorithm were applied to 984 food items and their nutrient compositions, obtained from the food database of the Swedish Food Agency. Agreements (Keyhole-eligible and Nutri-Score A or B; or not Keyhole-eligible and Nutri-Score C, D, or E) and disagreements (Keyhole-eligible and Nutri-Score C, D, or E, or not Keyhole-eligible and Nutri-Score A or B) were calculated as percentages for all items and by food group. An agreement was found for 81% of included items. The lowest level of agreement was found for the groups of flour, grains, and rice (62% agreement) and for plant-based meat and fish analogues (33% agreement). There is generally a good level of agreement between the Keyhole and the Nutri-Score for food items on the Swedish market. Large disagreements found for plant-based meat and fish analogues, and products based on cereals/grains, highlight important considerations for the development of a harmonized FOPNL within Europe.
Certain conditions for a Riemannian manifold to be isometric with a sphere

Introduction. In this paper, by a Riemannian manifold we always mean a connected $C^{\infty}-$ manifold of dimension $n(\geqq 2)$ with a positive definite $C^{\infty}$ -Riemannian metric. A transformation of a Riemannian manifold is said to be conformal if it preserves the angle defined by the Riemannian metric. Evidently a conformal transformation with respect to one Riemannian metric is also conformal with respect to one conformally related to the original one. It is known [5] that if a manifold is compact and of dimension greater than two, every Riemannian metric on it can be conformally deformed into one with constant scalar curvature. Thus as far as a conformal transformation is concerned, we may assume the constancy of the scalar curvature in the above case. Then the scalar curvature, which is constant, is preserved by the transformation. This property seems to help the study of conformal transformations. Indeed, a conformal transformation between two compact Riemannian manifolds of nonpositive scalar curvature, not necessarily constant, is isometric if and only if it carries one scalar curvature into another [4]. Thus a compact Riemannian manifold of constant scalar curvature admits a conformal transformation, which is not isometric, only if the scalar curvature is positive. Therefore we may restrict our consideration to Riemannian manifolds of positive constant scalar curvature as far as a conformal transformation is concerned, provided that the manifold is compact and of dimension $>2$ . Furthermore, if a Riemannian manifold of constant scalar curvature $k$ admits an infinitesimal conformal transformation $u$ with $C\vee u\iota\cdot g=2\phi g$, where $g$ is the Riemannian metric, $c_{u}$ the operation of Lie derivatives corresponding to $u$ and $\phi$ a function, then $\phi$ satisfies the equation $\Delta\phi=nk\phi$ , where $k=$
Characteristics associated with physical functioning and fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to explore associations at the group level between patient characteristics at baseline and the outcomes of physical functioning and fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) participating in a randomized controlled trial on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Methods/design Consecutively, 236 adult participants fulfilling the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1994 criteria for CFS were randomly allocated to either 16 weeks of standard CBT, 8 weeks of Interpersonal CBT or a treatment as usual control group. In secondary analyses we investigated how gender, age, pain, anxiety, depression, memory and VO2max at baseline were associated with physical function and fatigue before and after treatment, controlling for the CBT-interventions and the baseline levels of the outcome measures. For the two groups receiving CBT, a 1-year follow-up analysis was also done. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression was used to explore the targeted associations. Results At baseline, less pain (p < .001) and higher VO2max (p = 0.014) were associated with better physical function, while better memory (p = 0.001) and fewer depressive symptoms (p = 0.017) were associated with less fatigue. Better memory and physical function at baseline (p = 0.015 and p < .001, respectively) and male gender (p = 0.003) were associated with higher physical function post-intervention. Male gender (p = 0.010) was associated with higher physical function at 1-year follow-up. Fatigue severity at baseline was the only variable associated with follow up scores for fatigue (p < .001). Conclusion Our findings show that fatigue and physical function were associated with different types of characteristics at baseline, indicating a heterogeneity among CFS patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00920777, registered June 15, 2009. REK-project number: 4.2008. 2586, registered April 2, 2008.
Knowledge and perceptions of patients towards generic and local medications: The lebanese version

Lebanon is one of the Mediterranean countries that are devastated by economic crisis. Knowing that generic medications are less costly when compared to brands, it is crucial to assess patients’ understanding and views regarding these medications. A 25-item self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a total of 421 participants. The questionnaire appraised participants’ knowledge and perceptions about generics versus brand medications, in addition to their perceptions and attitudes towards generic substitution. Most respondents agreed that generics are not inferior to their brand equivalents in terms of quality, efficacy and safety (66%, 68.9%, and 66.7%, respectively). On the other hand, 79.4% (n=334) accepted generic substitution for minor ailment medications, whereas, only 56.1% (n=236) accepted this substitution for their chronic medications. As a conclusion, the uncertainty about the use of generic medications, particularly those treating chronic illness is still an obstacle to overcome.
Kalman Filtering for Spacecraft Attitude Estimation

HIS report reviews the methods of Kalman filtering in attitude estimation and their development over the last two decades. This review is not intended to be complete but is limited to algorithms suitable for spacecraft equipped with three-axis gyros as well as attitude sensors. These are the systems to which we feel that Kalman filtering is most ap- plicable. The Kalman filter uses a dynamical model for the time development of the system and a model of the sensor measurements to obtain the most accurate estimate possible of the system state using a linear estimator based on present and past measurements. It is, thus, ideally suited to both ground-based and on-board attitude determination. However, the applicability of the Kalman filtering technique rests on the availability of an accurate dynamical model. The dynamic equations for the spacecraft attitude pose many difficulties in the filter modeling. In particular, the external torques and the distribution of momentum internally due to the use of rotating or rastering instruments lead to significant uncertainties in the modeling. For autonomous spacecraft the use of inertial reference units as a model replacement permits the circumvention of these problems. In this representation the angular velocity of the spacecraft is obtained from the gyro data. The kinematic equations are used to obtain the attitude state and this is augmented by means of additional state-vector components for the gyro biases. Thus, gyro data are not treated as observations and the gyro noise appears as state noise rather than as observation noise. It is theoretically possible that a spacecraft is three-axis stabilized with such rigidity that the time development of the system can be described accurately without gyro information, or that it is one-axis stabilized so that only a single gyro is needed to provide information on the time history of the system. The modification of the algorithms presented here in order to apply to those cases is slight. However, this is of little practical importance because a control system capable of such
Restenosis of Coronary Arteries in Patients with Coronavirus Infection: Case Series

Introduction Coronavirus infection is a risk factor for vascular thrombosis. This is of particular importance for patients undergoing myocardial revascularization since this infection can be a trigger for the formation of restenosis in the area of a previously implanted coronary stent. Understanding the risk factors for stent thrombosis and restenosis is of particular importance in individuals at risk for adverse outcomes. The rarity of such situations makes the present study unique. Objective Studying the peculiarities of restenosis and thrombosis of the coronary arteries in patients after coronavirus infection. Methods The study was performed in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Emergency Hospital, Semey City, in 2021. We have examined the medical records of 10 consecutive patients with restenosis of coronary arteries after coronavirus infection and 10 matched-by-age patients with similar restenosis of coronary arteries who did not have coronavirus infection as a comparison group. To determine statistically significant differences between independent samples, we calculated the Mann–Whitney U test. Results The average age of patients was 65.7 years. Only one case was classified as early restenosis (within 8 days of previous revascularization), two cases represented late restenosis, and seven cases were very late restenoses. In 70% of cases, restenosis was localized in the left anterior descending artery, in 30% of cases, it was in the right coronary artery, and in 40% of cases, it was in the left circumflex artery. In comparison with patients who did not have a coronavirus infection, there were statistically significant differences regarding IgG (P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (P=0.019). Conclusion Patients with myocardial revascularization in the past have a higher risk of stent restenosis against the background of coronavirus infection due to excessive neointimal hyperplasia, hypercoagulability, increased inflammatory response, and endothelial dysfunction.
Convection in an African Easterly Wave over West Africa and the eastern Atlantic: A model case study of Helene (2006)

Convective systems embedded in an African Easterly Wave (AEW) over West Africa and the eastern Atlantic in September 2006 are investigated. The study is based on COSMO model runs with a horizontal resolution of 2.8 km. The developing, mature and decaying phases of a mesoscale convective system over land are identified. Over the ocean, the convection consists of the development and decay of short‐lived systems. There are significant differences between the structure of convection over land and water. Over land, the updraught, heating and vertical vorticity are tilted in the vertical. Over water, the convective cores are upright and collocated with positive relative vorticity. The atmosphere is drier at mid‐levels over land, and stronger shear, downdraughts and a distinct cold pool occur. The influence of the convective systems on their environment is assessed with potential temperature and relative vorticity budgets for regions encompassing the convective systems. During the convective system's life cycle, the relative vorticity increased at the height of the African Easterly Jet over land due to the eddy‐flux term, whereas the relative vorticity maximum over the ocean moved downwards with time due to stretching. High values of low‐level relative vorticity were seen over the ocean before the AEW trough crossed the West African coast. The low‐level circulation that developed as a positive low‐level vorticity anomaly associated with the westward extension of the Saharan heat low moved over the Atlantic and southwestwards. In addition, positive vorticity associated with the low‐level monsoon flow contributed to this circulation. The cyclogenesis of Hurricane Helene was initiated when the mid‐level vorticity anomaly of the AEW moved over the low‐level circulation, initiating convection and enhancing the low‐level vorticity through vortex stretching. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
GSH-Activatable Aggregation-Induced Emission Cationic Lipid for Efficient Gene Delivery

The key to gene therapy is the design of biocompatible and efficient delivery systems. In this work, a glutathione (GSH)-activated aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) cationic amphiphilic lipid, termed QM-SS-KK, was prepared for nonviral gene delivery. QM-SS-KK was composed of a hydrophilic biocompatible lysine tripeptide headgroup, a GSH-triggered disulfide linkage, and a hydrophobic AIE fluorophore QM-OH (QM: quinoline-malononitrile) tail. The peptide moiety could not only efficiently compact DNA but also well modulate the dispersion properties of QM-SS-KK, leading to the fluorescence-off state before GSH treatment. The cleavage of disulfide in QM-SS-KK by GSH generated AIE signals in situ with a tracking ability. The liposomes consisted of QM-SS-KK, and 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (QM-SS-KK/DOPE) delivered plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) into cells with high efficiency. In particular, QM-SS-KK/DOPE had an enhanced transfection efficiency (TE) in the presence of 10% serum, which was two times higher than that of the commercial transfection agent PEI25K. These results highlighted the great potential of peptide and QM-based fluorescence AIE lipids for gene delivery applications.
The Local Release of Teriparatide Incorporated in 45S5 Bioglass Promotes a Beneficial Effect on Osteogenic Cells and Bone Repair in Calvarial Defects in Ovariectomized Rats

With the increase in the population’s life expectancy, there has also been an increase in the rate of osteoporosis, which has expanded the search for strategies to regenerate bone tissue. The ultrasonic sonochemical technique was chosen for the functionalization of the 45S5 bioglass. The samples after the sonochemical process were divided into (a) functionalized bioglass (BG) and (b) functionalized bioglass with 10% teriparatide (BGT). Isolated mesenchymal cells (hMSC) from femurs of ovariectomized rats were differentiated into osteoblasts and submitted to in vitro tests. Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and sham ovariectomy (Sham) surgeries were performed in fifty-five female Wistar rats. After a period of 60 days, critical bone defects of 5.0 mm were created in the calvaria of these animals. For biomechanical evaluation, critical bone defects of 3.0 mm were performed in the tibias of some of these rats. The groups were divided into the clot (control) group, the BG group, and the BGT group. After the sonochemical process, the samples showed modified chemical topographic and morphological characteristics, indicating that the surface was chemically altered by the functionalization of the particles. The cell environment was conducive to cell adhesion and differentiation, and the BG and BGT groups did not show cytotoxicity. In addition, the experimental groups exhibited characteristics of new bone formation with the presence of bone tissue in both periods, with the BGT group and the OVX group statistically differing from the other groups (p < 0.05) in both periods. Local treatment with the drug teriparatide in ovariectomized animals promoted positive effects on bone tissue, and longitudinal studies should be carried out to provide additional information on the biological performance of the mutual action between the bioglass and the release of the drug teriparatide.
Tailored Psychological Interventions to Manage Body Image: An Opinion Study on Breast Cancer Survivors

Objective: Oncological care affects the body strongly, even some years after therapies. Body image, as the mental representation of one’s own body, is particularly affected by breast cancer, with a high level of dissatisfaction and negative perception. Literature has shown the effectiveness of various psychological interventions to promote body image in breast cancer survivors, dealing with inner sensations and related emotions and thoughts. The present opinion study presents BI issues and personalized psychological interventions to increase a positive BI in breast cancer survivors. Conclusions: Implementing specific and personalized psychological interventions tailored on BI, the characteristics of oncological journey and emotional and cognitive issues is fundamental. Directions for clinical practice are given.