Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Is the Impact of Early and Subsequent Epidemic Characteristics on the Pre-delta COVID-19 Epidemic Size in the United States?

It is still uncertain how the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 in its early phase and subsequent waves contributed to the pre-delta epidemic size in the United States. We identified the early and subsequent characteristics of the COVID-19 epidemic and the correlation between these characteristics and the pre-delta epidemic size. Most (96.1% (49/51)) of the states entered a fast-growing phase before the accumulative number of cases reached (30). The days required for the number of confirmed cases to increase from 30 to 100 was 5.6 (5.1–6.1) days. As of 31 March 2021, all 51 states experienced at least 2 waves of COVID-19 outbreaks, 23.5% (12/51) experienced 3 waves, and 15.7% (8/51) experienced 4 waves, the epidemic size of COVID-19 was 19,275–3,669,048 cases across the states. The pre-delta epidemic size was significantly correlated with the duration from 30 to 100 cases (p = 0.003, r = −0.405), the growth rate of the fast-growing phase (p = 0.012, r = 0.351), and the peak cases in the subsequent waves (K1 (p < 0.001, r = 0.794), K2 (p < 0.001, r = 0.595), K3 (p < 0.001, r = 0.977), and K4 (p = 0.002, r = 0.905)). We observed that both early and subsequent epidemic characteristics contribute to the pre-delta epidemic size of COVID-19. This identification is important to the prediction of the emerging viral infectious diseases in the primary stage.
How to break the vicious circle of blame? The contribution of different stakeholders to a more sustainable built environment

Putting the principles of sustainability into practice within social and economic development requires intensive involvement and participation of the construction, real estate and finance industries. It is necessary that design, construction and refurbishment of buildings are aligned with targets in energyefficiency, resource preservation, climate change and human health. On the one hand design strategies, design tools and construction techniques need further development, but the demand for sustainable buildings needs to increase also. For a long time market acceptance, market penetration and market transformation of sustainable buildings has been hampered by various obstacles and prejudices. This is now changing because of prove that sustainable buildings have economic advantages, because of social and environmental responsibility being increasingly accepted by all stakeholders, due to developments in law and standardisation as well as due to the example set by the public sector. The vicious circle of blame for low demand for sustainable buildings can therefore be broken. Positive change in the built environment can be brought about by various instruments (laws, standards, grant programmes, market stimulation programmes etc.) as wells as by creating connections between individual and institutional objectives with sustainable development objectives. For those investors interested in sustainable investments, sustainable real estate funds, green REITs can be offered as new investment alternatives. However, it is equally important to pay greater attention to the social and cultural importance of buildings. Topics such as the interdependence between buildings and life style choices and consumption patterns of building users, the role of buildings within a neighbourhood and urban development, the need to provide adequate accommodation and to create and preserve jobs can also contribute to greater demand for sustainable buildings.
The Comparison of Most Popular Mobile Applications for Learning Foreign Languages

: Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) stimulates students’ motivation and improves their foreign language skills. The primary aim of this paper is to compare the most frequently used mobile applications for learning foreign languages, primarily English, by students in Serbia. Additionally, we wanted to reflect on students’ views and experiences. Qualitative research, in the form of a focus group, was conducted in order to determine the clearest possible picture of students' views concerning the usefulness of different language apps, primarily Duolingo, HelloTalk and WordUp app. The respondents are Singidunum University students who voluntarily agreed to participate in this research. The results showed that innovative ways of perfecting foreign languages, such as mobile applications, are captivating for students. In addition, they highly value visual and engaging materials. They believe Duolingo is the best app for improving vocabulary and grammar, whereas HelloTalk is an ideal app for developing speaking skills. WordUp is recommended as a dictionary and as a revolutionary app for learning new English words. Students agreed that the combination of all three mobile applications would be optimal, depending on their language level and learning goals.
Moyamoya Disease Complicating Ebstein's Anomaly

Ebstein's anomaly is an uncommon congenital disorder affecting the tricuspid valve. We herein report a 38-year-old woman who experienced consciousness and sensory disturbance during treatment for heart failure caused by Ebstein's anomaly. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography demonstrated acute cerebral infarction and internal carotid artery obstruction with the development of collateral arteries. We diagnosed her with multiple cerebral infarctions due to moyamoya disease. Ebstein's anomaly concomitant with moyamoya disease is extremely rare. However, we should consider the possibility of this rare but important concurrence when treating patients with heart failure due to Ebstein's anomaly to avoid excessive diuresis and vasodilation and irreversible brain injury.
Juno Plasma Wave Observations at Ganymede

The Juno Waves instrument measured plasma waves associated with Ganymede's magnetosphere during its flyby on 7 June, day 158, 2021. Three distinct regions were identified including a wake, and nightside and dayside regions in the magnetosphere distinguished by their electron densities and associated variability. The magnetosphere includes electron cyclotron harmonic emissions including a band at the upper hybrid frequency, as well as whistler‐mode chorus and hiss. These waves likely interact with energetic electrons in Ganymede's magnetosphere by pitch angle scattering and/or accelerating the electrons. The wake is accentuated by low‐frequency turbulence and electrostatic solitary waves. Radio emissions observed before and after the flyby likely have their source in Ganymede's magnetosphere.
The Effect of Severe Shot Peening on Fatigue Life of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel

Severe shot peening (SSP) was used on additive manufactured 316L by laser powder bed fusion. The effect of the post processing on the surface features of the material was analyzed through residual stress measurements, tensile testing, hardness-depth profiles, and fatigue testing by flexural bending. The results showed that SSP can be utilized to form residual stresses up to −400 MPa 200 μm below the surface. At the same time, a clear improvement on the surface hardness was achieved from 275 HV to near 650 HV. These together resulted in a clear improvement on material strength which was recorded at 10% improvement in ultimate tensile strength. Most significantly, the fatigue limit of the material was tripled from 200 MPa to over 600 MPa and the overall fatigue strength raised similarly from a low to high cycle regime.
An RF-Ultrasound Relay for Adaptive Wireless Powering Across Tissue Interfaces

Single modality wireless power transfer has limited depth for mm-sized implants across air/tissue or skull/tissue interfaces because they either suffer from a high loss in tissue (RF, optical) or high reflection at the medium interface [ultrasound (US)]. This article proposes an RF-US relay chip at the media interface avoiding the reflection at the boundary and enables efficient wireless powering to mm-sized deep implants across multiple media. The relay chip rectifies the incoming RF power through an 85.5% efficient RF inductive link (across air) using a multi-output regulating rectifier (MORR) with 81% power conversion efficiency (PCE) at 186 mW load and transmits using adiabatic power amplifiers (PAs) to the implant in order to minimize cascaded power loss. To adapt US focus to implant movement or placement, beamforming was implemented using six channels of US PAs with two-bit phase control (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) and three different amplitudes (6–29, 4.5, and 1.8 V) from the MORR. The adiabatic PA contributes a 30%–40% increase in efficiency over class-D and beamforming increases the efficiency by 251% at 2.5 cm over fixed focusing. The proof-of-concept powering system for a retinal implant, from an external PA on a pair of glasses to a hydrophone with 1.2 cm (air) + 2.9 cm (agar eyeball phantom in mineral oil) separation distance, had a power delivered to the load (PDL) of 946 $\mu \text{W}$ . The 2.3 mm × 2 mm relay chip was fabricated in a 180 nm high-voltage (HV) BCD process.
University Students' Experiences and Attitudes Toward Online Learning During the Pandemic Covid-19

: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant influence on university education and organization of lecturing. Most universities throughout the world had not been prepared for the new circumstances, and this ultimately affected both the organization and the quality of lectures. Universities were obliged to follow trends and implement new strategies in lecturing in order to support their students where help was most required, and furthermore, in order to maintain the quality of their experiences and education. The objective of this research was to gain insight into how students reacted to the new pandemic situation and whether they are satisfied with online teaching so that universities could use the results to adapt and conduct online teaching in the future. The research found that students considered online learning had affected their efficiency, productivity, and level of motivation in the process of learning. Apart from these adversities regarding online teaching and learning, the survey found that the students’ attitude toward the implementation of technology in university education would improve the process of online lecturing and examination and enhance the present situation.
Level of Parental Awareness Regarding Aerodigestive Pediatric Foreign Bodies, Western Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate, especially in children less than three years of age. Delayed diagnosis is often due to the non-specific presentation of symptoms and the absence of a witness to the aspiration event. Aim: This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and practices toward aerodigestive paediatric foreign bodies ingestion or inhalation, in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among Saudi parents in western region, Saudi Arabia during the period between 1st To 20th August. A pre-structured validated self-administered questionnaire containing 11 questions of awareness and 4 questions of practices toward aerodigestive pediatric foreign bodies, was distributed online via various Social Media platforms. The questionnaire was initiated after literature review for similar articles and after experts’ consultation for validity and reliability. Results: A total of 611 child caregivers completed the study questionnaire. Exactly 508 (83.1%) respondents were children’s mothers and 103 (16.9%) were their fathers. Exactly 93.1% of the study parents heard of swallowing or inhaling foreign objectsand 77.3% reported that children aged 1-5 years are more likely to swallow or inhale foreign objects while 20.5% reported for children aged less than 1 year. About 69% of the parents buy children toys that contain small parts but to different degrees. As for protective actions, keeping small items out of children’s reach was reported by 95.4% of the parents. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed that parental knowledge and practices toward FBA were on average (but not satisfactory) especially for the correct actions for swallowed objects and timely visits to ER even for asymptomatic ingested FB. On the other hand, safe practice, especially keeping small objects out of children’s reach, was high, but observing young aged children while playing was unsatisfactory. Key words: Children, foreign body aspiration, knowledge, parents, practices
Evaluating the Impact of Institutional Improvement on Control of Corruption - A System Dynamics Approach

Political and bureaucratic corruption is a societal threat in every country. It allows organised crime to flourish, slows economic growth, increases income inequality, reduces government effectiveness, and threatens citizens’ confidence in the rule of law. This study uses a “System Dynamics model” from a framework based on econometric analysis wherein the causal relationships between the economic and governance institutions were established. The calibrated model uses the data on institutional quality from 1996 to 2020 from “the World Bank and the World Economic Forum” to project institutional quality and control corruption in the future. The control of corruption was trending downward in the nations studied. The model shows that improving institutional quality can reverse this downward trend. However, improving institutional quality and controlling corruption requires a country-specific approach. This model suggests the most efficient ways that national leaders and policymakers can improve institutional quality and thereby control corruption in their country.
Identifying the Performance Obstacles among Nurse Leaders in Selected Medical College Hospitals of Ernakulam

The work environment of nurse leaders may have substantial impact on both nursing outcomes and patient safety. Performance obstacles hinder nurse leaders’ capacity to perform their jobs and are associated closely with their immediate work environment. The aim of the study was to identify the performance obstacles experienced by nurse leaders in their work environment that cover all elements of the work system model. An exploratory, descriptive design was utilised; the sample included all available nurse leaders (n=50). Data was collected by using a self-administered checklist on performance obstacles prepared. It was conducted in selected medical college hospitals at Ernakulum. Results indicated that nurse leaders experience a variety of performance obstacles that cover all elements of the work system model. The study found that 32 percent of participants face low range of obstacles, 38 percent face medium and 30 percent face high range of obstacles.
Antimicrobial Activity from Putative Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria for the Biological Control of American and European Foulbrood Diseases

The balance of the gut microbiome is important for the honey bee’s growth and development, immune function and defense against pathogens. The use of a beneficial bacteria-based strategy for the prevention and biocontrol of American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) diseases in honey bees offers interesting prospects. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are common inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of the honey bee. Among LABs associated with bee gut microbiota, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously Lactobacillus plantarum) and Apilactobacillus kunkeei (formerly classified as Lactobacillus kunkeei) are two of the most abundant species. In this study, four Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains and four Apilactobacillus kunkeei strains, isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) were selected for their in vitro inhibition ability of Paenibacillus larvae ATCC 9545 and Melissococccus plutonius ATCC 35311. In addition, these LABs have been characterized through some biochemical and functional characteristics: cell surface properties (hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation), carbohydrates assimilation and enzymatic activities. The antimicrobial, biochemical and cell surface properties of these LABs have been functional to their candidature as potential probiotics in beekeeping and for the biocontrol of AFB and EFB diseases.
Nonlinear Model Reduction by Moment-Matching for a Point Absorber Wave Energy Conversion System

This paper presents a data-driven model reduction by moment-matching approach to construct control-oriented models for a point absorber device. The methodology chosen and developed generates models which are input-to-state linear, with any nonlinear behaviour confined to the output map. Such a map is the result of a data-driven approximation procedure, where the so-called moment of the point absorber system is estimated via a least-squares procedure. The resulting control-oriented model can inherently preserve steady-state properties of the target WEC system for a user-defined class of input signals of interest, with the computation only dependent upon a suitably defined set of input-output data.
Morphological Biomarkers in the Amygdala and Hippocampus of Children and Adults at High Familial Risk for Depression

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is highly familial, and the hippocampus and amygdala are important in the pathophysiology of MDD. Whether morphological markers of risk for familial depression are present in the hippocampus or amygdala is unknown. We imaged the brains of 148 individuals, aged 6 to 54 years, who were members of a three-generation family cohort study and who were at either high or low familial risk for MDD. We compared surface morphological features of the hippocampus and amygdala across risk groups and assessed their associations with depression severity. High- compared with low-risk individuals had inward deformations of the head of both hippocampi and the medial surface of the left amygdala. The hippocampus findings persisted in analyses that included only those participants who had never had MDD, suggesting that these are true endophenotypic biomarkers for familial MDD. Posterior extension of the inward deformations was associated with more severe depressive symptoms, suggesting that a greater spatial extent of this biomarker may contribute to the transition from risk to the overt expression of symptoms. Significant associations of these biomarkers with corresponding biomarkers for cortical thickness suggest that these markers are components of a distributed cortico-limbic network of familial vulnerability to MDD.
Mothers’ Perception about Mediated Learning Strategies Used in the Home Environment for Supporting the Transfer Ability in Children with Down Syndrome: An Exploratory Investigation

Down syndrome (DS) is the most identified genetic form of disability. Individuals with DS have cognitive and linguistic impairments that vary from severe to mild, although they may show strengths in imitation, social learning, and the use of body language. Many studies have shown that early interventions for sustaining the development of children with DS (physically, linguistically, and cognitively) provide important results, enhance their abilities, and improve their life. Children with DS benefit when supported in their linguistic and cognitive development in the family context, for example, through the ability to compare and relate objects or situations (i.e., transfer competence). Although many studies have shown mediated learning strategies applied in a home environment to enhance children’s analogical, analytical, or inferential thinking, including for people with disabilities, there remains a lack of studies of these strategies for children younger than three years of age. This is in contrast with studies that present analogical thinking (i.e., transfer ability) as one of the fundamental approaches developed before the age of three. The present study aims to highlight mothers’ perceptions about mediated learning strategies used in the home environment to support the transfer ability in children with DS. Five mothers of children with DS who were younger than 3 years of age were involved in the project. They carried out two activities with their child, participated in an online workshop, and answered a questionnaire. The questionnaire’s answers were subjected to thematic analysis. This analysis revealed four main themes: motivation for learning and applying mediational strategies in a family environment, mediational styles applied during activities, language and cognition, and the family as a part of the educational environment. Based on the findings, new lines of future research are suggested.
Pattern-Based Syntactic Simplification of Compound and Complex Sentences

With the advent of new technologies, simplifying text automatically has been very popular and of high importance among natural language researchers during the last decade. The predominant research done in the area of Automatic Sentence Simplification(ASS) is inclined to either lexical or syntactical simplification of sentences. From the literature survey, it is observed that existing research in lexical simplification makes use of word substitution technique. This causes word sense ambiguity in cases where the word synonyms are not appropriate for a sentence in the given context. In contrast, syntactical simplification though accurate and applicable to Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks, requires tremendous efforts to construct rules for a given domain. The research proposes a framework called Pattern-based Automatic Syntactic Simplification(PASS) which identifies sentences and applies rules based on grammatical patterns to simplify the sentences thereby making it more generic for NLP tasks. PASS is evaluated by human experts to rate the usefulness of the framework based on fluency, adequacy and simplicity of the sentences. Furthermore, the framework is automatically evaluated with the available online corpus using automatic metrics of SARI, BLEU, and FKGL. The proposed approach generates promising results in the field of ASS and could be used as a preliminary module for NLP tasks as well as other natural language-related applications like summarization, anaphora resolution, question-answering, and many more.
Fixed-Duration Ibrutinib-Venetoclax in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Comorbidities.

Fixed-Duration Ibrutinib-Venetoclax for CLLAmong 211 patients with CLL who received ibrutinib-venetoclax or chlorambucil-obinutuzumab, there were 22 and 67 progression-free survival (PFS) events at a median follow-up of 27.7 months, respectively. PFS was significantly longer (P<0.001), and improvement with ibrutinib-venetoclax was consistent across subgroups. Adverse events (grade ≥3) were similar in both arms.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Diabetes on Metformin: Arab Countries

Background: Diabetes is a global pandemic, especially in Arab countries. Aim: The goal of this study was to review the published studies that were conducted to determine the relationship between metformin treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin B12 deficiency and to identify possible complications in this relationship. Methods: I searched for all relevant studies published in English before 2020 on the PubMed and Web of Knowledge databases using the following terms: “metformin”, “vitamin B12”, “neuropathy”, “diabetes mellitus”, and Middle Eastern countries. Results: Eleven studies were included in this review which indicated an association between taking metformin and B12 deficiency in patients with T2DM in Arab countries. This B12 deficiency was found to be negatively associated with the dose and duration of metformin therapy. The physician’s knowledge of current ADA recommendations regarding supplementation with and screening of the B12 level for T2DM patients on metformin was also found to have an effect. Conclusion: Metformin therapy is associated with B12 deficiency among people with T2DM in Arabic countries. Thus, diabetes must be managed in compliance with current guidelines and recommendations, and B12 levels must be routinely monitored, particularly in those who have been long-term takers of metformin, to ensure the suitable management of diabetes and its complications.