Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lessons learned in participative multidisciplinary design optimization

Research into future air vehicles incorporating novel technologies is characterized by a high number of interacting disciplines which need to be considered. Despite advances in numeric interfacing techniques for participative Multidisciplinary Design and Optimisation (pMDO), it is not well understood how to build a team of specialists who jointly operate shared tools and gain system level insight. This contribution shifts focus to the human MDO participants and their working environment. Three aspects of collaboration are considered: (a) design of cognitive experiments to measure engineering performance in different settings; (b) integration of prior experience through a Lessons Learned process; and (c) the application of the above into the enhancement of Integrated Design Laboratory (IDL). The pronunciation of competence and working environment, rather than software tools or data, opens opportunities for attractive use cases. }
Ground Treatment for Tunnel Construction on the Madrid Metro

A brief description along with a number of case histories of each of the different types of ground treatment procedures used during the construction works associated with the extensions to the Madrid Metro over the last eight years are described in this paper. An account is given of how different adverse conditions and situations can be overcome by means of these grouting techniques, ensuring at all times the safety of the excavation processes, be they using tunnelling machines or when excavating by hand, be they under buildings, roadways or pipelines
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension- The Eyes and Beyond

179 Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), also known as primary pseudotumor cerebri is an important neurological cause of reversible visual loss. IIH was originally considered a benign syndrome of increased intracranial pressure with unremarkable imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. [1] Over decades of research, it has been well understood that IIH is associated with characteristic imaging findings and has the potential of causing significant visual morbidity. [2,3] IIH has also been associated with significant extra‐optic manifestations which at times may be the sole manifestation and cause of disability of this challenging entity.
Performance assessment of grouted double-shell tank waste disposal at Hanford. Revision 1

This document assesses the performance of the Grout Disposal Facility after closure. The facility and disposal environment are modeled to predict the long-term impacts of the disposal action. The document concludes that the disposal system provides reasonable assurance that doses to the public will remain within the performance objectives. This document is required for DOC Order 5820.2A.
Creativity in verbal associations is linked to semantic control

While memory is known to play a key role in creativity, previous studies have not isolated the critical component processes and networks. We asked participants to generate links between words that ranged from strongly related to completely unrelated in long-term memory, delineating the neurocognitive processes that underpin more unique versus stereotypical patterns of retrieval. Less creative responses to strongly associated word pairs were associated with greater engagement of episodic memory: in highly familiar situations, semantic and episodic stores converge on the same information. This pattern of retrieval was associated with greater engagement of core default mode network. In contrast, more creative responses to weakly associated word pairs were associated with the controlled retrieval of less dominant semantic information and greater recruitment of the semantic control network, which overlaps with the dorsomedial subsystem of default mode network. Consequently, although both creative/controlled and stereotypical/more automatic patterns of retrieval are associated with activation within default mode network, these processes show little overlap in activation. These findings show that creativity emerges from controlled aspects of semantic cognition.
The Role of Pseudocereals in Celiac Disease: Reducing Nutritional Deficiencies to Improve Well-Being and Health

Celiac disease or gluten-dependent enteropathy is a chronic autoimmune pathology triggered by dietary gluten in genetic predisposed individuals, mediated by transglutaminase 2 IgA autoantibodies and associated with a deteriorating immune and inflammatory response. This leads to intestinal villous atrophy, impairing the intestinal mucosa structure and function of secretion, digestion, and absorption. The result is macro- and micronutrient deficiency, including fat soluble vitamins and minerals, and a consequent nutritional status depletion. A lifelong gluten-free diet is the only available treatment for celiac patients in order to assure normal intestinal mucosa and remission of gastrointestinal symptoms. However, a gluten-free diet can itself cause other nutritional deficiencies due to its restrictive nature regarding gluten-containing cereals. A group of gluten-free cereals, known as pseudocereals, is increasingly recognized as valuable options for gluten-free diets due to their high nutritional value. Amaranth, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat are examples of gluten-free nutrient-dense grains that can be used as alternatives to the conventional gluten-containing grains and improve the variety and nutritional quality of the celiac diet. Current work reviews the nutritional pitfalls of a gluten-free diet and analyses how pseudocereals can contribute to revert those deficiencies and optimize the nutritional value of this mandatory diet for the celiac population.
Efficiency loss in resource allocation games

The overarching goals of this thesis are to quantify the efficiency loss due to market participant strategic behavior, and to design proper pricing mechanisms that reduce the efficiency loss. The concept of efficiency loss is intimately related to the concept of “price of anarchy,” which was advanced by Koutsoupias and Papadimitriou, and compares the maximum social welfare with that achieved at a worst Nash equilibrium. This thesis focuses on the following two topics: (i) For a market with an arbitrary number of participants, how much is the Nash equilibrium close, in the sense of price of anarchy, to a social optimum? (ii) For a resource allocation/pricing mechanism, is the social welfare achieved at an economic equilibrium asymptotically optimal, as the number of market participants goes to infinity? Regarding the first topic, we quantify the efficiency loss in classical Cournot oligopoly games, where multiple oligopolists compete by choosing quantities. We also compare the total profit earned at a Cournot equilibrium to the maximum possible total profit that would be obtained if the suppliers were to collude. For the second topic, related to the efficiency in large economics, we analyze the efficiency of Kelly’s proportional allocation mechanism in large-scale wireless communication systems. We study a corresponding Bayesian game in which each user has incomplete information on the state or type of the other users, and show that the social welfare achieved at a Bayes-Nash equilibrium is asymptotically optimal, as the number of users increases to infinity. Finally, for electricity delivery systems, we propose a new dynamic pricing mechanism that explicitly encourages consumers to adapt their consumption so as to offset the variability of demand on conventional units. Through a dynamic game-theoretic formulation, we show that the proposed pricing mechanism achieves social optimality asymptotically, as the number of consumers increases to infinity. Thesis Supervisor: John N. Tsitsiklis Title: Clarence J. Lebel Professor of Electrical Engineering Thesis Supervisor
Personal growth and insight gained from an intergenerational service-learning course in Hong Kong undergraduate students

ABSTRACT Thirty-six undergraduate students were required to complete a compulsory intergenerational service-learning subject that aims to develop them ability to communicate with elderly and apply essential principles to promote health in community setting. Students organized center activities or conducted home visits in nine weeks. A content analysis on students’ reflective essay after the intergenerational service-learning subject was conducted to evaluate their personal growth and insights into elderly community health services. Results indicated that students were able to apply the skills of health promotion, show empathy, identify needs of elderly services and build community engagement.
Coal Ash Corrosion Resistant Materials Testing Program

The "Coal Ash Corrosion Resistant Materials Testing Program" is being conducted by The Babcock & Wilcox Company (BW the last is tentatively planned for the fall of 2004. This paper describes the program; its importance; the design, fabrication, installation and operation of the test system; materials utilized; experience to date; and results of the evaluation of the first section. « less
F eb 2 02 2 Study of the four-body decays B 0 S → N 1 N 2 → ππππ in the perturbative QCD approach

In this work, we analyse the CP-averaged branching ratios and direct CP-violating asymmetries of the fourbody decays B S → ππππ decay from the S-wave resonances, f0(980) and f0(500) and P-wave resonances, ρ(770) by introducing the S-wave and P-wave ππ distribution amplitudes within the framework of the perturbative QCD approach. We also calculate branching ratios of the two-body decaysB S → ρ ρ,B S → ρ ρ from the corresponding quasi-two-body decays models and compare our our results with those obtained in previous perturbative QCD approach, QCD factorization approach and FAT approach, it is found that the predictions are consistent with present dates within errors. The branching ratios of our calculations for the four-body decays B S → ππππ are at the order of the 10 . For the CP-violating asymmetries, we found that CP-violating asymmetry can be enhanced largely by the ρ − ω mixing resonances when ππ pairs masses are in the vicinity of ω resonance.
Vertical Jump Tests: A Safe Instrument to Improve the Accuracy of the Functional Capacity Assessment in Robust Older Women

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women. The investigation entailed an assessment of anthropometric characteristics, physical functioning tests (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), sit-to-up 5 times and sit-to-up 30 s, gait speed, time-up-to-go test (TUGT)), and tests evaluating muscle strength and power (handgrip, lower limb isokinetic tests, and vertical jumping tests). Significant negative correlations were found between vertical jumping tests and BMI, body fat percentage, sit-to-up 5 times and TUGT. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between vertical jumping tests and SPPB, gait speed, handgrip, and concentric isokinetic tests of knee muscles. No adverse events in volunteers’ physical integrity were reported during and after the performance of all physical tests. Thus, the study results showed that vertical jumping tests are safe and accurate for assessing physical performance and are useful for monitoring age-related loss of muscle performance in robust older women.
Antibacterial and phytochemical screening of Ziziphus jujuba (jujube/magarya) leaf extract in Kaduna Metropolis

Ziziphus jujuba from the family of Rhamnaceae is widely distributed in both tropical and subtropical countries. Different parts of the plant have been used traditionally for several biological purposes including fungal and antibacterial and antidiarrheal. This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial activity of Ziziphus jujuba leaf extract against bacteria isolated from vaginal swab. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves extract of Ziziphus jujuba was carried out using standard analytical methods. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Ziziphus jujuba leaf were screened for antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from vaginal swabs using agar well diffusion and broth dilution assay. The results of the phytochemical constituents revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and terpenes in the ethanol extract while alkaloids, steroids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, and saponins were present in the aqueous extract. The inhibitory zones of the ethanol extract against S. aureus ranged between 13.00- 15.00 mm while that of E. coli ranged between 7.00- 10.00 mm at 50 and 100 (mg/ml) respectively. The inhibitory zone of the aqueous extract against the clinical isolates of S. aureus ranged from 9.00- 11.00 and 6.00-8.00 (mm) for E. coli at 50 and 100 (mg/ml) respectively. However, S. aureus was more susceptible to the extract with an MIC of 100 mg/ml. The observed inhibitory activities of the leaf extract against the clinical isolates could be due to phytochemical constituents present in the plant extracts of Ziziphus jujuba.
Spineless Cactus plus Urea and Tifton-85 Hay: Maximizing the Digestible Organic Matter Intake, Ruminal Fermentation and Nitrogen Utilization of Wethers in Semi-Arid Regions

Simple Summary In semi-arid regions, providing a roughage adapted to water deficient conditions, such as spineless cactus, associated with a source of physically effective fiber, could be a feed alternative for sheep. Five inclusion levels of spineless cactus plus urea and ammonium sulfate to replace Tifton-85 hay were tested in sheep diets with a roughage/concentrate ratio of 70:30. The dry matter and digestible organic matter intake, as well as ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein supply, were evaluated. The results suggested that spineless cactus inclusion affected quadratically the dry matter and digestible organic matter intake, as well as retained nitrogen and microbial protein supply. The spineless cactus plus urea and ammonium sulfate improved nitrogen utilization, reducing linearly urinary nitrogen excretion, serum urea, and ammonia plasma. On the other hand, spineless cactus inclusion increased the ruminal acetate and propionate concentrations, while ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia nitrogen were decreased. We recommend a roughage consisting of spineless cactus (plus urea and ammonium sulfate) and Tifton-85 hay in a 41:29 ratio, in order to maximize the digestible organic matter intake and N-utilization. This could lead to an improvement in the productive performance of animals in semi-arid regions. Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85) with 0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 g/kg dry matter (DM) of spineless cactus (SC, Nopalea cochenilifera Salm-Dyck) plus urea and ammonium sulfate (UAS; 9:1) on DM, digestible organic matter (DOM) and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) intakes, as well as ruminal fermentation, N-balance, and microbial protein supply (MPS). Five rumen-fistulated and cannulated crossbred wethers, weighing 43.8 ± 5.80 kg, were randomized in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Isonitrogenous diets (14% crude protein) were supplied with a roughage/concentrate ratio of 70:30. The DOM intake, N-retained, and MPS showed quadratic responses (p < 0.05), with maximum values estimated at the levels of SC+UAS of 414, 438 and 418 g/kg DM, respectively. Rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen, iNDF intake, N-urinary excretion, and serum urea and plasma ammonia reduced linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing SC+UAS inclusion. Ruminal acetate and propionate concentrations increased linearly with increasing SC+UAS inclusion. In wethers fed diets with a roughage/concentrate ratio of 70:30, roughage constituted of a SC+UAS/hay (Tifton-85) ratio of 41:29 is recommended in order to maximize the DOM intake, N-retention, and MPS.
Evaluation of the Homogenization Adjustments Applied to European Temperature Records in the Global Historical Climatology Network Dataset

The widely used Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) monthly temperature dataset is available in two formats—non-homogenized and homogenized. Since 2011, this homogenized dataset has been updated almost daily by applying the “Pairwise Homogenization Algorithm” (PHA) to the non-homogenized datasets. Previous studies found that the PHA can perform well at correcting synthetic time series when certain artificial biases are introduced. However, its performance with real world data has been less well studied. Therefore, the homogenized GHCN datasets (Version 3 and 4) were downloaded almost daily over a 10-year period (2011-2021) yielding 3689 different updates to the datasets. The different breakpoints identified were analyzed for a set of stations from 24 European countries for which station history metadata were available. A remarkable inconsistency in the identified breakpoints (and hence adjustments applied) was revealed. Of the adjustments applied for GHCN Version 4, 64% (61% for Version 3) were identified on less than 25% of runs, while only 16% of the adjustments (21% for Version 3) were identified consistently for more than 75% of the runs. The consistency of PHA adjustments improved when the breakpoints corresponded to documented station history metadata events. However, only 19% of the breakpoints (18% for Version 3) were associated with a documented event within 1 year, and 67% (69% for Version 3) were not associated with any documented event. Therefore, while the PHA remains a useful tool in the community’s homogenization toolbox, many of the PHA adjustments applied to the homogenized GHCN dataset may have been spurious. Using station metadata to assess the reliability of PHA adjustments might potentially help to identify some of these spurious adjustments.
Health risks of being a chef and its effects on chefs and the restaurant business

Author Trang Huynh Title Health Risks of Being a Chef and itsEffects on Chefs and the Restaurant Busniness Year 2015 Language English Pages 55 + 2 Appendices Name of Supervisor Helena Alamäki The aim of the research was to find out the prevalence of stress and musculoskeletal diseases namely back pain, neck pain and leg pain of cooks in restaurant kitchens. The reasons for the health problems, their manifestation and their effects on cooks as well as restaurant business were also examined in the study. The study was conducted in a la carte restaurants that are located in Vaasa city centre. Quantitative method was chosen with the distribution of two sets of questionnaires; one for cooks and the other for restaurant owners/ managers. There are total 27 respondents for the survey for cooks and four respondents for the survey for restaurant owners/ managers. With regard to the survey for cooks, stress and multiple site pains occur often among the group of respondents. The health problems, however, are not severe in general and do not affect their work and daily activities too much. Abundant amount of work is considered as the biggest cause of stress while the laborious and physically demanding work in the kitchen is the main reason for musculoskeletal pains for the respondents. With regard to the survey for restaurant owners, cooks' health problems are of little or no effect on their business profit. Cooks' sick leaves and leaves due to stress or physical pains are not the norm. No restaurants in the study have a separate budget for cooks' leaves and sick leaves.
Care-seeking behaviour of adolescents with patellofemoral pain: a retrospective cohort study

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the care-seeking behaviour among adolescents with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Methods: This retrospective study included data on 121 adolescents with PFP enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. A questionnaire was sent to the general practitioner (GP) of each adolescent, assessing information on the consultation dates for knee pain, potential diagnoses, and treatment provided. Results: 106/121 adolescents had been in contact with their GP, and 95 medical records of adolescents were available. Of the 95 adolescents with available medical records 60 had consulted their GP for knee pain. The median number of contacts was 1.5 (range 1-7). The GPs initiated treatment for 48 of the 60 adolescents and in most cases it was information and advice (36/48) or pain medication to a minor extent (6/48). Out of the 60 adolescents who consulted their GP 26 were subsequently referred to different types of health care professionals, in 11 out of 26 to physiotherapy, but also to the department of rheumatology or orthopaedics. Conclusions : 63% of adolescents diagnosed with PFP had previously consulted their GP due to knee pain. Several types of treatments were initiated by the GP, but most commonly advice and information were given. Standardized and evidence-based treatment guidelines for adolescent knee pain in general practice are needed
Apps permissions in the Google Play Store

Today, 68% of Americans own a smartphone of some kind and an increasing number of digital interactions occur within the context of mobile apps. Apps (short for “applications”) are programs that users can download to their smartphone or tablet computer. They can serve a nearly unlimited range of functions — from simple tools like a calculator to advanced digital assistants. They allow users to tailor their powerful pocket computer into a device with hundreds of potential uses that meet their owners’ specific needs. In order to function, apps may require access to both the capabilities of the devices they reside on as well as the user information contained on those devices. As users go about their lives, their mobile devices produce a vast trove of personal information and data, ranging from the user’s location to a history of his or her phone calls or text message interactions. This puts apps at the center of debates about privacy in the digital age. All of this information can be crucial to the functioning of mobile apps. But actually accessing a device’s data or capabilities requires app developers to request it from end users in one way or another – often by asking users to click through an “I accept” box. Permissions are the mechanism by which app developers disclose how their apps will interact with users’ devices and personal information on devices running Google’s Android operating system. Once that permission is granted, the apps can amass insights from the data collected by the apps on things such as the physical activities and movements of users, their browsing and media-use habits, their social media use and their personal networks, the photos and videos they shoot and share, and their core communications. A newly released Pew Research Center survey from February 2015 finds that users place significant emphasis on how much information their apps collect from them: 90% of app users indicate that having clear information about how apps will access or use their personal data is “very” or “somewhat” important to them when deciding to download an app. Fully 60% of apps users have chosen to not download an app after discovering how much personal information the app required. Clearly users are concerned about the information their apps require, but less is known about what is happening on the other side of the transaction — the permissions and capabilities that apps are most likely to ask for.