Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eating Disorders and Disturbed Eating Behaviors Underlying Body Weight Differences in Patients Affected by Endometriosis: Preliminary Results from an Italian Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs), disturbed eating behaviors (DEBs), and emotional eating attitudes (EEAs) among patients affected by endometriosis in order to understand a potential crosslink between this impacting gynecological disease and a Body Mass Index shift. A total of 30 patients were recruited at an endometriosis outpatient clinic in Bologna and were assessed by using standardized instruments and specific questionnaires for EDs, DEBs, and EEAs. Sociodemographic information and endometriosis clinical features and history information were collected by adopting a specific questionnaire. Retrospective reports of lifetime Body Mass Index (BMI) changes, current BMI, peak pain severity during the last menstrual period, and the average of pain intensity during the last intermenstrual period were used for a correlation with the mean score from eating-behavior scales’ assessment. The preliminary results indicate that, although only 3.33% of endometriosis patients are affected by ED, statistically significant differences at the mean scores of DEBs and EEAs assessment scales were found by stratifying patients on the basis of BMI levels at risk for infertility and coronary heart disease and on the basis of moderate/severe pain levels. The enrichment of the sample size and the recruitment of the control group to complete the study enrollment will allow us to investigate more complex and strong correlation findings and to assess the prevalence of EDs among endometriosis patients.
Spring Season Colorado Cyclones. Part I: Use of Composites to Relate Upper and Lower Tropospheric Wind Fields

Abstract A set of 70 cases of spring season Colorado cyclone events is used to form composites which describe the upper (300 mb) and lower (850 mb) tropospheric wind fields during the early stages of cyclone formation. The 70 cases are partitioned into those which persist beyond 72 h (developing) and those which fill after 24 h (nondeveloping). The developing sample reveals a well-defined 300-mb wind maximum embedded in a short wave trough which propagates eastward during the six time periods studied. However, the nondeveloping sample composite exhibits little structure to the 300-mb wind pattern. A subsample of the developing cases, chosen on the basis of the presence of a jet streak over the New Mexico-Texas area, shows a stronger 300-mb wind maximum. The 850-mb composites show southerly flow in the southern Great Plains in the two samples and the subsample. The developing sample and jet streak subsample exhibit a marked increase in 850-mb wind speed as the exit region of the 300-mb jet maximum propagat.
An asymptotic model for the hydrodynamics of the thermal bar

An asymptotic solution is found for the temperature and circulation structure for an unsteady two-dimensional model of the thermal bar phenomenon. The non-rotating case considered here is relevant to laboratory models of the thermal bar. The main implication of the asymptotic results is that the thermal bar might propagate out from the shore more slowly than predicted by a purely heat-balance-based estimate. The solution is discussed in the context of available experimental results.
Raman Spectroscopic Study of Ferroelectric Sn-Doped SrTiO3

We measured the Raman spectra of ferroelectric Sn-doped SrTiO3, (Sr1-aSna)(Ti1-bSnb)O3 (x = a + b = 0.1, 0.05 and 0.02) in the temperature range from 300 to 20 K. At room temperature, polar transverse optic modes were observed; which are forbidden in Oh cubic symmetry. The soft mode showed no freezing but remained at constant frequency; it split into two peaks at low temperature. Several modes became active through zone folding below 150 K. Instead of freezing of the soft mode, a relaxation mode related to ferroelectricity was found in the low frequency region.
Passenger train scheduling on a single-track or partially double-track railway with stochastic information

This article investigates a scheduling problem for passenger trains on a single or partially double-track railway in which the total passengers’ trip time with a penalty function is minimized. Owing to the uncertainty of the real traffic system, the number of passengers boarding (leaving) the train at each station is treated as a random variable. Three kinds of criteria are introduced to compute the total passengers’ trip time, including the expected value criterion, the pessimistic value criterion and the optimistic value criterion. A 0-1 mixed integer programming model is constructed for the problem, and a branch-and-bound algorithm is also designed to solve the model, in which two strategies are introduced to resolve the conflicts on tracks. Finally, some numerical experiments are performed to show the performance of the model and the algorithm.
Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Curcumin for Cancer Therapy: Challenges from Their Pro-Apoptotic Properties

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are gaining wide attention for their multiple health-promoting activities and in particular for their anti-cancer properties. Several studies have highlighted how they can prevent cancer initiation and progression, improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and, in some cases, limit some of the side effects of chemotherapy agents. In this paper, we provide an update of the literature on the anti-cancer effects of three extensively studied plant-derived compounds, namely resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and curcumin, with a special focus on the anti-cancer molecular mechanisms inducing apoptosis in the major types of cancers globally.
Adolescent Victimization during COVID-19 Lockdowns and Its Influence on Mental Health Problems in Seven Countries: The Mediation Effect of Resilience

The objective of this study was to test the differences between the mean scores of victimization, an indicator of depression, stress, and anxiety (DASS), across seven countries (Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, and the Russian Federation) during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In addition, this study sought to analyze the mediator role of resilience in these relationships in the different countries. To this end, a structural equation model (SEM) was tested and differences across countries were considered through a multigroup analysis. Data for adolescent students from seven countries (n = 7241) collected by the Global Research Alliance showed that levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among adolescents were different in the countries assessed; all of them presented values above the mean of the indicator, with Chile and Russia having the highest values. Regarding the prevalence of exposure to violence, the mean across all countries studied was 34%, with the highest prevalence in Russia and India. At the global level, an adequate adjustment was observed in the SEM mediation model considering all countries. However, a mediator effect of resilience was only observed in the relationship between victimization and the indicator of DASS in Chile, Indonesia, and Russia. The results are discussed, analyzing the relevance of resilience as a protective factor for mental health during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Constrained Damping Layer Treatments: Finite Element Modeling

In this paper we assess the performance of finite element models in modeling structures with sheer damping treatments. We analyze the finite element modeling of constrained layer damping (CLD) and integrated layer damping (ILD) treatments using viscoelastic materials, devoting special attention to the spatial modeling of the treatment and to the characterization of the viscoelastic material properties. In this work, we used a finite element commercial software (MSC.Nastran) to simulate the dynamic response of aluminum plates with both treatment configurations (CLD and ILD). The spatial modeling of the treatment was devel-oped using three different models, all based on a layered assembly of plate/brick conventional finite elements. The dynamic properties of the viscoelastic material were taken into account in the numerical simulation using the complex modulus approach. The numerical results are correlated with experimental data obtained for four treated specimens by direct comparison of the frequency response functions (FRFs) and by using FRF-based correlation indicators. The analyzed finite element models are found to provide very reliable results when compared with experimental acquired data.
Multiphysics Analysis of Reversible Electroporation and Electrodeformation of Cervical Cells Using a Nanosecond Pulse Generator

We present an agglomerative in-silico study that explores the feasibility of leveraging nanosecond pulsed electric field on cervical cell samples toward improving cervical cell neoplasia and cancer detection by enhancing the visual fidelity of the screening tests. This comprehensive, multimodal study explores the effect of these pulsed electric fields on membrane electroporation and deformation in cell clusters extracted from real cervical sample images. Apart from performing a quantitative assessment of dye uptake change under the predefined electric stress, we also perform a thermal analysis to check whether the thermal envelope is breached during the application of a pulsed electric field. For the sake of completeness, we also present the hardware details of a Marx generator-based pulsar that provides the necessary stimulus for various multiphysics studies.
Ejecta particle size distributions for shock loaded Sn and Al metals

When a shock wave interacts at a metal vacuum interface “ejected particulates” (ejecta) can be emitted from the surface. The mass, size, shape, and velocity of the ejecta varies depending on the initial shock conditions and the material properties of the metal sample. To understand this phenomena, experiments have been conducted at the Pegasus Pulsed Power Facility located at Los Alamos National Laboratory. For the experiments reported in this article, the facility is used to implode a cylinder to a velocity of 3.4 mm/μs. When this cylinder impacts a smaller diameter target cylinder, shock pressures of 30 and 40 GPa can be obtained in Al and Sn metals, respectively. Ejecta formation proceeds as the shock wave in the metal sample interacts at the metal vacuum interface. The size of the ejected particles is then measured using an in-line Fraunhofer holography technique. In this report, ejecta particle size distributions will be presented for shocked Al and Sn metals. The measured particle size distributions.
IBA effect on hardwood stem cuttings of Morus alba in open conditions in Punjab region

The research trial was conducted at Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India. The hardwood stem cuttings of Mulberry basal portions were treated with 0, 150, 250, 500, and 750 ppm solutions of IBA for 24 hrs by slow dip method. The mulberry cuttings have rooted on raised beds under the open field conditions. In all the treatments, Number of sprouted cuttings, average length of sprouts (cm) and diameter of sprouts (mm) were higher in T2 treatment (IBA 150 mg l-1) and a live cutting (%), no. of roots/cutting, length of roots/cutting (cm) was higher in T5 treatment (IBA 750 mgl-1).
pH-Responsive Hybrid Nanoassemblies for Cancer Treatment: Formulation Development, Optimization, and In Vitro Therapeutic Performance

Current needs for increased drug delivery carrier efficacy and specificity in cancer necessitate the adoption of intelligent materials that respond to environmental stimuli. Therefore, we developed and optimized pH-triggered drug delivery nanoassemblies that exhibit an increased release of doxorubicin (DOX) in acidic conditions typical of cancer tissues and endosomal vesicles (pH 5.5) while exhibiting significantly lower release under normal physiological conditions (pH 7.5), indicating the potential to reduce cytotoxicity in healthy cells. The hybrid (polymeric/lipid) composition of the lyotropic non-lamellar liquid crystalline (LNLCs) nanoassemblies demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency of the drug (>90%) and high drug loading content (>7%) with colloidal stability lasting at least 4 weeks. Confocal microscopy revealed cancer cellular uptake and DOX-loaded LNLCs accumulation near the nucleus of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, with a large number of cells appearing to be in apoptosis. DOX-loaded LNLCs have also shown higher citotoxicity in cancer cell lines (MDA-MB 231 and HepG2 cell lines after 24 h and in NCI-H1299 cell line after 48 h) when compared to free drug. After 24 h, free DOX was found to have higher cytotoxicity than DOX-loaded LNLCs and empty LNLCs in the normal cell line. Overall, the results demonstrate that DOX-loaded LNLCs have the potential to be explored in cancer therapy.
Uniform rates of decay in nonlinear viscoelasticity for polynomial decaying kernels

We prove a global existence theorem for the nonlinear viscoelastic equation for small data in and that the solution decays algebraically to zero when the kernel decays also algebraically as t goes to infinity. That is, if the kernel g satisfies with p > 2, then the firts and second order energy decay as .
Using geographical random forest models to explore spatial patterns in the neighborhood determinants of hypertension prevalence across chicago, illinois, USA

In the United States, the rise in hypertension prevalence has been connected to neighborhood characteristics. While various studies have found a link between neighborhood and health, they do not evaluate the relative dependence of each component in the growth of hypertension and, more significantly, how this value differs geographically (i.e., across different neighborhoods). This study ranks the contribution of ten socioeconomic neighborhood factors to hypertension prevalence in Chicago, Illinois, using multiple global and local machine learning models at the census tract level. First, we use Geographical Random Forest, a recently proposed non-linear machine learning regression method, to assess each predictive factor’s spatial variation and contribution to hypertension prevalence. Then we compare GRF performance to Geographically Weighted Regression (local model), Random Forest (global model), and OLS (global model). The results indicate that GRF outperforms all models and that the importance of variables varies by census tract. Household composition is the most important factor in the Chicago tracts, while on the other hand, Housing type and Transportation is the least important factor. While the household composition is the most important determinant around north Lake Michigan, the socioeconomic condition of the neighborhood in Chicago’s mid-north has the most importance on hypertension prevalence. Understanding how the importance of socioeconomic factors associated with hypertension prevalence varies spatially aids in the design and implementation of health policies based on the most critical factors identified at the local level (i.e., tract), rather than relying on broad city-level guidelines (i.e., for entire Chicago and other large cities).
A boundary‐domain integral equation method in viscous fluid flow

In this paper, the reciprocal work theorem for viscous fluid flow is established for Newtonian fluids and, based on this theorem, a set of boundary‐domain integral equations is derived from the continuity and momentum equations for two‐dimensional viscous flows. The complex‐variable technique is used to compute velocity gradients in the use of the continuity equation. The primary variables involved in these integral equations are velocity, traction and pressure. Although the numerical implementation is only focused on steady incompressible flows, these equations are applicable to solving steady, unsteady, compressible and incompressible problems. In this method, the pressure can be expressed in terms of velocity and traction such that the final system of equations entering the iteration procedure only involves velocity and traction as unknowns. Two commonly cited numerical examples are presented to validate the derived equations. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical studies of cusp formation at fluid interfaces in Stokes flow

Numerical studies are performed addressing the development of regions of high curvature and the spontaneous occurrence of cusped interfacial shapes in two-dimensional and axisymmetric Stokes flow. In the numerical simulations, the velocity field is computed using a boundary-integral method, and the evolution of the concentration of an insoluble surfactant over an evolving interface is computed using an implicit finite-volume method. Three configurations are considered in detail, and the results are used to elucidate three different aspects of cusp formation. In the first series, the deformation of a two-dimensional bubble immersed in a family of straining flows devised by Antanovskii, and of an axisymmetric bubble immersed in an analogous family of flows devised by Sherwood, are examined. The numerical results indicate that highly elongated and cusped two-dimensional shapes, and pointed or cusped axisymmetric shapes, are unstable and should not be expected to occur in practice. In the second series of studies, the role of an insoluble surfactant on the transient deformation of bubbles subject to the Antanovskii or Sherwood flow is investigated. Under certain conditions, the reduced surface tension at the tips raises the local curvature to high values and causes the ejection of a sheet or column of gas by means of tip streaming. In the third series of studies, the coalescence of a polygonal formation of five viscous columns of a fluid placed in an arrangement that differs only slightly from one proposed recently by Richardson is examined. The numerical results confirm Richardson's predictions that transient cusps may occur at a finite time in the presence of surface tension. The underlying physical mechanism is discussed on the basis of reversibility of surface-driven Stokes flow and with reference to the regularity of the motion driven by negative surface tension. Replacing the inviscid ambient gas with a slightly viscous fluid whose viscosity is as low as one hundredth the viscosity of the cylinders suppresses the cusp formation.
Experimental-study of the Mutual Neutralization of H+ and H- Between 5-ev and 2000-ev

The cross section for the mutual neutralisation process: H++H- to H+H has been measured over the energy range 5-2000 eV, using merged beams and coincident detection of the products. The results obtained differ significantly from those published by other investigators. In particular, the energy dependence is free of structures and similar to that predicted by theory. The cross section is also in excellent agreement with recent calculations.
Small Robust Response-Surface Designs for Quantitative and Qualitative Factors

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACT Draper and John (1988) gave some specific response-surface designs for quantitative and qualitative factors. Wu and Ding (1998) gave a systematic method for constructing such designs. Aggarwal and Bansal (1998) gave robust response surface design for quantitative and qualitative factors using central composite designs. In this paper, we give a method for constructing robust response-surface designs for quantitative and qualitative factors using the small response-surface optimization approach given by Lin and Tu (1995) for finding the optimal setting for a set of design variables involving qualitative and quantitative factors.
A Method of Moments for the Analysis of a Switched Communication Network's Performance

The proposed method of moments is an approximation scheme consisting of a simple iteration algorithm which converges to the network's point-to-point blocking probabilities. The following are the key steps. First, the total traffic stream (obtained by combining the individually offered overflow and Poissonian streams under the assumption of independence) offered to any trunk (channel) group in the network is approximated by a renewal process of a specific type.The total overflow from the trunk group is obtained using the generalized Erlang loss function. After suitably apportioning the lost load among the individually offered streams, each stream's blocking on the trunk group is computed. Finally, a point-to-point probability linear graph is constructed from the alternate routing scheme and the point-point-to-point blocking is computed assuming independent blocking in the links. Numerical results are presented for a simple three-node network with Poissonian point-to-point demand and comparison is made between the three-moment methods and simulation. The results indicate that the three-moment method is sufficiently accurate for engineering purposes.
On the Design of a Network Digital Twin for the Radio Access Network in 5G and Beyond

A Network Digital Twin (NDT) is a high-fidelity digital mirror of a real network. Given the increasing complexity of 5G and beyond networks, the use of an NDT becomes useful as a platform for testing configurations and algorithms prior to their application in the real network, as well as for predicting the performance of such algorithms under different conditions. While an NDT can be defined for the different subsystems of the network, this paper proposes an NDT architecture focusing on the Radio Access Network (RAN), describing the components to represent and model the operation of the different RAN elements, and to perform emulations. Different application use cases are identified, and among them, the paper puts the focus on the training of Reinforcement Learning (RL) solutions for the RAN. For this use case, the paper introduces a framework aligned with O-RAN specifications and discusses the functionalities needed to integrate the NDT. This use case is illustrated with the description of a RAN NDT implementation used for training an RL-based capacity-sharing solution for network slicing. Presented results demonstrate that the implemented RAN NDT is a suitable platform to successfully train the RL solution, achieving service-level agreement satisfaction values above 85%.
A Method for Modelling Varying Run-Off Evolutions in Claims Reserving

This paper considers the application of state space modelling to the chain ladder linear model in order to allow the run-off parameters to vary with accident year. In the usual application of the chain ladder technique, the development factors are assumed to be the same for each accident year. This implies that the run-off shape does not alter with accident year. This paper shows how this assumption can be relaxed in order to allow a recursive smooth model to be applied, or for large changes in the shape of the run-off curve. It is possible for these changes to be modelled using external inputs, or for a multiprocess model to be used to detect changes in the run-off shape.