Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forecasting Achievement Sports through Cooperative Learning in Handball Training in Physical Education

Background. This work studied 60 university students who were registered in two handball training classes in the second year of Physical Education and Sports Science throughout the academic year 2017 to 2018. Objectives. It aims to identify the impact of two different training styles (cooperative and traditional) on players’ achievements and basic techniques in a handball learning unit. Methods. Hence, the sample was divided into the control and experiment groups. The experiment group was subjected to the cooperative training technique, whereas the control group was subjected to the traditional training (teacher-cantered) technique. The complying instruments were used to collect learning design inventory, handball achievement tests, handball techniques, and assessment forms. Results. The handball attitude scale revealed that cooperative training during a handball training class has a stronger link to students’ sporting activities achievements, class attitude, and exercise skills compared to traditional training. Results of players’ test range suggest that they prefer cooperative training. Conclusions. This study can help researchers and practitioners conduct Cooperative Learning intervention programs Physical Education in Schools and Universities.
The Role of Different Inflammatory Indices in the Diagnosis of COVID-19

Aim To assess the role of different inflammatory indices in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. Methods The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived NLR (dNLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte, platelet ratio (NLPR), systemic inflammation index (SII), aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CRP/L) were assessed in 88 COVID-19 patients compared to 41 healthy control subjects. Results The NLR, PLR, NLPR, SIRI, and CRP/L were significantly increased, while LMR was significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (P = 0.008, 0.011, <0.001, 0.032, 0.002 and P < 0.001; respectively). The AUC for the assessed indices was LMR (0.738, P = 0.008), NLPR (0.721, P < 0.001), CRP/L (0.692, P = 0.002), NLR (0.649, P < 0.001), PLR (0.643, P = 0.011), SIRI (0.623, P = 0.032), dNLR (0.590, P = 0.111), SII (0.571, P = 0.207), and AISI (0.567, P-0.244). Multivariate analysis showed that NLPR >0.011 (OR: 38.751, P = 0.014), and CRP/L >7.6 (OR: 7.604, P = 0.022) are possible independent diagnostic factors for COVID-19 infection. Conclusion NLPR and CRP/L could be potential independent diagnostic factors for COVID-19 infection.
Towards a Microwave Imaging System for Continuous Monitoring of Liver Tumor Ablation: Design and In Silico Validation of an Experimental Setup

Liver cancer is one of the most common liver malignancies worldwide. Thermal ablation has been recognized as a promising method for its treatment, with a significant impact on clinical practice. However, the treatment’s effectiveness is heavily dependent on the experience of the clinician and would improve if paired with an image-guidance device for treatment monitoring. Conventional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging, show some disadvantages, motivating interest in alternative technologies. In this framework, microwave imaging was recently proposed as a potential candidate, being capable of implementing real-time monitoring by means of low-cost and portable devices. In this work, the in silico assessment of a microwave imaging device specifically designed for liver ablation monitoring is presented. To this end, an imaging experiment involving eight Vivaldi antennas in an array configuration and a practically realizable liver phantom mimicking the evolving treatment was simulated. In particular, since the actual phantom will be realized by 3D printing technology, the effect of the plastic shells containing tissues mimicking materials was investigated and discussed. The outcomes of this study confirm that the presence of printing materials does not impair the significance of the experiments and that the designed device is capable of providing 3D images of the ablated region conveying information on its extent and evolution. Moreover, the observed results suggest possible improvements to the system, paving the way for the next stage in which the device will be implemented and experimentally assessed in the same conditions as those simulated in this study.
Two novel species and two new records of Distoseptispora from freshwater habitats in China and Thailand

Abstract During investigations into freshwater fungi from the Great Mekong Subregion, four Distoseptispora taxa were collected from China and Thailand. Based on morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2 sequence data, two new species Distoseptisporabangkokensis and D.lancangjiangensis are introduced, and two known species D.clematidis and D.thysanolaenae were first reported in freshwater habitat. Illustrations and descriptions of these taxa are provided, along with comparisons with extant taxa in the genus.
Computer Vision based Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Sorting for Waste Recycling

Recycling plays a vital role in saving the planet for future generations as it allows keeping a clean environment, reducing energy consumption, and saving materials. Of special interest is the plastic material which may take centuries to decompose. In particular, the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic for packaging various products that can be recycled. Sorting PET can be performed, either manually or automatically, at recycling facilities where the post-consumed objects are moving on the conveyor belt. In particular, automated sorting can process a large amount of PET objects without human intervention. In this paper, we propose a computer vision system for recognizing PET objects placed on a conveyor belt. Specifically, DeepLabv3+ is deployed to segment PET objects semantically. Such system can be exploited using an autonomous robot to compensate for human intervention and supervision. The conducted experiments showed that the proposed system outperforms the state of the art semantic segmentation approaches with weighted IoU equals to 97% and Mean BFscore equals to 89%. Keywords—PET; recycling; computer vision; machine learning
Interaction Between Diet and Dominant Fecal Microbiota Along the First Year of Life

Extensive work has established the importance of the gut microbiota during the first years of life. However, there are few longitudinal studies describing the role of infants´ diet on the evolution of the fecal microbiota and their metabolic activity during this stage. The aim of this work was to explore the impact of diet on the composition of the major intestinal microorganisms and their main microbial metabolites from birth to 12 months. This is a longitudinal prospective study analyzing fecal microbiota, bacterial groups levels were determined by qPCR and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels by gas chromatography, as well as information from self-administered questionnaires about general characteristics and food frequency from a cohort of 83, Spanish and full-term, infants at 15, 90, 180 and 365 days of age. Results revealed that Enterobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium decrease in weaning period contrary to Bacteroides group and Clostridium cluster IV. Furthermore, a clustering based on fecal bacterial groups, SCFAs and type of delivery and feeding, gender and living area suggested that the excretion of SCFAs is strongly related to the type of lactation. Conclusion: our study supports weaning period as a key step for gut microbiota transition and suggests the importance of the consumption of dietary fiber with the increase of certain bacterial groups as Clostridium cluster IV, which could be beneficial for the host. Finally, studies specially designed to analyze the production and the excretion of SCFAs in children are needed to understand how diet could influence in this process.
Causality between Foreign Remittance and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Croatia

While human capital and foreign capital have received considerable attention in the study of economic growth, foreign remittances are less of a focus. Though some studies have identified the increasing importance of remittances, they have failed to analyze the relationship between foreign remittances and economic growth. The aim of this paper is to investigate the causal link between foreign remittances and economic growth in the Republic of Croatia over the period from 2000q1 to 2020q2. Any causal link is identified using Granger causality tests in vector autoregression models. In addition, variance decomposition and impulse response functions help determine any dynamic links. The empirical results suggest that, in the case of Croatia, there is a unidirectional causal relationship from foreign remittances to economic growth but no link in the opposite direction. The research results indicate that foreign remittances play a role in the Croatian economy and are one of the consequences of the large emigration processes that affected Croatia after joining the European Union.
In Situ Determination of Droplet and Nanoparticle Size Distributions in Spray Flame Synthesis by Wide-Angle Light Scattering (WALS)

The investigation of droplet and nanoparticle formation in spray flame synthesis requires sophisticated measurement techniques, as often both are present simultaneously. Here, wide-angle light scattering (WALS) was applied to determine droplet and nanoparticle size distributions in spray flames from a standardized liquid-fed burner setup. Solvents of pure ethanol and a mixture of ethanol and titanium isopropoxide, incepting nanoparticle synthesis, were investigated. A novel method for the evaluation of scattering data from droplets between 2 µm and 50 µm was successfully implemented. Applying this, we could reveal the development of a bimodal droplet size distribution for the solvent/precursor system, probably induced by droplet micro-explosions. To determine nanoparticle size distributions, an appropriate filter and the averaging of single-shot data were applied to ensure scattering from a significant amount of nanoparticles homogeneously distributed in the measurement volume. From the multivariate analysis of the scattering data, the presence of spherical particles and fractal aggregates was derived, which was confirmed by analysis of transmission electron microscopy images. Monte Carlo simulations allowed determining the distribution parameters for both morphological fractions in three heights above the burner. The results showed relatively wide size distributions, especially for the spherical fraction, and indicated an ongoing sintering, from fractal to spherical particles.
Validation of CFD Model for Research into Displacement Ventilation

The use of turbulence models leads to uncertainties in the computed results because the models are not universal. Therefore, it is essential to validate the CFD program by experimental data. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program with the Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-ϵ model was used for prediction. Validation was conducted by comparing the flow patterns, vertical profiles of temperature, concentration, velocity, and turbulence intensity between measurement and computation for an individual office, a cubicle office, and a quarter of a classroom. The computed air temperature and velocity agree well with the measured data. The agreement is less satisfactory between the computed and measured temperatures in the lower part of the office. The CFD model used therefore should be able to predict the indoor environments characterized by strong pressure and buoyancy driven flows.
A public health problem

Large metalliferous spoil and smelting tip sites, generated during the Nabatean, Roman and Byzantine periods, continue to exist in southern Jordan and still exert important effects on both plants and animals (including humans) inhabiting the area. Humans are exposed to both copper and lead pollution as a consequence of the inhalation and ingestion of heavy metals, which often involves significant bio‐accumulation through trophic levels. This paper explores aspects of an important source of severe dietary contamination which has potential public health implications in terms of effects on the health of exposed individuals.
Differences in pressure pain sensitivity of elite male soccer players on artificial turf and natural grass

The aim of this study was to compare topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps of the lower extremity in elite footballers (soccer) playing on artificial turf or natural grass. A total of 16 football players (mean age ± SD: 22 ± 2 years) for artificial turf and 13 football players (age: 22 ± 3 years) for natural grass participated. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured bilaterally over 23 locations of the lower extremity to assess deep structure sensitivity to mechanical pain. The analysis of variance detected significant differences in PPT between groups and measurement points (P < 0.001). Football players playing on natural grass exhibited lower PPT as compared to those playing on artificial turf (P < 0.05). In addition, PPT over vastus medialis muscle had the lowest value (most sensitive) (P < 0.01); whereas PPT over the rectus femoris was the highest one (least sensitive). This study showed the ability of PPT maps to reveal heterogeneous distribution of mechanical sensitivity in relation to turf type. The decreased mechanical sensitivity to pain among football players playing on artificial turf compared with natural grass points most likely towards a favourable trait of such turf type. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Performance Analysis of Ambulatory services using discrete-event simulation

Simulation modeling has become a well-established tool to aid healthcare decision makers in improving hospitals performances, identifying bottlenecks and evaluating alternative system design. In this paper, a discrete-event simulation model is developed to investigate the performance of key services in the trajectories of elective patients who are accepted for ambulatory surgery in a University Hospital in Belgium with varying numbers of necessary resources. The proposed simulation model is tested using data collected over a one-year observation period. In this model, an “As Is” scenario is implemented and two “what-if” scenarios are tested for possible system improvement. Computational results show that the flow of patients is influenced by the availability of resources.
The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness

Profound, compelling, and stunningly timely, this groundbreaking book of next-level thinking gives a clear way to finally tap the limitless value-creation promise of the Knowledge Worker Age. The world has changed dramatically since the classic, internationally bestselling "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" was published, influencing tens of millions. The challenges and complexity we all face in our relationships, families, professional lives and communities are of an entirely new order of magnitude. In order to thrive, innovate, excel and lead in what Covey calls the new Knowledge Worker Age, we must build on and move beyond effectiveness.to greatness. Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change of new thinking -- a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. "
Errors in MLS Measurements Caused by Time Variance in Acoustic Systems

A study is presented of the effects of time variance on maximum-length sequence (MLS) measurements. Both interperiodic and intraperiodic effects are studied, using time stretching and an analogy with delay modulation as models. It is shown that both types of time variance cause apparent level losses, which typically represent an error with a + 12-dB per octave characteristic relative to an ideal reference impulse response (IR). Furthermore this error is localized around the reference IR and cannot be decreased by averaging or truncation. Intraperiodic time variance might also cause an apparent random noise component, typically with a +6-dB per octave characteristic. This component is spread in time and can consequently be decreased by truncation. Averaging also decreases this noise if the time variance is fast so that the correlation of this apparent noise between MLS periods is low. The existence of such apparent noise indicates that the measured system response is distorted. The MLS measurement under the influence of intraperiodic time variance extracts the carrier transfer function if the system that is measured is viewed as a linear, time-varying system. Measurements were carried out in different rooms, and IR differences from these demonstrated the existence of apparent time-variance noise, increasing by approximately 6 dB per octave, in reverberant rooms. The existence of this apparent noise could also be detected in the initial part of a single IR, before the direct sound. In a large concert hall this apparent noise dominated over the random noise floor above 500-600 Hz and was decreased by averaging. Intraperiodic time variance was accordingly the dominant noise source, which explains the often observed fact that explosive sources might give decays with much better dynamics in large halls than MLS measurements do. Practical consequences of the findings in this study are that both intra-and interperiodical time variance can be detected in a measured IR, especially the type of time variance with a + 6-dB per octave characteristic, and the consequences of averaging can be quantified.
Meta-analysis comparing dexmedetomidine versus standard of care for sedation in patients with sepsis

Abstract We aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in comparison with the standard of care (SOC) sedation in critically ill, septic patients. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched to identify only randomized clinical trials performed up until February 12, 2021. The primary outcomes were 28-day mortality, 90-day mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). We calculated risk ratios (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous data, and weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous data using a random-effects model. Seven randomized clinical trials were included, with a total of 529 patients in the DEX group and 520 patients in the SOC group. Compared with SOC, DEX was associated with a nonstatistically significant reduced 28-day mortality (RR = 0.76; 95% CI [0.51, 1.14]; P = 0.19), 90-day mortality (RR = 0.94; 95% CI [0.75, 1.18]; P = 0.60), and ICU LOS (WMD = −0.85; 95% CI [-2.60, 0.90]; P = 0.34). We conclude that among septic patients on sedation, the use of DEX in the ICU demonstrated no significant difference from SOC sedation protocols with respect to 28-day mortality, 90-day mortality, and total ICU LOS. Our findings suggest that DEX does not confer clinical benefit over SOC sedation in critically ill patients with sepsis.
Modelagem de Equações Estruturais com Utilização do Smartpls

The objective of this article is to present a didactic example of Structural Equation Modeling using the software SmartPLS 2.0 M3. The program mentioned uses the method of Partial Least Squares and seeks to address the following situations frequently observed in marketing research: Absence of symmetric distributions of variables measured by a theory still in its beginning phase or with little “consolidation”, formative models, and/or a limited amount of data. The growing use of SmartPLS has demonstrated its robustness and the applicability of the model in the areas that are being studied.
Demonstration of sub-angstrom cyclic nonlinearity using wavefront-division sampling with a common-path laser heterodyne interferometer

Several NASA’s missions such as the Space Interferometry Mission, call for a displacement measuring interferometer (DMI) with a linear accuracy better than 0.1nm. Traditional implementations of DMI are based on laser heterodyne techniques and polarization to separate and combine the measuring beams. However, traditional interferometers suffer from periodic nonlinear errors on the order of a few nanometers due to optical self-interference. Polarization leakage has been found to be the dominant source for the periodic nonlinear error. With even state-of-the-art polarizing optics, the nonlinear error is still difficult to be reduced to less than 1nm. In addition to having large nonlinear error, traditional DMIs are quite sensitive to temperature changes and are faroff from meeting the stability requirement imposed by these proposed missions. A novel common-path heterodyne interferometer (COPHI) was proposed at JPL as a multi-purpose, high-resolution laser interferometer [1-2]. In this paper, we describe a new approach to address both the cyclic error and thermal stability problems. Figure 1 shows the schematic of COPHI configured as a displacement measuring interferometer. Figures 2 and 3 show the pictures of the prototype COPHI we have developed at JPL.
Pollination and Floral Biology of a Rare Morning Glory Species Endemic to Thailand, Argyreia siamensis

Argyreia siamensis is extremely rare, and very little is known about its reproduction. The species has colorful flowers that seem likely to attract pollinators, but population sizes are typically small (<30 individuals). To determine whether poor reproduction contributes to its rarity, we investigated its mating system and potential pollinators in two populations. We also examined the staminal trichomes and floral nectary to investigate their role in pollinator attraction. The mating system was assessed with a bagging experiment and pollinator visits were recorded with action cameras. Additionally, we tested the staminal trichomes and floral nectary for terpenes and flavonoids and examined floral nectary micromorphology via scanning electron microscope and compound light microscope. Our results reveal that A. siamensis is self-incompatible and dependent on pollinators; the western population was pollinated by bees (Meliponini and Amegilla), while the eastern population was mainly pollinated by skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae). Both staminal trichomes and the floral nectary appear to contribute to pollinator attraction through the presence of terpenes and flavonoids (in both secretory structures) and nectariferous tissue and nectarostomata (in the nectary). Our results indicate that A. siamensis has reliable and effective pollinators and that insufficient pollination is likely not a primary cause of its rarity.
A methodology to analyse in-depth impressions of design on the basis of concept networks

This study aims to develop a methodology to capture in-depth impressions, which underlie the surface impressions of design, by using concept network analysis. The proposed methodology consists of association analysis of users' free descriptions, construction of concept network, and extraction of the in-depth impressions from the network. To investigate the application of the methodology, we carried out a case study. We examined the differences between three groups of hospital uniforms, comparing conventional and other colours. We found significant in-depth impressions from the concept networks of impressions. A clear difference was found among the three groups. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in understanding impressions of design. Finally, we proposed to implement the findings in selecting the colour for hospital uniforms.