Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The proportion of differently processed foods in the diet of Croatian
school-aged children and its impact on daily energy and nutrient intake

In countries around the world, a dietary shift is observed in which the consumption of highly processed foods increases over unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The objective of this study was to observe the proportion of processed foods in the diet of school-aged children and to assess how this relates to sex, weight status and school meal consumption. The aim was to assess the impact of processed foods on overall diet quality in terms of ultra-processed foods contribution to total daily energy intake. Dietary intake was observed from dietary records for three non-consecutive days of 168 children (50.6% boys) aged 8.3 ± 0.5 years. All foods and beverages were classified into four groups according to NOVA food classification system. The contribution of each NOVA food group to total daily energy intake was calculated and the mean nutrient intake of children divided into terciles according to total daily energy intake from ultra-processed foods was compared. Anthropometric measurements were performed according to standard protocols, while sex and age z-scores were obtained using AnthroPlus software. Results show that unprocessed or minimally processed foods (38.1% kcal) and ultra-processed foods (38.1% kcal) had the highest proportion of dietary intake. There was no difference in NOVA food groups intake by sex or weight status, while number of school meals may contribute to the intake of processed culinary ingredients. Children who had higher energy intake from ultra-processed foods had lower intake of animal proteins (p=0.009), polyunsaturated fatty acids (p=0.014), vitamin A (p=0.027) and most minerals, but higher intake of carbohydrates (p=0.014) and copper (p=0.014) compared to children with lower energy intake from ultra-processed foods. In conclusion, school-aged children had equal share of energy from unprocessed or minimally processed foods and from ultra-processed foods. Higher share of energy from ultra-process foods may contribute to poor overall nutrition.
Leveraging Known Data for Missing Label Prediction in Cultural Heritage Context

Cultural heritage represents a reliable medium for history and knowledge transfer. Cultural heritage assets are often exhibited in museums and heritage sites all over the world. However, many assets are poorly labeled, which decreases their historical value. If an asset’s history is lost, its historical value is also lost. The classification and annotation of overlooked or incomplete cultural assets increase their historical value and allows the discovery of various types of historical links. In this paper, we tackle the challenge of automatically classifying and annotating cultural heritage assets using their visual features as well as the metadata available at hand. Traditional approaches mainly rely only on image data and machine-learning-based techniques to predict missing labels. Often, visual data are not the only information available at hand. In this paper, we present a novel multimodal classification approach for cultural heritage assets that relies on a multitask neural network where a convolutional neural network (CNN) is designed for visual feature learning and a regular neural network is used for textual feature learning. These networks are merged and trained using a shared loss. The combined networks rely on both image and textual features to achieve better asset classification. Initial tests related to painting assets showed that our approach performs better than traditional CNNs that only rely on images as input.
5G mmWave Power Amplifier and Low-Noise Amplifier in 300mm GaN-on-Si Technology

This paper presents fully integrated power amplifier (PA) and low-noise amplifier (LNA) targeting 5G mmWave band n260 (37GHz-40GHz) in 300mm GaN-on-Si technology. At 39.5GHz, the PA achieves measured Psat, peak PAE, linear gain, and OP1dB of 25dBm, 38.8%, 24.8dB, and 19.8dBm, occupying only 0.079mm2. The LNA achieves 24.6dB gain, 2.9dB noise figure, and -11.4dBm IIP3 at 38GHz. Both circuits are compact and viable candidates for phased arrays in mobile devices. This is industry’s first demonstration of mmWave circuits in 300mm GaN-on-Si technology.
Design of Circular Corrugated Waveguides to Transmit Millimeter Waves at ITER

Abstract Low-loss circular waveguides will be needed for a large number of millimeter-wave transmission lines on ITER, including those transmitting electron cyclotron power and diagnostic signals. In order to provide low-loss transmission, the waveguides need to be several wavelengths in diameter. Corrugating the walls reduces the loss further not only in straight runs but also at bends, and makes the waveguide robust against small deformations. We present results of theoretical calculations showing that these properties can be maintained over very wide bandwidths suitable for ITER applications. The computer code used to make these calculations is based on a space-harmonic analysis of the fields. Measurements on waveguides are described that validate the theory for corrugated waveguides semiquantitatively. Tolerances on the corrugation geometry, waveguide bore, waveguide junctions, input Gaussian beam alignment, and waveguide support alignment are discussed. It is shown that the low-loss properties of corrugated waveguide are insensitive to many variations in geometry and deviations from ideality. Finally, some fabrication considerations are presented. In order to provide more complete coverage of the waveguides themselves, only brief mention is made of the losses due to input coupling and components such as bends. Some review material and some level of technical detail are both presented.
Does Aerobic plus Machine-Assisted Resistance Training Improve Vascular Function in Type 2 Diabetes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with Trial Sequential Analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and pancreatic B cell dysfunction. Hyperglycemia can cause several complications, including nephrological, neurological, ophthalmological, and vascular complications. Many modalities, such as medication, physical therapies, and exercise, are developed against vascular disorders. Among all exercise forms, aerobic plus machine-assisted resistance training is widely applied. However, whether this intervention can significantly improve vascular conditions remains controversial. In this study, an electronic search was processed for the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of aerobic plus machine-assisted resistance training with no exercise (control) on patients with T2DM. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), the index of arterial stiffness, was chosen as primary outcome. The reliability of the pooled outcome was tested by trial sequential analysis (TSA). Secondary outcomes included systolic blood pressure (SBP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Finally, five RCTs with a total of 328 patients were included. Compared with control, aerobic plus machine-assisted resistance training failed to provide significant improvement on PWV (MD −0.54 m/s, 95% CI [−1.69, 0.60], p = 0.35). On the other hand, TSA indicated that this results till needs more verifications. Additionally, this training protocol did not significantly decrease SBP (MD −1.05 mmHg, 95% CI [−3.71, 1.61], p = 0.44), but significantly reduced the level of HbA1c (MD −0.55%, 95% CI [−0.88, −0.22], p = 0.001). In conclusion, this meta-analysis failed to detect a direct benefit of aerobic plus machine-assisted resistance training on vascular condition in T2DM population. Yet the improvement in HbA1c implied a potential of this training method in mitigating vascular damage. More studies are needed to verify the benefit.
A Label-Free Cell Sorting Approach to Highlight the Impact of Intratumoral Cellular Heterogeneity and Cancer Stem Cells on Response to Therapies

Cancer stem cells play a crucial role in tumor initiation, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Cellular heterogeneity and plasticity complicate the isolation of cancer stem cells. The impact of intra-tumor cellular heterogeneity using a label-free approach remains understudied in the context of treatment resistance. Here, we use the sedimentation field–flow fractionation technique to separate, without labeling, cell subpopulations of colorectal cancer cell lines and primary cultures according to their biophysical properties. One of the three sorted cell subpopulations exhibits characteristics of cancer stem cells, including high tumorigenicity in vivo and a higher frequency of tumor-initiating cells compared to the other subpopulations. Due to its chemoresistance, two- and three-dimensional in vitro chemosensitivity assays highlight the therapeutic relevance of this cancer stem cell subpopulation. Thus, our results reveal the major implication of intra-tumor cellular heterogeneity, including cancer stem cells in treatment resistance, thanks to our label-free cell sorting approach. This approach enables—by breaking down the tumor—the study the individualized response of each sorted tumor cell subpopulation and to identify chemoresistance, thus offering new perspectives for personalized therapy.
SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON USING MOBILE-BASED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR INQUIRY-BASED TEACHING: BENEFITS AND CONSTRAINTS

"The proliferation and use of mobile technologies in and outside the classroom has contributed to the rapid extensive implementation of mobile-based teaching and learning practices across the globe. In the 21st century, using mobile devices for assessment purposes has become the new and important phenomenon for researchers and teachers. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative case study of four science teachers’ perceptions on the use of mobile-based formative assessment for inquiry-based teaching within their classrooms. Participant teachers were purposively selected from schools around the Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was gathered through baseline questionnaire, classroom observations and stimulated-recall discussions. The findings from the baseline questionnaire indicated that all four participating teachers have adequate knowledge and understanding on using inquiry-based teaching, formative assessment, and technology. Challenges such as inadequate teaching and learning time, inadequate resources, no-cell phone school policy, unstable network connectivity and teachers’ inadequate knowledge and skills were established from classroom observations and stimulated-recall discussions as common barriers to effective enactment of mobile-based formative assessment for inquiry-based teaching from all the four teachers. The four science teachers indicated benefits of implementing mobile-based formative assessment for learners such as enhanced learner engagement, participation, motivation, and learners having fun while they comprehend scientific concepts during the learning process. Although the use of mobile-based formative assessment was reported to be beneficial in the teaching and learning experience, science teachers also mentioned that the curriculum must be flexible in terms of time allocated, for mobile-based formative assessment to be effectively implemented during inquiry-based teaching. "
How the Potassium Channel Response of T Lymphocytes to the Tumor Microenvironment Shapes Antitumor Immunity

Simple Summary Ion channels are proteins that control the movement of ions across the membranes of cells, thus regulating their physiological functions. In T lymphocytes, ion channels control the Ca2+ influx that, in turn, promotes proliferation and effector functions. In the context of cancer, T cells have the role of fighting tumor cells. However, the tumor microenvironment negatively regulates T cell antitumor capabilities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the relationship between the tumor microenvironment and the ion channel apparatus of T cells to overcome the tumors’ immunosuppressive capabilities. Abstract Competent antitumor immune cells are fundamental for tumor surveillance and combating active cancers. Once established, tumors generate a tumor microenvironment (TME) consisting of complex cellular and metabolic elements that serve to suppress the function of antitumor immune cells. T lymphocytes are key cellular elements of the TME. In this review, we explore the role of ion channels, particularly K+ channels, in mediating the suppressive effects of the TME on T cells. First, we will review the complex network of ion channels that mediate Ca2+ influx and control effector functions in T cells. Then, we will discuss how multiple features of the TME influence the antitumor capabilities of T cells via ion channels. We will focus on hypoxia, adenosine, and ionic imbalances in the TME, as well as overexpression of programmed cell death ligand 1 by cancer cells that either suppress K+ channels in T cells and/or benefit from regulating these channels’ activity, ultimately shaping the immune response. Finally, we will review some of the cancer treatment implications related to ion channels. A better understanding of the effects of the TME on ion channels in T lymphocytes could promote the development of more effective immunotherapies, especially for resistant solid malignancies.
Resource Allocation for Layered Multicast Video Streaming in NOMA Systems

The application of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) to multi-layer multicast video streaming is envisioned to address the explosively growing demand for capacity which is dominated mostly by multimedia content. In this paper, a joint power allocation and subgrouping scheme is developed to enhance the performance of NOMA-based multi-layer multicast systems. An optimization problem is formulated to maximize the overall sum multicast rate whilst satisfying the maximum transmission power and proportional rate constraints. Due to the complexity of the optimization problem, we first derive two power allocation techniques for the 2-layer case considering arbitrary subgrouping which are based on the iterative implementation and closed-form analysis, respectively. We then generalize the low-complexity closed-form solution for the general multi-layer case. This scheme successively allocates power to each layer stream while assuring that the minimum target rate and proportionality are guaranteed, particularly for the transmission rate of the high-priority base layer stream. A sub-optimal joint power allocation and subgrouping scheme is also designed by incorporating the power allocation scheme into the proposed iterative subgrouping techniques. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the power allocation and subgrouping schemes in enhancing the sum multicast rate performance. In addition, the proposed power allocation scheme ensures substantially higher rates for the base layer stream, which is crucial in robust delivery of standard quality video to all users.
Assessing a Mixture Model for Clustering with the Integrated Classification Likelihood

We propose assessing a mixture model in a cluster analysis setting with the inegrated classification likelihood. With this purpose, the observed data are assigned to unknown clusters using a maximum a posteriori operator. The integrated completed likelihood approximation is derived without the theoretical difficulties encountered when approximating the integrated observed likelihood. Numerical experiments on simulated and real data of the resulting ICL criterion show that it performs well both for choosing a mixture model and a relevant number of clusters. In particular, ICL appears to be more robust than BIC to violation of some of the mixture model assumptions and it can select a number of clusters leading to a sensible partitioning of the data.
THE SENSORY PROCESSING AND INTEGRATION IN ASD: IMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

"Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) depict a large class of conditions that manifest in a variety of displays and particularities. The number and type of symptoms can differ drastically from one person to another and array from mild to severe. Symptoms fall into a range of categories; dysfunctions in perceptual and sensory processing are present with impact in communication, in neurological functioning outcomes and in various functional behavior limitations (Pfeiffer et al., 2005). In school settings and in everyday life the sensory processing and integration of the stimuli may impact the acquisition of new information and sometime, in particular situation the educational process itself. Sensory information and atypical behavioral responses are common to people with this diagnostic, with over 96% of children with ASD having hyper or hyposensitivity in several areas. Particular processing of sensory stimuli can cause aggressive and self-harming behavior, especially for those who are non-verbal and cannot communicate their difficulties in an adequate and functional manner. Among the most affected senses are the proximal senses, such as taste, smell, and touch, but new studies report that disruption of auditory and visual processing pathways is becoming more common (Marco, E J et al, 2011). Due to these particular hypersensitivities daily activities are disturbed. This is a factor that limits the participation of these individuals in certain events and activities, and in school itself. Most preschoolers had difficulty with sensory processing, which was associated with behavioral changes such as irritability, lethargy, or hyperactivity. In thisresearch we evaluated the sensory processing difficultieslayered by age and interaction plans: tactile, vestibular, proprioception, auditory, olfactive, taste and visual. The participants (N= 43) report data for themself (N=9), for babies(N=5), for kindergarten age (N=15) and for school age (N=14). Preliminary data indicate for tactile sensory processing the M= 1.9, for auditory sensory processing the M= 2.49, for vestibular sensory processing the M= 2.1, for proprioception sensory processing the M= 1.72, for visual sensory processing the M= 2.07, for taste sensory processing the M= 1.74, for olfactive sensory processing the M= 1.97. The most reported disturbance on sensory processing was on the auditory, vestibular and visual part. The affected sensory processing area interferes with the educational process that is based mainly on auditory, visual and vestibular. These preliminary results are in concordance with others reports from literature and could explain the hypersensitivity for auditory and visual stimulus and the odd behaviors displayed by ASD persons, like tiptoes walking. Further research and analysis will be developed in order to tailor these aspects of sensory processing in ADS, with impact on education and everyday living. "
Pregnant women's diets and fatty acid intake - a study of the frequency of intake of products that are sources of fatty acids among women in the third trimester of pregnancy

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential for the human body, have several positive functions that affect human health. Pregnancy is a time of particular demand for these acids, especially DHA and EPA, whose sources are mainly oily marine fish. The supply of adequate amounts of these acids conditions the proper development of the fetus, influencing, among other things, the formation of the central nervous system and the development of the child's retina, as well as protecting against premature birth and increasing the child's birth weight. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of fish, vegetable oils, and products rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and evaluate DHA supplementation by pregnant women, as well as to assess knowledge of PFAs, especially DHA and EPA.Material and methods: 210 pregnant women were included in the study. A self-administered and online survey questionnaires were used as the research tool. A database was created using Microsoft Excel.Results: According to the recommended amounts, 2-3 times a week, Marine fish was consumed by only 12.86% of the women surveyed. Regular consumption of ALA-rich products, such as flaxseed, was declared by 10 respondents, while 59.05% of the surveyed women did not consume it at all. The use of DHA acid supplementation during pregnancy was unequivocally declared by 58 women surveyed, representing only ¼ of the women surveyed.Conclusions: The dietary behavior of pregnant women related to fish consumption is not correct, the overall proportion of fish in the diet of the subjects does not cover the recommended amounts. Vegetable oils and products rich in PFAs are not consumed with adequate frequency by pregnant women. DHA supplementation by pregnant women, despite low fish consumption, is underestimated and at a very low level.
Prediction and Classification of COVID-19 Admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICU) Using Weighted Radial Kernel SVM Coupled with Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE)

Healthcare systems have been under immense pressure since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; hence, studies on using machine learning (ML) methods for classifying ICU admissions and resource allocation are urgently needed. We investigated whether ML can propose a useful classification model for predicting the ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients. In this retrospective study, the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 tests were retrieved between May 2020 and January 2021. Based on patients’ demographic and clinical data, we analyzed the capability of the proposed weighted radial kernel support vector machine (SVM), coupled with (RFE). The proposed method is compared with other reference methods such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and kernel-based SVM variants including the linear, polynomial, and radial kernels coupled with REF for predicting ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients. An initial performance assessment indicated that the SVM with weighted radial kernels coupled with REF outperformed the other classification methods in discriminating between ICU and non-ICU admissions in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, applying the Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) with weighted radial kernel SVM identified a significant set of variables that can predict and statistically distinguish ICU from non-ICU COVID-19 patients. The patients’ weight, PCR Ct Value, CCL19, INF-β, BLC, INR, PT, PTT, CKMB, HB, platelets, RBC, urea, creatinine and albumin results were found to be the significant predicting features. We believe that weighted radial kernel SVM can be used as an assisting ML approach to guide hospital decision makers in resource allocation and mobilization between intensive care and isolation units. We model the data retrospectively on a selected subset of patient-derived variables based on previous knowledge of ICU admission and this needs to be trained in order to forecast prospectively.