Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary computed tomography angiography as a screening tool for moderate-high risk asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background There are few data on the clinical significance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate coronary heart disease (CHD) screening in asymptomatic patients with T2DM using CCTA and CHD risk stratification prediction. Materials and methods Data from 141 T2DM patients (58 ± 8 years, 57% males) without known symptoms suggestive of CHD who underwent CCTA were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into three subgroups based on United Kingdom prospective diabetes study (UKPDS) CHD risk stratification prediction. Seventy-four patients without diabetes mellitus and CHD who underwent CCTA successively were chosen as the control group. The segment involvement score (SIS), segment stenosis score (SSS), stenosis coefficient (SC), severe proximal plaque (SPP) positive ratio and CCTA-adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) based on CCTA data were evaluated and compared among the groups. Results Compared with the patients in the control group, patients in the moderate-high risk DM groups had higher scores on the SIS, SSS, SC, CT-LeSc, and a higher SPP positive ratio (all p-values < 0.001), and no difference was observed between the low-risk group and the control group (p = 0.136, p = 0.088, p = 0.0.067, p = 0.225, p = 1.000, respectively). Compared with patients in the control group, the patients in the moderate-high risk DM groups had increased odds of SIS > 3 [odds ratio (OR) = 6.557, p < 0.001; OR = 4.455, p < 0.001, respectively], SSS > 5 (OR = 5.727, p < 0.001; OR = 5.144, p < 0.001, respectively), CT-LeSc > 8.7 (OR = 3.780, p = 0.001; OR = 2.804, p = 0.007, respectively), and obstructive stenosis (OR = 7.233, p < 0.001; OR = 5.787, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The moderate-high CHD risk patients had increased odds of obstructive coronary artery stenosis, and the distribution of coronary artery stenosis was more extensive and more severe in that group compared to the patients without diabetes mellitus and CHD. CHD can be effectively screened in moderate-high risk asymptomatic T2DM patients using CCTA.
Induction of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 1 by a rare variant or cognitive activities reduces hippocampal amyloid-β and consequent Alzheimer’s disease risk

Amyloid-β (Aβ) derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) hydrolysis is acknowledged as the predominant hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that especially correlates to genetics and daily activities. In 2019, meta-analysis of AD has discovered five new risk loci among which A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) has been further suggested in 2021 and 2022. To verify the association, we re-sequenced ADAMTS1 of clinical AD samples and subsequently identified a novel rare variant c. –2067A > C with watchable relevance (whereas the P-value was not significant after adjustment). Dual-luciferase assay showed that the variant sharply stimulated ADAMTS1 expression. In addition, ADAMTS1 was also clearly induced by pentylenetetrazol-ignited neuronal activity and enriched environment (EE). Inspired by the above findings, we investigated ADAMTS1’s role in APP metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that ADAMTS1 participated in APP hydrolysis and consequently decreased Aβ generation through inhibiting β-secretase-mediated cleavage. In addition, we also verified that the hippocampal amyloid load of AD mouse model was alleviated by the introduction of ADAMTS1, and thus spatial cognition was restored as well. This study revealed the contribution of ADAMTS1 to the connection of genetic and acquired factors with APP metabolism, and its potential in reducing hippocampal amyloid and consequent risk of AD.
How Digital Signage Affects Shoppers’ Behaviour: The Role of the Evoked Experience

This paper investigates, drawing on the aesthetic and utilitarian dimensions of the construct of brand experience, the role of digital signage as experience provider in retail spaces. Digital signage consists of screen displays in stores showing video. The findings of a survey-based field experiment demonstrate the effectiveness of digital signage messages containing aesthetically pleasing sensory-affective cues, whereas previous studies concern more functional content. Digital signage content that is high on sensory cues, which shoppers find pleasurable, and that evokes affective experience strengthens the customers’ experiential processing route. On the other hand, digital signage messages that are high on “features and benefits” information (providing shoppers’ with decision-helping benefits) and evoke intellectual experience strengthen the customers’ deliberative processing route. These messages can strengthen the influence of the cognitive route. Critically, evoked affective experience is more strongly associated with the attitude towards ad and the stated approach behaviour towards advertiser than is evoked intellectual experience. The effect of an ad that is high on sensory affect on shoppers’ approach to the advertiser is stronger for first-time shoppers of the store and may therefore have an important part to play in generating loyalty. Theoretically, the findings indicate that the design of brand-related informational cues broadcast over digital in-store monitors affects shoppers’ informa tion processing. These cues can work by triggering both deliberative processes, which lead to attitude construction, and more spontaneous processes, which elicit approach behavior towards advertiser by evoking sensory and affective experiences first.
Landscape-scale soil quality assessment under different land use systems in north-western hilly region

The impact of different land use systems on soil quality was examined using a systematic framework in three landscape environments each with various land use systems in tropical north-western hilly region of India. The assessment framework used was comprised of a minimum data set, linear scoring functions and weighted additive indices. Soil quality was evaluated according to seven identified soil attributes. When the attributes were combined to assess the performance of soil functionality, the forest land use system showed higher overall soil quality. Streambed in lower landscape position had the lowest score (0.31) and forest woodland in middle land use system had maximum score (0.68). In each landscape, the forest land use was taken as reference site for comparison of soil quality. With respect to the corresponding forest soil, bulk density increased by as much as 12.6% (0.83% to 12.6%), organic carbon (OC) declined by as much as 86.19% (5.95% to 86.19%) and hydraulic conductivity declined by as much as 64.89% (28.24% to 64.89%) in scrub land and terraced agricultural lands. Substantial loss of total N (1.7% to 93.3%), extractable P (7.37% to 76.64%) and available K (17.12% to 55.77%) was also observed in scrub land and terraced agricultural lands. Present study showed that land use has a great influence on many soil quality attributes mostly through its effect on soil organic matter, total N and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The study further revealed that cultivation on the hill slopes have resulted in a significant deterioration of soil quality as described by different physical and chemical soil attributes.
Inference from Complex Samples

The design of complex samples induces correlations between element values. In stratification negative correlation reduces the variance; but that gain is less for subclass means, and even less for their differences and for complex statistics. Clustering induces larger and positive correlations between element values. The resulting increase in variance is measured by the ratio deff, and is often severe. This is reduced but persists for subclass means, their differences, and for analytical statistics. Three methods for computing variances are compared in a large empirical study. The results are encouraging and useful.
Flemings' perceptions of Turks' acculturation behavior maintenance precludes host culture adoption and vice versa :

In political debates about the societal inclusion of Muslim minorities in Western European countries it is often stated that large cultural differences between these Muslim minorities and Western European majority groups hinder their integration (Lucassen, 2005). This is clearly illustrated by the Abstract A prevalent concern with the integration of Turkish minorities is that large cultural differences hinder integration. Many majority members doubt that Turkish minority members can combine host culture adoption and heritage culture maintenance, although research has shown that most Turkish minority members experience no conflict between these orientations. The present study investigates experimentally whether majority group members perceive Turkish minorities’ host culture adoption and heritage culture maintenance as conflicting orientations. Four hundred and seven Flemish majority members received a vignette that contained information on Turkish minority members’ orientation either towards heritage culture maintenance or towards host culture adoption. Results revealed that Flemish majority members perceive host culture adoption and heritage culture maintenance as conflicting orientations. Manipulating either maintenance or adoption affected Flemish majority members’ perceptions of Turkish minorities’ maintenance and adoption but in opposite directions. These results clarify why many majority group members have doubts concerning the integration of Turkish minorities.
MATING DISRUPTION WITH SYNTHETIC SEX ATTRACTANTS CONTROLS DAMAGE BY EUCOSMA SONOMANA (LEPIDOPTERA; TORTRICIDAE, OLETHREUTINAE) IN PINUS PONDEROSA PLANTATIONS: I. MANUALLY APPLIED POLYVINYL CHLORIDE FORMULATION

Abstract A chemical mixture highly attractive to males of western pine shoot borer, Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, were dispensed from manually applied polyvinyl chloride releasers on 15 ha of ponderosa pine plantations during spring 1978 near Bly, Oregon. Mating disruption treatments, replicated 4 times, were 3.5 g/ha from 100 releasers/ha spaced at 10 m, and 14 g/ha from 400 releasers/ha spaced at 5 m. Both were equally effective; the number of damaged terminal shoots was reduced 83.0% with the low dosage and 84.2% with the high dosage.
Design of Work-Rest Schedules for VDT Operators.

The number o f musculoskeletal and psychological discomforts is increasing as a result of continuing growth of VDT work. Although ergonomic improvements in workstation design can be applied, an effective work-rest schedule is an economical way to reduce these problems. The objective o f this research was to determine an effective work-rest schedule for VDT operators. In addition to a discomfort questionnaire, performance and electromyography measurements from trapezius and flexor carpi radialis were used. Three different work-rest schedules were applied: 60-minute work/10-minute rest, 30-minute work/5-minute rest, and for the third schedule, the subjects received four breaks from VDT work each hour additional to a 14-minute break after two hours. Three of these breaks were 30 seconds in length and the fourth break was 3 minutes in length. The research also considered the effect o f type o f VDT task. Subjects were asked to enter alphanumeric data for data entry task and to solve addition/subtraction problems as mental task. The results indicated that effect of schedule was different on discomfort levels and performance o f the subjects. Similarly, the type o f task had different effects on discomfort, performance, and muscular tension levels. The 15/micro schedule was superior to the other schedules in terms of discomfort levels of the neck, back, and elbow/arm, eyestrain, speed, accuracy, and performance for both tasks. The lowest levels of trapezius muscle tension for data entry and flexor carpi radialis for mental tasks were resulted in the 15/micro schedule.
Resistance of Spring Wheats to the Wheat Stem Sawfly, Cephus ductus Nort. (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) II. Resistance to the Larva

Wheats that are resistant to the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Nort. , differ in degree of resistance and in certain environments lose all or part of their resistance. The survival and behaviour of the larvae in different locations in the stems of various spring wheats have been examined with the object of determining some of the factors involved in resistance and in the variability of resistance. In the previous paper in this series (Holmes and Peterson, 1961) it was shown that resistance to hatching of the egg of the sawfly depended on the stem solidness of its host.
Trabajo Fin de Grado Motivators and Demotivators to Participate in the Sharing Economy. The Case of Airbnb Motivadores y Desmotivadores para la Participación en la Economía Colaborativa. El Caso de Airbnb

Consumer behavior has experienced a change in the last decades. Consumers don’t want to own goods anymore, they want to access them when needed it. In this context, the Sharing Economy has become a growing phenomenon, affecting numerous sectors of the economy. Despite its great success, still plenty of research is required to understand what drives people to participate in it. Accordingly, this paper conducts qualitative research through an in-depth interview and two focus groups to uncover the motivators and demotivators that foster user participation in the sharing economy, in particular, in the context of Airbnb. The results reveal that motivators such us the type of travel, the possibility of booking for larger groups and the unique accommodation options positively influence the user participation in the Sharing Economy. Whereas cultural barriers, bad experiences and the negative impact in the residential accommodation industry, among others, are considered demotivators to engage in these business models.
Challenges in the Paleoclimatic Evolution of the Arctic and Subarctic Pacific since the Last Glacial Period—The Sino–German Pacific–Arctic Experiment (SiGePAX)

Arctic and subarctic regions are sensitive to climate change and, reversely, provide dramatic feedbacks to the global climate. With a focus on discovering paleoclimate and paleoceanographic evolution in the Arctic and Northwest Pacific Oceans during the last 20,000 years, we proposed this German–Sino cooperation program according to the announcement “Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of the Federal Republic of Germany for a German–Sino cooperation program in the marine and polar research”. Our proposed program integrates the advantages of the Arctic and Subarctic marine sediment studies in AWI (Alfred Wegener Institute) and FIO (First Institute of Oceanography). For the first time, the collection of sediment cores can cover all climatological key regions in the Arctic and Northwest Pacific Oceans. Furthermore, the climate modeling work at AWI enables a “Data-Model Syntheses”, which are crucial for exploring the underlying mechanisms of observed changes in proxy records.
Economic viability for residential battery storage systems in grid-connected PV plants

Today's residential battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are off the shelf products used to increase the self-consumption of residential photovoltaic (PV) plants and to reduce the losses related to energy transfer in distribution grids. This work investigates the economic viability of adding a BESS to a residential grid-connected PV plant by using a methodology for optimising the size of the BESS. The identification of the optimal size which minimises the total cost of the system is not trivial; indeed, it is a trade-off between OPEX and CAPEX, which are mainly affected by the battery technology, usage profile, expected lifetime, and efficiency. Here, an analysis of the opportunity to install a storage system together with a grid-connected residential PV plant is performed. Three typical low-voltage prosumers (Italy, Switzerland, and the UK) are investigated in order to take into account the different legislative and tariff framework over Europe. Numerical results reported here show that present costs of storages are still too high to allow an economic convenience of the storage installation. Moreover, an indication of the necessary incentives to allow the spreading of these systems is given.
Development of an observation and control system for industrial laser cladding

Laser cladding has become an important surface modification technique in today’s industry. It is not only applied for coating new products but also for repair and refurbishment as well as in rapid prototyping. A laser clad workstation has been developed. It uses a 4 kW Nd:YAG fibre coupled laser as heat source. A specially developed optical system combines the benefits from a Top-hat energy distribution with a practical working distance. The clad material is supplied to the melt pool by a lateral powder nozzle. A camera based monitoring system for the laser cladding process has been developed. This system determines the main dimensions of the melt pool in real-time. A developed FEM model of the laser cladding process accurately predicts the shape and temperature of the clad layers by including the interaction between the laser beam and the powder jet. The model results are in good correspondence with experimental results. An extensive set of cladding experiments has been performed with variable spot size, laser power, cladding speed and powder mass rate. From the experimental work, a clear correlation between the dilution and the width of the melt pool was found. This correlation was found to be independent of the substrate temperature, enabling real time control of the dilution by adjusting the laser power. A feedback control strategy was developed and implemented based on the melt pool width information from the camera. As a result, the energy input into the substrate and consequently thermal distortion of the products is minimized, while a good metallurgical bonding and minimal dilution are obtained. Due to this minimal dilution, the hardness of the clad layer can be controlled and maintained to be uniform. High temperature gradients and different material properties may cause high residual stresses or even cracks. To investigate this effect, a simple and fast method based on deflection measurements has been developed. The residual stress values obtained by this procedure have been compared with stresses from X-ray measurements. The results show tensile stresses of large magnitude develop in the layer, which increase with the cladding speed.
Pilot-based Bayesian Channel Norm Estimation in Rayleigh Fading Multi-antenna Systems

Pilot-based estimation of the squared Euclidean norm of the channel vector of a Rayleigh fading system is considered. Unlike most previous work in the area of estimation of multiple antenna channels, we consider Bayesian estimation where the long-term channel statistics are known a priori. Closed-form expressions of the minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimator and its mean squared error (MSE) are derived for the cases of either an unweighted or a weighted unitary pilot matrix. The problem of finding the optimal pilot weighting, in the sense of minimizing the average MSE, is solved and a simple algorithm is proposed to achieve this power allocation numerically. The numerical evaluation shows that an optimal weighting can significantly improve the estimation quality in spatially correlated environments.
Çok Sayıda Elastik Mesnetli Rijit Çubuk Taşıyan Eksenel Yüklü Çok Kademeli Timoshenko Kirişinin Serbest Titreşim Analizi

In this paper, the natural frequencies of the axial-loaded Timoshenko multiple-step beam carrying multiple elastic-supported rigid bars are calculated. At first, the coefficient matrices for the elastic-supported rigid bars, the step change in cross-section, left-end support and right-end support of the multiple-step beam are derived. Next, the numerical assembly technique is used to establish the overall coefficient matrix for the whole vibrating system. Finally, equating the overall coefficient matrix to zero one determines the natural frequencies of the system. The natural frequencies of the beams by using secant method for the different values of axial force are presented in tables.
Routing in Poisson small-world networks

In recent work, Jon Kleinberg considered a small-world network model consisting of a d-dimensional lattice augmented with shortcuts. The probability of a shortcut being present between two points decays as a power of the distance between them. Kleinberg studied the efficiency of greedy routing depending on the value of the power. The results were extended to a continuum model by Franceschetti and Meester. In our work, we extend the result to more realistic models constructed from a Poisson point process, wherein each point is connected to all its neighbours within some fixed radius, as well as possessing random shortcuts to more distant nodes as described above.
Quantum Hall states of atomic Bose gases: Density profiles in single-layer and multilayer geometries

We describe the density profiles of confined atomic Bose gases in the high-rotation limit, in single-layer and multilayer geometries. We show that, in a local-density approximation, the density in a single layer shows a landscape of quantized steps due to the formation of incompressible liquids, which are analogous to fractional quantum Hall liquids for a two-dimensional electron gas in a strong magnetic field. In a multilayered setup we find different phases, depending on the strength of the interlayer tunneling $t$. We discuss the situation where a vortex lattice in the three-dimensional condensate (at large tunneling) undergoes quantum melting at a critical tunneling ${t}_{{c}_{1}}$. For tunneling well below ${t}_{{c}_{1}}$ one expects weakly coupled or isolated layers, each exhibiting a landscape of quantum Hall liquids. After expansion, this gives a radial density distribution with characteristic features (cusps) that provide experimental signatures of the quantum Hall liquids.