Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning-Based On-Chip Parallel Interconnect Delay Estimation

Interconnect is a crucial challenge to achieve overall chip performance in current and future technology nodes. An accurate, universal, and portable delay model is essential for interconnects’ analysis and coding development. Machine learning algorithms are used in many applications and provide solutions for problems that are difficult to achieve using conventional approaches. Using machine learning techniques for delay estimation can be helpful since they can capture the complex behavior of the propagation of the signals. This paper proposes a neural-network learning-based delay model for parallel multi-segment interconnects using a conventional multi-layer perceptron network. For the network to learn the complex signals’ misalignment effect, we propose a framework to transform initial delay data into a learnable set of numbers. This transformation process is critical to have an accurate delay estimation. The proposed model has been validated using commercial 65 nm technology. The results show significant improvement in accuracy compared with previous models.
Appendectomy Impact on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Meta-Analysis

The observed higher rate of appendectomy despite the success of the conservative (non-surgical) approach might be due to the lack of awareness. The cecal appendix is not merely rudimentary because of its role on the gut microbiota and the host immune system. This metaanalysis aimed to assess the association of appendectomy at baseline with inflammatory bowel diseases. The PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for relevant articles. The keywords used were inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis, appendectomy, gut lymphoid tissue, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis with protean " AND " or " OR " . No limitation was applied to the time of publication. Out of the 622 references found, 32 full texts were screened, and only eight studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were fifteen cohorts from eight studies (five were published in Europe, two were from Asia, and one from South America with 9703 participants and 1150 events). The overall effects showed a negative impact of appendectomy on the rate of Crohn's disease, odd ratio, 0.311, 95% CI, 1.20-8.05, P-value = 0.02. In ulcerative colitis and appendectomy arm, appendectomy was protective for ulcerative colitis, odd ratio, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.35-0.55, P-value = 0.001. Significant heterogeneities were observed (95% for Crohn's disease prevalence, P-value <0.001, and Chi-square, 118.69, and 86% for ulcerative colitis arm P-value <0.001, and Chi-square, 51.54). Appendectomy was protective against ulcerative colitis, however, the impact was negative on Crohn's disease. Further studies assessing the effects of appendectomy on the prognosis of ulcerative colitis are recommended.
Assessment of attitude, practice and barriers to pharmaceutical care among community pharmacists in Ibadan

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) is a professional responsibility of a pharmacist that involves medication management with the overall goal of improving the quality of life of patient.Objectives: To evaluate the attitude, practice, and barriers to PC among community pharmacists in Ibadan.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists between May and July 2021, with the aid of a self-administered questionnaires, information on socio-demographic characteristics, practice, attitudes, and barriers to PC was obtained. A consecutive sampling technique was used for participants’ enrolment. Participating pharmacists must have had a minimum of one-year practice experience in a community pharmacy. Pharmacy students, interns, non-pharmacist attendants, and community pharmacists who were absent from their pharmacies during the study were excluded. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics.Results: Over 12 weeks, 120 survey were collected (90.9% response rate). About (115; 95.8%) of respondents had good practice of PC and reported that pharmaceutical care is a timely innovation to pharmacy practice. However, only (62; 52.0%) had positive attitude and (117; 97.5%) believed more pharmaceutical care could be provided. Regarding their practice, most respondents (118; 98.3%) stated pharmaceutical care involves monitoring improvement in patient response to treatment and adherence to treatment regime and counselling patients with drug therapy problems. The top detected barriers for PC provision included insufficient time (71; 59.2%), and inadequate collaboration with other healthcare professionals (56; 46.7%). Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Ibadan demonstrated good practice and positive attitudes towards PC provision. However, further work should emphasise on improving PC understanding, better collaboration among other healthcare professionals and overcoming system-related barriers.
Active and Intelligent Packaging for Enhancing Modified Atmospheres and Monitoring Quality and Shelf Life of Packed Gilthead Seabream Fillets at Isothermal and Variable Temperature Conditions

The study investigated the effect of active modified atmosphere packaging (20% CO2–60% N2–20% O2) with CO2 emitters (MAP-PAD) and conventional MAP (MAP) on the quality and shelf-life of gilthead seabream fillets during chill storage, while the most appropriate enzymatic Time Temperature Integrators (TTI) were selected for monitoring their shelf-life at isothermal and variable temperature storage conditions (Teff = 4.8 °C). The concentration of CO2 and O2 in the headspace of the package, volatile compounds and of the microbial population were monitored during storage. The kinetic parameters for bacterial growth were estimated at 0–10 °C using the Baranyi growth model. The MAP-PAD samples presented significantly lower microbial growth rates and longer lag phases compared to the MAP samples, leading to significant shelf-life extension: 2 days of extension at 2.5 °C and 5 °C, while 50% extension at variable conditions (Teff = 4.8 °C). CO2 emitters in the package improved the chemical freshness (K-values) and volatile compounds (characterizing freshness). The responses of different enzymatic TTI were modeled as the function of enzyme concentration, temperature and storage time. The activation energy (Ea) ranged from 97 to 148 kJ mol−1, allowing the selection of appropriate TTIs for the shelf-life monitoring of each fish product: LP-150U for the MAP and M-25U for the MAP-PAD samples. The validation experiment at Teff = 4.8 °C confirmed the applicability of Arrhenius-type models, as well as the use of TTIs as effective chill chain management tools during distribution and storage.
The lonely heroine: portrayal of women scientists in films

ABSTRACT Popular films can influence the public’s image of women scientists and (re)shape social stereotypes. In this study, we examined how women scientists were portrayed in films in the context of fourth-wave feminism. Twelve characters of women scientists in eight films were analysed using sociological film interpretation across the following categories: occupation, socio-political theme, and time frame. The findings showed that most characters were portrayed as competent, diligent, and typically as experts in their fields. The most prevalent stereotype across the films was the lonely heroine. Overall, the findings suggest an improvement in the representation of women scientists in films and provide a set of implications about how women scientists’ portrayal in films may contribute to addressing gender science stereotypes. Beyond seeing women in scientific fields represented, it is important that their portrayal is positive, diverse, and intersectional and does not reinforce stereotypes of either dominant or overly feminine women.
Native legumes and spineless cactus in supplementation of goats grazing in Caatinga rangeland: intake, performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

The study evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics, tissue composition, and meat quality of goats raised on pasture in the Caatinga rangeland supplemented with Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Sabiá (Mimosa caesapiniifolia) hays associated or not with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera), and without supplementation. Thirty male castrated goats, no defined breed, with an average body weight of 15.5 kg ± 0.64 were used, distributed in a randomized block design, according to the initial weight of the animals. The experimental period lasted 105 days. The highest intake of DM, OM and CP occurred in the animals supplemented with Leucena hay associated or not with spineless cactus. The intake of NDF was higher (p <0.05) for animals fed only with Leucena and Sabiá hays. The highest intake of TDN was observed for diets, only grazing, and hays associated with spineless cactus. The daily weight gain for goats fed with Leucena hay and spineless cactus was 68.5% higher (p <0.05) than on grazing alone. Consequently, they obtained the highest (p <0.05) weights and yields of carcasses, shoulder, loin, and leg cuts, conformation and finishing scores, leg muscle index, and % fat in the leg of goats. The meat quality did not differ. The supplementation with Leucena hay associated with spineless cactus improves performance, weights, and yields of the carcass, commercial cuts, leg muscle of goats grazing in the Caatinga rangeland.
Avaliação da uva cv. Isabel para a elaboração de vinho tinto

Isabella grape, originated from the South of the United States, is one of the most important varieties of Vitis labrusca. Today it is the most diffused variety in the Serra Gaucha, the southern viticultural region of Brazil, where it represents near 45% of the total production. Isabella grape is used to make red table wine and juice and it is commercialized as table grape too. Due to its importance, this work was carried out from 1988 to 1994 to study grape maturation, cluster characteristic, must composition and chemical and sensory attributes of its red table wine. The results showed that Isabella grapes had small and loose clusters, with large berries and seeds. The must showed a light pink color, good level of sugar, low malic acid and low titratable acidity. The wine has an attractive red color; the aroma is intense and shows a good varietal characteristic; finally, sensory analysis shows the wine needs a better balance and softness.
Illness perceptions in long-COVID: A cross-sectional analysis in adults

Abstract Symptoms may persist after an acute COVID-19 infection, a phenomenon termed long-COVID. Increasing attention is now directed toward these long-term effects, as many seem to be affected. So far, long-COVID was primarily discussed from a medical perspective, leaving psychological factors on health-related outcomes understudied. Thus, the present study contributes to the current literature by examining Leventhal’s common-sense model of self-regulation, investigating patients’ cognitive and emotional illness perceptions and their association with different health-related outcomes in the context of long-COVID. We examined 246 long-COVID patients (89.0% female, M age = 45.29 ± 12.12 years), assessing illness perceptions, fatigue, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life in a cross-sectional survey study. Linear regression analyses were applied to model the unique effects of the illness perception dimension on health-related outcomes. More than half of the sample had elevated levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and fatigue. Illness perception dimensions explained between 28% and 37% of the variance across the analyzed health-related outcomes. More symptoms, higher perceived consequences, and higher emotional representation were related to worse health-related outcomes. In general, long-COVID was poorly understood (i.e., low coherence) and perceived as difficult to control (i.e., personal & treatment control). Health professionals involved in counseling should pay close attention to both cognitive and emotional illness perceptions to address possible ways of coping with long-COVID.
Mechanical Properties and Thermal Shock Performance of High-Energy-Rate-Forged W-1%TaC Alloy

Tungsten is a metal with a high melting point and thermal conductivity, but its inherent brittleness limits its application in the industry. Dispersion strengthening and plastic deformation are considered to be an effective means to improve the properties of tungsten alloys. In this work, the mechanical properties and thermal shock performance of W-1% TaC alloy prepared by hot pressing followed by high-energy-rate forging (HERFing) and annealing treatment were investigated. The microstructure of the tungsten material was characterized via metallography, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction imaging. The mechanical properties were studied by tensile testing. The thermal shock performance of the HERFed W-TaC was evaluated using an electron beam device. The forged tungsten possessed a disc-shaped grain structure. The forged W-TaC alloy exhibited a good mechanical performance at an elevated temperature, which was different from the response of other tungsten alloys. The HERFing process effectively increased the cracking threshold of W-TaC alloy under electron beam transient thermal load. The lamellar grain structure of the forged tungsten material prevented cracks from propagating deeply into the material.
Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: Current status and future perspective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most preva lent arrythmias worldwide and associated with an increased risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism. Stroke pre vention with direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) is recom mended in patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF) at high risk of stroke. WATCHMAN TM percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device is currently introduced as an alternative to DOAC for patients with NVAF ineligi ble for long-term administration of DOAC due to high risk of bleeding. This review article may contribute to recognize the paradigm shift in which stroke prevention should be carried out topically but not systemically, because left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main source of thrombus formation in AF patients. In addition, this review article introduces the current knowledge and future perspective of LAAC strategy and technology.
The Development of Digital Technology to Support Learning in Children with Disabilities

This study was conducted with the following objectives: 1) to develop digital technology that supports learning in children with disabilities; 2) to test the effectiveness of digital technology used in children’s learning. The sample selected to study the current context of and needs of digital technology consisted of a group of 46 teachers and parents. The sample group of children with disabilities who participated in the digital technology experiment comprised three children. The sample group who took part in the experiment in fieldwork comprised 45 children from nine types of disabilities; these were purposively sampled. The research instruments consisted of 1) ten easy-books with single vowels in Thai; 2) ninety individual implementation plans; 3) computer software to promote the reading of ten stories; 4) an evaluation form for children with disabilities’ reading ability in Thai vocabulary in Prathom level 1; 5) a survey form for the current context of and the needs for digital technology to promote the children’s learning; 6) an interview form for the current context of and the needs for digital technology to promote the children’s learning. The data were analysed with the statistics of mean, standard deviation (SD) and efficiency assessment, using the E1/E2 formula with the 80/80 criteria. The research found that the effectiveness assessment value of digital technology to promote the children’s learning was found at the rate of 86/90, which was higher than the standard rate.
Finite Element Method (Chapter from "Gratings: Theory and Numeric Applications")

In this chapter, we demonstrate a general formulation of the Finite Element Method allowing to calculate the diffraction efficiencies from the electromagnetic field diffracted by arbitrarily shaped gratings embedded in a multilayered stack lightened by a plane wave of arbitrary incidence and polarization angle. It relies on a rigorous treatment of the plane wave sources problem through an equivalent radiation problem with localized sources. Bloch conditions and a new Adaptative Perfectly Matched Layer have been implemented in order to truncate the computational domain. We derive this formulation for both mono-dimensional gratings in TE/TM polarization cases (2D or scalar case) and for the most general bidimensional or crossed gratings (3D or vector case). The main advantage of this formulation is its complete generality with respect to the studied geometries and the material properties. Its principle remains independent of both the number of diffractive elements by period and number of stack layers. The flexibility of our approach makes it a handy and powerful tool for the study of metamaterials, finite size photonic crystals, periodic plasmonic structures.
A Single-Frame Multiplicity Estimator for Multiple Frame Survey

Multiple Frame Survey has been originally proposed, according to an optimality approach, in order to persecute survey cost savings, especially in the case of a complete list available but expensive to sample. In the modern sampling practice it is frequent the case where a total and up-to-date list of units, to be used as sampling frame, is not available or it may not be built unless expensive or unfeasible screening of the target population. Instead, a set of lists singularly partial, usually overlapping, with union offering an adequate coverage of the target population, can be available. Thus the collection of the partial lists can be used as Multiple Frame. Literature about Multiple Frame estimation theory mainly concentrates over the Dual Frame case and it is only rarely concerned with the important practical issue of the variance estimation. By using a multiplicity approach a Single Frame estimator is proposed. The new estimator naturally applies to any number of frame and it is very simple so that its variance is given exactly and easily estimated.
Multi-trait selection of tomato introgression lines under drought-induced conditions at germination and seedling stages

To be considered drought-tolerant, a tomato cultivar is required to present some level of tolerance at all developmental stages of plant growth. Since drought tolerance is a stage-specific phenomenon, genotype assessment must be performed separately at all developmental stages. In this study, we used a multi-trait index based on factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance (FAI-BLUP index) to properly rank 49 tomato genotypes according to their tolerance to drought stress conditions at germination and seedling stages. Seeds of 47 introgression lines, which cultivar M82 is considered drought-sensitive, and the Solanum pennellii wild accession LA 716, which is considered drought-tolerant, were subjected to a control condition, where seeds were soaked in distilled water, and a drought condition, where seeds were soaked in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution (-0.3 MPa). Drought stress, induced by PEG, had a significant impact on all nine germination and growth performance-related traits; there was a reduction in shoot length (SL), total length (TL), initial germination percentage (IGP), final germination percentage (FGP), germination velocity index (GVI), and germination rate (GR). In contrast, the root-to-shoot ratio (R/S) and time to reach 50% germination (T50) increased under drought stress. Root length (RL) was less affected by drought, and in some genotypes, it was even increased. As expected, LA 716 ranked closest to the drought tolerance ideotype. IL 1-4-18, IL 2-3, IL 1-2, IL 9-2, and IL 10-1 were the most drought-tolerant at the germination stage. These results will serve as guidance for breeders who are aiming at developing drought-resistant tomato cultivars.
Actions speak louder than words. An investigation around the promises and the reality of representation in actor training

This paper takes, as it’s starting point, the statements of solidarity with Black and non-White students in UK drama schools which were issued in the summer of 2020 and tracks the commitments made against the writers, directors and actors who took part in the graduation shows of the following academic year. It analyses how (or if) change of representation was established in the sector as a whole and also on an institution-by-institution basis. Suggestions are made as to further changes that could be made in the actor training sector, and, by implication, all higher educational establishments.
Pharmaceutical quality evaluation of marketed vildagliptin tablets in Bangladesh based on the United States Pharmacopeia specifications

Continuous monitoring of pharmaceutical products is vital because it matters to human health. Here we aimed to assess the quality parameters of commercially available vildagliptin tablets in Bangladesh. We tested the tablets for the content uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration, dissolution, and potency. Then, we fitted the dissolution data with kinetic models to investigate the release pattern of the studied brands. Moreover, we applied a mathematical model-independent approach to compare the dissolution profiles of the brands. The interchangeability was determined using difference and similarity factors. Weight variation, friability, and hardness were between 150.35±1.26 to 230.8±1.98 mg, 0 to 0.88%, and 47.3±5.09 to 108.1±1.92 N, respectively. All tablets disintegrated within 0.54±2.85 to 7.69±2.14 min in distilled water. The potency of tablets in 0.1 N HCl and PBS (pH 6.8) were between 97.67±2.58 to 105±0.95% and 99±4.63 to 105±1.65%, respectively. The drug release (%) in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 6.8) after 60 min were between 99.37±1.80 to 111.09±0.64% and 96.59±3.52 to 109.57±0.53%, respectively. All the brands complied with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) specification for physicochemical properties. Also, we observed the drug release patterns of vildagliptin tablets matched with different kinetic models. We found only one substitutable brand with the standard product regardless of the dissolution medium. In-vitro chemical equivalence is not always consistent with bioequivalence. Therefore, continuous evaluation of marketed products is essential to ensure the desired quality.