Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The sound of a sinusoid: Time‐interval models

When an amplitude modulator that is asymmetric in time is applied to a sinusoid, the direction of the asymmetry affects the timbre of the sound. If the modulator is a decaying exponential with a 4‐ms half‐life and a repetition period of 25 ms, the resulting ‘‘damped’’ sinusoid does not have the sound quality of a sinusoid. But if the modulator is reversed in time to produce a ‘‘ramped’’ sinusoid, the sound of a sinusoid returns [R.D. Patterson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (1994)]. This paper extends the domain of the phenomenon with an experiment in which the modulator period varies with the carrier frequency to fix the number of carrier periods per envelope period. This fixes the shape of the wave within a cycle of the sound across carrier frequencies, and it fixes the shape of the main peak in the spectrum of the sound. When presented with pairs of damped and ramped sounds having the same half‐life, listeners choose the ramped sound as having the stronger sinusoidal component provided the sinusoids are discrimi.
The Essential Oil of Citrus lumia Risso and Poit. ‘Pyriformis’ Shows Promising Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Neuromodulatory Effects

Citrus lumia Risso and Poit. ‘Pyriformis’ are horticultural varieties of Citrus lumia Risso. The fruit is very fragrant and pear-shaped, with a bitter juice, a floral flavor, and a very thick rind. The flavedo shows enlarged (0.74 × 1.16 mm), spherical and ellipsoidal secretory cavities containing the essential oil (EO), visible using light microscopy, and more evident using scanning electron microscopy. The GC-FID and GC-MS analyses of the EO showed a phytochemical profile characterized by the predominance of D-limonene (93.67%). The EO showed interesting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities (IC50 0.07–2.06 mg/mL), as evaluated by the in vitro cell-free enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays. To evaluate the effect on the neuronal functional activity, the embryonic cortical neuronal networks grown on multi-electrode array chips were exposed to non-cytotoxic concentrations of the EO (5–200 µg/mL). The spontaneous neuronal activity was recorded and the mean firing rate, mean burst rate, percentage of spikes in a burst, mean burst durations and inter-spike intervals within a burst parameter were calculated. The EO induced strong and concentration-dependent neuroinhibitory effects, with IC50 ranging between 11.4–31.1 µg/mL. Furthermore, it showed an acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 0.19 mg/mL), which is promising for controlling some of the key symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as memory and cognitive concerns.
Hyperinsulinemic and Pro-Inflammatory Dietary Patterns and Metabolomic Profiles Are Associated with Increased Risk of Total and Site-Specific Cancers among Postmenopausal Women

Simple Summary We investigated whether dietary patterns of insulinemia, inflammation and overall dietary quality are associated with the risk of total cancer, site-specific cancers, and pathological subtypes among postmenopausal women. We followed 112,468 women, 50–79 years of age, in the Women’s Health Initiative for a median of 17.8 years, documenting 18,768 incident invasive cancers. A higher overall dietary quality was associated with lower risk of total cancer and colorectal cancer. The potential of the dietary pattern to contribute to higher insulinemia and inflammation was associated with greater risk of total cancer, colorectal cancer and more strongly associated with risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer (including triple negative breast cancer) than overall dietary quality. Additionally, a higher score of metabolites reflecting higher dietary quality was associated with lower lung cancer risk. Dietary patterns associated with cancer risk, therefore, warrant testing in clinical trials for cancer prevention among postmenopausal women. Abstract We evaluated associations of the Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI2015) and their metabolomics profiles with the risk of total and site-specific cancers. We used baseline food frequency questionnaires to calculate dietary scores among 112,468 postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for cancer risk estimation. Metabolomic profile scores were derived using elastic-net regression with leave-one-out cross validation. In over 17.8 years, 18,768 incident invasive cancers were adjudicated. Higher EDIH and EDIP scores were associated with greater total cancer risk, and higher HEI-2015 with lower risk: HRQ5vsQ1(95% CI): EDIH, 1.10 (1.04–1.15); EDIP, 1.08 (1.02–1.15); HEI-2015, 0.93 (0.89–0.98). The multivariable-adjusted incidence rate difference(Q5vsQ1) for total cancer was: +52 (EDIH), +41 (EDIP) and −49 (HEI-2015) per 100,000 person years. All three indices were associated with colorectal cancer, and EDIH and EDIP with endometrial and breast cancer risk. EDIH was further associated with luminal-B, ER-negative and triple negative breast cancer subtypes. Dietary patterns contributing to hyperinsulinemia and inflammation were associated with greater cancer risk, and higher overall dietary quality, with lower risk. The findings warrant the testing of these dietary patterns in clinical trials for cancer prevention among postmenopausal women.
Aerosolized nicotine from e-cigarettes alters gene expression, increases lung protein permeability, and impairs viral clearance in murine influenza infection

E-cigarette use has rapidly increased as an alternative means of nicotine delivery by heated aerosolization. Recent studies demonstrate nicotine-containing e-cigarette aerosols can have immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory effects, but it remains unclear how e-cigarettes and the constituents of e-liquids may impact acute lung injury and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by viral pneumonia. Therefore, in these studies, mice were exposed one hour per day over nine consecutive days to aerosol generated by the clinically-relevant tank-style Aspire Nautilus aerosolizing e-liquid containing a mixture of vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol (VG/PG) with or without nicotine. Exposure to the nicotine-containing aerosol resulted in clinically-relevant levels of plasma cotinine, a nicotine-derived metabolite, and an increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17A, CXCL1, and MCP-1 in the distal airspaces. Following the e-cigarette exposure, mice were intranasally inoculated with influenza A virus (H1N1 PR8 strain). Exposure to aerosols generated from VG/PG with and without nicotine caused greater influenza-induced production in the distal airspaces of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and MCP-1 at 7 days post inoculation (dpi). Compared to the aerosolized carrier VG/PG, in mice exposed to aerosolized nicotine there was a significantly lower amount of Mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC) in the distal airspaces and significantly higher lung permeability to protein and viral load in lungs at 7 dpi with influenza. Additionally, nicotine caused relative downregulation of genes associated with ciliary function and fluid clearance and an increased expression of pro-inflammatory pathways at 7 dpi. These results show that (1) the e-liquid carrier VG/PG increases the pro-inflammatory immune responses to viral pneumonia and that (2) nicotine in an e-cigarette aerosol alters the transcriptomic response to pathogens, blunts host defense mechanisms, increases lung barrier permeability, and reduces viral clearance during influenza infection. In conclusion, acute exposure to aerosolized nicotine can impair clearance of viral infection and exacerbate lung injury, findings that have implications for the regulation of e-cigarette products.
Worker role perceptions and work participation among people with mental health issues taking part in interventions focusing on everyday life

Background: Knowing whether interventions addressing everyday life as a whole can affect work readiness for people with severe mental health issues would be important for how to develop support. Objective: To compare two groups of people with mental health problems, receiving either of two types of 16-week activity-based interventions, Balancing Everyday Life (BEL) or Care as Usual (CAU), regarding work readiness in terms of perceived worker role and satisfaction with recent work experience. Changes from baseline (T1) to completed intervention (T2) and a six-month follow-up (T3) and variables of potential importance to changes were also explored. Methods: This cluster RCT recruited participants for BEL (n = 133) and CAU (n = 93) from specialized and community-based psychiatry. Questionnaires addressing work readiness and potentially influencing variables (sociodemographic, clinical, type of intervention, work experience, non-work activity factors, social interaction and self-esteem) were used. Mixed model regression analyses were employed. Results: Positive changes occurred for both groups in one worker role aspect (resources for a future worker role) and in satisfaction with recent work participation. Satisfaction with non-work everyday activities, having valued activities, and self-esteem were important for change in the work readiness variables, whereas intervention type, age, sex or general activity level were not. Conclusion: Both interventions yielded equally positive work readiness outcomes. Support that emphasizes engagement in satisfying and valued everyday activities and boosts self-esteem would be a potential way to help people with mental health issues develop work readiness in terms of the worker role and satisfaction with work participation.
Extended dissipative output‐feedback control for discrete‐time bidirectional associative memory neural networks via delay‐partitioning approach

This paper is concerned with the analysis of an extended dissipativity performance for a class of bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks (NNs) having time‐varying delays. To achieve this, the idea of the delay‐partitioning approach is used, where the range of time‐varying delay factors is partitioned into a finite number of equidistant subintervals. A delay‐partitioning based Lyapunov–Krasovskii function is introduced on these intervals, and some new delay‐dependent extended dissipativity results are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which also depend on the partition size of the delay factor. Further, numerical examples are performed to acknowledge the extended dissipativity performance of delayed discrete‐time BAM NN; further, four case studies were explored with their simulations to validate the impact of the delay‐partitioning approach.
Implantation with SHED sheet induced with homogenate protein of spinal cord promotes functional recovery from spinal cord injury in rats

Introduction: After spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs, the lesion is in a growth inhibitory microenvironment that severely hinders neural regeneration. In this microenvironment, inhibitory factors are predominant and factors that promote nerve regeneration are few. Improving neurotrophic factors in the microenvironment is the key to treating SCI. Methods: Based on cell sheet technology, we designed a bioactive material with a spinal cord‐like structure –SHED sheet induced with homogenate protein of spinal cord (hp–SHED sheet). Hp–SHED sheet was implanted into the spinal cord lesion for treating SCI rats with SHED suspensions as a control to investigate the effects on nerve regeneration. Results: Hp–SHED sheet revealed a highly porous three–dimensional inner structure, which facilitates nerve cell attachment and migration. Hp-SHED sheet in vivo restored sensory and motor functions in SCI rats by promoting nerve regeneration, axonal remyelination, and inhibiting glial scarring. Discussion: Hp–SHED sheet maximally mimics the microenvironment of the natural spinal cord and facilitate cell survival and differentiation. Hp–SHED sheet could release more neurotrophins and the sustained action of neurotrophins improves the pathological microenvironment, which effectively promotes nerve regeneration, axonal extension, and inhibits glial scarring, thereby promoting the in situ centralis neuroplasticity. Hp–SHED sheet therapy is a promising strategy for effective treatment of SCI based on neurotrophins delivery.
Tunable watt-level blue-green vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers by intracavity frequency doubling

We report on the development and the demonstration of a tunable, watt-level, blue-green, linearly polarized vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers operating around 488nm by intracavity second-harmonic generation. By using lithium triborate crystal, we have achieved over 1.3W continuous wave blue-green power at 488nm with a 5nm tunability.
Successful Nerve Block Therapy for Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (LACNES) Triggered by Exercise

This report presents a case of a 59-year-old man who experienced pain in the left abdomen during abdominal exercises, which gradually improved. Pain recurred in the same area one year later and gradually worsened, rendering him unable to work. The strongest tender point, with a positive Carnett's sign, was noted on the flank. Ultrasonography revealed a 5 × 10 mm mass shadow in the internal oblique muscle. Trigger point injection at the same site was remarkably effective. Lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome caused by a crush injury due to abdominal exercises was diagnosed. Nerve block therapy provided effective pain relief.
Applying a family stress model to understand U.S. families’ patterns of stress, media use, and child behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly altered family life, and research among adults and families has found increases financial stress, mental health problems, screen time, parental conflict, and child behavior problems. Given these patterns, we sought to replicate these findings with a younger and largely non-white sample. Using the Family Stress Model, we consider how these constructs might relate to each other during the pandemic. From surveys of 247 predominately Latine mothers and fathers of children under 4 years of age in the U.S., we found that financial strain was related to children’s media exposure and use, largely through impacts on parents’ mental health and coparenting relationship. Interestingly, only use of television in the background and during mealtimes were associated with increases in parents’ perception of increases in children’s behavior problems. Such findings better capture how stress may operate in a family system and offer a way to counsel parents about healthier media habits for young children. IMPACT SUMMARY Prior State of Knowledge: The COVID-19 pandemic increased families’ feelings of financial and emotional strain as well as screen time, though most research is with affluent families and those with older children. Novel Contributions: Among economically and ethnically diverse families with young children, we find relationships between financial strain, parental mental health, coparenting relationship quality, and parenting around media. Of children’s media use, only background TV is associated with increases in behavior problems. Practical Implications: The findings underscore the importance of supporting parents through pandemic-related stressors and consideration of how passive media viewing might relate to problematic behaviors for young children.
Observability Analysis and Restoration for Distribution Grids: A Robust Greedy Numerical Algorithm

This paper presents a robust and efficient algorithm for analyzing and restoring the observability of distribution grids. A linearized load flow model is used to characterize three- and multi-phase distribution grids under balanced and unbalanced conditions. Assuming that metering devices are installed to measure nodal magnitudes at some buses, the rank of the matrix associated with the non-metered magnitudes is determined by using a greedy strategy combined with a Gram-Schmidt orthonormalization procedure. Unlike other numerical-based techniques, the proposed algorithm avoids common errors caused by denominators close to zero. As an additional salient feature, a mathematically sound stopping criterion is provided to guarantee the robustness of the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, for unobservable grids, the algorithm identifies the linearly dependent rows in the aforementioned matrix, which correspond to the buses that should be metered to restore grid observability. The effective performance of the proposed algorithm is illustrated using several medium- and low-voltage benchmarks with up to 906 buses.
Stochastic Limit Theory

This book aims to introduce modern asymptotic theory to students and practitioners of econometrics. It falls broadly into two parts. The first provides a handbook and reference for the underlying mathematics (Part I, Chapters 1–6), statistical theory (Part II, Chapters 7–11), and stochastic process theory (Part III, Chapters 12–18). The second half provides a treatment of the main convergence theorems used in analysing the large sample behaviour of econometric estimators and tests. These are the law of large numbers (Part IV, Chapters 19–22), the central limit theorem (Part V, Chapters 23–26), and the functional central limit theorem (Part VI, Chapters 27–32). The focus in this treatment is on the nonparametric approach to time series properties, covering topics such as nonstationarity, mixing, martingales, and near‐epoch dependence. While the approach is not elementary, care is taken to keep the treatment self‐contained. Proofs are provided for almost all the results.
Ophthalmologic Examination and Echocardiography Should be the Essential Components of Candidemia Bundle

Objective: Candidemia is the most common form of invasive candidiasis, and it is associated with end-organ involvement, prolonged hospitalization, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Candidemia can lead to metastatic heart and ocular infections. This study aimed to define the incidence, characteristics, and mortality of candidemia episodes and compare the data with our center’s previous results. Materials and Methods: In this single-center retrospective observational study, we enrolled 250 patients over 18 years diagnosed with candidemia between January 2015 and December 2020. We obtained patients’ demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data from medical records. An ophthalmologic examination and screening with echocardiography were carried out within the first week after candidemia diagnosis. Results: There were 275 candidemia episodes from 250 patients. The incidence of candidemia was 2.8/1000 admissions and 5.68/ 10,000 inpatient days, higher than our previous results (1.23/1000 and 3.29/10,000). The median age was 65 (interquartile range [IQR]=52-75) years. Malignancies were the most frequent comorbidity (50%). The most common type was Candida albicans (n=115, 41.8%). Candida glabrata (n=61, 22.2%) was common, particularly in surgical patients, patients with malignancy, and critically ill patients. There was Infectious disease consultation in 93.3% (257) episodes. The ophthalmoscopic examination was made in 145 episodes (52.7%), and ophthalmitis was detected in 16 (11.0%). Echocardiography was performed in 139 (50.5%) episodes; one case had an endocarditis diagnosis. The 30-day mortality was 44.7% (n=123). Mortality rates in C. glabrata and Candida krusei infections were higher (54.1% and 66.7). The factors related to mortality were intensive care unit requirement (p=0.0001), chronic liver disease (p=0.005), corticosteroid usage (p=0.0001), previous antibiotic usage (p=0.013), multiple antibiotic usage (p=0.020), and CVC related candidemia (p=0.010). Conclusion: Because of the life-threatening complications such as endocarditis, increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs, systematic and comprehensive candidemia bundle applications would be effective strategies for providing an effective antifungal stewardship program. Keywords: Candidemia, mortality, ophthalmitis, endocarditis, bundle
The Impact of Organizational Culture on Public Service Quality in the Baubau City Regional Secretariat

This study aims to examine the effect of organizational culture on the quality of public services offered by the Baubau City Regional Secretariat. This study involves quantitative descriptive research, a technique used to assess the state of natural items in which the researcher is the principal instrument. The results of the SPSS test demonstrate that the sig value is known. The t value for the influence of organizational culture on the quality of public services is 4.418, which is more than 0.676. Consequently, the study's premise is accepted, indicating that organizational culture influences the quality of public services. According to the SPSS test, the R Square value is 0.394, indicating that organizational culture has a 39.4 percent influence on the quality of public services. The research findings indicate that 60.4% of variables beyond the scope of this study influence the quality of service at the Baubau City Regional Secretariat.
A weight-based data hiding method for binary image using selective binary numeral system

Abstract Arbitrary permutations of binary data in steganography are easily detected because a binary image is represented merely in one bit, and therefore many researchers often use the edges in object images to hide data, using one or multiple mapping tables or templates to determine where to do the embedding. In this study, we propose an easy way of better steganography, segmenting the images into non-overlapped 2 × 2 blocks, and using the simple odd-even parity to determine the location for the embedding, while we also attend to the problem of image quality, using four selective bits of binary numeral system (or base-2 system) to generate a weighted value to determine the best embedding location, thus achieving the purpose of maintaining the image quality and reducing the calculation complexity. The secret data are first converted into bit streams, with their sequential order scrambled using pseudo-random generator (PRNG), and are either reversed or marked prior to being hidden at locations previously determined. The extraction of the hidden data merely requires the determination of the odd-even number the 2 × 2 blocks of the object stego-images, and the original binary bit stream data in their original sequential order can be retrieved using the PRNG previously applied in the embedding. By the experimental results, the method proposed in this study proves to be valid in dealing with the problems of capacity and image quality, while providing a method that allows free choice of two embedding mechanism for the optimal results of image quality.
Supersonic Drag Performance of Truncated Cones with Repetitive Energy Depositions

The drag performance of truncated cones in a supersonic flow of Mach number 2 with repetitive energy depositions is evaluated by using computational fluid dynamics. The calculated result shows a quasisteady flowfield: a virtual spike, which is supported by an axi-symmetric recirculation, is formed in front of the truncated cone. The recirculation is generated due to baroclinic interaction between a bow shock wave and a heated bubble produced by energy depositions. The reduction of the drag over the truncated cone is attributed to the virtual spike so formed. The time averaged drag of the truncated cone depends on the amount of deposited energy, repetition frequency and the area of a truncation surface. The averaged drag can be smaller than that of a sharp cone with the same apex angle, maintaining the energy savings due to drag reduction.