Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance Training Increases White Matter Density in Frail Elderly Women

We aimed to investigate the effects of maternal obesity on brain structure and metabolism in frail women, and their reversibility in response to exercise. We recruited 37 frail elderly women (20 offspring of lean/normal-weight mothers (OLM) and 17 offspring of obese/overweight mothers (OOM)) and nine non-frail controls to undergo magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), positron emission tomography with Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (PET), and cognitive function tests (CERAD). Frail women were studied before and after a 4-month resistance training, and controls were studied once. White matter (WM) density (voxel-based morphometry) was higher in OLM than in OOM subjects. Exercise increased WM density in both OLM and OOM in the cerebellum in superior parietal regions in OLM and in cuneal and precuneal regions in OOM. OLM gained more WM density than OOM in response to intervention. No significant results were found from the Freesurfer analysis, nor from PET or DTI images. Exercise has an impact on brain morphology and cognition in elderly frail women.
Stochastic Calculus of Heston's Stochastic-Volatility Model

The Heston (1993) stochastic-volatility model is a square-root diffusion model for the stochastic-variance. It gives rise to a singular diffusion for the distribution according to Feller (1951). Due to the singular nature, the time-step must be much smaller than the lower bound of the variance. Several transformations are introduced that lead to proper diffusions including a transformation to an additive noise model with perfect-square solution, an exact, nonsingular solution special case and an alternate model. Simulation solution examples are also given. Index Terms—Stochastic-volatility, square-root diffusions, transformations, stochastic calculus, diffusion approximations, nonnegative-variance, simulations. The Heston model (19) of stochastic-volatility is a square- root diffusion model for the stochastic-variance. According to Feller (11) the model is a singular diffusion for the distribution. Unlike a regular diffusion, there is an order constraint on the relationship between the limit that the vari- ance goes to zero and the limit that time-step goes to zero, so that any nontrivial transformation of the Heston model leads to a transformed diffusion in the Itˆ o calculus. Several transformations are introduced that lead to proper diffusions and preservation of the nonnegativity of the variance in a perfect-square form. An exact, nonsingular solution is found for a special combination of the Heston stochastic-volatility parameters. Due to the square-root term, the singular nature of the diffusion is intrinsic. Geometric Brownian motion is also a singular diffusion, since the diffusion vanishes when the dif- fusion coefficient vanishes. However, the singular nature of geometric Brownian motion is removable by the well-known logarithmic transformation, removing the state process from the right hand side and resulting in an additive Brownian motion. In general, singular diffusions can be sensitive to slight changes in the model, which may lead to significant changes in the solution, e.g., in the singular, turning point resonance problem discussed by Hanson and Wazwaz (17). A computationally simple and practical simulation recipe of solutions to the Heston model is introduced that is consistent with the proper diffusion scaling for the time-step and the variance when both are small. In financial markets, the log-returns differ from the geo- metric or linear diffusions due to several properties. Some of these are jumps and random or time-dependent statistical properties. One significant property difference is that vari- ance, or its square root, the volatility, can be stochastically
Effect of Chair Yoga Therapy on Functional Fitness and Daily Life Activities among Older Female Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis in Taiwan: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of chair yoga therapy on improving functional status and daily life activity scores in older female adults with knee osteoarthritis living in the community. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. In total, 85 female participants with knee osteoarthritis were assigned to the chair yoga therapy intervention group (n = 43) or the comparison (n = 42) group. A 12-week chair yoga exercise program was provided to the intervention group two times per week from January to April 2020. The primary outcomes, which include changes in physical functional ability, body mass index, and biophysiological indicators, were evaluated for all participants in the pre- and post-measures time periods. The analysis shows that the participants had a significantly higher level of functional fitness and daily life activity scores after the chair yoga intervention. This finding indicates that the chair yoga program was effective in improving the functional fitness and daily life activity scores of community-dwelling elderly females with knee osteoarthritis.
Evaluating Drivers of the Patient Experience Triangle: Stress, Anxiety, and Frustration

Patient experience is a widely used indicator for assessing the quality-of-care process during a patient’s journey in hospital. However, the literature rarely discusses three components: patient stress, anxiety, and frustration. Furthermore, little is known about what drives each component during hospital visits. In order to explore this, we utilized data from a patient experience survey, including patient- and provider-related determinants, that was administered at a local hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. A machine-learning-based random forest (RF) algorithm, along with its embedded importance analysis function feature, was used to explore and rank the drivers of patient stress, anxiety, and frustration throughout two stages of the patient journey: registration and consultation. The attribute ‘age’ was identified as the primary patient-related determinant driving patient stress, anxiety, and frustration throughout the registration and consultation stages. In the registration stage, ‘total time taken for registration’ was the key driver of patient stress, whereas ‘courtesy demonstrated by the registration staff in meeting your needs’ was the key driver of anxiety and frustration. In the consultation step, ‘waiting time to see the doctor/physician’ was the key driver of both patient stress and frustration, whereas ‘the doctor/physician was able to explain your symptoms using language that was easy to understand’ was the main driver of anxiety. The RF algorithm provided valuable insights, showing the relative importance of factors affecting patient stress, anxiety, and frustration throughout the registration and consultation stages. Healthcare managers can utilize and allocate resources to improve the overall patient experience during hospital visits based on the importance of patient- and provider-related determinants.
Corporate Voluntary Carbon Information Disclosure: Evidence from China's Listed Companies

type="main" xml:id="twec12187-abs-0001"> This article seeks to answer two questions: (i) what factors drive firms to decide whether or not to disclose the information related to their greenhouse gas emissions (also called carbon information)? (ii) what forces lead firms to disclose more carbon information? Using data hand-collected from the annual Corporate Social Responsibility reports of China's listed companies from 2008 to 2012, we find the following: (i) firms that operate in sectors of high-emission industries are more likely to make carbon information disclosure (CID hereafter); (ii) the more companies within one industry that make CID, the more likely it is that a company in that industry will make CID; (iii) companies having a higher sales rank within an industry are more likely to make CID.
Enhancement of Structural, Optical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of n−Cu2O Thin Films with K Ions Doping toward Biosensor and Solar Cell Applications

n-type Cu2O thin films were grown on conductive FTO substrates using a low-cost electrodeposition method. The doping of the n−Cu2O thin films with K ions was well identified using XRD, Raman, SEM, EDX, UV-vis, PL, photocurrent, Mott–Schottky, and EIS measurements. The results of the XRD show the creation of cubic Cu2O polycrystalline and monoclinic CuO, with the crystallite sizes ranging from 55 to 25.2 nm. The Raman analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups corresponding to the Cu2O and CuO in the fabricated samples. Moreover, the samples’ crystallinity and morphology change with the doping concentrations which was confirmed by SEM. The PL results show two characteristic emission peaks at 520 and 690 nm which are due to the interband transitions in the Cu2O as well as the oxygen vacancies in the CuO, respectively. Moreover, the PL strength was quenched at higher doping concentrations which reveals that the dopant K limits e−/h+ pairs recombination by trapped electrons and holes. The optical results show that the absorption edge is positioned between 425 and 460 nm. The computed Eg for the undoped and K−doped n−Cu2O was observed to be between 2.39 and 2.21 eV. The photocurrent measurements displayed that the grown thin films have the characteristic behavior of n-type semiconductors. Furthermore, the photocurrent is enhanced by raising the doped concentration, where the maximum value was achieved with 0.1 M of K ions. The Mott–Schottky measurements revealed that the flat band potential and donor density vary with a doping concentration from −0.87 to −0.71 V and 1.3 × 1017 to 3.2 × 1017 cm−3, respectively. EIS shows that the lowest resistivity to charge transfer (Rct) was attained at a 0.1 M concentration of K ions. The outcomes indicate that doping n−Cu2O thin films are an excellent candidate for biosensor and photovoltaic applications.
Changing fatherhood: a comparative study of Sweden, Germany and Japan

ABSTRACT This research is inspired by Michael’s Rush work. In-depth interviews of 30 Swedish, German and Japanese fathers regarding their attitudes towards traditional, modern and ideal images of fatherhood were conducted. Three videos of fathers’ normal daily life relating to their practices of fatherhood, including time spent on housework and child care are shot separately in Stockholm, Stuttgart, and Fukuoka. The following results show that the path of fatherhood in these three countries is shifting away from the traditional role. In Sweden, fatherhood is changing from traditional father to dual carer model. In Germany, fatherhood is transitioning toward a second-mother model. Finally, in Japan, fatherhood is turning toward a struggling model. Three primary factors accelerate the pace of these changes: family-friendly social policies, de-patriarchy family, and increasing individualistic-oriented socio-culture. Furthermore, three main barriers persist against a dual-carer society: hierarchical corporate culture, ‘male-headed’ in public areas and ‘housewife keeping’ in private areas. To conclude, this study suggests that globally, fatherhood keeps its second-mother or struggling status, but with an increasing emphasis on Nordic dual-earner and dual-career crystallizing in Germany and Japan. That means diminishing devoted wife and caring mother and enhancing democratic and involved father, which is also predicted by Rush (2015).
Τhe Impact of Pre-Transplant Kidney Biopsy on the Evaluation of Prospective Living Kidney Donors

Living kidney donation contributes to increasing the donor pool. Since safety and excellent outcomes of living kidney donors (LKD) are essential, renal biopsy must be part of the pre-transplant evaluation in donors with isolated urine abnormalities or other risk factors. We retrospectively collected data on potential living donors evaluated in the pre-transplant outpatient clinic of Laiko General Hospital of Athens between 2007 and 2022, who underwent a pre-transplant biopsy. Biopsy indications included microscopic hematuria, borderline proteinuria and comorbidities suggestive of chronicity. Those with glomerular diseases or chronic lesions were excluded from donation. We identified 59 potential living donors who underwent renal biopsy. Of these, 10 (16.9%) were male. Median age was 58 (IQR 51–63) years, while 23 (39%) were older than 60 years. 49 out of 59 (83%) had glomerular hematuria, 10 (16.7%) had proteinuria (150–300 mg/d). Out of the 59 donors, 21 (35.6%) were hypertensive, three (5.1%) had impaired glucose tolerance and seven (11.9%) had a BMI > 30 kg/m2. A total of 32 (54.2%) potential donors were accepted for donation. Eight (13.6%) had IgA nephropathy, 10 (16.9%) TBMD and nine (15.3%) had increased chronicity including secondary FSGS. When compared with a control group of donors who did not need a pre-transplant biopsy, those 32 who donated were more frequently hypertensive (p = 0.003), but had similar eGFR [61.3 (±10.4) vs. 61.9 (±13.8), p = 0.866] after a follow-up of 79 (36–114) months. Renal biopsy is a useful tool in the evaluation of prospective LKD. Thorough assessment of donors with isolated urine abnormalities and marginal donors is critical to ensure good post-donation outcomes.
Glyphosate, 1,1’- dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridinium dichloride and Atrazine induces changes in Soil organic carbon, bacterial and fungal communities in a tropical alfisol

The increasing use of agrochemicals for weed control has raised concerns about their ecotoxicological effects on soil micro-biota communities and soil functions which serve as indicators of soil quality. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of continuous field applied herbicides glyphosate, paraquat, atrazine and their combined forms over a period of five years on soil organic carbon, bacterial and fungal population in Akure, Ondo State Nigeria. Soil samples from farmer’s field which have been exposed to continuous herbicide application were collected and analysed for physio-chemical properties, organic carbon, total bacterial and fungal population. Simultaneously, soil samples designated as control were collected from adjacent fields with no history of herbicide application and analysed. Results showed a significant (P=0.05) 86% and 128% increase in bacterial population from glyphosate and atrazine treated fields respectively and 42% decrease in paraquat and Glyphosate + paraquat fields when compared with the untreated field. A significant 35% decrease in fungal population was observed in fields applied with atrazine and a further 10% decrease in fungal populations in all herbicide treated fields irrespective of herbicide type and combinations when compared with the untreated field. These changes also correlates with the abundance of beneficial microbes such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus mirabilis, Aspergillus flavius with a probable influence on plant growth promotion and potentials for biodegradation of persistent herbicides. SOC, SOM and pH was significantly (P=0.05) increased in atrazine and atrazine + paraquat treated fields when compared with the untreated fields and other herbicide treatments.
Delay compensation of linear systems with multiple distributed input delays via memoryless feedback

Time-delay systems are widely used in industrial applications, such as chemical process and aerospace. The predictor-based feedback method is one of the effective ways to deal with such systems. This paper studies the delay compensation problem for linear systems with multiple distributed input delays. A novel state vector associated with the future state of the system is constructed, which reduces the original linear time-delay system to a linear delay-free system. Memory feedback controller is then designed, and necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the closed-loop system are acquired in accordance with the stability of an integral delay system. To avoid the difficult implementation problem of memory feedback controller, the memoryless feedback controller is proposed instead to compensate the multiple distributed input delays. Finally, the proposed controllers are applied to the design of the linearized liquid-level control resonant circuit system.
Angular behaviour of critical current density in YBa2Cu3Oy thin films with crossed columnar defects

Columnar defects (CDs) were installed into YBa2Cu3Oy thin films at the crossing angle ±θi relative to the c-axis using 200 MeV Xe ions, in order to clarify the influence of ±θi on the angular behaviours of critical current density Jc. The width of a Jc peak occuring at B || c linearly increases with broadening CD-crossing angle, where its shape maintains a single peak in the range of θi ≤ ±25°. The CDs crossing at ±45°, on the other hand, drastically change the angular behaviour of Jc around B || c: the Jc is equally elevated over the angular region from −45° to 45° in the lower magnetic field, whereas the rapid reduction of the Jc occurs at B || c with increasing magnetic field, leading to the appearance of double peaks near the irradiation angles, ±45°. This crossover phenomenon is attributed to the difference in the pinned states of flux lines between B || c and at the irradiation angles: the CDs crossing at ±45° cannot provide the correlated flux pinning along the c-axis, resulting in the uncorrelated pinned state at B || c.
Land Use and Environmental Planning in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Over the last two decades, Pakistan has made considerable progress in reducing absolute poverty and improving shared prosperity, but most of the population remains poor or vulnerable. A key dimension of social vulnerability in South Asia is exposure to hydrological and meteorological hazards including storms, floods, and droughts. In this review, a questionnaire from the inhabitants to assess the adequacy of existing urban plans regarding reasonable improvement in Rawalpindi has been organized. In addition, by gathering the important secondary information from the concerned divisions, the planning specialists from Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Capital Development Authority (CDA), Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Rawalpindi and the engineers of the plans were likewise met and their opinions discussed. Furthermore, utilizing SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) to break down the essential information and to draw deductions. Similarly, the urban sustainability index, a set of indicators based on environmental, social and economic parameters was selected for development. As the result, planning issues and problems in Rawalpindi were analyzed in five separate subjects: (1) Land use planning and policy, laws and regulations, (2) Urbanization and transport system, (3) Landuse Change and Its Impact on Watershed Hydrology, (4) Site planning techniques and (5) Social and environmental impact assessment. The mitigation measures and recommendations were suggested accordingly.
AMMI and GGE Biplot Analyses for Mega Environment Identification and Selection of Some High-Yielding Cassava Genotypes for Multiple Environments

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food and generates income for smallholder farmers in southern Ethiopia. The performance of cassava genotypes varies in different growing environments; thus, the evaluation of genotypes tested in various environments plays an essential role in developing strategies to delineate environments, explore unstable genotypes in target environments, and identify stable genotypes for multiple environments. In this regard, there needs to be more information on the identification of mega-environments and stable genotypes with high yields for wide adaptation. Thus, this study aimed to identify mega-environment and high-yielding cassava genotypes for multiple environments using AMMI and GGE biplots. A total of 25 genotypes were evaluated in six environments using a RCBD during the 2020–2021 cropping season. The AMMI analysis of variances revealed that environments, genotypes, and genotype-environment interaction had a significant ( P ≤ 0.001 ) influence on cassava fresh storage root yield (t·ha−1), showing genetic variability among genotypes by changing environments. The genotype-by-environment interaction showed a 61.36% contribution to the total treatment SS variation, while the environment and genotype effects explained 28.16% and 10.48% of the total treatment SS, respectively. IPCA1 and IPCA2 accounted for 33.42% and 23.5% of the GE interactions SS, respectively. The GGE biplot showed that the six environments used in this study were delineated into three mega-environments, namely, the first (Tarcha and Disa), the second (Wara and Areka), and the third (Jimma and Bonbe). Those mega-environments could be helpful for genotype evaluation and effective breeding. The GGE biplot indicated that the vertex genotypes were G16, G17, and G25. They are regarded as specifically adapted genotypes since they are more responsive to environmental change. The GGE biplot also revealed that Tarcha was ideal, having the most discriminating and representative environment, while G10 was the ideal and the overall winning genotype for the current study. Moreover, the genotypes G10 and G14 were identified as being the most stable, with a higher fresh storage root yield than the grand mean. Thus, G10 and G14 were selected as superior genotypes that could be promoted to advanced yield trials to develop stable cultivars with better storage root yield of cassava.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the TCP Gene Family in Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

The plant-specific transcription factor TCPs play multiple roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, a genome-wide analysis of TCP proteins and their roles in salt stress has not been declared in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). In this study, 42 PvTCP genes (PvTCPs) were identified from the switchgrass genome and 38 members can be anchored to its chromosomes unevenly. Nine PvTCPs were predicted to be microRNA319 (miR319) targets. Furthermore, PvTCPs can be divided into three clades according to the phylogeny and conserved domains. Members in the same clade have the similar gene structure and motif localization. Although all PvTCPs were expressed in tested tissues, their expression profiles were different under normal condition. The specific expression may indicate their different roles in plant growth and development. In addition, approximately 20 cis-acting elements were detected in the promoters of PvTCPs, and 40% were related to stress response. Moreover, the expression profiles of PvTCPs under salt stress were also analyzed and 29 PvTCPs were regulated after NaCl treatment. Taken together, the PvTCP gene family was analyzed at a genome-wide level and their possible functions in salt stress, which lay the basis for further functional analysis of PvTCPs in switchgrass.