Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Better Subjective Sleep Quality Partly Explains the Association Between Self-Reported Physical Activity and Better Cognitive Function.

BACKGROUND Physical activity has been associated with better cognitive function and better sleep quality. Yet, whether the beneficial effect of physical activity on cognitive function can be explained by an indirect pathway involving better sleep quality is unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether sleep quality mediates the association between physical activity and cognitive function in adults 50 years of age or older. METHODS 86,541 community-dwelling European adults were included in the study. Physical activity and sleep quality were self-reported. Indicators of cognitive function (immediate recall, delayed recall, verbal fluency) were assessed using objective tests. All measures were collected six times between 2004 and 2017. The mediation was tested using multilevel mediation analyses. RESULTS Results showed that self-reported physical activity was associated with better self-reported sleep quality, which was associated with better performance in all three indicators of cognitive function, demonstrating an indirect effect of physical activity on cognitive function through sleep quality. The mediating effect of sleep quality accounted for 0.41%, 1.46%, and 8.88% of the total association of physical activity with verbal fluency, immediate recall, and delayed recall, respectively. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that self-reported sleep quality partly mediates the association between self-reported physical activity and cognitive function. These results need to be confirmed by device-based data of physical activity and sleep quality.
First Molecular Survey to Detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in Poultry Farms in a Strategic Production District of Sicily (South-Italy)

Simple Summary Avian mycoplasmosis is caused by several pathogenic mycoplasmas of which Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS) are the most important. These bacteria may cause both respiratory disease and synovial infections in poultry, resulting in severe economic losses. The aim of this work was to determine the occurrence of MG and MS among commercial and rural laying hens located in Ragusa province (South Italy), using a duplex real time PCR. Four hundred tracheal swabs were collected from seven commercial and 25 rural farms without any clinical disease history. The prevalence in the studied flocks was 28.6% (commercial) and 40% (rural) for MG, and 42.8% (commercial) and 44% (rural) for MS. The overall prevalence at animal level was 12.5% for MG and 23.25% for MS. Data obtained show a lower prevalence of MG than MS in the studied farms. Moreover, both pathogens were spread in rural and commercial farms underlining the importance of surveillance and control of these infections. Abstract Mycoplasmas are recognized as avian pathogens, which may cause both respiratory disease and synovial infections in poultry, resulting in severe economic losses. Our study aims to determine the occurrence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) among commercial and rural laying hens located in Ragusa province (South Italy), using a duplex real time PCR. Four hundred tracheal swabs were collected from seven commercial (200 swabs) and 25 rural (200 swabs) farms without any clinical disease history. Out of 400 swabs collected, 50 (12.5%) and 93 (23.25%) were positive for MG and MS, respectively. In particular, 9 (18%) and 22 (23.65%) positive swabs for MG and MS, respectively, originated from commercial farms, compared to 41 (82%) and 71 (76.34%) obtained from rural farms. Data obtained show a lower prevalence of MG than MS in the studied farms. Moreover, both pathogens were spread in rural and commercial farms. PCR could be concluded as a rapid and sensitive method for the identification of MG and MS in areas where commercial farms that are declared Mycoplasma-free and rural flocks coexist. These data highlight the importance of surveillance also in rural poultry to monitoring the occurrence of mycoplasmas strains in strategic productive districts.
Criteria for evaluation of building materials hazard based on their natural radioactivity in Russia and in the European Union countries

We hereby have considered the natural radioactivity of building materials as a source of radiation for the human environment. We have considered the Russian and the European evaluation criteria for ensuring radiation safety of the population. We also present an experimental research of the content of natural radionuclides in building materials. We have calculated the effective specific activity and the activity concentration index based on the results presented. We have identified discrepancies between the Russian and the European standards.
More Knowledge, More Satisfaction with Online Teaching? Examining the Mediation of Teacher Efficacy and Moderation of Engagement during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, university teachers need to spend time and energy getting used to the online teaching system and adapting their teaching materials to the new teaching mode. According to the social cognitive theory, teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and their work engagement, both of which can be important sources of efficacy beliefs, can be critical in conducing teachers’ self-efficacy for online teaching and in turn their well-being. Based on the data collected from 2763 university teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, this study explored how TPACK and work engagement contribute to teachers’ self-efficacy for online teaching, if there is any interaction between TPACK and work engagement, and how self-efficacy mediates the relationships between TPACK and teachers’ online-teaching-related emotional exhaustion, teaching satisfaction, and their intention to use online teaching in the future. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Protein considerations for optimising skeletal muscle

11 Abstract: Skeletal muscle is critical for human health. Protein feeding, alongside resistance exercise, 12 is a potent stimulus for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and is a key factor that regulates skeletal 13 muscle mass (SMM). The main purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the latest evidence 14 for optimising the amino acid or protein source, dose, timing, pattern and macronutrient coingestion 15 for increasing or preserving SMM in healthy young and healthy older adults. We used a systematic 16 search strategy of PubMed and Web of Science to retrieve all articles related to this review objective. 17 In summary, our findings support the notion that protein guidelines for increasing or preserving 18 SMM are more complex than simply recommending a total daily amount of protein. Instead, 19 multifactorial interactions between protein source, dose, timing, pattern and macronutrient 20 coingestion, alongside exercise, influence the stimulation of MPS, and thus should be considered in 21 the context of protein recommendations for regulating SMM. To conclude, on the basis of currently 22 available scientific literature, protein recommendations for optimising SMM should be tailored to 23 the population or context of interest, with consideration given to age and resting/post resistance 24 exercise conditions. 25
Local Scour around Tandem Double Piers under an Ice Cover

Compared to the scour around a single pier, the local scour process around tandem double piers is much more complicated. Based on laboratory experiments in a flume, we conducted the scour process around tandem double piers under an ice-covered flow condition. The results showed that when the pier spacing ratio L/D = 2 (where L = the pier spacing distance, and D = the pier diameter), the rear pier (the downstream one) will intensify the horseshoe vortex process behind the front pier, and the scour depth around the front pier will increase by about 10%. As the pier spacing ratio L/D increases, the scour depth around the front pier will gradually decrease. When the pier spacing ratio L/D = 5, sediment scoured around the front pier begins to deposit between these two piers. To initiate a deposition dune between piers, the pier spacing distance under an ice-covered condition is about 20% more than that under an open flow condition. The results also showed that the existence of the rear pier will lead to an increase in the length of the scour hole but a decrease in the depth of the scour hole around the front pier. The local scour around the front pier interacts with the local scour of the rear pier. The maximum scour depth of the scour hole around the rear pier increases first, then decreases and increases again afterward. When the pier spacing ratio L/D = 9, the scour depth around the rear pier is the least. With an increase in the pier spacing ratio, the influence of the local scour around the front pier on the local scour around the rear pier gradually decreases. When the pier spacing ratio L/D is more than 17, the scour around the front pier has hardly any influence on that around the rear pier. The scour depth around the rear pier is about 90% of that around the front pier.
Analysis and Forming of Energy Efficiency and GreenIT Metrics Framework for Sonera Helsinki Data Center HDC

The two objectives of this thesis were to investigate and evaluate the most suitable set of energy efficiency metrics for Sonera Helsinki Data Center (HDC), and to analyze which energy efficient technologies could be implemented and in what order to gain most impact. Sustainable IT is a complex matter, and it has two components. First and the more complex matter is the energy efficiency and energy-proportionality of the IT environment. The second is the use of renewable energy sources. Both of these need to be addressed. This thesis is a theoretical study, and it focuses on energy efficiency. The use of off-site renewables is outside of the scope of this thesis. The main aim of this thesis is to improve energy efficiency through effective metric framework. In the final metric framework, metrics that target renewable energy usage in the data center are included as they are important from CO2 emission reduction perspective. The selection of energy efficient solutions in this thesis are examples from most important data center technology categories, and do not try to cover the whole array of different solutions to improve energy efficiency in a data center. The ontological goal is to present main energy efficiency metrics available in scientific discourse, and also present examples of energy efficient solutions in most energy consuming technology domains inside the data center. Even though some of the concepts are quite abstract, realism is taken into account in every analysis. The epistemology in this thesis is based on scientific articles that include empirical validation and scientific peer review. This forms the origin of the used knowledge and the nature of this knowledge. The findings from this thesis are considered valid and reliable based on the epistemology of scientific articles, and by using the actual planning documents of Sonera HDC. The reasoning in this thesis is done in abstracto, but there are many empirical results that qualify the results also as ́in concreto ́. Findings are significant for Sonera HDC but they are also applicable for any general data center project or company seeking energy efficiency in their data centers.
Effective waste management by enhancing reusable packaging

This research aims to propose an integrated method, which combines all the aspects required to reduce environmental impact from waste packaging and to increase knowledge on the best way to enhance reusable packaging. Through a review of the extant literature, a conceptual framework was designed of the most important dimensions to enhance reusable packaging amongst society and industries The main contributions in the research are the development of a Social Behaviour Aspect Model (SBAM) and the creation of reusable packaging attributes checklist. The SBAM can help industries focus on having high knowledge about reuse of packaging and to cooperate with communities to develop personal and social values and norms during the designing of reusable packaging. SBAM is the output from the first phase, which showed the importance of making an effort to develop packaging for consumers to reuse. The reusable packaging attributes checklist can provide a guideline for manufacturers/designers who intend to develop packaging sustainability performance through designing reusable packaging, and contribute to meet and interpret the reuse of packaging requirements and procedures. It also determines the environmental impact of reusable packaging attributes, which many industries are concerned about. The reusable packaging attributes checklist is the output from the second and third phases. The System Dynamic (SD) method was the approach used to determinate the interaction between social aspects and reusable packaging. The Normal Average, Codes and Coding and factor analysis with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approaches were used to determine the reusable packaging attributes checklist. The last phase of the research was the conduction of a case study of a real company which needs to increase the amount of reusable packaging it uses and which seeks to reduce its environmental impact. All methods used in this research have both a quantitative and a qualitative nature. Data was collected by evaluation of consumers' responses and experts' experiences, as provided in the questionnaires. This research opens up opportunities for improving packaging and meeting sustainable profits and provides valuable information based on social, economic and environmental benefits of reusable packaging. The novelty of this research can help industries to investigate the most important areas for development within communities to enhance the use of reusable packaging and also facilitate the process-based change from one-way packaging to reusable packaging effectively with reduction of environmental impact.
Characteristics, treatment, and nursing care of patients infected by Sars-CoV-2 hospitalized in intensive care units: multicenter study of colombian hospitals.

OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment, evolution, and nursing care of adult patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) during the first peak of the pandemic in Colombia, 2020. METHODS Multicenter descriptive study of four high-complexity hospitals in Colombia, which included 473 consecutive adult patients admitted to intensive care units with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS CoV-2. Sociodemographic and clinical information - comorbidities, treatment and evolution - and nursing care provided were included. RESULTS Of the patients included, 43.7% died, 88.8% had pneumonia, and 60.2% developed respiratory distress syndrome. Most of those who died were men. Those who died had a median age of 68.4 years and a higher frequency of comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and higher body mass index). They were admitted to the ICU with higher rate of dyspnea, lower oxygen saturation, and higher score of multiorgan failure. They also more often required mechanical ventilation and pronation therapy and were given more vasopressors and renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS People with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the ICU had a high risk of death, especially older patients; males; those with cardiovascular, respiratory, and hypertension comorbidities; those who needed mechanical ventilation; and those with an elevated SOFA score. The nursing care of these critically ill patients focused on respiratory care and the prevention of associated complications.
Talking with My Sistahs: Examining Discussions About HIV Risk and Prevention Outcomes Within Black Women Sistah Circles

ABSTRACT Black women’s health is in a state of crisis. Though Black women make up roughly 12% of the US population, they account for 66% of new HIV cases. One understudied barrier to Black women’s sexual health is their communication about the topic of HIV with others and proclivity to dismiss HIV-related information based on self-exemption. Using a group-centered approach called the “sistah circle,” this study examines group gatherings of Black women to assess their communication about HIV and determine potential gaps in their understanding of information and HIV-related behavior. Data were derived from five focus groups, with four Black women in each group engaging in a facilitated discussion. Findings from the project extend knowledge about how socializing agents such as school, parents, church, and interventionists have the potential to delay or deter Black women from engaging in communication that supports risk-reducing behaviors and prevention efforts.
Sample dimension effect on cement-stabilized sandy soil mechanical behavior

Stabilized soil with cement has been a widely used solution in geotechnical projects and requires the molding of numerous specimens to investigate their properties in destructive tests, restraining the reuse for other analysis. Also, distinct sample dimension has been utilized in the research without taking this effect into account. Recognizing these needs, the height and diameter (H/D) ratio effect on cement-stabilized soil mechanical behavior was assessed in the present work. Using sandy soil, Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS), Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity tests were performed varying the curing period (7 and 28 days), cement type (I and III) and content (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10%), based on conventional (127 x 100 mm) and reduced dimension (105 x 50 mm) specimens. All variables, individually and combined, affected the compression and tensile strengths of the mixtures, resulting in greater gains for the ones molded with type III cement in reduced dimension, at 28 days of curing. The dimension as an influential variable was statistically established using the variance analysis (ANOVA) at a significance level (α) of 0.05, in which reduced dimension showed an average superior resistance of 21.3%. Mixtures molded with H/D ≥ 2 demonstrated strong correlation (R2 = 0.93), pointing to the possibility of ITS prevision through the P-wave velocity nondestructive tests.
Teachers’ Levels of Knowledge and Readiness in Integrating 4IR Technologies: The Primary ESL Classroom Context

Students’ language performance as well as their educational development are affected by English as a second language (ESL) teachers’ ability to integrate technologies into their teaching practices. It is therefore necessary to assess teachers’ levels of knowledge and readiness in integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies into their teaching practices. This paper assesses ESL teachers’ levels of knowledge and readiness in integrating 4IR technologies into their teaching practices. Two variables were used to form research questions: ESL primary teachers’ (1) level of knowledge and (2) level of readiness. A quantitative research design was employed in this research involving 306 respondents. The findings of the research indicated that teachers’ levels of knowledge and readiness influence their integration of 4IR technologies into their teaching practices. Teachers should acquire knowledge regarding 4IR technologies to ensure that they are able to meet the demands of the present education system as well as to help their learners become more proficient in learning the English language. In conclusion, the integration of 4IR technologies is an important aspect that needs to be utilized in teachers’ teaching practices.
Regional Assessment of Sub-Hourly Annual Rainfall Maxima

The assessment of rainfall extremes at sub-hourly scales is generally hindered by a lack of rainfall data at small timescale resolutions. This study proposes a methodology for assessing mean annual maximum rainfall at the sub-hourly scale by blending historical time series of annual maxima recorded by mechanical stations (operating at hourly scales) up to the end of the past century with newer time series of annual maxima at higher time resolutions recorded by automatic stations installed over the past twenty years. A linear correlation was found at the regional scale between the shape parameter controlling the dependency of rainfall maxima with a duration longer than one hour and the shape parameter of the dependency of rainfall maxima with the durations shorter than one hour. Thanks to this correlation, data recorded at the mechanical stations could be exploited to assess sub-hourly mean annual maxima. The proposed hybrid procedure was verified and was found to provide estimates with an accuracy close to those obtained with the high-resolution data, i.e., our best estimates. Moreover, the proposed procedure outperforms what could be achieved by spatially interpolating the best estimates at those locations where only hourly data are available.
Evaluations of post-disaster recovery: a review of practice material

Abstract This paper reviews evaluations of post-disaster recovery efforts. The focus is on operational material and other ‘grey literature’ from disasters that have occurred in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. We develop a typology that categorises disaster events and includes whether evaluations were undertaken; the methods used; and whether the evaluations focused on the processes or outcomes of the recovery program. The review finds a lack of evaluation of post-disaster recovery. Where evaluations have been conducted, they are mostly process- rather than outcomes-based. There is a need for guidance for post-disaster recovery programs to support evaluation practice to determine the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of post-disaster recovery interventions. There is significant investment in post-disaster recovery programs, with little known of their effectiveness. This review identifies useful case studies and methods to evaluate post-disaster recovery efforts, and informs the development of a national post-disaster evaluation framework.
Improvement and evaluation of daily global solar radiation decomposition models using meteorological parameters: A case study for Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, some of the commonly used daily global solar radiation decomposition models are improved by considering ambient temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure to estimate hourly global solar irradiance from measured daily global solar radiation in Eskişehir, Turkey. Accordingly, the identified functions of the considered parameters are integrated into the selected daily global solar radiation decomposition models. The accuracy of the improved models is evaluated based on the measured monthly average hourly global solar irradiance values. In addition, the monthly average power values provided by the original and improved models are compared with the measured power output values. The results indicate that the improved models have significantly higher performance in the accuracy of both global solar radiation estimation and power output forecasting in a specific time interval. Therefore, the proposed methodology can be used to improve any global solar radiation decomposition model based on locally measured data for different regions.