Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Best Investments in Chronic, Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in Low- and Lower–Middle-Income Countries

The world remains off-track for the sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.4, which calls for a one-third reduction in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) mortality by 2030. This paper presents benefit–cost analyses of various NCD interventions in low-income (LICs) and lower–middle-income (LMCs) countries. We looked at 30 interventions recommended by the Disease Control Priorities Project, including six intersectoral policies (e.g., taxes) and 24 clinical services. We used a previously published model to estimate intervention costs and benefits through 2030, discounted at 8%. We focused on interventions with benefit–cost ratios (BCRs) > 15 and their contribution toward achieving the SDG target. We found that intersectoral policies often provided great value for money, with BCRs ranging from 40 (trans-fat bans) to 100 (tobacco excise taxes). However, seven clinical interventions (e.g., basic treatment of cardiovascular disease or breast cancer) also had BCRs > 15. The overall population impact of clinical interventions over the 2023–2030 period would be much higher than that of the intersectoral policies, which can take many years to reach their peak effects. Fully implementing the best-investment interventions would accelerate progress toward SDG 3.4 everywhere, but only one in 10 countries would achieve the target. This strategy would require an additional US$ 2.4 billion annually across all LICs and LMCs. We conclude that there are several cost-beneficial opportunities to tackle NCDs in LICs and LMCs. In countries with very limited resources, the best-investment interventions could begin to address the major NCD risk factors and build greater health system capacity, with benefits continuing to accrue beyond 2030.
Microwave Devices and Antennas Based on Negative-refractive-index Transmission-line Metamaterials

Microwave Devices and Antennas Based on Negative-Refractive-Index Transmission-Line Metamaterials Marc A. Antoniades Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2009 Several microwave devices and antennas that are based on negative-refractive-index transmission-line (NRI-TL) metamaterials are presented in this thesis, which exhibit superior performance features compared to their conventional counterparts. These are a Wilkinson balun, a 1:4 series power divider, a four-element printed dipole array, a leakywave antenna, and an electrically small folded-monopole antenna. The Wilkinson balun employs +90◦ and −90◦ NRI-TL metamaterial lines at the output branches of a Wilkinson divider, to achieve a six-fold increase in the measured differential output phase bandwidth compared to that of an analogous balun employing transmission lines, while occupying only 55% of the area. The 1:4 series power divider comprises four non-radiating 0◦ NRITL metamaterial lines, each with a compact length of λ0/8, to provide equal power split to all four output ports. Compared to a conventional series power divider employing onewavelength long transmission lines, the metamaterial divider provides a 154% increase in the measured through-power bandwidth, while occupying only 54% of the area. The metamaterial series power dividing concept is also applied to a four-element fully-printed dipole array that is designed to radiate at broadside, in order to demonstrate that the array exhibits reduced beam squinting characteristics. It is shown that the metamaterialfed array has a measured scan-angle bandwidth that is 173% greater than an array that is fed using a conventional low-pass loaded line. The reduced-beam squinting property that NRI-TL metamaterial lines offer is subsequently exploited to create a leaky-wave antenna
Alternative Generators of the Zémor-Tillich Hash Function: A Quest for Freedom in Projective Linear Groups

Introduced in 1994, the celebrated Zémor-Tillich hash function over SL2 ( F2n ) is mathematically elegant, efficient, and now finally broken (Grassl et. al, 2011). Yet, with a new choice of generators Tillich and Zémor’s construction over SL2 ( F2n ) still remains of interest; looking for generators in GL2 ( Fpn ) seems almost untouched. Here, we present a large class of generators to choose from, using a novel theorem that outlines conditions under which a set of matrices in PGL2 ( Fp((x)) ) generates a free group, and whose proof is an interesting application of Tits’ “Ping-Pong Lemma” (1972). The hash functions we form from this theorem are secure against known attacks, and simultaneously preserve many of the desired features of the Zémor-Tillich hash function. In particular, our hash functions retain the small modifications property that Zémor-Tillich was known for: for some δ, alterations of less than δ bits will necessarily change the hash value.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN VISUAL AUDITORIAL KINESTETIK (VAK) TERHADAP MOTIVASI DAN HASIL BELAJAR IPA BIOLOGI SISWA KELAS VIII SMP NEGERI 3 GUNUNGSARI TAHUN AJARAN 2015/2016

Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh model pembelajaran Visual Auditorial Kinestetik (VAK) terhadap motivasi dan hasil belajar IPA Biologi siswa. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen semu dengan desain penelitian nonequivalent control group design. Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VIII SMPN 3 Gunungsari yang terbagi menjadi 3 kelas. Penentuan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik simple random sampling dan diperoleh kelas VIII B sebagai kelas eksperimen dan kelas VIII C sebagai kelas kontrol. Instrumen yang digunakan untuk mengukur motivasi belajar adalah angket motivasi belajar dan untuk mengukur hasil belajar adalah test obyektif (pilihan ganda). Data hasil penelitian dianalisis menggunakan uji-t dengan teknik independent sample t-test dengan taraf signifikansi 5% yang dihitung dengan bantuan program SPSS 1 7 for Windows . Hasil penelitian terhadap motivasi belajar siswa setelah dilakukan uji beda menunjukan bahwa nilai t hitung > t kritik yaitu 3,411 > 1,680, sedangkan untuk hasil belajar diperoleh t hitung > t kritik yaitu 3,285 >1,680. Hal ini berarti bahwa penerapan model pembelajaran Visual Auditorial Kinestetik (VAK) berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap motivasi dan hasil belajar IPA Biologi siswa. Kata -Kata Kunci : Hasil Belajar , Model pembelajaran VAK, Motivasi Belajar
Cognitive Levels of Questions By Indonesian Teachers of English

According to the 2013 English curriculum (K-13), teachers were required to create English test items covering higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). By answering HOTS questions, students are expected to understand information deeper rather than only focusing on recalling facts. This case study aimed to find the cognitive levels of questions used in teacher-made English final tests in a private senior high school in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Using the revised Bloom's taxonomy, this qualitative study investigated the written documents of teacher-made English final tests for grades X and XI in the academic years 2018-2019 for social and science programs. The findings showed that the cognitive levels of questions in the final test were dominated by the lower order of thinking skills (LOTS), with understanding as the highest level, followed by remembering and applying. The researchers identified potential sources of preference for LOTS questions. The paper concludes with research recommendations and a professional development program for English teachers.
Almost sure exponential stability of dynamical systems driven by Lévy processes and its application to control design for magnetic bearings

ABSTRACT A Lyapunov-type theorem is developed to study well-posedness and almost surely -exponential stability of dynamical systems driven by Lévy processes. Sufficient conditions imposed by the theorem, which are relatively easy to be verified, make it applicable to control design and stability analysis. The theorem is then applied to design tracking controllers to achieve almost surely -exponential stability for magnetic bearings under diffuse-jump loads subject to an output tracking constraint.
Evidence of links between regional climate change and precipitation extremes over India

A significant change in the precipitation pattern over India has been reported in previous studies. This change includes an increase in heavy precipitation and a decrease in light and/or moderate precipitation. This study examines the possible link between these changes and regional climate conditions, using regional surface temperature and Vertically Integrated Moisture Transport (VIMT) records. It is reported that precipitation extremes during the southwest (SW) monsoon season show coherent variability with surface temperature over India. The precipitation spectrum shows significant changes from cold to warm years, with increases in heavy precipitation and decreases in light and/or moderate precipitation. The study reveals a decreasing trend in VIMT over the Bay of Bengal, which is consistent with decreases in the number of monsoon depressions over the region. It is observed that an increase in VIMT over the Arabian Sea shows coherent variation with precipitation extremes over India. The results reported in this article are crucial when considering the increase in drought and flood events in a changing climate.
Fast Exemplar-Based Clustering by Gravity Enrichment Between Data Objects

For the wide variety of emerging data in our daily life, realizing exemplar-based clustering effectively and understanding its clustering behavior appropriately become more desirable. In this paper, based on a new look at the Bayesian framework of data clustering, two new concepts are introduced and they correspond to a Bayesian information transmission system and its transmission learning. Facilitated by the new concepts, an exemplar-based transmission learning machine for clustering (ETLMC) is accordingly developed. As an attempt to explain the exemplar-based clustering behavior in a physics-based manner, ETLMC is well justified by revealing that the exemplar masses transfer between data objects during the clustering process can be governed by the proposed gravity enrichment effect rooted at Newton’s law of gravity. Practically, ETLMC is distinctive in its easy implementation in terms of its global analytical solution, its fast exemplar finding for large scale data with arbitrary shapes, its easy parameter settings and its stable and efficient clustering results. Extensive experiments on synthetic and real datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of ETLMC, in contrast to a number of existing state-of-the-art clustering algorithms.
COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and sperm quality impairment that reverses in the short term after disease recovery

Introduction: COVID-19 exerts deleterious effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, causing more severe disease in men than in women. However, cumulative reported data about the putative consequences on the male reproductive tract and fertility are controversial. Furthermore, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still uncertain. Methods: In this study, we prospectively evaluated levels of inflammatory cytokines and leukocytes in semen and sperm quality parameters in a cohort of 231 reproductive-aged male patients, unvaccinated, who had recovered from mild or severe COVID-19 and in 62 healthy control individuals. Sperm quality was assessed early (less than 3 months) and long (more than 3 and up to 6 months) after having COVID-19. Interestingly, and unlike most reported studies, available extensive background and baseline data on patients’ sperm quality allowed performing a more accurate analysis of COVID-19 effects on sperm quality. Results: Significantly higher levels of IL-1β, TNF and IFNγ were detected in semen from patients recently recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 with respect to control individuals indicating semen inflammation. Moreover, patients recovered from mild and/or severe COVID-19 showed significantly reduced semen volume, lower total sperm counts, and impaired sperm motility and viability. Interestingly, all observed alterations returned to baseline values after 3 or more months after disease recovery. Discussion: These results indicate that COVID-19 associates with semen inflammation and impaired semen quality early after disease. However, long COVID-19 seems not to include long-term detrimental consequences on male fertility potential since the observed alterations were reversible after 1-2 spermatogenesis cycles. These data constitute compelling evidence allowing a better understanding of COVID-19 associated sequelae, fundamental for semen collection in assisted reproduction.
Clinical indications for radical resection of odontogenic keratocyst: A systematic review

The aim of this study was to identify clinico pathological indications for radical resection of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) in the literature and formulate clinical guidelines for the management of OKCs based on these findings. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken in September 2021 in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. The following MeSH Keywords terms were used in the search strategies: (odontogenic keratocyst) OR (keratocystic odontogenic tumor) OR (primordial cyst) AND (treatment) OR (Radical resection) OR (Resection of OKC) OR (Treatment methods). Eligibility criteria included publications of clinical studies on histologically confirmed OKCs which underwent radical resection. Studies with less than 5 OKCs, experimental studies, epidemiological studies, studies that included orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst, and review papers were excluded. Ten studies on OKCs reporting on segmental or marginal resections were identified and analyzed qualitatively. Of the total of 221 OKCs that underwent radical resection, 67 OKCs were primary, 30 were recurrent, and the remaining were unclear whether they were primary or recurrent. Segmental mandibulectomy was performed in 131 OKCs, marginal mandibulectomy in 87 OKCs, and 3 OKCs were treated by partial maxillectomy. The main indications for radical resection were multilocular appearance, large OKCs (> 5 cm), multiple recurrent OKCs with or without cortical perforation, and malignant transformation. In conclusion, radical resection has its place in the management of OKC. It is indicated when there is an aggressive lesion with bony perforation, involvement of the pterygoid musculature or skull base, and malignant transformation. The surgeon should aim to identify these features to manage OKC appropriately and to prevent multiple recurrences. Clinical guidelines for the management of OKCs are proposed.
Robust approximation‐based adaptive control of multiple state delayed nonlinear systems with unmodeled dynamics

This paper addresses the problem of tracking control for a class of uncertain nonstrict‐feedback nonlinear systems subject to multiple state time‐varying delays and unmodeled dynamics. To overcome the design difficulty in system dynamical uncertainties, radial basis function neural networks are employed to approximate the black‐box functions. Novel continuous functions that deal with whole states uncertainties are introduced in each step of the adaptive backstepping to make the controller design feasible. The robust problem caused by unmodeled dynamics when constructing a stable controller is solved by employing an auxiliary signal to regulate its boundedness. A novel Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional is developed to compensate for the delayed nonlinearity without requiring the priori knowledge of its upper bound functions. On the basis of the proposed robust adaptive neural controller, all the closed‐loop signals are semiglobal uniformly ultimately bounded with good tracking performance.
Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolite NaY Dispersed on Bamboo Wood

Zeolites in powder form have the potential to agglomerate, lowering access to active sites. Furthermore, a suspension of fine zeolite powder in liquid media is difficult to separate. Such drawbacks could be improved by dispersing zeolite crystals on support materials. This work demonstrates the dispersion of zeolite NaY crystals on bamboo wood by mixing the wood with zeolite gel before hydrothermal treatment. The syntheses were performed with acid-refluxed and non–refluxed wood. The phase of zeolites, particle distribution and morphology, zeolite content in the wood, and zeolite–wood interaction were investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray tomography, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen sorption analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Higher zeolite content and better particle dispersion were obtained in the synthesis with the acid–refluxed wood. The composite of NaY on the acid-refluxed wood was demonstrated to be an effective adsorbent for Ni(II) ions in aqueous solutions, providing a higher adsorbed amount of Ni(II) per weight of NaY.
Contributing factors for older workers’ mental health: Perceived team leader equitable treatment and core self-evaluations

Abstract Sustaining a mentally healthy workforce has become a priority as our labor market continues to age. However, few studies have evaluated the factors that contribute to older workers’ mental well-being or the role of older workers’ personal resources in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory. This study investigates the role of perceived team leader equitable treatment and core self-evaluations (CSE) on older workers’ mental health by comparing with other age groups. We analyzed the responses of 271 American workers aged 50 and older using structural equation modeling and compared them with the responses of 284 middle-aged workers (35–49 years old) and 272 younger workers (under 34 years old). Results showed that CSE mediated the relationship between perceived team leader equitable treatment and mental health of all employees. CSE was a protective factor for mental health regardless of age. The findings highlight the importance of building CSE of all employees.
Simulation-Based Contact Pressure Prediction Model to Optimize Health Monitoring Using E-Textile Integrated Garment

Advancements in wearable technology have integrated textile sensors into garments for long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. However, optimizing biosignal quality, motion artifacts, and wearer comfort in electronic textiles (E-textiles) remains challenging. While designing appropriate contact pressure (CP) is crucial, there is a lack of guidance on proper material selection and sizing for achieving the desired CP. This article presents a novel CP prediction model that utilizes three-dimensional garment simulation (3DGS) to optimize knit textiles for health monitoring. First, a stress test method is devised in the simulator to examine the reliability of simulated stress. Based on understanding the simulated stress mechanism, the CP model is developed using simulation parameters. The model is validated against experimental CP values, exhibiting high accuracy ( ${R}^{{2}}= {0.9}$ ). The effectiveness of the CP model is validated through the demonstration of a customized ECG armband incorporating screen-printed dry electrodes on knit fabrics. Analyzing ECG signals, CP, and applied strains validates the benefits of strategically selected materials and sizing. Specifically, the knit sample with 90% polyester and 10% spandex (S-10) for the 15%–20% range and the knit sample with 85% polyester and 18% spandex (S-18) for the 10%–15% strain range significantly enhance ECG quality, resulting in higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of 33.45 (±1.72) and 34.57 (±0.84)−36.61(±1.81), respectively. These design parameters achieve the desired CP range of 1–1.5 kPa, optimizing the functionality and comfort of the ECG armband. The CP model sets a benchmark for the strategic manufacturing of health monitoring garments by integrating digital technology.
KaTa Model of Learning for English Education at Higher Secondary Level in Kerala: Perspectives of a Teacher, Trainer and Curriculum Developer

Learning English is compulsory at the higher secondary level in the State of Kerala ever since its inception. As a practising higher secondary school teacher in English, the author is replenished with the first-hand experiences of the problems of learners in classroom while learning English. The various theories of language acquisition have taken into consideration the aspects of cognitive and affective factors, natural instinct, cultural influence, etc. Though English has been compulsorily taught right from the primary level, the standards attained when they reach the higher secondary level are not up to the expectations. The author has postulated the theory of KARATE after an experimental training in Karate. Based on the results derived from this study, the author investigated the benefits of T’ai Chi another martial art, on the psycho linguistic aspects of language teachers. The author established a positive link between this martial art and language teaching. The paper examines the present conditions of English education at higher secondary level within the author’s perspective of a teacher, trainer and curriculum developer. The paper presents a KaTa model of language learning and teaching based on the findings of both studies.
Effect of low crude protein breeder diets with balanced limiting amino acids on progeny chick quality and juvenile growth performance in Swarnadhara birds

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of low crude protein diets supplemented with limiting amino acids on progeny chick quality and growth performance utilizing Swarnadhara laying hens. The feeding trial was done in 240 Swarnadhara layers from 29 to 40 weeks in a completely randomized design in five treatment groups with six replications of eight birds. The first treatment consisted of control diet (T1) based on corn soybean meal formulated at 16% CP and 2700 kcal ME meeting the ICAR (2013) requirements for CP and ME and also for the first four limiting amino acids at the following concentrations: methionine 0.35%, lysine 0.75%, threonine 0.52%, and tryptophan 0.16%. The other treatment diets (T2 to T5) were made isocaloric with control while reducing CP content to 15.5, 15, 14.5, and 14%, respectively, incorporating synthetic amino acids in sufficient quantities to match control amino acid levels. Chick quality was evaluated by grading chicks for appearance, activity and down conditions replicate-wise and individual chick hatch weights were recorded in 5 different breeder diet groups. The chicks in all the replicates were fed with the same basal diet containing 21% CP and 2800 kcal/kg ME as per ICAR (2013) requirements during first six weeks of age. The data on chick quality, body weight, feed consumption and feed efficiency showed no significant difference. Hence it can be concluded that the crude protein content of the Swarnadhara breeder diet could be reduced to 14% with essential amino acid supplementation without affecting the progeny performance.
Exotic meson production in the reaction π−p→η′π−p at 18 GeV/c

The η′π− system has been studied in the reaction π−p→η′π−p at 18 GeV/c. A partial wave analysis of 6040 kinematically-identified events shows that the reaction is dominated by natural parity exchange. Production of an exotic isovector state π1(1600) is observed in the IG(JPC)=1−(1−+) wave. The mass and width of the state are estimated via simultaneous mass-dependent fits of the 1−(1−+) and 1−(1−+) and 1−(2++) waves. The a2−(1320) and a wide structure at 1.8 GeV/c2 are observed in the 1−(2++) wave. An amplitude analysis in the high-mass region (above 1.8 GeV/c2) which includes the 1−(4++) wave is also presented.