Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metamaterial homogenization and acoustic metasurface

In this thesis, I present a homogenization scheme for acoustic metamaterials that is based on reproducing the lowest orders of scattering amplitudes from a finite volume of metamaterials. This approach is noted to differ significantly from that of coherent potential approximation, which is based on adjusting the effective medium parameters to minimize scatterings in the long wavelength limit. With the aid of metamaterials’ eigenstates, the effective parameters such as mass density and elastic modulus can be obtained by matching the surface responses of a metamaterial’s structural unit cell with a piece of homogenized material. From Green theorem applied to the exterior domain problem, matching the surface responses is noted to be the same as reproducing the scattering amplitudes. We verify our scheme by applying it to six examples from three different types of wave: elastic shear wave, acoustic pressure wave, and membrane-type metamaterial, which is a coupling between elastic and acoustic waves. It is shown that the predicted characteristics and wave fields agree almost exactly with numerical simulations and experiments, and the scheme’s validity is constrained by the number of dominant surface muli-poles instead of the usual long wavelength assumption. In particular, the validity extends to the full band in one dimension and to regimes near the boundaries of the Brillouin zone in two dimensions. The understandings and relevant techniques of the homogenization scheme facilitate the design of metamaterials. The acoustic metasurface is presented as an example. We show that by covering a hard reflecting surface by a decorated elastic membrane that is separated from the surface by a gap that is on the order of 1 to 2 cm, one can realize robust surface resonances, each hybridized from two membrane eigenmodes, which enable perfect impedance matching to airborne sound. Experiment confirms a hybrid resonance at 152 Hz accompanied by a total absorption of acoustic energy. Owing to the large displacement of the surface resonance, an acoustic to electric energy conversion efficiency of 23% has been achieved, thereby making the system an acoustic-electric transducer. xvii
Organization of Extracurricular Physical Education at School and Its Role in the Physical and Mental Improvement of Students

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of school-based extracurricular initiatives in facilitating immediate and long-term positive impacts on physical activity, healthy behavior, and obesity in children. A critique of the role of various sports-related initiatives that have been developed to address the obesity epidemic currently facing children within the United States is provided, with a specific emphasis on intramural sports as a preferred mechanism to encourage long-term involvement in sport and physically active pursuits. The article presents support for the notion that a physical education curriculum that includes intramurals before, during, and after school can help children learn the skills to enjoy participation in a variety of sports designed to facilitate lifelong active living.
Fuzzy Finite-Time ${H_\infty }$ Hybrid-Triggered Dynamic Positioning Control of Nonlinear Unmanned Marine Vehicles Under Cyber-Attacks

This article studies the fuzzy finite-time <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${H_\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> hybrid-triggered dynamic positioning (DP) control design issue of the nonlinear unmanned marine vehicles against cyber-attacks and ocean disturbances. The motion dynamics are firstly represented by the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy DP models. Secondly, for the purpose of obtaining the surge position, sway position, yaw angle and velocity of unmanned marine vehicles, a fuzzy state observer is proposed to estimate them. Then, a hybrid-triggered mechanism described by a Bernoulli variable is designed to save the communication resources. To overcome the impacts of cyber-attacks and ocean disturbances, a fuzzy <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${H_\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> hybrid-triggered DP output feedback controller based on finite-time theory is developed. The stability criterions of the considered systems are formulated through establishing finite-time Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Finally, the simulation and comparison results validate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed scheme.
Identify Drug-Resistant Pathogens in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Highlights What are the main findings? The identification of patients with CAP at high risk for resistant pathogens is of outstanding clinical interest due to the worse outcome of these patients. However, the HCAP classification and the scores proposed in literature to identify resistant pathogens in CAP are overly sensitive, leading to inappropriately broad-spectrum antibiotic use. What is the implication of the main finding? As suggested by the new IDSA/ATS guidelines, it is crucial to generate local data concerning DRP in order to identify and validate risk factors at a local level. Identification of new, rapid and specific diagnostic tests for DRP represents a clinical priority to improve the outcomes of CAP patients. Abstract A substantial increase in broad-spectrum antibiotics as empirical therapy in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has occurred over the last 15 years. One of the driving factors leading to that has been some evidence showing an increased incidence of drug-resistant pathogens (DRP) in patients from a community with pneumonia, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Research has been published attempting to identify DRP in CAP through the implementation of probabilistic approaches in clinical practice. However, recent epidemiological data showed that the incidence of DRP in CAP varies significantly according to local ecology, healthcare systems and countries where the studies were performed. Several studies also questioned whether broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage might improve outcomes in CAP, as it is widely documented that broad-spectrum antibiotics overuse is associated with increased costs, length of hospital stay, drug adverse events and resistance. The aim of this review is to analyze the different approaches used to identify DRP in CAP patients as well as the outcomes and adverse events in patients undergoing broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Studies on the development and storage stability of chicken chips

Efforts were made to develop chips utilizing meat from spent hen. Four formulations viz. I, II, III and IV were made containing chicken meat at 95, 85, 80 and 75 percent (WIW) respectively. Flours were incorporated in formulations II, III and IV replacing meat. After adding common salt, condiments, spices and preservatives, the mix was blended, extruded in chip fonn and deep fat fried. These chips were subjected to physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory evaluation. Cooking yield of chips in formulation I was significantly lower (P 0.05) were observed in the colour and appearance as well as meat flavour intensity of chicken chips in all the formulations. However, formulation IV was significantly (p>0.05) better with regard to crispiness and overall acceptability. The best product based on sensory evaluation (formulation IV) was packaged under nitrogen atmosphere in laminate pouches (aluminium/LDPE) and kept at ambient temperature to assess its shelflife. Chemical, microbiological and sensory evaluations were done at 2-week interval upto 12 weeks. During the storage period, total aerobic count and yeast and mould counts remained well below the pennissible limits and TBA value was also far below the threshold value for sensory detection. Sensory scores for various attributes showed a progressive but slow decrease during the entire period of storage. However, sensory ratings of colour and appearance, meat flavour intensity and overall acceptability did not decrease significantly (P>0.05) from 2-week onwards and tlle product rating still remained between good to very good.
Digenic Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism Due to Heterozygous GNRH1 p.R31C and AMHR2 p.G445_L453del Variants

A 28-year-old man with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) was found to be heterozygous for the GNRH1 p.R31C mutation, reported in the literature as pathogenic and dominant. The same mutation was found in his son at birth, but the testing of the infant at 64 days confirmed the hormonal changes associated with minipuberty. This led to further genetic sequencing of the patient and his son, which found a second variant, AMHR2 p.G445_L453del, in the heterozygous form, reported as pathogenic in the patient but not in his son. This suggests a digenic cause of the patient’s CHH. Together, these mutations are postulated to contribute to CHH by the lack of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) signalling, leading to the impaired migration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, the lack of the AMH effect on GnRH secretion, and altered GnRH decapeptide with reduced binding to GnRH receptors. This led us to the conclusion that the observed GNRH1 mutation in the heterozygous state is not certain to be dominant or, at least, exhibits incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. This report also emphasises the opportunity afforded by the time window of minipuberty in assessing the inherited genetic disorders of hypothalamic function.
Assessment of Self-Reported Executive Function in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using a Machine-Learning Framework

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized as a disorder of the gut–brain interaction (DGBI). Here, we explored the presence of problems related to executive function (EF) in patients with IBS and tested the relative importance of cognitive features involved in EF. Methods: A total of 44 patients with IBS and 22 healthy controls (HCs) completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A), used to identify nine EF features. The PyCaret 3.0 machine-learning library in Python was used to explore the data, generate a robust model to classify patients with IBS versus HCs and identify the relative importance of the EF features in this model. The robustness of the model was evaluated by training the model on a subset of data and testing it on the unseen, hold-out dataset. Results: The explorative analysis showed that patients with IBS reported significantly more severe EF problems than the HC group on measures of working memory function, initiation, cognitive flexibility and emotional control. Impairment at a level in need of clinical attention was found in up to 40% on some of these scales. When the nine EF features were used as input to a collection of different binary classifiers, the Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm (XGBoost) showed superior performance. The working memory subscale was consistently selected with the strongest importance in this model, followed by planning and emotional control. The goodness of the machine-learning model was confirmed in an unseen dataset by correctly classifying 85% of the IBS patients. Conclusions: The results showed the presence of EF-related problems in patients with IBS, with a substantial impact of problems related to working memory function. These results suggest that EF should be part of an assessment procedure when a patient presents other symptoms of IBS and that working memory function should be considered a target when treating patients with the disorder. Further studies should include measures of EF as part of the symptom cluster characterizing patients with IBS and other DGBIs.
Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis at the Time of Esophageal Food Impaction

Background: Esophageal food impactions (EFI) often precede a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE). Current guidelines suggest obtaining esophageal biopsies upon suspicion of EOE, treating with proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and repeating esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This study was conducted to determine provider practice patterns with these mentioned recommendations at the time of EFI. Methods: In this retrospective study, key outcomes were the proportion of patients who had EOE mucosal biopsies, EOE diagnosis, PPI initiation, and recommendations and completions of repeat EGD. Differences in outcomes among age, sex, race, off-hours time of procedure, and trainee involvement were examined. EOE diagnosis predictors were explored with logistic regression. Results: Twenty-nine percent of the patients had esophageal biopsies taken at the time of index EGD (iEGD). Sixteen patients were diagnosed with EOE at the time of index EFI, while fourteen patients were diagnosed on subsequent EGDs. Among those diagnosed with EOE at iEGD, 94% were placed on PPI. Of patients with confirmed EOE on index biopsy, 63% of patients were recommended repeat EGD, of which 50% completed it within 90 days. Older age was protective of EOE diagnosis while no GERD history and endoscopist suspicion of EOE predicted diagnosis of EOE. Conclusions: Endoscopists uncommonly take biopsies at the time of EFI, which may delay diagnosis and treatment of EOE.
High-order mixed weighted compact and non-compact scheme for shock and small length scale interaction

It is critical for a numerical scheme to obtain numerical results as accurate as possible with limited computational resources. Turbulent processes are very sensitive to numerical dissipation, which may dissipate the small length scales. On the other hand, dealing with shock waves, capturing and reproducing of the discontinuity may lead to non-physical oscillations for non-dissipative high-order schemes. In the present work, a new high-order mixed weighted compact and non-compact difference scheme (MWCS hereafter) is proposed for accurate approximation of the derivatives in the governing Euler equations. The basic idea is to recover the non-dissipative high-order weighted compact scheme (WCS) in smooth regions, while linearly combine the WCS with a non-compact scheme, the weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme, for near-shock areas, by using a shock-detecting function. The proposed formulation does not involve any case-dependent adjustable parameter. A detailed Fourier and local truncation error analysis are used for assessing the dispersion and dissipation characteristics of the scheme. Numerical tests are performed for the one- and two-dimensional case and the results are compared with the well-established WENO scheme and the WCS.
Observation and Modeling of Attempted Leaders in a Multibranched Altitude-Triggered Lightning Flash

A multibranched altitude-triggered lightning flash containing 15 attempted leaders (ALs) was observed. These leaders propagated along three paths with different development processes. The average two-dimensional speed of the ALs ranged from 3.8 × 105 m/s to 29.4 × 105 m/s, and the terminal height ranged from over 1626 to 505 m above the ground. The progressing characteristics of ALs were investigated in detail based on the high-speed video camera and synchronous electric field data. The electric field waveforms at the termination stage of the AL were divided into two types. Two different termination ways were proposed to describe the process of AL's disappearance. The source charge model was used to simulate the electric field waveform of the ALs, and the results agree well with the measured electric field waveform.
Liver-Specific Bmal1 Depletion Reverses the Beneficial Effects of Nobiletin on Liver Cholesterol Homeostasis in Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet

Nobiletin (NOB), a naturally occurring small-molecule compound abundant in citrus peels, has displayed potential lipid-lowering and circadian-enhancing properties in preclinical studies. However, the requirement of specific clock genes for the beneficial effects of NOB is not well understood. In the current study, mice with a liver-specific deletion of the core clock component, Bmal1—Bmal1LKO—were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) ad libitum for eight weeks, while NOB (200 mg/kg) was administered by daily oral gavage from the fifth week and throughout the last four weeks. NOB decreased liver triglyceride (TG) alongside the decreasing mRNA levels of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) genes in both Bmal1flox/flox and Bmal1LKO mice. NOB increased serum very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in Bmal1LKO mice, which was consistent with higher liver Shp and lower Mttp mRNA expression levels, the key genes that facilitate VLDL assembly and secretion. NOB decreased liver and serum cholesterol levels in the Bmal1flox/flox mice, consistent with lower Hmgcr and higher Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, Gata4 and Abcg5 mRNA levels in the liver. In contrast, in the Bmal1LKO mice, NOB increased Hmgcr mRNA levels and had no effect on the above-mentioned genes related to bile acid synthesis and cholesterol excretion, which might contribute to the elevation of liver and serum cholesterol levels in NOB-treated Bmal1LKO mice. NOB inhibited hepatic DNL and decreased liver TG levels in HFD-fed mice independently of liver Bmal1, whereas liver-specific Bmal1 depletion reversed the beneficial effects of NOB on liver cholesterol homeostasis. The complex interactions between NOB, the circadian clock and lipid metabolism in the liver warrant further research.
Arbitrary Detention of Mexican Citizens by Mexican Immigration Authorities

On 3 September 2015, Mexican immigration authorities detained four Indigenous Tzeltal Mexicans who were travelling by bus to the northern state of Sonora. Despite identifying themselves as Mexican citizens, the authorities considered their documents false, and they were detained for nine days until their identities were certified. The Mexican State took four years to acknowledge publicly and apologise for this arbitrary detention. Similarly, in 2017, a 39‑year‑old man born in Oaxaca, living in the streets of Puebla after being deported by the United States Government, was detained for being ‘identified’ as a Salvadorian citizen by Mexican authorities. However, it would be a mistake to consider these cases an exception or anomaly in the Mexican Transit Control Regime. Drawing on statistical and archival information from 2010 to 2020, as well as semi-structured interviews conducted in 2021, in this article, we examine the arbitrary detention of Mexican citizens by Mexican immigration authorities. We highlight the multiple rights violated, question how these detentions have been framed in the official discourse and examine the outcome of these detentions. Our analysis sheds light on the racialisation of migration control in Mexico.
Seeding and Acclimatization for Aerobic Processing of Restaurant Wastewater with Sequencing Batch Reactor

Restaurant wastewater has a relatively high organic matter content, so it needs to be treated to meet the specified quality standard. One of the technologies that can be used in restaurant wastewater treatment is Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology. The purpose of this study is to set up an aerobic SBR system with seeding and acclimatization treatments to reduce the amount of organic matter in restaurant wastewater when a shock load occurs. The research was done using wastewater from a restaurant in Bandung and activated sludge from the food industry in Bogor as seeds for microorganisms. In this study, the seeding process was carried out by introducing 25% activated sludge and 75% nutrients into the reactor, and the acclimatization process was carried out by introducing a specific ratio of nutrients and wastewater into the reactor gradually until the waste concentration reached 100%. The parameters tested were COD, MLVSS, DO, pH, and temperature. During the seeding procedure, the initial COD value of 3,200 mg/L declined. It began to stabilize on the seventh day, with a COD value of 1,080 mg/L. The COD removal reached a relatively stable condition in the acclimatization process starting on day 2, where COD decreased from the original 1,280 mg/L to 480 mg/L.
Estimation of a Partially Linear Regression in Triangular Systems

We propose a kernel-based estimator for a partially linear regression in a triangular system where endogenous regressors appear both in the nonparametric and linear components of the regression. Compared with alternative estimators currently available in the literature (Ai and Chen 2003; Otsu 2011), our estimator has an explicit functional form, is easier to implement, and exhibits better experimental finite sample performance. The estimator is inspired by the control function approach of Newey et al. (1999) and was initially proposed by Martins-Filho and Yao (2012). It explores conditional moment restrictions that make it suitable for additive regression estimation as in Kim et al. (1999) and Manzan and Zerom (2005). We establish consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimator for the parameters in the linear component of the model and give a uniform convergence rate for the estimator of the nonparametric component. In addition, for statistical inference, a consistent estimator for the covariance of the limiting distribution of the parametric estimator is provided. We illustrate the empirical viability of our estimation procedure by applying it to the study of the impact of foreign aid and policy on growth of per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in developing countries.
Plant Tolerance to Drought Stress with Emphasis on Wheat

Environmental stresses, such as drought, have negative effects on crop yield. Drought is a stress whose impact tends to increase in some critical regions. However, the worldwide population is continuously increasing and climate change may affect its food supply in the upcoming years. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to understand the molecular processes that may contribute to improving drought tolerance of strategic crops. These investigations should contribute to delivering drought-tolerant cultivars by selective breeding. For this reason, it is worthwhile to review regularly the literature concerning the molecular mechanisms and technologies that could facilitate gene pyramiding for drought tolerance. This review summarizes achievements obtained using QTL mapping, genomics, synteny, epigenetics, and transgenics for the selective breeding of drought-tolerant wheat cultivars. Synthetic apomixis combined with the msh1 mutation opens the way to induce and stabilize epigenomes in crops, which offers the potential of accelerating selective breeding for drought tolerance in arid and semi-arid regions.
Deficit Financing and Trade Balance in Nigeria

Using a time series data the study employed Granger-Causality and Vector Auto-Regression (VAR) techniques in the analysis of the data collected. This study assessed the effects of deficit financing on trade balance in Nigeria from 1980 - 2008. Our short-run dynamic result indicates a positive relationship between Deficit financing and Trade balance (surplus). While the long-term result posits that an increase in deficit financing diminishes trade deficit in Nigeria. The implication of the above result is that deficit financing is an available instrument for government to improve trade in the shortrun and that in the long-run deficit financing could be used to reduce trade deficit in Nigeria if properly managed by government.