Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Staff Dietary Behaviours, Sleeping Patterns, and Well-Being: An International Comparison Study

This study assessed the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being by measuring the changes to food security, dietary behaviour, and sleeping patterns of university staff in England, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and China. Using a cross-sectional study design, participants in four universities in the respective countries were surveyed between June and July 2020. The mean age of the 902 participants was 42 years old and 67% were female. The findings indicate a reduction in emotionally driven food behaviour [t (901.00) = −20.87, p < 0.001], food acquisition location [t (901.00) = −51.55, p < 0.001], skipping meals [t (901.00) = −24, p < 0.001], and consumption of canned fruit and vegetables [t (901.00) = −10.18, p < 0.001]. However, home cooking [t (901.00) = 36.61, p < 0.001] and the food shopping experience [t (901.00) = 4.53, p < 0.001] markedly increased during lockdown. The participants had higher levels of well-being during the pandemic and experienced a significant increase in sleeping hours (p < 0.001). Increased age and sleeping hours were positively associated with overall well-being. Conversely, emotionally driven food behaviour (i.e., buying and eating more food out of boredom/fear or anxiety) and skipping meals decreased the overall well-being. Lockdown had beneficial effects on dietary behaviours, sleeping patterns, and well-being, but there were variations between countries.
Biodistribution of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Labeled with [89Zr]Zr-Oxine in Local Radiation Injuries in Laboratory Animals

Background: Tracking the migration pathways of living cells after their introduction into a patient’s body is a topical issue in the field of cell therapy. Questions related to studying the possibility of long-term intravital biodistribution of mesenchymal stromal cells in the body currently remain open. Methods: Forty-nine laboratory animals were used in the study. Modeling of local radiation injuries was carried out, and the dynamics of the distribution of mesenchymal stromal cells labeled with [89Zr]Zr-oxine in the rat body were studied. Results: the obtained results of the labelled cell distribution allow us to assume that this procedure could be useful for visualization of local radiation injury using positron emission tomography. However, further research is needed to confirm this assumption. Conclusions: intravenous injection leads to the initial accumulation of cells in the lungs and their subsequent redistribution to the liver, spleen, and kidneys. When locally injected into tissues, mesenchymal stromal cells are not distributed systemically in significant quantities.
Mariner 10 - Mercury atmosphere

Reduction of data from the three Mariner 10 encounters to this date have allowed identification of helium and hydrogen as atmospheric constituents. Subsolar point densities are estimated at 4500 cm−3 for He and 8 cm−3 for the thermal component of H. A non-thermal component in H with a scale height of ∼ 70 km has been observed near the limb off the subsolar point, providing a total apparent number density of 90 cm−3. Upper limits on other atmospheric constituents have been reduced an order of magnitude. A very tentative identification of O has been obtained but the uncertainty is large and we require further data reduction for confirmation.
Distribution of heat‐producing elements in the upper and middle crust of southern and west central Arizona: Evidence from the core complexes

The amount and distribution of crustal heat production are a central component of all estimates of continental thermal structure, yet they remain in most cases an assumption rather than a constraint. This study utilizes the Catalina and Harquahala metamorphic core complexes as large exposures of the recent (<30 m.y. ago) upper and middle crust of the Arizona Basin and Range to gather primary heat production data. Samples were measured for their heat production, and their positions in the predetachment crust were reconstructed by restoring all major deformation associated with core complex formation, including subsequent block faulting. The restored part of the Catalina core complex spans a depth range from 3 to 13 ± 1 km, and the Harquahala core complex encompasses a depth range from the surface to 14 ± 3 km. Mylonitization probably has little systematic effect on the distribution of heat production in these core complexes. The depth distributions of heat production obtained in this study do not follow a smooth or systematic function but rather reflect a primary control exerted by local structural or magmatic history. Variogram analysis indicates that the scale of autocorrelation of heat production is variable but in most cases under 10 km. In each core complex, the amount of heat production observed plus that inferred to reside in the deeper crust is approximately 30 ± 5 μW/m3, roughly 50% higher than previous estimates. The difference can cause overestimates of 75–300°C in deep crustal temperatures if surface heat flow is assumed to be known. The use of a temperature- and pressure-dependent function for thermal conductivity instead of a constant value causes an upward revision in estimated average geothermal gradients of approximately 2.5–4°C/km.
Nudging to Manage the Spread of COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Next Pandemic

Nudging is a popular low-cost strategy that can be implemented in interventions to influence individuals to perform certain behaviors and implement policies better. With the spread of COVID-19 that began in 2020, several studies attempted to test nudging to influence behaviors that manage the spread. In this article, we report on our review of 21 studies utilizing nudging to improve adherence to various behaviors associated with the management of COVID-19. Findings highlight the overall positive influence of nudging, especially for hesitant individuals, but draw attention to the possibility of messages backfiring when framed negatively. Our results also reflect the importance of customizing the message to the target audience, the behavioral constructs that may influence intention, and the need for researchers to test nudges on actionable behavior in addition to intention to account for the intention-behavior gap.
International Chinese students’ experiences of participating in mandala-based art therapy in Korea: a phenomenological study

Background Although China and South Korea share a similar East Asian culture, owing to major social and cultural differences, international students encounter several difficulties, which can lead to various psychological problems. Objective To explore the experiences of eight Chinese doctoral students in South Korea participating in mandala-based art therapy. Method Data for this phenomenological study were gathered through individual interviews and visual art from April 5 to 20, 2022. The MAXQDA software program was used for data analysis. Results The data analysis results yielded 355 codes, 53 subcategories, and 17 categories. Five final themes emerged: (a) sealed lips by others’ eyes, (b) inner exploration and outward expression, (c) healing power of the mandala, (d) filling the inner space together, and (e) opportunities to understand art therapy. Conclusion The researchers hope that completing this intervention will enable participants to complete their studies more effectively and achieve their ideals as well as future career goals, helping them ultimately return home safely with both personal and academic growth.
Assessing the sensitivity of Wasatch snowfall to temperature variations

Techniques to estimate the sensitivity of snow falling in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah to observed and projected changes in atmospheric temperature are evaluated. Daily precipitation data from 1 October to 30 April 1979-2008 are examined from selected snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) sites in northern Utah. Profiles of wet bulb temperature from near crest level (700 hPa) to elevations along the mountain slopes of selected watersheds are estimated on days with precipitation from twice-daily radiosondes launched from the nearby Salt Lake City airport. The rain-snow line is assumed to correspond uniformly to the elevation of the wet bulb temperature equal to 1C. Histograms of the fraction of precipitation falling as snow as a function of daily wet-bulb temperature are computed. The percentage of precipitation estimated to fall at wet-bulb temperatures in the range 0-1C is assumed to switch from snow to rain if temperatures increase by 1C. While the sensitivity to temperature depends strongly on elevation within the watershed, an increase in tropospheric temperatures of 1C is estimated to lead to an 8-10% decrease in snow when averaged over the selected watersheds. Projected increases in tropospheric temperatures in northern Utah of 1-3C over the next century are estimated from general circulation models after removal of model biases.
Age, origin and development of blanket mires in Central Norway

Development of blanket mires in inland sites with high precipitation, at Momyr in Afjord, Sor-Trondelag and Forra in Levanger, Nord-Trondelag, was climatically induced and took place about 8000 years ago when the climate turned wetter. Mire formation on drumlins in this area started on the plateaux and spread slowly down the drumlin slopes. It also took place at the drumlin bases and spread upwards. Eventually the drumlins were completely covered by a blanket of peat, a process that took several thousands of years to complete. Blanket mire formation at Haramsoy, an island on the outer coast of More og Romsdal where precipitation is lower, was anthropogenically induced. It took place almost instantaneously over a relatively wide area about 3000 years ago as a response to the combined effect of grazing, regular burning and deteriorating climatic conditions.
Identifying a Suitable Signal Processing Technique for MI EEG Data

Motor imagery (MI) electroencephalography (EEG) technology is acquiring great attention from researchers due to its remarkable real-world applications. EEG signals inherit a high degree of non-stationarity, making their analysis not modest. Hence, choosing an appropriate signal processing approach becomes crucial. This comparative paper aims to identify a suitable signal processing method among famous approaches, namely short-time Fourier transform (STFT), continuous wavelet transform (CWT), and two variations of discrete wavelet transform maximal overlap DWT (MODWT) and MODWT multiresolution analysis (MODWTMRA). Different mother wavelet basis filters experimented with wavelet methods: Morse, Amor, Bump, Symlets, Daubechies, Coiflets, and Fejér-Korovkin. The different methods were tested on the classification of the right-hand and left-hand motor imagery tasks using the brain-computer interface (BCI) competition IV 2b dataset. A shallow convolutional neural network containing a single convolution layer was first trained and then used for classification. The experimental outcomes verified that MI EEG signals can be better analyzed and recognized using the maximal overlap-based signal processing methods. The classification accuracy proved that MODWT and MODWTMRA with the Symlets wavelet outperformed the other methods.
Pattern of Human-biting Activity of Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus Skuse in a Garden Locale from City of Kolkata, India

In a yearlong study, centering a garden in Kolkata possible competitive displacement of populations of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was suggested (Gilotra et al., 1967). After about 20 years, a comparative 24 h man-biting activity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes was investigated in the same garden from September 1986 to August 1987. During day light hours, altogether 248 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were collected off human baits, of which 77 (31.04%) and 171 (68.95%) off indoor and outdoor baits respectively. The corresponding figures for Ae. albopictus were 867 [183 (21.10%) at indoors and 684 (78.89%) at outdoors]. Both species of mosquitoes were found to be attracted to human baits both at indoor and outdoor, throughout the day, with the peak hour of biting activity of Ae. aegypti between 8 and 9 a.m. [60 (24.19%)]followed by another peak during 5-6 p.m. [40 (16.13%)]. Peak activity of Ae. albopictus was observed between 5 and 6 p.m. (135 i.e. 15.5%). For both the species the peak biting activity was found in the month of July [ Ae. aegypti , 52 (20.96%) and Ae. albopictus , 264 (30.4%)]. Altogether 36 and 13 Ae. aegypti were caught off man-baits at indoors and outdoors respectively beyond day light hours and the corresponding figures for Ae. albopictus were 56 and 34 respectively. This infers a possible competitive displacement of Ae. aegypti populations by the populations of Ae. albopictus.
Growth of a young pingo in the Canadian Arctic observed by RADARSAT-2 interferometric satellite radar

Abstract. Advancements in radar technology are increasing our ability to detect Earth surface deformation in permafrost environments. In this paper we use satellite Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) to describe the growth of a large, relatively young pingo in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands. High-resolution RADARSAT-2 imagery (2011–2014) analyzed with the Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) DInSAR revealed a maximum 2.7 cm yr−1 of domed uplift located in a drained lake basin. Satellite measurements suggest that this feature is one of the largest diameter pingos in the region that is presently growing. Observed changes in elevation were modeled as a 348 × 290 m uniformly loaded elliptical plate with clamped edge. Analysis of historical aerial photographs suggested that ground uplift at this location initiated sometime between 1935 and 1951 following drainage of the residual pond. Uplift is largely due to the growth of intrusive ice, because the 9 % expansion of pore water associated with permafrost aggradation into saturated sands is not sufficient to explain the observed short- and long-term deformation rates. The modeled thickness of ice-rich permafrost using the Northern Ecosystem Soil Temperature (NEST) was consistent with the maximum height of this feature. Modeled permafrost aggradation from 1972 to 2014 approximated elevation changes estimated from aerial photographs for that time period. Taken together, these lines of evidence indicate that uplift is at least in part a result of freezing of the sub-pingo water lens. Seasonal variations in the uplift rate seen in the DInSAR data closely match the modeled seasonal pattern in the deepening rate of freezing front. This study demonstrates that interferometric satellite radar can detect and contribute to understanding the dynamics of terrain uplift in response to permafrost aggradation and ground ice development in remote polar environments. The present-day growth rate is smaller than predicted by the modeling and no clear growth is observed at other smaller pingos in contrast with field studies performed mainly before the 1990s. Investigation of this apparent discrepancy provides an opportunity to further develop observation methods and models.
The Sustainability of Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera Linnaeus 1753 Groves in Coastal Ghana

Abstract Coconut groves have been described as important, historic resources of Ghanaian coastal agro-ecological zones. Although some recent surveys have revealed serious declines in coconut groves because of disease, woodcutting, settlement expansion, and coastal erosion, few studies document the situation of coconut groves within the larger socioenvironmental context of the Ghanaian coastal and inland agro-ecosystem. This paper uses an integrated methodology based on time series aerial photographs, ecological and GIS analysis, and age- and gender-based social surveys, to document the cultural biogeography of coconut groves in a case study of coastal Ghana. Although there is evidence of deforestation, moderate coconut conservation was also documented. It is concluded that long-term assessments, including forecasting, are possible if based on an integrated framework. This provides an effective complement for informed policy.
Arabic validation of the “Mental Health Knowledge Schedule” and the “Reported and Intended Behavior Scale”

Objectives Mental illness affects one in eight people in the world according to the WHO. It is a leading cause of morbidity and a major public health problem. Stigma harms the quality of life of people with mental illness. This study aimed at validating the Arabic version of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS) in a sample of Tunisian students and determining socio-demographic and clinical factors correlated with stigma. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,501 Tunisian students who filled in the MAKS, the RIBS, and a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. The validation of the questionnaires in Arabic was carried out using the validity criteria: face and content validity, reliability, and construct validity. Next, the associations between stigma and sample characteristics have been studied using multivariate linear regression. Results Face and content validity of the measures MAKS and RIBS were satisfactory, with adequate internal consistency. There were significant positive correlations between the items and scales, and test–retest reliability was excellent. The internal validity showed that the items were well-aligned with the intended factors, and the external validity revealed a significant positive relationship between the MAKS and RIBS. Besides, gender, the field of study, psychiatric history, and contact with someone with a mental illness were all contributing factors to mental illness stigma. Additionally, men performed better than women in terms of behavior toward people with mental illness, while women had a greater level of knowledge about mental health. Conclusion The Arabic versions of the MAKS and RIBS have appropriate psychometric properties, making them effective tools for evaluating mental illness stigma. With multiple factors contributing to this issue, these instruments can help focus anti-stigma efforts and promote a more inclusive society.
Creating and Communicating Effective Safety Protocols in Healthcare

Creating and communicating effective safety protocols is important to the well-being of healthcare workers, patients, and all who interact with health systems. Although protocols have been used to support healthcare teams in providing care for decades, there is limited consensus about what constitutes an effective protocol (Myburgh, 2008). In fact, there is considerable ambiguity about what constitutes a protocol versus a policy versus a guideline versus a standard operating procedure. This panel uses the term protocol as an umbrella term to represent a range of strategies used to mandate and/or guide personnel in implementing safe practices. Panelists will discuss their perspectives and latest research characterizing challenges to effective safety protocols, as well as future directions for improving protocols in healthcare.
Limosilactobacillus vaginalis Exerts Bifidogenic Effects: A Novel Postbiotic Strategy for Infant Prebiotic Supplementation

Infant microbiota shaping strictly influences newborns’ well-being and long-term health, and babies born by cesarean-section and formula-fed generally show low microbial gut diversity and are more prone to develop various disorders. The supplementation with beneficial microbes of vaginal origin or derivatives (postbiotics, including heat-inactivated cells) represents a valid strategy to drive the correct gut microbiota shaping. Here, we explored for the first time the bifidogenic activity of a heat-killed vaginal strain (Limosilactobacillus vaginalis BC17), in addition to the assessment of its safety. L. vaginalis BC17 whole genome was sequenced by Nanopore technology and highlighted the absence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors, indicating the strain safety profile for human health. MIC values confirmed that L. vaginalis BC17 is susceptible to widely employed antibiotics. Heat-killed BC17 cells significantly enhanced the planktonic growth of Bifidobacterium spp. For the first time, stimulating effects were observed also toward biofilm formation of bifidobacteria and their pre-formed biofilms. Conversely, heat-killed BC17 cells exerted antibacterial and anti-biofilms activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Lyophilized heat-killed BC17 cells were formulated in a sunflower oil suspension (1010 heat-killed cell/g) intended for infant oral intake. This possessed optimal technological (i.e., re-dispersibility and stability) and functional properties (i.e., bifidogenic activity) that were maintained even after pre-digestion in acidic conditions.
Effect of multiple sides of heated bluff body and heat transfer in a confined region: a computational study

Abstract The rapid increase in technologies, especially computer chips, increases the demand for highly efficient thermal management systems. The present study carries out a two-dimensional numerical investigation on the effect of the number of sides of a heated cylinder in a highly confined fluid domain. The flow is confined to a blockage ratio of 3. The study is conducted for laminar flow with Reynolds numbers being 50, 100, 150 and 200. Six cylinders are chosen; Square, pentagon, hexagon, circle, dodecagon and hexa-decogan. The simulation is carried out using ANSYS FLUENT 18. SIMPLE algorithm is used to solve the Navier–Stokes equation. The flow and heat transfer characteristics are studied from pressure and temperature contour, viscous drag co-efficient, pressure-drag coefficient, total drag co-efficient, pressure co-efficient, Strouhal number and Nusselt number. As the number of sides increased, a significant difference in flow and heat transfer characteristics is observed at the starting, but all slowly started to converge toward the characteristics of the circular cylinder. The dodecagon cylinder shows better flow and heat transfer performance on average when compared to all the other cylinders.
Incidental Diagnosis of Rheumatic Myocarditis during Cardiac Surgery—Impact on Late Prognosis

Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are still highly prevalent, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. RHD is a neglected and underdiagnosed disease for which no specific laboratory diagnostic test is completely reliable. This is a retrospective observational study, which included 118 patients with RHD who underwent cardiac surgery from 1985 to 2018. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical, epidemiological, echocardiographic and pathological characteristics in two cohorts of RHD patients: one cohort with Aschoff bodies present in their pathological results and the other without such histopathological characteristics. No conventional clinical and laboratory tests for RHD myocarditis were able to identify active carditis during the preoperative phase of valve repair or replacement. Patients who had Aschoff bodies in their pathological results were younger (median age of 13 years (11–24 years) vs. 27 years (17–37 years), p = 0.001) and had higher rate of late mortality (22.9% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.043). In conclusion, the presence of Aschoff bodies in pathological findings may predict increased long-term mortality, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive pathology analysis for suspected myocarditis during heart surgery.