Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rotation Frequency and Starting Task on Localized Muscle Fatigue and Performance During Simulated Assembly Work

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study simulated rotating between assembly tasks at two different intensity levels performed for a total duration of 1 hour, during which rotation occurred every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes, or not at all. Under the scenario studied here, rotation reduced shoulder muscle fatigue compared to only performing a higher intensity task and increased fatigue compared to only performing a lower intensity task. Neither rotation frequency nor starting task significantly affected fatigue or performance. Based on the results, rotation frequency and starting task may not need substantial consideration when designing rotation schedules or plans. Generalizing the current results to actual occupational tasks, however, may be limited due to the inclusion of only two tasks, the constrained nature of the task, and the small sample size. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Rotating between tasks is widely used and considered to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, though there is limited evidence that it is effective in doing so. Purpose: This study assessed the effects of rotation during assembly work involving the upper extremity, specifically focusing on rotation frequency and starting task, on shoulder muscle fatigue and task performance when included tasks loaded the same muscle group. Methods: Twelve participants completed six experimental sessions during which a simulated repetitive assembly task was performed for 1 hour either with or without rotation. When rotation occurred, it was between two intensity levels corresponding to two working heights. Results: As expected, rotating between the tasks reduced shoulder muscle fatigue compared to only performing the higher intensity task and increased fatigue compared to only performing the lower intensity task. Neither rotation frequency nor starting task had significant or consistent effects on fatigue or task performance. Conclusions: While varying the intensity level of tasks included in rotation schedules reduced muscle fatigue, this effect was not influenced substantially by either rotation frequency or starting task during the moderately demanding upper extremity assembly task examined here.
Estimating the Distributional Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Remedial Tax and Benefit Policies in Indonesia

The Government of Indonesia acted quickly to protect people from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures in 2020. Using a static tax and microsimulation model for Indonesia with adjusted datasets to reflect the economic shock throughout 2020, we explore how the pandemic affected people’s earnings in Indonesia, the extent to which the automatic stabilisers that were already built into the tax and benefit system cushioned the economic shock, and how the augmented or new benefit policies served to further cushion the shock. We estimate that in 2020 the additional policies meant that poverty rose from 6.8 percent to a maximum of 8.3 percent rather than to 10.7 percent if they had not been introduced. We discuss reasons why the official poverty estimates for 2020 are higher than those generated in this study. © 2021, Wright et al.
A Substrate Integrated Image Guide Low-Sidelobe-Level Circularly-Polarized Leaky-Wave Antenna with Open-Stopband Suppression

This paper presents a low sidelobe level (SLL) leaky-wave antenna (LWA) using the substrate integrated image guide (SIIG) with A-shaped patches. The A-shaped element can realize the circular polarization (CP) by placing two linearly polarized patches in an orthogonal direction with a phase difference of 90° between each other. Using the impedance matching technique, the open-stopband (OSB) is able to be suppressed. Because the antenna based on the SIIG transmission, the waveguide wavelength is small, and then the interelement spacing is reduced. Thus, this antenna can realize CP, boresight radiation and the low SLL at the same time within a short-length structure. The peak gain is 12.25 dBi and the SLL is –19.1 dB at 14 GHz. The axial ratio (AR) is 1.74 dB at 14 GHz and the ARBW is 2.9%.
Topological pumping in acoustic waveguide arrays with hopping modulation

Thouless pumping is the adiabatic transportation of quantized charge, which is regarded as the dynamic version of the quantum Hall effect. Here we propose the design of an acoustic system to demonstrate the topological pumping characterized by transporting acoustic energy from one side to the opposite. The system is composed of coupled acoustic waveguide arrays with modulated coupling along both cross-sections and the propagating direction. We explore multiple topological phases by introducing rich spatial frequency or enlarged range of the hopping modulation. Such distinct topological phases are evidenced by adiabatic evolution of the edge states, where the acoustic system varies continuously and slowly along the state propagating direction. The robustness behavior of the edge states transport is also verified with numerical simulations to imply their topology origin. Our work provides a route to realize topological phases and utilize the corresponding edge states in waveguide arrays that can lead to versatile acoustic wave manipulation applications.
Application Layer Packet Processing Using PISA Switches

This paper investigates and proposes a solution for Protocol Independent Switch Architecture (PISA) to process application layer data, enabling the inspection of application content. PISA is a novel approach in networking where the switch does not run any embedded binary code but rather an interpreted code written in a domain-specific language. The main motivation behind this approach is that telecommunication operators do not want to be locked in by a vendor for any type of networking equipment, develop their own networking code in a hardware environment that is not governed by a single equipment manufacturer. This approach also eases the modeling of equipment in a simulation environment as all of the components of a hardware switch run the same compatible code in a software modeled switch. The novel techniques in this paper exploit the main functions of a programmable switch and combine the streaming data processor to create the desired effect from a telecommunication operator perspective to lower the costs and govern the network in a comprehensive manner. The results indicate that the proposed solution using PISA switches enables application visibility in an outstanding performance. This ability helps the operators to remove a fundamental gap between flexibility and scalability by making the best use of limited compute resources in application identification and the response to them. The experimental study indicates that, without any optimization, the proposed solution increases the performance of application identification systems 5.5 to 47.0 times. This study promises that DPI, NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall), and such application layer systems which have quite high costs per unit traffic volume and could not scale to a Tbps level, can be combined with PISA to overcome the cost and scalability issues.
The impact of transmission line terminations on radiated emissions

Terminating transmission lines at either the source or the load side with a damping resistor is often used to improve the signal integrity of clock or control lines on PCBs. While a number of termination variants may produce similar results in respect to signal integrity the EMC performance can differ due to a different current and voltage distribution along the line. This paper investigates the impact of transmission line terminations on radiated emissions.
Germanium-Titanium-π Polymer Composites as Functional Textiles for Clinical Strategy to Evaluate Blood Circulation Improvement and Sexual Satisfaction

By continuously enhancing the blood flow, far-infrared (FIR) textile is anticipated to be a potential non-pharmacological therapy in patients with peripheral vascular disorders, for instance, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and experiencing vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED). Hence, we manufactured a novel polymer composite, namely, germanium-titanium-π (Ge-Ti-π) textile and aimed to evaluate its characteristics and quality. We also investigated the immediate and long-term effects of the textile on patients with ESRD undergoing HD and experiencing VED. The Ge-Ti-π textile was found to have 0.93 FIR emissivity, 3.05 g/d strength, and 18.98% elongation. The results also showed a 51.6% bacteria reduction and negative fungal growth. On application in patients receiving HD, the Ge-Ti-π textile significantly reduced the limb numbness/pain (p < 0.001) and pain score on the visual analog scale (p < 0.001). Moreover, the Doppler ultrasound assessment data indicated a significant enhancement of blood flow in the right hand after 1 week of Ge-Ti-π textile treatment (p < 0.041). In VED patients, the Ge-Ti-π underpants treatment significantly improved the quality of sexual function and increased the average penile blood flow velocity after 3 months of the treatment. Our study suggests that the Ge-Ti-π textile could be beneficial for patients with blood circulation disorders.
Effect of growing season, Trichoderma and clinoptilolite applications on potentially toxic elements (PTEs) uptake by Cucumis melo L.

Aim: The extent at which different agricultural strategies may affect the uptake of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) by cropped plants is not completely understood at a field scale. This study dealt with the effect of seasonality, Trichoderma inoculation alone or combined to different applications of commercial grade clinoptilolite (i.e., foliar action, fertigation, and pellet) on the PTEs content of early- and late-ripening cultivars Cucumis Melo L. Methods: Two similar field experiments were performed in spring and summer. For each cultivar/treatment combination, the input of PTEs (namely, Cr, Cu, and Pb) to the soil-crop system through irrigation water, fertilizers, pesticides, and treatment products (i.e., Trichoderma and clinoptilolite products), as well as the PTE content of melon stem, leaves and fruit, were assessed through Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optic Emission Spectrometry. Results: Neither Trichoderma alone nor associated with clinoptilolite had visible effect on PTEs uptake by plants, while early season cultivation was strongly associated with lower uptake of Cu and Pb. The high correlation of Cu and Pb content with Ca content in stem and leaves, used as a proxy for different transpiration rates under different growing seasons, indicated a possible uptake of these metals through Ca-nonselective cation channels as a drought stress defence. Lower Cu and Pb concentration were found in early-ripening melon fruit cultivated in spring. Conclusions: To the scope of Cu and Pb risk management, in case of significant contamination in Mediterranean calcareous soils, the use of early-ripening Cucumis melo L. cultivars in place of late-ripening ones is suggested.
A Review of UK-Registered and Candidate Vaccines for Bovine Respiratory Disease

Vaccination is widely regarded as a cornerstone in animal or herd health and infectious disease management. Nineteen vaccines against the major pathogens implicated in bovine respiratory disease are registered for use in the UK by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). However, despite annual prophylactic vaccination, bovine respiratory disease is still conservatively estimated to cost the UK economy approximately £80 million per annum. This review examines the vaccine types available, discusses the surrounding literature and scientific rationale of the limitations and assesses the potential of novel vaccine technologies.
An Integrated System for Urban Parks Touring and Management

Urban parks are important recreational spaces of environmental interest for citizens and city visitors. Targeted and attractive promotion of these areas can help develop alternative forms of “green tourism” and increase environmental awareness among citizens, which is particularly important and vital for the future of the planet. New technologies are a key tool for improving the experience of touring urban parks, as they can make the tour much more attractive by highlighting interesting information about the flora and fauna of the park, as well as various other points of interest. This paper presents an integrated system based on augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and data analytics methodologies, comprising both mobile and web applications, focusing on urban parks touring and management, respectively. Through the mobile app for the park visitors, an attractive, interactive touring environment is created which highlights the environmental and historical interest of those areas. At the same time, the web applications for the park managers receive and analyze visitor data to help improve the visitor experience and the overall quality of the park. Finally, the developed integrated system is evaluated to ensure that it meets all user requirements and that its usability and functional components satisfy both groups of potential users, i.e., park visitors and park managers.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Type B Gelatin and Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles: Potential Applications as Bioactive Molecule Carriers and Cell-Penetrating Agents

Gelatin and chitosan nanoparticles have been widely used in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and nanofood applications due to their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study proposed a highly efficient synthesis method for type B gelatin and low-molecular-weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles. Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesized by the double desolvation method and the chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) by the ionic gelation method. The sizes of the obtained CNPs and GNPs (373 ± 71 nm and 244 ± 67 nm, respectively) and zeta potential (+36.60 ± 3.25 mV and −13.42 ± 1.16 mV, respectively) were determined via dynamic light scattering. Morphology and size were verified utilizing SEM and TEM images. Finally, their biocompatibility was tested to assure their potential applicability as bioactive molecule carriers and cell-penetrating agents.
Tunable Spacing Dual-Wavelength Q-Switched Fiber Laser Based on Tunable FBG Device

A tunable spacing dual-wavelength Q-switched fiber laser is experimentally demonstrated based on a fiber Bragg grating tunable device incorporated in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). The system utilizes two identical fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) at 1547.1 nm origin to enable two laser lines operation. The wavelength separations between two laser lines are controlled by fixing one of the FBGs while applying mechanical stretch and compression to the other one, using a fiber Bragg grating tunable device. The seven steps of wavelength spacing could be tuned from 0.3344 to 0.0469 nm spacing. Pulse characteristics for both close and wide spacing of dual-wavelength Q-switched fiber laser are successfully being recorded. The findings demonstrate the latest idea of dual-wavelength fiber laser based on FBG tunable device, which offers a wide range of future applications.
Multicenter Evaluation of Rapid BACpro® II for the Accurate Identification of Microorganisms Directly from Blood Cultures Using MALDI-TOF MS

The identification of microorganisms directly from blood cultures using MALDI-TOF MS has been shown to be the most impacting application of this methodology. In this study, a novel commercial method was evaluated in four clinical microbiology laboratories. Positive blood culture samples (n = 801) were processed using a rapid BACpro® II kit and then compared with the routine gold standard. A subset of monomicrobial BCs (n = 560) were analyzed in parallel with a Sepsityper® Kit (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) and compared with the rapid BACpro® II kit. In addition, this kit was also compared with two different in-house methods. Overall, 80.0% of the monomicrobial isolates (609/761; 95% CI 71.5–88.5) were correctly identified by the rapid BACpro® II kit at the species level (92.3% of the Gram negative and 72.4% of the Gram positive bacteria). The comparison with the Sepsityper® Kit showed that the rapid BACpro® II kit generated higher rates of correct species-level identification for all categories (p > 0.0001), except for yeasts identified with score values > 1.7. It also proved superior to the ammonium chloride method (p > 0.0001), but the differential centrifugation method allowed for higher rates of correct identification for Gram negative bacteria (p > 0.1). The percentage of accurate species-level identification of Gram positive bacteria was particularly noteworthy in comparison with other commercial and in-house methods.
A New Model for Calculating the Input Impedance of Coax-Fed Circular Microstrip Antennas with and Without Air Gaps

A new model is presented for calculating the input impedance of a probe-fed circular antenna with and without air gaps between the substrate and the ground plane. It is based on the cavity model, the dynamic permittivity constant (to take into account the in- fluence of the fringing field at the edge of radiating element), and the resonant parallel R -L -C circuit with an inductive reactance. Numerical results are compared with experimental ones. This model is well suited for computer-aided design.
Feasibility and commercial viability issues for high-power output multiplexers for space applications

The objective of this paper is to address the issues related to the commercial viability of employing high-power high-temperature superconductor (HTS) filters and multiplexers for communication satellites. Experimental results are presented for fully integrated contiguous HTS manifold-coupled output multiplexers. Both hybrid dielectric-resonator HTS filters as well as planar HTS filters are used to construct these multiplexers. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the cooling load of HTS high-power multiplexers, and describes how it varies with the achievable filter Q and the type of I/O RF cables. It also demonstrates the role that the I/O RF cables play in determining the cooling load of HTS subsystems.
Shifts in Sources of Food but Stable Nutritional Outcomes among Children in the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), State governments, and school districts took unprecedented steps to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on students’ nutrition. To examine the effect of emergency responses on 6-year-old children’s nutritional outcomes, this study analyzed longitudinal data from a national study of children’s feeding practices, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (WIC ITFPS-2). Findings include no differences in food insecurity prevalence; however, there were shifts in sources of food, with children in the post-COVID-emergency-declaration (post-ED) group consuming more dietary energy from stores and community food programs and less from restaurants and schools than children in the pre-COVID-emergency-declaration (pre-ED) group (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Examination of within-person mean differences in 2015 Healthy Eating Index scores and nutrient intakes between ages 5 and 6 years revealed few statistically significant differences between the two groups: children in the post-ED group consumed slightly fewer vegetables (p = 0.02) and less sodium (p = 0.01) than their pre-ED peers. Findings suggest emergency efforts to maintain children’s nutrition were largely successful in the early months of the pandemic. Research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which emergency efforts contributed to these findings.
Effects of L. plantarum HY7715 on the Gut Microbial Community and Riboflavin Production in a Three-Stage Semi-Continuous Simulated Gut System

Probiotics should be well established in the gut, passing through the digestive tract with a high degree of viability, and produce metabolites that improve the gut environment by interacting with the gut microbiome. Our previous study revealed that the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY7715 strain shows good bile acid resistance and a riboflavin production capacity. To confirm the interaction between HY7715 and gut microbiome, we performed a metabolite and microbiome study using a simulated gut system (SGS) that mimics the intestinal environment. Changes in the microbiome were confirmed and compared with L. plantarum NCDO1752 as the control. After 14 days, the HY7715 treatment group showed a relatively high butyrate content compared to the control group, which showed increased acetate and propionate concentrations. Moreover, the riboflavin content was higher in the HY7715 treatment group, whereas the NCDO1752 treatment group produced only small amounts of riboflavin during the treatment period and showed a tendency to decrease during the washout stage; however, the HY7715 group produced riboflavin continuously in the ascending colon during the washout period. A correlation analysis of the genus that increased as the content of riboflavin increased revealed butyrate-producing microorganisms, such as Blautia and Flavonifractor. In conclusion, treatment with L. plantarum HY7715 induced the production and maintenance of riboflavin and the enrichment of the intestinal microbiome
Wideband single-fed circularly polarised patch antenna

A novel circularly polarised (CP), single-fed microstrip antenna is presented. The antenna consists of a stacked structure of almost square patches. The proposed design has a reduced antenna size compared to the conventional CP microstrip antenna at a given operating frequency. The impedance and axial ratio bandwidths are large and CP radiation quality is excellent over the entire upper hemisphere. The proposed antenna is suitable for global positioning system (GPS) applications.
Evaluation and Testing Platform for Automotive LiDAR Sensors

The world is facing a great technological transformation towards full autonomous vehicles, where optimists predict that by 2030, autonomous vehicles will be sufﬁciently reliable, affordable and common to displace most human driving. To cope with these trends, reliable perception systems must enable vehicles to hear and see all the surroundings, being light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors a key instrument for recreating a 3D visualization of the world in real time. However, perception systems must rely in accurate measurements of the environment. Thus, sensors must be calibrated and benchmarked before being placed on the market or assembled in a car. This article presents an Evaluation and Testing Platform for Automotive LiDAR sensors with the main goal of testing not only commercially available sensors, but also sensor prototypes currently under development in Bosch Automotive Electronics division. The testing system can benchmark any LiDAR sensor under different conditions, recreating the expected driving environment to which such devices are normally subjected. To characterize and validate the sensor under test, the platform evaluates several parameters such as the ﬁeld of view (FoV), angular resolution, sensor’s range, etc. This project results from a partnership between the University of Minho and Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal, S.A.