Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, and its high extraction rate and industrial use make human exposure very common. As Al may be a human toxicant, it is important to investigate the effects of Al exposure, mainly at low doses and for prolonged periods, by simulating human exposure. This work aimed to study the effects of low-dose exposure to chloride aluminum (AlCl3) on the oxidative biochemistry, proteomic profile, and morphology of the major salivary glands. Wistar male rats were exposed to 8.3 mg/kg/day of AlCl3 via intragastric gavage for 60 days. Then, the parotid and submandibular glands were subjected to biochemical assays, proteomic evaluation, and histological analysis. Al caused oxidative imbalance in both salivary glands. Dysregulation of protein expression, mainly of those related to cytoarchitecture, energy metabolism and glandular function, was detected in both salivary glands. Al also promoted histological alterations, such as acinar atrophy and an increase in parenchymal tissue. Prolonged exposure to Al, even at low doses, was able to modulate molecular alterations associated with morphological impairments in the salivary glands of rats. From this perspective, prolonged Al exposure may be a risk to exposed populations and their oral health.
Aussie teens and kids online

Examines how young people are now engaging online, the devices they use and the services and activities that draw them online. Summary The internet is an integral part of the lives of young people in Australia, with most going online regularly to learn, keep in touch with friends and have fun. Born into an already web-connected world, many teens have been using the internet for the majority of their lives and fear not having access to the digital environment. This research snapshot provides an update to 'Aussie teens online' released by the ACMA in July 2014, and highlights how young people are now engaging online, the devices they use and the services and activities that draw them online. Understanding the levels of online engagement by young people is the first step in exploring related issues such as trust and online safety, themes that will be developed in future research. So, what do teens do on the internet, how have things changed, and how does their behaviour online compare to adult Australians?
Research on an Urban Low-Altitude Target Detection Method Based on Image Classification

With the expansion of the civil UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) market, UAVs are also increasingly being used in illegal activities such as espionage and snooping on privacy. Therefore, how to effectively control the activities of UAVs in cities has become an urgent problem to be solved. Considering the urban background and the radar performance of communication signals, a low-altitude target detection scheme based on 5G base stations is proposed in this paper. A 5G signal is used as the external radiation source, the method of transceiver separation is adopted, and the forward-scattered waves are used to complete the detection of UAV. This paper mainly analyzes the principle of forward scattering detection in an urban environment, where the forward-scattered wave of a target is stronger than the backward-reflected wave and contains both height difference and midline height information on the target. Based on the above theory, this paper proposes a forward-scattered wave recognition algorithm based on YOLOv3-FCWImageNet, which transforms the forward-scattered wave recognition problem into a target detection problem and accomplishes the recognition of forward-scattered waves by using the excellent performance of algorithms in the field of image recognition. Simulation results show that FCWImageNet can distinguish two different low-altitude targets effectively, and realize the monitoring and classification of UAVs.
Designing Concrete And Concrete Structures For Sustainable Development

The unprecedented changes that have occurred in the world and society during the latter half of this century have placed insatiable demands on the construction industry in terms of the world's material and energy resources. In this complex world scenario, infrastructure regeneration and rehabilitation, and cement and concrete materials have an undeniable part to play in enhancing the quality of human life. If we are to avoid unredeemable environmental degradation globally, sustainable development of the cement and concrete industry has to be the foundation for all construction activity in the next millennium. This approach demands that cementitious materials are manufactured for durability rather than for strength, and that pozzolanic and other industrial cementitious byproducts are seen as vital and essential constituents of concrete. However, sustainability in the construction industry will remain a pipedream unless design for specified durable service life is the basis for all future construction. This would demand a fundamental change in our DESIGN approach which should be HOLISTIC integrating material characteristics and structural performance.
The Impact of Human Rights Reporting and Presentation Formats on Non-Professional Investors’ Perceptions and Intentions to Invest

Compared to other types of sustainability information, it remains uncommon for companies to report human rights information, and critics argue that when companies do report, they often report opportunistically. This is problematic as non-professional investors may rely on this information when making investment decisions. In this study, we use an experiment to examine how non-professional investors react to human rights information presented in varying formats (i.e., numerical, graphs, qualitative) compared to no reporting. Consistent with our expectations, we find that when information is positive, participants do not react to qualitative information. However, they react positively to numerical and graphical information and seem to use a less critical mindset when processing this type of information, which is associated in the literature with an “aura” of accuracy, objectivity, and neutrality. This is problematic because, similar to what is often the case in reality, participants had no certainty about the accuracy of the information. Further, when information is less positive, participants do not react to numerical or graphical information, but they do react negatively to qualitative information, which is more vague and may be perceived as companies trying to obfuscate less positive performance. We offer a critical discussion of our results.
HybridGP: Global Placement for Hybrid-Row-Height Designs*

Conventional global placement algorithms typically assume that all cell rows in a design have the same height. Nevertheless, a design making use of standard cells with short-row height, tall-row height, and double-row (short plus tall) height can provide a better sweet spot for performance and area co-optimization in advanced nodes. In this paper, we assume for a hybrid-row-height design, its placement region is composed of both tall rows and short rows, and a cell library containing multiple versions of each cell in the design is provided. We present a new analytical global placer, HybridGP, for such hybrid-row-height designs. Furthermore, we assume that a subset of cells with sufficient timing slacks is given so that we may change their versions without overall timing degradation if desired. Our approach considers the usage of short-row and tall-row resources and exploits the flexibility of cell version change to facilitate the subsequent legalization stage. Augmented with an identical legalizer for final placement legalization, we compared HybridGP with a conventional global placer. The experimental results show that legalized placement solutions of much better quality can be obtained in less run time with HybridGP.
The Investigation of Adoption of Voice-User Interface (VUI) in Smart Home Systems among Chinese Older Adults

Driven by advanced voice interaction technology, the voice-user interface (VUI) has gained popularity in recent years. VUI has been integrated into various devices in the context of the smart home system. In comparison with traditional interaction methods, VUI provides multiple benefits. VUI allows for hands-free and eyes-free interaction. It also enables users to perform multiple tasks while interacting. Moreover, as VUI is highly similar to a natural conversation in daily lives, it is intuitive to learn. The advantages provided by VUI are particularly beneficial to older adults, who suffer from decreases in physical and cognitive abilities, which hinder their interaction with electronic devices through traditional methods. However, the factors that influence older adults’ adoption of VUI remain unknown. This study addresses this research gap by proposing a conceptual model. On the basis of the technology adoption model (TAM) and the senior technology adoption model (STAM), this study considers the characteristic of VUI and the characteristic of older adults through incorporating the construct of trust and aging-related characteristics (i.e., perceived physical conditions, mobile self-efficacy, technology anxiety, self-actualization). A survey was designed and conducted. A total of 420 Chinese older adults participated in this survey, and they were current or potential users of VUI. Through structural equation modeling, data were analyzed. Results showed a good fit with the proposed conceptual model. Path analysis revealed that three factors determine Chinese older adults’ adoption of VUI: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust. Aging-related characteristics also influence older adults’ adoption of VUI, but they are mediated by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust. Specifically, mobile self-efficacy is demonstrated to positively influence trust and perceived ease of use but negatively influence perceived usefulness. Self-actualization exhibits positive influences on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Technology anxiety only exerts influence on perceived ease of use in a marginal way. No significant influences of perceived physical conditions were found. This study extends the TAM and STAM by incorporating additional variables to explain Chinese older adults’ adoption of VUI. These results also provide valuable implications for developing suitable VUI for older adults as well as planning actionable communication strategies for promoting VUI among Chinese older adults.
An Assessment of Employee Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude towards Organizational Cybersecurity in Cameroon

In our increasingly digitized and interconnected society, people are poorly protected against cyberthreats, with the main reason being user behavior. Human behavior and actions are unpredictable in nature and this make human an important element and enabler of cybersecurity. The objective of the study is promotion of adoption of non-technical countermeasures (such as user awareness) for a comprehensive and holistic way to manage cyber security in organizations in Cameroon. We conducted a subjective study to measure the level of employees’ knowledge and general awareness, risky behavior they engage in, and attitude toward various aspects of cybersecurity and cyberthreats to show the need for user education, training, and awareness. For the study described in this paper, a self-report questionnaire was developed and data were collected from 214 participants. The results of a descriptive statistic percentage indicated that less than 50% of respondents have completed or has regular training program. We find that over 61% of the participants do not have sufficient knowledge of their organization cyber security policies. Among other findings, the over 60% of employees’ mistakes or violations of security policy are not disciplined or penalized is a demonstration of lack of legal status of cyber-attacks. Cyber resilience in any organization is a responsibility shared by both management and employees. Proactive human management element that can actively hunt for malicious activity and indicators of compromise is recommended.
Imaging of vitreous cortex hyalocyte dynamics using non-confocal quadrant-detection adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy in human subjects.

Vitreous cortex hyalocytes are resident macrophage cells that help maintain the transparency of the media, provide immunosurveillance, and respond to tissue injury and inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate the use of non-confocal quadrant-detection adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) to non-invasively visualize the movement and morphological changes of the hyalocyte cell bodies and processes over 1-2 hour periods in the living human eye. The average velocity of the cells 0.52 ± 0.76 µm/min when sampled every 5 minutes and 0.23 ± 0.29 µm/min when sampled every 30 minutes, suggesting that the hyalocytes move in quick bursts. Understanding the behavior of these cells under normal physiological conditions may lead to their use as biomarkers or suitable targets for therapy in eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, preretinal fibrosis and glaucoma.
DENOISING ACOUSTIC EMISSION SIGNAL USING WAVELET TRANSFORMS FOR DETERMINING THE MICRO CRACK LOCATION INSIDE OF CONCRETE

Acoustic emission (AE) technique is developed to locate source of damage inside of concrete. However, the AE signal is interfered by much noise, which makes the determination of first time amplitude of AE signal is hard to be carried out. In fact, the determination of this parameter is a significant part for locating the source of damage in concrete. Therefore, one of the denoising methods called wavelet based denoising is proposed. In this case, some wavelet bases function are investigated to find out the proper wavelet bases function to perform the denoising of AE Signal. From the experimental data, the best wavelet basis function for this case is Coiflet, which is shown by providing the best SNR than the other wavelet families. In addition, the determining cracks locations on concrete can be performed easier on denoised AE signal than on noisy AE signal.
Unstable Identities: The Decline of Partisanship in Contemporary Chile

Between 1990 and 2018 Chile experienced one of Latin America’s most dramatic declines in party identification, from 80% in the early 1990s to under 20% in 2016. This decline seems puzzling given a highly institutionalized and programmatic party system, and low levels of ideological convergence. This paper argues that, to a large extent, the decrease in partisanship can be understood as a consequence of the erosion of the main political cleavage that articulated the political landscape throughout this period: the dissolution of the conflict between the supporters of the previous military regime (1973–1990) and the advocates of democracy. Because this conflict was the key driver of political identities following the dictatorship, as it faded overtime, particularly after conservative parties distanced themselves from the military regime for electoral reasons, partisans lost an important reason to feel attached to political parties. More broadly, the paper argues that unless political identities are continually reinforced by political actors, they are unlikely to remain stable sources of identification.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and Interstitial Lung Disease: A Scoping Review

Background: Deregulated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation is implicated in various diseases, including ANCA-associated vasculitis and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Lung involvement is frequent in AAV, and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are strongly related to MPO-ANCA positivity and mainly reported in microscopic polyangiitis. The association between AAV and ILD is a strong indicator of poor prognosis and limited survival. Neutrophils, ANCA and NET interplay in PF development in AAV. This study aimed to review the literature concerning the implications of NET in lung fibrogenesis specifically focused on AAV associated with ILD, and the potential of NET as a theranostic marker. Methods: Through scoping review methodology, we used a descriptive thematic analysis to understand the pathogenic role of NETs in patients with AAV and pulmonary fibrosis and their further role as a theranostic marker of this disease. Results: The implications of NET in the pathogenesis of AAV and ILD, as well as an association between these two diseases, have been identified, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are still unknown. The pharmacological or genetic inhibition of NET release reduces disease severity in multiple inflammatory disease models, indicating that NETs are potential therapeutic targets. In this regard, despite the lack of clinical data, we may hypothesise that an optimal management of AAV-ILD patients would require not only B-cells targeted therapy, but also NETs inhibition. Conclusion: Preliminary findings seem to display a lack of efficacy of traditional immunosuppressants, such as Rituximab, in this subset of patients, while to date no patients suffering from a definite ILD have been enrolled in clinical trials. Further insights would be provided by their employment, as a combination treatment, in common clinical practice. Although we can imagine that the inhibition of NETs in patients with AAV-ILD could reduce severity and mortality, we still lack the scientific basis that could improve our understanding of the disease from a molecular point of view.
Modeling standing, walking and rolling skills for physics-based character animation

Physics-based character simulation is an important open problem with potential applications in robotics and biomechanics and computer animation for films and games. In this thesis we develop controllers for the real-time simulation of several motion skills, including standing balance, walking, forward rolling, and lateral rolling on the ground. These controllers are constructed from a common set of components. We demonstrate that the combination of a suitable vocabulary of components and optimization has the potential to model a variety of skills.
LS1: electrical engineering upgrades and consolidation

Compared to past shutdowns, the Engineering Department Electrical Engineering (EN-EL) Group’s activity volume will be multiplied by about four during LS1. The Group is experienced in handling such situations and will cope with this by transferring manpower from studies to worksite supervision and thanks to its subcontractors who know how to increase their manpower in such a manner as to maintain a good level of professionalism. EN-EL is substantially increasing its resources to cope with this workload. This increase in resources is, however, limited by the management capacity of EN-EL’s core staff. As a consequence, not all of the requested activities will be possible and prioritization will be necessary. This paper details the upgrades and the consolidation to be carried out during LS1 and the measures taken by EN-EL to cope with this heavy workload.
Evolutionary multi-objective route and fleet assignment optimisation for regular and non-regular flights

To optimise the flight schedule that consists of: 1) the regular flight operated on the same day and time through one year; 2) the non-regular flight operated on the different day and time according to month, this paper proposes the new multi-objective fleet assignment method that considers both the regular and non-regular flights. To investigate the effectiveness of our method, this paper applies it to Japanese domestic airport network optimisation for two months, on- and off-peak months, using a real-world data. The intensive simulation have revealed that the following implications: 1) our method can evolve a flight network that can be applied into the on- and off-peak month; 2) our method can find a flight network that has a well-balanced profit between on- and off-peak months; 3) in peak month, our method can find a flight network that has higher profit.
Mental Health Issues in Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Review of the Nepalese Nursing Curricula

Background: Mental health is a difficult public health topic to talk about making it hard for frontline health workers especially countries like in Nepal. General Nurses are providing maternal and mental health care due to lack of midwives and specialist mental health nurses. Aim: This is the first study of this kind to review curricula on mental health components of pre-registration nursing training in Nepal. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of the nursing curricula on mental health and maternity care issues in Nepal. We reviewed 10 Nursing curricula of different levels of nursing. Content analysis tool was used to extract mental health related words or concepts to analyze the nursing curriculum. Findings: There is basic material included on both mental health and maternity care but nothing or little on the combination of the two topics. There appears to be a need for more communication skill, teaching and counseling at all levels of nursing. The nursing training need to focus on competency based and evidence based practice as successful strategies for perinatal mental health care. There is a great need for a curriculum to facilitate relevant training in Nepal.
Disentangling the separate and confounding effects of temperature and precipitation on global maize yield using machine learning, statistical and process crop models

Temperature impacts on crop yield are known to be dependent on concurrent precipitation conditions and vice versa. To date, their confounding effects, as well as the associated uncertainties, are not well quantified at the global scale. Here, we disentangle the separate and confounding effects of temperature and precipitation on global maize yield under 25 climate scenarios. Instead of relying on a single type of crop model, as pursued in most previous impact assessments, we utilize machine learning, statistical and process-based crop models in a novel approach that allows for reasonable inter-method comparisons and uncertainty quantifications. Through controlling precipitation, an increase in warming of 1 °C could cause a global yield loss of 6.88%, 4.86% or 5.61% according to polynomial regression, long short-term memory (LSTM) and process-based crop models, respectively. With a 10% increase in precipitation, such negative temperature effects could be mitigated by 3.98%, 1.05% or 3.10%, respectively. When temperature is fixed at the baseline level, a 10% increase in precipitation alone could lead to a global yield growth of 0.23%, 1.43% or 3.09% according to polynomial regression, LSTM and process-based crop models, respectively. Further analysis demonstrates substantial uncertainties in impact assessment across crop models, which show a larger discrepancy in predicting temperature impacts than precipitation effects. Overall, global-scale assessment is more uncertain under drier conditions than under wet conditions, while a diverse uncertainty pattern is found for the top ten maize producing countries. This study highlights the important role of climate interactions in regulating yield response to changes in a specific climate factor and emphasizes the value of using both machine learning, statistical and process crop models in a consistent manner for a more realistic estimate of uncertainty than would be provided by a single type of model.