Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activating Self-Transcendence Values to Promote Prosocial Behaviors among Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Positive Orientation

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected people’s health, daily routine, and behaviors. Its effects have been most pronounced for the youngest and oldest generations. Their daily lives have completely changed throughout the pandemic. Self-transcendence values and positive orientation could facilitate optimal adjustment to this situation by promoting prosociality. The present study aimed to discover if applying a new, web-based intervention could activate self-transcendence values in a group of Italian adolescents, fostering COVID-19 prosocial behaviors while also considering the role of positive orientation. The study adopted a longitudinal, web-based, and quasi-experimental design. One hundred and forty adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age were involved in the study two times (T1-T2). Participants were assigned to an intervention or control group. All participants completed the self-transcendence subscale extracted from the 21-item Portrait Values Questionnaire, the Positive Orientation Scale, and the COVID-19 Prosocial Experiences Scale. The results showed that adolescents’ self-transcendence values and positive orientation were positively associated with COVID-19 prosociality. However, the relationship between self-transcendence values and COVID-19 prosocial behaviors was significantly more robust in the intervention group. Finally, a three-way interaction (self-transcendence*group*positive orientation) emerged as significant. For the intervention group, the effect of self-transcendence values on COVID-19 prosocial behaviors was significant only for adolescents who reported a strong positive orientation. Limitations of the study, future research developments, and practical implications are discussed.
Shifting from saying to doing: Evaluation of an environmental course designed to create environmental change agents

iv CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2: Literature Review 4 Behavior Theory 5 Stages of Change Transtheoretical Model 5 Theory of Planned Behavior 6 Social Cognitive Theory 8 Precaution Adoption Process Model 9 Summary of Behavior Theory 11 Therapeutic Models 11 Group Psychotherapy 11 Psychoeducation Therapy 13 Behavior Therapy 14 CHAPTER 3: Environmental Education and Course Development 17 Introduction to Environmental Education Programs 17 Structure of Program Course 18 CHAPTER 4: Methods 30 Criteria for Program Group 31 Criteria for Comparison Group 32 Evaluation Design 34 Survey Criteria 35
CCL21 and IP10 as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background Although the significance of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of SLE is well established, the findings showed diversity and implied that combining different biomarkers could be useful in monitoring disease activity or organ involvement. Despite the potentially high prevalence of lung involvement in SLE, only a few studies have investigated for lung biomarkers. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the value of Chemokine Ligand 21 (CCL 21) and Interferon gamma–induced protein 10 (IP10) as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in SLE and their correlation with disease activity, organ involvement, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and chest CT findings. Materials and methods Sixty SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled into this study. All patients underwent serological tests, PFTs, and chest CT examination. The serum levels of CCL21 and IP10 were analyzed, and their correlations with PFTs and CT were explored. Results SLE patients with pulmonary involvement had higher serum CCL21 and IP10 levels compared to those without pulmonary involvement which in turn had higher levels than the controls. There were strong negative correlations between CCL21 and IP10 and FEV1, FVC, and DLCO. There were also strong correlations between both biomarkers and HRCT and pulmonary damage, but no correlation with other disease manifestations. Serum level of 2095 pg/mL for CCL21 and 7185 pg/mL for IP10 could detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 94.1%. Both biomarkers performed equally well in detecting SLE pulmonary involvement with a strong agreement between them (κ = 0.86, p < .001), but CCL21 was better correlated with PFT abnormalities. Conclusion Both CCL21 and IP10 are serum biomarkers to detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with high sensitivity and specificity. CCL21 correlates better with PFT abnormalities.
Sub-Nanosecond Digital Signal Processing of Photomultiplier Tube Response Enabling Multiphoton Counting in Raman Spectroscopy

This paper introduces a novel approach to achieve multiple photon counting for Raman spectroscopy. The multiphoton counting process is made possible by recording and analyzing the photomultiplier tube response to each pulse of a pulsed laser in a time-resolved Raman spectroscopy system. Conventional Raman spectroscopy typically considers photon arrivals as binary events assessed by a single threshold. Hence, the conventional algorithm ignores the fact that multiple photons could arrive within the same response, sacrificing potential signal gain. In this work, a high-speed data acquisition system and multiple threshold digital signal processing counting algorithm are employed to facilitate multiphoton counting, a data processing approach that differentiates photon arrival events by amplitude and time and contributes to improved Raman detection sensitivity. The multiphoton counting algorithm enables lower concentration detection, greater sensitivity, shortens experiment duration, and improves noise rejection. Results from analyses of aqueous solutions of nitrate, isopropanol, and rhodamine 6G demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of this algorithm. The algorithm increased system sensitivity by ∼ 2.0-, 2.0-, and 3.1-fold, compared to traditional single-threshold analyses of the same data for tests performed on nitrate, isopropanol, and rhodamine 6G, respectively. Results also demonstrated that the multiphoton counting algorithm increases the upper analysis limit for high Raman-yield compounds, shifting the saturation threshold to a higher concentration in typical concentration versus intensity calibration curves. Graphical Abstract
Factors affecting reductions in dietary salt consumption in people of Chinese descent: An integrative review

Abstract Aims To identify and synthesize the evidence on the perceptions of the health effects of dietary salt consumption and barriers to sustaining a salt‐reduced diet for hypertension in Chinese people. Design A systematic integrated review integrating quantitative and qualitative studies using the PRISMA guidelines. Data sources Three databases, MEDLINE, PubMed and CINAHL, were systematically searched for articles published between January 2001 and July 2020. Review methods The quality of the included studies was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools for cross‐sectional and qualitative studies. Descriptive analysis and constant comparison methods were used to analyse the extracted data. Results Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The synthesized results identified that (i) adequate salt‐related health education had a positive influence on dietary behaviour modifications, (ii) the level of educational exposure to the health benefits of salt reduction influenced Chinese people's perceptions of the health impact associated with high salt intake, (iii) the complexity of salt measurement was a barrier to salt reduction, (iv) salt reduction is a challenge to Chinese food culture, and (v) Chinese migrants may experience linguistic and cultural challenges when they seek appropriate dietary education and advice for hypertension management in their host countries. Conclusion There is room for improvement in recognizing and translating the knowledge of salt‐related health issues and the benefits of that knowledge about salt reduction into action. Future nursing interventions should incorporate individuals' cultural needs and the dietary culture of immediate family members. Impact This integrative review reveals that unique Chinese customs and practices reduce the effectiveness of salt reduction campaigns. The effects of education vanish without family support, resulting in suboptimal adherence to dietary salt reduction strategies.
Single utility port approach in robot‐assisted sleeve segmentectomy for bronchial carcinoid tumor

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are low‐grade malignant and lung‐sparing surgery is preferred for the removal of these tumors. We describe a surgical technique of robot‐assisted sleeve segmentectomy via single utility port approach with three robotic arms. This operation was performed in an aged patient with decreased pulmonary function, whose carcinoid tumor was located at the origin of the right superior segmental bronchus. A 1.5‐cm incision was performed in the eighth intercostal space of the midaxillary line and another 4‐cm incision was made in the fifth intercostal space of the anterior axillary line. Postoperative recovery of the patient was smooth without postoperative complications.
BodySLAM: Localization and Mapping for Surgical Guidance

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), as opposed to open surgery, reduces patient trauma and post-operative discomfort. Unfortunately, when a surgeon adopts MIS for a procedure, he or she loses the direct view of the operation that is expected with open surgery. To overcome this loss of situational awareness, one technique is to display a 3D rendered visualization of the operation on a computer screen in the operating room (OR), which is a method referred to as image-guidance. Unfortunately, existing image-guidance systems can be inaccurate due to registration error and tool tracking error. In this thesis, we are introducing novel filtering algorithms that are aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art in image-guided surgery. Our approach is to use stochastic models and nonlinear filtering to recursively estimate the configuration of a surgical robot during MIS. Then, using a novel inequality constrained Kalman filtering algorithm, we recursively adjust shape and registration parameters during an operation to improve the accuracy of surgical guidance. To account for situations in which the robot is interacting forcefully with a flexible surface, we then apply an equality constrained filtering algorithm that corrects the state and accounts for surface deformation. Lastly, to improve the representation of organs during image-guidance, we use a novel feature mapping algorithm based on Fourier series parameters to estimate the motion of periodically moving visually detected features. Our overall approach relates to the mobile robot problem called simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), which investigates the problem of incrementally constructing an environment map with a mobile robot while simultaneously localizing the robot in the map. Due to the fact that our algorithm specifically applies to surgical estimation within the body, we have named our overall approach BodySLAM. We have performed bench-top and live animal experiments to validate our algorithms and to demonstrate that this work has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficacy of image-guided robotic surgery.
Epigenetic reprogramming in cloned mouse embryos following treatment with DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors

Abstract We examined the effects of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor – RG108, and histone deacetylase inhibitor – SAHA, on the reprogramming parameters of cloned mouse embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer into oocytes. The programming parameters studied included dynamics of histone reacetylation, developmental rate, DNA methylation, and transcript levels of genes, all of which are pivotal to lineage specification and blastocyst formation. At the pronuclear stage, somatic nucleus-transplanted oocytes treated with 5 µM SAHA presented higher histone acetylation at H3K9, H3K14, H4K16 and H4K12, compared to untreated clones (p < 0.05). At the morula stage, cloned embryos treated with 5 μM RG108 or 5 μM SAHA presented lower DNA methylation intensity compared to untreated clones (p < 0.05), resembling the intensity levels of fertilized embryos. However, these effects were not observed when RG108 and SAHA were used in combination. The rate of morula formation was significantly higher in cloned embryos treated with 5 µM SAHA than in untreated clones, whereas treatment with RG108 resulted in no obvious effects on morula formation rates. On the other hand, the combined treatment with RG108 and SAHA resulted in inferior rates of cloned morula formation, compared to untreated clones. At the blastocyst stage, the aberrant expression levels of key developmental genes Oct4 and Cdx2, but not Nanog, were corrected in cloned embryos by the treatment with RG108. This is similar to the intensity levels seen in fertilized embryos. The expression of Rpl7l1 gene was significantly higher in embryos treated with both RG108 and SAHA than in untreated and in control groups. In summary, the present study showed that SAHA and RG108, when applied separately, improve the rate and quality of cloned mouse embryos.
Fire‐released seed dormancy ‐ a global synthesis

Seed dormancy varies greatly between species, clades, communities, and regions. We propose that fireprone ecosystems create ideal conditions for the selection of seed dormancy as fire provides a mechanism for dormancy release and postfire conditions are optimal for germination. Thus, fire‐released seed dormancy should vary in type and abundance under different fire regimes. To test these predictions, we compiled data from a wide range of fire‐related germination experiments for species in different ecosystems across the globe. We identified four dormancy syndromes: heat‐released (physical) dormancy, smoke‐released (physiological) dormancy, non‐fire‐released dormancy, and non‐dormancy. In fireprone ecosystems, fire, in the form of heat and/or chemical by‐products (collectively termed ‘smoke’), are the predominant stimuli for dormancy release and subsequent germination, with climate (cold or warm stratification) and light sometimes playing important secondary roles. Fire (heat or smoke)‐released dormancy is best expressed where woody vegetation is dense and fires are intense, i.e. in crown‐fire ecosystems. In such environments, seed dormancy allows shade‐intolerant species to take advantage of vegetation gaps created by fire and synchronize germination with optimal recruitment conditions. In grassy fireprone ecosystems (e.g. savannas), where fires are less intense but more frequent, seed dormancy is less common and dormancy release is often not directly related to fire (non‐fire‐released dormancy). Rates of germination, whether controls or postfire, are twice as fast in savannas than in mediterranean ecosystems. Fire‐released dormancy is rare to absent in arid ecosystems and rainforests. The seeds of many species with fire‐released dormancy also possess elaiosomes that promote ant dispersal. Burial by ants increases insulation of seeds from fires and places them in a suitable location for fire‐released dormancy. The distribution of these dormancy syndromes across seed plants is not random – certain dormancy types are associated with particular lineages (phylogenetic conservatism). Heat‐released dormancy can be traced back to fireprone floras in the ‘fiery’ mid‐Cretaceous, followed by smoke‐released dormancy, with loss of fire‐related dormancy among recent events associated with the advent of open savannas and non‐fireprone habitats. Anthropogenic influences are now modifying dormancy‐release mechanisms, usually decreasing the role of fire as exaptive effects. We conclude that contrasting fire regimes are a key driver of the evolution and maintenance of diverse seed dormancy types in many of the world's natural ecosystems.
Cryoelectron microscopy of Na+,K+-ATPase in the two E2P states with and without cardiotonic steroids

Significance The E2P state of Na+,K+-ATPase, in which the ATPase is phosphorylated and of low affinity to Na+ with the extracellular gate opened, shows different biochemical properties depending on whether the phosphate is transferred from ATP in the forward reaction or from inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the backward reaction. We present here cryoelectron microscopy structures of Na+,K+-ATPase in the two E2P states, explaining their different biochemical properties established a half century ago. The new electron microscopy maps show previously unseen structural features, including unexpected binding modes of cardiotonic steroids, specific and medically important inhibitors of the ATPase, and stabilization by ATP of the E2P state.
Sparsity promoting morphological decomposition for coherent noise suppression: Application to streamer vibration related noise

We address the signal and noise separation problem where the noise is coherent. We use a dictionary learning method to learn a dictionary of unit vectors called atoms; each one representing an elementary waveform redundant in the noisy data. In such a learned dictionary, some atoms represent signal waveforms while others represent noise waveforms. Using a multivariate Gaussian classifier trained on a noise recording, the atoms representing noise waveforms are discriminated and separated from the atoms representing seismic waveforms and two subdictionaries are created; one describing the morphology of the signal, the other describing the morphology of the noise. Using these sub-dictionaries, a morphological component analysis problem is set to separate the seismic signal and the coherent noise. In contrast to fixing transforms for representing the noise and the signal, our method is entirely adapting to the morphology of the signal and the noise. We present an application for removing streamer vibration related noise and show successful denoising results on synthetic and field data examples.
Fabrication, electrical characterization and 1/f noise study of submicron-sized superconducting tunnel junctions

Julin, Juhani Kristian Fabrication, electrical characterization and 1/f noise study of submicron-sized superconducting tunnel junctions Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2016 (Research report/Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä, ISSN 0075-465X; 8/2016) ISBN 978-951-39-6678-2 (paper copy) ISBN 978-951-39-6679-9 (online PDF) diss. This thesis presents results focused on fabrication and electrical characterization of superconducting tunnel junctions and Josephson junctions, e.g. measuring the current–voltage response and 1/f noise from different samples at different temperatures. Junctions were fabricated inside a vacuum chamber where metal evaporation through a resist mask was used to create submicron-sized junctions. The tunneling barrier was common between all different samples, i.e. in-situ oxidized aluminium between the metal depositions. Different material combinations were used, e.g. Al–AlOx–Al, Al–AlOx–Al:Mn and Al–AlOx–Nb. The manganese doping in aluminium (Al:Mn) suppresses the superconductivity making the Al:Mn parts normal, while pure aluminium is superconducting, creating a normal metal–insulator–superconductor (NIS) device. The qualities of junctions were improved, if possible, by vacuum thermal annealing at 400 ◦C, which was found both to stabilize aluminium and aluminium– manganese based junctions and to reduce the characteristic 1/f noise in them. These results are desired, since for most applications it is important to have a junction with stable parameters over long time and 1/f noise is limiting the sensitivity of many devices. However, the procedure is not for granted, since most other NIS material combinations didn’t survive the annealing treatment. We studied Al–AlOx–Nb junctions at cryogenic temperatures (≈ 100 mK) either as an SIS’ device, or as an NIS device by suppressing the superconductivity of aluminium with magnetic field, and observed excess sub-gap current, which could not be explained by standard tunneling theory with the Dynes model.
3D Ultrasound Shear Wave Imaging Simulation of Heterogeneous Tissue

Shear wave imaging can quantitatively measure tissue elasticity in vivo using a 2D algebraic Helmholtz inversion (AHI) equation. The 2D AHI equation reconstructs tissue elasticity by assuming that the shear wave diffraction in the elevational direction (out-of-plane direction) is not substantial. However, the application of 2D AHI equation is limited in assessing heterogeneous tissues, as the shear wave diffraction in the elevational direction critically affects the shear modulus reconstruction. A 3D AHI equation can improve the accuracy of shear modulus reconstruction for heterogeneous tissues. In this study, a finite element (FE) based shear wave simulation was performed on an early stage of cancer and an advanced cancer tissue model. The shear modulus of FE model computed by the proposed 3D AHI equation was compared to the 2D AHI equation. The 3D AHI equation substantially improved accuracy of shear modulus computation especially for the early stage of cancer model. The results from the shear modulus of inclusion by the 3D AHI equation produced the same as the input value of 150 kPa and two times lower variation than the shear modulus obtained by the 2D AHI equation.
Memorable Dining Experiences: Formative Index And Model Development

constructs, such as behavioral. This can be described as a “ladder of abstraction,” with more abstract concepts on top and more concrete descriptions on the bottom (Jüttner et al., 2013, p. 743). After answering questions from each dimension, respondents were presented with a series of “why” questions, which sought to uncover the reasons behind
Uplink optimal power allocation for heterogeneous multiuser SIMO SC-FDMA networks

Power allocation techniques for heterogeneous orthogonal frequency division multiple access networks have been well studied. However, due to the different structure of single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), these techniques are not applicable to networks employing SC-FDMA. Optimal uplink power allocation in multiuser heterogeneous single-input–multiple-output (SIMO) SC-FDMA cellular networks is considered. Users’ sum-rate maximisation problem with per-user transmit power constraint is formulated which is a non-linear non-convex problem. This problem is converted to convex optimisation problem and optimal power allocation scheme is derived. Simulations results demonstrate the performance gain of the optimal scheme over the equal power allocation scheme.
Methods for Assessing Competences in Higher Education: A Comparative Review

Abstract In this chapter, we compare five approaches for assessing competences of higher education graduates. We begin by outlining the main reasons for assessing higher education graduates’ competences. Next, we present a brief definition of competences. This definition is applied throughout the chapter, and forms the framework for comparing various approaches for measuring higher education graduates’ competences, and for discussing their relative strengths and weaknesses. We conclude that the existing approaches for assessing competences are suitable for measuring only one type of competence, that is, either cognitive or non-cognitive, but limited in their capacities to measure both. In the context of changing labor market needs and requirements, it is essential either to use these approaches in combination or to develop innovative methods which are equally suitable for measuring discipline-related as well as more generic competences. In this chapter, we discuss the assessment approaches by mainly focusing on employment-related competences. By employment-related competences we mean both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of competences, such as personal and social skills, leadership, and communication skills.