Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigations on Nano Titania - Polyacrylamide Composite Films

284 DOI: 10.37398/JSR.2022. 660130 Abstract: TiO2 nanoparticles (titania) filled polyacrylamide (PAM) based composite films were prepared by solution casting technique, with filler levels (FLs) varying from 0.0 up to 19.50 Wt%. Spectroscopic, thermal, and electrical properties of these composite films were experimentally studied. Optical studies revealed a decrease in optical band gap of TiO2 NPs filled PAM composite with increase in titania NP content in the composite, and also showed the formation of intermediate bands due to formation of CTCs. Thermal studies revealed that TiO2 NP filled PAM composite samples exhibited low value of Tg and improved thermal stability at low (0.02 and 0.4 Wt%) and moderate FLs. The samples were subjected to temperature dependent Direct current (DC) electrical measurements in the temperature range of 303K to 340K. Variable Range Hopping (VRH) model was used to analyze the data. Activation energy and mott parameters were determined from VRH model. Results revealed a decrease in activation energy for thermally stimulated mobility of charge carriers, and so the electrical conductivity increases at low FLs. SEM images revealed good dispersion of titania NPs in the polymeric (PAM) host material at low FLs (FL = 0.02 and 0.4 Wt%). EDS spectra indicated the existence of C, N, O, Ti elements as the constituents of the studied polymer composites.
COVID-19 epidemic curve in Brazil: a sum of multiple epidemics, whose inequality and population density in the states are correlated with growth rate and daily acceleration. An ecological study

ABSTRACT Background: The epidemic curve has been obtained based on the 7-day moving average of the events. Although it facilitates the visualization of discrete variables, it does not allow the calculation of the absolute variation rate. Recently, we demonstrated that the polynomial interpolation method can be used to accurately calculate the daily acceleration of cases and deaths due to COVID-19. This study aimed to measure the diversity of epidemic curves and understand the importance of socioeconomic variables in the acceleration, peak cases, and deaths due to COVID-19 in Brazilian states. Methods: Epidemiological data for COVID-19 from federative units in Brazil were obtained from the Ministry of Health’s website from February 25 to July 11, 2020. Socioeconomic data were obtained from the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (https://www.ibge.gov.br/). Using the polynomial interpolation methods, daily cases, deaths and acceleration were calculated. Moreover, the correlation coefficient between the epidemic curve data and socioeconomic data was determined. Results: The combination of daily data and case acceleration determined that Brazilian states were in different stages of the epidemic. Maximum case acceleration, peak of cases, maximum death acceleration, and peak of deaths were associated with the Gini index of the gross domestic product of Brazilian states and population density but did not correlate with the per capita gross domestic product of Brazilian states. Conclusions: Brazilian states showed heterogeneous data curves. Population density and socioeconomic inequality were correlated with a more rapid exponential growth in new cases and deaths.
Preschool Teachers’ Psychological Distress and Work Engagement during COVID-19 Outbreak: The Protective Role of Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation

COVID-19 has dramatically affected the mental health and work environment of the educational sector. Our primary aim was to investigate preschool teachers’ psychological distress and work engagement during the COVID-19 outbreak, while examining the possible protective role of participating in a mindfulness-based intervention geared to foster compassion (Call2Care-Israel for Teachers; C2C-IT) and emotion regulation. The prevalence of emotional distress, work engagement, and COVID-19 concerns were evaluated in 165 preschool teachers in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in Israel through questionnaires. The findings showed that preschool teachers experienced increased emotional distress. Teachers who had participated in the C2C-IT intervention six months before the pandemic outbreak (N = 41) reported lower emotional distress, higher use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies, and higher work engagement, compared to their counterparts that had not participated in the intervention (N = 124). Emotion regulation strategies mediated the link between participating in CTC-IT intervention and emotional distress and work engagement. Teaching is a highly demanding occupation, especially during a pandemic, thus making it important to invest resources in empowering this population. The findings here suggest that the implementation of a mindfulness-based intervention during the school year can enhance teachers’ well-being, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inter-municipal Co-operation: the Managerial Perspective of Local Authorities

The paper aims at contributing to the body of knowledge referred to Public Administrations co-operation. In particular, the research is focused on Local Public Administration (LPA), intensely influenced by the global economic crisis. The study regards to how LPAs could reach more efficiency and effectiveness in providing services to its final users (citizen, companies and other PAs), as well as provide new services, especially on the cooperation among LPAs, called inter- LPA cooperation (ILPAC). Having analysed LPA paradigm, it has been possible to isolate some relevant trends characterizing LPA and some open scientific literature gaps about ILPAC: nowadays, in ILPAC phenomenon, some weak points can be highlighted, especially in start-up and in management phases. Consequently, in collaboration with the eGovernment Observatory of the Milan University of Technology, the research has inquired the reasons that lead to activate an ILPAC and develop a decision making framework for the governance of shared functions in the LPA. Particularly, it has focused on the identification of LPA environmental reasons and LPA proper characteristics pushing LPA to activate an ILPAC of its fundamental functions. Once identified these elements, it has tried to identify the organizational and managerial configurations adopted for ILPAC to manage shared functions. The study has implied the use of several instruments in order to investigate ILPAC phases, from their founding to ordinary management in the Italian context. Results have been analysed using statistical methods, in order to come to light some peculiarities already pointed out by the descriptive examination. In addition, linear regression has been set in order to inquire into ILPAC performances, compared to autonomous municipalities. Using this methodology, the analysis has pointed out some important suggestions pertaining to ILPAC management. Primary considerations has shown the effect of regional different governances that impact on the amount and the dimension of ILPACs in their territories. Secondly, associated municipalities obtain better performances than independent bodies, for instance, considering the One-Stop-Shop proceedings. In addition, linear regression has proven that ILPACs produce benefits in a wider context: the analysis has pointed out some important suggestions pertaining to ILPAC management, as organizational performances increase when the number of associated municipalities increase or both proceeding costs and time improve when large ILPACs formalize and clearly declare their objectives.
Quad‐band circularly polarized super‐wideband MIMO antenna for wireless applications

In this article, a Super‐wideband (2.6–22 GHz) two‐elements multiple‐input‐multiple‐output antenna (MIMO) is presented with a dimension of 49 × 54.5 × 1.6 mm3 on an FR‐4 substrate. The antenna is also exhibited dual circular polarization (RHCP and LHCP) simultaneously at two separate ports at four frequencies of 5.2, 11.5, 14.66, and 16.75 GHz, which are extensively utilized for WLAN, X, and Ku‐band applications. Four EBG cells of various sizes have been installed across the feed line to maintain the antenna's efficiency and control the specific absorption rate (SAR). The antenna has a minimum isolation of 17 dB (20 dB for the important portion) in Super‐wideband (SWB) and excellent diversity performance. Simulated results of antenna‐like return loss, isolation, and diversity parameters have also been verified experimentally, which are in the acceptable range. Also, the calculated maximum SAR at 10 g is 1.095 W/kg with the head voxel model at 3.5 GHz.
Physical Fitness—Not Physical Activity Levels—Influence Quality of Life in Anorexia Nervosa

Background: Incorporating physical activity (PA) has been a challenge for health care professionals working with anorexia nervosa (AN) patients. This has contributed to partial physical fitness (PFit) recovery that persists after weight restoration. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between PA, sedentary behaviors, PFit, and quality of life (QoL) in a group of adolescents after hospitalization. Methods: QoL, PA, and sedentary behaviors were measured using the Health-Questionnaire Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and accelerometers, while PFit was assessed through cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition (anthropometry), and strength (six repetition maximum) tests in a total of 63 patients. Results: Light-PA (LPA), moderate-PA (MPA), moderate-to-vigorous-PA (MVPA), and relative sedentary time (%ST) did not meet the recommendations (p < 0.001). Only 22% of the patients met MVPA criteria, and ~82% exceeded %ST. SF-36 scores were lower than normative values except the physical component scale. Absolute cardiorespiratory fitness was reduced (p < 0.001) in 84% of the patients, and was positively associated to body weight, body mass index (BMI), circumferences, and muscle areas. Additional positive significant relationships were found between QoL, muscular strength, and body composition, and negative associations between vigorous-to-very vigorous PA and BMI, skinfolds, and percent body fat. Regression analyses revealed lower body strength as an explanatory factor for improved QoL (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.00–1.07). Conclusions: PFit and QoL scores are poor after hospitalization. LPA, MPA, and MVPA do not meet recommendations. PFit management—with emphasis on improving muscular fitness—may be a valuable strategy for QoL improvement in AN after hospitalization.
The Impact of a Precision-Based Exercise Intervention in Childhood Hematological Malignancies Evaluated by an Adapted Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test

Simple Summary Disability is a temporary phenomenon for every child, adolescent, and young adult with hematological malignancies during the intensive phases of cancer treatment, but it can become a long-lasting condition for many. Disability is an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions, denoting the negative aspects of the interaction between an individual and that individual’s contextual, environmental, and personal factors. Adapted precision-based training programs during cancer treatment are an emerging therapeutic option in pediatric oncology and evaluating the impact of tailored exercise on individuals’ performance is mandatory for adapting exercise/sports activities. Our research showed that a new intermittent and recovery test, the Yo-Yo AD, provided valid information on an individual’s capacity to perform repeated intense exercise and to follow up on the impact of precision-based exercise intervention in childhood hematological malignancies. Abstract During cancer treatments in childhood hematological malignancies, reduced exercise tolerance is one of the main hardships. Precision-based training programs help children, adolescents, and young adults and their families to resume regular physical activity, exercise, and sports once they return to their communities after the intensive phases spent in hospital. This study was aimed at verifying whether an intermittent recovery test, the Yo-Yo AD, could provide a simple and valid way to evaluate an individual’s capacity to perform repeated intense exercise and to follow up on the impact of tailored exercise in children, adolescents, and young adults with hematological malignancies. The Yo-Yo AD involved the repetition of several shuttles to muscle exhaustion, at pre-established speeds (walking and slow running). The heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were monitored during the test. The total distance and the walking/running ability, measured as the slope of the HR vs. distance correlation, were investigated before (T0) and after 11 weeks (T1) of precision exercise intervention. The Yo-Yo AD was also performed by healthy children (CTRL). Ninety-seven patients (10.58 ± 4.5 years, 46% female) were enrolled. The Yo-Yo AD showed the positive impact of the exercise intervention by increasing the distance covered by the individuals (T0 = 946.6 ± 438.2 vs. T1 = 1352.3 ± 600.6 m, p < 0.001) with a more efficient walking/running ability (T0 = 2.17 ± 0.84 vs. T1 = 1.73 ± 0.89 slope, p < 0.0164). CTRLs performed better (1754.0 ± 444.0 m, p = 0.010). They were equally skillful (1.71 ± 0.27 slope) when compared to the patients after they received the precision-based intervention. No adverse events occurred during the Yo-Yo AD and it proved to be an accurate way of correctly depicting the changes in performance in childhood hematological malignancies.
DIII-D RESEARCH OPERATIONS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

OAK-B135 The mission of the DIII-D research program is: ''To establish the scientific basis for the optimization of the tokamak approach to fusion energy production. The program is focused on developing the ultimate potential of the tokamak by building a better fundamental understanding of the physics of plasma confinement, stability, current drive and heating in high performance discharges while utilizing new scientific discoveries and improvements in their knowledge of these basic areas to create more efficient control systems, improved plasma diagnostics and to identify new types of enhanced operating regimes with improved stability properties. In recent years, this development path has culminated in the advanced tokamak (AT) approach. An approach that has shown substantial promise for improving both the fusion yield and the energy density of a burning plasma device. While the challenges of increasing AT plasma performance levels with greater stability for longer durations are significant, the DIII-D program has an established plan that brings together both the critical resources and the expertise needed to meet these challenges. The DIII-D research staff is comprised of about 300 individuals representing 60 institutions with many years of integrated research experience in tokamak physics, engineering and technology. The DIII-D tokamak is one of the most productive, flexible and best diagnosed magnetic fusion research devices in the world. It has significantly more flexibility than most tokamaks and continues to pioneer the development of sophisticated new plasma feedback control tools that enable the explorations of new frontiers in fusion science and engineering.
Some Models and Tests for Carryover Effects and Trends in Recurrent Event Processes

Recurrent events experienced by individual units or systems occur in many fields. The main target of this thesis is to develop formal tests for certain features of recurrent event processes, and to discuss their properties. In particular, carryover effects and time trends are considered. The former is related to clustering of events together in time, and the latter refers to a tendency for the rate of event occurrence to change over time in some systematic way. Score tests are developed for models incorporating carryover effects or time trends. The tests considered are easily interpreted and based on simple models but have good robustness properties against a range of carryover and trend alternatives. Asymptotic properties of test statistics are discussed when the number of processes approaches infinity as well as when one process is under observation for a long time. In applications involving multiple systems or individuals, heterogeneity is often apparent, and there is a need for tests developed for such cases. Allowance for heterogeneity is, therefore, considered. Methods are applied to data sets from industry and medicine. The results are supported by simulation studies.
Performance investigation of hybrid excited switched flux permanent magnet machines using frozen permeability method

This study investigates the electromagnetic performance of a hybrid excited switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machine using the frozen permeability (FP) method. The flux components due to PMs, field excitation windings and armature windings have been separated using the FP method. It has been used to separate the torque components due to the PMs and excitations, providing a powerful insight into the torque generation mechanism of hybrid excited SFPM machines. It also allows the accurate calculation of d- and q-axis inductances, which will then be used to calculate the torque, power and power factor against rotor speed to compare the relative merits of hybrid excited SFPM machines with different types of PMs (i.e. NdFeB, SmCo and Ferrite). This offers the possibility of choosing appropriate PMs for different applications (maximum torque or maximum speed). Although only one type of hybrid excited PM machine has been employed to carry out the investigations, the method used in this study can also be extended to other hybrid excited PM machines. The predicted results have been validated by tests.
A Death and Dying Class Benefits Life and Living: Evidence From a Nonrandomized Controlled Study

Humanistic theorists have long emphasized the importance and benefits of death awareness (Yalom, 1980) yet the literature on death education has focused on fear and anxiety. In the present study, 150 undergraduate students taking either a class on death and dying or a comparison class completed a pre and post-questionnaire on attitudes (negative and positive), values (intrinsic and extrinsic) and eudaimonic wellbeing (meaning in life and vitality). Results revealed that compared to their peers in another class, students studying death and dying significantly increased in death acceptance, intrinsic values, meaning in life, and vitality. Furthermore, increases in intrinsic values mediated the relationship between participation in death and dying education and meaning in life. Results are discussed in light of experiential learning, posttraumatic growth, and terror management.
Pioglitazone-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Towards the Most Reliable Synthesis Method

Recent findings have proved the benefits of Pioglitazone (PGZ) against atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. Since the systematic and controllable release of this drug is of significant importance, encapsulation of this drug in nanoparticles (NPs) can minimize uncontrolled issues. In this context, drug delivery approaches based on several poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles have been rising in popularity due to their promising capabilities. However, a fully reliable and reproducible synthetic methodology is still lacking. In this work, we present a rational optimization of the most critical formulation parameters for the production of PGZ-loaded PLGA NPs by the single emulsification-solvent evaporation or nanoprecipitation methods. We examined the influence of several variables (e.g., component concentrations, phases ratio, injection flux rate) on the synthesis of the PGZ-NPs. In addition, a comparison of these synthetic methodologies in terms of nanoparticle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ζp), drug loading (DL%), entrapment efficiency (EE%), and stability is offered. According to the higher entrapment efficiency content, enhanced storage time and suitable particle size, the nanoprecipitation approach appears to be the simplest, most rapid and most reliable synthetic pathway for these drug nanocarriers, and we demonstrated a very slow drug release in PBS for the best formulation obtained by this synthesis.
Is Hypertension Associated with Worse Renal Functional Outcomes after Minimally Invasive Partial Nephrectomy? Results from a Multi-Institutional Cohort

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a global public health issue. There are limited data regarding the effects of HTN in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal tumors. To address this void, we tested the association between HTN and renal function after minimally invasive PN (MIPN). Methods: Using a multi-institutional database (2007–2017), we identified patients aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of cT1 renal tumors treated with MIPN. Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox regression models addressed newly-onset CKD stage ≥ 3b or higher (sCKD). All analyses were repeated after 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Overall, 2144 patients were identified. Of those, 35% (n = 759) were yes-HTN. Yes-HTN patients were older, more frequently male and more often presented with diabetes. Yes-HTN patients harbored higher RENAL nephrometry scores and higher cT stages than no-HTN patients. Conversely, yes-HTN patients exhibited lower preoperative eGFRs. In the overall cohort, five-year sCKD-free survival was 86% vs. 94% for yes-HTN vs. no-HTN, which translated into a multivariable HR of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.06–2.63, p = 0.026). After 1:1 PSM, virtually the same results were observed (HR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.07–3.23, p = 0.027). Conclusions: Yes-HTN patients exhibited worse renal function after MIPN when compared to their no-HTN counterparts. However, these observations need to be further tested in a prospective cohort study.
Interpersonal trauma histories and relationship functioning among LGB Veteran couples seeking PTSD treatment

ABSTRACT Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Veterans report greater emotional distress, trauma exposure, and PTSD rates than both LGB civilians and non-LGB Veterans. Traumatic experiences impact intimate relationships, potentially placing LGB Veterans at higher risk of relationship dysfunction secondary to trauma and PTSD. However, limited research has examined links between relationship functioning and trauma histories among couples with one or more LGB-identifying partners. In this exploratory study, participants include 21 couples from a larger treatment study comprising a PTSD-diagnosed Veteran and their significant other in which at least one partner identified as LGB. Variables included trauma experiences, PTSD symptom severity, and relationship satisfaction. A descriptive analysis revealed high relationship satisfaction despite high interpersonal trauma rates among both PTSD-diagnosed Veterans and their partners. Further, we found different patterns of relationship functioning depending on whether a participant had experienced sexual assault. These initial analyses present novel data on trauma in treatment-seeking LGB veteran couples and provide an important basis for future research on couple-based mental health treatments for this population.