Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinician and healthcare managers’ perspectives on the delivery of secondary and tertiary pediatric weight management services

Clinician and healthcare managers' (HCMs) views on weight management service delivery are imperative for informing the nature of future services to treat children with obesity. This qualitative study used semi-structured focus groups and one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Participants were 27 clinicians (medical, nursing, or allied health) and nine HCMs (senior executives in the hospital) who worked in six secondary or tertiary pediatric weight management clinics across five public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Clinicians reported that using a combination of group and individual sessions improved engagement with families and reduced attrition rates. Clinicians and HCMs recommended integrating clinics into community centers and providing specific programs for sub-groups, such as children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities or children with developmental delay. Many clinicians and HCMs stressed the importance of pediatric weight clinics using a holistic approach to treatment. To improve the likelihood of future funding for pediatric weight management clinics and to optimize models of care, centers must embed research into their practice. Addressing common barriers to current pediatric weight management services and designing future models of care based on key stakeholders’ preferences is critical to achieving optimal care provision for this high-risk population.
Effective Pitch Value Detection in Noisy Intelligent Environments for Efficient Natural Language Processing

The performance of applications based on natural language processing depends primarily on the environment in which these applications are applied. Intelligent environments will be one of the major applications used to process natural language. The methods for speaker ’ s gender classification can adapt and improve the performance of natural language processing applications. That is why, this chapter will present an effective speaker ’ s pitch value detection in noisy environments, which then allows more robust speaker ’ s gender classification. The chapter presents the algorithm for the speaker ’ s pitch value detection and performs the comparison in various noisy environments. The experiments are carried out on the part of the publically available Aurora 2 speech database. The results showed that the automatically determined pitch values deviate, on average, only by 8.39 Hz from the reference pitch value. A well-defined pitch value allows a functional speaker ’ s gender classification. In this chapter, presented speaker ’ s gender classification works well, even at low signal to noise ratios. The experiments show that the speaker ’ s gender classification performance at SNR 0 dB is higher than 91% when the automatically determined pitch value is used. Speaker ’ s gender classification can then be used further in the processes of natural language processing.
How Global Currencies Work

THE STATUS OF a key currency—one used in international trade and bond issuance and held in official reserves—is more contestable and fluid than most think. So argue Barry Eichengreen, Arnaud Mehl, and Livia Chiţu in a readable and timely book. Their argument generalizes previous research by Eichengreen and Marc Flandreau showing that the dollar caught up with the pound sterling in the 1920s, only to fall behind again in the 1930s. The book begins with a history of 19th century foreign exchange reserves before describing the founding of the Federal Reserve—or “Fed,” as the US central bank is usually called—and the interwar sterling-dollar rivalry. It then analyzes the key
Integrated Synthesis of Nucleotide and Nucleosides Directed by Amino Acids

Research on the origin of nucleic acids and proteins has been approached by either multi-step synthesis or simple one-pot reactions, but exploration of their prebiotic chemistry is normally done separately. However, if nucleotides and amino acids co-existed on early Earth, their mutual interactions and reactivity should be considered in exploring the emergence of complex chemical systems that can ultimately evolve. To explore this idea, we set out to investigate nucleotide/nucleoside formation by a simple dehydration reaction of the constituent building blocks (sugar, phosphate, and nucleobase) in the presence of amino acids (i.e. glycine, arginine, glutamic acid, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan). Herein, we report the first example of simultaneous formation of glycosidic bonds between ribose, purines, and pyrimidines under mild conditions without a catalyst or activated reagents, as well as nucleobase exchange. We observed not only the simultaneous formation of nucleotide and nucleoside isomers from several nucleobases, but also the selection of distribution of glycosylation products when glycine was present. This work shows how reaction networks of nucleotides and amino acids should be considered when exploring the emergence of catalytic networks in the context of molecular evolution.
Author responses to referee comments of acp-2017-1092 April 21 , 2018

Meteorological normalisation is a technique which accounts for changes in meteorology over time in an air quality time series. Controlling for such changes helps support robust trend analysis because there is more certainty that the observed trends are due to changes in emissions or chemistry, not changes in meteorology. Predictive random forest models (RF; a decision tree machine learning technique) were grown for 31 air quality monitoring sites in Switzerland using surface meteorological, 5 synoptic scale, boundary layer height, and time variables to explain daily PM10 concentrations. The RF models were used to calculate meteorologically normalised trends which were formally tested and evaluated using the Theil-Sen estimator. Between 1997 and 2016, significantly decreasing normalised PM10 trends ranged between -0.09 and -1.16 μgm−3 year−1 with urban traffic sites experiencing the greatest mean decrease in PM10 concentrations at -0.77 μgm−3 year−1. Similar magnitudes have been reported for normalised PM10 trends for earlier time periods in Switzerland which indicates PM10 concentrations are 10 continuing to decrease at similar rates as in the past. The ability for RF models to be interpreted was leveraged using partial dependence plots to explain the observed trends and relevant physical and chemical processes influencing PM10 concentrations. Notably, two regimes were suggested by the models which cause elevated PM10 concentrations in Switzerland: one related to poor dispersion conditions and a second resulting from high rates of secondary PM generation in deep, photochemically active boundary layers. The RF meteorological normalisation process was found to be robust, user friendly and simple to implement, 15 and readily interpretable which suggests the technique could be useful in many air quality exploratory data analysis situations.
Extraction of crop information through the spatiotemporal fusion of OLI and MODIS images

Abstract Spatiotemporal data fusion algorithms have been developed to fuse satellite imagery from sensors with different spatial and temporal resolutions and generate predicted imagery. In this study, we compare the predictions of three spatiotemporal data fusion algorithms in blending Landsat-8/OLI and Terra-Aqua/MODIS images for mapping soybean and corn under five classification scenarios. The Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM), Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (ESTARFM), and Flexible Spatiotemporal Data Fusion (FSDAF) algorithms were compared to generate images for the 2016/2017 summer crop-year. Classifications including phenological metrics extracted from FSDAF- and STARFM-predicted EVI time series had overalls accuracies higher than the other scenarios, 93.11% and 91.33%, respectively. The results show that phenological metrics extracted from predicted images are an interesting alternative to overcome cloud cover frequency limitations for soybean and corn mapping in tropical areas.
A Chain Mediation Model of Perceived Stress, Neuroticism, and Psychological Inflexibility on Depressive Symptoms of Chinese New Fathers

There is a growing concern about mental health issues in new fathers, such as postpartum depression (PPD). Factors associated with PPD in men include personality traits and perceived stress. This study examined a set of hypothesized paths using perceived stress, neuroticism, and psychological inflexibility to predict depressive symptoms. A total of 189 participants took part. The mean age of these first-time fathers was 36.12 years (SD = 2.39). Perceived stress, neuroticism, and psychological inflexibility positively predicted new fathers’ depressive symptoms (B = 0.13, 0.37, and 0.31, respectively). These predictors explained 48% (R2 = 0.48) of the variance in the measured outcome of depressive symptoms in these new Chinese fathers. The total standardized direct effects of the three variables on depressive symptoms were 0.47 (95% CI [0.38, 0.53]). In conclusion, this study provides novel information about the chain mediating role played by neuroticism and psychological inflexibility in the relationship between perceived stress and PPD. Perceived stress significantly predicted neuroticism and psychological inflexibility, which in turn significantly predicted depressive symptoms in new Chinese fathers. The relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms was also mediated by each of psychological inflexibility or neuroticism alone.
Protective Effect of Fermented Camel Milk Containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on Blood Lipid Profile in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

The present study aimed to investigate synergistic health effects of camel milk and Bif. longum BB536 in rats with diet-induced obesity, impaired lipid profile, and hypercholesterolemia. Wistar rats received a high-fat (HF) diet plus 2 ml/day of either cow's milk fermented with yogurt culture (CT), camel milk fermented with yogurt culture (CAT), camel milk fermented with Bif. longum BB536 (CAP), mixed cow's and camel milk fermented with yogurt culture (CCAT), or cow's milk and camel milk fermented with Bif. longum (CCAP). All fermented milk products significantly reduced HDL, albumin, and total protein. The percentage change in body weight gain was between −40% (CAP) and −24% (CT) and in serum triglycerides between −54% (CCAP) and −37% (CT); for the other parameters, changes caused by CCAP/CT were −40%/−22% (total cholesterol), +29%/+8% (HDL), −73%/−54% (LDL), −54%/−37% (VLDL), −52%/−14% (AST), −53%/−31% (ALT), +43%/+25% (albumin), +37%/+25% (total protein), −48%/−27% (urea), and −34%/−16% (creatinine). Camel or cow's milk fermented with yogurt culture or Bif. longum significantly improved negative effects of the HF diet on body weight, blood lipid profile, serum proteins, liver and kidney markers, and severity of the metabolic syndrome. Milk and fermentation culture acted synergistically with camel milk and Bif. longum generally showed stronger positive effects. /
Existential Risks

Human civilisation faces a range of existential risks, including nuclear war, runaway climate change and superintelligent artificial intelligence run amok. As we show here with calculations for the New Zealand setting, large numbers of currently living and, especially, future people are potentially threatened by existential risks. A just process for resource allocation demands that we consider future generations but also account for solidarity with the present. Here we consider the various ethical and policy issues involved and make a case for further engagement with the New Zealand public to determine societal values towards future lives and their protection.
Chemogenetic activation of Locus Coeruleus Noradrenergic Neurons Modulates the Default Mode Network

The default mode network (DMN) of the brain is involved in cognition, emotion regulation, impulsivity, and balancing between internally and externally focused states. Dysregulation of DMN has been implicated in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and spectral fiber-photometry to investigate the selective neuromodulatory effect of norepinephrine (NE)-releasing noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) on DMN in mice. Chemogenetic-induced LC-NE activation decreased cerebral blood volume (CBV) and glucose uptake, while increasing synchronous low frequency power within the frontal cortices of the DMN. Fiber-photometry results corroborated these findings, showing LC-NE activation induces NE release, enhances calcium-weighted neuronal spiking, and reduces CBV in the anterior cingulate cortex. These data suggest the lack of conventional stimulus-evoked coupling between neuronal activity and CBV in the frontal DMN. We also demonstrated that chemogenetic activation of LC-NE neurons strengthen functional connectivity within the frontal DMN, and this effect is causally mediated by reduced modulatory inputs from retrosplenial and hippocampal regions to the association cortices of the DMN.
ASSESSMENT OF CONTINENT-WISE ENERGY EFFICIENCY BASED ON CO2 EMISSIONS: A 
SLACK-BASED DEA APPROACH

This study uses the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) slack-based model (SBM) and Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) to evaluate energy efficiency based on CO2 emissions in 42 countries belonging to 6 continents. First, the data envelopment analysis was employed to calculate the efficiency scores for the countries individually and continent basis and then Malmquist index was used to examine the improvement. The study period chosen was 2011-2020. The results of this study showed that on the basis of continents there has been fluctuations in energy efficiency except for Australia, with an efficiency score of equal to one throughout the study period. Additionally, from the results of Malmquist Productivity Index it was found that the 42 countries showed no significant energy enhancement during the period of 2011-2020. KEYWORDS: Energy Efficiency, CO2 emissions, Continents, Data Envelopment Analysis, Malmquist Productivity Index
MEASUREMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE OF WORKERS: PART I: SURVEY METHOD

Determination of noise exposure levels at work is normally carried out with personnel carrying personal sound level meters (noise dosimeters) or is calculated from noise measurements at discrete positions. The measurements have often been considered as highly time-consuming and thus costly. Working environment engineers or others with various experiences in the field normally carry out the measurements.
EXPLUME v1.0: a model for personal exposures to ambient O3 and PM2.5

Abstract. This paper presents the first version of the regional scale personal exposure model EXPLUME. The model uses simulated gridded data of outdoor O3 and PM2.5 concentrations and several population and building-related datasets to simulate 1) space-time activity event sequences, 2) the infiltration of atmospheric contaminants indoors and 3) daily aggregated personal exposures. The model is applied over the greater Paris region at 2 km x 2 km resolution for the entire 2017 year. Annual averaged population exposures are discussed. We show that population mobility within the region, disregarding pollutant concentrations indoors, has only a small effect on average daily exposures. By contrast, considering the infiltration of PM2.5 in buildings decreases annual average exposure by 11 % (population average). Moreover, accounting for PM2.5 exposure during transportation (in-vehicle, while waiting on subway platforms, and while crossing on-road tunnels) increases average population exposure by 5 %. We show that the spatial distribution of PM2.5 and O3 exposures is similar to the concentration maps over the region, but the exposure scale is very different when accounting for indoor exposure. We model large intra-population variability in PM2.5 exposure as a function of the transportation mode, especially for the upper percentiles of the distribution. 20 % of the population using bicycles or motorcycles is exposed to annual average PM2.5 concentrations above the EU target value (25 µg/m3), compared to 0 % for people travelling by car. Finally, we develop a 2050–horizon projection of the building stock to study how changes in the buildings' characteristics to comply with the thermal regulations will affect personal exposures. We show that exposure to ozone will decrease by as much as 14 % as a result of this projection, whereas there is no significant impact on exposure to PM2.5.
A REVIEW OF CONCENTRIC TUBE ROBOTS: MODELING, CONTROL, DESIGN, PLANNING, AND SENSING

Concentric tube robots consist of nested sets of precurved elastic tubes that bend and deform one another when they are translated and rotated with respect to each other, resulting in tentacle-like motion. Concentric tube robots are needle-sized devices, which makes them promising instruments for minimally-invasive surgical tasks. Their potential has motivated a significant amount of research focused on modeling their behavior, designing their actuation systems and shape to meet application requirements, controlling them in surgical environments, planning their motions in constrained anatomy, and sensing their shape in space for realtime feedback. In this chapter, we present an overview of concentric tube robots’ development for use as both steerable needles and robotic manipulators.
Beyond Play: Conceptualising the Capability of a Good Digital Game to Stimulate Interest in STEM

Digital games are one of the potential pedagogical approaches within STEM teaching and learning. The main idea behind using digital games in STEM contexts is to enhance the children’s conceptual understanding and to increase their interest in STEM. The interest in STEM is still an unsolved global issue. Most studies looking into digital games show there to be positive implications when it comes to STEM learning. This gap and the uncorrelated scenario from both the theoretical and practical perspectives need to both be solved. Here we conceptualise the usefulness of STEM digital games for stimulating an interest in STEM, particularly among children from a design perspective. The previous studies are the main qualitative sources for the interpretation of the main argument in this paper. As result, digital games have a strong empirically supportive foundational basis that acts as a medium to stimulate interest. To achieve this, STEM digital games should be designed to be of better quality. Good STEM digital games will contribute to better STEM learning outcomes and meaningful gaming experiences that can contribute to the interest in STEM. This study proposes a comprehensive framework to understand the purpose of the design and development of STEM digital games.
Interventions to support parents of pre-school children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a systematic review

Parents of children with a recently ASD diagnosis face elevated distress and mental health problems like stress, depression, and anxiety. Lately, few interventions which target directly parents of preschool children well-being have been implemented in some researches. It was conducted a review of studies that empirically tested the effects of different kind of interventions targeting improvements in parents of preschool children with ASD well-being. The objective of this review is to find out the different types of interventions that have been used and the outcomes on parental well-being enhancement. Searching on four databases and following a range of search strategies, a total of 9 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that in most cases, any type of intervention leads to positive effects on parents’ distress and well-being. However, comparisons and conclusions among the different approaches are difficult to be made, as each of the presented studies follows different methodology. Certainly, more studies have to focus on the parents of preschool children with ASD well-being and take into consideration all the limitations of the studies that are reviewed in this paper. Despite this fact, it is very encouraging that more and more researchers and clinicians are concerned about these kinds of interventions in order families with a child with ASD to get supported appropriately.
Linguistic Markers of Narcissism: An Exploratory LIWC Analysis of 15 Samples

Narcissism is unrelated to using first-person singular pronouns. Whether narcissism is linked to other language use remains unclear. We aimed to identify linguistic markers of narcissism. We applied the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count to texts (k = 15; N = 4,941). The strongest positive correlates were: using words related to sports, second-person pronouns, and swear words. The strongest negative correlates were: using anxiety/fear words, tentative words, and words related to sensory/perceptual processes. Effects were small (each |r| < .10).
Fabrication of Ni–MOF-derived composite material for efficient electrocatalytic OER

The poverty-stricken population cannot withstand the shocks of global warming and can hardly pay the soaring expenditure of fossil fuels whose reservoirs are already approaching the threshold limit. These adventures guided the researchers towards water oxidation as a source of energy. In this study, a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based material was fabricated and catalyzed the lethargic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synthesized material is characterized with different analytical techniques to confirm structural, morphological and textural properties. Its huge surface area (87 m2/g) rendered it a promising material to carry the OER. It exhibited shallow onset potential that is, 1.40 V vs. RHE and displayed an exceptionally low overpotential of 1.42 V vs. RHE to reach the benchmark current density (10 mA/cm2) with remarkably small Tafel slope that is, 34 mV/dec. It surpassed the state of the art electrocatalyst for OER, that is, IrO2 and RuO2 in efficiency as well as in stability.
Purchase intention towards dietary supplements during COVID-19 pandemic:
consumers’ perspective

The consumption of dietary supplements (DSs) has been steadily increasing in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in most countries. Consumer purchase intention towards DSs is expected to be of concern to many companies in the pharmaceutical industry. This study extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour by adding health consciousness and perceived price in the model to investigate its effect on consumer purchase intention towards DSs during the COVID-19 outbreak. A questionnaire-based survey was distributed via an online survey to 207 respondents. Results from multiple regression analysis revealed that consumer attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and health consciousness contributed significantly to purchase intention towards DSs. Perceived price did not have an impact on intention. Further investigation revealed that favourable attitudes towards DSs were the most important contributor towards purchasing DSs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robust Control of Slow Time Varying System utilizing Predictive Model

Recent years attracted the research interest in the adaptation of the system with respect to the given reference input in real time. It is a well-known fact that every system available today is time varying. In order to control these system, it is important to introduce a control algorithm suitable to tackle such system in real time applications. For this purpose a method to control such systems using Model predictive controller (MPC) is proposed in this paper to control the slow time varying first order system with (τ) as a time dependent variable. MPC is capable of predicting the changes by utilizing the previous reading and alter the parameter to track that change few steps ahead. System variations are not limited to its order, but the proposed model possess a time varying coefficient. Proposed model is compared with the existing PID controller and tracked the disturbance faster than PID