Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropometric and body composition characterisation of competition Portuguese crossfit athletes

Abstract Introduction Anthropometric characteristics and body composition are an important element in sports performance. Skinfold and circumference measurement had been recognised as an adequate and valid tool to assess body composition through specific equations from several authors which should be validated for each sport. The aim of this work was to characterise a Portuguese sample of competition athletes in Crossfit comparing several equations based in skinfold measurement. Materials and methods This was an observational study conducted in a Crossfit box where 11 athletes were recruited, 7 were male and 4 female. The anthropometric assessment included the height measurement through a stadiometer (SECA123), a weigh in a digital scale with 100 g precision (ELECTRONIA) and the measurement of 7-site skinfold (bicep, tricep, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, thigh and calf) with a Slim Guide adipometer. Skinfold measurements were conducted according to ISAK protocol. All the results were treated with SPSS statistics 17.0 software. Results The sample included 11 athletes where 4 were female (36%). Participants were 25–39 (31.6 ± 4.4) years old. The average body fat in male and female athletes was 13.7%±3.98 and 28.4%±5.6, respectively. These results were compared through a paired-samle t-test. In men, Durnnin & Womersley gave the highest body fat percentage while in female this and Jackson & Pollock where the highest, the lowest values were obtained through Evans formula in both genders. There were significant differences between all the formulas used for men (p < .05) but in women results only the formulas Durnnin & Womersley and Jackson & Pollock had shown significant differences (p < .05). Discussion and Conclusions The sample of Crossfit athletes had shown values of body fat within the normal range. In spite of these, there were found some differences between several formulas which reinforces the need to use more than one formula in body fat assessment in nutrition clinical setting. Because this study was done in a convenience sample, the size and the heterogenous distribution of gender can be considered as study limitations.
First record of the mating system in the grey smoothhound shark (Mustelus californicus)

ABSTRACT Mating systems constitute an important biological characteristic that must be evaluated in commercially important species due to the effects of these systems on population growth rates and genetic diversity levels, which in turn determine the evolutionary potential of a population in the presence of environmental change. The most commonly reported mating system in sharks is polyandry, yet isolated reports of genetic monogamy have been published. The present study aimed to infer the mating system of two gravid Mustelus californicus females from Puerto Libertad, Sonora. The genetic analyses and parental reconstructions from the litters of both females indicated that genetic monogamy was most likely at work. We also discuss the ecological and biological features that may support genetic monogamy in this species. This is the first record of this mating system in M. californicus, which provides baseline data for future studies.
Stability of expanding accretion shocks for an arbitrary equation of state

Abstract We present a theoretical stability analysis for an expanding accretion shock that does not involve a rarefaction wave behind it. The dispersion equation that determines the eigenvalues of the problem and the explicit formulae for the corresponding eigenfunction profiles are presented for an arbitrary equation of state and finite-strength shocks. For spherically and cylindrically expanding steady shock waves, we demonstrate the possibility of instability in a literal sense, a power-law growth of shock-front perturbations with time, in the range of $h_c< h<1+2 {\mathcal {M}}_2$, where $h$ is the D'yakov-Kontorovich parameter, $h_c$ is its critical value corresponding to the onset of the instability and ${\mathcal {M}}_2$ is the downstream Mach number. Shock divergence is a stabilizing factor and, therefore, instability is found for high angular mode numbers. As the parameter $h$ increases from $h_c$ to $1+2 {\mathcal {M}}_2$, the instability power index grows from zero to infinity. This result contrasts with the classic theory applicable to planar isolated shocks, which predicts spontaneous acoustic emission associated with constant-amplitude oscillations of the perturbed shock in the range $h_c< h<1+2 {\mathcal {M}}_2$. Examples are given for three different equations of state: ideal gas, van der Waals gas and three-terms constitutive equation for simple metals.
Assessment of the relationship between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and dental malocclusion in a Portuguese sample

Abstract Introduction The assessment of the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and dental malocclusion are described in the literature and the results indicate a decrease in OHRQoL when clinically determined dental malocclusion severity increase [1,2]. However, there is still a lack of information for the Portuguese population for this issue. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the relationship between patient perception of OHRQoL and the severity of dental malocclusion in a Portuguese sample. Materials and methods This work was approved by the Egas Moniz Ethics Committee. This cross-sectional observational study involved patients that sought orthodontic treatment between January and April 2019, at the Orthodontic Care Consultation of Egas Moniz Dental Clinic (Monte de Caparica – Almada, Portugal). Exclusion criteria were patients with severe diseases, craniofacial abnormalities, cognitive deficits, caries, periodontal diseases, and previous orthodontic treatment history. A total of 19 patients were enrolled in the study. OHRQoL was assessed by application of the Oral Health Impact Profile – Portuguese validated version (OHIP-14) [3] and dental malocclusion through the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) [4]. Based on the ICON score, patients were categorised as: in need of treatment (ICON > 43) or not (ICON ≤ 43). Resulting data were submitted to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results The sample included 7 (37%) males and 12 (63%) females, with a mean age of 27.9 years. Overall OHIP-14 score ranged from 0 to 49 and ICON score from 13 to 75 (9 (47.4%) subjects with ICON > 43 and 10 (52.6%) with ICON ≤ 43). Total OHIP-14 score and all seven median domain scores were not found to be significantly different (p = .113 to p = .968), when comparing both groups. Discussion and conclusions OHRQoL was not found to be significantly different when considering the severity of dental malocclusion. Overall, results highlight a difference between patients’ self-perception of clinical condition impact in OHRQoL when compared to a clinical expertise judgement.
Rehearsing reality: an acrostic for training interactive theatre

Sometimes called jokering, sometimes animateuring, Interactive Theatre facilitation involves doing real-time dramaturgy. As dramaturgs, we learn how to question a play’s reality – but here facilitators must engage with audience interventions in an unfolding drama. Training young people in Interactive Theatre therefore requires a particular form of know-how, which I call ‘Rehearsing Reality’. In the photo above are teenagers who have learnt the dramaturgical techniques of Rehearsing Reality to be able to facilitate theatre for other young people. To teach this I: Teenagers performing and facilitating Interactive Theatre in Leeton, NSW, 2014. A TransVision Arts project and image, supported by Leeton Shire Council.
The perceived value of measuring the impact of CSR performance on CSR investment: evidence from the UAE

Abstract This study examines drivers of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measurement and investment in CSR. Specifically, the study examines the links between the underlying motives for measuring CSR performance, namely to comply with regulation, to provide management support, and improve stakeholders’ satisfaction, and the impact thereof on CSR investments. The analysis of survey data of 307 companies based in Dubai identified five clusters of CSR measurements. The results show that while CSR measurement is a significant driver of CSR investments, there are varied associations between the three main drivers of CSR measurement and investment in CSR practices. Theoretical and practical implications of the study, are discussed.
Doped Poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) (P(mPD-co-ANI)): Synthesis, Characterization, Physical Properties, and Precursor for CuO Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT Poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) P(mPD-co-ANI) and Mn-, Ni-, and Cu-doped poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) (M-P(mPD-co-ANI)) have been synthesized and characterized. Cu-P(mPD-co-ANI) has been used as a molecular precursor of CuO nanoparticles. The spectral, optical, refractive index, solubility, and thermal properties of the synthesized polymers have been measured and discussed. The optical bandgap (Eg) measurements indicated that Ni(P(mPD-co-ANI)) has wider optical band than the pure (P(mPD-co-ANI)). Calcination of Cu-P(mPD-co-ANI) at 600°C produced (CuO) nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles have been characterized by XRD and TEM. The average size of CuO nanoparticles was found to be 42 nm. The refractive index measurements indicate slight change in the refractive index values of the polymer solution than that of pure solvent. The solubility of the synthesized polymers in ethanol, dimethyl formamide (DMF)–aqueous mixed solvents was found to increase as the mole fractions of both ethanol and DMF increase. The UV spectra of the synthesized polymers in ethanol, DMF–aqueous mixed solvents indicate blueshift and hyperchromic effect. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Study of quantum dots (CdS, ZnS) toxicity in Danio rerio: preliminary results

Abstract Introduction Quantum Dots (QDs) are nanoparticles with potential applications in many industrial and biomedical areas (e.g. fluorescent dyes, LED). QDs have unique and remarkable properties, however, little is known about their toxicity [1]. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been the first vertebrate model in many research areas and is recognised as a good model in nanotoxicology [2]. This work aims to evaluate the toxicity of QDs (CdS and ZnS) in D. rerio, singly and combined, by determining a set of biomarkers (e.g. antioxidant enzymes). Materials and methods Adult zebrafish (n = 50 (× 2); 0.3 ± 0.1 g weight; 2.7 ± 0.4 cm) were distributed by 4 glass containers (1 L) and exposed to different concentrations of QDs (0 ppb, 10 ppb, 100 ppb and 1000 ppb), for 7 days. Trials were performed in duplicate using 3 different groups exposed to: (1) ZnS-QDs, (2) CdS-QDs), (3) (ZnS-QDs + CdS-QDs). Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), as described previously [3,4]. Trials followed the 3Rs and animal welfare and were authorised by national authorities. Statistics was carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis test (STATISTICA 8.0, USA). Results and Discussion Results show no significant differences between the 3 groups of experiments. Regarding enzyme activities (nmol/min/mg tot. protein), CAT the highest levels in fish exposed to 100 ppb Zn-QDs (45 ± 2) and the lowest levels were measured in controls (26 ± 4). GST showed the highest GST levels in fish exposed to 10 ppbZn-QDs (50 ± 1) and lowest levels in fish exposed to 1000 ppbCd-QDS (27 ± 16). SOD results (as % inhibition/mg tot. protein) showed highest values in fish exposed to 10 ppb QDs combined (89 ± 3%) and lowest levels in fish exposed to 100 ppb of Zn-QDs (35 ± 9). CAT, GST and SOD showed higher levels in fish exposed to 10 ppb and 100 ppb QDs. LPO showed non-sgnificant diferences TAC showed a trend to decrease in all groups exposed to different concentrations of QDs. Conclusions These results suggest that QDs can induce moderate or low oxidative stress. The higher results observed in fish exposed to 10 ppb and 100 ppb of QDs can be due to QDs aggregation occurring at higher QDs concentrations, which can also affect the bioavailability of toxic ions released. Therefore, in this preliminary study, the lower concentrations of QDs seem to be more hazardous to Zebrafish.
Refinement Analysis using the Rietveld Method of Nd1.2Fe1O3 Oxide Material Synthesized by Solid-State Reaction

Neodymium Ferrite Oxide (Nd1.2FeO3) has been successfully synthesized using solid state reaction by varying annealing time. Structural crystallographic characteristics were obtained by X-ray diffraction. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis showed the samples had been identified composed of NdFeO3 and Nd2O3 phase, with peak dominant correspond to hkl (121), FWHM value of 0.22° and estimated crystal size of 393 nm. Analysis using Rietveld methods obtained Nd1.2FeO3 oxide material has a crystal structure is orthorhombic with space-group of PNMA. The results are comparable as was reported elsewhere that the oxide material is useful for gas sensor application.
From Noon to Sunset: Interactive Rendering, Relighting, and Recolouring of Landscape Photographs by Modifying Solar Position

Image editing is a commonly studied problem in computer graphics. Despite the presence of many advanced editing tools, there is no satisfactory solution to controllably update the position of the sun using a single image. This problem is made complicated by the presence of clouds, complex landscapes, and the atmospheric effects that must be accounted for. In this paper, we tackle this problem starting with only a single photograph. With the user clicking on the initial position of the sun, our algorithm performs several estimation and segmentation processes for finding the horizon, scene depth, clouds, and the sky line. After this initial process, the user can make both fine‐ and large‐scale changes on the position of the sun: it can be set beneath the mountains or moved behind the clouds practically turning a midday photograph into a sunset (or vice versa). We leverage a precomputed atmospheric scattering algorithm to make all of these changes not only realistic but also in real‐time. We demonstrate our results using both clear and cloudy skies, showing how to add, remove, and relight clouds, all the while allowing for advanced effects such as scattering, shadows, light shafts, and lens flares.
Paraspinal muscle pathophysiology associated with low back pain and spine degenerative disorders

Low back pain disorders affect more than 80% of adults in their lifetime and are the leading cause of global disability. The muscles attaching to the spine (ie, paraspinal muscles) are critical for proper spine health and play a crucial role in the functioning of the spine and whole body; however, reports of muscle dysfunction and insufficiency in chronic LBP (CLBP) patients are common. This article presents a review of the current understanding of the relationship between paraspinal muscle pathophysiology and spine‐related disorders. Human literature demonstrates a clear association between altered muscle structure/function, most notably fatty infiltration and fibrosis, and low back pain disorders; other associations, including muscle cell atrophy and fiber type changes, are less clear. Animal literature then provides some mechanistic insight into the complex relationships, including initiating factors and time courses, between the spine and spine muscles under pathological conditions. It is apparent that spine pathology can directly lead to changes in the paraspinal muscle structure, function, and biology. It also appears that changes to the muscle structure and function can directly lead to changes in the spine (eg, deformity); however, this relationship is less well studied. Future work must focus on providing insight into possible mechanisms that regulate spine and paraspinal muscle health, as well as probing how muscle degeneration/dysfunction might be an initiating factor in the progression of spine pathology.
Visual Analytics of Text Conversation Sentiment and Semantics

This paper describes the design and implementation of a web‐based system to visualize large collections of text conversations integrated into a hierarchical four‐level‐of‐detail design. Viewers can visualize conversations: (1) in a streamgraph topic overview for a user‐specified time period; (2) as emotion patterns for a topic chosen from the streamgraph; (3) as semantic sequences for a user‐selected emotion pattern, and (4) as an emotion‐driven conversation graph for a single conversation. We collaborated with the Live Chatcustomer service group at SAS Institute to design and evaluate our system's strengths and limitations.
Early detection of fake news based on multiple information features

As the popularity and influence of online social media continue to expand, automatic detection of fake information has attracted widespread attention. The detection method based on a kind of information characteristic cannot ABSTRACT sufficient characteristic information in the early stage of information dissemination, so the accuracy rate is usually low in the early detection of information dissemination. In response to the above problems, this article proposes a model composed of three modules: ABSTRACT, SCORE and CONCATENATE. ABSTRACT uses CNN and GRU neural networks to extract the propagation path and text features of the information. SCORE mines user features based on user behavior, and CONCATENATE detects the information after integrating the above features. Experimental results show that the model can detect fake information with an accuracy of 93.7% within 30 minutes of information dissemination. Compared with the benchmark method, ASC has achieved a better balance between accuracy and timeliness.
The Effect of Brand Image on Client Loyalty: Mediating Impact of Client Satisfaction at Footwear Stores

A brand image was a valuable intangible asset that was hard to imitate and could sustain financial performance. This research analyzes brand image's effect on client loyalty: Mediating impact of client satisfaction at footwear stores. The research model was suggested from previous studies, and 266 purchasers who bought at footwear stores in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was examined. The partial least squares (PLS) technique was utilized to estimate the measurement and structural models. The PLS technique was a widely accepted variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) approach in social science and business. The findings of the analysis display that brand image associates positively with client satisfaction. Besides, the outcomes also prove that brand image relates positively to customer loyalty. Furthermore, the research findings support that customer satisfaction is a mediator variable in liking brand image and customer loyalty. Based on these findings, we suggest some implications for managerial and further research.
Location Prediction for Indoor Spaces based on Trajectory Similarity

Predicting the further whereabouts of a large scale of users in indoor spaces has just been a hot and challenging issue in recent years due to the ubiquitous emerging of mobile devices and free Wi-Fi services, e.g. in shopping centers. While the existing prediction algorithms focusing on modeling the movement of users via mathematical models are useful in the outdoor environment, they fall short in predicting the position of indoor moving objects in a constraint but full of spatial-semantic information environment. To tackle this problem, we present a similarity based model by incorporating the spatial and the location contexts into a unified framework. We first present a novel trajectory similarity method which considers the spatial and contextual information in the indoor settings, then based on the similarities we present a clustering algorithm to group the trajectories, finally the most similar trajectory is returned for the prediction. In order to evaluate the precision of our proposed method, we designed a comprehensive performance evaluation using a large-scale dataset collected between September 2012 and October 2013 from over 120,000 anonymized, opt-in consumers in a large supermarket. Results show that our approach achieves a much better trajectory prediction performance against the baseline methods.
System-level Early-stage Modeling and Evaluation of IVR-assisted Processor Power Delivery System

Despite being employed in numerous efforts to improve power delivery efficiency, the integrated voltage regulator (IVR) approach has yet to be evaluated rigorously and quantitatively in a full power delivery system (PDS) setting. To fulfill this need, we present a system-level modeling and design space exploration framework called Ivory for IVR-assisted power delivery systems. Using a novel modeling methodology, it can accurately estimate power delivery efficiency, static performance characteristics, and dynamic transient responses under different load variations and external voltage/frequency scaling conditions. We validate the model over a wide range of IVR topologies with silicon measurement and SPICE simulation. Finally, we present two case studies using architecture-level performance and power simulators. The first case study focuses on optimal PDS design for multi-core systems, which achieves 8.6% power efficiency improvement over conventional off-chip voltage regulator module– (VRM) based PDS. The second case study explores the design tradeoffs for IVR-assisted PDSs in CPU and GPU systems with fast per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). We find 2 μs to be the optimal DVFS timescale, which not only reaps energy benefits (12.5% improvement in CPU and 50.0% improvement in GPU) but also avoids costly IVR overheads.
A Secure Authentication Protocol with Performance Enhancements for 4G LTE/LTE-A Wireless Networks

Long Term Revolution (LTE) is the most common 4th generation cellular networks thanks to its high data transmission rate and wide coverage. However, LTE networks have many security vulnerabilities in terms of network architecture, access and handover procedure, media and machine type communications. This paper focuses on enhancing the performance and security functions of the access procedure in LTE/LTE-Advance wireless networks by a proposal, which can not only provide security functions to the LTE access procedure, but also improve the performance of the process. The protocol has been systematically verified by using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool to demonstrate its ability to prevent various types of malicious attacks. The security functions and performance of the proposed protocol have also been compared to some existing solutions to show its advantages.