Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘There will be screen caps’: the role of digital documentation and platform collapse in propagation and visibility of racial discourses

ABSTRACT Digital technologies facilitate the existence of online spaces where understandings about race and racial inequality are co-created and contested as part of social networks and within the context of existing power relations and social identities. This project qualitatively explores US college students’ exposure to and experiences with content on social media that they consider to be related to race and racial discrimination. Based on analysis of focus groups, we highlight the role of digital documentation, mediated spillover, and platform collapse as key processes in propagation and communication visibility of racial discourses. We begin by delineating first level-digital documentation that digitally captures local campus and national events from second-level digital documentation – the copying of already digitized content (e.g., via screenshotting). We then introduce the concept of ‘platform collapse’ – second-level digital documentation that enables mediated spillover of content in ways that disrupt discourse architectures, affordances, and audience contexts. Platform collapse emerged in student discussions of how content was documented and moved from relatively private to more public spaces to call attention to racist events, messages, and behavior, and to spur conversations and action. This extended reach and frequency, and also changed the context of racial discourses. Conversely, there was also evidence of platform collapse where content was moved from public to more private spaces to address social groundlessness and avoid masspersonal engagement on social media. We conclude by discussing implications of digital documentation and platform collapse for communication theory and methods.
A critical review of the machine learning guided design of metallic glasses for superior glass-forming ability

The discovery of novel metallic glasses (MGs) with high glass-forming ability (GFA) has been an important area of active research for years in materials science and engineering. Unfortunately, the traditional approach based on trial-and-error methods is inefficient, time consuming and costly. Therefore, machine learning (ML) has recently drawn significant research interest as an alternative approach for the development of MGs. In this review, we discuss the current progress regarding the ML guided design of MGs from a variety of perspectives, including the GFA database, data representation, ML algorithms and numerical evaluation. Furthermore, we consider the challenges facing this field, including the scarcity and quality of GFA data, the development of physics informed data descriptors, the selection of appropriate algorithms and the necessity for experimental validation. We also briefly discuss possible solutions to tackle these challenges.
A Three-DOF Parallel Robot for Transplanting Rice Seedlings Based on Multi-axis Motion Controllers

We re-allocated the various branches of a 3-CRR parallel mechanism and proposed a new three-DOF parallel mechanism which is completely decoupled for the design of transplanting rice seedlings.We analyzed its kinematics and planned its trajectory.We transformed the anticipant trajectory into generalized location coordinates of driving joint and completed the intelligent control of the computers within the scope of the work.In a closed-loop control circuit,we use high-performance technology of digital signal processor(DSP) and field programmable gata array(FPGA). By detecting the encoder′s feedback signals,continuous trajectory interpolation is used to achieve the precise control of the robot joints.The control system of transplanting rice seedlings robot mainly uses modular and object-oriented programming methods,and is compiled by VC++6.0.
Effects of Square-Stepping Exercise on Motor and Cognitive Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder Children and Adolescents: A Study Protocol

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses present not only cognitive, emotional, communicative, and social challenges but also movement issues that affect their everyday activities, learning, and leisure. The use of the square-stepping exercise (SSE), a motor program initially created to strengthen the lower limbs of older adults, is spreading because of its advantages (e.g., balance and lower limb strength improvements). A study protocol to assess the SSE effects on motor, sensory, and cognitive skills in Spanish children and adolescents between 6 and 12 years old with ASD diagnoses is presented. A randomised clinical will be performed, recruiting 52 children and adolescents with ASD who will be distributed into two groups: an experimental (n = 26) and a control (n = 26) group. The SSE sessions will be held for 9 weeks (two times per week). The main variable will be balance, which will be measured with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC2), and secondary outcomes will include sensory processing, attention, and executive functions. Assessments will be carried out before and at the end of the program implementation, including an additional follow up one month later. If this program obtains positive results, it should be implemented in different settings (schools, clinics, associations, etc.) to improve the quality of movement and development in children and adolescents with ASD, as it is an easy-to-use and structured tool.
A Survey on Botnets, Issues, Threats, Methods, Detection and Prevention

Botnets have become increasingly common and progressively dangerous to both business and domestic networks alike. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a large quantity of the population has been performing corporate activities from their homes. This leads to speculation that most computer users and employees working remotely do not have proper defences against botnets, resulting in botnet infection propagating to other devices connected to the target network. Consequently, not only did botnet infection occur within the target user’s machine but also neighbouring devices. The focus of this paper is to review and investigate current state of the art and research works for both methods of infection, such as how a botnet could penetrate a system or network directly or indirectly, and standard detection strategies that had been used in the past. Furthermore, we investigate the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create innovative approaches for botnet detection to enable making predictions as to whether there are botnets present within a network. The paper also discusses methods that threat-actors may be used to infect target devices with botnet code. Machine learning algorithms are examined to determine how they may be used to assist AI-based detection and what advantages and disadvantages they would have to compare the most suitable algorithm businesses could use. Finally, current botnet prevention and countermeasures are discussed to determine how botnets can be prevented from corporate and domestic networks and ensure that future attacks can be prevented.
Analysis of the Physical Condition of Pasuruan Finswimming Athletes

The focus of this study was to determine and analyze the level of physical condition possessed by diving athletes in Pasuruan. The data obtained will be used as material for development and a benchmark for physical conditions that divers must own at the provincial level in other regions. This study used a quantitative descriptive approach with a total sample of 19 athletes consisting of seven males and 12 females. The tests were carried out collectively at GOR KONI, Pasuruan Regency. Data collection techniques used are tests and measurements of abdominal muscle strength (30 seconds sit-ups), power of leg (Standing board jump), flexibility (Sit and Reach), Vo2Max Endurance (Multi-Stage Fitness Test). The physical condition of the Pasuruan finswimmer athletes was dominated by the moderate category with nine athletes, then the excellent category with eight athletes, then the less category with one athlete, as for athletes with excellent conditions totaling one athlete. From the research, it can be concluded that the physical condition of the Pasuruan district finswimming athlete is included in the moderate category.
Association between fasting blood glucose and thyroid stimulating hormones and suicidal tendency and disease severity in patients with major depressive disorder

Thyroid dysfunction and diabetes are reported to be associated with depression. However, their role in the suicide risk in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare thyroid dysfunction and diabetes between suicide attempters and non-suicide attempters in a large sample of first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients. A descriptive study was conducted on 1279 Chinese outpatients with a diagnosis of first-episode MDD. Their socio-demographic information, blood levels of thyroid hormones, glucose, lipids and body mass index (BMI) parameters were collected. The positive subscales of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) were measured for psychotic, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Our results showed that compared with non-suicide attempters (p < 0.01), suicide attempters had statistically higher scores on HAMD, HAMA and PANSS psychotic symptoms, as well as higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels, glucose, anti-thyroglobulin (A-TG), anti-thyroid peroxidase (A-TPO), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (all with p < 0.001). These results revealed that TSH, A-TG, A-TPO, TC, TG, and LDL-C may be promising biomarkers of suicide risk in MDD, implying the importance of regular assessment of blood glucose level and thyroid function parameters for suicide prevention, along with possible treatment for impaired thyroid function and diabetes for the suicide intervention in MDD patients. Such patients with abnormal blood sugar and TSH must undergo thorough screening for suicidal ideation.
Determinants of the intellectual capital efficiency of listed banks in Nigeria: a DEA approach

PurposeThis study empirically investigates the level of intellectual capital efficiency amongst the listed commercial banks in Nigeria and the factors influencing its efficient utilisation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs the data envelopment analysis (DEA) to determine intellectual capital efficiency for the listed banks in Nigeria using data obtained from their annual financial reports from 2013 to 2019. After obtaining the efficiency scores, the Tobit regression technique was used to analyse the impact of firm-specific factors on intellectual capital efficiency.FindingsThe study found that only 8.33% of the sampled Nigerian commercial banks are at optimum capacity in utilising their intellectual capital, while 91.67% are inefficient. It also finds that bank size and directors' shareholdings positively impact intellectual capital efficiency, while market and ownership concentration debar the attainment of optimum intellectual capital efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to very scare literature on intellectual capital efficiency measurements by using the non-parametric analysis (DEA) to measure intellectual capital efficiency for listed banks in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThis study showcases the importance of measuring intellectual capital efficiency amongst listed banks in Nigeria. It provides more information to the regulators and stakeholders on the need to enforce the disclosure of the value created from intellectual capital investment.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the scarce literature on measuring intellectual capital efficiency using a non-parametric analysis (DEA). It also provides new insights into the factors that influence intellectual capital efficiency amongst listed commercial banks in Nigeria.
HER2–CDH1 Interaction via Wnt/B-Catenin Is Associated with Patients’ Survival in HER2-Positive Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in gastric cacner (GC) pathologenesis would help the identification of prognostic biomarkers and the development of new treatments. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB2), a membrane-bound receptor of the EGFR family, may be overexpressed in GC. Trastuzumab is a HER2 inhibitor used to treat HER2+ metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). The present study aims to investigate the relationship between CDH1 mRNA expression and HER2-positivity in mGC using a multiplexed gene expression profile in two series of GC patients: 38 HER2+ and HER2- mGC and 36 HER2- GC with and without metastasis. Our results revealed the relationship between CDH1 and HER2 mRNA expression in mGC via the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway and identified EGF as an independent prognostic biomarker for survival. Abstract Trastuzumab is a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibitor used to treat HER2+ metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). The present study aims to investigate the relationship between CDH1 mRNA expression and HER2-positivity in mGC using a multiplexed gene expression profile in two series of gastric cancer (GC): Series 1 (n = 38): HER2+ and HER2- mGC; Series 2 (n = 36) HER2- GC with and without metastasis. To confirm the results, the same expression profiles were analyzed in 354 GC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The difference in gene expression connected HER2 overexpression with canonical wingless-type (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway and immunohistochemical (IHC) expression loss of E-cadherin (E-CAD). CDH1 mRNA expression was simultaneously associated with the rs16260-A variant and an increase in E-CAD expression. Differences in retinoic acid receptor alfa (RARA), RPL19 (coding for the 60S ribosomal L19 protein), catenin delta 1 (CTNND1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA levels—all included in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway—were found associated with overall survival (OS). RARA, CTNND1, and EGF resulted in independent OS prognostic factors. EGF was confirmed as an independent factor along with TNM stage in HER2-overpressed mGC from TCGA collection. Our study highlighted factors involved in the WNT/β-catenin pathway that interconnected E-CAD with HER2 overexpression and patient survival.
Learning in Informal Online Networks and Communities

In 2008, as part of its policy support for DG Education and Culture, IPTS launched a study to explore the innovative social and pedagogical approaches to learning that are emerging in new ICT-enabled collaborative settings. This is the final report on the project. Lifelong learning plays a crucial role in society today as jobs, and the skills they require, are changing. Recent technological and social developments in online settings have the potential to support lifelong learning in new ways. Online collaborative spaces can support both intentional and non-intentional learning in new ways through various forms of participation. These online platforms, networks and communities support learning all the key competences for lifelong learning, including new transversal skills and personal growth in a social context. However, ensuring digital fluency and self-regulated learning skills for all becomes a crucial challenge and enabler for lifelong learning. Furthermore, individuals need to be prepared for and interested in learning. Communities can encourage their members to participate and learn with a sociable, openly-managed and developing culture. The report argues that online networks and communities can contribute to all the major European Education and Training policy objectives, i.e. modernising educational institutions to support the lifelong learning continuum with new opportunities for equity, quality and efficiency, and learning key competences and transversal skills. However, a new learner-centred approach for lifelong learning by learners, education providers and employers is needed. All education stakeholders should engage in developing lifelong learning opportunities through collaboration and new partnerships.
A Novel Planar Grounded Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detector for Microchip Electrophoresis

In the microchip electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, the stray capacitance of the detector causes high background noise, which seriously affects the sensitivity and stability of the detection system. To reduce the effect, a novel design of planar grounded capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (PG-C4D) based on printed circuit board (PCB) is proposed. The entire circuit plane except the sensing electrodes is covered by the ground electrode, greatly reducing the stray capacitance. The efficacy of the design has been verified by the electrical field simulation and the electrophoresis detection experiments of inorganic ions. The baseline intensity of the PG-C4D was less than 1/6 of that of the traditional C4D. The PG-C4D with the new design also demonstrated a good repeatability of migration time, peak area, and peak height (n = 5, relative standard deviation, RSD ≤ 0.3%, 3%, and 4%, respectively), and good linear coefficients within the range of 0.05–0.75 mM (R2 ≥ 0.986). The detection sensitivity of K+, Na+, and Li+ reached 0.05, 0.1, and 0.1 mM respectively. Those results prove that the new design is an effective and economical approach which can improve sensitivity and repeatability of a PCB based PG-C4D, which indicate a great application potential in agricultural and environmental monitoring.
Complete idiot's guide™ to great customer service, the

You're no idiot, of course. You skillfully manage your kids' temper tantrums, diplomatically handle office politics, and even pleasantly deal with your friends' bickering. But when it comes to handling customer service, you feel utterly lost. It's time to make great customer service an indispensable part of your daily operation! The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Great Customer Service teaches you how to create the "Service Difference"-service that genuinely pleases your customers and sets your organization apart from the pack.
Reconfigurable Light Imaging in Photonic Higher-Order Topological Insulators

Topological phases of matter with robust edge states have revolutionized the fundamental intuitions for wave control. The recent development of higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) realizes even lower dimensional topological states that enable versatile wave manipulations (e.g., light imaging). However, in conventional HOTIs, the topological states are usually protected by certain crystalline symmetries and therefore bounded at specific locations, hindering their applications in modern digital ears, which often prefer tunability and reconfigurability. Here, we report the reconfigurable light imaging based on topological corner states and anti-chiral edge states in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic HOTI with a honeycomb lattice of yttrium iron garnet (YIG, a ferrite material) rods. Sublattices A and B are applied with magnetic fields in opposite directions, which realize the so-called modified Haldane model that hosts anti-chiral edge modes. By further breaking the lattice’s inversion symmetry via adjusting the radii of A and B rods, topological edge states with valley degrees of freedom emerge, which not only exhibit valley-dependence but also surprisingly show anti-chiral behaviors. In the valley edge gap, which is of nontrivial higher-order topology, corner states appear. With different combinations of corner states and anti-chiral edge states, versatile reconfigurable light imaging can be realized. As examples, a multiplexing waveguide-resonator device, a pine tree imaging that can be lit up or put out at will and selective imaging for partial objects in a two-heart pattern are demonstrated. The proposed HOTI shows high potential in future intelligent devices with exciting tunable and reconfigurable functions, which may inspire a wide range of applications such as topological switching, imaging processing, and nonreciprocal integrated photonics.
Our Whole Lives for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors—Combining a Teaching Kitchen Group Visit With a Web-Based Platform: Feasibility Trial

Background Hypertension (HTN) affects millions of Americans. Our Whole Lives: an eHealth toolkit for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors (OWL-H) is an eHealth platform that teaches evidence-based lifestyle strategies, such mindfulness and cooking skills, to improve self-management of HTN. Objective The primary goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of OWL-H combined with teaching kitchen medical group visits (TKMGVs) in a low-income population of participants with HTN. Methods We conducted a pre-post 8-week study to assess the feasibility of a hybrid program (a web-based 9-module self-management program, which includes mindfulness and Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet) accompanied by 3 in-person TKMGVs among patients with HTN. Data including demographics, platform use, and satisfaction after using OWL-H were examined. Outcome data collected at baseline and 8 weeks included the Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire, Hypertension Self-Care Profile Self-Efficacy Instrument, Blood Pressure Knowledge Questionnaire, and the number of self-reported blood pressure readings. For the statistical analysis, we used descriptive statistics, paired sample t tests (1-tailed), and qualitative methods. Results Of the 25 enrolled participants, 22 (88%) participants completed the study. Participants’ average age was 57 (SD 12.1) years, and 46% (11/24) of them reported a household income <US $30,000 per year. Among the 22 participants who logged in to OWL-H, the average number of mindfulness practices completed was 7 and the average number of module sessions accessed was 4. In all, 73% (16/22) of participants reported that they were “very satisfied” with using OWL-H to help manage their HTN. Participants’ blood pressure knowledge significantly increased from baseline (mean 5.58, SD 1.44) to follow-up (mean 6.13, SD 1.23; P=.03). Participants significantly increased their adherence to a Mediterranean diet from baseline (mean 7.65, SD 2.19) to follow-up (mean 9, SD 1.68; P=.004). Participants’ self-efficacy in applying heart-healthy habits, as measured by the Hypertension Self-Care Profile Self-Efficacy Instrument, increased from baseline (mean 63.67, SD 9.06) to follow-up (mean 65.54, SD 7.56; P=.14). At the 8-week follow-up, 82% (18/22) of the participants had self-reported their blood pressure on the OWL-H platform at least once during the 8 weeks. Conclusions The eHealth platform for HTN self-management, OWL-H, and accompanying in-person TKMGVs have the potential to effectively improve lifestyle management of HTN. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03974334; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03974334
Research on the DSP-based control strategies of a positioning servo system of the linear motors

Based on the synthetic analysis of the dynamic and static performance and anti-disturbance ability of a position servo control system for linear motors,the position control is studied strategy and a DSP-based position servo control system is developed.A fuzzy adaptive PID controller and a disturbance observer for the control system are proposed to promote its dynamic and static performance and compensate the outside disturbance imposed by outside force or other factors.Furthermore,the influences of the position angle on system are analyzed and model reference adaptive algorithm is proposed to correct the position angle in order to eliminate vibration of linear motors while positioning.Experiment results show that the proposed position servo control system has much high dynamic and static performance.