Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Student Satisfaction and Self-Efficacy in a Novel Online Clinical Clerkship Curriculum Delivered During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to medical education and clinical training and resulted in stressors that impede student learning. This study aimed to assess student satisfaction and self-efficacy in a novel online clinical clerkship curriculum delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Fourth- and fifth-year medical students completed an online survey in January 2021 covering the following areas: student satisfaction, self-efficacy, and perceived effectiveness of online versus face-to-face learning. Results Just over half of students (51%) were satisfied with online clerkship delivery. However, fewer than half of students (46%) believed online learning effectively increased their knowledge, compared to 56% of students who believed face-to-face learning was effective. The perception of the effectiveness of online learning and face-to-face teaching for clinical skills was 18% and 89%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Few students perceived online teaching to be effective for developing social competencies (27%) compared to face-to-face instruction (67%) (p < 0.001). In addition, mean self-efficacy scores were higher for persons who perceived online teaching to be effective for increasing knowledge, improving clinical skills, and developing social competencies. Overall, students’ perception of online learning was strongly associated with online self-efficacy. Conclusion Student satisfaction and perceived self-efficacy in online learning were higher than reported acceptance of online clerkship curriculum.
Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Molecular Simulation

1. Introduction 2. Classical Mechanics 3. Theoretical Foundations of Classical Statistical Mechanics 4. The Microcanonical Ensemble and Introduction to Molecular Dynamics 5. The Canonical Ensemble 6. The Isobaric Ensembles 7. The Grand Canonical Ensemble 8. Monte Carlo Methods in Statistical Mechanics 9. Free Energy Calculations 10. Quantum Mechanics 11. Quantum Ensembles and the Density Matrix 12. Quantum Ideal Gases: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein Statistics 13. The Feynman Path Integral 14. Classical Time-Dependent Statistical Mechanics and Systems Away from Equilibrium 15. Quantum Time-Dependent Statistical Mechanics 16. The Generalized Langevin Equation 17. Advanced Sampling Approaches 18. Critical Phenomena 19. Conclusions and Perspectives
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards Proper Nutrition and Lifestyles in Italian Diabetic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prevention of diabetes mellitus is mainly based on a healthy lifestyle. The lockdown measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major changes in daily life and social behavior, which may have an influence on diabetes self-management and glycemic control. The present work aims to assess the relationship between diabetic patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards proper nutrition and lifestyles in order to plan strategies for educational intervention from a health literacy perspective. Attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge of diabetic patients attending the Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Department of the Local Health Authority of Sassari (ASL1-SS) were assessed with a cognitive survey conducted from April to July 2022. Three hundred twenty-one questionnaires were administered during the survey period. Fifty-two percent of diabetic patients were female and 48% male, with a mean age of 61.1 ± 18.5 years and 62.0 ± 15.1 years, respectively. The overall level of knowledge about the role of food and proper nutrition with respect to the risk of diabetes and its complications appeared to be generally unsatisfactory and inadequate. Nonetheless, females showed a significantly higher level of knowledge than males (p < 0.0001). Moreover, knowledge was seen to decrease according to the age of the patients (p = 0.035). As for the possible impact played by the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyles, it should be noted that about 70% of the respondents stated that they had maintained a reasonable dietary standard or even improved it throughout. Thus, the study underlines the need to improve the knowledge of diabetic subjects about nutrition and, in particular, their self-management, positively influencing behaviors and attitudes.
Current transport dynamics and stability characteristics of the NiO x based gate structure for normally-off GaN HEMTs

The application of p-type oxide typified with NiO x as cap layer in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor for normally-off operation has specific benefits, including etching free fabrication process, high hole density and elimination of Mg dopants diffusion effects. This work presents a device configuration exploration combining the p-NiO x gate cap layer and a thin AlGaN barrier layer. Calculation method for the threshold voltage has been discussed, which obtains good consistence with the experimental measurements. In addition, a nitrogen based post-annealing process was developed to improve the film stoichiometry for elevated gate controllability, realizing normally-off operation with enhanced channel conduction capability. The current transport dynamics in the gate stack as coupled with the NiO x /AlGaN interface states have also been studied, where a deep level trap was recognized in dominating the gate current characteristics and the gate stability performance under different forward gate bias conditions.
LoRa-Based Wireless Sensors Network for Rockfall and Landslide Monitoring: A Case Study in Pantelleria Island with Portable LoRaWAN Access

Rockfalls and landslides are hazards triggered from geomorphological and climatic factors other than human interaction. The economic and social impacts are not negligible, therefore the topic has become an important field in the application of remote monitoring. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are particularly suited for the deployment of such systems, thanks to the different technologies and topologies that are evolving nowadays. Among these, LoRa modulation technique represents a fitting technical solution for nodes communication in a WSN. In this paper, a smart autonomous LoRa-based rockfall and landslide monitoring system is presented. The structure has been operating in Pantelleria Island, Sicily, Italy. The sensing elements are disposed in sensor nodes arranged in a star topology. Network access to the LoRaWAN and the Internet is provided through gateways using a portable, solar powered device assembly. A system overview concerning both hardware and functionality of the nodes and gateways devices, then a power analysis is reported, and a monthly recorded result is presented, with related discussion.
Primary Bone Marrow HIV-Associated Hodgkin Lymphoma Complicated by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

The presentation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated Hodgkin lymphoma can differ from that of the general population. More specifically, primary bone marrow Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon presentation that is more often reported in patients with HIV. Given the many overlapping symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma and HIV as well as HIV-associated infections, diagnosis can be difficult and delayed. We describe a case of primary bone marrow HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) where the initial work-up was inconclusive. Our case demonstrates the importance of early consideration of HLH as well as the need for an early bone marrow biopsy in a cytopenic patient with a fever of unknown origin.
Study of the Real-Time Onboard Radio Frequency Interference Detection and Mitigation Strategy for MICAP L-Band Radiometer

Microwave imager combined active and passive (MICAP), which is a package of active and passive microwave instruments including L/C/K-band radiometers and L-band scatterometer, has been chosen as one of the primary payloads for the Chinese Ocean Salinity Mission (COSM). The L-band 1-D synthetic aperture radiometer (L-Rad) is the key part of MICAP to measure sea surface salinity (SSS). As radio frequency interference (RFI) has been reported as a severe threat to L-band radiometry, it can be foreseen that MICAP L-Rad will encounter RFI contaminations unavoidably. Due to the conflict between the huge transmission data volume and the limited downlink budget, it is challenging for MICAP L-Rad to transmit all rapidly sampled subband data products and conduct on-ground RFI processing like Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) microwave radiometer. The onboard real-time RFI detection and mitigation strategy is proposed accordingly for MICAP L-Rad. It is designed based on the distributed digital processing structure and the synthetic aperture feature. The proposed RFI processing strategy is evaluated and verified by the system simulations and hardware experiment, demonstrating its RFI detection capability and low false alarm rate performance.
Hybrid Neutron Stars Based on a Modified PNJL Model(Nuclear Astrophysics,New Frontiers in QCD 2010-Exotic Hadron Systems and Dense Matter-)

We discuss a three-flavor Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (NJL) type quantum field theoretical approach to the quark matter equation of state (EoS) with scalar diquark condensate, isoscalar vector mean field and Kobayashi-Maskawa-'t Hooft (KMT) determinant interaction. While often the diquark and vector meson couplings are considered as free parameters, we will fix them here to their values according to the Fierz transformation of a one-gluon exchange interaction. In order to estimate the effect of a possible change in the vacuum pressure of the gluon sector at finite baryon density we exploit a recent modification of the Polyakov-loop NJL (mPNJL) model which introduces a parametric density dependence of the Polyakov-loop potential also at T=0, thus being relevant for compact star physics. We use a Dirac-Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (DBHF) EoS for the hadronic matter phase and discuss results for mass-radius relationships following from a solution of the TOV equations for such a hybrid EoS in the context of observational constraints from selected objects.
Response of a Surge Arrester With a Series Gap for 6.6-kV Distribution Lines to Steep-Front Transients

Surge arresters with a series gap are commonly installed in distribution lines to effectively protect insulators, transformers, and other equipment from lightning threats in Japan. On the other hand, it has been well known that the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) at an early stage, called E1 HEMP, may extensively cause overvoltage on distribution lines, and the rise time of the E1 HEMP is as short as a few nanoseconds, which is much shorter than that of lightning electromagnetic pulses. To evaluate the effectiveness of surge arresters with a series gap against overvoltage induced by the E1 HEMP, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of a discharge delay due to the series gap on the protection level of surge arresters for steep-front transients. In this work, using a pulse current injection system, we apply a high voltage to a surge arrester with a series gap widely used for 6.6-kV distribution lines in Japan and measure the response of the surge arrester to steep-front transients. From the measured results, we obtain the voltage–time characteristics of the surge arrester with a series gap and residual voltages, which are compared with the results for lightning impulse voltage.
Estimating Incentive Contracts for Solar PV-based
Microgrid Production Considering Cost-Benefit
Uncertainty

The solar PV-based microgrid, as a new mode of production and consumption of clean energy, backs up the variability of renewables and has important implications for mitigating global climate change. However, its further development is limited because of the high cost and uncertainty, which discourages its operators’ investment willingness. To guide capital investment in microgrids, we construct a real options model to investigate the flexible investment of operators and the optimal incentive contract under uncertainty. The real options method can more accurately measure the value of real assets in an uncertain environment, and help decision-makers to assess investment costs and benefits. Moreover, a demonstration project in Hefei, China is provided as a case study to analyze the impact of the peak-valley price rates and cost changes on the incentive contract. The results demonstrate that subsidies are still necessary to accelerate the development of solar PV-based microgrids. However, subsidies in Hefei can be stopped until the investment cost drops to 6101.25 RMB/kW. Alleviating the cost pressure on operators can stimulate them to adopt the solar PV-based microgrid, but rapid cost reductions and fluctuations could hinder its development. We further uncover that raising the peak-valley price rate can help to reduce the government's financial burden caused by subsidies.
Bacterial Community Analysis of Biofilm Formed on Metal Joint

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is caused by biofilms formed on metal surfaces, and MIC of metal alloys on marine infrastructure leads to severe accidents and great economic losses. Although bacterial community analyses of the biofilms collected from corroded metal have been studied, the analyses of biofilms collected from uncorroded metal are rarely reported. In this study, a biofilm formed on an uncorroded metal joint attached to a metal dock mooring at Akitsu Port was used as a model for bacterial community analysis. The bacterial community was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial species contained in the biofilms were identified at the genus level, and Alkanindiges bacteria were the dominant species, which have been not reported as the dominant species in previous research on MIC. The genome sequences of known Alkanindiges bacteria do not have conserved gene clusters required to cause metal corrosion, which suggests that Alkanindiges bacteria do not corrode metals but act on the formation of biofilms. Those findings indicated that the bacterial community may change significantly during the process from biofilm formation to the occurrence of metal corrosion.
Input parallel–output parallel connected modular nonisolated DC‐DC converters with current self‐sharing capability operating in discontinuous conduction mode

This paper covers the self‐sharing analysis of dc‐dc nonisolated converters with input parallel–output parallel (IPOP) configuration and operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The main contribution of the proposed system is its capability of providing self‐sharing of the currents on both sides of each individual converter, without average current sharing control, even in the face of parametric variations. This self‐balance only occurs for DCM. When the addressed converters operate in continuous conduction mode (CCM), the self‐sharing does not occur naturally under parametric differences among them, requiring the use of additional control loops. The use of self‐sharing converters in nonisolated converters simplifies the control system, it makes the modular solution being attractive for many applications, and it increases the power range that the DCM converters may be applied. This paper brings the theoretical study of self‐sharing of the current mechanism to six basic nonisolated converters operating in DCM. The self‐sharing is verified by experimental results, which are obtained from three modules of dc‐dc SEPIC converters. Both converters were designed to operate with 200‐V input voltage, 125‐V output voltage, 1500‐W rated power (500 W each module), and switching frequency at 30 kHz.
Insulin Resistance and Other Adipokines as Clinical Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has a strong relationship with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications. However, in Basrah, Iraq, studies regarding GDM are still limited. In current study, we aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and some clinical predictors of GDM among pregnant women in 1st and 3rd trimesters of gestation.METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 44 pregnant women with GDM and 45 without GDM aged 20 to 40 years who applied for GDM screening during the first (9-13 week) and third trimester (24-28 week) of pregnancy. Demographics, blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), spexin, nesfatin-1, orexin-A, vaspin and lipid profile levels were compared between groups.RESULTS: Subjects with GDM showed a higher level of glucose, insulin HOMA-IR, HbA1c, spexin, vaspin in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy (p<0.01) compared to the healthy subjects. Meanwhile in the first and third trimester, subjects with GDM showed significantly lower level of nesfatin-1 and orexin-A compare to the control. In third trimester, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) outcomes for fasting glucose at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours after glucose load were significantly higher (p<0.01). According to the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) findings, HOMA-IR, spexin, and vaspin may be more effective predictors biomarkers for GDM in pregnant subjects, while orexin-A and nesfatin-1 were ineffective.CONCLUSION: The correlation of insulin resistance and adipokines in the first and thrid trimester was not significantly different, which may cast new light on the possible role as an etiological cause of GDM and might be a better monitoring parameter in women with GDM. KEYWORDS: gestational diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, vaspin, spexin, orexin-A, nesfatin-1
Stilbene‐based derivatives as potential inhibitors of trimethylamine (TMA)‐lyase affect gut microbiota in coronary heart disease

Abstract Coronary heart disease (CHD) is defined by atherosclerosis, which may result in stenosis or blockage of the arterial cavity, leading to ischemic cardiac diseases such as angina and myocardial infarction (MI). Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota play a critical role in the initiation and progression of CHD. The gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is intimately linked to the pathophysiology of CHD. The hepatic flavin‐containing monooxygenases (FMOs) convert trimethylamine (TMA) to TMAO. As a result, it is critical to prevent TMA generation. Stilbenes could reduce cardiovascular disease mortality. Twelve stilbenes with inhibitory activity against TMA‐lyase were compiled and evaluated in this study. Docking results showed Resveratroloside had the highest Vina score, indicating that it was the most active and might be employed as a lead molecule for further structural modification.
Acute Exercise and the Systemic and Airway Inflammatory Response to a High-Fat Meal in Young and Older Adults

The purpose of the present study was to determine fasting and high-fat meal (HFM)-induced post-prandial systemic inflammation and airway inflammation (exhaled nitric oxide (eNO)) in older adults (OAs) compared to younger adults (YAs) before and after acute exercise. Twelve YAs (23.3 ± 3.9 y n = 5 M/7 F) and 12 OAs (67.7 ± 6 y, n = 8 M/4 F) completed two HFM challenges. After an overnight fast, participants underwent an HFM session or pre-prandial exercise (EX, 65% VO2Peak to expend 75% of the caloric content of the HFM) plus HFM (EX + HFM) in a randomized order. Systemic inflammatory cytokines were collected at 0, 3, and 6 h, while eNO was determined at 0, 2, and 4 h after the HFM (12 kcal/kg body weight: 61% fat, 35% CHO, 4% PRO). TNF-α was higher in OAs compared to YAs (p = 0.005) and decreased across time from baseline to 6 h post-HFM (p = 0.007). In response to the HFM, IL-6 decreased from 0 to 3 h but increased at 6 h regardless of age or exercise (p = 0.018). IL-8 or IL-1β did not change over the HFM by age or exercise (p > 0.05). eNO was also elevated in OAs compared to YAs (p = 0.003) but was not altered by exercise (p = 0.108). There was a trend, however, towards significance post-prandially in OAs and YAs from 0 to 2 h (p = 0.072). TNF-α and eNO are higher in OAs compared to YAs but are not elevated more in OAs post-prandially compared to YAs. Primary systemic inflammatory cytokines and eNO were not modified by acute exercise prior to an HFM.
Participatory Action Research to Co-Design Internet-Based HIV Prevention with Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in HIV Prevention in Bali, Indonesia

There is increasing awareness of the need to develop innovative and relevant methodologies to best capture the voices of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM), which will inform HIV prevention. This article discusses the process of researching with YMSM in Bali, the solution to methodological gaps in research for Internet-based HIV prevention. This research endorsed the Habermas Communicative Action Theory which was then translated to Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. Nine YMSM aged 18-24 years old participated in this research through multiple research activities for four months. Data collection included structured group meetings, group workshops, informal participant observations, and after-hour conversations over afternoon tea and shared meals. Participants used a range of visual and digital media to share their collective ideas and different trial strategies. We argue for the opportunity for participatory action research to strengthen the roles of YMSM in HIV prevention.
STAR-RIS Assisted Full-Duplex Systems: Impact of Correlation and Maximization

We focus on the sum-rate performance of a full-duplex (FD) communication system assisted by a simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surface (STAR-RIS). Contrary to previous work, we account for the unavoidable spatial correlation at the STAR-RIS, and we result in closed-form expressions based on statistical channel state information (CSI), expressed by large-scale statistics. Moreover, we propose a novel maximization of the sum-rate by optimizing simultaneously both the amplitudes and the phase-shifts of the STAR-RIS. This method has a reduced overhead, which is quite important on STAR-RIS systems that are implemented with double elements compared to conventional-RIS.