Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Combination of Spatial Domain Filters to Detect Surface Ocean Current from Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing Data

This research investigates the applicability of combining spatial filter’s algorithm to extract surface ocean current. Accordingly, the raster filters were tested on 80–13,505 daily images to detect Kuroshio Current (KC) on weekly, seasonal, and climatological scales. The selected raster filters are convolution, Laplacian, north gradient, sharpening, min/max, histogram equalization, standard deviation, and natural break. In addition, conventional data set of sea surface currents, sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height (SSH), and non-conventional data such as total heat flux, surface density (SSD), and salinity (SSS) were employed. Moreover, controversial data on ocean color are included because very few studies revealed that chlorophyll-α is a proxy to SST in the summer to extract KC. Interestingly, the performance of filters is uniform and thriving for seasonal and on a climatological scale only by combining the algorithms. In contrast, the typical scenario of identifying Kuroshio signatures using an individual filter and by designating a value spectrum is inapplicable for specific seasons and data set. Furthermore, the KC’s centerlines computed from SST, SSH, total heat flux, SSS, SSD, and chlorophyll-α correlate with sea surface currents. Deviations are observed in the various segments of Kuroshio’s centerline extracted from heat flux, chlorophyll-α, and SSS flowing across Tokara Strait from northeast Taiwan to the south of Japan.
Are Peripheral Biomarkers Determinants of Eating Styles in Childhood and Adolescence Obesity? A Cross-Sectional Study

Disturbances in eating behaviors have been widely related to obesity. However, little is known about the role of obesity-related biomarkers in shaping habitual patterns of eating behaviors (i.e., eating styles) in childhood. The objective of the present study was to explore the relationships between several biomarkers crucially involved in obesity (ghrelin, insulin resistance, and leptin/adiponectin ratio) and eating styles in children and adolescents with obesity. Seventy participants aged between 8 and 16 (56.2% men) fulfilled the Spanish version of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Children to measure external, emotional, and restrained eating styles. In addition, concentrations of ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and glucose were obtained through a blood test. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for age and sex were computed for each eating style. Results indicated that individuals with higher ghrelin concentration levels showed lower scores in restrained eating (β = −0.61, p < 0.001). The total model explained 32% of the variance of the restrained pattern. No other relationships between obesity-related biomarkers and eating behaviors were found. This study highlights that one of the obesity-risk factors, namely lower plasma ghrelin levels, is substantially involved in a well-known maladaptive eating style, restraint eating, in childhood obesity.
Design of improved CMOS phase-frequency detector and charge-pump for phase-locked loop

Two essential blocks for the PLLs based on CP, a phase-frequency detector (PFD) and an improved current steering charge-pump (CP), are developed. The mechanisms for widening the phase error detection range and eliminating the dead zone are analyzed and applied in our design to optimize the proposed PFD. To obtain excellent current matching and minimum current variation over a wide output voltage range, an improved structure for the proposed CP is developed by fully utilizing many additional sub-circuits. Implemented in a standard 90-nm CMOS process, the proposed PFD achieves a phase error detection range from −354° to 354° and the improved CP demonstrates a current mismatch of less than 1.1% and a pump-current variation of 4% across the output voltage, swinging from 0.2 to 1.1 V, and the power consumption is 1.3 mW under a 1.2-V supply.
Data Brief : the Tasmanian Education Context.

The following Data Brief is submitted to Rodney Croome for viewing by The Tasmanian Department of Education and Training by Tiffany Jones, on the 4 th of April, 2012. It provides a short overview of data relevant to the Tasmanian education context, collected for the PhD research project Sexual Subjects: GLBTIQ Student Subjectivities in Australian Education Policy (Jones, 2012). This research was based on a mixed methodology, including legal and policy analysis (over 80 national, state and sector education policies), key informant interviews and cross-analysis of new data on the education context for 3,134 Australian GLBTIQ students 1 . The overview is intended to assist in underscoring the need for a distinct Tasmanian education policy that explicitly focusses on GLBTIQ 2 student issues, which would ideally provide detailed guidance around these issues for Tasmanian schools.
An Ensemble Prognostic Method of Francis Turbine Units Using Low-Quality Data under Variable Operating Conditions

The prognostic is the key to the state-based maintenance of Francis turbine units (FTUs), which consists of performance state evaluation and degradation trend prediction. In practical engineering environments, there are three significant difficulties: low data quality, complex variable operation conditions, and prediction model parameter optimization. In order to effectively solve the above three problems, an ensemble prognostic method of FTUs using low-quality data under variable operation conditions is proposed in this study. Firstly, to consider the operation condition parameters, the running data set of the FTU is constructed by the water head, active power, and vibration amplitude of the top cover. Then, to improve the robustness of the proposed model against anomaly data, the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is introduced to clean outliers and singularities in the raw running data set. Next, considering the randomness of the monitoring data, the healthy state model based on the Gaussian mixture model is constructed, and the negative log-likelihood probability is calculated as the performance degradation indicator (PDI). Furthermore, to predict the trend of PDIs with confidence interval and automatically optimize the prediction model on both accuracy and certainty, the multiobjective prediction model is proposed based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and Gaussian process regression. Finally, monitoring data from an actual large FTU was used for effectiveness verification. The stability and smoothness of the PDI curve are improved by 3.2 times and 1.9 times, respectively, by DBSCAN compared with 3-sigma. The root-mean-squared error, the prediction interval normalized average, the prediction interval coverage probability, the mean absolute percentage error, and the R2 score of the proposed method achieved 0.223, 0.289, 1.000, 0.641%, and 0.974, respectively. The comparison experiments demonstrate that the proposed method is more robust to low-quality data and has better accuracy, certainty, and reliability for the prognostic of the FTU under complex operating conditions.
Rapid evaluation of machine tools with position-dependent milling stability based on response surface model

The milling stability is one of the important evaluation criterions of dynamic characteristics of machine tools, and it is of great importance for machine tools’ design and manufacturing. The milling stability of machine tools generally varies with the position combinations of moving parts. The traditional milling stability analysis of machine tools is based on some specific positions in the whole workspace of machine tools, and the results are not comprehensive. Furthermore, it is very time-consuming for operation and calculation to complete analysis of multiple positions. A new method to rapidly evaluate the stability of machine tools with position dependence is developed in this article. In this method, the key position combinations of moving parts are set as the samples of calculation to calculate the dynamic characteristics of machine tools with SAMCEF finite element simulation analysis software. Then the minimum critical axial cutting depth of each sample is obtained. The relationship between the position and the value of minimum critical axial cutting depth at any position in the whole workspace can be obtained through established response surface model. The precision of the response surface model is evaluated and the model could be used to rapidly evaluate the milling stability of machine tools with position dependence. With a precision horizontal machining center with box-in-box structure as an example, the value of minimum critical axial cutting depth at any position is shown. This method of rapid evaluation of machine tools with position-dependent stability avoids complicated theoretical calculation, so it can be easily adopted by engineers and technicians in the phase of design process of machine tools.
Imagine to Remember: An Episodic Future Thinking Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose Medication nonadherence is prevalent in diabetic populations, with “forgetting” a commonly cited reason. This issue of forgetfulness is due, in part, to a failure of prospective memory (PM). Episodic future thinking (EFT) has been shown to improve PM but has not been used to improve medication adherence. Patients and Methods The current study used a multiple baseline design (N = 4) to test the effects of EFT on medication non-adherence for four patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, with comorbid high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Medication adherence was objectively measured over 15 weeks using medication event monitoring systems. Results Results of visual analysis showed medication adherence was reliably improved, confirmed by mixed model analysis of variance (p < 0.001), with significant differences from baseline to treatment (Tau <0.05) for 3 of 4 participants. Improvements in two measures of PM (effect size (ES) = 0.73, 0.80) and delay discounting (ES = 1.20) were observed. Conclusion This study provides a feasible way to improve medication adherence in patients with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic Syndrome: Updates on Pathophysiology and Management in 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) forms a cluster of metabolic dysregulations including insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, central obesity, and hypertension. The pathogenesis of MetS encompasses multiple genetic and acquired entities that fall under the umbrella of insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation. If left untreated, MetS is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Given that CVDs constitute by far the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, it has become essential to investigate the role played by MetS in this context to reduce the heavy burden of the disease. As such, and while MetS relatively constitutes a novel clinical entity, the extent of research about the disease has been exponentially growing in the past few decades. However, many aspects of this clinical entity are still not completely understood, and many questions remain unanswered to date. In this review, we provide a historical background and highlight the epidemiology of MetS. We also discuss the current and latest knowledge about the histopathology and pathophysiology of the disease. Finally, we summarize the most recent updates about the management and the prevention of this clinical syndrome.
The Stability Assessment of Dasht-e-Abbas Pressure Intake Tunnel Subjected to Ground Strength Reduction-Iran

cIn this paper, the hydrostatic interaction between soil and concrete lining of Dasht-e-Abbas pressure intake tunnel has been investigated when the shear strength parameters of the mudstone layers decrease due to the seepage of water to the surrounding media. To evaluate the stability of the tunnel, a two dimensional numerical simulation is developed using the finite element code called PLAXIS and interaction analyses are carried out. The analyses are done in stages to assess the maximum internal forces induced in the lining. The structural stability of the tunnel is evaluated and discussed in this condition. Based on the obtained results, it is noted that for more realistic understanding of the behavior of infrastructures like pressure intake tunnels under various conditions, numerical analyses should also accompany experimental and analytical approaches such as Schleiss method which is described in this paper, especially for tunneling in media that is susceptible to water and ground strength reduction. The numerical analysis results show a considerable increase in the lining internal forces when subjected to the reduction of ground strength. However, the tunnel structure is still stable under the effect of surrounding ground degradation with the constructed lining specifications.
DISAGGREGATION OF HOUSE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION USING PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION

This paper presents disaggregation of appliances’ energy consumption for a residential house using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The disaggregation process provides useful information about the time and duration of each appliance on when they are switched on, which can contribute to close monitoring of appliance activities in a house. Firstly, the data of aggregated electricity loads comprising six different appliances is measured and plotted based on total power (Ptotal) over time. The data is then formulated based on combinatorial optimization (CO) problem which represents the load disaggregation model that contains the sum power of all six appliances when they are switched on. The CO problem is solved by using PSO by setting up the population of particles to represent each appliance. The random number of each population is generated based on appliance’s power state when switched on, where the total appliances power (Papp) is represented as the sum of all six particles data. Thus, by using the known value of appliance on state as optimization boundary parameters, the CO problem is evaluated by PSO following the Integral Squared Error (ISE) minimization problem of Ptotal and Papp. The optimization results give good convergence criteria with accurate percentage of time taken for every appliance in use. [206 words]
Gentamicin Inhibits Ca2+ Channel TRPV5 and Induces Calciuresis Independent of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor–Claudin-14 Pathway

Significance Statement The antibiotic gentamicin, frequently used to treat Gram-negative bacteria infections, has significant side effects, including renal Ca2+ wasting. Gentamicin has been presumed to induce calciuresis by activating the renal Ca2+-sensing receptor, which would increase expression of the pore-blocking protein claudin-14 and reduce Ca2+ reabsorption in the thick ascending limb. However, this hypothesis has not been confirmed experimentally. Using a combination of mouse models with impaired Ca2+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule and the thick ascending limb, we show that neither acute nor chronic gentamicin administration induces calciuresis by acting on these segments. Instead, gentamicin blocks activity of the distal nephron Ca2+ channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) and decreases calciotropic protein expression, thereby reducing distal nephron Ca2+ reabsorption. These findings illuminate the mechanism underlying gentamicin-induced urinary Ca2+ loss. Visual Abstract Background Treatment with the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin can be associated with severe adverse effects, including renal Ca2+ wasting. The underlying mechanism is unknown but it has been proposed to involve activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the thick ascending limb, which would increase expression of claudin-14 (CLDN14) and limit Ca2+ reabsorption. However, no direct evidence for this hypothesis has been presented. Methods We studied the effect of gentamicin in vivo using mouse models with impaired Ca2+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule and the thick ascending limb. We used a Cldn14 promoter luciferase reporter assay to study CaSR activation and investigated the effect of gentamicin on activity of the distal nephron Ca2+ channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 (TRPV5), as determined by patch clamp in HEK293 cells. Results Gentamicin increased urinary Ca2+ excretion in wild-type mice after acute and chronic administration. This calciuretic effect was unaltered in mice with genetic CaSR overactivation and was present in furosemide-treated animals, whereas the calciuretic effect in Cldn14−/− mice and mice with impaired proximal tubular Ca2+ reabsorption (claudin-2 [CLDN2]-deficient Cldn2−/− mice) was equivalent to that of wild-type mice. In vitro, gentamicin failed to activate the CaSR. In contrast, patch clamp analysis revealed that gentamicin strongly inhibited rabbit and human TRPV5 activity and chronic gentamicin administration downregulated distal nephron Ca2+ transporters. Conclusions Gentamicin does not cause hypercalciuria via activation of the CaSR-CLDN14 pathway or by interfering with proximal tubular CLDN2-dependent Ca2+ reabsorption. Instead, gentamicin blocks distal Ca2+ reabsorption by direct inhibition of the Ca2+ channel TRPV5. These findings offer new insights into Ca2+ wasting in patients treated with gentamicin.
Effect of Implementing a Self-Management Educational Program on Clinical Outcomes of Patients Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) is the most durable and complete treatment of ischemic heart disease, It has been shown to be a highly effective intervention for the relief of angina, improving quality of life and for some patients prolonging life. While CABG surgery can be very hard on the body, the patient will be served far better by engaging in self-management program starting from the recovery period. In general, CABG selfmanagement program covers topics related to: medication management, activity performance, nutrition, signs and symptoms of complications, and pain management. Aim of the study: the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of implementing a self-management educational program on clinical outcomes of patients post coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Research design: Quasi-Experimental design was utilized in this study. Subjects: The study includes 40 patients who are assigned to CABG surgery and scheduled for operation. Setting: Tanta Main University Hospital, Gharbia governorate, and conducted at cardiothoracic surgery department and followed up in outpatient clinics at the same hospital. Tools: Five tools were used Tool I: Biosociodemographic and physical assessment, Tool II: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery knowledge assessment, Too III: visual numeric pain scale. Too IV: Nutritional assessment tool. Results of the present study revealed that there were highly statistically significant differences between both study and control groups post CABG self management program regarding knowledge, nutrition and functional abilities. Conclusion: It can be concluded that engagement in self management program and early exercise post CABG surgery is very effective on improving patients' clinical outcomes including pain severity, nutritional status and functional abilities. Recommendation: Patient undergoing CABG surgery should be instructed to follow self management program immediately post operation, as well as during follow up in addition to, stressing the importance of engagement in early exercise for prevention of post CABG complication.
Vibration isolators using nonlinear spring characteristics of origami-based foldable structures

Abstract In this paper, a new vibration isolator using origami-based foldable structures is proposed and numerical simulation is performed to evaluate the performance of the isolator to prevent structural vibration. It has been known that the origami-based foldable structures using Kresling’s pattern have bistability. However, that is true only if the bar elements which the structure comprises are uniformly distorted in order that the structure is symmetrically folded. To realize the bistability of the structure, we propose to apply additional linear springs to the original structure. In the first design, linear springs are applied, connecting diagonal nodes of the bar elements. In the second design, they are applied along to the axial direction of the structure. It is confirmed by numerical simulation that these designs successfully provide the bistable folding behavior and therefore, the structure with additional linear springs can work as a vibration isolator around the region that the total spring stiffness of the whole structure reaches the relative minimum value that is close to zero.
Mechanisms of Organ Damage and Novel Treatment Targets in AL Amyloidosis

The deposition of amyloid light chains (LCs) in target sites translates into tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Clinical and experimental advances have cast new light on the pathophysiology of damage in AL amyloidosis. The currently accepted view is that, besides the alterations caused by fibrillar deposits in the extracellular space, direct proteotoxicity exerted by prefibrillar LC species is an important pathogenic factor. As our knowledge on the pathological species and altered cellular pathways grows, novel potential therapeutic strategies to prevent or reduce damage can be rationally explored. Complementing chemotherapy with approaches aimed at disrupting the deposited fibrils and stabilizing prefibrillar amyloidogenic LC may allow halting or even reverting damage in target sites. This review recapitulates the current knowledge and the most recent acquisitions regarding the mechanisms of organ damage in AL amyloidosis, with special emphasis on the heart, and will provide a critical discussion on possible novel treatment targets.
A SIW Antipodal Vivaldi Array Antenna Design

A kind of compact SIW (substrate integrated waveguide) Vivaldi array antenna is proposed and analyzed. The antenna consisted of 4 Vivaldi structure radiation elements fed by an equal power divider with SIW technology. The radiation element is composed of antipodal index gradient microstrip lines on both sides of the substrate. The measured reflection coefficient of the array antenna is less than −10 dB from 8.88 GHz to 10.02 GHz. The measured gain of the array antenna is 13.3 dB on 9.5 GHz.
Nuclear NAD+-biosynthetic enzyme NMNAT1 facilitates development and early survival of retinal neurons

Despite mounting evidence that the mammalian retina is exceptionally reliant on proper NAD+ homeostasis for health and function, the specific roles of subcellular NAD+ pools in retinal development, maintenance, and disease remain obscure. Here, we show that deletion of the nuclear-localized NAD+ synthase nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase-1 (NMNAT1) in the developing murine retina causes early and severe degeneration of photoreceptors and select inner retinal neurons via multiple distinct cell death pathways. This severe phenotype is associated with disruptions to retinal central carbon metabolism, purine nucleotide synthesis, and amino acid pathways. Furthermore, transcriptomic and immunostaining approaches reveal dysregulation of a collection of photoreceptor and synapse-specific genes in NMNAT1 knockout retinas prior to detectable morphological or metabolic alterations. Collectively, our study reveals previously unrecognized complexity in NMNAT1-associated retinal degeneration and suggests a yet-undescribed role for NMNAT1 in gene regulation during photoreceptor terminal differentiation.