Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness May Buffer Psychological Distress in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Differential Role of Mindfulness Facets

The COVID-19 pandemic strongly impacts adolescents’ mental health, a population particularly vulnerable to mental disorders, highlighting the need to identify protective factors against COVID-19 related psychological distress to inform policies and intervention strategies. Previous research suggests that mindfulness may be a promising factor that can lower the risk of detrimental psychological consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is currently unknown which aspects of mindfulness contribute most to its protective effects. Moreover, previous studies mainly focused on adult samples. The present study aimed to address this gap by investigating the impact of specific mindfulness facets on adolescents’ COVID-19 related psychological functioning. 246 Dutch-speaking adolescents were recruited via social media to complete a cross-sectional online survey between June 29 and October 11, 2020. Participants were 16–18 years of age, most of them women (71%), and the majority followed the highest level of Belgian secondary education. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test the differential effects of each mindfulness facet on psychological functioning. Our results identified decentering as the facet of mindfulness that was uniquely associated with decreased worry and stress, improved mental health and quality of life, as well as with an increase in social connectedness with others following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unexpectedly, decentering was negatively associated with adolescents’ helping behaviour during compared to before the pandemic. Implications for research on and application of mindfulness are discussed. Taken together, these findings suggest that the facet of decentering, among all facets of mindfulness, may represent the main protective factor against psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An improved behavioral IGBT model and its characterization tool

In this paper an improvement made to the behavioral IGBT model available in the Saber simulator is described. The saturation characteristics have been improved and a characterization tool in order to increase the model ease of use is developed. Using this tool, a 1200 V/600 A commercial IGBT (MITSUBISHI CM 600 HA-24 H) has been fully characterized. The model shows good agreement with measured results.
Antibacterial Effect of Experimental Orthodontic Adhesives Containing Gold Nanoparticles against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus

Enamel decalcification usually can be found around orthodontic bracket after debonding. Orthodontic adhesives resistant to bacterial colonization were used to prevent white spot lesion and dental caries in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliance. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial properties of expeimental orthodontic adhesive containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). 108 orthodontic adhesive discs containing 1.0 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.25 wt% AuNPs and without AuNPs were prepared from in-house orthodontic adhesive (27 discs per group). The antibcterial properties of adhesive discs were evaluated by direct contact test. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus suspensions were placed on the discs and incubated at 37 °C for 1 hour. The adhesive discs were transferred to BHI broth and were incubated at 37°C for 16, 20 and 24 h. Bacterial growth was evaluated by optical density (OD) measurement at 590nm. The results showed that experimental orthodontic adhesives with 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% AuNPs exhibited higher antibacterial activity compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At 24 h of incubation, the median OD of 1.0 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.25 wt% and control in S. mutans were 0.109, 0.006, 0.007 and 0.372, rescpectively. In S. sobrinus, the median OD were 0.173, 0.012 , 0.007 and 0.328. The incorporation of gold nanoparticles into orthodontic adhesives exhibited antibacterial activity against cariogenic microorganism. At a concentration of 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% AuNPs, experimental orthodontic adhesive could reduce bacterial growth of both S. mutans and S. sobrinus.
Design of Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton-based Sensor for Low Dielectric Constant Liquid Samples

In this paper we propose a sensing platform for dielectric constant sensing based on a microwave spoof surface plasmon polaritons sensor and integrated chamber for liquid samples. The influence of different geometrical parameters on sensor response are analyzed, and the sensor performances are optimized for ultrasensitive detection of low dielectric constant in liquid samples.
Joint detection CDMA antenna diversity techniques

In the early 1990s the development of an air interface concept for UMTS and IMT 2000 was started, which is based on a combination of the multiple access methods FDMA, TDMA and CDMA, and in which multiple access interference is combatted by joint detection in the receivers. This air interface concept is termed joint detection (JD)-CDMA. In cellular mobile radio systems the directional inhomogeneity of the radio channels can be exploited to increase the spectral efficiency by antenna diversity techniques. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the beneficial effects of receiver antenna diversity techniques in the uplink of JD-CDMA air interfaces. By means of computer simulations of realistic scenarios, the spectral efficiencies obtainable by different versions of antenna diversity techniques, namely space diversity, antenna arrays and sets of sector antennas are determined. (7 pages)
Accuracy problems in on-line one-phase distribution/load system identification task

The paper deals with accuracy problems of single-phase power distribution systems and load identification for harmonic frequencies under the assumption of user access to common load/distribution system terminals. The load is assumed to be permanently connected to the power system. This assures fixed working points for nonlinear/switched loads, allowing identification of their equivalent linear parameters. The equivalent harmonic sources (levels, phases) and impedances for harmonic frequencies of the distribution system and the customer load are of interest. The identification is based on two observations of system/load currents and voltages as they appear on the common system/load terminals under natural and disturbed power system states. Due to the rigid system behaviour, caused by the low level of distribution system impedance and due to the presence of strong fundamental voltage/current components, there is a limited choice of useful realisable system disturbances. Two disturbing methods, passive and active, were considered.
Integrated optical digital-to-analogue converter and its application to pulse pattern recognition

An optical digital-to-analogue converter that enables optical pulse pattern recognition, fabricated on the silica-based planar lightwave circuit, is proposed. The converter features an optical transversal filter with a multimode interference combiner. Various kinds of four-bit pulse patterns at 10 Gbit/s have been successfully recognised with the fabricated converter.
Prevalence of Healed Plaque and Factors Influencing Its Characteristics Under Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of healed plaque and its characteristics under optical coherence tomography (OCT) through a formal systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Methods and Results: Thirteen studies were selected from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and online databases. The overall incidence of healed plaques was 40% (95% CI: 39–42), with 37% (95% CI: 35–39) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and with 46% (95% CI: 43–49) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). The incidence of healed plaque among culprit plaques (48%, 95% CI: 46–50) was nearly two times higher than that among non-culprit plaques (24%, 95% CI: 21–27). The incidence of thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), plaque rupture, microvessel, macrophage accumulation, and calcification was significantly higher in the healed plaque group. Meta-regression revealed an association between smoking (P = 0.033) and healed plaque rupture. Gender (P = 0.047) was independently associated with macrophage accumulation, and mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was independently associated with microvessel. Conclusions: In summary, with a total incidence of 40%, the incidence of healed plaques under OCT was higher in SAP than in ACS, and higher in culprit plaques than in non-culprit plaques. Higher incidence of TCFA, plaque rupture, microvessel, macrophage accumulation, and calcification was found in the healed-plaque group. Smoking, gender, and mean LDL-C level were associated with healed-plaque characteristics.
Experiments in Predictive Coordination of a Fuel Cell/Ultracapacitor Hybrid

A rule-based and a model predictive power management strategy are evaluated in experiments for power management of a fuel cell/ultracapacitor hybrid. The two degrees of freedom provided by use of two dc/dc convertors enable independent low-level control of the DC BUS voltage and the current split between the fuel cell and ultracapacitor. The high-level control objectives are to respond to rapid variations in load while minimizing damaging fluctuations in fuel cell current and maintaining the ultracapacitor charge (or voltage) within allowable bounds. Experiments show that both strategies can be tuned to meet these control objectives; however the predictive nature of the model predictive scheme coupled with its ability to aggressively push the ultracapacitor to its constraint line results in smoother fuel cell current transients. © 2008 ASME
Alimentary Risk of Mycotoxins for Humans and Animals

Mycotoxins can be found in many foods consumed by humans and animals. These substances are secondary metabolites of some fungi species and are resistant to technological processes (cooking, frying, baking, distillation, fermentation). They most often contaminate products of animal (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, game meat, milk) and plant origin (cereals, processed cereals, vegetables, nuts). It is estimated that about 25% of the world’s harvest may be contaminated with mycotoxins. These substances damage crops and may cause mycotoxicosis. Many mycotoxins can be present in food, together with mold fungi, increasing the exposure of humans and animals to them. In this review we characterized the health risks caused by mycotoxins found in food, pet food and feed. The most important groups of mycotoxins are presented in terms of their toxicity and occurrence.
Capacitance measurements on silicon microstrip detectors

Summary form only. Load capacitance is the most significant parameter determining the noise level of readout electronics. In the case of silicon microstrip detectors, it is represented by the capacitance of one strip to all the adjacent strips. Measurements of this capacitance on the p- and n-side of detectors with various geometries have been performed. Double-sided detectors with a second metal layer and different readout patterns were also studied. <<ETX>>
Self-organizing incremental and graph convolution neural network for English implicit discourse relation recognition

Implicit discourse relation recognition is a sub-task of discourse relation recognition, which is challenging because it is difficult to learn the argument representation with rich semantic information and interactive information. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a self-organizing incremental and graph convolution neural network for English implicit discourse relation recognition. The method adopts the preliminary training language model BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformers) coding argument for argument. A classification model based on self-organizing incremental and graph convolutional neural network is constructed to obtain the argument representation which is helpful for English implicit discourse relation recognition. The experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the benchmark model in terms of contingency relations and expansion relations.
CONSIDERING MATERIAL CYCLES FOR A TRANSITION TO LOW-CARBON ENERGY SYSTEMS IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The decarbonisation of energy systems plays a central role in climate change mitigation strategies. Yet, the implementation of new energy infrastructure increases material demand, especially metals, and poses a challenge with managing their end-of-life. However, it is not yet clear to what extent integrated analyses of energy and material systems have been undertaken for the New Zealand context. This paper provides a systematic literature review to inform how material analyses have been incorporated in the planning of low-carbon energy systems in New Zealand. The results show that research efforts have forecasted low-carbon energy systems and modelled some of the infrastructure required, as well as the associated lifecycle emissions considering scenarios of different renewable electricity mixes and of improvements in energy efficiency. However, material systems – whether virgin material demand or implications for recycling – have not been considered in low-carbon energy pathways for New Zealand. We recommend energy and material systems analyses for New Zealand should become more integrated to inform better policy and decision-making. This could be achieved by developing a model that integrates energy system modelling with dynamic stock-flow models and prospective lifecycle analysis.
Flight Implementation of Dual Neural Network Control Technique for a Low-cost UAV

In this paper a novel indirect adaptive control technique based on neural networks for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is described. The technique demonstrates the use of two interconnected neural networks to provide faster tracking of the commanded reference. A pre-trained internal model network and an online trained controller network form the core of the dual neural network (DNN) architecture. A Telemaster UAV equipped with various sensors and an onboard data-logger and control (ODC) unit forms the experimental platform. The plant model and the controller have been designed in numerical simulations based on data obtained from experimental flights of the UAV. To validate the applicability of the DNN controller it has been flight tested on the UAV to demonstrate autonomous operation. Results from the numerical simulations and flight test are provided.
Capacity analysis of a simple integrated planar optical interconnects system

The analysis of capacity in a simple integrated planar optical interconnects (IPOIs) system, based on the Gaussian propagation model, is presented. The interconnects capacity is obtained as a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), optical signal power, optical noise power, electrical noise equivalent power, and the geometrical constraints of the concept of integrated planar optics (IPO). The dependence of interconnects capacity on various system parameters is analysed and simulated. It is shown that the design of the IPOIs system can be optimized for maximum capacity using geometrical constraints as design parameters.
Controlled rounding arithmetics, for second-order direct-form digital filters, that eliminate all self-sustained oscillations

Quantization often allows a recursive second-order filter to oscillate even when the underlying linear model is absolutely stable and there is no external signal present to excite the filter. One of the significant innovative ideas recently introduced to combat this condition is "controlled rounding" which utilizes memory in the rounding decision process. Specifically, the selection at time (n+ 1) of the state variable of filter, x_(n+1) depends not only on the quantity to be rounded, but also on the two previous outputs of the rounding operation, x_n and x_{n-1} ; the latter two quantities are anyhow readily available at the time of decision. This paper gives controlled rounding arithmetics that suppress all selfsustained oscillations in all direct-form second-order filters for which the underlying ideal linear model is stable. Not just rounding but also overflow, and hence all the features that make a digital filter a finite state machine, are taken into account. The incremental cost of the hardware which is mostly on account of the additional logic is reckoned to be slight.
Some of the design and methodology considerations in wind resource assessment

Owing to the increasing power demand and the environmental concerns of the conventional power sources, power generation from wind is receiving due attention from majority of power planners. Since wind is an intermittent energy source and to find the economic viability of wind project, a proper wind resource assessment (WRA) and analysis of the data collected is very important. An extensive literature survey on WRA is carried out and the different techniques of WRA are discussed. The methodology includes discussions on preliminary wind survey to choose the best site for installing wind data instruments, selecting the optimum wind turbine suitable for a site and the uncertainties involved in estimating the wind speed using the different WRA techniques.
Predicting the environmental fate and ecotoxicological and toxicological effects of pesticide transformation products

Following the application of pesticides during normal agricultural practice these compounds can degrade to form transformation products. When assessing the risks posed by pesticides it is important to include any additional risks posed by these compounds. Current guidance within the EU suggests that data requirements for transformation products during the risk assessment do not necessarily need to be addressed with experimental studies but alternative techniques can be explored and used. Therefore the aim of this research was to investigate and develop pragmatic approaches for assessing the fate and effects of transformation products in the absence of experimentally determined data. Approaches designed to provide information on the physico-chemical properties, environmental parameters, ecotoxicology and toxicology of pesticide transformation products are explored and evaluated, and recommendations made on how to obtain the most appropriate estimates of these factors. Hydrophobicity, dissociation constant, soil sorption, daphnid aquatic ecotoxicology and rat oral lethality can all be estimated with confidence. Moreover, approaches were developed to I) indicate whether a transformation product may exhibit pesticidal activity and subsequently estimate its acute aquatic ecotoxicity in the absence of experimental data, 2) combine well known techniques and experimental data to obtain estimates of transformation product mutagenicity with limited risk of obtaining false negatives and 3) prioritise transformation products of most concern to drinking water supplies and its consumers. Overall, recommendations are made throughout this thesis on appropriate approaches and methods for generating estimates of transformation product properties, ecotoxicity and toxicity for use in risk assessment and prioritisation frameworks.
Electrooptic characteristics of thin-film PLZT waveguide using ridge-type Mach-Zehnder modulator

The design, characterization, and drift due to electrical bias (DC drift) of thin-film lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) waveguide is reported using a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The mechanism of the electrooptic responses based on hysteresis of the applied field is proposed to understand the behavior of the device. It is shown that the thin film exhibits a Kerr effect having a coefficient value of 5/spl times/10/sup -18/ (m/V)/sup 2/. It is reported that by utilizing hydrogen-deficient dry etching, the DC drift is improved by a factor of 3.5. In addition, the verification of the operation of a PLZT-based device for more than 1400 h at 70/spl deg/C is reported, for the first time.
Behaviour of grounding loop with bentonite during a ground fault at an overhead line tower

The results of a single-phase short-circuit experiment at a 35 kV overhead line are presented. During the experiment, the grounding loops, backfilled with bentonite and waste drilling mud, were exposed to real ground fault currents. As a consequence of the increased thermal stresses of bentonite and waste drilling mud, only short time increases of the resistance of the grounding loops were registered. It is shown that, independently of the manner of the neutral point grounding in 35 kV and 110 kV networks, as a backfill material, bentonite retains its positive characteristics even after being exposed to real ground fault currents.
Urdu translation and psychometric properties of WHO-Five Wellbeing Index among male patients with substance use disorders in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aims to translate and adapt the WHO-Five Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) into the Urdu language and then determine its psychometric properties. Method Male participants (N = 201) between 18 and 45 years old (M = 29.56 years, SD = 7.80) were recruited from substance use disorder treatment centers and hospitals in Karachi. Participants completed a Personal Information Form, The WHO-5, Self-Esteem Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale in Urdu. Results The Cronbach’s alpha for the WHO Wellbeing Index (Cronbach’s alpha = .80) is adequate. Similarly, both the Self Esteem (Cronbach’s alpha = .86) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale total (Cronbach’s alpha = .94) had adequate internal consistency. Further, Cronbach’s alpha for subscales (depression = .88, anxiety = .91, stress = .82) was also adequate. A higher level of well-being is significantly positively associated with self-esteem (r = .275, p < .001) and negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress (r = −.307, p < .001). Conclusion The Urdu version of WHO-5 has is a reliable measure for investigating well-being in male patients receiving treatment for substance use disorders in Pakistan who speak Urdu.
Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease

Despite significant advances in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), there remains an enormous health problem with high morbidity and mortality over the last few decades. The neprilysin inhibitor enhances the activity of natriuretic peptides, producing vasodilation, natriuresis, and diuresis. Angiotensin receptor blockers inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Sacubitril/valsartan, a first-in-class angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes in HFrEF and delay the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with HFrEF. The PARADIGM-HF study showed a reduction in diuretic need in the ARNI group. While the use of diuretics is effective in volume control in patients with HFrEF, their use has the potential to adversely affect renal function. Therefore, ARNI therapy could benefit patients with heart failure and CKD by reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and possibly retarding the progression of CKD, although more clinical evidence is required in patients with severe CKD and end-stage renal disease.