Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint associations of physical activity and sedentary time with body mass index: A prospective study of mortality risk

Device‐measured physical activity and sedentary time are suggested to be more important determinants of all‐cause mortality compared to body mass index (BMI) in mainly older adults. However, the joint associations of physical activity and sedentary time with BMI in relation to mortality risk in relatively healthy middle‐aged individuals are unclear. We followed 770 adults (56% women, mean age 55.6 years) from a population‐based cohort study for up to 15.3 years. BMI categories were combined with tertiles of total, light, and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity and sedentary time. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HR) of all‐cause mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CI). High total and light intensity physical activity and low sedentary time were associated with a lower risk of mortality in normal weight individuals compared with low active overweight/obese; HR: 0.35 (CI: 0.14, 0.86), HR: 0.33 (CI: 0.12, 0.89), and HR: 0.34 (CI: 0.13, 0.92). Among overweight/obese individuals, those who were medium active in light physical activity had a lower mortality risk, HR: 0.36 (CI: 0.15, 0.83), compared with low active. Medium sedentary individuals had a lower risk, HR: 0.43 (CI: 0.20, 0.94) compared with those who were most sedentary. Associations among the most active or least sedentary tertiles were similar irrespective of BMI category. In conclusion, higher physical activity and lower sedentary time were associated with lower mortality risk irrespective of BMI. Physical activity should be promoted and prescribed to individuals with low physical activity levels irrespective of weight status.
Nutritional Value of Duckweed as Protein Feed for Broiler Chickens—Digestibility of Crude Protein, Amino Acids and Phosphorus

Simple Summary An increasing global population will lead to an increased demand for protein and a protein deficit. The production of soy, the most common protein source in animal nutrition, is often associated with deforestation and long transport distances. In this context, duckweed can be considered an alternative protein source for animal nutrition. The term duckweed describes a group of small plants floating on the water surface with sizes up to 1.5 cm. Three different duckweed batches consisting of different species were tested as feed for broiler chickens. They showed different impacts on feed intake, animal growth, and digestibility. Digestibility describes the share of nutrients resorbed within the digestive system. Possible compounds that inhibited the digestibility were identified. The results suggest that the nutritional value of duckweed and its influence on animal performance are variable. Hence, a stable duckweed biomass quality adapted to the requirements of broilers is needed. Abstract Duckweed is gaining attention in animal nutrition and is considered as a potential alternative protein source for broiler chickens. In order to evaluate the nutritional value of duckweed, three individual batches were investigated. They consisted of a mixture of Lemna minuta and Lemna minor (A, 17.5% crude protein), Spirodela polyrhiza (B, 24.6% crude protein) and Lemna obscura (C, 37.0% crude protein). Treatment diets contained 50% batch A, 50% batch B, and 25, 50 and 75% of batch C. All diets were fed to broiler chickens (Ross 308) from an age of 21 to 27 days. Diets with a share of 50 and 75% of batch C led to decreased feed intake (109.3 and 74.9 g/day, respectively) compared to the control. Standardized ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids differed significantly between duckweed batches, at values for methionine between 49.9 and 90.4%. For all amino acids, batch A consistently had the lowest and batch C the highest digestibility. Batches had different tannin contents of 2943, 2890 and 303 mg/kg for batches A, B and C, respectively. The apparent ileal digestibility of phosphorus differed significantly between all batches (50.8–78.9%). Duckweed can be used as a protein feed for broiler chickens. However, a defined and stable biomass composition optimized for the requirements of broiler chickens is needed.
Influence of Psychological Factors on Participation and Life Satisfaction in the Context of Travel and Tourism after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can significantly compromise people’s participation in travel and tourism activities, which is considered an important and meaningful way to engage in one’s chosen lifestyle and wellness pursuits. Yet, travel often presents challenges for people with spinal cord injury (PwSCI), as it requires overcoming a wide range of potential psycho-physical challenges or barriers during trips. There is a lack of theory-based research that can help us understand and address the psychological factors and processes influencing participation and life satisfaction following SCI. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this study examines the effects of psychological needs satisfaction on participation in the travel setting, and their subsequent impact on perceived life satisfaction. This study uses a mixed-methods approach with 39 in-depth telephone interviews conducted that focus on developing needs satisfaction measures for PwSCI in the travel setting, and an online survey among 258 PwSCI examining the relations between needs satisfaction and outcome variables. This study finds that the psychological needs satisfaction of autonomy and relatedness significantly contribute to self-determined participation in travel and tourism activities for PwSCI. This self-determined participation outcome thus represents an individual’s improved ability to exert choice and control, which exhibits their level of regained mobility and further improves their life satisfaction.
Coprime fractional representations and stability of non-linear feedback systems

Fractional representation methods for finite-dimensional linear time-invariant (FDLTI) systems have been developed in an algebraic framework of principal ideal domains. The concept of coprime fractional representations has been generalized to discrete-time non-linear systems by Hammer (1985, 1987), by viewing the Bezout identity as the basis of the definition of coprimeness. In this paper, we view the role of (right) coprime fractional representation in representing the set of all stable input-output pairs of a (possibly unstable) non-linear system. This notion of coprimeness is shown to be equivalent to that of FDLTI systems. Using coprime fractional representations of non-linear systems, we obtain a characterization of the stability of non-linear feedback systems. This characterization is similar to that obtained in the case of FDLTI systems. We also obtain a parameterization of all non-linear and time-varying stabilizing controllers for linear (possibly time-varying) plants which has the same form as t.
An Estimator for the Survival Function on the Basis of Observable Censoring Times

Abstract Chiu [Chiu, S. N. (1999). An unbiased estimator for the survival function of censored data. Commun. Statist. - Theory Meth. 28(9):2249–2260. ] proposed a nonparametric estimator for the survival function which is based on observable censoring times in the general censoring model. His estimator is less efficient than the Product-Limit estimator. Considering an informative censoring model this drawback can partially be overcome. This is shown by a nonparametric, uniformly consistent estimator based on observable censoring times within the simple Koziol–Green model. Some asymptotic properties of the new estimator are investigated and it is compared with the well-known ACL-estimator.
Loading path effect on the mechanical behaviour and fivefold twinning of copper nanowires

The effect of loading path on the mechanical behaviour of single crystalline copper nanowires is investigated with molecular dynamics simulations. Different loading conditions including pre-tensile torsion and pre-torsional tension at different temperatures are taken into consideration. It is found that elastic pre-loading conditions can induce a distinct weakening on the resistance against plastic deformation under later applied loads. Meanwhile, coupled thermal and pre-loading effect can also facilitate the transformation from elasticity to plasticity. Formations of fivefold twins are observed in copper nanowires subjected to the loading path with tension after pre-torsion. These fivefold twins all form at the necking stage before fracture, and are found to be pre-torsion- and size-dependent but insensitive to the change in temperature and cross-sectional shape. The results reported here indicate that the loading path effect on the mechanical behaviour plays an important role in the formation of some special microstructures such as multiple twins in metallic nanowires.
Safety and ease of awake fiberoptic intubation with use of oxygen insufflation versus suction to clear secretions during procedure

Background and Aims: During awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI), clearing secretions is usually done by suctioning. The study objectives were to assess the safety of AFOI with the use of oxygen insufflation versus suction to clear secretions from the field of vision during the procedure as assessed by incidence of desaturation <95%, ease of intubation, and time taken to secure the airway. Material and methods: This prospective randomized study was conducted in 40 adult patients with difficult airways requiring AFOI. All patients received dexmedetomidine 0.5mcg/kg intravenously, and the airway was topicalized. In Group-S suction and in Group-O oxygen was connected to the suction port of the bronchoscope to clear the secretions by activating the suction knob during bronchoscopy. Ease of intubation was scored as easy, moderate, and hard. Results: Incidence of desaturation to <95% and the need for oxygen supplementation were significantly high in Group S compared to Group O (60% vs. 10%). Incidence of easy intubation (80% vs. 75%) and time taken to intubate (50.1 ± 16.6 vs. 53.8 ± 21.0 s) were comparable. The number of times (median) suctioning was done in Group S was significantly high compared to the number of oxygen insufflations required in Group O [3 (1–6) vs. 2 (0–5), P 0.033]. Desaturation to <95% was significantly low in Group O compared to Group S during bronchoscopy (10% vs. 60%, P 0.002). Conclusion: The use of oxygen insufflation to clear secretions from the field of vision during AFOI is a safer alternative to suctioning as this technique reduces the chance of desaturation during the procedure without affecting ease of intubation, number of attempts, time taken for it, or patient comfort.
Modelling of a Speech-to-Text Recognition System for Air Traffic Control and NATO Air Command

Accent invariance in speech recognition is a chal- lenging problem especially in the are of aviation. In this paper a speech recognition system is developed to transcribe accented speech between pilots and air traffic controllers. The system allows handling of accents in continuous speech by modelling phonemes using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) with Gaussian mixture model (GMM) probability density functions for each state. These phonemes are used to build word models of the NATO phonetic alphabet as well as the numerals 0 to 9 with transcriptions obtained from the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) pronouncing dictionary. Mel-Frequency Cepstral Co-efficients (MFCC) with delta and delta-delta coefficients are used for the feature extraction process. Amplitude normalisation and covariance scaling is implemented to improve recognition accuracy. A word error rate (WER) of 2% for seen speakers and 22% for unseen speakers is obtained.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces delayed lipid droplet accumulation in dendritic cells depending on bacterial viability and virulence

Tuberculosis remains a global health threat with high morbidity. Dendritic cells (DCs) participate in the acute and chronic inflammatory responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by directing the adaptive immune response and are present in lung granulomas. In macrophages, the interaction of lipid droplets (LDs) with mycobacteria‐containing phagosomes is central to host‐pathogen interactions. However, the data available for DCs are still a matter of debate. Here, we reported that bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs) were susceptible to Mtb infection and replication at similar rate to macrophages. Unlike macrophages, the analysis of gene expression showed that Mtb infection induced a delayed increase in lipid droplet‐related genes and proinflammatory response. Hence, LD accumulation has been observed by high‐content imaging in late periods. Infection of BMDCs with killed H37Rv demonstrated that LD accumulation depends on Mtb viability. Moreover, infection with the attenuated strains H37Ra and Mycobacterium bovis‐BCG induced only an early transient increase in LDs, whereas virulent Mtb also induced delayed LD accumulation. In addition, infection with the BCG strain with the reintroduced virulence RD1 locus induced higher LD accumulation and bacterial replication when compared to parental BCG. Collectively, our data suggest that delayed LD accumulation in DCs is dependent on mycobacterial viability and virulence.
Bone Marrow Microenvironment as a Source of New Drug Targets for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with one of the worst survival rates of all cancers. The bone marrow microenvironment is increasingly being recognised as an important mediator of AML chemoresistance and relapse, supporting leukaemia stem cell survival through interactions among stromal, haematopoietic progenitor and leukaemic cells. Traditional therapies targeting leukaemic cells have failed to improve long term survival rates, and as such, the bone marrow niche has become a promising new source of potential therapeutic targets, particularly for relapsed and refractory AML. This review briefly discusses the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in AML development and progression, and as a source of novel therapeutic targets for AML. The main focus of this review is on drugs that modulate/target this bone marrow microenvironment and have been examined in in vivo models or clinically.
Probing the electrostatic potential of charged dislocations in n-GaN and n-ZnO epilayers by transmission electron holography

Epitaxial layers frequently contain a high density of threading dislocations, which may exceed values of 10{sup 9} cm{sup -2} for ZnO and GaN. To study the electrical activity of single dislocations off-axis electron holography in a transmission electron microscope was applied. The electrostatic potential in the vicinity of charged dislocations was determined from the reconstructed phase of the electron wave, which also provides access to the charge density at the dislocation. On the basis of the electrostatic potential for a screened line charge given by Read [Philos. Mag. 45, 775 (1954)] a refined model is proposed in which a charge density with a finite spatial distribution at the dislocation core is assumed. Comparing the measured and theoretically expected potential, charge densities between 5x10{sup 19} cm{sup -3} and 5x10{sup 20} cm{sup -3} in cylinders with radii up to 5 nm around the dislocation lines were found. An important aspect of our work is the analysis of dislocations in cross-section transmission electron microscopy samples where the dislocation lines are oriented perpendicular to the electron beam. The advantages and drawbacks of the cross-section geometry are discussed. Electrostatic potentials due to piezoelectric charges in the dislocation strain field are considered and found to bemore » insignificant with respect to dislocation charges. « less
Chapter 4: Power and particle control

Progress, since the ITER Physics Basis publication (ITER Physics Basis Editors et al 1999 Nucl. Fusion 39 2137–2664), in understanding the processes that will determine the properties of the plasma edge and its interaction with material elements in ITER is described. Experimental areas where significant progress has taken place are energy transport in the scrape-off layer (SOL) in particular of the anomalous transport scaling, particle transport in the SOL that plays a major role in the interaction of diverted plasmas with the main-chamber material elements, edge localized mode (ELM) energy deposition on material elements and the transport mechanism for the ELM energy from the main plasma to the plasma facing components, the physics of plasma detachment and neutral dynamics including the edge density profile structure and the control of plasma particle content and He removal, the erosion of low- and high-Z materials in fusion devices, their transport to the core plasma and their migration at the plasma edge including the formation of mixed materials, the processes determining the size and location of the retention of tritium in fusion devices and methods to remove it and the processes determining the efficiency of the various fuelling methods as well as their development towards the ITER requirements. This experimental progress has been accompanied by the development of modelling tools for the physical processes at the edge plasma and plasma–materials interaction and the further validation of these models by comparing their predictions with the new experimental results. Progress in the modelling development and validation has been mostly concentrated in the following areas: refinement in the predictions for ITER with plasma edge modelling codes by inclusion of detailed geometrical features of the divertor and the introduction of physical effects, which can play a major role in determining the divertor parameters at the divertor for ITER conditions such as hydrogen radiation transport and neutral–neutral collisions, modelling of the ion orbits at the plasma edge, which can play a role in determining power deposition at the divertor target, models for plasma–materials and plasma dynamics interaction during ELMs and disruptions, models for the transport of impurities at the plasma edge to describe the core contamination by impurities and the migration of eroded materials at the edge plasma and its associated tritium retention and models for the turbulent processes that determine the anomalous transport of energy and particles across the SOL. The implications for the expected performance of the reference regimes in ITER, the operation of the ITER device and the lifetime of the plasma facing materials are discussed.
MiR-182-5p Mediated by Exosomes Derived From Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Attenuates Inflammatory Responses by Targeting TLR4 in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Infraction

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could protect against myocardial infarction (MI). TLR4 is reported to play an important role in MI, while microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) negatively regulates TLR4 expression. Therefore, we hypothesize that MSCs-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p may have beneficial effects on MI. We generated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and overexpressed miR-182-5p in these cells for exosome isolation. H2O2-stimulated neonatal mouse ventricle myocytes (NMVMs) and MI mouse model were employed, which were subjected to exosome treatment. The expression of inflammatory factors, heart function, and TLR4 signaling pathway activation were monitored. It was found that miR-182-5p decreased TLR4 expression in BM-MSCs and NMVMs. Administration of exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p to H2O2-stimulated NMVMs enhanced cell viability and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, they promoted heart function, suppressed inflammatory responses, and de-activated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in MI mice. In conclusion, miR-182-5p transferred by the exosomes derived from BM-MSCs protected against MI-induced impairments by targeting TLR4.
Tam versus utaut models: a contrasting study of scholarly production and its bibliometric analysis

El objetivo de esta investigación es revisar y comparar a través de un enfoque bibliométrico la TAM/TAM2/TAM3 y la UTAUT/UTAUT2 para determinar cuál es el modelo más adecuado para estudiar las nuevas tecnologías. Los datos se obtuvieron de la base de datos Web of Science. Se examinaron 2.450 publicaciones, relacionadas con TAM/TAM2/TAM3 y 5.145 publicaciones de la UTAUT/UTAUT2 durante el período 2016-2021. Los hallazgos confirman que cada vez más investigadores utilizan la UTAUT/UTAUT2. Esta revisión ofrece una visión holística que servirá para que futuros investigadores puedan seleccionar los modelos más apropiados en sus disciplinas de estudio.
Superconformal algebras and Clifford algebras

It is shown that superconformal Lie superalgebras contain a Clifford algebra structure. This is used to present a classification of these algebras under the following assumptions: only fields with (half‐)integer conformal dimension between 2 and 1/2 , and a nonzero central element. It turns out that the number of supersymmetry generators must be less than or equal to 4. More generally, the so(N) series, as well as some nonassociative algebras connected to S7, also have a natural place in this Clifford algebra framework.
Optical galaxies within 8000 km s–1 – II. The peculiar velocity of the Local Group

Optical galaxies within 8000 km s −1 are used to predict the peculiar velocity of the Local Group. Our sample is drawn from the UGC and ESO catalogues. The predicted motion is 28°-32° away from the motion of the Local Group in the CMB frame, and the predicted velocity is 760±160 β 0 km s −1 , where β 0 ≡Ω 0.6 b 0 −1 . The direction of the optical dipole agrees with the directions of the IRAS dipoles, and is misaligned from the CMB dipole in the same sense. If it is assumed that the galaxies within 8000 km s −1 are responsible for all of the 606 km s −1 velocity of the Local Group, then β 0 =0.80 −0.13 +0.21 (1σ errors). The density of mass clustered with optical galaxies is then Ω=0.69 −0.18 +0.33 , if mass traces optical light (b 0 =1)
Accuracy of a Clinical Applicable Method for Prediction of VO 2 max Using Seismocardiography

Abstract Cardiorespiratory fitness measured as ˙VO 2 max is considered an important variable in the risk prediction of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Non-exercise ˙VO 2 max prediction models are applicable, but lack accuracy. Here a model for the prediction of ˙VO 2 max using seismocardiography (SCG) was investigated. 97 healthy participants (18–65 yrs., 51 females) underwent measurement of SCG at rest in the supine position combined with demographic data to predict ˙VO 2 max before performing a graded exercise test (GET) on a cycle ergometer for determination of ˙VO 2 max using pulmonary gas exchange measurements for comparison. Accuracy assessment revealed no significant difference between SCG and GET ˙VO 2 max (mean±95% CI; 38.3±1.6 and 39.3±1.6 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 , respectively. P=0.075). Further, a Pearson correlation of r=0.73, a standard error of estimate (SEE) of 5.9 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 , and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 8±1% were found. The SCG ˙VO 2 max showed higher accuracy, than the non-exercise model based on the FRIENDS study, when this was applied to the present population (bias=−3.7±1.3 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 , p<0.0001. r=0.70. SEE=7.4 ml·min −1 ·kg −1 , and CV=12±2%). The SCG ˙VO 2 max prediction model is an accurate method for the determination of ˙VO 2 max in a healthy adult population. However, further investigation on the validity and reliability of the SCG ˙VO 2 max prediction model in different populations is needed for consideration of clinical applicability.