Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Blood Microcirculation Changes after COVID-19 Using Wearable Laser Doppler Flowmetry

The present work is focused on the study of changes in microcirculation parameters in patients who have undergone COVID-19 by means of wearable laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) devices. The microcirculatory system is known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and its disorders manifest themselves long after the patient has recovered. In the present work, microcirculatory changes were studied in dynamics on one patient for 10 days before his disease and 26 days after his recovery, and data from the group of patients undergoing rehabilitation after COVID-19 were compared with the data from a control group. A system consisting of several wearable laser Doppler flowmetry analysers was used for the studies. The patients were found to have reduced cutaneous perfusion and changes in the amplitude–frequency pattern of the LDF signal. The obtained data confirm that microcirculatory bed dysfunction is present in patients for a long period after the recovery from COVID-19.
A homogenization technique for obtaining generalized sheet transition conditions for an arbitrarily shaped coated wire grating

Using a multiple‐scale homogenization method, we derive generalized sheet transition conditions (GSTCs) for an arbitrarily shaped coated wire grating. The parameters in these GSTCs are interpreted as effective electric and magnetic surface susceptibilities and surface porosities of the wire grating. We give expressions for determining these surface parameters for any arbitrarily shaped grating. We show that these GSTCs are a generalized form of the boundary conditions derived earlier by Wainstein and Sivov, who analyzed the case of symmetric, uncoated wire gratings. This work is also a first step in developing GSTCs for more general types of structures such as metasurfaces, metafilms, and metascreens.
Influence of Shielding Currents in Coated Conductors on Field Quality of Iron-Dominated HTS Magnets Estimated by Numerical Analyses

Additional magnetic fields induced by shielding currents (persistent eddy current induced in superconductor) are called shielding-current induced fields (SCIFs). SCIFs are serious problem in magnets using tape-shaped high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires, because it would worsen the accuracy and stability of the generated magnetic field of the magnets. In iron-dominated HTS magnets, magnetic field distribution at air gap between iron magnetic poles is dominated by poles’ shape, so the influence of SCIFs on the quality of generated magnetic field is usually considered negligible. However, quantitative estimation of SCIFs is required to support this assumption. Therefore, we developed a practical method to estimate SCIF distributions in iron-dominated HTS magnets and use it to estimate temporal change of SCIF distribution in an iron-dominated HTS magnet. According to the analysis results, we confirmed relative error of magnetic field caused by SCIFs is in the order of 10–4, which is negligible in many magnet applications.
Modulation of SREBP Expression and Fatty Acid Levels by Bacteria-Induced ER Stress Is Mediated by Hemocyanin in Penaeid Shrimp

Many environmental and pathogenic insults induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in animals, especially in aquatic ecosystems, where these factors are crucial for life. In penaeid shrimp, pathogens and environmental stressors induce hemocyanin expression, but the involvement of hemocyanin in ER stress response is unknown. We demonstrate that in response to pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Streptococcus iniae), hemocyanin, ER stress proteins (Bip, Xbp1s, and Chop), and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) are induced to alter fatty acid levels in Penaeus vannamei. Interestingly, hemocyanin interacts with ER stress proteins to modulate SREBP expression, while ER stress inhibition with 4-Phenylbutyric acid or hemocyanin knockdown attenuates the expression of ER stress proteins, SREBP, and fatty acid levels. Contrarily, hemocyanin knockdown followed by tunicamycin treatment (ER stress activator) increased their expression. Thus, hemocyanin mediates ER stress during pathogen challenge, which consequently modulates SREBP to regulate the expression of downstream lipogenic genes and fatty acid levels. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism employed by penaeid shrimp to counteract pathogen-induced ER stress.
Path planning for a tracked robot traversing uneven terrains based on tip‐over stability

In the real‐world environment, the path planning method of tracked robot is widely studied when driving on uneven terrain. How to solve the problem that the traditional path planning algorithm cannot adapt to uneven terrain because of the constraints of obstacle avoidance and path length is a challenge for tracked robots. In this paper, a stability‐based path planning framework for tracked robot is proposed to reduce the risk of rollover when the tracked robot passes through uneven terrain. First, a virtual plane method is proposed to estimate the attitude of tracked robot. Second, on this basis, a dynamic high‐stability path evaluation algorithm for tracked robot based on force angle stability margin (FASM) is proposed, which transforms the stability‐based path planning problem into a hypergraph problem. Moreover, considering that the optimization problem is strongly nonlinear and nonconvex, a hybrid algorithm of covariance matrix adaptive evolution strategy (CMAES) and Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) is designed under the framework of generalized graph optimization (G2O) to improve the solution efficiency. Finally, simulation and experiments show that the stability‐based path planning framework can effectively plan the high‐quality path, and the maximum stability of the tracked robot is 0.9156 when the robot crosses uneven terrain using optimal path 2.
The easternmost record of the largest anguine lizard that has ever lived – Pseudopus pannonicus (Squamata, Anguidae): new fossils from the late Neogene of Eastern Europe

We here report on new material of Pseudopus pannonicus , the iconic and largest-known representative of the lizard clade Angui-nae, from several late Neogene localities across Moldova, Ukraine, and regions of the North Caucasus – the last representing the easternmost known occurrence of this extinct species. Today, Pseudopus apodus , the last extant Pseudopus representative, is found in a variety of habitats ranging from South-East Europe to Central Asia. In the late Cenozoic of Europe, however, several extinct species of Pseudopus existed. Among them, interestingly, P. pannonicus displayed the largest spatiotemporal range of the genus, occurring from Spain to the North Caucasus and known from the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene. Although it has been re-ported in a plethora of European localities, P. pannonicus is a taxon “with several questionings related to its few diagnostic features vs. numerous features shared with P. apodus ”. The elements described here exhibit some variability, but their overall morphology undoubtedly resembles that of previously described material of P. pannonicus . The lacrimal from Tatareshty, moreover, represents the first fossil lacrimal reported for P. pannonicus . Besides, the fairly complete maxilla with a length of almost 3.7 cm is the largest maxilla ever reported for this taxon, expanding our knowledge of its gigantism. In addition, several features are described and discussed regarding their diagnostic relevance for P. pannonicus . The relationship between body size and some of these features was tested statistically. Consequently, two cranial characters and one vertebral feature peculiar to P. pannonicus were retained in the diagnosis of the species.
Numerical and Experimental Study of Friction Damping in Blade Attachments of Rotating Bladed Disks

In order to mitigate high cycle fatigue risks in bladed disks, the prediction of the vibration levels early in the design process is important. Therefore, the different sources of damping need to be modeled accurately. In this paper the impact of friction in blade attachments on forced response is investigated both numerically and experimentally. An efficient multiharmonic balance method is proposed in order to compute the forced response of bladed disks with contact and friction nonlinearities in blade roots. For experimental validation purposes, a rotating bladed disk was tested in a vacuum chamber, with excitation being provided by piezoelectric actuators. A model of the rig was built and numerical results were obtained with a normal load dependent coefficient of friction and a constant material damping ratio. Nonlinear behavior observed experimentally at resonances was well reproduced and an acceptable correlation was found with experimental resonant frequencies, amplitudes, and amount of damping throughout the spinning speed and excitation level range. The proposed numerical method can therefore serve to enhance the prediction of the alternating stresses in bladed disk assemblies.
Comparison of spasmolytic regimen for prevention of radial artery spasm during the distal radial approach: A single-center, randomized study

Background The distal radial approach (DRA) for coronary catheterization is increasingly being used worldwide yet the optimal medication regimen to prevent radial artery spasm (RAS), an important factor for the success of the procedure, remains unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of medication for preventing RAS via the DRA. Methods This was a prospective, comparative randomized study including 400 patients who underwent coronary catheterization via DRA in single center by three experienced DRA operators. Patients were randomized to either nitroglycerin (NTG) injection (N = 200) or NTG plus verapamil (N = 200) to compare the effectiveness and safety of these regimens. Results There were no differences between the groups in the changes in radial artery diameter at most spastic area (0.34 ± 0.20 in the NTG group, 0.35 ± 0.20 in the NTG plus verapamil group; P = 0.73). There was no difference between the groups in the ratio of patients without arm pain during the procedure (95.0% in the NTG group, 93.5% in the NTG plus verapamil group; P = 0.67). However, there was a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure in the NTG plus verapamil group (–8.3 ± 7.9 mmHg) than in the NTG group (–6.6 ± 7.6 mmHg) (P = 0.03). Conclusion Intra-arterial injection of NTG as a single agent is effective and safe in the prevention of RAS during coronary catheterization via the DRA compared with a cocktail regimen of NTG plus verapamil. Clinical trial registration https://cris.nih. go.kr, identifier KCT0005177.
Gender and Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Self Care in Malaysia: An Individual Participant Meta-Analysis of Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities Studies

Background Many published studies in Malaysia have examined and assessed self care among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA) scale. The current paper is a meta-analysis of related studies that also examines how gender and ethnicity influence and shape T2DM self care practices in Malaysia. Methods We undertook a bibliographic search for studies conducted and published in Malaysia on T2DM adults using the SDSCA scale. This is a two-stage individual participant meta-analysis of SDSCA which synthesised the overall and subscale score based on gender and ethnic groups as well as the correlation between SDSCA and HbA1c. Results We examined 11 studies that utilised SDSCA to analyse 3,720 T2DM patients. The overall SDSCA score was 33.46 (47.8% of the 7-day week). The subscale score for general diet, specific diet, exercise, blood glucose self-monitoring and foot care were 4.80, 4.09, 2.87, 1.80 and 3.21, respectively. A small but statistically significant better self care in some gender or ethnic groups was noted. The SDSCA diet subscale and HbA1c showed statistically significant correlation. Conclusion The finding suggested Malaysian T2DM patients were deficient in exercise and blood glucose self-monitoring. In fact, overall self care among Malaysian adult T2DM patients appears to be suboptimal across gender and the three main ethnic groups. Greater efforts are therefore needed to educate Malaysian adult T2DM patients to improve their self care practices.
Energetic Valorisation of Saltworks Bitterns via Reverse Electrodialysis: A Laboratory Experimental Campaign

Concentrated bitterns discharged from saltworks have extremely high salinity, often up to 300 g/L, thus their direct disposal not only has a harmful effect on the environment, but also generates a depletion of a potential resource of renewable energy. Here, reverse electrodialysis (RED), an emerging electrochemical membrane process, is proposed to capture and convert the salinity gradient power (SGP) intrinsically conveyed by these bitterns also aiming at the reduction of concentrated salty water disposal. A laboratory-scale RED unit has been adopted to study the SGP potential of such brines, testing ion exchange membranes from different suppliers and under different operating conditions. Membranes supplied by Fujifilm, Fumatech, and Suez were tested, and the results were compared. The unit was fed with synthetic hypersaline solution mimicking the concentration of natural bitterns (5 mol/L of NaCl) on one side, and with variable concentration of NaCl dilute solutions (0.01–0.1 mol/L) on the other. The influence of several operating parameters has also been assessed, including solutions flowrate and temperature. Increasing feed solutions’ temperature and velocity has been found to lower the stack resistance, which enhances the output performance of the RED stack. The maximum obtained power density (corrected to account for the effect of electrodic compartments, which can be very relevant in five cell pairs laboratory stacks) reached around 10.5 W/m2cellpair, with FUJIFILM Type 10 membranes, temperature of 40 °C, and a fluid velocity of 3 cm s−1 (as empty channel, considering 270 μm thickness). Notably, the present study results confirm the large potential for SGP generation from hypersaline brines, thus providing useful guidance for the harvesting of SGP in seawater saltworks all around the world.
Fully renormalized stress tensor correlator in flat space

We present a general procedure to renormalize the stress tensor two-point corre- lation function on a Minkowski background in position space. The method is shown in detail for the case of a free massive scalar eld in the standard Minkowski vacuum state, and explicit expressions are given for the counterterms and nite parts, which are in full accordance with earlier results for the massless case. For the general case in position space, only regularized | but not renormalized | results have been obtained previously. After a Fourier transfor- mation to momentum space, we also check agreement with a previous calculation there. We generalize our results to general Hadamard states. Furthermore, the proposed procedure can presumably be generalized to the important case of an inationary spacetime background, where the transition to momentum space is in general not possible.
Self-Consistent Study of GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Wells with Modulated Doping

In this work, the characterization and analysis of the physics of a GaAs quantum well with AlGaAs barriers were carried out, according to an interior doped layer. An analysis of the probability density, the energy spectrum, and the electronic density was performed using the self-consistent method to solve the Schrödinger, Poisson, and charge-neutrality equations. Based on the characterizations, the system response to geometric changes in the well width and to non-geometric changes, such as the position and with of the doped layer as well as the donor density, were reviewed. All second-order differential equations were solved using the finite difference method. Finally, with the obtained wave functions and energies, the optical absorption coefficient and the electromagnetically induced transparency between the first three confined states were calculated. The results showed the possibility of tuning the optical absorption coefficient and the electromagnetically induced transparency via changes to the system geometry and the doped-layer characteristics.
On generalized binomial series and strongly regular graphs

We consider a strongly regular graph, G, and associate a three dimensional Euclidean Jordan algebra, V, to its adjacency matrix A. Then, by considering binomial series of Hadamard powers of the idem-potents of the unique complete system of orthogonal idempotents of V associated to A, we establish feasibility conditions for the existence of strongly regular graphs.
Do Subnational Fiscal Rules Reduce Public Investment? The Case of Fiscal Responsibility Laws in India

This article examines whether the adoption of deficit targets by subnational governments in India influenced the composition of public spending. Using dynamic panel estimations, this study finds that the adoption of fiscal responsibility laws (FRLs) by Indian states is correlated with improvements in their budget balances, but the same period also witnessed significant cuts in development spending. Furthermore, the states have reduced their capital expenditure and social sector spending after adopting FRLs, while the increases in tax and nontax revenues are insignificant. The subnational governments in developing countries that are adopting numerical deficit and debt targets should explore mechanisms to minimize the distortionary impacts of fiscal targets on the composition of subnational spending since reduced expenditure on development and capital projects may be counterproductive for fiscal sustainability in the long run as these expenditures tend to have significant positive externalities.
5‐Torsion Points on Curves of Genus 2

Let C be a smooth proper curve of genus 2 over an algebraically closed field k. Fix a Weierstrass point ∞in C(k) and identify C with its image in its Jacobian J under the Albanese embedding that uses ∞ as base point. For any integer N⩾1, we write JN for the group of points in J(k) of order dividing N and JN* for the subset of JN of points of order N. It follows from the Riemann–Roch theorem that C(k)∩J2 consists of the Weierstrass points of C and that C(k)∩ J3* and C(k)∩ J4* are empty (see [3]). The purpose of this paper is to study curves C with C(k)∩ J5* non‐empty.
Personalised 3D-Printed Mucoadhesive Gastroretentive Hydrophilic Matrices for Managing Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptomatic complex condition characterised by frequent urinary urgency, nocturia, and urinary incontinence with or without urgency. Gabapentin is an effective treatment for OAB, but its narrow absorption window is a concern, as it is preferentially absorbed from the upper small intestine, resulting in poor bioavailability. We aimed to develop an extended release, intragastric floating system to overcome this drawback. For this purpose, plasticiser-free filaments of PEO (polyethylene oxide) and the drug (gabapentin) were developed using hot melt extrusion. The filaments were extruded successfully with 98% drug loading, possessed good mechanical properties, and successfully produced printed tablets using fused deposition modelling (FDM). Tablets were printed with varying shell numbers and infill density to investigate their floating capacity. Among the seven matrix tablet formulations, F2 (2 shells, 0% infill) showed the highest floating time, i.e., more than 10 h. The drug release rates fell as the infill density and shell number increased. However, F2 was the best performing formulation in terms of floating and release and was chosen for in vivo (pharmacokinetic) studies. The pharmacokinetic findings exhibit improved gabapentin absorption compared to the control (oral solution). Overall, it can be concluded that 3D printing technology is an easy-to-use approach which demonstrated its benefits in developing medicines based on a mucoadhesive gastroretentive strategy, improving the absorption of gabapentin with potential for the improved management of OAB.
O2‐PLS, a two‐block (X–Y) latent variable regression (LVR) method with an integral OSC filter

The O2‐PLS method is derived from the basic partial least squares projections to latent structures (PLS) prediction approach. The importance of the covariation matrix (Y TX) is pointed out in relation to both the prediction model and the structured noise in both X and Y. Structured noise in X (or Y) is defined as the systematic variation of X (or Y) not linearly correlated with Y (or X). Examples in spectroscopy include baseline, drift and scatter effects. If structured noise is present in X, the existing latent variable regression (LVR) methods, e.g. PLS, will have weakened score–loading correspondence beyond the first component. This negatively affects the interpretation of model parameters such as scores and loadings. The O2‐PLS method models and predicts both X and Y and has an integral orthogonal signal correction (OSC) filter that separates the structured noise in X and Y from their joint X–Y covariation used in the prediction model. This leads to a minimal number of predictive components with full score–loading correspondence and also an opportunity to interpret the structured noise. In both a real and a simulated example, O2‐PLS and PLS gave very similar predictions of Y. However, the interpretation of the prediction models was clearly improved with O2‐PLS, because structured noise was present. In the NIR example, O2‐PLS revealed a strong water peak and baseline offset in the structured noise components. In the simulated example the O2‐PLS plot of observed versus predicted Y‐scores (u vs u hat) showed good predictions. The corresponding loading vectors provided good interpretation of the covarying analytes in X and Y. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of THz radiation in semiconductors with cyclotron heating of heavy holes

A method of THz radiation generation in semiconductors in crossed static magnetic and alternating electric fields is considered. It is based on the inversion of the transition between heavy- and light-hole sub-bands in the THz spectral range. This inversion is created due to cyclotron frequencies of heavy and light holes being different. Under sufficiently low hole density when the hole-hole energy exchange is less efficient than the hole-lattice one, this fact leads to a situation when the resonant with heavy holes pump alternating electric field heats only the heavy-hole population thereby inverting the heavy-light holes transition in a narrow spectral range. The optimal parameters of such a scheme were found and it was shown that it can operate even at room temperature (in the pulsed mode).