Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequential change in olfaction and (non) motor symptoms: the difference between anosmia and non-anosmia in Parkinson’s disease

Introduction Hyposmia is a common prodrome in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study investigates whether olfactory changes in PD differ according to the degree of olfactory dysfunction and whether there are changes in motor and non-motor symptoms. Methods The 129 subjects with PD were divided into two groups: anosmia and non-anosmia. All cases were reassessed within 1–3 years after the initial assessment. The assessment included the MDS-Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), Beck’s Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and equivalence dose of daily levodopa (LEDD). The generalized estimating equation (GEE) model with an exchangeable correlation structure was used to analyze the change in baseline and follow-up tracking and the disparity in change between these two groups. Results The anosmia group was older and had a longer disease duration than the non-anosmia group. There was a significant decrease in UPSIT after follow-up in the non-anosmia group (β = −3.62, p < 0.001) and a significant difference in the change between the two groups (group-by-time effect, β = 4.03, p < 0.001). In the third part of the UPDRS motor scores, there was a tendency to increase the score in the non-anosmia group compared to the anosmia group (group-by-time effect, β = −4.2, p < 0.038). There was no significant difference in the group-by-time effect for UPDRS total score, LEDD, BDI-II, and MoCA scores. Discussion In conclusion, this study found that olfactory sensation may still regress in PD with a shorter disease course without anosmia, but it remains stable in the anosmia group. Such a decline in olfaction may not be related to cognitive status but may be associated with motor progression.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Rheological Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluid

Nano-water-based drilling fluids (NWBDFs) are prepared using nano-copper oxide (CuO) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as modification materials. The effects of the temperature and concentration of the nanoparticles (NPs) on the rheological properties are studied using a rotational rheometer and viscometer. Also, the influence of two NPs on the filtration properties is studied using a low-pressure and low-temperature filtration apparatus, as well as a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is found that MWCNTs with a concentration of 0.05 w/v% have the most obvious influence on the NWBDFs, which improve the stability of the gel structure against temperature and also decrease the filtration rate. Finally, a theoretical model predicating the yield point (YP) and the plastic viscosity (PV) as a function of the temperature considering the influence of the NPs is developed based on DLVO theory.
Point Cloud Registration for Assembly using Conformal Geometric Algebra

This thesis is a collection of five journal papers and one conference paper. The thesis is on pose alignment and point correspondence estimation for 3D point clouds, and inverse kinematics of industrial robots. The approaches proposed in this thesis are based on conformal geometric algebra, which is an extension of Euclidean geometry which enables efficient descrition of geometric objects such as line, plane and sphere geometry, as well the calculation of the intersection between such objects. The thesis presents a novel approach for the initial alignment between two point clouds called the Curvature-Based Descriptor. The curvature-based descriptor is a descriptor which describes the local curvature around a point in the point cloud. The local curvature is expressed with two spheres generated using conformal geometric algebra. The thesis also presents preprocessing steps which are used to segment the point cloud to extract only the parts of the point cloud that are necessary for the alignment, and a keypoint extraction method which extracts certain points from the point cloud, making the point correspondence more accurate. The inverse kinematics presented in this thesis is an analytic solution which uses conformal geometric algebra. The solution is presented for the Kuka KR6 R900 sixx robot and the Universal Robots UR5 robot. All singularities and all configurations are accounted for in the solutions. The thesis has several experimental results. These experiments are presented in each paper, and show the results from various methods performing point cloud alignment. The results show that it is possible to achieve a sub-millimeter accuracy for position estimation of an object using state-of-the-art methods when using both 3D and 2D cameras combined. The results also show that the curvature-based alignment method, after applying the preprocessing steps presented in the thesis, achieve a sub-millimeter accuracy on its own, an accuracy that is not achieved with any of the other 3D alignment methods.
ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL AMELIORATING EFFECTS OF BM-MSCsOR INSULIN ON THE ALTERED METABOLIC STATUS OF PANCREAS, LIVER AND KIDNEYIN STZ-DIABETIC RATS.

The current study was designed to investigate the probable hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and hepato-renal protective effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in comparison with insulin treatment in diabetic rats. Animals were classified into 4 groups; control group, diabetic group (D) received a single IP STZ dose (45 mg/kg b.w), D + insulin (0.75 IU/100 gm bw,SC daily for 4 weeks) group and D + BM-MSCs (single IV dose of 10 6 cell/rat). Herein, both insulin and BM-MSCs administration significantly improved the hyperglycemic status resulting fro m diabetes induction, as evidenced by lowered blood glucose, HbA1c and AGEs levels, while enhanced serum insulin, C-peptide and HO-1 levels, compared to the diabetic group. Regarding lipid metabolism, the increased levels of lipid fractions (TL, TG, TC and LDL-C) and the reduced HDL-C level in diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal values as a consequence to BM-MSCs treatment; indicating further, its hypolipidemic effect; in addition to enhancing the protein metabolism in diabetic rats. Furthermore, BM-MSCs was found to has hepato-renal protective effects via improving liver functions in diabetic rats; confirmed by decreased serum AST, ALT, ALP and γ-GT activities associated with decreased total bilirubin but increased total protein and albumin levels; and improving kidney status; indicated by the decreased serum levels of creatinine, uric acid and urea; compared to the diabetic group. Current findings clearly point out the health benefits of BM-MSCs; more than insulin; in ameliorating various metabolic disorders and hepato-renal diabetic complications. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. non-heparinized centrifuge tubes, the remaining of blood samples were collected and let to stand for 15 after which Blood subsequent (w/v) homogenate in and at for subsequent biochemical examinations, while the remnant part labeled and kept at -80 °C for subsequent flowcytometric analysis.
Ages at peak height velocity in male soccer players 11–16 years: relationships with skeletal age and comparisons among longitudinal studies

Estimated ages at take-off (TO) and at peak height velocity (PHV) based on two models and maturity status based upon age at PHV and skeletal age (SA) were compared in a longitudinal sample of male soccer players. In addition, estimated ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players were compared. The longitudinal height records of 58 players of European ancestry, measured annually on four or five occasions between 11 and 16 years, were modeled with Superimposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) and Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to estimate ages at TO and PHV. SAs were assessed with the Fels method. Ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players (Europe 7, Japan 6) were evaluated with meta-analysis. Estimated ages at TO, 11.2 ± 0.8 (SITAR) and 11.0 ± 0.8 (FCPA) years, and at PHV, 13.6 ± 0.9 (SITAR) and 13.7 ± 0.0 (FCPA) years, were similar. An earlier age at PHV was associated with advanced skeletal maturity status (rho = -0.77 at ~14 years). Ages at PHV among European players indicated a north (later) – south (earlier) gradient, and were later than ages at PHV among Japanese players. In summary, ages at TO and PHV were similar with SITAR and FPCA, and ages at PHV were most strongly correlated with SA at ~14 years. Mean ages at PHV showed a north-south gradient among European samples, and were later compared to Japanese samples.
MyLib: Smart Library Indoor Navigation Using Bluetooth Low Energy with Triangulation Method

— this paper proposes an android-based application to help the users to navigate in finding books in the library easily and interactively. This navigation application is connected to a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device that will emit an RSSI signal received by the Smartphone user and show the desired distance to the bookshelf position. The method of triangulation and mean filter were used to eliminate noise in the test environment to make the position of the bookshelf can be found precisely based on the RSSI BLE Beacon value. The test results showed the largest RSSI value for LOS conditions at -48dBm and NLOS at -63 dBm; while the lowest RRSI values for LOS conditions was at -84dBm and NLOS was at -96dBm.
Evaluation of uncertainties for CIELAB color coordinates

CIELAB color coordinates are characteristics of visible object's spectra widely used in color science, and a reliable evaluation of the uncertainty associated with measured color coordinates is desirable. The calculation of CIELAB color coordinates requires the application of a nonlinear transformation. We consider two ways to calculate the uncertainty of CIELAB color coordinates that originates from the uncertainty of the observed spectrum. The first approach is based on a linearization of the nonlinear transformation and a propagation of variances and covariances. The second approach is a Monte Carlo procedure that completely accounts for the nonlinearity of the transformation. While the approach based on linearization results in analytical formulas, the adequacy of linearization ought to be checked and the proposed Monte Carlo method can serve as a reference method for this purpose. We illustrate such proceeding in a large range of scenarios and explore those cases for which the method based on linearization may safely be applied.
Linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy prioritized aggregation operators based on Hamacher t-norm and t-conorm and their applications to multicriteria group decision making

The linguistic 𝑞 -rung orthopair fuzzy (L 𝑞 -ROF) set is an important implement in the research area in modelling vague decision information by incorporating the advantages of 𝑞 - rung orthopair fuzzy sets and linguistic variables. This paper aims to investigate the multicriteria decision group decision making (MCGDM) with L 𝑞 -ROF information. To do this, utilizing Hamacher 𝑡 -norm and 𝑡 -conorm, some L 𝑞 -ROF prioritized aggregation operators viz., L 𝑞 - ROF Hamacher prioritized weighted averaging, and L 𝑞 -ROF Hamacher prioritized weighted geometric operators are developed in this paper. The deﬁned operators can eﬀectively deal with diﬀerent priority levels of attributes involved in the decision making processes. In addition, Hamacher parameters incorporated with the proposed operators make the information fusion process more ﬂexible. Some prominent characteristics of the developed operators are also well-proven. Then based on the proposed aggregation operators, an MCGDM model with L 𝑞 -ROF context is framed. A numerical example is illustrated in accordance with the developed model to verify its rationality and applicability. The impacts of Hamacher and rung parameters on the achieved decision results are also analyzed in detail. Afterwards, a comparative study with other representative methods is presented in order to reﬂect the validity and superiority of the proposed approach.
Simulation and Optimisation of CLIC's recombination complex

In this thesis we present the first Placet2 recombination simulations of the drive beam recombination complex (DBRC) design for the compact linear collider (CLIC). We start by presenting a review of the CLIC project and the DBRC’s role and design within it. We then discuss some of the core principles of beam dynamics and how tracking codes like Placet2 implement them. We follow that by presenting the design issues raised by our simulations and our proposed strategy to address them, key among which is a previously unknown parabolic dependency of the longitudinal position to the momentum (T566), which threatens the efficiency of the power extraction structures. Through iterative optimisation of the design, we eliminated this aberration both in the delay loop and in combiner ring 1. We also found the beam’s horizontal emittance to be significantly over the design budget (150μm) and attempted to meet that budget, reaching 157μm. In order to obtain this emittance value, an update to the combiner ring 2’s injection scheme was necessary. On the vertical plane, which has the same emittance budget, it was kept at 127μm.
The Fading Treatment Effects of a Multi-Faceted Asset-Transfer Program in Ethiopia

The researchers study the long-run effects of a big-push “graduation” program in Ethiopia in which very poor households received a one-time transfer of productive assets (mainly livestock), technical training, and access to savings accounts. After seven years, treatment effects on wealth and consumption remain economically meaningful but dissipated relative to the two- and three-year results. Treatment effects on other outcomes attenuated further. Based on absolute wellbeing (e.g., food security) not dropping, the authors argue that the treatment effect dissipation is driven primarily by improved living standards for control households, rather than losses of the previously accrued benefits for the treatment households.
Fine-Kinney-Based Occupational Risk Assessment using Pythagorean Fuzzy AHP-COPRAS for the Lifting Equipment in the Energy Distribution and Investment Sector

The initial risk assessment, especially when using a risk score system, is the main step in a risk assessment process that comes after determining the scope of the risks and assessment. The Fine-Kinney method, a thorough approach to quantitative assessments to help keep risks under control, is commonly used in risk assessment. A risk score (RS) is determined using the standard version of Fine-Kinney by mathematically multiplication of probability (P), exposure (E), and consequence (C) parameters. The Fine-Kinney-based risk evaluation approach has the disadvantage of not accounting for the relationships among the risk parameters' interaction and determining the risk precedence of work-related hazards. Hence, a new hazard evaluation method for occupational health and safety (OHS) is required to lessen the adverse effects of rising dangers. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed for integrating Fine–Kinney-based occupational hazard evaluation and AHP-COPRAS for the energy distribution and investment sector under the Pythagorean fuzzy environment. A lifting equipment case study is used to demonstrate practicality and efficacy of the suggested integrated approach. To verify the novel method to risk assessment, a comparative study and sensitivity analysis are also provided. As a result, using the benefit of Pythagorean fuzzy sets, which more effectively express uncertainty, the integrated approach yields more logical conclusions for assessing work-related hazards in the energy distribution and investment sector.
Fault diagnosis of rolling bearings based on WOA-VMD

VMD (Variational mode decomposition) is a commonly used method for processing rolling bearing fault signals. VMD enables efficient separation of intrinsic modal components and it can match the best center frequency and the appropriate bandwidth range for each mode. It should be noted that the number of modalities and penalty parameters need to be set before execution. We propose an optimization algorithm for VMD based on the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) and then select an iterative formula for the iterative update. The formula is chosen in terms of the magnitude of the convergence factor to output the best VMD parameters. The effectiveness of this method is proved through the processing of the rolling bearing inner ring fault signal.
Marker-Assisted Selection for Early Maturing E Loci in Soybean Yielded Prospective Breeding Lines for High Latitudes of Northern Kazakhstan

The photoperiodic sensitivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. At higher latitudes, early flowering and maturity with neutral reaction to photoperiods are required for adaptation of soybean plants to long-day conditions. Currently, the production and distribution of new varieties of soybeans adapted to widespread agricultural regions in northern Kazakhstan is in strong demand. Eleven soybean hybrid populations were obtained from crosses between 17 parents with four maturity groups, MG 000, 00, 0, and I. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was assessed for suitable SSR markers and successfully applied for genes E1, E3, E4, and E7, targeting homozygous genotypes with recessive alleles. The identified and selected genotypes were propagated and tested in the conditions of 53° N latitude in the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan. Finally, 20 early maturing F4 breeding lines were identified and developed with genotypes e1 e3 E4 e7, e1 E3 E4 e7, and e1 E3 e4 e7, all completing their growth period within 92–102 days. These breeding lines were developed by MAS and should provide very prospective superior varieties of soybean for northern Kazakhstan through a strategy that may be very helpful to other countries with high latitudes.
Reconstructing High-Frequency Radar Derived Ocean Surface-Current Fields Using Spatio-Temporal Kriging

High-frequency radar (HFR)-based observations are extremely useful for studying coastal process due to their fine spatio-temporal resolution. However, these observations often suffer from gaps, caused by a range of operational and external factors, which pose major challenges during their analysis. Herein, we propose the use of spatio-temporal kriging as a means to effectively fill such gaps. This method has been applied to HFR derived surface-current measurements made from the Tamil Nadu High-Frequency Radar station along the eastern coast of India. The proposed method was able to restore surface-current fields and reconstruct the mesoscale and submesoscale circulation features from sparse observations. The proposed method was cross-validated using the leave-one-out cross-validation and the leave-one-day-out cross-validation schemes which, when compared against the accuracy bounds of HFR-based surface-current observations, demonstrated the ability of the method to reconstruct surface-current fields with reasonable fidelity.
Mediterranean diet adherence on self-concept and anxiety as a function of weekly physical activity: an explanatory model in higher education

Introduction Scientific literature has now demonstrated the benefits of an active lifestyle for people's psychological health. Based on the above statement, the aim was to (a) evaluate and adjust a structural equation model containing the variables anxiety, self-concept, and Mediterranean diet adherence and (b) contrast the proposed theoretical model by studying the differences between the variables according to the level of weekly physical activity in a sample of 558 university students. Methods A non-experimental, exploratory, cross-sectional investigation has been proposed. Instruments such as the PREDIMED Questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Form 5 Self-Concept Questionnaire were used to collect data. Results and discussion The results illustrate that students showing low adherence to the Mediterranean diet had higher levels of anxiety (M = 0.95) than those showing a high degree of adherence (M = 0.75). It is also observed that young people with a high degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet report higher scores in the different dimensions of self-concept compared to young people with a low degree of adherence. In conclusion, it is affirmed that young people who show a high degree of adherence to this dietary pattern show lower levels of anxiety and greater recognition of the different areas of their self-concept.
Multi-material 3D printed mechanical metamaterials: Rational design of elastic properties through spatial distribution of hard and soft phases

Up until recently, the rational design of mechanical metamaterials has usually involved devising geometrical arrangements of micro-architectures that deliver unusual properties on the macro-scale. A less explored route to rational design is spatially distributing materials with different properties within lattice structures to achieve the desired mechanical properties. Here, we used computational models and advanced multi-material 3D printing techniques to rationally design and additively manufacture multi-material cellular solids for which the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio could be independently tailored in different (anisotropic) directions. The random assignment of a hard phase to originally soft cellular structures with an auxetic, zero Poisson's ratio, and conventional designs allowed us to cover broad regions of the elastic modulus-Poisson's ratio plane. Patterned designs of the hard phase were also used and were found to be effective in the independent tuning of the elastic properties. Close inspection of the strain distributions associated with the different types of material distributions suggests that locally deflected patterns of deformation flow and strain localizations are the main underlying mechanisms driving the above-mentioned adjustments in the mechanical properties.