Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kronecker-Product Beamforming With Sparse Concentric Circular Arrays

This article presents a Kronecker-product (KP) beamforming approach incorporating sparse concentric circular arrays (SCCAs). The locations of the microphones on the SCCA are optimized concerning the broadband array directivity over a wide range of direction-of-arrival (DOA) deviations of a desired signal. A maximum directivity factor (MDF) sub-beamformer is derived accordingly with the optimal locations. Then, we propose two global beamformers obtained as a Kronecker product of a uniform linear array (ULA) and the SCCA sub-beamformer. The global beamformers differ by the type of the ULA, which is designed either as an MDF sub-beamformer along the $\mathsf {x}$-axis or as a maximum white noise gain sub-beamformer along the $\mathsf {y}$-axis. We analyze the performance of the proposed beamformers in terms of the directivity factor, the white noise gain, and their spatial beampatterns. Compared to traditional beamformers, the proposed beamformers exhibit considerably larger tolerance to DOA deviations concerning both the azimuth and elevation angles. Experimental results with speech signals in noisy and reverberant environments demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms traditional beamformers regarding the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) and short-time objective intelligibility (STOI) scores when the desired speech signals deviate from the nominal DOA.
Study on the quality of purposive cultivation of Fritillaria cirrhosa seedling

Objective To establish the quality grading standards of purposive cultivation of Fritillaria cirrhosa seedling.Method Based on the morphology indicators of 1-3 years old Fritillaria cirrhosa seedlings,the plant height,leaf length,leaf width,bulb high,bulb diameter,and root number were studied associated with single grain weight of bulb.Therefore,the most significantly associated factor with single grain weight was screened out,after that the grading standard with Fast Sample Clustering Method(K-means cluster)was established.Results and Conclusion The single grain weight of 2-3 years old Fritillaria cirrhosa seedlings is significant correlated with plant height,leaf length,leaf width,bulb high,bulb diameter,and root number,while first year old seedlings is not correlated.Finally,the grading standard of first,second and third-year old Fritillaria cirrhosa seedling were established,respectively.
On the Pacific Ocean regime shift

The temporal variability of Pacific Ocean upper ocean heat content is examined for the 1948–1998 period using gridded, objectively analyzed temperature anomaly fields. Results indicate a “regime shift” in upper ocean temperature structure occurred in conjunction with the atmospheric shift in sea level pressure around 1975 leading to warming (cooling) in the eastern (western) equatorial Pacific. The shift is a basin‐wide phenomenon affecting the thermal structure from 60°S to 70°N. EOF analysis of the Pacific Ocean heat content (0–125 m) shows a shift from a relatively cool to a warm state in the equatorial Pacific during the mid‐1970s. Further analysis of the gridded temperature anomaly fields shows equatorial warming to be as much as 1.5°C and a cooling in the North Pacific of 1°C, down to 250 meters, after the mid‐1970s. Overall, the analysis indicates the “regime shift” continues through 1998 with no signs of returning to a cooler phase.
99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC is a New Opportunity in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung (and in other Malignant and Benign Pulmonary Diseases)

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) consist of a relatively rare spectrum of malignancies that can arise from neuroendocrine cells; lung NETs (L-NETs) represent about 25% of primary lung neoplasm and 10% of all carcinoid tumors. Diagnostic algorithm usually takes into consideration chest X-ray, contrast-enhanced CT and MRI. Nuclear medicine plays a crucial role in the detection and correct assessment of neoplastic functional status as it provides in vivo metabolic data related to the over-expression of Somatostatin Receptors (SSTRs) and also predicting response to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). 111In-Pentreotide (Octreoscan®) is commercially available for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors, their metastases and the management of patients with NETs. More recently, 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC(Tektrotyd®) was introduced into the market and its use has been approved for imaging of patients with L-NETs and other SSTR-positive tumors. 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC could also represent a good alternative to 68Ga-DOTA-peptides (DOTA-TOC, DOTA-NOC, DOTA-TATE) in hospitals or centers where PET/CT or 68Ge/68Ga generators are not available. When compared to 111In-Pentetreotide, Tektrotyd® showed slightly higher sensitivity, in the presence of higher imaging quality and lower radiation exposure for patients. Interesting perspectives depending on the kinetic analysis allowed by Tektrotyd® may be obtained in differential diagnosis of non-small cells lung cancer (NSCLC) versus small cells lung cancer (SCLC) and NETs. An interesting perspective could be also associated with a surgery radio-guided by Tektrotyd® in operable lung tumors, including either NETs and NSCLC.
Opening the Black Box: Structural Factor Models with Large Cross-Sections

This paper shows how large-dimensional dynamic factor models are suitable for structural analysis. We establish sufficient conditions for identification of the structural shocks and the associated impulse-response functions. In particular, we argue that, if the data follow an approximate factor structure, the "problem of fundamentalness," which is intractable in structural VARs, can be solved provided that the impulse responses are sufficiently heterogeneous. Finally, we propose a consistent method (and n, T rates of convergence) to estimate the impulse-response functions, as well as a bootstrapping procedure for statistical inference.
Advanced Sports Medicine Concepts and Controversies

The repetitive nature of throwing manifests characteristic adaptive changes to the shoulder, scapulothoracic, and hip/pelvis complexes that result in a set of unique physical traits in the overhead throwing athlete. An effective rehabilitation program is dependent upon an accurate evaluation and differential diagnosis to determine the causative factors for the athlete’s pathologic features. The treatment program should be individualized with specific strengthening and flexibility exercises to achieve the dynamic stability that is required for overhead function. In this article we describe the characteristics of the throwing shoulder, along with a multiphased rehabilitation program that allows for the restoration of strength, mobility, endurance, and power and is aimed toward a return to unrestricted sporting activity. We also describe exercises that link the upper and lower extremities because of the importance of core control and leg strength in the development of power during the act of throwing. Additionally, proper throwing mechanics, utilization of pitch counts, appropriate rest, and proper off-season conditioning will help decrease overall injury risk in the overhead throwing athlete.
Towards a consistent morphological tagset for Slavic languages: Extending MULTEXT-East for Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian *

Comparative studies in theoretical linguistics and the production of bi- and multilingual dictionaries and tagged corpora, especially of closely related languages, can benefit from the use of a common, crosslinguistically consistent tagset which reflects the unity of grammatical categories to the greatest extent. As a case in point, the project MULTEXT-East developed tagsets for several Slavic languages and laid the foundations of the creation of a common Slavic tagset. Close scrutiny reveals, however, that it suffers from a number of inconsistencies and design flaws, which can have an adverse effect on its use in comparative work. In this paper we will suggest some amendments to MULTEXT- East v.3 (and v.4), and discuss what will have to be done in order for the remaining Slavic languages to be covered as well, with a focus on Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian.
Neurobiology of Aging

Personality traits have been associated with the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology, including amyloid and tau. This study examines whether personality traits are concurrently related to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrogliosis, and neurofilament light (NfL), a marker of neuronal injury. Cognitively unimpaired participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (N = 786; age: 22–95) were assayed for plasma GFAP and NfL and completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, which measures 5 domains and 30 facets of personality. Neuroticism (particularly vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depression) was associated with higher GFAP and NfL. Conscientiousness was associated with lower GFAP. Extraversion (particularly positive emotions, assertiveness, and activity) was related to lower GFAP and NfL. These associations were independent of demographic, behavioral, and health covariates and not moderated by age, sex, or apolipoprotein E genotype. The personality correlates of astrogliosis and neuronal injury tend to be similar, are found in individuals without cognitive impairment, and point to potential neurobiological underpinnings of the association between personality traits and neurodegenerative diseases. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Neurobiology of Aging

Advanced age is associated with post-stroke cognitive decline. Machine learning based on brain scans can be used to estimate brain age of patients, and the corresponding difference from chronological age, the brain age gap (BAG), has been investigated in a range of clinical conditions, yet not thoroughly in post-stroke neurocognitive disorder (NCD). We aimed to investigate the association between BAG and post-stroke NCD over time. Lower BAG (younger appearing brain compared to chronological age) was found associated with lower risk of post-stroke NCD up to 36 months after stroke, even among those showing no evidence of impairments 3 months after hospital admission. For patients with no NCD at baseline, survival analysis suggested that higher baseline BAG was associated with higher risk of post-stroke NCD at 18 and 36 months. In conclusion, a younger appearing brain is associated with a lower risk of post-stroke NCD. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Neurobiology of Aging

Cognitive tests sensitive to the integrity of the medial temporal lobe (MTL), such as mnemonic discrimi- nation of perceptually similar stimuli, may be useful early markers of risk for cognitive decline in older populations. Perceptual discrimination of stimuli with overlapping features also relies on MTL but re- mains relatively unexplored in this context. We assessed mnemonic discrimination in two test formats (Forced Choice, Yes/No) and perceptual discrimination of objects and scenes in 111 community-dwelling older adults at different risk status for cognitive impairment based on neuropsychological screening. We also investigated associations between performance and MTL sub-region volume and thickness. The at- risk group exhibited reduced entorhinal thickness and impaired perceptual and mnemonic discrimination. Perceptual discrimination impairment partially explained group differences in mnemonic discrimination and correlated with entorhinal thickness. Executive dysfunction accounted for Yes/No deﬁcits in at-risk adults, demonstrating the importance of test format for the interpretation of memory decline. These re- sults suggest that perceptual discrimination tasks may be useful tools for detecting incipient cognitive impairment related to reduced MTL integrity in nonclinical populations. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Grey Water Reuse for Agricultural Purposes in the Jordan Valley: Household Survey Results in Deir Alla

Installation of decentralized grey water treatment systems in small rural communities contributes to a more sustainable water supply. In order to gauge community attitudes about collection and use of grey water, a door-to-door survey in the farming community of Deir Alla, Jordan was conducted by Royal Scientific Society interviewers. Outcomes of a detailed survey, designed specifically for this project, offer insights on people's views on general water and wastewater issues, as well as their motivation, practices and concerns related to using grey water treatment for a portion of their household wastewater and reuse of the treated grey water for irrigation. A total of 47 respondents from different socio-economic background, aged over 18 years, from this community in the Jordan valley took part in the survey. The level of formal education of the respondents was low, and most of households' incomes were below the poverty line in Jordan. Most of the respondents reported that the quality of water supplied by public network is acceptable, but the quantity is insufficient to meet their demand, with supplies being delivered to the household once a week. Respondents relied on the public water network as a first-most important resource (85.1%), and 57.4% of the respondent relied on private water tankers as a second-most important resource in addition to the public network. However, 6% of the respondents relied only on private water tankers with no access to the public network. Storage tanks are common practice in all the houses in order to store enough water for at least one week. The survey responses provide evidence that rural communities are willing
Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Adherence to Fecal Occult Blood Tests in Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background Screening adherence is important in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. Disparity in CRC screening adherence was observed in populations of different socioeconomic status (SES), but the direction and strength of the association remained unclear. Objective We aimed to systematically review all the observational studies that have analyzed the association between SES and adherence to organized CRC screening based on fecal occult blood tests. Methods We systematically reviewed the studies in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science and reference lists of relevant reviews from the inception of the database up until June 7, 2023. Individual SES, neighborhood SES, and small-area SES were included, while any SES aggregated by geographic areas larger than neighbors were excluded. Studies assessing SES with any index or score combining indicators of income, education, deprivation, poverty, occupation, employment, marital status, cohabitation, and others were included. A random effect model meta-analysis was carried out for pooled odds ratios (ORs) and relative risks for adherence related to SES. Results Overall, 10 studies, with a total of 3,542,379 participants and an overall adherence rate of 64.9%, were included. Compared with low SES, high SES was associated with higher adherence (unadjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.42-2.10; adjusted OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.28-1.82). In the subgroup of nonindividual-level SES, the adjusted association was significant (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.26-1.95). However, the adjusted association was insignificant in the subgroup of individual-level SES (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.98-2.17). As for subgroups of the year of print, not only was the unadjusted association significantly stronger in the subgroup of early studies (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.59-2.44) than in the subgroup of late studies (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.31-1.56), but also the adjusted one was significantly stronger in the early group (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.43-2.42) than in the late group (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14-1.39), which was consistent and robust. Despite being statistically insignificant, the strength of the association seemed lower in studies that did not adjust for race and ethnicity (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.21-1.43) than the overall estimate (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.28-1.82). Conclusions The higher-SES population had higher adherence to fecal occult blood test–based organized CRC screening. Neighborhood SES, or small-area SES, was more competent than individual SES to be used to assess the association between SES and adherence. The disparity in adherence between the high SES and the low SES narrowed along with the development of interventions and the improvement of organized programs. Race and ethnicity were probably important confounding factors for the association.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science-2501-1235

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of traditional physical training (TPT) and military-specific physical training (MSPT) on the physical and operational performance of infantry cadets of the Brazilian Air Force (BAF). This study consisted of 27 male cadets (22.8±1.6 years, 76.0±9.2 kg, 1.77±0.05 m) stratified according to initial levels of physical fitness and randomly allocated in TPT (n= 13) or MSPT (n= 14) groups. The TPT group performed the basic military physical training provided for the military and the MSPT group conducted specific operational training. The variables were analyzed through two evaluations at the beginning and end of the eight-week training protocol. Anthropometric evaluations, physical fitness, and military operational physical tests were performed. Internal training load was determined through session rating of perceived exertion. Two-way (group and time) analysis of variance was used to compare groups and periods of training. Bonferroni test was used as a post-hoc when necessary. i Correspondence: email leandrabenetti@gmail.com Leandra Cristina Benetti Campos, Fabio Angioluci Diniz Campos, Emerson Franchini, Anna Gabriela Silva Vilela Ribeiro, Idico Luiz Pellegrinotti, Rozangela Verlengia EFFECTS OF TWO 8-WEEK PHYSICAL TRAINING MODELS (TRADITIONAL AND SPECIFIC) ON IMPROVED MILITARY PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science Volume 10 │ Issue 2 │ 2023 111 The effect sizes were presented by partial eta squared (ηp2) and Cohen dz. No group and time interaction was found for any variable. Regarding the time effect, there was a decrease in both groups in the anthropometric variables. The variables that increased over time for both groups were push-up and sit-up repetitions in 1 min, aerobic power, and squat jump height, whereas time in the military operational physical test decreased. Regarding the internal training load, no interaction between the group and period was observed. Therefore, both TPT and MSPT groups were effective in improving the physical and operational performance of military personnel after eight weeks of training.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science-2501-1235

The present study aimed to investigate the perceived extent of competence of selfleadership as well as the extent to which the participants exercise self-leadership strategies in physical activities (competitive and recreational). Additionally, the existence of potential individual differences in genderand form of physical activity-related selfleadership strategies. Three hundred seventy-three undergraduate students from a Greek university (n = 197 men, and n = 176 women) with age range were between 18–24 years (M = 20.12, SD = 2.35) participated. All participants participated in physical activities. They filled out a validated Greek version of the Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire (RSLQ). Results revealed that participants reported (a) some positive self-leadership tendencies and (b) higher scores in the strategies such as self-goal setting, natural rewards and self-talk. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that self-leadership strategies may interact with gender and type of physical activity. i Correspondence: email mproios@phed.auth. gr Ioannis Proios, Eleni Fotiadou, George Doganis, Sofia Batsiou, Miltiadis Proios AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF SELF-LEADERSHIP IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SETTINGS European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science Volume 6 │ Issue 3 │ 2020 115
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science-2501-1235

Physical activity (PA) is a parameter of children's life that is straight connected to the benefits of their life (protection against obesity, better psychological profile, and predisposition for increased levels of PA as adult etc.). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate parameters of PA during Physical Education (PE) classes and to explore the subjects that the children participate in the PE course. PA, PE, and sedentary behaviors were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist, proper for children. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured body weight and height. A representative sample of Greek boys and girls aged 10 to 12 years (N=3195) participated in the study. Results showed that boys had higher levels of total and vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), than girls (all p-values<0.05), while girls presented higher light-to-moderate intensity PA as compared to boys. In those days that students participated in PE classes, total PA and VPA were higher in comparison with days didn't, in both sexes (p<0.001), while, a greater proportion of children met the current recommendations for PA (86.1% vs. 69.1% for boys and 68.4% vs. 53.5% for girls). During PE classes, boys participated in a greater proportion than girls in basketball and soccer (all p-values<0.05), while, more girls in comparison to boys participated in volleyball, dance, and jump-rope (all pvalues<0.05). Stratified data analysis by BMI category among children who participated in PE classes did not reveal significant differences in time participated in PE components among categories, except for games (e.g. chase, tag) among boys. In conclusion, boys have higher levels of total PA than girls, while, it seems that school and PE classes play a significant role in students' levels of PA which could grow up further with interventions as the increase of hours in PE lessons. Correspondence: email dp425603@hua.gr Konstantinos D. Tambalis, Giannis Arnaoutis, Labros S. Sidossis TEACHING SUBJECTS AND PARTICIPATION RATES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES AMONG CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 12 YEARS European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science Volume 7│ Issue 6│ 2022 22