Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microwave Devices for Wearable Sensors and IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm is currently highly demanded in multiple scenarios and in particular plays an important role in solving medical-related challenges. RF and microwave technologies, coupled with wireless energy transfer, are interesting candidates because of their inherent contactless spectrometric capabilities and for the wireless transmission of sensing data. This article reviews some recent achievements in the field of wearable sensors, highlighting the benefits that these solutions introduce in operative contexts, such as indoor localization and microwave sensing. Wireless power transfer is an essential requirement to be fulfilled to allow these sensors to be not only wearable but also compact and lightweight while avoiding bulky batteries. Flexible materials and 3D printing polymers, as well as daily garments, are widely exploited within the presented solutions, allowing comfort and wearability without renouncing the robustness and reliability of the built-in wearable sensor.
Anti-herpes activity of the total alkaloid fraction from the branches of Fusaea longifolia (Annonaceae)

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) occur worldwide. Infections caused by these viruses have great public health importance due to the growing resistance to the first-choice drug, acyclovir, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Alkaloids derived from species of Annonaceae have been reported as antiviral agents against HSV and others viruses. Within this context, we evaluated the antiviral activity of the total alkaloid fraction (TAF) extracted from the branches of Fusaea longifolia (Aubl.) Saff. (Annonaceae), a species native to the Amazon region, against the HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses. The antiviral activity was evaluated through the plate reduction assay and the mode of action was investigated by a set of other assays. The TAF was active against the HSV-2 strain 333 and against the HSV-1 strains KOS and 29R (acyclovir resistant), with selectivity index values (SI = 50% cytotoxic concentration/50% effective concentration) of 5, 4 and 3, respectively. In the preliminary study of the anti-HSV-2 mode of action, TAF showed viral inhibitory effects if added up to 12 h post-infection, had virucidal activity and did not present viral inhibition in pre-treatment. Our results showed that the TAF exhibited anti-HSV activity. Regarding HSV-2, TAF acted after the viral infection and had virucidal activity. A mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of nine alkaloids in the TAF that had previously been reported for Annonaceae, including liriodenine, lysicamine and isoboldine, which have been described as potential anti-HSV-1 agents.
In Defense of Merit in Science

Merit is a central pillar of liberal epistemology, humanism, and democracy. The scientific enterprise, built on merit, has proven effective in generating scientific and technological advances, reducing suffering, narrowing social gaps, and improving the quality of life globally. This perspective documents the ongoing attempts to undermine the core principles of liberal epistemology and to replace merit with non-scientific, politically motivated criteria. We explain the philosophical origins of this conflict, document the intrusion of ideology into our scientific institutions, discuss the perils of abandoning merit, and offer an alternative, human-centered approach to address existing social inequalities.
In Vitro Fermentation of Hyaluronan with Different Molecular Weights by Human Gut Microbiota: Differential Effects on Gut Microbiota Structure and Metabolic Function

Hyaluronan (HA) has various biological functions and is used extensively as a dietary supplement. Previous studies have shown that the probiotic effects of polysaccharides are closely associated with their molecular properties. The intestinal microbiota has been demonstrated to degrade HA; however, the regulatory effects of different molecular weights (MW) of HA on gut microbiota and metabolites are unknown. In the present study, we performed in vitro fermentation of human-derived feces for three MWs of HA (HA1, 32.3 kDa; HA2, 411 kDa; and HA3, 1510 kDa) to investigate the differences in the fermentation properties of HA with different MWs. We found that gut microbiota can utilize all HAs and, consequently, produce large amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, we showed that all three HA MWs promoted the growth of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Faecalibacterium, with HA1 being more effective at promoting the growth of Bacteroides. HAs have various regulatory effects on the structure and metabolites of the gut microbiota. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that alterations in gut microbiota and their metabolites were significantly correlated with changes in metabolic markers. For instance, HA1 enriched α-eleostearic acid and DL-3-aminoisobutyric acid by regulating the abundance of Bacteroides, and HA3 enriched Thymidin by regulating Faecalibacterium. Collectively, the fermentation properties of HA vary across MW, and our results provide insights into the potential association between the MW of HA and its fermentation characteristics by the gut microbiota. These findings provide insights into the influence of the gut microbiota and HAs on the health of the host.
Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Cyclopropylthiophenes and Their Derivatization

The cyclopropylthiophene moiety has attracted the attention of the scientific community for its potential pharmaceutical applications. However, synthesis of the compounds containing this framework remains challenging, has rarely been reported and remains unresolved. Here we provide optimized syntheses for cyclopropylthiophenes and their derivatives, containing carbonyl, acetyl, carboxylic acid, methyl carboxylate, nitrile, bromide and sulfonyl chloride moieties.
Remote Sensing Data Preparation for Recognition and Classification of Building Roofs

Buildings are among the most significant urban infrastructure that directly affects citizens’ livelihood. Knowledge about their rooftops is essential not only for implementing different Levels of Detail (LoD) in 3D city models but also for performing urban analyses related to usage potential (solar, green, social), construction assessment, maintenance, etc. At the same time, the more detailed information we have about the urban environment, the more adequate urban digital twins we can create. This paper proposes an approach for dataset preparation using an orthophoto with a resolution of 10 cm. The goal is to obtain roof images into separate GeoTIFFs categorised by type (flat, pitched, complex) in a way suitable for feeding rooftop classification models. Although the dataset is initially elaborated for rooftop classification, it can be applied to developing other deep-learning models related to roof recognition, segmentation, and usage potential estimation. The dataset consists of 3617 roofs covering the Lozenets district of Sofia, Bulgaria. During its preparation, the local-specific context is considered.
Growing Up with HIV: Experiences of Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood at Selected Primary Health Facilities in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Many children who contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through vertical transmission are now in their adolescent and early adult years. The aim was to explore the experiences of adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Methods and Material: The study was conducted at selected primary healthcare facilities in the Mopani and Vhembe districts in July 2021. A qualitative research approach that included contextual, descriptive, and exploratory designs was used. The population comprised 27 ALWHIV who were purposively sampled and enrolled for ART care. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, and the question was “How is it for you as you live with a virus and transit from adolescent to adulthood”. The open coding approach was used to analyse the data. Measures to ensure trustworthiness articulated in Lincoln and Guba’s criteria and ethical considerations were adhered to. Findings: The findings revealed four themes: poor understanding of the disease condition, improved physical health when adhering to ARV treatments, challenges related to sexual maturity and intimate relationships, and parents not disclosing their children’s HIV status. Conclusion: Parents’ delayed and non-disclosure of adolescents’ positive HIV status led to a lack of awareness about the course of the disease, non-adherence to ART, and unsafe sex practices that could increase the risk of HIV transmission and re-infection. To address these multiple obstacles associated with ALWHIV, a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that is teenager-friendly should be undertaken.
MULTIPLICATIVE INTERACTION IN GENERALIZED LINEAR MODELS

Bilinear oI biadditive multiplicative models for interaction in two-way tables provide the major means for Studyiing g ,eniotype by cnvlirOnllllcmlt initer'actioni pioblems. In applicatioIns the typical accompanying assumptions are those of a noirnally clistributecl error and an identity link. These assumptioins are uninecessarily restrictive. Introduction of multiplictive terms foi i'nteraction in generalized linear models removes these restrictions. Parameter estimates can be obtained by ain iterative pr ocess of altcrInatinlg generalized Irow anid columin Iregr-essions withlini a quasi-likclihood set-up. The best known examples of this class of generalized additive main effects and multiplicative interaction effects (GAMMI) models are the AMMI models (Gauch, 1988, Biomiietrics 44, 705-715) and Goodmain's RC-association imiodels (Goodman, 1981, Joil{Z-lr7 of thle Amnericain Stcatistical Associaition 76, 320-334). The multiplicative inteiactioin part of GAMMI models canl be visualized througlh biplots. Two applications of GAMMI models are presented for data coming from planlt breeding experimenits. The first illustration deals with a log-bilinear model for couInt data with (extra) Poisson variation. The second ilILustiatioIn concerniis a logit-bilinear model for disease incidence data with a special type of variance function, anl extensioin of a model presented by Wedderbunii (1974 Biomiietrikal 61, 439-447).
An Estimation of the of Tropical Cyclone Size Using COMS Infrared Imagery

Abstract An algorithm to symmetric radius of 15 ms −1 isotaches of tropical cyclones is sug-gested using infrared (IR) imagery of geostationary satellite. It is assumed that symmetric tan-gential winds outside the maximum winds exponentially decrease with the radial distances ofthe tropical cyclone, which has a clear eye-wall structure. Four parameters for estimation of thetropical cyclone size are center location, maximum sustained wind, radius of the maximumwind, and relaxation coefficient for the decreasing rate with distances of the tropical cyclone.The estimation results are limitedly verified as comparing to surface winds of polar orbitingsatellite such as ASCAT data.Key words: Tropical cyclone, infrared satellite imagery, COMS, radius of maximum wind,geostationary satellite 1. 서론 태풍의 크기와 강도는 태풍의 영향을 예측하거나태풍의 바람 구조를 설명하는 데 중요한 인자이며 이는 태풍에 의한 재해와 관련이 있다. 태풍의 강도는최대 지속 풍속이나 태풍 중심의 최소 해면기압으로표현될 수 있으며, 그 자체도 중요하지만 태풍의 진로를 예측하는 데에도 중요하게 활용이 된다(Chan andKepert, 2010). 태풍의 크기는 중심에서부터 최대 풍속이 나타나는 거리의 평균, 또는 강풍 바람의 평균반경으로 정의된다(Holland and Merril, 1984; Merril,1984; Demuth et al., 2006). 태풍의 크기를 측정하는방법은 여러 연구자들에 의해 제안되어 왔다. 많은 연구자들이나 현업 예보자들은 15 또는 17 ms
Contour Corner Detection Based on Curvature Scale Space

A novel algorithm for detecting corners is presented based on Curvature Scale Space(CSS) and Multi-scale Curvature Product(MSCP). Firstly,the corners of an image are detected at different curvature scale space.Then,a multi-scale curvature polynomial is defined as the sum or multiplication of the curvature of the contour at each scale.The new method can not only enhance curvature extreme peaks effectively,but also suppress noise and prevent smoothing some corners with augment of the scale.In addition,the concavity and convexity of detected corners can be judged by the result sign of the curvature polynomial.Experiment results show that the new method is more effective in corner detection than the other algorithms mentioned in the paper.
Moral Distress Amongst District Leaders: Intensity, Dilemmas, and Coping Mechanisms in the Context of Covid-19

Purpose: This study examines the sources and intensity of moral distress among school district leaders during the first full school year of the Covid-19 pandemic and investigates their coping mechanisms for addressing issues that create moral dilemmas for them. Design and Evidence: We draw on semi-structured interviews with 26 school district leaders across 13 school districts in the Northwestern United States. Brief summaries detailing themes in each interview were prepared. Magnitude coding was used to understand the intensity of district leaders’ feelings of distress. Open coding and axial coding allowed us to categorize the origins/sources of distress and the approaches/strategies district leaders used to reduce feelings of moral distress. Findings: Reported moral distress ranged from none to moderate but manageable amounts. Three types of problems were described as morally distressing: political problems with the community or unions, staff problems including staff stress, staff resistance, and collaboration amongst staff members, and an inability to meet student needs due to resource, policy, or community/family constraints. Leaders’ coping mechanisms included social responses such as team building, but also drew on individual virtues such as persistence and patience. Implications: Within the ranks of district leaders, the extent to which leaders frame their challenges in a moral frame is varied. A sizable group articulated challenges with implications for moral action in primarily technical or political terms. If district leaders engage unevenly with the moral tradeoffs of their decisions, they risk adopting an overly managerialist frame.
The Psychology of COVID-19 Booster Hesitancy, Acceptance and Resistance in Australia

COVID-19 booster vaccinations have been recommended as a primary line of defence against serious illness and hospitalisation. This study identifies and characterises distinct profiles of attitudes towards vaccination, particularly the willingness to get a booster dose. A sample of 582 adults from Australia completed an online survey capturing COVID-related behaviours, beliefs and attitudes and a range of sociodemographic, psychological, political, social and cultural variables. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) identified three subgroups: Acceptant (61%), Hesitant (30%) and Resistant (9%). Compared to the Acceptant group, the Hesitant and Resistant groups were less worried about catching COVID-19, used fewer official COVID-19 information sources, checked the news less, were lower on the agreeableness personality dimension and reported more conservatism, persecutory thinking, amoral attitudes and need for chaos. The Hesitant group also reported checking the legitimacy of information sources less, scored lower on the openness to new experiences personality dimension and were more likely than the Resistant and Acceptant groups to report regaining freedoms (e.g., travel) and work requirements or external pressures as reasons to get a booster. The Resistant group were higher on reactance, held more conspiratorial beliefs and rated their culture as being less tolerant of deviance than the Hesitant and Acceptant groups. This research can inform tailored approaches to increasing booster uptake and optimal strategies for public health messaging.
R&D Energy Recovery Linac at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Collider Accelerator Department at BNL is in the final stages of developing the 20-MeV R and D energy recovery linac with super-conducting 2.5 MeV RF gun and single-mode super-conducting 5-cell RF linac. This unique facility aims to address many outstanding questions relevant for high current (up to 0.5 A of average current), high brightness energy-recovery linacs with novel ZigZag-type merger. Recent development in the R and D ERL plans include gun and 5-cell cavity (G5) test and possibility of using R and D ERL for proof-of-principle test of Coherent Electron Cooling at RHIC.
Spontaneous In-Source Fragmentation Reaction Mechanism and Highly Sensitive Analysis of Dicofol by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Although dicofol has been widely banned all over the world as a kind of organochlorine contaminant, it still exists in the environment. This study developed a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) detection technique for dicofol, an environmental pollutant, for the first time using in-source fragmentation. The results confirmed that m/z 251 was the only precursor ion of dicofol after in-source fragmentation, and m/z 139 and m/z 111 were reasonable product ions. The main factors triggering the in-source fragmentation were the H+ content and solution conductivity when dicofol entered the mass spectrometer. Density functional theory can be used to analyze and interpret the mechanism of dicofol fragmentation reaction in ESI source. Dicofol reduced the molecular energy from 8.8 ± 0.05 kcal/mol to 1.0 ± 0.05 kcal/mol, indicating that the internal energy release from high to low was the key driving force of in-source fragmentation. A method based on HPLC-MS/MS was developed to analyze dicofol residues in environmental water. The LOQ was 0.1 μg/L, which was better than the previous GC or GC-MS methods. This study not only proposed an HPLC-MS/MS analysis method for dicofol for the first time but also explained the in-source fragmentation mechanism of compounds in ESI source, which has positive significance for the study of compounds with unconventional mass spectrometry behavior in the field of organic pollutant analysis and metabonomics.
Etude et extension des flots de ricci, kähler-ricci et calabi dans le cadre du traitement de l'image et de la géométrie de l'information

cadre du traitement de l’image et de la géométrie de l’information F. BARBARESCO THALES AIR DEFENCE, JOINT RADAR SENSORS UNIT, Project & Engineering Department, 7/9, rue des Mathurins, F-92223 Bagneux, Cedex, FRANCE frederic.barbaresco@fr.thalesgroup. com Résumé – La théorie des flots géométriques [1] est au cœur de plusieurs disciplines fondamentales des mathématiques (géométrie différentielle et algèbrique, analyse complexe & globale, EDP) et de la physique mathématique (calcul des variations, relativité générale, variété d’Einstein, théorie des cordes) , mais elle repose avant tout sur le socle de la géométrie Riemannienne dont M.Berger dresse le panorama dans un ouvrage récent [5], son extension à des variétés complexes, la géométrie d’Erich Kähler [4,6], dont la vitalité est vantée par J.P. Bourguignon dans [7] et la théorie des surfaces minimales dont la richesse est synthétisée par F. Hélein dans la postface à l’ouvrage [9]. Le présent article souhaite initier une réflexion sur l’utilisation des flots géométriques intrinsèques, tel le flot de Ricci en traitement d’image pour élaborer de nouveaux opérateurs non-linéaires de filtrages anisotropes, et par le biais de la géométrisation de la théorie de l’information par Chentsov, introduire les flots de Kähler-Ricci et de Calabi pour approfondir la notion de noyaux de diffusion de l’information [3]. Abstract – Geometric Flow Theory [1] is cross fertilized by diverse elements coming from Pure Mathematic (geometry, algebra, analyse, PDE) and Mathematical Physic (calculus of variations, General Relativity, Einstein Manifold, String Theory), but its foundation is mainly based on Riemannian Geometry, as explained by M. Berger in a recent panoramic view [5] of this discipline, its extension to complex manifolds, the Erich Kähler’s Geometry [4,6], vaunted for its unabated vitality by J.P. Bourguignon in [7], and Minimal Surface Theory recently synthetized by F. Hélein in the book introduction [9]. This paper would like to initiate seminal studies for applying intrinsic flows, such as Ricci flow in Image Processing to conceive new non-linear operator of anisotropic filtering, and thank to information theory geometrization by Chentsov, by using Kähler-Ricci and Calabi flows to deepen the concept of information diffusion kernel [3].
Functional and Quality Assessment of a Spore Harvester for Entomopathogenic Fungi for Biopesticide Production

The Green Revolution led to an increased use of synthetic pesticides, causing environmental pollution. As an alternative, biopesticides made from entomopathogenic agents such as fungi have been sought. This study aimed to design and evaluate the performance of a harvester machine for efficiently collecting entomopathogenic spores of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana grown on rice and corn substrates. The spore yield was estimated, and a spore count and a colony-forming unit (CFU) count were performed. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the mean values of spores obtained from different combinations of solid substrate and fungi. The Corn-Metarhizium combination produced 34.15 g of spores per kg of substrate and 1.51 × 109 CFUs mL−1. Similarly, the Rice-Metarhizium combination produced 57.35 g per kg and 1.59 × 109 CFUs mL−1. Meanwhile, the Corn-Beauveria combination yielded 35.47 g per kg and 1.00 × 109 CFUs mL−1, while the Rice-Beauveria combination had a yield of 38.26 g per kg and 4.50 × 108 CFUs mL−1. Based on the reported results, the Rice-Metarhizium combination appears to be the most effective, yielding the highest number of harvested spores per kg of substrate. The study estimated a total cost of approximately $409.31 for manufacturing the harvester, considering only the cost of the materials. These results could potentially increase the availability and affordability of entomopathogenic fungi in integrated pest management.
Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Cardiometabolic Phenotypes in Hispanics: A Life Course Approach

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is vital for maintaining calcium and phosphate balance and regulating bone metabolism. Recent research has suggested that VDR also plays an essential role in metabolic diseases. Previous studies on non-Hispanic whites have shown that VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are associated with cardiometabolic phenotypes. However, the association between VDR SNPs and cardiometabolic traits in Hispanics remains unclear. This study investigated the association between VDR SNPs and cardiometabolic phenotypic data in self-reported Hispanics (n = 1610) from the Arizona Insulin Resistance registry and Sangre Por Salud Biobank. The study population was predominantly female (66.4%) with a mean age of 40 ± 14 years (n = 121 <18 years) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.8 ± 6.3 kg/m2. We performed a genotyping association analysis of VDR SNPs (Taq1-rs731236, Fok1-rs2228570 and Apa1-rs7975232) with cardiometabolic traits using linear regression models. The results showed that Taq1 and Apa1 were strongly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) in children (<18 years), while Fok1 was associated with measures of adiposity, including fat mass, waist circumference, and BMI. In age-stratified adult (≥18 years) models, Taq1 was strongly associated with hemoglobin A1c, while Apa1 was associated with BMI and fasting glucose. Fok1 had no significant associations in the adult models. In conclusion, the VDR SNPs were associated with several cardiometabolic phenotypes in this Hispanic sample, but the type and strength of the associations varied by age group.