Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome in Fasting and Non-Fasting Participants: The UAE Healthy Future Study

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiplex of risk factors that predispose people to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), two of the major non-communicable diseases that contribute to mortality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MetS guidelines require the testing of fasting samples, but there are evidence-based suggestions that non-fasting samples are also reliable for CVD-related screening measures. In this study, we aimed to estimate MetS and its components in a sample of young Emiratis using HbA1c as another glycemic marker. We also aimed to estimate the associations of some known CVD risk factors with MetS in our population. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 5161 participants from the UAE Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS). MetS was identified using the NCEP ATP III criteria, with the addition of HbA1c as another glycemic indicator. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c were used either individually or combined to identify the glycemic component of MetS, based on the fasting status. Multivariate regression analysis was used to test for associations of selected social and behavioral factors with MetS. Results: Our sample included 3196 men and 1965 women below the age of 40 years. Only about 21% of the sample were fasting at the time of recruitment. The age-adjusted prevalence of MetS was estimated as 22.7% in males and 12.5% in females. MetS prevalence was not statistically different after substituting FBG by HbA1c in the fasting groups (p > 0.05). Age, increased body mass index (BMI), and family history of any metabolic abnormality and/or heart disease were consistently strongly associated with MetS. Conclusion: MetS is highly prevalent in our sample of young Emirati adults. Our data showed that HbA1c may be an acceptable tool to test for the glycemic component of MetS in non-fasting samples. We found that the most relevant risk factors for predicting the prevalence of MetS were age, BMI, and family history.
The Furr-Recovery Method: Interacting with Furry Co-Workers during Work Time Is a Micro-Break That Recovers Workers’ Regulatory Resources and Contributes to Their Performance

Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and the recovery step model our research expands on a cognitive (regulatory resources) mechanism that links human–animal interactions and employee performance. This study aimed to explore whether daily human–animal interactions during worktime would be conceived as a daily-recovery process that restores the individual’s daily regulatory resources and, as a result, improves daily adaptive and task performance. To test this, a daily diary study during 10 working days, with 105 teleworkers was performed (N = 105 × 10 = 1050). Multilevel results demonstrated that daily interactions between human and their pets served to recover their daily regulatory resources that, in turn, improved daily task-and-adaptive performance. This research not only expands our theoretical understanding of regulatory resources as a cognitive mechanism that links human-animal interactions to employee effectiveness but also offers practical implications by highlighting the recovery role of interacting with pets during the working day, as a way to restore resources needed to be more effective at work.
Repeat-pass SAR Interferometry Experiments with Gaofen-3: A Case Study of Ningbo Area

This paper reports the repeat-pass interferometric SAR results of Gaofen-3, a Chinese civil SAR satellite, acquired in November 2016 and March 2017 from Ningbo area. With the spatial baseline about 600 m and time baseline 116 days, the coherence of the two images still achieve good enough to generate the digital elevation model (DEM). During the InSAR processing, we compared several baseline estimating methods and obtained a good flat-earth phase removed interferogram map. By using the latest SAR interferogram filter and phase unwrapping method we proposed, we improved the coherence up to 0.88 in urban area and obtained a high quality DEM in Ningbo area. In addition, we evaluated the elevation model by comparing with the elevation values extracted from SRTM. And the result shows that accuracy of the elevation map is about 5 m (RMS) in plane area and 22m (RMS) in mountainous region, which demonstrated that Gaofen-3 has the powerful ability of repeat-pass SAR Interferometry.
Using Urinary Biomarkers to Estimate the Benzene Exposure Levels in Individuals Exposed to Benzene

Urinary benzene metabolites trans, trans-muconic acid (t, t-MA), and S-phenyl mercapturic acid (S-PMA) are often used as biomarkers of internal exposure to benzene. However, there are few reports on using urinary benzene metabolites to estimate airborne benzene concentrations in individuals exposed to benzene. In this study, t, t-MA, and S-PMA were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS, and a simple pharmacokinetic model was used to calculate the daily intake (DI) of benzene based on the levels of urinary t, t-MA, and S-PMA in occupational individuals. The back-calculated airborne benzene levels (BCABL) were obtained from the DI of benzene. Among the exposed subjects (n = 84), the median BCABL (3.67 mg/m3) based on t, t-MA was very close to the median level of measured airborne benzene (3.27 mg/m3, p = 0.171), and there was no effect of smoking or dietary habits on t, t-MA-based BCABL. In the control subjects (n = 49), the levels of measured airborne benzene were all below the quantitation limit (0.024 mg/m3), and the BCABL (0.002–0.25 mg/m3) calculated by S-PMA was close to this background level. Our study suggests that the t, t-MA-based BCABL can reflect the actual airborne benzene level in a range of 1.10–86.91 mg/m3 and that the S-PMA-based BCABL is more reliable for non-professional benzene exposure.
Striking Variability in the Post-Reproductive Movements of Spanish Red Kites (Milvus milvus): Three Strategies, Sex Differences, and Changes over Time

Simple Summary It is necessary to study the variability of movements in birds during their entire lifecycles. Many species and populations are classified into sedentary or migratory, but our results suggested that the Spanish breeding red kites have a wider range of spatial strategies: sedentarism, intra-peninsular migration and sedentarism with post-reproductive movements (or dispersive migration). This last spatial strategy was much more common in females. Furthermore, we reported year-to-year variability, so individuals could shift from one strategy to another. These results reveals for the first time the variability of movements in the Spanish red kites. Abstract It was assumed that the Spanish breeding population of the red kite (Milvus milvus) was resident, hence their movements were restricted to their breeding area for their entire lifecycle. However, recent observations indicated that the post-reproductive strategies of the red kite in Spain are more diverse. We tagged 47 breeding adult red kites in Spain and analyzed their movements during the post-reproductive period (July–February). We found three strategies in the population: migration (10%), sedentarism (70%), and sedentarism with post-reproductive movements (20%), based on seasonality and other movement parameters. Sedentarism with post-reproductive movements was a very variable strategy that involved all-direction wandering movements far away from the nest (up to 589 km) after breeding season, and then a returned journey toward the starting point in time for the next breeding season. Our results also suggest that sedentarism with post-reproductive movements is much more common in females than males. Furthermore, 17% of the individuals changed their strategy over the years. This study highlights the great individual variability and plasticity of the red kite and allows for a better understanding of spatial ecology in opportunistic raptors.
Experimental Validation Techniques for the HELEEOS Off-Axis Laser Propagation Model

Abstract : The High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS) off-axis scattering algorithm is designed to predict the irradiance that will be detected at a given off-axis location due to atmospheric scattering of a high-energy laser. The HELEEOS system models the propagation of the laser through the atmosphere, accounting for such effects as turbulence, thermal blooming, and atmospheric absorption. The HELEEOS off-axis scattering algorithm uses the scattering phase functions of the Mie scattering models to predict the amount of radiation that will be scattered toward a particular observation location from each point along the beam path, and the total irradiance that will be received at that location. Algorithm outputs were compared with data from a laser test conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base using 1.53-1.59 micronmeters communications lasers operating at 0.6 W of power. The ooff-axis irradiance was measured using an Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) camera. A software application was developed to assist in camera calibration and the analysis of the collected images. The application was used to reduce the data from each image to a single irradiance value which could be compared with HELEEOS predictions. Preliminary results show an agreement within 1-2 orders of magnitude between the HELEEOS algorithm and the measured off-axis irradiance, although the potential exists for improving this result through more detailed analysis of the same data set.
Traveling wave fronts and the transition to saturation

We propose a general method to study the solutions to nonlinear QCD evolution equations, based on a deep analogy with the physics of traveling waves. In particular, we show that the transition to the saturation regime of high energy QCD is identical to the formation of the front of a traveling wave. Within this physical picture, we provide the expressions for the saturation scale and the gluon density profile as a function of the total rapidity and the transverse momentum. The application to the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation for both fixed and running coupling constants confirms the effectiveness of this method.
Small Transitive Families of Subspaces

A family of subspaces of a complex separable Hilbert space is transitive if every bounded operator which leaves each of its members invariant is scalar. This article surveys some results concerning transitive families of small cardinality, and adds some new ones. The minimum cardinality of a transitive family in finite dimensions (greater than 2) is 4. In infinite dimensions a transitive pair of linear manifolds exists but the minimum cardinality of a transitive family of dense operator ranges or norm-closed subspaces is not known. However, a transitive family of dense operator ranges with 5 elements can be found, and so can a transitive family of norm-closed subspaces with 4 elements. In finite dimensions (> 1) three nest algebras (corresponding to maximal nests) can intersect in the scalaroperators, but two cannot. It is not known if this is the case in infinite dimensions for maximal nests of type ω+ 1. Four such nest algebras can intersect in the scalar operators.
Intraoperative Administration of Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Does Not Improve Functional Outcomes in Young Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has a versatile cellular system for biologically augmented therapies. However, there have been no clinical studies investigating the benefits of the augmentation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with SVF. We conducted a retrospective study in assessing the effects of intraoperative SVF administration on the functional outcomes in young patients with ACLR. The enrolled patients were divided into the control group (ACLR only) and the SVF group (ACLR with SVF). The functional outcomes in both groups were assessed by the Lysholm knee scoring system, the Tegner activity scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective evaluation form, and compared at several time points during a 12-month follow-up. We found that the sex distribution and pre-surgery scores were similar in the two groups, whereas the mean age of the SVF group was higher than that of the control group (p = 0.046). The between-group analysis and generalized estimating equation model analysis revealed that, while patients in the SVF group significantly improved all their functional outcomes at 12 months after surgery, this improvement was not significantly different from the results of patients in the control group (Lysholm, p = 0.553; Tegner, p = 0.197; IKDC, p = 0.486). No side effects were observed in either group. We concluded that the intraoperative administration of SVF does not improve or accelerate functional recovery after ACLR in young patients.
Competitive Formation Zones in Carbon Nanotube Float-Catalysis Synthesis: Growth in Length vs. Growth Suppression

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) produces numerous various byproducts such as soot, graphite platelets, catalyst nanoparticles, etc. Identification of the byproduct formation mechanisms would help develop routes to more selective synthesis of better carbon-based materials. This work reports on the identification of the formation zone and conditions for rather unusual closed multishell carbon nanocapsules in a reactor for float-catalysis synthesis of longer CNT. Structural investigation of the formed nanocapsule material along with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the reactor suggested a nanocapsule formation mechanism, in which CNT embryos are suppressed in growth by the in-reactor turbulence. By means of TEM and FFT investigation, it is found that differently oriented single crystals of γ–Fe2O3, which do not have clear connections with each other, determine a spherical surface. The carbon atoms that seep through these joints do not form crystalline graphite layers. The resulting additional product in the form of graphene-coated (γ–Fe/Fe3C)/γ–Fe2O3 nanoparticles can be a lightweight and effective microwave absorber.
What is the role of YouTube™ as a source of information on trichotillomania?

Objective: YouTube™ is a very popular video site worldwide and is increasingly being used to access health information. The content in these videos is often incomprehensible and worse, contains inaccurate and incomplete information. This article aims to evaluate the reliability and usefulness of information about TTM available to patients on YouTube™. Material and Method: This study has a cross-sectional design. 51 videos were reviewed. Global quality score (GQS), modified DISCERN and trichotillomania Youtube score (TTMYS) were used for the quality analysis of the videos. Video duration(sec), time since upload (months), Number of views/comments/likes/dislikes were analyzed. Results: The majority of the videos (31.4%) were uploaded by physicians, and the least by hospitals (3.9%). The mean GQS score was 2.06±1.363, the modified DISCERN score was 2.06±1.348, and the TTMYS score was 8.45±3.126. The GQS scores 1-2 (low quality), 3 (moderate quality), and 4-5 (high quality) were 68.6%, 11.8%, and 19.6%, respectively. The vast majority of videos were rated as low quality. Conclusion: The TTM related video content rewieved was largely inadequate. Information about the disease and treatment options were insufficient. It is necessary to either take a primary role in uploading high-quality videos or establish supervisory mechanisms for the security and accuracy of information.
Baryon-dark matter scattering and first star formation

The recent detection of the sky-averaged 21-cm cosmological signal indicates a stronger absorption than the maximum allowed value based on the standard model. One explanation for the required colder primordial gas is the energy transfer between the baryon and dark matter fluids due to non-gravitational scattering. Here, we explore the thermal evolution of primordial gas, collapsing to form Population III (Pop III) stars, when this energy transfer is included. Performing a series of one-zone calculations, we find that the evolution results in stars more massive than in the standard model, provided that the dark matter is described by the best-fit parameters inferred from the 21-cm observation. On the other hand, a significant part of the dark matter parameter space can be excluded by the requirement to form massive Pop III stars sufficiently early in cosmic history. Otherwise, the radiation background needed to bring about the strong Wouthuysen-Field coupling at z >~ 17, inferred to explain the 21-cm absorption feature, could not be builtup. Intriguingly, the independent constraint from the physics of first star formation at high densities points to a similarly narrow range in dark matter properties. This exploratory study has to be followed-up with self-consistent three-dimensional simulations for a more rigorous derivation.
Clustering with Faulty Centers

In this paper we introduce and formally study the problem of k -clustering with faulty centers. Specifically, we study the faulty versions of k -center, k -median, and k -means clustering, where centers have some probability of not existing, as opposed to prior work where clients had some probability of not existing. For all three problems we provide fixed parameter tractable algorithms, in the parameters k , d , and ε , that (1 + ε )-approximate the minimum expected cost solutions for points in d dimensional Euclidean space. For Faulty k -center we additionally provide a 5-approximation for general metrics. Significantly, all of our algorithms have a small dependence on n . Specifically, our Faulty k -center algorithms have only linear dependence on n , while for our algorithms for Faulty k -median and Faulty k -means the dependence is still only n 1+ o (1) . 2012 ACM Subject Classification
Sexually-Driven Combinatorial Diversity in Native Saccharomyces Wine Yeasts

Natural diversity represents an inexhaustible source of yeasts for the diversification of wines and the improvement of their properties. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity of autochthonous Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeasts in the Aljarafe of Seville, one of the warmest winemaking regions of Spain. Through multiplex-PCR analysis of five microsatellite markers and RT-PCR determination of the killer genotype, we found 94 different patterns among 150 S. cerevisiae yeast strains isolated from spontaneous fermentation of grape must, thereby representing a highly diverse population. Remarkably, 92% of the isolated strains exhibited high sporulation capacity. Tetrad analysis of sporulating strains rendered a microsatellite marker’s combinatory that mimics patterns observed in the native population, suggesting that the high polymorphism of microsatellite markers found in these wild yeasts might result from sexual reproduction in their natural environment. The identification of unconventional M2/L-A-lus totivirus combinations conferring the killer phenotype also supports this suggestion. One idea behind this study is to determine to what extent the vineyards microbiota in areas with warm climates can provide useful natural yeasts to adapt fermentation processes to the needs imposed by global warming. Analysis of traits of oenological interest in regions potentially affected by global climate changes, such as growth tolerance to ethanol and to sugar stress in the analysed strains, indicated that this broad combinatorial diversity of natural S. cerevisiae yeasts provides a wide range of autochthonous strains with desirable profiles for quality winemaking in warm regions. This combinatorial diversity renders strains with diverse oenological performing abilities. Upon microvinification assays and organoleptic attests, a S. cerevisiae strain with interesting oenological properties has been identified. This result can be considered a successful outcome in industry–academia collaboration.
Delay structure of wideband noises with application to filtering problems

The paper presents a mathematical theory of handling and working with wideband noises. We demonstrate that a wideband noise can be represented as a distributed delay of a white noise. From this, we deduce that the behavior of a wideband noise is the same as the behavior of an infinite dimensional colored noise along the boundary line. All these are used to deduce a complete set of formulae for the Kalman‐type optimal filter and also to derive nonlinear filtering equation for wideband‐noise‐driven linear and nonlinear systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micromechanical Deformation Processes and Failure of PBS Based Composites Containing Ultra-Short Cellulosic Fibers for Injection Molding Applications

The use of biobased thermoplastic polymers has gained great attention in the last years as a potential alternative to fossil-based thermoplastic polymers. Biobased polymers in fact offer advantages not only in terms of reduced dependence on fossil resources but they also lower the CO2 footprint in accordance with sustainability and climate protection goals. To improve the properties of these materials, reinforcement with biobased fibers is a promising solution; however, it must be kept in mind that the fibers aspect ratio and the interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix plays an important role influencing both physical and mechanical properties of the biocomposites. In this paper, the possibility of producing composites by injection molding, based on polybutylene succinate and ultra-short cellulosic fibers has been explored as a potential biobased solution. Thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were investigated, paying particular attention to the local micromechanical deformation processes, investigated by dilatometric tests, and failure mechanisms. Analytical models were also applied to predict the elastic and flexural modulus and the interfacial properties of the biocomposites. Good results were achieved, demonstrating the that this class of biocomposite can be exploited. Compared to pure PBS, the composites with 30 wt. % of cellulose fibers increased the Young’s modulus by 154%, the flexural modulus by 130% and the heat deflection temperature by 9%.
Deep Chandra Survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud. II. Timing Analysis of X-Ray Pulsars

We report the timing analysis results of X-ray pulsars from a recent deep Chandra survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We analyzed a total exposure of 1.4 Ms from 31 observations over a 1.2 deg2 region in the SMC under a Chandra X-ray Visionary Program. Using the Lomb–Scargle and epoch-folding techniques, we detected periodic modulations from 20 pulsars and a new candidate pulsar. The survey also covered 11 other pulsars with no clear sign of periodic modulation. The 0.5–8 keV X-ray luminosity (LX) of the pulsars ranges from 1034 to 1037 erg s−1 at 60 kpc. All of the Chandra sources with LX ≳ 4 × 1035 erg s−1 exhibit X-ray pulsations. The X-ray spectra of the SMC pulsars (and high-mass X-ray binaries) are in general harder than those of the SMC field population. All but SXP 8.02 can be fitted by an absorbed power-law model with a photon index of Γ ≲ 1.5. The X-ray spectrum of the known magnetar SXP 8.02 is better fitted with a two-temperature blackbody model. Newly measured pulsation periods of SXP 51.0, SXP 214, and SXP 701, are significantly different from the previous XMM-Newton and RXTE measurements. This survey provides a rich data set for energy-dependent pulse profile modeling. Six pulsars show an almost eclipse-like dip in the pulse profile. Phase-resolved spectral analysis reveals diverse spectral variations during pulsation cycles: e.g., for an absorbed power-law model, some exhibit an (anti)-correlation between absorption and X-ray flux, while others show more intrinsic spectral variation (i.e., changes in photon indices).