Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of a French social marketing campaign promoting pulse and whole grain consumption: results from a longitudinal cohort study

Background Despite the health benefits, fiber intake is insufficient among French adults. To promote the consumption of pulses and whole grains, defined as priority food groups because they are rich in fiber, readily available, and affordable, the French National Public Health Agency implemented a social marketing campaign in 2019 to improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and consumption of pulses and whole grains. Objective To evaluate the short-and long-term effects of this social marketing campaign. Methods A 8-month prospective study was conducted on the Internet. A sample of 4,001 French adults was interviewed before the social media campaign (T0), immediately afterwards (T1), and after 8 months (T2). Analysis was performed on 2,422 adults responding at T1 and T2. Outcomes associated with campaign recall were investigated by mixed models with random effects using generalized estimating equations. Results Overall, 59.5% of subjects recalled the campaign. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, no significant difference was found in terms of knowledge, self-efficacy, and consumption of pulses and whole grains between those recalling and not recalling the campaign (value of p > 0.05). When the analyses were stratified by educational level (p-interaction<0.10), a significant positive association was found between campaign recall and variation of knowledge about whole grain fiber content in subjects with lower educational level (value of p = 0.002 at T1 and value of p = 0.008 at T2). For small consumers of pulses, subjects recalling the campaign improved both their knowledge (OR [95%CI] = 1.47 [1.14–1.90], value of p = 0.003 at T2) and consumption of pulses (1.44 [1.14–1.86], value of p = 0.002 at T1, 1.50 [1.16–1.94], value of p = 0.002 at T2). Conclusion This first French social marketing campaign promoting pulses and whole grains had a positive impact on specific subgroups of particular interest in terms of public health (i.e., people with low educational level and small consumers of pulses). These results will allow us to improve the communication materials used for the second edition of this social marketing campaign.
Epidermal RFID-Based Thermal Monitoring Sheet (R-TMS) for Microwave Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is an anti-cancer treatment that exploits the interaction between high-power electromagnetic fields and restricted regions of human tissues releasing a great amount of power to locally increase tissues temperature. Due to the high power, dangerous hot-spots may occur on the skin so that continuous monitoring of superficial temperature distribution is required. Thermal Monitoring Sheets (TMSs), which are grids of several wired temperature sensors, are currently used in clinical practice; however, they have some limitations in terms of poor spatial resolution, thermal conduction errors, and complex application procedures. Epidermal electronics associated with passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) sensing technology could represent an attractive alternative thanks to its wireless nature and limited invasiveness. In this framework, this article proposes an innovative TMS based on battery-less RFID sensors (R-TMS). It comprises a planar grid of circular loop antennas with temperature-sensing-oriented ICs that can sample skin temperature without interfering with hyperthermia treatment. The system proved capable of monitoring skin temperature via wireless data transmission with a higher spatial resolution that state-of-the-art devices. The physical rationale, the design, and the experimentation of the R-TMS are here presented to validate the proposed approach and evaluate its feasibility from the electromagnetic perspective.
Models to Predict Net and Gross Sedimentation in Lakes

This study models net and gross sedimentation in lakes. The fluxes of material play an important role in most lake contexts. They influence transport, bio-uptake and ecological effects of most toxins and nutrients. The aim is to present a new type of 'mixed' dynamic/statistical model and to discuss advantages and disadvantages with this approach. Empirical data to validate the model emanate from sediment traps from 25 lakes. Rates of gross sedimentation in traps were compared to catchment and morphometric parameters determined from maps in an attempt to identify the processes that influence sedimentation. The most important variables are relative depth (linked to resuspension), forest and open land cover (of the near area of the catchment), relief of catchment, coverage of mires and lakes, and the lake water retention time. This study shows that it is easy to lose predictive power in dynamic models relative to empirical models, in which each parameter constant and x-parameter automatically accounts for the complexities in natural ecosystems. In dynamic models empirical knowledge is replaced by logical constructions, which may not be accurate. The mixed model would need to be extended with new large submodels to predict, for example mean distribution coefficient of total-P in tributaries, tributary suspended load, rate of sedimentation and resuspension rate. This would result in a huge 'prescriptive' model with wide uncertainty limits for the predicted mean values for net and gross sedimentation.
Unmet Contraceptive Need among Currently Married Adolescents in Nepal

Nepal has a remarkably high adolescent fertility rate with low use of contraception. A high level of unmet need for contraception persists among currently married young women in Nepal. Evidence about the unmet need for family planning and its associated factors has not been deeply analyzed in the Nepalese context yet. Therefore, this study investigates the prevalence and determinants of unmet need for family planning among currently married adolescent women in Nepal. It is an analytical cross-sectional study through secondary data analysis of the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey women data-file. This study is carried out on 704 currently married women aged 15-19 years. Selected independent variables are cross-tabulated with the dependent variable to analyze where the Chi-square test is applied to test the significance of the association between these two variables. This study shows that the total unmet need for family planning among adolescent women is 34 percent is much higher than the current national unmet need for family planning is 23 percent among all women of reproductive age by the NDHS 2016. The study reveals that several adolescents have a higher unmet need for family planning by different background characteristics in Nepal. Hence, it is necessary to focus on strengthening women's status by improving their socio-economic condition. That enables them to discuss sexual issues openly. Family planning programs need to design to address the unmet need of young women, especially needy adolescents.
Label-Free DNA Detection Using Etched Tilted Bragg Fiber Grating-Based Biosensor

A label-free-based fiber optic biosensor based on etched tilted Bragg fiber grating (TFBG) is proposed and practically demonstrated. Conventional phase mask technic has been utilized to inscribe tilted fiber Bragg grating with a tilt angle of 10°, while the etching has been accomplished with hydrofluoric acid. A composite of polyethylenimine (PEI)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) has been thermally deposited on the etched TFBG, followed by immobilization of probe DNA (pDNA) on this deposited layer. The hybridization of pDNA with the complementary DNA (cDNA) has been monitored using wavelength-dependent interrogation. The reproducibility of the probes has been demonstrated by fabricating three identical probes and their response has been investigated for cDNA concentration ranging from 0 μM to 3 μM. The maximum sensitivity has been found to be 320 pm/μM, with the detection limit being 0.65 μM. Furthermore, the response of the probes towards non-cDNA has also been investigated in order to establish its specificity.
Playing With a Multi Armed Bandit to Optimize Resource Allocation in Satellite-Enabled 5G Networks

In this paper, we address issues associated with the effective management of handover events in satellite-enabled 5G network infrastructures. Namely, we devise a strategy for dynamically allocating 5G gNB available resources in the presence of a constellation of LEO satellites, based on several parameters collected and dispatched by an ad hoc orchestration platform. We propose to leverage a Combinatorial Multi-Armed Bandit approach to design a resource allocation game that helps make decisions over time under uncertainty conditions related to the incidence of several factors that can determine the quality of experience perceived on the user equipment side. The introduced approach does represent a pioneering one, since it allows us to model a joint optimization task as a competitive game in which agents typically share resources with other agents instead of occupying them exclusively. The designed task allows to dynamically enable and disable channels, taking care of the relationships with the lower layer, transparently managing the required handover operations, and considering possible interference with other channels. We discuss an implementation of the proposed solution in a simulated environment. We also analyze the performance it attains, by measuring both its efficiency and efficacy in a trial setup reproducing a scenario with near real-time temporal requirements. Results show that the proposed approach has a linear trend in terms of running time with respect to the number of user equipments and gNbs involved, while achieving a sub-optimal solution of the handover task in around 20–30 rounds.
Development of novel diagnostic techniques to measure heat release rate perturbations in flames

Les fluctuations du taux de degagement de chaleur sont souvent responsables d’intensification des flux thermiques aux parois, de vibrations et d’emissions sonores qui peuvent eventuellement degenerer en instabilites thermo-acoustiques auto-entretenues. Ces phenomenes instationnaires degradent les performances des foyers, provoquent un vieillissement premature de certains elements de la chambre de combustion, voire des degâts plus importants sur l’installation. Ces perturbations sont cependant difficiles a mesurer dans les foyers car il n’existe pas de diagnostic qui permette d'acceder directement au taux de degagement de chaleur. L’objectif de ce travail est d'explorer deux alternatives aux solutions existantes pour acceder aux fluctuations du taux de degagement de chaleur avec une bonne resolution temporelle. Ces nouvelles methodes sont testees dans des configurations generiques parfaitement premelangees pour des ecoulements laminaires. La premiere methode est une technique acoustique, qui repose sur la determination du temps de vol d’ondes ultrasonores qui traversent l’ecoulement. Les fluctuations du temps de vol de ces ondes sont utilisees pour detecter des perturbations de la largeur des gaz brules le long du chemin acoustique. Cette information permet de reconstituer les fluctuations du taux de degagement de chaleur dans des flammes premelangees. Les premieres validations de cette methode sont presentees pour des flammes en l'absence de perturbation externe lorsqu'elles presentent une instabilite de type Kelvin-Helmholtz pilotee par les phenomenes de flottabilite du panache des gaz brules. Des mesures sont ensuite conduites pour des flammes soumises a des modulations harmoniques de l'ecoulement. Les donnees obtenues dans ces configurations sont comparees a des mesures optiques ainsi qu'a des previsions analytiques. La seconde methode est une technique optique utilisant un systeme d’interferometrie laser Doppler permettant de determiner les fluctuations de densite integrees le long du chemin optique. On montre dans un premier temps que les perturbations de densite sont principalement causees par des fluctuations du taux de degagement de chaleur lorsque les flammes sont confinees. Un lien est etabli pour reconstituer les perturbations du taux de degagement de chaleur exploitant le signal de l'interferometre. La technique est validee pour des flammes pulsees pour differentes richesses et debits. Les donnees obtenues sont comparees a des mesures reposant sur la chimiluminescence de la flamme. Un bon accord est obtenu pour des modulations harmoniques de l'ecoulement a differentes frequences et niveaux de perturbation. Ce travail permet de valider le principe de ces deux techniques pour detecter les perturbations du taux de degagement de chaleur lorsque l'acces optique a la zone de combustion est reduit et lorsque des informations quantitatives resolues temporellement sont necessaires.
Bridelia atroviridis (Phyllanthaceae) Aqueous Extract Attenuates Scopolamine-induced Amnesia and Depression in Rat: Role of Cholinergic, Monoaminergic, and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Background: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are the main pathways of neuroprotective drugs. Bridelia atroviridis possesses those activities and is empirically used by Cameroonian traditional healers to alleviate memory and mood disorders. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-amnesic and antidepressant effects of Bridelia atroviridis aqueous extract (EA). Methods: Scopolamine was used to induce amnesia and depression in rats. Administrated per os, three doses of EA, including 36, 72, and 144 mg/kg, were used. Behavioral disorders were evaluated through novel object recognition, the Morris water maze, forced swimming, and an open arena. The oxidative stress markers, like malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, and nitrite levels in the brain, were measured. Neurometabolites, serotonin, and acetylcholine levels were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin paraffin-embedded histological sections were used to assess neuron viability in the cortex and the hippocampus. Results: Pre-treatments with EA attenuated the deleterious effects of scopolamine and improved brain biomarkers. Indeed, when compared to vehicle control, Bridelia atroviridis increased Ca2+, Mg2+, serotonin, and acetylcholine levels in the brain. Furthermore, the plant reduced significantly (p < 0.001) the recognition index in the novel object recognition test and increased (p < 0.001) the time spent in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test. Besides, EA has scavenging activities and attenuates neuron death in the cortex and hippocampus. Conclusion: According to this study, the aqueous extract of B. atroviridis barks protects against scopolamine-induced memory loss and depressive disorders. The preventive activities of the plant involve cholinergic and monoaminergic pathways and antioxidant potential. Graphical Abstract:
In Vitro and In Vivo Synergistic Antibacterial Functions of the Recombinant Ib-AMP4 and E50-52 Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Background: Most Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) species have become resistant to all common antibiotics. Many antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been identified with efficient functions in infection management. E50-52 (UniProtKB: P85148) and Ib-AMP4 (UniProtKB: O24006) AMPs have shown marked antibacterial functions. Objectives: This investigation was designed to produce E50-52 and Ib-AMP4 AMPs through recombinant protein production. Subsequently, the synergistic antimicrobial functions of these two peptides were assessed under in vitro and in vivo circumstances on multidrug-resistant A. baumannii to investigate the antimicrobial effects of Ib-AMP4 and E50-52 AMPs on drug-resistant Acinetobacter. Methods: The gene sequence of E50-52 and Ib-AMP4 AMPs were codon optimized and separately inserted into the pET-32α vector. The recombinant structures were expressed in host bacteria. The antibacterial functions of the individual and combined application of the purified refolded E50-52 and Ib-AMP4 AMPs against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii were evaluated through the time-kill, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), growth kinetic assays, and in vivo (mouse body) systemic infection. Results: The minimum concentrations of the produced refolded E50-52 and Ib-AMP4 AMPs against A. baumannii were 0.325 and 0.0625 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the checkerboard procedure confirmed the synergic effects of the produced AMPs. The use of E50-52 and Ib-AMP4 AMPs in combination resulted in an over five times reduction in log10 CFU/mL of alive cells during the first 240-min exposure. The antibacterial efficiency of the produced AMPs was confirmed by growth kinetic assays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, and in vivo evaluation tests. The in vivo assay on rats confirmed the significant antibacterial functions of the produced recombinant proteins on A. baumannii systemic infection. Conclusions: The results proved the considerable synergistic antibacterial functions of the produced recombinant Ib-AMP4 and E50-52 AMPs to treat A. baumannii systemic infection effectively.
Mass Transfer Analysis of CO2-Water-Rock Geochemical Reactions in Reservoirs

It is difficult to exploit low-permeability reservoirs, and CO2 flooding is an effective method to improve oil recovery from low permeability reservoirs. However, in the process of CO2 flooding, acidic fluids dissolved in formation water will react with rock to cause dissolution and precipitation, resulting in pores and precipitates, changing the evolution law of seepage channels, destroying formation integrity, and affecting the effect of CO2 oil displacement. The change in rock’s physical properties and the mass transfer law between CO2-water-rock are unclear. This paper considers the coupling effects of seepage, mechanics, and chemistry when CO2 is injected into the formation. The mass transfer model of CO2-water-rock in the geochemical reaction process is established on this basis. The physical properties of the reservoir after CO2 injection are quantitatively studied based on the microscopic mechanism of chemical reaction, and the migration law of solute in the reservoir rock during CO2 flooding under the coupling effects of multiple fields is clarified. The experimental results show that with the increase in reaction time, the initial dissolution reaction of formation rocks will be transformed into a precipitation reaction of calcite, magnesite, and clay minerals. The porosity and permeability of the rocks near the well first increase and then decrease. The far well end is still dominated by dissolution reactions, and the average values of formation porosity and permeability show an upward trend. Although the dissolution reaction of CO2-water-rock can improve the physical properties of reservoir rocks to a certain extent, the mutual transformation of the dissolution reaction and precipitation reaction further exacerbates the heterogeneity of formation pore structure, leading to the instability of CO2 migration, uneven displacement, and destruction of formation stability. The research results of this paper solve the problem of quantitative calculation of physical parameters under the coupling effect of multiple fields after CO2 injection into reservoirs and can predict the changes in formation physical properties, which can provide a certain theoretical basis for evaluating formation integrity and adjusting CO2 injection under the condition of CO2 flooding.
Adaptive Resolution Loss: An Efficient and Effective Loss for Time Series Self-Supervised Learning Framework

Time series data is a crucial form of information that has vast opportunities. With the widespread use of sensor networks, large-scale time series data has become ubiquitous. One of the most prominent problems in time series data mining is representation learning. Recently, with the introduction of self-supervised learning frameworks (SSL), numerous amounts of research have focused on designing an effective SSL for time series data. One of the current state-of-the-art SSL frameworks in time series is called TS2Vec. TS2Vec specially designs a hierarchical contrastive learning framework that uses loss-based training, which performs outstandingly against benchmark testing. However, the computational cost for TS2Vec is often significantly greater than other SSL frameworks. In this paper, we present a new self-supervised learning loss named, adaptive resolution loss. The proposed solution reduces the number of resolutions used for training the model via score functions, leading to an efficient adaptive resolution learning algorithm. The proposed method preserves the original model’s integrity while significantly enhancing its training time.
Detection and incidence of pineapple heart rot disease caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in commercial farms of Puerto Rico

Pineapple heart rot disease (PHRD) caused by Phytophthora spp. is one of the most important diseases of pineapple. This disease is characterized by soft rot and water-soaked lesions. In severe cases plant mortality is 100%. During a one-year survey, conducted from March 2018 to March 2019, a total of 29 pineapple hectares were evaluated from five commercial pineapple fields located in the Puerto Rican municipalities of Guánica, Lajas, Manatí and Santa Isabel, and at the Agricultural Experiment Substation of the University of Puerto Rico in Isabela. Symptoms of PHRD were observed in all fields evaluated, except at the Agricultural Experiment Substation in Isabela. Diseased plant tissue was surface disinfected and plated on PARPH-V8 selective media for Phytophthora spp. Aerial photography using a DJI Phantom 3 drone was used to corroborate PHRD incidence in the field. Approximately eight hectares were infected by P. nicotianae with an average of PHRD disease incidence of 28.82%. The highest percentage of PHRD incidence was observed in fields located at Guánica, Lajas and Manatí with 40%, 40% and 30%, respectively. Eleven isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae were collected from pineapple fields in Guánica, Lajas, Manatí and Santa Isabel and identified using morphology and phylogeny of sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I region (COI). The estimation of the incidence of P. nicotianae as the causal agent of PHRD is important as a first step in developing specific control measures in the pineapple fields of Puerto Rico.