Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical Well-Being of Children and Adolescents during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Findings from the “Come te la Passi?” Cross Sectional Survey in Bologna, Italy

Background: The COVID-19 had a strong impact on the physical and general well-being of the youngest. In Italy, citizens were forced to change their habits, especially during the national lockdown, causing increased levels of sedentary and unhealthy behaviors. “Come te la passi? ” was a cross-sectional study aimed at investigating changes in the physical activity levels (PA) and well-being of children and adolescents in the City of Bologna. Methods: An anonymous survey was administered to parents/guardians of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Results: 1134 questionnaires were collected during June 2021; 457 (40.3%) were females, and the mean age was 13.0 ± 3.4 years. Regarding the general well-being perception, 61.3% of the participants reported concerns about the future, 46.3% reported sleep difficulties, and 72.8% reported experiencing attention difficulty, with higher percentages among adolescents. Considering the PA frequency, an overall reduction was found, with the percentage of those who rarely did PA and those who frequently did PA both increasing. No gender differences were found. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the current pandemic has strongly impacted the well-being of children and adolescents. It appears to have primarily affected adolescents, with a significant reduction in PA levels, even after the end of the national lockdown.
Neutrino Energy Loss in Stellar Interiors. IV. Plasma Neutrino Process for Strongly Degenerate Electrons

The neutrino energy-loss rates due to plasma neutrino process are calculated for strongly degenerate electrons by using the accurate relativistic dispersion relations for the longitudinal and transverse plasmons. The calculated plasma neutrino energy loss rates are generally valid for relativistically degenerate electrons as well as for nonrelativistically degenerate electrons. The ratio of the result of the present calculation to that of the previous calculations ranges between 0.39 and 3.22 depending upon densities and temperatures. The results of the calculation are expressed by an analytical fitting formula
The Jeans Condition: A New Constraint on Spatial Resolution in Simulations of Isothermal Self-Gravitational Hydrodynamics

We demonstrate with a new three-dimensional adaptive mesh refinement code that perturbations arising from discretization of the equations of self-gravitational hydrodynamics can grow into fragments in multiple-grid simulations, a process we term “artificial fragmentation. ” We present star formation calculations of isothermal collapse of dense molecular cloud cores. In simulation of a Gaussian-profile cloud free of applied perturbations, we find artificial fragmentation can be avoided across the isothermal density regime by ensuring the ratio of cell size to Jeans length, which we call the Jeans number, J ≡ Δx/λJ, is kept below 0.25. We refer to the constraint that λJ be resolved as the Jeans condition. When an m=2 perturbation is included, we again find it necessary to keep J≤0.25 to achieve a converged morphology. Collapse to a filamentary singularity occurs without fragmentation of the filament, in agreement with the predictions of Inutsuka & Miyama. Simulation beyond the time of this singularity requires an arresting agent to slow the runaway density growth. Physically, the breakdown of isothermality due to the buildup of opacity acts as this agent, but many published calculations have instead used artificial viscosity for this purpose. Because artificial viscosity is resolution dependent, such calculations produce resolution-dependent results. In the context of the perturbed Gaussian cloud, we show that use of artificial viscosity to arrest collapse results in significant violation of the Jeans condition. We also show that if the applied perturbation is removed from such a calculation, numerical fluctuations grow to produce substantial fragments not unlike those found when the perturbation is included. These findings indicate that calculations that employ artificial viscosity to halt collapse are susceptible to contamination by artificial fragmentation. The Jeans condition has important implications for numerical studies of isothermal self-gravitational hydrodynamics problems insofar as it is a necessary but not, in general, sufficient condition for convergence.
Action-based models for dwarf spheroidal galaxies and globular clusters

A new family of self-consistent distribution function (DF)-based models of stellar systems is explored. The stellar component of the models is described by a DF depending on the action integrals, previously used to model the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph). The stellar component may cohabit with either a dark halo, also described by a DF, or with a massive central black hole. In all cases we solve for the models self-consistent potential. Focussing on spherically symmetric models, we show how the stellar observables vary with the anisotropy prescribed by the DF, with the dominance and nature of the dark halo, and with the mass of the black hole. We show that precise fits to the observed surface brightness profiles of four globular clusters can be obtained for a wide range of prescribed velocity anisotropies. We also obtain precise fits to the observed projected densities of four dSphs. Finally, we present a three-component model of the Sculptor dSph with distinct DFs for the red and blue horizontal branch stars and the dark matter halo.
The Natural Boundary Element Method of the Uniform Transmission Line Equation in 2D Unbounded Region

Herein, we are mainly concerned with the natural boundary element (NBE) method of the uniform transmission line (UTL) equation defined in the two-dimensional (2D) boundless region, which has a real physical background. We first create the time semi-discretized scheme of the UTL equation, as well as analyze the convergence and stability for the series of time semi-discretized solutions. Then, we create a fully discretized NBE format by means of a natural boundary reduction and analyze the stability and errors between the fully discretized NBE solutions and the analytical solution. Lastly, we employ two numerical examples to verify the effectiveness of the NBE method.
Several methods of radar data fusion

In the processing of radar data, target estimation states fusion is an important problem. Especially under the decentralized model, various estimations of target state which come from local filters with Kalman filter may be fused in order to obtain a more accurate target estimation state. There are two problems to be solved. The first is the fusion criterion, different fusion criteria bring out different results. Three fusion criteria are discussed; one is based on the covariance matrix of estimation error, the second is dependent on the infinite normal number, and the last is related to the element of the state vector. The second problem is the tracking algorithm; it affects the accuracy of the state fusion result. The three criteria and their corresponding algorithms are presented. The algorithms estimating target state are set up with a strong tracking filter other than Kalman or extended Kalman filter; they have better tracking performance so that they can overcome the deficiencies related to Kalman or extended Kalman filters. The reason for this is explained. Comparison results are given.
The radiative impact of a simple aerosol climatology on the Hadley Centre atmospheric GCM

Results from a new version of the Hadley Centre atmospheric general‐circulation model are presented in which the sensitivity of the model to the inclusion of a simple aerosol climatology is investigated. Without aerosols, comparisons with clear‐sky reflected short‐wave radiation from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and the Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB) satellite measurements indicate a missing scatterer in the clear‐sky atmosphere. In addition, recent estimates of global, annual mean absorbed short‐wave radiation at the surface, which used the Global Energy Balance Archive (GEBA) where possible for verification, indicate that the atmosphere did not absorb enough short‐wave radiation. The insertion of a simple aerosol climatology based on World Climate Research Programme recommendations into the model was found to be the only plausible means of reducing its significant short‐wave bias compared with ERBE and ScaRaB measurements at the top of the atmosphere, and with GEBA data at the surface. An increase in the global, annual mean atmospheric absorbed short‐wave radiation accompanied these changes.
Amplifying the voices of diverse scholars to integrate culture in the Earth sciences

The representation of diverse scholars from various ethnic, cultural, and ability groups in the Earth sciences is critically low exhibiting a crucial need and an opportunity to not only increase diversity but also to create agency for diverse scholars (Bowser & Cid, 2021). These needs can be effectively accomplished through the development of innovative strategies that focus on damaging policies, practices, and opinions prevalent within academia as it struggles and create equitable spaces for all to feel supported and welcome (Guillory & Wolverton, 2008; Smythe et al., 2020). VOICES of Integrating Culture in the Earth Sciences (VOICES) is a collaborative program dedicated to identifying persistent issues preventing the retention, representation, and recruitment of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups currently underrepresented in the Earth sciences. Here we define with intention diverse scholars as those historically underrepresented, as a construct of ableism, gender, sexuality, cultural, and racial identities using asset-based language to capture the intersection of these complex identities (Gomez et al., 2021; Steele, 1997; Steele & Aronson, 1995). Studies have show that brief interventions have positive influences on sense of belonging (e.g., being part of something or feeling welcome, Freeman et al., 2007) and efficacy of identify as a scientist (Syed et al., 2019; Taylor, 2018; Walton & Cohen, 2011; White et al., 2019), of which a majority of these interventions have not been disseminated beyond the small group they originally focused on. As such, the lack of cultural diversity in a dominant white, male, and able-bodied discipline persists and the lack of diversity continues to be alarming (Bowser & Cid, 2021; Sheffield et al., 2021). Various efforts to recruit and retain diverse scholars across a spectrum of racial, cultural, and gender identities have failed to effect meaningful change in the Earth sciences as barriers to inclusion remain (Bell & White, 2020; Estrada et al., 2016; White & Bell, 2019; Yoder, 2016). The intention of the VOICES program is to foster safe spaces that empower diverse scholars to reclaim their voice, to acknowledge the necessity of power sharing by those in positions of power and privilege, and to provide foundational knowledge of belonging, access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (BA-JEDI).
Technique for measuring infrared cyclotron resonance in ultrahigh magnetic fields

A technique is described for giving accurate measurements of cyclotron resonance and Faraday rotation in very high pulsed magnetic fields up to 130 T (1.3 MG). The megagauss fields were generated by the compression of magnetic flux with electromagnetic force in the theta -pinch configuration (Cnare (1966) effect). A tunable CO2 laser was used for the infrared light source, and fast detection of the light was carried out with a high speed infrared detector. A simple method was developed for determining accurately the relative field sensitivity of pickup probes. Based on the calibration of the absolute field sensitivity of the probes by the Faraday rotation of CdS at 632.8 nm, the accuracy of the field intensity measurements reached +or-3%. The cyclotron resonance for electrons in Ge, GaAs and InSb was measured at room temperature.
CKII Control of Axonal Plasticity Is Mediated by Mitochondrial Ca2+ via Mitochondrial NCLX

Mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux by NCLX is a critical rate-limiting step in mitochondria signaling. We previously showed that NCLX is phosphorylated at a putative Casein Kinase 2 (CKII) site, the serine 271 (S271). Here, we asked if NCLX is regulated by CKII and interrogated the physiological implications of this control. We found that CKII inhibitors down-regulated NCLX-dependent Ca2+ transport activity in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and primary hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we show that the CKII phosphomimetic mutants on NCLX inhibited (S271A) and constitutively activated (S271D) NCLX transport, respectively, rendering it insensitive to CKII inhibition. These phosphomimetic NCLX mutations also control the allosteric regulation of NCLX by mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Since the omnipresent CKII is necessary for modulating the plasticity of the axon initial segment (AIS), we interrogated, in hippocampal neurons, if NCLX is required for this process. Similarly to WT neurons, NCLX-KO neurons can exhibit homeostatic plasticity following M-channel block. However, while WT neurons utilize a CKII-sensitive distal relocation of AIS Na+ and Kv7 channels to decrease their intrinsic excitability, we did not observe such translocation in NCLX-KO neurons. Thus, our results indicate that NCLX is regulated by CKII and is a crucial link between CKII signaling and fast neuronal plasticity.
Automatic Sleep Staging Method Based on EEG Signal and its Optimized Feature Space

Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. One's overnight sleep is usually evaluated into different sleep stages consisting of several sleep cycles. Computerized sleep staging would be an efficient tool but the performance is still required to be developed. In this study, an automatic sleep staging method is realized based on EEG signal and its optimized feature space. Several characteristic features are extracted from sleep EEG as an original feature space. A non-negative matrix factorization method based on kernel function and sparse improvement is developed to optimize the feature space for sleep staging. A classification model is constructed based on BP neural network and the parameters are estimated by PSO algorithm. Totally 10 overnight sleep recordings were tested. The proposed method achieved an average classification accuracy of 81% which is rather satisfactory as an assistant tool for application.
Multi-Beam Conformal Array Antenna Based on Highly Conductive Graphene Films for 5G Micro Base Station Applications

Recently, micro base station antennas have begun to play a more important role in 5G wireless communication, with the rapid development of modern smart medical care, the Internet of things, and portable electronic devices. Meanwhile, in response to the global commitment to long-term carbon neutrality, graphene film has received significant attention in the field of antennas due to its low carbon environmental impact and high electrical conductivity properties. In this work, a conformal array antenna based on highly conductive graphene films (CGF) is proposed for 5G millimeter-wave (MMW) applications. The proposed antenna consists of three antenna arrays, with eight patch elements in each array, operating at 24 GHz, with linear polarization. Each antenna array’s current amplitude distribution coefficient is constructed by synthesizing a series-feeding linear array using the Chebyshev method. The measurement results demonstrated that the proposed CGF antenna exhibits a peak realized gain higher than 8 dBi in the bandwidth of 23.0–24.7 GHz. The proposed antenna achieves three independent beams from bore-sight to ±37° in conformal installations, with a cylinder radius of 30 mm, showing excellent beam-pointing performance. These characteristics indicate that the CGF can be used for the design of MMW micro base station antennas, fulfilling the requirements of the conformal carrier platform for a lightweight and compact antenna.
The transient start of supersonic jets

This study investigates the initial transient hydrodynamic evolution of highly under-expanded slit and round jets. A closed-form analytic similarity solution is derived for the temporal evolution of temperature, pressure and density at the jet head for vanishing diffusive fluxes, generalizing a previous model of Chekmarev using Chernyi's boundary-layer method for hypersonic flows. Two-dimensional numerical simulations were also performed to investigate the flow field during the initial stages over distances of ~ 1000 orifice radii. The parameters used in the simulations correspond to the release of pressurized hydrogen gas into ambient air, with pressure ratios varying between approximately 100 and 1000. The simulations confirm the similarity laws derived theoretically and indicate that the head of the jet is laminar at early stages, while complex acoustic instabilities are established at the sides of the jet, involving shock interactions within the vortex rings, in good agreement with previous experimental findings. Very good agreement is found between the present model, the numerical simulations and previous experimental results obtained for both slit and round jets during the transient establishment of the jet. Criteria for Rayleigh–Taylor instability of the decelerating density gradients at the jet head are also derived, as well as the formulation of a model addressing the ignition of unsteady expanding diffusive layers formed during the sudden release of reactive gases.
Application of Nanoparticles: Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Delivery of Insulin/Anti-Diabetic Drugs to Enhance the Therapeutic Efficacy of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins due to a deficiency of insulin secretion or failure to respond to insulin secreted from pancreatic cells, which leads to high blood glucose levels. DM is one of the top four noncommunicable diseases and causes of death worldwide. Even though great achievements were made in the management and treatment of DM, there are still certain limitations, mainly related to the early diagnosis, and lack of appropriate delivery of insulin and other anti-diabetic agents. Nanotechnology is an emerging field in the area of nanomedicine and NP based anti-diabetic agent delivery is reported to enhance efficacy by increasing bioavailability and target site accumulation. Moreover, theranostic NPs can be used as diagnostic tools for the early detection and prevention of diseases owing to their unique biological, physiochemical, and magnetic properties. NPs have been synthesized from a variety of organic and inorganic materials including polysaccharides, dendrimers, proteins, lipids, DNA, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, and mesoporous materials within the nanoscale size. This review focuses on the role of NPs, derived from organic and inorganic materials, in the diagnosis and treatment of DM.
Adaptive dynamic surface control : a simplified algorithm for adaptive backstepping control of nonlinear systems

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for adaptive backstepping control of non-linear uncertain systems. Current backstepping algorithms require repeated differentiations of the modelled non-linearities. The addition of n first order low pass filters allows the algorithms to be implemented without differentiating any model non-linearities. The uncertainties are assumed to be linear in the unknown constant parameters. The combined adaptive backstepping/first order filter system is proven to be semi-globally stable for sufficiently fast filters by a singular perturbation approach.
Association between the Preoperative C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio and the Risk for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula following Distal Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Cancer

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) are major postoperative complications (POCs) following distal pancreatectomy (DP). Notably, POPF may worsen the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Previously reported risks for POCs include body mass index, pancreatic texture, and albumin levels. Moreover, the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is a valuable parameter for prognostication. On the other hand, POCs sometimes lead to a worse prognosis in several cancer types. Thus, we assumed that CAR could be a risk factor for POPFs. This study investigated whether CAR can predict POPF risk in patients with pancreatic cancer following DP. This retrospective study included 72 patients who underwent DP for pancreatic cancer at Ehime University between January 2009 and August 2022. All patients underwent preoperative CAR screening. Risk factors for POPF were analyzed. POPF were observed in 17 of 72 (23.6%) patients. POPF were significantly associated with a higher CAR (p = 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the cutoff value for CAR to be 0.05 (sensitivity: 76.5%, specificity: 88.9%, likelihood ratio: 6.88), indicating an increased POPF risk. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that CAR ≥ 0.05 was a statistically independent factor for POPF (p < 0.001, p = 0.013). Therefore, CAR has the potential to predict POPF following DP.
On estimation of the domain of attraction for sliding mode control of underactuated nonlinear systems

A system is considered underactuated if the number of the actuator inputs is less than the number of degrees of freedom for the system. Sliding mode control for underactuated systems has been shown to be an effective way to achieve system stabilization. It involves exponentially stable sliding surfaces so that when the closed‐loop system trajectory reaches the surface, it moves along the surface while converging to the origin. In this paper, a general framework that provides sufficient conditions for asymptotic stabilization of underactuated nonlinear systems using sliding mode control in the presence of system uncertainties is presented. Specifically, it is shown that the closed‐loop system trajectories reach the sliding surface in finite time, and a constructive methodology to determine exponential stability of the closed‐loop system on the sliding surface is developed, which ensures asymptotic stability of the overall closed‐loop system. Furthermore, the aforementioned framework provides the basis to determine an estimate of the domain of attraction for the closed‐loop system with uncertainties. Finally, the results developed in the paper are experimentally validated using a linear inverted pendulum testbed to show a good match between the actual domain of attraction of the upward equilibrium state of the pendulum and its analytical estimate.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New measurement technique: cw electro‐optic probing of electric fields

This letter describes a new nondestructive measurement technique—cw electro‐optic probing, and reports results of experiments on GaAs coplanar waveguide sample. The technique is simple in instrumentation and convenient in applications. We believe that it can become a powerful tool for studying the electric field in various devices and integrated circuits.
Continuous probabilistic solutions to the biomagnetic inverse problem

A general method for obtaining continuous solutions to the biomagnetic inverse problem is outlined and illustrated with a wide range of test cases, in a variety of experimental geometries. Magnetic sources are discussed briefly, but the main emphasis is on ionic flows, both in free space and in a homogeneous conducting sphere. The authors describe a way of obtaining depth information from measurements taken in a single plane and show how instrumental noise affects the quality of the reconstructions. An iterative scheme is introduced, capable of pinpointing a number of localised sources with a minimum of prior assumptions. However, the method is most naturally adapted to distributed sources. A number of inversions of distributed sources demonstrate that the method is powerful, accurate and convenient.