Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of deceptive footwear condition on subjective comfort and running biomechanics

Comfort is a major criterion for footwear selection. Previous studies have suggested that physical properties were not enough to predict comfort and psychological factors could also affect the perception. To understand comfort, this study examined the effect of controlled shoe description and price cue on the perception of comfort. Furthermore, this study also examined the running biomechanics in response to footwear conditions of differing comfort. Fifteen runners completed treadmill running tests in two conditions: Shoe A and Shoe B. The same pair of neutral running shoes was used in both conditions, yet Shoe B was described to be the “latest model designed to maximize comfort” and more expensive than Shoe A. Comfort assessment was conducted after the running trial of each condition. Participants reported significantly greater comfort in Shoe B than Shoe A (P = .011, Cohen's d = 0.70). There were no significant differences found among the temporal‐spatial parameters (P > .916) and the vertical loading rates (P > .161) when comparing the more and less comfortable conditions. In conclusion, runners exhibited a biased perception of footwear comfort when presented with different shoe description and price information. However, such a difference in perceived comfort alone is not likely to affect running biomechanics.
The state of carbohydrate metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Актуальність. На сьогодні активно вивчається роль порушень вуглеводного обміну в патогенезі синдрому полікістозних яєчників (СПКЯ), оскільки своєчасне їх виявлення та корекція дозволяють покращити стан репродуктивної системи та якість життя пацієнток. Мета дослідження: проаналізувати стан вуглеводного обміну у жінок із класичним фенотипом СПКЯ та визначити особливості секреції гонадотропних і статевих гормонів залежно від наявності або відсутності інсулінорезистентності (ІР). Матеріали та методи . Обстежено 246 жінок із класичним фенотипом СПКЯ: 128 з нормальною масою тіла (нормМТ) та 118 з надлишковою масою тіла (надлМТ) та ожирінням (Ож). Проводили стандартизований двогодинний пероральний тест толерантності до глюкози (ПТТГ), розраховували індекс НОМА-IR, глікемічні коефіцієнти (Бодуена, Рафальського). Досліджували в сироватці крові імунореактивний інсулін (ІРІ) натще та через 120 хвилин на тлі ПТТГ. Визначали рівні лютеїнізуючого гормону (ЛГ), фолікулостимулюючого гормону (ФСГ), глобуліну, що зв’язує статеві гормони (ГЗСГ), тестостерону вільного (Твіл.) та загального (Тзаг.). Розраховували коефіцієнт ЛГ/ФСГ, індекс вільного андрогену (ІВА). Результати. Проведення ПТТГ виявило наявність порушення толерантності до глюкози в 66,1 % хворих зі СПКЯ з надлМТ і Ож та 18,8 % жінок з нормМТ у вигляді патологічних глікемічних кривих, гіперінсулінемії (ГІ) та ІР. ГІ натще зустрічалась у 27,3 % жінок з нормМТ та 60,2 % осіб із надлМТ та Ож. У відповідь на навантаження глюкозою спостерігалось збільшення частоти ГІ (до 50 та 83 % відповідно), що вказує на доцільність визначення стимульованого рівня ІРІ для діагностики ГІ. Встановлено існування позитивного кореляційного зв’язку між ІМТ та індексом НОМА-IR (р < 0,001). Не виявлено вірогідних відмінностей у вмісті гонадотропінів та співвідношенні ЛГ/ФСГ у хворих зі СПКЯ з наявністю та відсутністю ІР і ГІ. У той же час концентрація Тзаг. та Твіл. у жінок з ІР була вірогідно вищою за показники пацієнток без ІР. Статистично значущі відмінності спостерігались у жінок зі СПКЯ як з нормМТ, так і з надлМТ та Ож. У всіх жінок зі СПКЯ відзначалося зниження ГЗСГ, однак найнижчі його показники відзначались при поєднанні надлМТ та Ож з ІР. Встановлено існування негативної кореляційної залежності між ГЗСГ та ІМТ (р < 0,001), ІРІ (р < 0,001), Твіл. (р < 0,001). У обстежених зі СПКЯ відзначалось значне (р < 0,001) підвищення ІВА, що може свідчити про збільшення в крові Твіл. і зниження Тзаг. , зв’язаного з ГЗСГ. Виявлена позитивна залежність між вмістом у сироватці крові інсуліну, андрогенів та індексом маси тіла (р < 0,05). Висновки. Хворі зі СПКЯ вже в молодому віці незалежно від маси тіла мають підвищений ризик розвитку порушень вуглеводного обміну, що призводить до формування ГІ, ІР та посилює існуючу гіперандрогенію. Тому для ранньої діагностики порушень вуглеводного обміну всім хворим зі СПКЯ необхідно проводити ПТТГ.
BAYESIAN SEQUENTIAL MONITORING DESIGNS FOR OUTCOMES SINGLE-ARM CLINICAL TRIALS WITH MULTIPLE

SUMMARY We present a Bayesian approach for monitoring multiple outcomes in single-arm clinical trials. Each patient’s response may include both adverse events and efficacy outcomes, possibly occurring at different study times. We use a Dirichlet-multinomial model to accommodate general discrete multivariate responses. We present Bayesian decision criteria and monitoring boundaries for early termination of studies with unacceptably high rates of adverse outcomes or with low rates of desirable outcomes. Each stopping rule is constructed either to maintain equivalence or to achieve a specified level of improvement of a particular event rate for the experimental treatment, compared with that of standard therapy. We avoid explicit specification of costs and a loss function. We evaluate the joint behaviour of the multiple decision rules using frequentist criteria. One chooses a design by considering several parameterizations under relevant fixed values of the multiple outcome probability vector. Applications include trials where response is the cross-product of mu1 tiple simultaneous binary outcomes, and hierarchical structures that reflect successive stages of treatment response, disease progression and survival. We illustrate the approach with a variety of single-arm cancer trials, including bio-chemotherapy acute leukaemia trials, bone marrow transplantation trials, and an anti-infection trial. The number of elementary patient outcomes in each of these trials varies from three to seven, with as many as four monitoring boundaries running simultaneously. We provide general guidelines for eliciting and parameterizing Dirichlet priors and for specifying design parameters.
Thermal safety study of Li‐ion batteries under limited overcharge abuse based on coupled electrochemical‐thermal model

Many fire accidents of electric vehicles were reported that happened during the charging process. In order to investigate the reasons that lead to this problem, this paper studies the thermal safety of Li‐ion batteries under limited overcharge abuse. A 3D electrochemical‐thermal coupled model is developed for modeling thermal and electrochemical characteristics from normal charge to early overcharge state. This model is validated by experiment at charge rates of 0.5C, 1C, and 2C. The simulation results indicate that irreversible heat contributes most to temperature rise during the normal charge process, but the heat induced by Mn dissolution and Li deposition gradually dominates heat generation in the early overcharge period. Based on this, a threshold selection method for multistage warning of batteries overcharge is proposed. Among them, level 1 should be considered as a critical stage during the early overcharge process due to the deposited lithium starts to react with electrolyte at the end of level 1, where temperature rate increases to 0.5°C min−1 for 1C charge. While the thresholds of levels depend on charge rate and composition of battery. Furthermore, several critical parameters are analyzed to figure out their effects on thermal safety. It is found that the temperature at the end of overcharge is significantly influenced by the change of positive electrode thickness and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film resistance. The final temperature increases by 17.5°C and 7.9°C, respectively, with positive electrode thickness ranging from 50 to 80 μm and SEI film resistance increasing from 0.002 to 0.03 Ω.
Seismic Risk Assessment Using Stochastic Nonlinear Models

The basic input when seismic risk is estimated in urban environments is the expected physical damage level of buildings. The vulnerability index and capacity spectrum-based methods are the tools that have been used most to estimate the probability of occurrence of this important variable. Although both methods provide adequate estimates, they involve simplifications that are no longer necessary, given the current capacity of computers. In this study, an advanced method is developed that avoids many of these simplifications. The method starts from current state-of-the-art approaches, but it incorporates non-linear dynamic analysis and a probabilistic focus. Thus, the method considers not only the nonlinear dynamic response of the structures, modeled as multi degree of freedom systems (MDoF), but also uncertainties related to the loads, the geometry of the buildings, the mechanical properties of the materials and the seismic action. Once the method has been developed, the buildings are subjected to earthquake records that are selected and scaled according to the seismic hazard of the site and considering the probabilistic nature of the seismic actions. The practical applications of the method are illustrated with a case study: framed reinforced concrete buildings that are typical of an important district, the Eixample, in Barcelona (Spain). The building typology and the district were chosen because the seismic risk in Barcelona has been thoroughly studied, so detailed information about buildings’ features, seismic hazard and expected risk is available. Hence, the current results can be compared with those obtained using simpler, less sophisticated methods. The main aspects of the method are presented and discussed first. Then, the case study is described and the results obtained with the capacity spectrum method are compared with the results using the approach presented here. The results at hand show reasonably good agreement with previous seismic damage and risk scenarios in Barcelona, but the new method provides richer, more detailed, more reliable information. This is particularly useful for seismic risk reduction, prevention and management, to move towards more resilient, sustainable cities.
The Potential Role of Î-Hydroxy-Î-Methylbutyrate in Preventing Muscle Loss in Chronic Diseases

Loss of lean body mass is apparent in many chronic diseases, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. The loss is a combined consequence of clinical conditions, loss of appetite, and lack of physical activity. In addition, even short-term hospitalization would increase the risk for loss of lean body mass. It has been shown that this malnutrition state significantly increased the length of hospitalization, readmission rate, and mortality.
Maximum Closeness Centrality k-Clubs: A Study of Dock-Less Bike Sharing

In this work, we investigate a new paradigm for dock-less bike sharing. Recently, it has become essential to accommodate connected and free-floating bicycles in modern bike-sharing operations. This change comes with an increase in the coordination cost, as bicycles are no longer checked in and out from bike-sharing stations that are fully equipped to handle the volume of requests; instead, bicycles can be checked in and out from virtually anywhere. In this paper, we propose a new framework for combining traditional bike stations with locations that can serve as free-floating bike-sharing stations. The framework we propose here focuses on identifying highly centralized k-clubs (i.e., connected subgraphs of restricted diameter). The restricted diameter reduces coordination costs as dock-less bicycles can only be found in specific locations. In addition, we use closeness centrality as this metric allows for quick access to dock-less bike sharing while, at the same time, optimizing the reach of service to bikers/customers. For the proposed problem, we first derive its computational complexity and show that it is NP-hard (by reduction from the 3-SATISFIABILITY problem), and then provide an integer programming formulation. Due to its computational complexity, the problem cannot be solved exactly in a large-scale setting, as is such of an urban area. Hence, we provide a greedy heuristic approach that is shown to run in reasonable computational time. We also provide the presentation and analysis of a case study in two cities of the state of North Dakota: Casselton and Fargo. Our work concludes with the cost-benefit analysis of both models (docked vs. dockless) to suggest the potential advantages of the proposed model.
Enhancing Food Taste Experience with 3600 Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersion technology that has evolved in the study of human-food interaction. Researchers found VR technology can alter people’s perception of taste by what they experienced in their surroundings. Therefore, the paper presents a preliminary investigation on taste experiences through 36o o immersive virtual reality (IVR) video. The objective is to identify the potential elements that could possibly influence one’s taste experience through visual and environmental stimuli from Malaysian case study. A focus group consists of 21 multi-racial undergraduate students volunteered in this study. An explanatory sequential design method was used to analyze the food taste experience and its perception. Whereas the immersion was measured using Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Presence questionnaires. The results showed positive correlation in all 12 Presence elements (presence, engagement, immersion, flow, usability, emotion, judgment, experience consequences, technology adoption, environment, auditory and experience consistency). While the PANAS results indicated high positive effect on four elements (interested, excited, enthusiastic, and inspired). In addition, respondent’s perceptions were also analyzed against aforementioned results to add semantic understanding on food experiences through 36o o IVR. The paper concludes by discussing future work and its relation to human-food interaction interests.
Facile synthesis of MoS2 QDs/TiO2 nanosheets via a self‐assembly strategy for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production

The MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) were interspersed on anatase TiO2 nanosheets with exposed (001) facets by a facile self‐assembly strategy. As expected, the MoS2 QDs/TiO2 nanosheets display an excellent photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production, and its hydrogen evolution rate is 139 μmol/h/g. More importantly, the hydrogen evolution rate of MoS2 QDs/TiO2 nanosheets is almost 4‐fold in comparison to that of nude TiO2 nanosheets. Based on the detailed characterizations, it can be obtained that the improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production can be ascribed to the particular characteristics of MoS2 QDs, which can intensify the photo‐absorption efficiency of TiO2 nanosheets and enhance the separation and transfer efficiency of photo‐excited charge carriers. It is anticipated that this work provides a novel paradigm to fabricate the highly‐efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution.
School Directors and Differences in Leadership Style Depending on Gender

Abstract There is a certain paradox regarding gender in educational institutions. Although there are many more females among teachers, this trend has not developed regarding school directors. One of the reasons is the common opinion that the post of school director is more appropriate for men as women use different styles of management that are not favorable for this kind of position. The aim of this quantitative research is to determine the existence of differences in leadership styles in schools according to gender. The sample included 105 randomly chosen directors from high schools and primary schools in Serbia. For purposes of research, the Blake-Mouton Managerial Grid model was used for the evaluation of leadership behavior. The research results showed that there is no difference between management style regarding gender. The results imply a need for maintaining a balanced participation of women and men during the selection process of a school director.
Vulnerabilidades em casos de hanseníase na atenção primária à saúde

Understanding the living conditions of patients with leprosy and the support to overcome vulnerability are some of the main attributions of health professionals primary care. The objective was to analyze the relationship between vulnerability variables and the physical incapacity of leprosy cases. This is an narrative review out from the of studies in the databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences; Bdenf, and PubMed.
EFEK EKSTRAK DAUN KELOR (MORINGA OLEIFERA, LAM.) TERHADAP GAMBARAN HISTOPATOLOGI JANTUNG TIKUS PUTIH (RATTUS NORVEGICUS) MODEL HIPERKOLESTEROLEMIA

Pendahuluan : Daun kelor mengandung flavonoid, polifenol dan β-sitosterol yang dapat mengurangi perlemakan pada jantung. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah ekstrak etanolik daun kelor (Moringa oleifera Lam.) dapat mengurangi perlemakan pada jantung tikus putih (Rattus norvegicus) model hiperkolesterolemia. Metode Penelitian: Penelitian ini bersifat eksperimental laboratorik dengan rancangan post test only control group design. Sampel berupa tikus putih jantan dengan galur Sprague Dawley, berat badan 150-200 gram, berusia 2-3 bulan. Sampel diambil secara incidental sampling. Sampel sebanyak 28 ekor tikus dibagi 4 kelompok secara acak, masing-masing kelompok berisi 7 ekor tikus. Kelompok tersebut terdiri dari KK, K(-), K1 dan K2. Kelompok K(-), K1, dan K2 diberikan diet tinggi lemak selama 42 hari. Kelompok K1 dan K2 masing-masing diberikan ekstrak etanolik daun kelor dengan dosis 200 mg/kgBB dan 400 mg/kgBB pada hari ke-42 hingga hari ke-70. Setelah pemberian ekstrak selesai, sehari setelahnya dilakukan terminasi dan pengambilan jantung untuk pembuatan preparat dengan pengecatan hematoksilin eosin. Data luas area lemak diamati dengan mikroskop cahaya pada perbesaran 1000x . Data kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji komparatif Kruskal Wallis dan dilanjutkan dengan uji Post Hoc Mann Whitney. (α=0,05) Hasil : Hasil pengamatan luas area pada KK, K(-), K1, K2 berturut-turut 378,81±53,32; 1280,15±133,94; 386,74±57,87; dan 326,1±29,89 μm 2 . Hasil uji Kruskal Wallis menunjukkan p=0,000 (p 0,05). Simpulan : Pemberian ekstrak etanolik daun kelor (Moringa oleifera, Lam.) dapat mengurangi steatosis/perlemakan pada gambaran histopatologi jantung tikus putih (Rattus norvegicus) model hiperkolesterolemia.
Metabolic Syndrome and Chronic Kidney Disease

The metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by obesity, serum lipid profile alterations, hypertension, and fasting hyperglycemia, is very common in developed countries, and its prevalence is likely to increase. Patients with a combination of risk factors, known as metabolic syndrome, are at an elevated long term risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The definition of the metabolic syndrome identified 3 potential etiologic categories: 1-Central obesity and dyslipidemia, 2-Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and 3-Leptin deficiency. Many inflammatory cytokines that are secreted by adipose tissue, including leptin, IL-6, TNF- , and adiponectin, may be involved at least partially in promoting renal impairment, in particular the high plasma leptin levels that are observed in obesity may predispose to glomerulosclerosis. The studies confirm that hypertension and fasting plasma glucose levels are associated with greater risk for microalbuminuria and a low glomerular filtration (GRF). Leptin increases sympathetic nerve trafficking and renal sodium retention, which may cause hypertension. Furthermore, it stimulates oxidative stress in endothelial cells and induces a proinflammatory state and also promotes atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunctions are other potential mechanisms by which leptin may affect renal structure and function. High levels of Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system activation promote glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury. Treatment consists of lifestyle modifications along with optimal control of blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids.
Emotions, Significance and Improvement Expectations: The Personal Matter of a Patient's Hospital Stay

Health systems aim to provide quality healthcare. Patients’ experiences can inform quality improvements. Background: Mailed standardized surveys are a way to engage patients about inpatient care experiences. While results from rating-scale questions are regularly reported, no study has analyzed patients’ written responses. Purpose: To learn about patients’ perspectives of hospital care, survey comments were examined. Method: Inductive content analysis of 1,638 written responses was conducted within a qualitative description study design. Findings: Patients’ comments suggest: Emotions pervade patients’ hospital stay experiences with feelings about perceptions of safety, personhood and preparation for returning to living life; moments in time personalize hospital experiences; and the survey is viewed as an implied contract, where patients provide feedback in exchange for hospital improvements. Implications: Findings affirm current understandings about inpatient experiences and extend them. Patients’ comments reveal new insights about the specifics of patient-centered care, patient experience and quality healthcare that merit further study.
Non-Chinese Students’ Perception on E-Learning in Enhancing Chinese Language Skills

E-learning platform has emerged as an educational online environment for providing numerous advantages to language students. This study was conducted to explore the usefulness of e-learning in enhancing the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of non-Chinese language students at the beginner level. To this end, a set of questionnaires were distributed to a total of 77 undergraduate students undertaking Chinese language as the third language course at the university. The study was carried out at a public university in Malaysia. The findings show that e-learning benefits the students in enhancing their Chinese language skills. Specifically, the students reported that e-learning benefits the most in enhancing their speaking skill (m=4.38), followed by reading skill (m=4.20), writing skill (m=3.95) and listening comprehension skill (m=3.75). The study provides empirical supports to the effectiveness of e-learning in language learning process particularly Chinese language learning at beginner level.
Recent Trends on the Valorization Strategies for the Management of Citrus By-products

ABSTRACT Citrus is one of the most widely cultivated, processed and consumed fruits throughout the world. A large amount of by-products is generated from citrus processing industries, which causes severe environmental pollution when disposed without proper treatment and disposal methods. However, these by-products are a rich source of value-added compounds such as polyphenols, essential oils, pectin, dietary fibers and carotenoids, which can be recovered for their subsequent utilization in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors to develop products with numerous health benefits. Moreover, these citrus by-products can also be recycled into different bio-products such as enzymes, bio-fuels, and bio-polymers via biotechnological route. Therefore, strategies for the valorization of citrus by-products have been developed in order to reduce the negative environmental impact as well as to meet the increasing demand of society for functional foods, fuels, and energy. Taking everything into consideration, this review provides comprehensive information on the different economic and environment-friendly valorization strategies for the effective reuse and recycling of citrus by-products.