Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of moisture content on electrical impedance spectroscopy response of natural fibre-polymer composite granules

Two types of natural fibre-polymer composite (NFPC) granules were measured with electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The granules were immersed in water for 70 h, after which the excess water was removed and EIS measurements were conducted. Then, the granules were let dry in open containers at normal room temperature, and EIS measurements were repeated at increasing time intervals. The results show that the EIS response as a function of moisture content (MC) depends on the fibre content of the NFPC. In addition, the results indicate that the EIS could be used for the estimation of MC of certain type of granulate, especially at low MCs, which is relevant for the manufacturing of NFPCs. For single material type, a model with impedance modulus at a single frequency was able to predict 87–95% of the MC variation. Therefore, EIS as a non-destructive on-line technique would allow the evaluation of moisture in NFPC granules.
Nutritional, phytochemical and diverse health-promoting qualities of Cleome gynandra

Abstract Cleome gynandra (Syn. Gynandropsis gynandra) is fast emerging as one of the most widely consumed leafy vegetables due to its nutrition and health-promoting properties. In addition to its high nutritional content, the plant has a rich pool of diverse antioxidant phytochemicals. The current review provides a critical appraisal on the increasing nutritional significance of Cleome gynandra due to its rich pool of natural bioactive compounds and beneficial health-promoting qualities. The rich nutritional content especially the high levels of macro- and micronutrients is an indication of its potential to mitigate malnutrition and the increasing incidence of diet-related obesity and non-communicable diseases. The presence of health-promoting natural compounds, notably polyphenols, glucosinates and terpernoids has been confirmed in Cleome gynandra using different analytical methods. Cleome gynandra possesses high levels of α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. These nutritional compounds could be useful in food applications as supplements, colorants and extending shelf-life of food products. Cleome gynandra extracts have demonstrated promising effects in several biological assays using in vitro and in vivo systems. Clearly, diversified diets that include a regular intake of dark green leafy vegetables including Cleome gynandra, holds great promise in ensuring food and nutrition security. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Creating a High-Performance Learning Culture: A Conceptual Framework.

A high-performance learning culture is one in which each individual member is expected to perform to high standards. Based on review of the literature and research this short concept paper for trainers presents a conceptual framework for creating high-perform learning communities. The framework embodies five components: (1) vision; (2) mission; (3) core beliefs concerned with ability and achievement, efficacy and efforts, and power and control; (4) strategic structures, which include the physical environment, rules, procedures, policies, and relationships; and (5) distributed accountability, or collective responsibility, for learning. The paper asserts that the components of this framework are dynamic and interactive and that the framework organizes the elements to facilitate school leaders' understanding of the interconnectedness of the components. The framework also serves to guide and support strategic interventions intended to strengthen school culture. Additionally, the framework is meant to be an action-oriented blueprint for use by leaders who want to create a culture that supports learning. The paper contains a graphic representation of the framework and nine references. (WFA) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Creating a High-Performance Learning Culture: A Conceptual Framework Jackie A. Walsh Beth D. Sattes Christopher Cora llo Deborah McDonald U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) l] This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. I:I Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Creating a 360-Degree RGB-D Sensor System for Augmented Reality Research

Augmented Reality systems require both localization of the user and mapping of the surrounding area in order to correctly display virtual objects in a manner that is believable to the user. A single sensor can accomplish this with a SLAM algorithm but faces issues if the user performs a significant and quick rotation of the head as features that were being tracked are lost. An omnidirectional camera (360-degree horizontal, near 180-degree vertical) can resolve this, but COTS solutions in this domain only provide RGB information. In this paper we demonstrate a prototype system that fuses the imagery of four RGB-D sensors to create a 360-degree horizontal sensor feed of both color and depth information. We detail the design of the sensor array and challenges faced when attempting to record or visualize the data in real time with each camera’s frame synchronized to other information necessary for future experiments. We also discuss the fusion system used and how this can detect features as a user rotates the sensor array in motions similar to human head movements. In the end, our sensor array shows the potential for quick, COTS-based prototype units that may make use of two or more RGB-D sensors in order to provide accurate localization and mapping of the environment for augmented reality research.
Does Emphysema Affect COPD Patient Compliance with Use of a Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation Device ?

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from the outpatient clinic with COPD patients with and without emphysema who had presented at the respiratory intensive care unit between 2014 and 2018 with chronic respiratory failure and who had a thorax computed tomography image recorded within the past year and were using a domiciliary NIMV device. Data regarding demographic information, comorbidities, NIMV mode and duration of use, pulmonary function test, arterial blood gas, whole blood count, C-reactive protein level, and complications were documented from outpatient clinic records and the 2 groups were compared.
Impact of obesity on pulmonary function: current understanding and knowledge gaps

Purpose of review Obesity is an increasing world-wide public health concern. Obesity both causes respiratory symptoms and contributes to many cardiorespiratory diseases. The effects of obesity on commonly used lung function tests are reviewed. Recent findings The effects of obesity on lung function are attributed both to mechanical factors and to complex metabolic effects that contribute to a pro-inflammatory state. The effects of obesity on lung function correlate with BMI and correlate even better when the distribution of excess adipose tissue is taken into account, with central obesity associated with more prominent abnormalities. Obesity is associated with marked decreases in expiratory reserve volume and functional residual capacity. Total lung capacity, residual volume, and spirometry are less affected by obesity and are generally within the normal range except with severe obesity. Obesity decreases total respiratory system compliance primarily because of decreased lung compliance, with only mild effects on chest wall compliance. Obesity is associated with impaired gas transfer with decreases in oxygenation and varied but usually mild effects on diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, while the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient is often increased. Summary Obesity has significant effects on lung function. The relative contribution of the mechanical effects of obesity and the production of inflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue on lung function needs further study.
Microscopic theory of cavity-enhanced single-photon emission from optical two-photon Raman processes

We consider cavity-enhanced single-photon generation from stimulated two-photon Raman processes in three-level systems. We compare four fundamental system geometries in photon-emission configuration, one $\Lambda$-shaped, one V-shaped and two ladder- ($\Xi$-) shaped arrangements. These can be realized as subsystems of a single quantum dot or of quantum-dot molecules. For a new microscopic understanding of the Raman process, we analyze the Heisenberg equation of motion applying the cluster-expansion scheme. Within this formalism an exact and rigorous definition of a cavity-enhanced Raman photon via its corresponding Raman correlation is possible. This definition for example enables us to systematically investigate the on-demand potential of Raman-transition-based single-photon sources. The four system arrangements can be divided into two subclasses, $\Lambda$-type and V-type, which exhibit strongly different Raman-emission characteristics and Raman-emission probabilities. Moreover, our approach reveals whether the Raman path generates a single photon or just induces destructive quantum interference with other excitation paths. Based on our findings and as a first application of our framework, we gain a more detailed understanding of experimental data from the literature. Our analysis and results are also transferable to the case of atomic three-level-resonator systems, and can be extended to more complicated multi-level schemes.
Putting it Off for Later: Procrastination and End of Fiscal Year Spending Spikes

Many governments around the world exhibit heightened spending at the end of the fiscal year. These end of fiscal year spending spikes often concern policy makers due to their tendency to result in lower quality spending. This paper uses UK data to offer evidence against the precautionary savings explanation for spending spikes. An alternative explanation is offered with procrastination driving heightened end of fiscal year spending. A new technique of time‐variant budgetary taxes is calibrated to the model, and it is shown to be effective for smoothing spending and improving spending efficiency throughout the fiscal year.
Landscape‐scale controls on the spatial distribution of caesium 137: A study based on an airborne geophysical survey across Northern Ireland

The spatial distribution of 137Cs across the landscape and the processes controlling its redistribution are of interest because (i) 137Cs has been widely used to quantify the movement of soil and sediments and (ii) substantial fallout of 137Cs after the Chernobyl accident has led to contamination of foodstuffs in some places. A high‐resolution airborne geophysical radiometric survey of Northern Ireland has provided an opportunity to study the distribution and possible redistribution of 137Cs.
Response to Comment on Pinsker et

Citation Pinsker, Jordan E. , Joon Bok Lee, Eyal Dassau, Dale E. Seborg, Paige K. Bradley, Ravi Gondhalekar, Wendy C. Bevier, Lauren Huyett, Howard C. Zisser, and Francis J. Doyle. 2017. “Response to Comment on Pinsker et al. Randomized Crossover Comparison of Personalized MPC and PID Control Algorithms for the Artificial Pancreas. Diabetes Care 2016;39:1135–1142. ” Diabetes Care 40 (1): e4-e5. doi:10.2337/dci16-0038. http://dx.doi. org/10.2337/dci16-0038.
Social network analysis in sport research: an emerging paradigm

Abstract While network analysis is a major methodological approach in many disciplines of the social and natural sciences, it has only recently come into the focus of sport researchers. This article assesses the utility of network analysis to analyze sport phenomena. We begin with an overview of social network analysis (SNA) and related concepts. To explore research topics and approaches, we conduct a systematic review of empirical literature of SNA and its application to sport. Based on this review, we provide a six-dimensional conceptual typology of SNA applications in sport – competition networks, interaction networks, inter-organizational networks, intra-organizational networks, affiliation networks and social environments. Potential future directions for this promising approach in sport research are discussed.
An Overview of Nanotechnology in Food Science: Preparative Methods, Practical Applications, and Safety

As the researches to utilize nanotechnology in food science are advanced, applications of nanotechnology in various fields of the food industry have increased. Nanotechnology can be applied to the food industry for production, processing, storage, and quality control of foods. Nanomaterials, unlike conventional microscale materials, having novel characteristics can improve sensory quality of foods by imparting novel texture, color, and appearance. Nanotechnology has been used to design nanosensors for detection of harmful components in foods and a smart packaging system enabling to recognize food contamination very rapidly and sensitively. Nanoencapsulation is the most significant technology in food science, especially for bioactive compounds and flavors. Targeted delivery systems designed with nanoencapsulation can enhance bioavailability of bioactive compounds after oral administration. In addition, nanoencapsulation enables to control the release of flavors at the desired time and to protect the degradation of flavors during processing and storage. In this review, current applications of nanotechnology in food science including flavor control, enhancement of bioavailability of bioactive compounds, and detection of deleterious substances in foods are presented. Furthermore, this article overviews classification, preparative methods, and safety issues of nanomaterials for food science. This review will be of help to provide comprehensive information for newcomers utilizing nanotechnology to the food sector.
Exploratory framework on EEG signals for the development of BCIs

Finding appropiate spatio-temporal features of electroencephalography (EEG) signals to build a brain computer interface (BCI) is an extremely complex and challenging problem. In this study, motivated by new perspectives on the brain computer interface’s research community and new methods developed in topological data analysis, we propose a framework to explore features in the EEG signal domain in an unsupervised way, such that a subject aided by machine learning and self labeling could establish the basis of a completely personalized and accurate BCI. In this study, we show the viability of an exploratory framework methodology based mainly on the detection instead of classification perspective and the Mapper method that belongs to the domain of persistent homology, and discuss further research and development necessary to implement the framework. ——————————  ——————————
Reimer J. Meta-analysis on the effectiveness of alcohol screening with brief interventions for patients in emergency care settings. Addiction 2016, 111(5), 783-794

Background and Aims Despite ambiguous evidence for the effectiveness of alcohol screening with brief interventions (BI) in emergency departments (ED), ambition for their widespread implementation continues to grow. To clarify whether such an application of BI is justifiable, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies testing the impact of BI on alcohol consumption. Methods We included peer-reviewed,randomized controlled studies investigating the effects of BI on alcohol consumption in injured and/or intoxicated patients, published January 2002 September 2015. Changes from baseline in consumption quantity, intensity and number of heavy drinking episodes were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 month follow-up, resulting in 9 separate random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (SMD). Moderation effects of intervention mode, length, type of interventionist, intensity of control intervention and study quality were assessed using subgroup comparisons and metaregression. Results We considered 33 publications (28 separate studies) including 14,456 patients. Six out of nine comparisons revealed small significant effects in favour of BI, with the highest SMD at 0.19 (95% CI: 0.08-0.31). No significant moderators could be identified, and statistical heterogeneity (I2) was below 40%. Conclusions In a large meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in emergency care settings, there was evidence for very small effects of brief interventions on alcohol consumption reductions. More intensive interventions showed no benefit over shorter approaches. Nonface-to-face interventions appear comparably effective, but this finding remains tentative due to the low number of non-face-to-face studies.
Separation of Metabolites and Macromolecules for Short-TE 1H-MRSI Using Learned Component-Specific Representations

Short-echo-time (TE) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) allows for simultaneously mapping a number of molecules in the brain, and has been recognized as an important tool for studying in vivo biochemistry in various neuroscience and disease applications. However, separation of the metabolite and macromolecule (MM) signals present in the short-TE data with significant spectral overlaps remains a major technical challenge. This work introduces a new approach to solve this problem by integrating imaging physics and representation learning. Specifically, a mixed unsupervised and supervised learning-based strategy was developed to learn the metabolite and MM-specific low-dimensional representations using deep autoencoders. A constrained reconstruction formulation is proposed to integrate the MRSI spatiospectral encoding model and the learned representations as effective constraints for signal separation. An efficient algorithm was developed to solve the resulting optimization problem with provable convergence. Simulation and experimental results have been obtained to demonstrate the component-specific representation power of the learned models and the capability of the proposed method in separating metabolite and MM signals for practical short-TE $^{{1}}\text{H}$ -MRSI data.
Advanced techniques in GEO 600

For almost 20 years, advanced techniques have been developed and tested at the GEO 600 laser-interferometric gravitational wave detector. Many of these innovations have improved the sensitivity of GEO 600 and could be shown to be consistent with stable and reliable operation of gravitational wave detectors. We review the performance of these techniques and show how they have influenced the upgrades of other detectors worldwide. In the second half of the paper, we consider how GEO 600 continues to pioneer new techniques for future gravitational wave detectors. We describe some of the new methods in detail and present new results on how they improve the sensitivity and/or the stability of GEO 600 and possibly of future detectors.
Exposing the “pretty woman” myth: A qualitative examination of the lives of female streetwalking prostitutes

Intensive interviews were conducted with 43 women involved in streetwalking prostitution. Data were analyzed according to Phenomenological Descriptive Analysis, results of which are presented in two parts. Detailed accounts of the lives of a subgroup of 5 participants are described first, followed by a broader discussion of results including the entire sample of 43. Themes common across the larger group are presented in three segments, including (a) early development, (b) life in “the game, “ and (c) leaving the streets. Implications for advocacy and further research are presented.
au service de l ’ humanité RFID : A key technology for Humanity La RFID : une technologie clé au service de l ’ humanité

Mots-clés : RFID Tags augmentés Tags capteurs The RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology is a well-known wireless application for traceability, logistics, and access control. It became ubiquitous in industry and our daily life (ticketing, payment, passports, car keys, etc.). RFID is nowadays a standardized technology; its inherent advantages, which are unitary, identification, wireless communication, and low cost of tags, provide it with decisive practical benefits that drive new developments in terms of concepts and applications. This trend is largely confirmed by the market forecast, but also by its implementation in the area of health (smart hospital), assistance to persons, anti-counterfeiting, as well as by its perspective in terms of new paradigms for distributed ambient intelligence and the Internet of Things. The first part of this paper briefly reviews the fundamental concepts of the RFID technology, and shows its link with the radio science. A state of the art including the presentation of current performance and developments is also summarized. The second part illustrates the impact of RFID to the service of our society with a focus of applications in the field of autonomy and handicap. Finally, the last part highlights a panorama of perspectives and the future directions of RFID applications dedicated to the service of Humanity. © 2018 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Hypoprolactinemic Properties of combined therapy of metformin , pioglitazone and aqueous extract of Delonix regia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male and female Albino wistar rats

The effects of Delonix regia extract (d200mg, d300mg, and d400mg), metformin (m8.3mg, m12.5mg and m16.5mg), pioglitazone (p0.5mg, p0.7mg and p0.9mg) and combined formulation of metformin and extract (m6.25d150mg) on Prolactin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar albino rats was investigated. Diabetic status of these rats was assessed by estimating fasting blood glucose levels. A total of 150 albino rats were used for the investigation and were grouped into twelve groups of twelve rats each as follows; Group I: normal control rats (NCR). Group II: Diabetic control rats (DCR). Group III: Diabetic rats treated with d200mg. Group IV: Diabetic rats treated with d300mg. Group V: Diabetic rats treated with d400mg. Group VI: Diabetic rats treated with m8.3mg. Group VII: Diabetic rats treated with m12.5mg. Group VIII: Diabetic rats treated with m16.5mg. Group IX: Diabetic rats treated with p0.5mg. Group X: Diabetic rats treated with p0.75mg. Group XI: Diabetic rats treated with p1.0mg. Group XII: Diabetic rats treated with m125d300mg each for male and female respectively, for a total of 56 days. After every two weeks interval of treatment for eight weeks, three rats from each group were sacrificed and blood sample were collected and analyzed for various parameters. The result obtained showed an elevated level of prolactin in diabetic-induced wistaralbino rats compared with normal control rats. However, there was reversal of the effects when treated with the drug/extract. Also there was reduction in the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats treated with metformin (from 6.37±0.69 to 5.20±0.62mmol/l), pioglitazone (from 7.30±0.21mmol/l to 4.70±0.46), aqueous extract of Delonix regia (from 8.20±0.81mmol/l to 6.10±0.60) and combined formulation of metformin and extract (from 7.81±0.34 to 4.80±0.17), at p<0.05 confidence level when compared with diabetic control rats in the various weeks of treatment respectively.