Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Excessive Dietary Sodium Consumption: Effectiveness of a Prevention Intervention among Health Workers in a Large Italian Hospital

Excessive salt consumption is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure. Worldwide salt intake largely exceeds the WHO recommended amount. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of high salt consumers and the effectiveness of a short-term workplace educational intervention among health workers. An online survey, assessing daily salt consumption through the MINISAL-SIIA questionnaire, was sent to the 4911 health workers employed by the University Hospital of Verona, Italy. Health workers who had a high (total score ≥ 10) or moderate (total score = 8/9) salt consumption associated with obesity or arterial hypertension were invited to undergo a medical examination and a short individual counselling session. A total of 1665 health workers (34.0%) completed the online questionnaire; 40.9% and 12.6% had moderate and high salt intake, respectively. High salt intake was more prevalent in men, current and past smokers, and obese and overweight subjects. In 95 participants completing the clinical phase, median daily salt consumption decreased from 10 (p25–p75 8–11) to 7 g (6–8) (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure from 130 (120–140) to 120 (120–130) mmHg and weight from 78 (62–87) to 75 (62–86) kg. More than half of health workers had an excessive salt intake. However, a brief educational intervention in the healthcare working setting can substantially reduce unhealthy dietary habits, fostering weight loss and blood pressure control. Studies with a longer follow-up are needed to evaluate the persistence over time of these effects.
The Roles of sPLA2s in Skin Homeostasis and Disease

Among the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) family, the secreted PLA2 (sPLA2) family in mammals contains 11 members that exhibit unique tissue or cellular distributions and enzymatic properties. Current studies using knockout and/or transgenic mice for a nearly full set of sPLA2s, in combination with comprehensive lipidomics, have revealed the diverse pathophysiological roles of sPLA2s in various biological events. Individual sPLA2s exert specific functions within tissue microenvironments, likely through the hydrolysis of extracellular phospholipids. Lipids are an essential biological component for skin homeostasis, and disturbance of lipid metabolism by deletion or overexpression of lipid-metabolizing enzymes or lipid-sensing receptors often leads to skin abnormalities that are easily visible on the outside. Over the past decades, our studies using knockout and transgenic mice for various sPLA2s have uncovered several new aspects of these enzymes as modulators of skin homeostasis and disease. This article summarizes the roles of several sPLA2s in skin pathophysiology, providing additional insight into the research fields of sPLA2s, lipids, and skin biology.
Modélisation des échelles virtuelles dans la simulation numérique des écoulements turbulents bidimensionnels

Strictly speaking, direct numerical simulation of turbulent flows necessitates a mesh size of the order of the dissipation scale. Therefore, only comparatively low Reynolds numbers can be attained. However, if we admit that the structure of turbulent flows at macroscales is independent of the deterministic behavior of dissipative microstructures, we can hope to simulate it using relatively low-resolution models, provided the statistical effect of subgrid scales on resolved scales is adequately modelled. In the case of a two-dimensional turbulence model with a cut-off wavenumber in the enstrophy-cascading range, this subgridscale modelling is essentially reducible to a proper representation of the cascade process. The classical approach is to use non linear diffusion operators more or less heuristically defined. More recently, statistical methods involving the classical phenomenological theory of the inertial range have been proposed. A major drawback of the latter approach is its dependency on a tentative phenomenological model. It is shown here that the occurrence of intermittency in two-dimensional turbulence must lead to a different phenomenology, involving spectral slopes markedly steeper than expected from the classical theory. In view of this uncertainty concerning the choice of a proper phenomenological model, we come to the conclusion that subgridscale modelling should rather be based on generic properties of the original equation. Two different approaches following this strategy are presented La simulation numerique directe de la turbulence necessite, au sens strict, une dimension de maille de l'ordre de l'echelle de dissipation. Elle n'est par consequent envisageable que pour des nombres de Reynolds assez faibles. Toutefois, la macrostructure d'un ecoulement turbulent doit pouvoir etre simulee par des modeles a resolution relativement faible, dans la mesure ou l'on sait representer correctement l'effet statistique des echelles virtuelles. Cette modelisation des echelles virtuelles est en general traitee soit par des operateurs de diffusion non lineaires, soit par des methodes statistiques faisant appel a la theorie phenomenologique classique de la turbulence bidimensionnelle. L'inconvenient de cette theorie classique est qu'elle ne tient pas compte d'eventuels phenomenes d'intermittence. On montre ici que la notion d'intermittence necessite un modele phenomenologique different conduisant a des spectres d'energie plus pentus. L'incertitude qui en resulte concernant le choix du modele phenomenologique approprie conduit a baser de preference la modelisation des echelles virtuelles sur les proprietes generiques de l'equation de base. Deux approches differentes sont proposees dans cet esprit
CP-PACS Collaboration:

A status report is made of an on-going full QCD study on the CP-PACS aiming at a comparative analysis ofthe eﬀects of improving gauge and quark actions on hadronic quantities and static quark potential. Simulationsare made for four action combinations, the plaquette or an RG-improved action for gluons and the Wilson or SW-clover action for quarks, at a
ALT-PLATFORMIZATION: RADICALIZATION OF DISCOURSES AND INFORMATION FLOWS IN THE ALTERNATIVE ECOSYSTEM.

This paper examines the process of radicalization on the alternative social media platform Gab, and the flow of information between Gab and other similar platforms. Corresponding to the socio-political changes and increasing polarization across the globe, some alternative platforms have witnessed a rising popularity among ultra-conservative and/or right-leaning users. Among such platforms, a few have succeeded in surviving the external pressures put on them through “deplatformisation”. Gab, an alternative platform often equated to the far-right copy of Twitter, is one such space (Zannettou et al., 2018). Gab exhibits significant changes in participation and discourse. By analyzing temporal dynamics of posts on three topics—vaccination discourse, music, and food—we trace the process of radicalization on Gab. We also mapped the content from the most shared external sources (domains) across platforms such as BitChute, Odyssey, Rumble etc. to trace the flow of information across the fringe network. We argue that users are overcoming deplatforming or deplatformization by creating sustainable flows of information in a range of services and spaces, all interconnected through their platformized function. We define this as "alt-platformization", the systemic and systematic process of creating a self-sufficient, viable alternative to the platformized web, entailing the necessary infrastructure, production, circulation, consumption, and reproduction of discourses. A key differentiating feature of alt-platformization is the ideological, along with commercial logics dominating this process and space.
A Fault-Tolerant Soft Swallowing Robot Capable of Grasping Delicate Structures Underwater

To improve the manipulation efficiency and robustness of soft grippers, this work proposes a soft swallowing robot with a continuous grasping mode. The soft swallowing robot has two advantages of grasping fault tolerance and structural fault tolerance: i) It can perform the grasping action uninterruptedly to deal with non-cooperative objects efficiently, unlike most existing grippers, which must perform the release action after grasping failure to carry out the next grasping action; ii) It can still maintain the grasping function after the failure of a part of its core structures. The finite element model quantitatively characterizes the effects of object size, friction coefficient, and manufacturing materials on the swallowing force. The fault tolerance experiments prove that the maximum proportion of structural faults that the soft swallowing robot can tolerate is 50%. In addition, the grasping experiments for underwater animals demonstrated that the soft swallowing robot has the advantages of high efficiency and strong adaptability in the manipulation of delicate structures. The research results are expected to be applied to underwater biological sample collection and seafood fishing.
Positive priming effects through microbial P-mining in tropical forest soils under N2-fixing trees

ABSTRACT Phosphorus (P) addition is thought to have a minimal effect on the priming of preexisting soil organic carbon (C) mineralization after C addition. We hypothesized and tested that positive priming effects are driven by microbial P-mining under P-limitation when a relatively small amount of glucose is added to N-rich and P-poor tropical forest soils with N2-fixing trees. The results showed that the addition of glucose alone (C) and the addition of C together with mineral N (CN) induced positive priming effects, while the addition of C together with mineral P (CP) and the addition of CNP did not, suggesting that positive priming effects occurred through microbial P-mining. The acid phosphatase activities were not much different in all treatments. The results support our hypothesis and suggest that positive priming effects will occur through microbial P-mining, independently of the hydrolysis of organic P esters with phosphatases, under P-limitation in N-rich and P-poor tropical forest soils.
Severe Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Critical Illness

Trauma remains one of the leading causes of death in adults despite the implementation of preventive measures and innovations in trauma systems. The etiology of coagulopathy in trauma patients is multifactorial and related to the kind of injury and nature of resuscitation. Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is a biochemical response involving dysregulated coagulation, altered fibrinolysis, systemic endothelial dysfunction, platelet dysfunction, and inflammatory responses due to trauma. The aim of this review is to report the pathophysiology, early diagnosis and treatment of TIC. A literature search was performed using different databases to identify relevant studies in indexed scientific journals. We reviewed the main pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the early development of TIC. Diagnostic methods have also been reported which allow early targeted therapy with pharmaceutical hemostatic agents such as TEG-based goal-directed resuscitation and fibrinolysis management. TIC is a result of a complex interaction between different pathophysiological processes. New evidence in the field of trauma immunology can, in part, help explain the intricacy of the processes that occur after trauma. However, although our knowledge of TIC has grown, improving outcomes for trauma patients, many questions still need to be answered by ongoing studies.
Robust Spatial Approximation of Laser Scanner Point Clouds by Means of Free-form Curve Approaches in Deformation Analysis

Abstract In many geodetic engineering applications it is necessary to solve the problem of describing a measured data point cloud, measured, e. g. by laser scanner, by means of free-form curves or surfaces, e. g. , with B-Splines as basis functions. The state of the art approaches to determine B-Splines yields results which are seriously manipulated by the occurrence of data gaps and outliers. Optimal and robust B-Spline fitting depend, however, on optimal selection of the knot vector. Hence we combine in our approach Monte-Carlo methods and the location and curvature of the measured data in order to determine the knot vector of the B-Spline in such a way that no oscillating effects at the edges of data gaps occur. We introduce an optimized approach based on computed weights by means of resampling techniques. In order to minimize the effect of outliers, we apply robust M-estimators for the estimation of control points. The above mentioned approach will be applied to a multi-sensor system based on kinematic terrestrial laserscanning in the field of rail track inspection.
Predictive role of culture-based MIC testing vs. genotyping for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in a non-universal screening, highly resourced setting

A lack of evidence of accuracy for various testing modalities for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) reduces the efficiency of screening and delays the isolation of carriers. This study examined the performance of phenotypic detection of CRE in comparison to molecular testing. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an academic medical institution in Saudi Arabia on CRE-screened patients during a 36-month period (April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2022). Cases were followed up for their susceptibility status by the phenotypic gradient method and genotypes. Of 3,116 samples tested, 359 carbapenemase genes were detected in 297 strains (9.5%) belonging to 292 patients. Oxacilliniase-48 (OXA-48) was the most frequently detected genotype (n=190, 64%), followed by a combined New Delhi metallo-B-lactamase (NDM)/OXA-48 genotype (n=77, 25.9%). Variable missed isolation days were encountered for various genotypes (0-18.5 days), with an excellent clinical utility index obtained for screening the OXA-48 genotype phenotypically. The data provided some insights into the predictive role and shortcomings of the e-test alone in CRE screening. While it provided a reasonable approach in a CRE population dominated by OXA-48 genotypes, it was more likely to miss the NDM-incurred carbapenemase. Thus, local epidemiology in an institution must be considered when designing a local screening protocol in addition to consideration of cost and turnaround time.
The internal motions and peculiar nuclear mass of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469.

Image-tube spectrograms of high resolution were utilized to determine the velocity distribution within the central regions of NGC 7469. The observed velocity curves, some of which were asymmetric, largely reflect the rotation of the galaxy. A component of much smaller amplitude, attributed to radial motions, was also present. If distributed uniformly, the mass interior to 400 pc was about 10/sup 9/ M/sub sub solar /. A central mass condensation in excess of approximates 10/sup 8/ M/sub sub solar / seems to be excluded by the observations. The significance of these mass determinations in relation to models for Seyfert nuclei is discussed. (auth) During the seventh flight of Stratoscope II, a 36-inch balloonborne telescope, ftve photographs of the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 as well as four equivalent photographs of a comparison star were obtained. These photographs show high definition and are well exposed. From a densitometric analysis a safe upper limit to the half- intensity diameter of the nucleus of 0.08'' is derived. This new upper limit is less than half the upper limit previously determined. (auth)
Improvement of soft-magnetic properties for Fe-based amorphous alloys with high saturation polarization by stress annealing

Stress annealing is utilized for enhancing the magnetic softness of Fe83–x CoxB10Si3C3P1 (x = 0–16) amorphous alloys with saturation polarization up to 1.75 T. All of the stress-annealed alloys exhibit improved soft-magnetic properties, including low coercivity of 1.8–2.2 A/m, low core loss of 0.09–0.11 W/kg at 1.0 T and 50 Hz, and high permeability of 27,000–33,200 at 5 A/m and 1 kHz. Stress annealing induces longitudinal magnetic anisotropy and facilitates the annihilation of free volume, leading to pinning-free domain wall motion, and thus the enhanced magnetic softness. The induced magnetic anisotropy relates to the constrained elastic elongation introduced by stress annealing. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT The stress-annealed Fe83–x Co x B10Si3C3P1 (x = 0–16) amorphous alloys exhibit excellent magnetic softness, sheding light on the designing and processing of amorphous soft magnetic alloys with high saturation polarization.
Mixed mode teaching: case study in mixed mode delivery of hardware-based undergraduate engineering laboratories during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Due to the COVID-19, educational institutions fully or partially shifted to online teaching. Hardware-based laboratories presented a major challenge given the online learning environment. Online running of hardware-based laboratory classes using software does not provide students. Online teaching reduces the interaction level between students and demonstrators. As a result, students’ performance and satisfaction were reduced. To address these challenges, this article presents a novel mixed mode delivery approach for undergraduate engineering students. This approach is based on pairing remotely and on-campus students. This article uses a case study to describe the implementation of the proposed approach for a large first-year electronics circuit theory class. Compared to students’ laboratory performance before COVID-19 pandemic (on-campus only laboratories), online students’ laboratory experience was not affected. Their lab performance found to be at 89.64%. Online students gained experience in troubleshooting by their involvement, while on-campus students are connecting the hardware and obtaining measurement results.
A NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF OSCILLATION FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDE ON FLOW AROUND A FLAPPING AIRFOIL VIA AN IMPROVED IMMERSED BOUNDARY METHOD

Original Research Paper Received 08 April 2014 Accepted 09 June 2014 Available Online 15 November 2014 In this paper an improved immersed boundary method is used for simulating sinusoidal pitching oscillations of symmetric airfoil. Immersed boundary methods which employ fixed Cartesian grids are well suited for such moving boundary problems. Two test cases are used to validate the proposed method and the effects of oscillation frequency and amplitude on the flow field are investigated. Flow field vorticity and kinetic energy contours are reported in this paper. It is found that the deflected wake appears at a Strouhal number around 0.4 for a fixed pitching amplitude equal to 0.71. chaotic low can be observed at oscillation amplitude equal to 2.80, for St=0.22. Kinetic energy contours at St=0.1 show that the airfoil transfers momentum to the low but the drag force also increases due to the energy loss associated with the enlargement of separation zone behind the airfoil. By increasing the oscillation frequency and amplitude, momentum transfer to the flow increases and the drag force is, therefore, reduced.
Alternative Soft Subspace Clustering Algorithm

While the Euclidean distance metric is commonly utilized in most soft subspace clustering algorithms, some robust distance metrics can also be considered for soft subspace clustering. In this study, a novel soft subspace clustering algorithm called Alternative Soft Subspace Clustering (ASSC) is proposed by incorporating the alternative distance metric into the framework of entropy weighting subspace clustering. The properties of ASSC are investigated and a theoretical analysis on robustness is established accordingly. Experiments on UCI data are conducted and the experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Efficient decision heuristics.

This article examines decision making in living systems at the level of the organism. Ten simple decision rules, or heuristics, were implemented as computer subroutines in a simulation program designed to determine how often each would select alternatives with highest-through-lowest expected value in a series of randomly generated decision situations. The decision situations varied in their number of alternatives (2, 4, or 8) and outcomes (2, 4, or 8). Results indicated that most of the heuristics, including some which “ignored” probability information, regularly selected alternatives with highest expected value, and almost never selected alternatives with lowest expected value. Implications of this finding for motivational explanations of heuristic use—as opposed to the more popular cognitive explanations—are discussed.
Biomechanical Characteristics and Analysis Approaches of Bone and Bone Substitute Materials

Bone has a special structure that is both stiff and elastic, and the composition of bone confers it with an exceptional mechanical property. However, bone substitute materials that are made of the same hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen do not offer the same mechanical properties. It is important for bionic bone preparation to understand the structure of bone and the mineralization process and factors. In this paper, the research on the mineralization of collagen is reviewed in terms of the mechanical properties in recent years. Firstly, the structure and mechanical properties of bone are analyzed, and the differences of bone in different parts are described. Then, different scaffolds for bone repair are suggested considering bone repair sites. Mineralized collagen seems to be a better option for new composite scaffolds. Last, the paper introduces the most common method to prepare mineralized collagen and summarizes the factors influencing collagen mineralization and methods to analyze its mechanical properties. In conclusion, mineralized collagen is thought to be an ideal bone substitute material because it promotes faster development. Among the factors that promote collagen mineralization, more attention should be given to the mechanical loading factors of bone.
EEG Signal Complexity Measurements to Enhance BCI-Based Stroke Patients’ Rehabilitation

The second leading cause of death and one of the most common causes of disability in the world is stroke. Researchers have found that brain–computer interface (BCI) techniques can result in better stroke patient rehabilitation. This study used the proposed motor imagery (MI) framework to analyze the electroencephalogram (EEG) dataset from eight subjects in order to enhance the MI-based BCI systems for stroke patients. The preprocessing portion of the framework comprises the use of conventional filters and the independent component analysis (ICA) denoising approach. Fractal dimension (FD) and Hurst exponent (Hur) were then calculated as complexity features, and Tsallis entropy (TsEn) and dispersion entropy (DispEn) were assessed as irregularity parameters. The MI-based BCI features were then statistically retrieved from each participant using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to demonstrate the individuals’ performances from four classes (left hand, right hand, foot, and tongue). The dimensionality reduction algorithm, Laplacian Eigenmap (LE), was used to enhance the MI-based BCI classification performance. Utilizing k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) classifiers, the groups of post-stroke patients were ultimately determined. The findings show that LE with RF and KNN obtained 74.48% and 73.20% accuracy, respectively; therefore, the integrated set of the proposed features along with ICA denoising technique can exactly describe the proposed MI framework, which may be used to explore the four classes of MI-based BCI rehabilitation. This study will help clinicians, doctors, and technicians make a good rehabilitation program for people who have had a stroke.