Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of urban green space (UGS) quality on physical activity (PA) and health, controlling for environmental factors

Recently, there has been a burgeoning fascination with the influence of urban green spaces (UGS) on physical activity (PA) and health. This interest has been accompanied by a mounting body of evidence that establishes a connection between UGS and residents’ PA levels. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the significance of UGS and have generally agreed on their connection with health. However, there is still considerable variation in viewpoints regarding the intermediate factors contributing to this association. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential correlation between different qualitative factors of UGS and PA. The study involved the collection of data from four parks located in Edinburgh. Four trained observers utilised the Environmental Assessment of Public Recreational Spaces (EARPS Mini) tool to code various environmental characteristics. Additionally, the Method for Observing Physical Activity and Wellbeing (MOHAWk) observation tool was employed to code instances of on-site incivility and the characteristics and behaviours of residents engaging in UGS activities. The results of this study show that the facilities and environment, area and socioeconomic status (SES) of UGS positively affect the type of PA and the level of PA, as well as influence residents’ attentiveness to the environment and their interactions with each other. Demographics such as gender and age group are also significantly related to the level and type of PA. Significant differences in the level and type of PA, and race only differed significantly in the choice of activity type. These results suggest that the quality of the UGS environment affects the level, type, and status of PA among residents and that resident characteristics also have an impact. Future research suggests increasing data collection related to PA frequency and PA duration and considering longitudinal observations over time for refinement.
Simulated Dopamine Modulation of a Neurorobotic Model of the Basal Ganglia

The vertebrate basal ganglia play an important role in action selection—the resolution of conflicts between alternative motor programs. The effective operation of basal ganglia circuitry is also known to rely on appropriate levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. We investigated reducing or increasing the tonic level of simulated dopamine in a prior model of the basal ganglia integrated into a robot control architecture engaged in a foraging task inspired by animal behaviour. The main findings were that progressive reductions in the levels of simulated dopamine caused slowed behaviour and, at low levels, an inability to initiate movement. These states were partially relieved by increased salience levels (stronger sensory/motivational input). Conversely, increased simulated dopamine caused distortion of the robot’s motor acts through partially expressed motor activity relating to losing actions. This could also lead to an increased frequency of behaviour switching. Levels of simulated dopamine that were either significantly lower or higher than baseline could cause a loss of behavioural integration, sometimes leaving the robot in a ‘behavioral trap’. That some analogous traits are observed in animals and humans affected by dopamine dysregulation suggests that robotic models could prove useful in understanding the role of dopamine neurotransmission in basal ganglia function and dysfunction.
A study of algor mortis in relation to cause and manner of death in hospitalised/non-hospitalised cases in tropical climate of central India

Introduction: To understand the different aspects of average rate of cooling (ARC) in detail, is very important for understanding algor mortis in order to determine time since death in early post-mortem interval, as the classic triad of so-called thanatochronological data is constituted by algor mortis, rigor mortis and livor mortis. This paper is a humble trial to show some light and to detect any relation between average rate cooling of cadaver to cause and manner of death, and hospitalisation in tropical climate of central India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. 173 cadavers were selected randomly which were brought for autopsy. After collecting routine data like age, gender, height, weight etc. following data were also collected – ambient room temperature, rectal temperature, cause of death, manner of death, and hospitalisation. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Conclusion: The study found that cause of death, manner of death or hospitalisation has no effect on rate of cooling (p > 0.05). Keywords: Algor mortis, Average rate of cooling, Cause of death, Manner of death, Hospitalised/non-hospitalised, Cadaver.
An investigation of ground based and aeromagnetic data over the Cairngorm and other Caledonian granites in the UK

The aeromagnetic map of Great Britain shows a number of granites associated with magnetic anomalies. One of the largest of these granites, the Cairngorm pluton, has a complex overlying aeromagnetic anomaly, yet measurements show that the surface rocks have a magnetic susceptibility too low to account for this aeromagnetic field. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the likely reasons for this discrepancy employing a range of computer based techniques, and using new land-based data. Potential field data for the Cairngorm area, together with a region of the Southern Uplands, was subjected to frequency domain reduction and filtering. Hand specimens from the granite and host rock were collected for susceptibility measurements. The results have been integrated with profile models to explain the variations observed in the aeromagnetic and ground based magnetic field. The Cairngorm granites appear to be zoned at depth, with a variable thickness cap of low density, low magnetic susceptibility granite. The presence of intermediate composition rock in the upper reaches of the granite mass provides evidence for stoping, whilst the presence of intermediate composition rock at deeper levels is thought to be due to multiple magma pulses and/or differentiation. The Loch Doon granite has a low magnetic susceptibility subsurface core extending off its eastern flank. A number of correlations between the geophysics and geochemistry of the granites investigated were noted. The concept of gravrnag space has been developed and applied as a framework in which to explore the relationships between the granites of Scotland and northern England. Relationships between the background geophysics and the geochemistry of granites in the area of the proposed Iapetus Subduction zone have also been investigated.
Anterograde trans-neuronal labeling of striatal interneurons in relation to dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta

Recent advances in neural tracing have unveiled numerous neural circuits characterized by brain region and cell type specificity, illuminating the underpinnings of specific functions and behaviors. Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain are highly heterogeneous in terms of gene and protein expression and axonal projections. Different cell types within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) tend to project to the striatum in a cell-type-dependent manner characterized by specific topography. Given the wide and dense distribution of DA axons, coupled with a combination of synaptic and volume transmission, it remains unclear how DA release is spatially and temporally regulated, to appropriately achieve specific behaviors and functions. Our hypothesis posits that hidden rules governing synapse formation between pre-synaptic DA neuron types and striatal neuron types may modulate the effect of DA at a single-cell level. To address this conjecture, we employed adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) to visualize the neural circuitry of DA neurons. AAV1 has emerged as a potent anatomical instrument capable of labeling and visualizing pre- and post-synaptic neurons simultaneously through anterograde trans-synaptic labeling. First, AAV1-Cre was injected into the SNc, resulting in Cre expression in both medium spiny neurons and interneurons in the striatum. Due to the potential occurrence of the retrograde transfer of AAV1, only striatal interneurons were considered for trans-synaptic or trans-neuronal labeling. Interneuron types expressing parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, somatostatin, or nitrogen oxide synthase exhibited Cre expression. Using a combination of AAV1-Cre and Cre-driven fluorophore expressing AAVs, striatal interneurons and the axons originating from the SNc were visualized in distinct colors. Using immunofluorescence against neurotransmitter transporters, almost all axons in the striatum visualized using this approach were confirmed to be dopaminergic. Moreover, individual DA axons established multiple appositions on the somata and proximal dendrites of interneurons. This finding suggests that irrespective of the extensive and widespread axonal arborization of DA neurons, a particular DA neuron may exert a significant influence on specific interneurons. Thus, AAV1-based labeling of the DA system can be a valuable tool to uncover the concealed rules governing these intricate relationships.
Graph Neural Network for Decentralized Multi-Robot Goal Assignment

The problem of assigning a set of spatial goals to a team of robots plays a crucial role in various multi-robot planning applications including, but not limited to exploration, search and rescue, or surveillance. The Linear Sum Assignment Problem (LSAP) is a common way of formulating and resolving this problem. This optimization problem aims at assigning the tasks to the robots minimizing the sum of costs while respecting a one-to-one matching constraint. However, communication restrictions in real-world scenarios pose significant challenges. Existing decentralized solutions often rely on numerous communication interactions to converge to a conflict-free and optimal solution or assume a prior conflict-free random assignment. In this paper, we propose a novel Decentralized Graph Neural Network approach for multi-robot Goal Assignment (DGNN-GA). We leverage a heterogeneous graph representation to model the inter-robot communication and the assignment relations between goals and robots. We compare in simulation its performance to other decentralized state-of-the-art approaches. Specifically, our method outperforms popular state-of-the art approaches in strictly restricted communication scenarios and does not rely on any initial conflict-free guess compared to two other algorithms. Finally, the DGNN-GA is also deployed and validated in real-world experiments.
Optimum PID Controller with Fuzzy Self-Tuning for DC Servo Motor

DC motors are simple and controllable, making them a popular choice for various applications. However, the speed and load characteristics of DC motors can change, making it difficult to control them effectively. This paper proposes an optimum PID controller with fuzzy self-tuning for DC servo motors. The controller uses two steps to adjust the PID gains: The ACS algorithm is employed to identify the optimal PID gains in the first step. A fuzzy logic (FLC) controller is employed in the second stage to further fine-tune the gains. The FLC considers two cost functions: the first function is the sum of the squares of the error between the controlled output and reference input. The second function is a mathematical expression that specifies the required characteristics of the system response. The fuzzy self-tune then uses a set of rules to adjust the PID gains in response to changes in the system. The rules are based on the two cost functions designed to maintain the optimum PID gains for various operating settings. The outcomes of the two functions are: Kp = 5.2381, Ki = 7.0427, and Kd = 0.49468, with rising time = 0.2503, overshoot = 2.5079, and settling time = 10.4824 in the first cost function. The second cost function outcomes are Kp = 8.1381; Ki = 8.6427; and Kd = 0.49468. The FST-PID controller's performance is evaluated using Matlab-Simulink. The proposed controller was tested on a DC servo motor, and the results showed good performance in both steady-state and transient responses. The controller also maintained the optimum PID gains in the event of changes or disturbances. So, the motor's speed can effectively control under a variety of conditions.
Investigation on copper levels in and around fish farms in Kitwe, copperbelt province, Zambia

A study was conducted to assess possible risks of copper contamination in fish farmed in copper mining areas of Zambia. Nine fish farms were selected within and around Kitwe district for the study. The farms drew water from different sources – dam, river and spring. Five types of samples were sampled, i.e. soil, sediment, plant, fish and water at each farm. Three fish ponds were sampled at each farm. Copper determination in each sample was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed that there were significant differences between farms receiving water from different sources with respect to copper concentration in soils, sediment, plant and fish but not in water. The soil and sediment samples taken from around Mindolo Dam had the highest concentration of copper, while those taken from around Kafue River had the lowest copper concentration. The mean copper concentrations in soil and sediment samples taken from around Mindolo Dam were 91.09 and 41.71 ppm while those from around Garneton spring were 30.36 and 36.47 ppm and around Kafue River were 13.55 and 24.43 ppm respectively. From the three sources of water the mean copper levels in plant, fish and water samples ranged from 13.93 to 26.12, 8.68 to 13.25 and 0.14 to 0.39 ppm respectively. Furthermore, farms receiving water from same sources differed significantly with respect copper concentration in soil, plant, sediment and fish, but not in water. From the results it can be concluded that the relatively high levels of copper in soils and sediments from Mindolo Dam and Garneton Spring were due to their natural presence there and had not been deposited from anywhere else. The relatively much higher levels of copper observed in fish than in water may
Pilot Study of the Total and Phosphorylated Tau Proteins in Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Objectives: Recent findings suggest that neurodegeneration starts early in the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and significantly contributes to the progression of patients’ disability. Tau is a microtubule-binding protein that is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders. Newly emerging data on tau protein-induced neurodegenerative processes and its possible involvement in MS suggest that it may be involved in the pathology of early-stage MS. Therefore, this study aimed to test this hypothesis in patients with newly diagnosed MS. Materials and Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from 19 patients with newly diagnosed MS and 19 control subjects. All MS patients underwent neurological examination, lumbar punction, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CSF concentrations of total and phosphorylated tau (phospho-tau-181) protein were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The total tau concentration was significantly higher in the CSF of MS patients compared to controls (141.67 pg/mL, IQR 77.79–189.17 and 68.77 pg/mL, IQR 31.24–109.17, p = 0.025). In MS patients, the total tau protein positively correlated with total CSF protein (r = 0.471, p = 0.048). Significantly higher total tau concentration was measured in MS patients with higher lesion load in brain MRI (≥9 versus <9 lesions; 168.33 pg/mL, IQR 111.67–222.32 and 73.33 pg/mL, IQR -32.13–139.29-, p = 0.021). The CSF concentration of phospho-tau-181 protein was below the detection limit in both MS and control subjects. Conclusions: The concentration of total tau protein level is elevated, whereas phospho-tau-181 is undetectable in the CSF of patients with early-stage MS.
The Perfect Timing—Immediate versus Delayed Microvascular Reconstruction of the Mandible

Simple Summary This study evaluated the clinical and economic impacts of immediate versus delayed reconstruction of the mandible in patients following resection. Data from two German oral and maxillofacial surgery university departments provided insights into patient demographics, surgical details, medical histories, and flap survival rates. Our analysis of 177 reconstructions (72 immediate, 105 delayed) revealed no significant difference in flap survival based on timing or radiotherapy. However, immediate reconstruction is less cost-intensive. The findings aim to inform surgical decision-making, balancing patient health and cost-effectiveness. Crucially, only 18% of patients achieved functional masticatory rehabilitation, underscoring the need for improved post-surgical care pathways. Abstract In this retrospective study, the clinical and economic implications of microvascular reconstruction of the mandible were assessed, comparing immediate versus delayed surgical approaches. Utilizing data from two German university departments for oral and maxillofacial surgery, the study included patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction following continuity resection. The data assessed included demographic information, reconstruction details, medical history, dental rehabilitation status, and flap survival rates. In total, 177 cases (131 male and 46 females; mean age: 59 years) of bony free flap reconstruction (72 immediate and 105 delayed) were included. Most patients received adjuvant treatment (81% with radiotherapy and 51% combined radiochemotherapy), primarily for tumor resection. Flap survival was not significantly influenced by the timing of reconstruction, radiotherapy status, or the mean interval (14.5 months) between resection and reconstruction. However, immediate reconstruction had consumed significantly fewer resources. The rate of implant-supported masticatory rehabilitation was only 18% overall. This study suggests that immediate jaw reconstruction is economically advantageous without impacting flap survival rates. It emphasizes patient welfare as paramount over financial aspects in clinical decisions. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for improved pathways for masticatory rehabilitation, as evidenced by only 18% of patients with implant-supported dentures, to enhance quality of life and social integration.
Fast Direct Optimal Control for Humanoids Based on Dynamics Representation in FPC Latent Space

This study introduces a novel approach to Humanoid Robot Motion Generation using Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) within the framework of Direct Optimal Control (DOC). FPCA efficiently compresses high-dimensional motion data, including ground reaction forces, into a low-dimensional space known as the FPC space. These low-dimensional elements preserve the essential characteristics of the original motions and allow for the synthesis of specific elements to create entirely new representations. By using these low-dimensional elements as optimization variables, we anticipated a significant reduction in computational time for motion generation. Experiments on the humanoid robot HRP-4 J, considering various objective functions, demonstrated the method's applicability for generating whole-body motions. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for angle data between the proposed method and conventional methods yielded an average RMSE of 0.007 rd, indicating precise motion generation without compromising data characteristics. Moreover, the proposed method's computation time was 35.8 times faster than the conventional approach.
Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment among Adult Contacts of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases with Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Catalonia, Spain, in 2019−2021

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment among contacts with latent TB infection for new cases of pulmonary TB cases reported in Catalonia in 2019–2021. All contacts aged 18 years or older with a latent TB infection who received a TB preventive treatment were included in the study. The Chi square test and the odds ratios (OR) were used to assess the association between non-adherence to TB preventive treatment and the study variables; a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect the independent factors associated with TB preventive treatment non-adherence; a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The percentage of non-adherence to TB preventive treatment found in this study was 23.7%. A multivariable logistic regression analysis determined that the following factors were significantly associated with TB preventive treatment non-adherence among adult contacts: “exposure at school or workplace” (aOR = 3.34), “exposure to an index case without laboratory confirmation of TB” (aOR = 2.07), “immigrant contact” (aOR = 1.81), “male gender” (aOR = 1.75) and “exposure duration < 6 h per week or sporadic” (aOR = 1.60. By contrast, the factor “short-term TB preventive treatment regimen” (aOR = 0.38) was significantly associated with a lower treatment non-adherence. Adherence to TB preventive treatment should be improved among adult contacts of TB pulmonary cases with latent TB infection by recommending short-term treatment regimens and by developing health education activities, with a greater focus on contacts with factors associated with treatment non-adherence.
Understanding the Influences of Asian-American Parenting on Adolescents’ Mental Health and Help-Seeking Behavior

Asian-American parents and children are less likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders and pursue mental health treatment compared to their white counterparts, which highlights racial disparities in mental healthcare access or reporting in Asian-American populations. One of the contributing factors may be due to lower rates of mental health literacy among parents. As parents often are figures who seek mental health support for their children, the mental health literacy of all parents is understood to have a significant impact on their children’s access to mental health treatment. Due to parental consent required for children to receive mental health treatment, parents must be a cooperative figure to not only allow their children to have access to the help they need, but also an encouraging figure in the event they discover that their child may be in need of help. The scope of this review aims to understand cultural and societal origins of mental health stigma. These include types of mental health conceptualization within Asian-American households. This review also aims to evaluate the impact of mental health attitudes, perception, and literacy of Asian-American parents on youths’ access and youths’ self stigmatization rates across multiple studies. The findings of this review will help institutions, providers and educators become more culturally competent and benefit adolescents in Asian-American households restrictive to their mental health care needs.