Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging Studies on Yoga Practice in Healthy Population

Yoga comprises various domains of practices but practically we can divide yoga into three categories: poses exercise (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana). Asana is usually considered as a form of exercise through actions of the body. Breathing-based practice involves purposeful inhalations and exhalations that can be designated at a specific speed and intensity. Breathing exercise can be practiced in a seating, standing or lying position (savasana). Previous studies have shown various mental and physical health benefits related to yoga. For example, studies examining mental health outcomes have reported decreased feeling of anxiety and depression after yoga practice [1]. Cognitive benefits of yoga in healthy subjects have also been demonstrated with improved spatial and verbal memory [2], increased executive functions [3] and better psychometric abilities [4].
Feasibility Study for the Fine Crack Width Estimation of Concrete Structures Based on Fiducial Markers

Crack width estimation through remote imaging and digital image processing are the leading diagnostic technologies used for infrastructure. However, owing to limitations in the accuracy of these techniques, alternative methods to detect target crack widths larger than the diagnostic standard are being developed. In this study, the coordinates of fiducial markers were extracted using the Harris corner detector, and fine crack widths of approximately 0.3 mm or less were estimated using the ground sample distance, varied numbers of adjusted pixels, and varied focal lengths. The results of these examinations were compared with the measured values. As a result, it was confirmed that the number of pixels rather than the ground sample distance was the dominant factor affecting the accuracy of the estimated value, and the accuracy could be improved by adjusting the number of pixels, increasing the focal length, and ensuring an effective object distance. The results showed the feasibility of estimating fine crack widths with a high accuracy through the fiducial-marker-based method under the aforementioned conditions. In the future, if the number of crack samples is increased and more detailed focal length and object distance data are supported, this method may provide estimations with a higher accuracy.
Federated learning over WiFi: Should we use TCP or UDP?

Federated learning is a distributed learning paradigm where a centralized model is trained on data distributed over a large number of clients, each with unreliable and relatively slow network connections. The client connections typically have limited bandwidth available to them when using networks such as 2G, 3G, or WiFi. As a result, communication often becomes a bottleneck. Currently, the communication between the clients and server is mostly based on TCP protocol. In this paper, we explore using the UDP protocol for the communication between the clients and server. In particular, we develop UDP-based algorithms for gradient aggregation-based federated learning and model aggregation-based federated learning. We propose methods to construct model updates in case of packet loss with the UDP protocol. We present a scalable framework for practical federated learning. We conduct experiments over WiFi and observe that the UDP-based protocols can lead to faster convergence than the TCP-based protocol -- especially in bad networks. Code available at the repository: \url{https://github.com/vineeths96/Federated-Learning}.
Green Advertising on Social Media: Brand Authenticity Mediates the Effect of Different Appeals on Purchase Intent and Digital Engagement

Abstract This research investigates the effects of digital context on perception of green advertising. We challenge the common advertising practice of posting similar content across platforms by showing how the same ad is received differently by consumers on different digital channels. We use social norms theory (SNT) to build our hypotheses and test them with two experiments. We demonstrate that on a news website, brand quality is the mechanism for the persuasive effect of an appeal (product, environmental, or hybrid). However, on Instagram (Study 1) and Facebook (Study 2), brand authenticity is the persuasive mechanism for generating purchase intent and digital engagement. Results provide converging evidence for brand authenticity as a pivotal factor for green brand success on social media.
A Pyroptosis-Associated Signature Plays a Role in Prognosis Prediction And Indicating In�ltration in Immune Microenvironment in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background: About 90% renal malignancies are RCCs (renal cell carcinomas) and the main subtype in histology is ccRCC (clear cell RCC). In recent years, pyroptosis was considered as a kind of in�ammation-related programmed cell death, which played a part in the invasion, metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells, thereby in�uencing tumor prognosis. Nonetheless, the expression level of pyroptosis-associated genes in RCCs and its relationship with prognosis are still not clear. Results: In our research, 44 regulators for pyroptosis were identi�ed which were expressed differentially between normal kidney and ccRCC tissues. ccRCC cases were categorized into 2 subgroups with a signi�cant difference between them in OS (overall survival) according to the DEGs (differentially expressed genes). The prognostic value of pyroptosis-associated genes was assessed as a signature based on the cohort of TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas). Following Cox regression with DEGs and LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator), a 6-gene signature had been set up and all the ccRCC cases in the cohort of TCGA were categorized into LR (low-risk) group or HR (high-risk) group (P < 0.001). In combination with clinical features, risk scores were considered as a predicting factor of OS in ccRCC cases. KEGG (Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes) and GO (Gene ontology) analyses implied increased immunity and enrichment of genes related to immunity in the HR group. Conclusions: Our �ndings indicated that the genes related to pyroptosis had an important role in tumor immunity, which were potentially used to predict the prognosis of ccRCCs. Conceptualization, Z. -Y.L. and Z. -N.X. ; methodology, Z. -Y.L. and Y. -P.Y. ; software, Z. -Y.L. and B. -W.W. ; validation, L. -C.C. , W. -G.J. and T. -D.W. ; formal analysis, Z. -Y.L. and Z. -N.X. ; investigation, Y. -P.Y. and W. -X. ; resources, Z. -Y.L. and Z. -N.X. ; data curation, Z. -Y.L. ; writing—original draft preparation, Z. -Y.L and X. -Y.W. ; writing—review and editing, Z. -Y.L. , C. -Y.W. and C. -Z. ; visualization, Z. -Y.L. , P.-Z. and W. -H.Y. ; supervision, Z. -Y.L. , C. -Y.W. and C. -Z. ; project administration, C. -Y.W. and C. -Z. ; funding acquisition, C. -Y.W. and C. -Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Extended stellar systems in the solar neighborhood

We report the discovery of a large, dynamically cold, coeval stellar stream that is currently traversing the immediate solar neighborhood at a distance of only 100 pc. The structure was identified in a wavelet decomposition of the 3D velocity space of all stars within 300 pc of the Sun. Its members form a highly elongated structure with a length of at least 400 pc, while its vertical extent measures only about 50 pc. Stars in the stream are not isotropically distributed but instead form two parallel lanes with individual local overdensities, that may correspond to a remnant core of a tidally disrupted cluster or OB association. Its members follow a very well-defined main sequence in the observational Hertzsprung–Russel diagram and also show a remarkably low 3D velocity dispersion of only 1.3 km s−1. These findings strongly suggest a common origin as a single coeval stellar population. An extrapolation of the present-day mass function indicates a total mass of at least 2000 M⊙, making it larger than most currently known clusters or associations in the solar neighborhood. We estimated the age of the stream to be around 1 Gyr based on a comparison with a set of isochrones and giant stars in our member selection and find a mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = −0.04. This structure may very well represent the Galactic disk counterpart to the prominent stellar streams observed in the Milky Way halo. As such, it constitutes a new valuable probe to constrain the Galaxy’s mass distribution.
Effect of different tooth preparation designs on the marginal and internal fit discrepancies of cobalt-chromium crowns produced by computer-aided designing and selective laser melting processes

PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of five different tooth preparation designs on the marginal and internal fit discrepancies of cobalt-chromium (CoCr) crowns produced by computer-aided designing (CAD) and selective laser melting (SLM) processes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five preparation data were constructed, after which design crowns were obtained. Actual crowns were fabricated using an SLM process. After the data of actual crowns were obtained with structural light scanning, intaglio surfaces of the design crown and actual crown were virtually superimposed on the preparation. The fit-discrepancies were displayed with colors, while the root means square was calculated and analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s test or Kruskal-Wallis test (α =.05). RESULTS The marginal or internal color-coded images in the five design groups were not identical. The shoulder-lip and sharp line angle groups in the CAD or SLM process had larger marginal or internal fit discrepancies compared to other groups (P < .05). In the CAD process, the mean marginal and internal fit discrepancies were 10.0 to 24.2 µm and 29.6 to 31.4 µm, respectively. After the CAD and SLM processes, the mean marginal and internal fit discrepancies were 18.4 to 40.9 µm and 39.1 to 47.1 µm, respectively. The SLM process itself resulted in a positive increase of the marginal (6.0 – 16.7 µm) and internal (9.0 – 15.7 µm) fit discrepancies. CONCLUSION The CAD and SLM processes affected the fit of CoCr crowns and varied based on the preparation designs. Typically, the shoulder-lip and sharp line angle designs had a more significant effect on crown fit. However, the differences between the design groups were relatively small, especially when compared to fit discrepancies observed clinically.
Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: an overview of their delivery routes and effects on growth and health of broiler chickens

Summary The world population is drastically increasing, and it is evidently necessary to have more secure food supply systems. Poultry meat is one of the most cost-effective and most popular sources of protein. For decades, poultry producers have depended on preventative antibiotics to increase growth performance by establishing and maintaining healthy and functional gastrointestinal tract in young animals. However, these practices are currently under immense regulatory and consumer pressure for termination, due to the development of antibiotic resistance arising from overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics need to be replaced by alternatives that have similar beneficial effects in terms of modulating the gut microbiome and improving the health and growth of the animals. Various groups of alternatives have been studied in poultry production, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, essential oils, enzymes, and other novel compounds that are continuously emerging. Probiotics, prebiotics, and their combination (synbiotics) are gaining popularity among the different potential alternative products to antibiotics. In addition to evaluating the effectiveness of different groups of alternatives in the chicken industry, the techniques and methods for administrating those alternatives is also an important aspect that has been studied in order to obtain optimal results. Thus, proposing new strategies to maximise the effectiveness of different alternatives has been growing simultaneously with the proposed elimination of antibiotics from food animal production. This review focusses on the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in the poultry industry, as well as descriptions of different application methods for delivering those alternatives to broiler chickens to maximise their effectiveness.
Formation of Ejecta and Dust Pond Deposits on Asteroid Vesta

Dust and melt ponds have been studied on planetary bodies including Eros, Itokawa, and the Moon. However, depending on the nature of the regolith material properties and the location of the planetary body, the formation mechanism of the ponded features varies. On Eros and Itokawa, ponded features are formed from dry regolith materials whereas on the Moon similar features are thought to be produced by ejecta melt. On the surface of Vesta, we have identified type 1, ejecta ponds, and type 2, dust ponds. On Vesta type 1 pond are located in the vicinity of ejecta melt of large impact craters. The material is uniformly distributed across the crater floor producing smooth pond surfaces which have a constant slope and shallow depth. The hosting crater of melt‐like ponds has a low raised rim and is located on relatively low elevated regions. Whereas, the type 2 ponds on Vesta reveal an undulating surface that is frequently displaced from the crater center or extends toward the crater wall with an abruptly changing slope. We suggested that for the production of the type 2 ponds, localized seismic diffusion and volatile‐induced fluidization may be responsible for Vesta. Due to Vesta's large size (in comparison to Eros and Itokawa), the surface may have experienced local‐scale rare high‐amplitude seismic diffusion which was sufficient to drift fine material. Similarly, short‐lived volatile activities were capable to transfer dusty material on to the surface. Segregation and smoothing of transferred material lack further surface activities, hindering the formation of smooth morphology.
Balanced polymorphisms and their divergence in a Heliconius butterfly

Abstract The evolution of mimicry in similarly defended prey is well described by the Müllerian mimicry theory, which predicts the convergence of warning patterns in order to gain the most protection from predators. However, despite this prediction, we can find great diversity of color patterns among Müllerian mimics such as Heliconius butterflies in the neotropics. Furthermore, some species have evolved the ability to maintain multiple distinct warning patterns in single populations, a phenomenon known as polymorphic mimicry. The adaptive benefit of these polymorphisms is questionable since variation from the most common warning patterns is expected to be disadvantageous as novel signals are punished by predators naive to them. In this study, we use artificial butterfly models throughout Central and South America to characterize the selective pressures maintaining polymorphic mimicry in Heliconius doris. Our results highlight the complexity of positive frequency‐dependent selection, the principal selective pressure driving convergence among Müllerian mimics, and its impacts on interspecific variation of mimetic warning coloration. We further show how this selection regime can both limit and facilitate the diversification of mimetic traits.
Detecting Small Size Mass Loading Using Transversely Coupled SAW Resonator

In the detection of small size mass loading, such as a single cell, a micro droplet or an aerosol particle, the sensors with longitudinally coupled surface acoustic wave resonator (LC-SAWR) structure can hardly avoid waveform distortions. The relative size of mass loading to the sensitive surface of the detector is the main factor affecting the response of LC-SAWR. The smaller the relative size, the worse the waveform distortion. In order to avoid influences from the mass loading’s size, in this paper, a transversely coupled SAW resonator (TC-SAWR) was proposed in order to achieve high performance in sensing small size mass loadings. For the design and simulation of TC-SAWR, the two-dimensional coupling of model (2D-COM) theory and finite element method (FEM) were used in this work. In the experiment, SiO2 was deposited on the sensor’s surface as a small size mass loading. The results from simulation and experiment mutually demonstrated the advantage of TC-SAWR to conquer waveform distortion in the detection of small size mass loading.
Photobiomodulation enhances macrophage phagocytic capacity via Rac1 activation

Photobiomodulation (PBM), as a nonpharmacological and noninvasive physiotherapy, has a wide range of biological effects to change specific pathological processes. The phagocytosis of macrophages has been reported to be enhanced by PBM, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not completely revealed. Here, we found that the activation of Rac1 is responsible for enhancement of macrophage phagocytic capacity in PBM treatment. Transfection of dominant negative Rac1 (DN-Rac1) significantly inhibited macrophage phagocytosis induced by PBM. These findings potentially promote the application of PBM in the clinical treatment of infection related diseases.
Research Self-Efficacy, Interest in Research and Research Knowledge of Graduate Students

— One of the goals of graduate education is to produce graduates equipped with excellent research skills. With the challenges on the quality education and demands on excellence, the current priority of the Commission of Higher Education is on research. Graduate schools offering graduate programs are mandated to guide students develop the research skills expected of them. The purpose of this study is to determine how specific factors such as research efficacy and research interest contributed to research knowledge of the students. The participants of the study are the Master’s and Doctoral student enrolled in the school. The study utilized descriptive research design. The results showed that the Graduate students have good research interest and good level of self-efficacy, but poor research knowledge. Moreover, there is a significant contribution of interest in research to research knowledge, but a negative contribution of research self-efficacy to students’ research knowledge. These findings imply that the development of the graduate students’ research interest should be prioritized by the School of Education. These also denotes that there could be other factors to be looked into that may have contribution to students’ research knowledge, not only efficacy and interest.
Competing influences of the ocean, atmosphere and solid earth on transient Miocene Antarctic ice sheet variability

Abstract. Benthic δ18O levels vary strongly during the warmer-than-modern early- and mid-Miocene (23 to 14 Myr ago), suggesting a dynamic Antarctic ice sheet (AIS). So far, however, realistic simulations of the Miocene AIS have been limited to equilibrium states under different CO2 levels and orbital settings. Earlier transient simulations lacked ice-sheet-atmosphere interactions, and used a present-day rather than Miocene Antarctic bedrock topography. Here, we quantify the effect of ice-sheet-atmosphere interactions, running IMAU-ICE using climate forcing from Miocene simulations by the general circulation model GENESIS. Utilising a recently developed matrix interpolation method enables us to interpolate the climate forcing based on CO2 levels (between 280 and 840 ppm) as well as ice sheet configurations (between no ice and a large ice sheet). We furthermore implement recent reconstructions of Miocene Antarctic bedrock topography. We find that the positive albedo-temperature feedback, partly compensated by the negative ice-volume-precipitation feedback, increases hysteresis in the relation between CO2 and ice volume (V). Together, these ice-sheet-atmosphere interactions decrease the amplitude of AIS variability caused by 40-kyr forcing CO2 cycles by 21 % in transient simulations. Thereby, they also diminish the contribution of AIS variability to benthic δ18O fluctuations. Furthermore, we show that under equal atmospheric and oceanic forcing, the amplitude of 40-kyr transient AIS variability becomes 10 % smaller during the early- and mid-Miocene, due to the evolving bedrock topography. Lastly, we quantify the influence of ice shelf formation around the Antarctic margins, by comparing simulations with Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) basal melt conditions, to ones in which ice shelf growth is prevented. Ice shelf formation increases hysteresis in the CO2-V relation, and amplifies 40-kyr AIS variability by 19 % using LGM basal melt rates, and by 5 % in our reference setting.
PERCEPTIONS OF LOCAL TOURISTS, ATTITUDES AND WILLINGNESS TO VISIT LOCAL DESTINATIONS: A DESTINATION IMAGE CASE

The paper made use of predictor variables to highlight relationships in tourism, these are: perceptions’ of local residents towards tourists and destination image; in an effort to identify how these predictors are relative to the mediator variable, attitudes’ of local residents towards tourists; which then lead to the outcome variable, tourists willingness to visit a destination. To enable the researcher to conduct this study, prior literature related to destination image, as well as the attitudes and perceptions of local residents were reviewed. Respondents were selected by means of probability sampling. A conceptualised model was developed to measure the variables adapted to the research study. The researcher conducted field research at The University of Witwatersrand, which included 270 respondents, currently registered at the university. The data set was analysed by employing SPSS and Amos 24 through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). It was confirmed by the results of the research that the attitudes of local residents had a stronger relationship than the perceptions of local residents towards tourists; influencing tourists’ willingness to visit a destination. This implies that tourists will visit a destination based on how they are treated by local residents, instead of how local residents perceive tourists. The study makes contributions to current research on local residents’ attitudes and perceptions towards tourists, and destination image, which influences tourists’ willingness to visit a destination.
Feasibility of Parasitic Drain Inductance Design for Minimizing Switching Loss in Bridge Circuits Using GaN-FETs

Gallium-nitride-field-effect transistors (GaN-FETs) are expected as a key component to the power density improvement of switching power converter for electric vehicles (EVs) because of their low on-resistance and fast switching capability. It is well known that the switching loss is influenced by the drain inductance, which is the parasitic inductance of the power loop, and can be minimized in principle by an appropriate design of the drain inductance. However, in switching power converters using Si-based power devices such as the Si-MOSFET and the Si-IGBT, it is usually difficult to design the drain inductance so that the switching loss minimizes because an appropriate drain inductance becomes too large, thus resulting in large surge voltages of the switching device. On the other hand, this may not be the case when using the GaN-FETs because the inductance that can minimize the switching loss may become small due to the high-di/dt switching. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to show the feasibility of the parasitic drain inductance design that the switching loss of the GaN-FET in the bridge circuit can be minimized while keeping the surge voltage of the GaN-FET within acceptable limits. The appropriateness of this insight is verified by simulation.