Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPORTANCE OF BIOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION OF THE LIVER IN THE CONTROL OF DISEASE PROGRESSION IN PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS AND CO-INFECTED BY HIV AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN CAMEROON.

Viral infection continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world in particular those caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the biochemical exploration of the liver function in the control of disease progression in people living with HIV/AIDS and co-infected by HIV and hepatitis C virus. Sera from 75 patients positive for HIV were screened for HCV antibody by immuno-chromatographic test in Yaoundé central hospital, from November 2015 to February 2016. The biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, CB, TB,  -GT, ALP and creatinin), as well as CD4 T cell level determination were assessed following standard procedures. A second blood sample was taken from HIV mono-infected and HIV/ HCV co-infected after three months. Socio-demographic data were also collected. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.1 statistical software and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Amongst 75 study patients, 10 (13.3%) were HIV/HCV co-infected. The results obtained showed that, the activity of  -GT was significantly higher (P <0.0001) in HIV/HCV co-infected patients compared to HIV mono-infected patients. The concentration of total bilirubin was also significantly higher in HIV/HCV co-infected patients (P = 0.015). Biochemical analysis using the second blood sample carried out 3 months later, after first sample, showed a significant increase of creatinin observed in HIV mono-infected patients, but no significant increase of some biochemical parameters (ALT, Creatinin, total Bilirubin, conjugated Bilirubin) was observed in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. In HIV / HCV co-infected patients, the first blood sample showed a significant increase of  -GT (118.36±75.95 IU) compared to HIV mono-infected patients, in the Yaoundé Central Hospital. From this observation, hepatic damage should be evaluated by analyzing biochemical parameters.
Multilayer Neural Net Underwater Vehicle Dynamic Positioning Control

An adaptive multylayer neural network controller for high precision maneuvering of underwater vehicles is presented. Maneuvering underwater vehicles require special attention to a number of factors including thruster and vehicle’ s nonlinearities, couplings which exist between various degrees of freedom as well as effects of the sea currents. The neuro control system for underwater vehicle maneuvering described here is based on the conventional controller supported with the so called adaptive neural network. Adaptive neural network used here has two tunable layers, thus the problem of selection of proper basis is avoided.
Fast and precision displacement/3D profile measuring interferometers using sinusoidal frequency/phase modulation without lock-in amplifiers

A new demodulation method for sinusoidal frequency/phase modulation (SFM/SPM) interferometers, which can be suitable for displacements/3D profiles of targets, is proposed in the paper. Utilizing a laser diode (LD) as the light source and an electric optic modulator (EOM), frequency/phase modulations of the LD light can be achieved by modulating the LD injection current or the EOM. The SFM/SPM interference signal for the displacement measurement is composed by a series of harmonics of the modulation frequency. The two adjacent (2nd and 3rd) harmonics include the displacement information. By using the two harmonics, a Lissajous diagram can be drawn to obtain the displacements. Normally, the two harmonics can be demodulated by two lock-in amplifiers. In this paper, we propose a signal demodulation method to acquire the 2nd and 3rd harmonics without any lock-in amplifiers, for reducing a cost of lock-in amplifiers. In the proposed method, the data acquisition system is synchronized to the modulation frequency such that the sampling points are exactly at the maximum and minimum points of the 2nd and the 3rd harmonics, respectively. By addition/subtraction calculations of the data at the maximum/minimum points, the 2nd and 3rd harmonics can be obtained for drawing the Lissajous diagram. We first show displacement measurements of the target mirror in the SFM interferometer with 20 kHz modulation frequency. Secondly, we show 3D profile (=2D displacement) measurements of the moving target in the modified SFM interferometer using the high speed camera with 128*128 pixels and 180k frames/s. Thirdly, we discuss the feasibility of the proposed method. The authors will introduce experimental results of SPM interferometers at the oral presentation.
University of Birmingham Social influences on eating

We review recent research on the effect of social context on food intake and food choice and assess the implications for nutritional interventions. We focus on studies of modelling of eating behaviour and the impact of perceived eating norms on the amounts and types of food that individuals eat. We suggest that social context inﬂuences eating via multiple mechanisms, including identity signalling and self-presentation concerns. However, building on existing theoretical models, we propose that social factors may be particularly inﬂuential on nutrition because following the behaviour of others is adaptive and social norms inform individuals about behaviours that are likely to be optimal (‘if everyone else is doing it, I probably should be’). Guided by understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms, we discuss how social norms might be used to promote healthier nutrition.
Utilização de um Sistema Multi-Modal para a Recolha de Informação Afectiva A Multi-Modal Approach for Affective Data Gathering

Recognizing, interpreting and processing emotions (Affective Computing) is an emerging field of computer science. Multiple methods of data acquisition and emotion classification exist with different accuracy performances. Despite this, multimodal systems, generally have a higher accuracy than unimodal ones. This dissertation’s goal is to research the current methods of both affective data gathering and emotion classification while developing a multimodal system, that focuses primarily on the utilisation of non-intrusive methods with potential application in cccupational stress. The system has the purpose of collecting affective data including multiple data gathering methods such as mouse and keyboard utilisation data, ECG data, face and upper body video recordings and computer screen video recordings (for activity detection). For the emotion classification, the Clustering and Random Forest algorithms were utilised. In the exploratory study with the already existent SWELL investigation dataset, we tested the algorithm of Random Forest and an overall accuracy of 89.97% was achieved, which we considered acceptable. In order to validate the final system, a study with eleven participants was conducted. An overall error rate of approximately 65% was achieved with the Random Forest algorithm. For the majority of the participants, the Clustering algorithm did not recognize most of the data above 3% in class 2. The participants also reported in the questionnaires an overall decrease in the stress felt. Therefore, it is possible that the proposed protocol did not induce the desired emotional state (stress) in the participants. The developed multimodal system is functional and can be utilised in other studies with emotional markings gathering.
Local Government Performance, Cost‐Effectiveness, and Use of the Web: An Empirical Analysis

This article empirically assesses the relationship between government use of the web, service performance, and cost ‐ effectiveness. It tests and challenges the assumption, prevalent in government thinking and in the Digital Era Governance (DEG) quasi ‐ paradigm, that the delivery of web ‐ based public services is associated with better outcomes. English local government is used as a test case, for which (uniquely) good ‐ quality full ‐ population time ‐ series data for council performance, cost, and web quality are available. A new panel data set is constructed covering 2002 – 2008, allowing the actual relationship between web performance and council cost and quality to be estimated using dynamic regression models which control for both general changes over time and the time ‐ invariant differences between councils. Consistent growth is shown in the scope and quality of local government web provision. Despite this, and governmental enthusiasm for bringing services online, no association is found between web development and performance, or cost ‐ effectiveness. The article concludes that governments ’ enthusiasm for citizen ‐ facing digital government is not supported by this empirical data, and that a skeptical view is warranted of DEG ’ s advocacy of digitalization as a core focus for service improvement.
An Initial Exploration into the Design of Visualized Interfaces to Help Children Search for Books Using Smartwatches

Ever-evolving technologies allow modern libraries to introduce multiple digital devices to enable readers to more easily find their desired books. However, the cognitive abilities of children prevent them from using these devices correctly. Therefore it is imperative that libraries pursue innovative service such as visualized interfaces specifically designed for children in order to accommodate their needs. We employed expert interviews and current product analysis to examine children’s cognition of icons over smaller interfaces, informational frameworks, and interactive fashions, thus formulating guidelines for the design of smaller interfaces. We also designed a book-finding navigation procedure and a framework for interface design according to the proposed guidelines. These will be applied in children’s libraries to enable young readers to complete book-searching tasks with the aid of a smartwatch and voice navigation, as well as animated arrows that lead them to the right bookshelf. This development is of great value to children’s libraries and serves as reference for smaller interface design.
Fractal Behavior of Particle Size Distribution in the Rare Earth Tailings Crushing Process under High Stress Condition

: To disclose the fractal transformation mechanism of the size distribution of rare earth tailing particles, this paper utilizes the side conﬁned uniaxial compression test to study the evolution rule of the particle size distribution of the rare earth tailing and the particle breakage features under the high stress condition. The fractal behavior of the particle size distribution in the crushing process is studied based on the fractal model and the particle size distribution. The experimental results show that, under the high stress condition, the particle size distribution tends towards fractal distribution due to the particle breakage of the rare earth tailing. The crushing process is closely related to the breakage amount of the particles and can be described with the increased fractal dimension. Although the initial distribution and particle size of the rare earth tailings are different, the measured data of the particle size distribution with the fractal dimension greater than 2.2 shows fairly strict self-similarity, and this value can be taken as the lower limit value of the fractal dimension when the particle size distribution tends towards fractal distribution. When the particle size distribution becomes a fractal distribution due to the particle breakage, the ratio between the volumetric strain and the relative breakage rate remains constant and is slightly affected by the initial distribution uniformity and particle size.
One Fourth-Grader’s Orchestration of Modes Through Comic Composition

Language-oriented literacy standards offer mostly linguistic accounts of text complexity. In response, the present article demonstrates that multimodal and visual narratives offer additional ways to understand and discuss text complexity. This descriptive analysis of one fourth-grader’s comic provides an account of the multimodal patterns and orchestration noted across the pages of the comic. Data sources included the published comic, as well as a multimodal artifact elicitation interview conducted with Sabrina, a fourth-grade student. The authors show how Sabrina constructed a complex multimodal text by drawing not only from her knowledge of image and written language but also from her experiences with spoken language, touch, facial expressions, and gesture. These findings suggest that it would be beneficial for teachers and researchers to continue to create curricular space for multimodal composing opportunities and that stakeholders in language arts and communication education might deepen collaborations to develop instructional frameworks that support students as they compose using modes beyond language across the grade levels.
Early Effects of Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor Therapy on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Advanced Lung Disease

This is a prospective, observational study involving three Cystic Fibrosis (CF) adult patients, evaluating the changes in chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three months after the start of elexacaftor/tezacaftor and ivacaftor therapy. MRI showed a drastic reduction in mucus plugging and bronchial wall thickening, with an improvement in the diffusion-weighted MRI score. Similarly, a marked improvement in spirometric parameters, nutritional status, and sweat chloride was observed. Our preliminary data confirm that chest MRI could be a useful tool to assess disease progression in CF patients on modulatory drug therapy.
Review of Chinese Tones Acquisiton by Non-tonal Language Speakers Taking English as an Example

When English speakers learn Chinese, we will find that a very important reason for their non-standard Chinese is that they cannot pronounce the correct Chinese tones. Learning tonal languages can be a challenge for native speakers of tonal languages. This paper mainly summarizes the research on the learning of Chinese tones by native English speakers over the past 20 years, shows the defects existing in the learning of Chinese tones by native English speakers, and confirms that native English speakers can acquire Chinese tones, and difficulty in acquiring Chinese tones. It is hoped that the teaching methods of Chinese tones can be continuously improved, so that it will be beneficial for native English speakers to learn Chinese.
OMPEGAS: Optimized Relativistic Code for Multicore Architecture

The paper presents a new hydrodynamical code, OMPEGAS, for the 3D simulation of astrophysical flows on shared memory architectures. It provides a numerical method for solving the three-dimensional equations of the gravitational hydrodynamics based on Godunov’s method for solving the Riemann problem and the piecewise parabolic approximation with a local stencil. It obtains a high order of accuracy and low dissipation of the solution. The code is implemented for multicore processors with vector instructions using the OpenMP technology, Intel SDLT library, and compiler auto-vectorization tools. The model problem of simulating a star explosion was used to study the developed code. The experiments show that the presented code reproduces the behavior of the explosion correctly. Experiments for the model problem with a grid size of 128×128×128 were performed on an 16-core Intel Core i9-12900K CPU to study the efficiency and performance of the developed code. By using the autovectorization, we achieved a 3.3-fold increase in speed in comparison with the non-vectorized program on the processor with AVX2 support. By using multithreading with OpenMP, we achieved an increase in speed of 2.6 times on a 16-core processor in comparison with the vectorized single-threaded program. The total increase in speed was up to ninefold.
Opinion Mining of Green Energy Sentiment: A Russia-Ukraine Conflict Analysis

In this paper, we assess sentiment and emotion regarding green energy through employing a social listening analysis on Twitter. Knowing the sentiment and attitude of the population is important because it will help to promote policies and actions that favor the development of green or renewable energies. We chose to study a crucial period that coincides with the onset of the 2022 Ukrainian–Russo conflict, which has undoubtedly affected global energy policies worldwide. We searched for messages containing the term “green energy” during the days before and after the conflict started. We then performed a semantic analysis of the most frequent words, a comparative analysis of sentiments and emotions in both periods, a dimensionality reduction analysis, and an analysis of the variance of tweets versus retweets. The results of the analysis show that the conflict has changed society’s sentiments about an energy transition to green energy. In addition, we found that negative feelings and emotions emerged in green energy tweeters once the conflict started. However, the emotion of confidence also increased as the conflict, intimately linked to energy, has driven all countries to promote a rapid transition to greener energy sources. Finally, we observed that of the two latent variables identified for social opinion, one of them, pessimism, was maintained while the other, optimism, was subdivided into optimism and expectation.
Decentralized Power Control for an ALOHA-Type Random Multiple Access System with Short Packet Transmission

Machine to machine communication is an important scenario in a 6G communication network. Random multiple access has recently been revisited and considered a key technology for machine to machine communication scenarios due to many advantages such as without coordination setup time. It is a regret that packet collision probability will be extremely higher for random multiple access when massive devices randomly accessing base station. Decentralized power control is an efficient scheme in random multiple access systems which can support intraslot successive interference cancellation to recover multiple collided packets at receivers. However, existing studies of decentralized power control for random multiple access are with the assumption that blocklength of transmitted packets is infinite, which neglects that machine to machine communication is characterized by finite blocklength transmission (i.e., short packet) in 6G. This paper focuses decentralized power control with short packet transmission in random multiple access systems. First, the closed-form expression of signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) threshold for short packets is derived. Then, decentralized transmission power profile is defined based on derived SINR threshold of short packets, which can support intraslot successive interference cancellation deciding at receivers for an ALOHA-type random multiple access system. Further, we propose derivation method to maximize system throughput, which can reduce optimization cost. Theoretical findings in this paper can provide valuable benchmark for short packet transmission with decentralized power control in random multiple access systems.
Normal and Pathological NRF2 Signalling in the Central Nervous System

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was originally described as a master regulator of antioxidant cellular response, but in the time since, numerous important biological functions linked to cell survival, cellular detoxification, metabolism, autophagy, proteostasis, inflammation, immunity, and differentiation have been attributed to this pleiotropic transcription factor that regulates hundreds of genes. After 40 years of in-depth research and key discoveries, NRF2 is now at the center of a vast regulatory network, revealing NRF2 signalling as increasingly complex. It is widely recognized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in human physiological and pathological processes such as ageing, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The high oxygen consumption associated with high levels of free iron and oxidizable unsaturated lipids make the brain particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. A good stability of NRF2 activity is thus crucial to maintain the redox balance and therefore brain homeostasis. In this review, we have gathered recent data about the contribution of the NRF2 pathway in the healthy brain as well as during metabolic diseases, cancer, ageing, and ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss promising therapeutic strategies and the need for better understanding of cell-type-specific functions of NRF2 in these different fields.
On the Incremental Reconfiguration of Time-sensitive Networks at Runtime

Static configurations in Time-sensitive Networking (TSN) using the Time-aware Shaper allow precise calculations of deterministic, tight bandwidth and latency guarantees for realtime industrial application streams. It is, however, this static configuration which makes introducing flexible changes to a running TSN system at runtime very hard. Scenarios of adaptive TSN networks envision that the network configuration evolves with time in accordance to anticipated changes such as the dynamicity of machine formations and machine reconfigurations. In this paper, we propose a notion of flexibility of scheduler configurations along a network path that facilitates introducing changes to TSN network configurations at runtime. Based on this notion, we develop and analyze algorithms to incrementally reconfigure TSN using the Time-Aware Shaper. These reconfigurations include determining the admissibility of new or changed streams that may possess individual deadlines.
Adherence and Counselling on Antiretroviral Regimen: A Cross-sectional Study of Adults’ Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Objective: Antiretroviral therapy is an effective technique for controlling virus spread and extending the lives of those who are infected. The focus of the research was to look at the link with compliance and counseling in HIV-infected people at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 103 HIV-infected people who had been taking ART for more than 6 months at the hospital. The study employed a basic random sampling approach, which provided each participant with an equal opportunity to participate. Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 was used to evaluate the quantitative data. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to characterize patients' social-demographic characteristics. To explore about a linkage with adherence and counseling, correlation was used. Results: Data of the study was analyzed with SPSS using correlation. Based on the results, the study discovered a substantial linear link between counseling and antiretroviral medication adherence, with a Pearson r correlation of . 318 and a significant linear of.001. Conclusion: This implies that a counseling session might aid in the understanding of facts provided regarding the infection and medicine, as well as in adhering to the regimen prescribed. In addition, aids in the minimization of the fear of stigmatization.