Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparability and reliability of the positive and negative affect scales in the European Social Survey

This study examined the measurement invariance of the positive and negative affect scales in the European Social Survey (ESS) in 2006 and 2012. We employed Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis with an estimator for ordinal data, allowing us to test threshold invariance, which had not been previously investigated for these scales. A 3-item measure of Positive Affect and a 5-item measure of Negative Affect showed that configural, threshold and metric (loading) and partial scalar (intercept) invariance held across almost all countries and between the two ESS Rounds. Our results provide cross-cultural validity to a broader measure of negative affect than past research using the ESS and examine these scales across more countries than any past study. Besides providing valuable insights for researchers interested in well-being and the ESS, our study also contributes to the ongoing discussion about diverging analytical choices in invariance testing.
Ultrasound Placental Remodeling Patterns and Pathology Characteristics in Patients with History of Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy

Introduction: This research aims to describe a progressive pattern of ultrasound placental remodeling in patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal, cohort study which enrolled 23 pregnant women with a history of former mild SARS-CoV-2 infection during the current pregnancy. Four obstetricians analyzed placental ultrasound images from different gestational ages following COVID infection and identified the presence and degree of remodeling. We assessed the inter-rater agreement and the interclass correlation coefficients. Pathology workup included placental biometry, macroscopic and microscopic examination. Results: Serial ultrasound evaluation of the placental morphology revealed a progressive pattern of placental remodeling starting from 30–32 weeks of gestation towards term, occurring approximately 8–10 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Placental changes—the “starry sky” appearance and the “white line” along the basal plate—were identified in all cases. Most placentas presented normal subchorionic perivillous fibrin depositions and focal stem villi perivillous fibrin deposits. Focal calcifications were described in only 13% of the cases. Conclusions: We identified two ultrasound signs of placental remodeling as potential markers of placental viral shedding following mild SARS-CoV-2. The most likely pathology correspondence for the imaging aspect is perivillous and, respectively, massive subchorionic fibrin deposits identified in most cases.
Soil as an Environmental Reservoir for Baculoviruses: Persistence, Dispersal and Role in Pest Control

Baculoviruses are DNA viruses that can naturally control insects and form the basis for a range of biological insecticides. These viruses are occluded in a crystalline protein matrix, the occlusion body (OB), which favors their persistence in the environment until consumed by a susceptible insect. This review presents evidence that baculoviruses are perfectly adapted to persist in soil. In support of this assertion, detailed evidence is presented concerning the stability of virus OBs in soil, the mechanisms and processes that affect OB transport to soil, OB persistence and movement through the soil layers, and the transport of the virus back to the host’s foodplant for subsequent transmission. The soil reservoir interacts with the host insect, the foodplant and the biotic and abiotic factors in the environment, all of which influence the function of the soil OB reservoir. Agricultural practices that conserve the soil reservoir can result in improved pest control. The soil is also an overlooked source of genetic diversity for the design of baculovirus-based insecticides. Finally, the principal issues that remain to be elucidated are highlighted, particularly with reference to those that affect the soil–baculovirus relationship and the impact of the soil OB reservoir on insect populations.
Radiation Hardness of Ovonic Devices

Ovonic threshold switches have been exposed to pulses of flash X-rays to levels of 1.8×1011 rads/sec and to fast neutron fluences of as high as nvt = 1.2×1017 n/cm2. The switching devices have continued to function during the transient of the X-ray flash and experienced no permanent damage or change of their electrical parameters in excess of the resolution of the experimental testing procedure which was about ±100% in the case of the neutron exposure.
Effects of pumping time on GMR and coercivity of RF-sputtered MRAM dual spin-valves

The effects of residual oxygen in a deposition vacuum chamber on the GMR performance of RF-sputtered MRAM dual spin-valves have been studied by varying the pumping time while maintaining a constant base pressure of 5/spl times/10/sup -7/ Torr. By increasing only the pumping time from 1.5 to 8 hours, the GMR ratio of Si/NiFe/Cu/Co/Cu/NiFe dual spin-valves increased from 1.2 to 2.9%, and coercivity of NiFe decreased from 11 to 5 Oe and coercivity of Co decreased from 80 to 15 Oe. According to depth profiles of the chemical composition using AES and XPS, the oxygen content decreased substantially with increasing pumping time. This result implies that the partial oxidation inside or at the interfaces of multilayers is a "GMR killer" which causes incomplete anti-parallel spin alignment of the dual spin valves.
Perennial alternative crops for biogas production increase arthropod abundance and diversity after harvest - results of suction sampling and metabarcoding

The effects of novel perennial energy crops on arthropod abundance and diversity were tested using three ﬁ eld trials in Bavaria. Established cup plant ( Silphium perfoliatum ), Virginia mallow ( Sida hermaphrodita ) and tall wheat grass ( Thinopyrum ponticum ) plots were sampled in autumn using a modi ﬁ ed leaf blower and their arthropod faunas compared with that recorded in maize plots. At the time of sampling, maize, cup plant and Virginia mallow had already been harvested and samples from the remaining stubble were compared with those from open ground. Collembola were the most abundant group. The highest abundance and diversity of arthropods was recorded in tall wheat grass, with Hemiptera and Aranea especially bene ﬁ tting from the green and taller vegetation. Post-harvest cup plant and Virginia mallow plots harboured a more diverse and more abundant arthropod assemblage than maize plots. Stubble was identi ﬁ ed as a suitable habitat for arthropods in agricultural ﬁ elds. In conclusion, the integration of perennial energy crops into existing biogas production systems could play an important role in supporting arthropods in agricultural landscapes by providing crucial structures and resources, such as the grassy vegetation of tall wheat grass in autumn and the long-lasting stubbles of cup plant and Virginia mallow.
Influence of Scaffold Microarchitecture on Angiogenesis and Regulation of Cell Differentiation during the Early Phase of Bone Healing: A Transcriptomics and Histological Analysis

The early phase of bone healing is a complex and poorly understood process. With additive manufacturing, we can generate a specific and customizable library of bone substitutes to explore this phase. In this study, we produced tricalcium phosphate-based scaffolds with microarchitectures composed of filaments of 0.50 mm in diameter, named Fil050G, and 1.25 mm named Fil125G, respectively. The implants were removed after only 10 days in vivo followed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and histological analysis. RNAseq results revealed upregulation of adaptive immune response, regulation of cell adhesion, and cell migration-related genes in both of our two constructs. However, significant overexpression of genes linked to angiogenesis, regulation of cell differentiation, ossification, and bone development was observed solely in Fil050G scaffolds. Moreover, quantitative immunohistochemistry of structures positive for laminin revealed a significantly higher number of blood vessels in Fil050G samples. Furthermore, µCT detected a higher amount of mineralized tissue in Fil050G samples suggesting a superior osteoconductive potential. Hence, different filament diameters and distances in bone substitutes significantly influence angiogenesis and regulation of cell differentiation involved in the early phase of bone regeneration, which precedes osteoconductivity and bony bridging seen in later phases and as consequence, impacts the overall clinical outcome.
Practical Methods of Optimization

Preface Table of Notation Part 1: Unconstrained Optimization Introduction Structure of Methods Newton-like Methods Conjugate Direction Methods Restricted Step Methods Sums of Squares and Nonlinear Equations Part 2: Constrained Optimization Introduction Linear Programming The Theory of Constrained Optimization Quadratic Programming General Linearly Constrained Optimization Nonlinear Programming Other Optimization Problems Non-Smooth Optimization References Subject Index.
The dynamics of thin liquid jets in air

The dynamics of propagation and disintegration of laminar liquid jets moving in air has been investigated theoretically. It is assumed that the jet is thin, i.e. the ratio of the characteristic transverse size to the longitudinal one is small. It is assumed also that the lateral surface of the jet is free of shearing forces and is ‘almost free’ of normal ones in the sense that the normal tractions other than isotropic pressure are small in comparison with the internal stresses acting in the jet cross-section. Asymptotic quasi-one-dimensional equations of the continuity, momentum and moment of momentum of liquid motion in the jet have been derived. These equations were used as a basis for studying the process of growth of long-wave bending (transverse) disturbances of high-velocity jets of circular cross-section during their motion through air. The instability condition has been obtained and the growth rate of small bending disturbances of the jet has been found; the evolution of the jet shape at the stage of finite disturbances is investigated.
Closed-Form ZVS Boundaries for Three-Phase M-Level-to-N-Level DAB Converters With Different Winding Configurations

One of the essential characteristics of a three-phase dual-active-bridge (DAB) dc–dc converter is its inherent zero-voltage switching (ZVS) capability during the turn-<sc>on</sc> of the switches. This article provides closed-form equations that identify the ZVS boundaries for an M-level-to-N-level DAB converter, where M and N can be any natural numbers. It is shown that the derived ZVS boundaries can be used for different converter topologies, including but not limited to: two-level full-bridge converter, three-level neutral-point-clamped converter, T-type converter, transition arm converter, modular multilevel converter, and controlled-transition-bridge converter. The effect of different winding configurations of the medium frequency transformer—YY, Y<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta$</tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Delta$</tex-math></inline-formula>—is also considered in the study. In addition, easy-to-implement simplified ZVS boundaries are provided, and the effects of the different number of levels, transition times, and dead times on the ZVS operation are quantified. An important result shown is that the converters with the YY and the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Delta$</tex-math></inline-formula> windings lose ZVS at partial loads as soon as the transition time increases from zero, whereas the ones with the Y<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta$</tex-math></inline-formula> configuration retain ZVS at partial loads and dc ratios close to unity, without any advanced modulation techniques. The derived analytical models are validated with MATLAB simulations and experiments.
THz antennas design, developments, challenges, and applications: A review

Terahertz (0.1–10 THz) wireless communication will be the future technology to reach a top‐notch data rate. THz is one of the most promising candidates for 6G systems because it provides enormous bandwidth, up to 100 GHz, and a massive data rate of up to 1 Tbps. THz antennas, antenna arrays, and MIMO antenna arrays in 6G are hot research topics for implementing 6G wireless communication systems. The 6G aims to continue to enhance the features of the 5G as it is capable of achieving the maximum high‐speed data rate, excellent reliable communication, massive connectivity, and very low latency connectivity. The 6G requirements need high‐gain antenna arrays and MIMO antenna arrays to combat the effect of atmospheric losses in high frequencies. An in‐depth discussion of the planar THz antennas that have been extensively used in THz applications like imaging, sensing, and Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) has been conducted. The study of the THz antennas, antenna arrays, and MIMO antennas on different conducting materials such as copper and graphene, which are designed on different dielectric substrates such as polyimide, quartz, liquid crystalline polymer, and polytetrafluoroethylene, has been carried out in detail. Metamaterial, photoconductive, plasmonic antennas, and THz beamforming are significant parts of THz communications. This paper also provides antennas and antenna arrays based on them.
Hand rehabilitation based on the RobHand exoskeleton in stroke patients: A case series study

Introduction: The RobHand (Robot for Hand Rehabilitation) is a robotic neuromotor rehabilitation exoskeleton that assists in performing flexion and extension movements of the fingers. The present case study assesses changes in manual function and hand muscle strength of four selected stroke patients after completion of an established training program. In addition, safety and user satisfaction are also evaluated. Methods: The training program consisted of 16 sessions; two 60-minute training sessions per week for eight consecutive weeks. During each session, patients moved through six consecutive rehabilitation stages using the RobHand. Manual function assessments were applied before and after the training program and safety tests were carried out after each session. A user evaluation questionnaire was filled out after each patient completed the program. Results: The safety test showed the absence of significant adverse events, such as skin lesions or fatigue. An average score of 4 out of 5 was obtained on the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 Scale. Users were very satisfied with the weight, comfort, and quality of professional services. A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there were not statistically significant changes in the manual function tests between the beginning and the end of the training program. Discussion: It can be concluded that the RobHand is a safe rehabilitation technology and users were satisfied with the system. No statistically significant differences in manual function were found. This could be due to the high influence of the stroke stage on motor recovery since the study was performed with chronic patients. Hence, future studies should evaluate the rehabilitation effectiveness of the repetitive use of the RobHand exoskeleton on subacute patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05598892? id=NCT05598892&draw=2&rank=1, identifier NCT05598892.
Characterization of cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistant Enterobacterales from Irish farm waste by whole genome sequencing

Background The Enterobacterales are a group of Gram-negative bacteria frequently exhibiting extended antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and involved in the transmission of resistance genes to other bacterial species present in the same environment. Due to their impact on human health and the paucity of new antibiotics, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized carbapenem resistant and ESBL-producing as critical. Enterobacterales are ubiquitous and the role of the environment in the transmission of AMR organisms or antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) must be examined in tackling AMR in both humans and animals under the one health approach. Animal manure is recognized as an important source of AMR bacteria entering the environment, in which resistant genes can accumulate. Methods To gain a better understanding of the dissemination of third generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistance genes between isolates in the environment, we applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) to Enterobacterales (79 E. coli, 1 Enterobacter cloacae, 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 1 Citrobacter gillenii) isolated from farm effluents in Ireland before (n = 72) and after (n = 10) treatment by integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs). DNA was extracted using the MagNA Pure 96 system (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) followed by WGS on a MiSeq platform (Illumina, Eindhoven, Netherlands) using v3 chemistry as 300-cycle paired-end runs. AMR genes and point mutations were identified and compared to the phenotypic results for better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance and resistance transmission. Results A wide variety of cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistance genes (mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and chromosomal mutations) were identified among isolates that mostly explained the phenotypic AMR patterns. A total of 31 plasmid replicon types were identified among the 82 isolates, with a subset of them (n = 24), identified in E. coli isolates. Five plasmid replicons were confined to the Enterobacter cloacae isolate and two were confined to the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate. Virulence genes associated with functions including stress, survival, regulation, iron uptake secretion systems, invasion, adherence and toxin production were identified. Conclusion Our study showed that antimicrobial resistant organisms (AROs) can persist even following wastewater treatment and could transmit AMR of clinical relevance to the environment and ultimately pose a risk to human or animal health.
On finite element force computation from two- and three-dimensional magnetostatic fields

The mathematics of force computation is well known. However, little literature exists on the practical aspects of its implementation in finite element methods. This paper takes up the issue and shows that the convergence of force with finite element mesh refinement is far behind that of flux density or vector potential. Likewise, the effect of remote boundaries placed at far, but finite, distances is shown to be greater on force. Algorithms are given for the extraction of forces from a field solution for an interactive environment and the force density and Maxwell stress methods compared.
Long-Term Monitoring of Bioaerosols in an Environment without UV and Desiccation Stress, an Example from the Cave Postojnska Jama, Slovenia

A natural cave environment subject to regular human visitation was selected for aerobiological study to minimize the effects of severe temperature fluctuations, UV radiation, and desiccation stress on the aerobiome. The longer sampling period of bioaerosols, up to 22 months, was generally not associated with a proportionally incremental and cumulative increase of microbial biomass. The culture-independent biomass indicator ATP enabled quick and reliable determination of the total microbial biomass. Total airborne microbial biomass was influenced by human visitation to the cave, as confirmed by significantly higher concentrations being observed along tourist footpaths (p < 0.05). Airborne beta-glucans (BG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are present in cave air, but their impact on the cave remains to be evaluated. Staphylococcus spp. , as an indicator of human presence, was detected at all sites studied. Their long-term survival decrease is likely due to high relative humidity, low temperature, the material to which they adhere, and potentially natural elevated radon concentration. The most commonly recorded species were: S. saprophyticus, which was identified in 52% of the studied sites, S. equorum in 29%, and S. warneri in 24% of the studied sites. Only a few isolates were assigned to Risk group 2: S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. pasteuri, and S. saprophyticus.
Advances in research on sleep disorders promoting the deterioration of novel coronaviruses

Novel coronavirus pneumonia (Corona Virus Disease 2019, COVID-19) is a disease with fever, dry cough and progressive dyspnea as the main manifestations. 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) is transmitted by contact transmission. Sleep disorders are linked to novel coronavirus, it not only reduces the life motivation of patients with COVID-19, but increases the burden on the family members who care for patients. Sleep disorder is related to the aggravation of COVID-19 to some extent. Sleep disorders are a significant factor in advance of COVID-19 into the severe disease, and the pathophysiological changes in COVID-19 also contribute to the problem of it. Sleep disorders exacerbate the body's psychological stress promoting decreased immune function, while interfering with the normal exercise of physiological functions of reactive T cells, which have specific defenses against 2019-nCOV can prevent 2019-nCOV from entering the body, so people with sleep disorders infected with 2019-nCOV will have more severe symptoms than those who do not suffer from sleep disorders. Because the link between COVID-19 and sleep disorders is poorly understood by clinicians, this article describes recent research advances on sleep disorders that exacerbate COVID-19 disease, patient sleep status, and treatment options.
Excited States in Solution through Polarizable Embedding

We present theory and implementation of an advanced quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach using a fully self-consistent polarizable embedding (PE) scheme. It is a polarizable layered model designed for effective yet accurate inclusion of an anisotropic medium in a quantum mechanical calculation. The polarizable embedding potential is described by an atomistic representation including terms up to localized octupoles and anisotropic polarizabilities. It is generally applicable to any quantum chemical description but is here implemented for the case of Kohn−Sham density functional theory which we denote the PE-DFT method. It has been implemented in combination with time-dependent quantum mechanical linear and nonlinear response techniques, thus allowing for assessment of electronic excitation processes and dynamic ground- and excited-state molecular properties using a nonequilibrium formulation of the environmental response. In our formulation of polarizable embedding we explicitly take into.