Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practical modelling issues for masonry building retrofitted with squat shear wall

Damage observed following moderate to large earthquakes has shown masonry buildings are vulnerable to lateral shaking. The results of statistical analyses in Iran show that 90% of schools in the retrofitting list are unreinforced masonry buildings. A Practical Guideline for Seismic Rehabilitation of Masonry Schools has been published in Iran. This guideline proposed 2 retrofitting methods for retrofitting masonry schools: use of shear wall and shotcreting the perimeter of building. In the case of shear wall, their construction is usually expensive; there are less projects retrofitted by shear walls, and in most retrofitting masonry schools projects, perimeter shotcrete is used. The main aim of this study is offering recommendation to improve this guideline, resulting in more economical approaches. This study proposes including lateral resistance of masonry walls in resisting seismic loads and in the case of shear wall foundation proposes strip shallow foundation for concrete shear walls by including effect of rocking, sliding, and settlement response. It has been shown that with including masonry walls in lateral resistance of building, a considerable reduction in maximum drift occurred. Interaction of soil and structure by considered strip shallow foundation reduces the base shear and increases maximum drift of the building.
Revisiting TSHβ's Role in Avian Seasonal Reproduction, Insights and Challenges from Mammalian Models.

The core neuroendocrine pathways regulating seasonal reproduction in vertebrates were characterized over a decade ago. This has led to the development of a "consensus" model of seasonal reproduction that appears to be largely conserved across mammals, birds, amphibians, reptile and fish. This model centers around the photoinduced increase in TSHβ expression in the pars tuberalis (PT) of the anterior pituitary gland as the key transducer of photic information from sensory cells to the critical switch in hypothalamic deiodinase enzyme expression that drives changes in localized thyroid hormone signaling. These changes in localized thyroid hormone signaling in the medial basal hypothalamus ultimately activate the reproductive axis. This model has in turn been consistently supported by studies in a variety of taxa. As such it has become the definitional standard against which subsequent work is compared, particularly in the non-mammalian literature. However, as new studies move away from the handful of canonical model systems and begin to explore the effects of naturalistic rather than artificial photoperiod manipulations a more nuanced picture has begun to emerge. Yet, progress in elucidating the detailed events of reproductive photostimulation has been uneven across the research community. In this perspective I draw on emerging data from studies in free living animals that challenges some of the established assumptions of the avian consensus model of reproduction. Specifically, the role of TSHβ and its dissociation from deiodinase signaling. I then discuss how these apparently surprising findings can be contextualized within the context of the mammalian seasonal literature. In turn this ability to contextualize from the mammalian literature highlights the breadth of the current gap I our understanding of the molecular neuroendocrine mechanisms of seasonality in mammals versus birds and other non-mammalian seasonal breeders.
Acute Response of Engineered Cardiac Tissue to Pressure and Stretch

The heart is a dynamic organ, and the cardiac tissue experiences changes in pressure and stretch during the cardiac cycle. Existing cell culture and animal models are limited in their capacity to decouple and tune specific hemodynamic stresses implicated in the development of physiological and pathophysiological cardiac tissue remodeling. This study focused on creating a system to subject engineered cardiac tissue to either pressure or stretch stimuli in isolation and the subsequent evaluation of acute tissue remodeling. We developed a cardiac tissue chip containing three-dimensional (3-D) cell-laden hydrogel constructs and cultured them within systems where we could expose them to either pressure changes or volume changes as seen in the left ventricle. Acute cellular remodeling with each condition was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using histology, immunohistochemistry, gene expression studies, and soluble factor analysis. Using our unique model system, we isolated the effects of pressure and stretch on engineered cardiac tissue. Our results confirm that both pressure and stretch mediate acute stress responses in the engineered cardiac tissue. However, both experimental conditions elicited a similar acute phase injury response within this timeframe. This study demonstrates our ability to subject engineered cardiac tissue to either pressure or stretch stimuli in isolation, both of which elicited acute tissue remodeling responses.
Efficacy of cochlear implants in children with borderline hearing who have already achieved significant language development with hearing aids

There are still debates about timing and effectiveness of cochlear implants (CI) in pediatric subjects with significant residual hearing who do not belong to traditional indication of CI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the outcomes of CI, specifically on improvement of pronunciation, among hearing-impaired children already with a substantial degree of language skills as evaluated by Categories of Auditory Perception (CAP) scores or sentence score. Our cohort comprised pediatric CI recipients from July 2018 through October 2020. Among them, cases with CAP scores of 5 or 6 preoperatively were defined as “borderline cases”. We investigated prevalence and etiologies, and compared speech evaluation data preoperatively and postoperatively at three time points (3, 6 and 9–12 months after implantation). Among 86 pediatric CI recipients, 13 subjects (15.12%) had language development that reached CAP scores of 5 or 6 before implantation. Postoperative speech evaluation data 6 months after implantation revealed significant improvement of pronunciation (Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonation scores: UTAP), Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) and word perception scores, but not of CAP and sentence perception scores. Notably, the significant improvement of pronunciation based on UTAP scores outstripped that of other speech parameters and this continued steadily up to one-year postoperatively. The result of the study serves as evidence for what to expect from cochlear implantation in hearing-impaired children who have already achieved a substantial degree of language development in terms of CAP scores or sentence perception scores, preoperatively.
The metacognitive model of rumination and depression in postpartum women.

OBJECTIVES The metacognitive model of rumination and depression (Papageorgiou & Wells, 2003, Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27, 261) postulates that beliefs that perseverative negative thinking, i.e. rumination, will help solve problems contributing to rumination. However, this activates negative beliefs about the uncontrollability and social consequences of ruminations, which exacerbate depression. The metacognitive model has been well-supported but with some inconsistencies in specific pathways. It has also not yet been tested for postpartum depression (PPD). Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relations between the metacognitive model of rumination and depression when applied to PPD symptoms and to compare it with the cognitive model of depression. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. METHOD Postpartum mothers (N = 603) participated in an online study in their first postpartum year. They completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Postnatal Negative Thoughts Questionnaire (PNTQ), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Positive Beliefs about Rumination Scale (PBRS) and Negative Beliefs about Rumination Scale (NBRS). RESULTS A path analysis revealed that the model had an excellent fit to the data. Specifically, positive beliefs about rumination predicted engagement in rumination that, in turn, predicted PPD, both directly and indirectly, through negative beliefs about uncontrollability and the social consequences of rumination. A cognitive model with ruminations as a partial mediator between negative postpartum thoughts and PPD symptoms also had a good fit. CONCLUSION The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the cognitive and metacognitive mechanisms underlying postpartum depression, which might be similar to depression in general and have important implications for treatment strategies.
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Changes in Healthy Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review

Background: Cerebral blood flow is known to decline with increasing age and is a potential biomarker to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy ageing, where healthy ageing is defined as an absence of comorbidities in senescence. This review aims to synthesize evidence of cerebral blood flow changes over multiple brain regions, for use as a clinical reference or for in silico modelling. Summary: The search identified 1,087 studies, of which 33 met the inclusion criteria to map the difference in cerebral blood flow reduction between healthy ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. Analysis was also performed on the effect of imaging modality and brain region functionality as potential confounding factors. Key Messages: No significant difference was found between the specific functionality of a brain region and cerebral blood flow in healthy ageing (p = 0.65) or Alzheimer’s disease (p = 0.42). Arterial spin labelling MRI imaging was shown to measure statistically larger decreases in flow in both healthy ageing (p = 0.0001) and Alzheimer’s disease (p = 0.0465). Cerebral blood flow was shown to decrease 0.3–0.5% per year in healthy ageing, which increased to a decline of 2–5% per year in Alzheimer’s disease. There was large variability both between and within individual brain regions, and this variability increased greatly in Alzheimer’s disease. Future studies would add value by taking more cerebral blood flow measurements during Alzheimer’s disease progression and by investigating ageing with comorbidities such as hypertension.
MODEL ADOPSI UKM DI KUDUS TERHADAP E-COMMERCE

Salah satu fungsi e-commerce adalah memungkinkan layanan pemasaran dan penjualan dapat dilakukan secara online di internet. Dengan e-commerce, pembeli dapat dengan mudah melihat produk unggulan dan bertransaksi sesuai dengan produk secara elektornik yang dipilihnya kapan dan dimana saja. Namun para pelaku UKM yang memiliki kemampuan dan fasilitas masih banyak yang belum memanfaatkan e-commerce secara optimal, yang berdampak pada kurang majunya perkembangan usahanya. Penelitian ini menjelaskan hubungan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi adopsi e-commerce oleh UKM dengan model UTAUT di Padurenan – Kabupaten Kudus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adopsi e-commerce belum efektif dikarenakan UKM belum memiliki niat dan keyakinan yang tinggi terhadap manfaat penggunaan e-commerce; kurangnya faktor pengaruh sosial dari komunitas sesama UKM; serta kurangnya dukungan fasilitas baik sarana maupun prasarana dan tenaga ahli dari pihak pembina UKM terkait.
Predicting time‐resolved electrophysiological brain networks from structural eigenmodes

How temporal modulations in functional interactions are shaped by the underlying anatomical connections remains an open question. Here, we analyse the role of structural eigenmodes, in the formation and dissolution of temporally evolving functional brain networks using resting‐state magnetoencephalography and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data at the individual subject level. Our results show that even at short timescales, phase and amplitude connectivity can partly be expressed by structural eigenmodes, but hardly by direct structural connections. Albeit a stronger relationship was found between structural eigenmodes and time‐resolved amplitude connectivity. Time‐resolved connectivity for both phase and amplitude was mostly characterised by a stationary process, superimposed with very brief periods that showed deviations from this stationary process. For these brief periods, dynamic network states were extracted that showed different expressions of eigenmodes. Furthermore, the eigenmode expression was related to overall cognitive performance and co‐occurred with fluctuations in community structure of functional networks. These results implicate that ongoing time‐resolved resting‐state networks, even at short timescales, can to some extent be understood in terms of activation and deactivation of structural eigenmodes and that these eigenmodes play a role in the dynamic integration and segregation of information across the cortex, subserving cognitive functions.
Mat Pilates training reduces blood pressure in both well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women: a controlled clinical trial study

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study was to compare the Mat Pilates training-induced responses in resting and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), blood pressure variability (BPV), and heart rate variability (HRV) in well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. Methods Forty-seven postmenopausal women were allocated in well-controlled hypertensive (HT) and normotensive (NT) groups. The exercise program was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention resting, blood pressure (BP), ABPM, HRV, and BPV were analyzed. Results Student’s t-test showed no difference in baseline anthropometric and resting BP values between groups. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) showed no interactions (group*time), but time (p < .05) reductions in resting systolic, diastolic and mean BP after training in both groups. Sleep ambulatory systolic, diastolic and mean BP were higher overall in the HT group (p < .05 in group effect). We also found a time effect (p < .05) with significant increases in BPV in the mean diurnal and nocturnal deviations weighted for the duration of the daytime and nighttime interval (SDdn) in systolic, diastolic and mean BP, and in the average real variability (ARV) in diastolic and mean in both groups. In addition, HRV increases (p < .05 in time effect) through the percentage of pairs of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of at least 50 ms (pNN50) after training in both groups. Conclusion Both normotensive and well-controlled hypertensive postmenopausal women may have similar Mat Pilates exercise training-induced responses in ambulatory BP, BPV and HRV.
Sex and male breeding state predict intraspecific trait variation in mouth‐brooding fishes

Abstract Sex‐specific reproductive roles contribute to sexual dimorphic morphological trait variations. In uniparental mouth‐brooding fishes, the mouth performs a reproductive function in addition to its key roles in feeding and respiration, resulting in the potential for sex‐specific functional performance trade‐offs. Trait differences related to parental care may occur when the individual matures or be restricted to periods when the parent is mouth‐brooding. This study explored sexual dimorphism and morphological trait adaptations related to feeding, breeding, respiration and locomotion performance in two paternal mouth‐brooding freshwater fishes (Glossamia aprion and Neoarius graeffei). Eight morphological traits were evaluated for sexual dimorphism (non‐brooder males vs. females) and male breeding state differences (brooders vs. non‐brooders). Male breeding state was a significant predictor of trait variation in both species. Brooders differed in buccal volume and in several feeding and locomotory traits compared to non‐brooder males. Non‐brooder males had bigger buccal volumes and relative eye diameters (G. aprion) and larger relative gape sizes (N. graeffei) compared to females, a potential response to both mouth‐brooding and feeding requirements. Although there were clear trait differences between brooder and non‐brooder males, further research is required to confirm whether individuals return to their former morphology once mouth‐brooding has ceased or if trait differences are maintained post‐brooding. This study highlights the importance of considering the potential impacts of intraspecific trait variation on the performance of critical life functions, such as feeding, respiration and locomotion across the life history.
DYNAMIC CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS ON THE PROPULSION MECHANISM OF SPRINTER DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION PHASE

The purpose of this study was to propose a method that quantifies the functional roles of the support leg joint torques during sprinting acceleration phase. The acceleration of whole-body centre of gravity caused by the joint torques at 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th steps from the crouch start were calculated based on the equation of motion for the whole body modeled as a linked system of fifteen rigid segments. The generation mechanism of eccentric ankle joint torque was quantified as the contributions of joints torques to the generations of joint angular velocities. The results indicate that 1) the eccentric plantarflexion torque is the largest contributor to the whole-body propulsion, 2) the eccentric plantarflexion torque is generated by the torques of hip and knee joints, and 3) the step number influences the propulsion mechanism.
Evaluation of powered wheelchairs with suspension and exposure to whole-body vibration

Introduction Although wheelchair users are regularly subjected to whole-body vibrations little research has been conducted to assess these vibrations or attempt to reduce them [2,3,5]. Most of the wheelchair and whole-body vibration research done to this point has been conducted on manual wheelchairs. Van Sickle et al showed that manual wheelchair propulsion over a simulated road course produces vibration loads that exceed the ISO 2631-1 standards for the fatigue-decreased proficiency boundary at the seat of the wheelchair as well as the head of the user [6]. In a study by Boninger et al [1], 66% of wheelchair users reported neck pain since acquiring their wheelchair. One of the key reasons believed to be the cause of pain, was the exposure to whole-body vibration. Kwarciak et al [4] and Wolf et al [7] performed similar studies using two methods of analysis to evaluate vibrations on suspension and non-suspension wheelchairs while descending curbs of varying heights. Both studies revealed no significant difference in the abilities of the wheelchairs to reduce the amounts of vibrations transferred to the wheelchair user. Although the efforts of wheelchair companies to reduce the amounts of whole-body vibration transmitted to wheelchair users through the addition of suspension systems is encouraging, the technology is not yet ideal. Additionally, the research to date has focused on manual wheelchairs exclusively, while little attention has been shown to powered wheelchairs.
SHAPE Project Vortex Bladeless: Parallel multi-code coupling for Fluid-Structure Interaction in Wind Energy Generation

Vortex-Bladeless is a Spanish SME whose objective is to develop a new concept of wind turbine without blades called Vortex or vorticity wind turbine. This design represents a new paradigm in wind energy and aims to eliminate or reduce many of the existing problems in conventional generators. Due to the significant difference in the project concept, its scope is different from conventional wind turbines. It is particularly suitable for offshore configuration and it could be exploited in wind farms and in environments usually closed to existing ones due to the presence of high intensity winds. The device is composed of a single structural component, and given its morphological simplicity, its manufacturing, transport, storage and installation has clear advantages. The new wind turbine design has no bearings, gears, etcetera, so the maintenance requirements could be drastically reduced and their lifespan is expected to be higher than traditional wind turbines. It is clear that the proposed device is of prime interest, and that scientific investigation of the response of this wind energy generator under different operation scenarios is highly desirable. Thus, the objective of this SHAPE project is to develop the needed tools to simulate Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) problems and to reproduce the experimental results for scaled models of the Vortex-Bladeless device. In order to do so the Alya code, developed at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, is adapted to perform the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) problem simulation. The obtained numerical results match satisfactorily with the experimental results reported.
Assessing protected area vulnerability to climate change in a case study of South African national parks

Climate change is challenging the ability of protected areas (PAs) to meet their objectives. To improve PA planning, we developed a framework for assessing PA vulnerability to climate change based on consideration of potential climate change impacts on species and their habitats and resource use. Furthermore, the capacity of PAs to adapt to these climate threats was determined through assessment of PA management effectiveness, adjacent land use, and financial resilience. Users reach a PA‐specific vulnerability score and rank based on scoring of these categories. We applied the framework to South Africa's 19 national parks. Because the 19 parks are managed as a national network, we explored how resources might be best allocated to address climate change. Each park's importance to the network's biodiversity conservation and revenue generation was estimated and used to weight overall vulnerability scores and ranks. Park vulnerability profiles showed distinct combinations of potential impacts of climate change and adaptive capacities; the former had a greater influence on vulnerability. Mapungubwe National Park emerged as the most vulnerable to climate change, despite its relatively high adaptive capacity, largely owing to large projected changes in species and resource use. Table Mountain National Park scored the lowest in overall vulnerability. Climate change vulnerability rankings differed markedly once importance weightings were applied; Kruger National Park was the most vulnerable under both importance scenarios. Climate change vulnerability assessment is fundamental to effective adaptation planning. Our PA assessment tool is the only tool that quantifies PA vulnerability to climate change in a comparative index. It may be used in data‐rich and data‐poor contexts to prioritize resource allocation across PA networks and can be applied from local to global scales.
Exploring Traffic and Congestion Policies An entity-based SD Approach

Due to their wicked nature, transportation issues may be efficiently dealt with by means of models. Many approaches are available for policy making, among which system dynamics. Developed for planning purposes, existing models represent the system at a macroscopic level, wherein traffic dynamics are not properly accounted for. A possible solution to cope with it consists of using a cellular approach for the network. Furthermore, recent software developments enable to model smaller-scale phenomena within a macroscopic model and make model compression possible. This paper investigates the extent to which these new developments can be applied for traffic modeling and what its advantages are compared to more conventional ones such as four-step models. The elementary building blocks are introduced and combined in order to develop a small model of interest, which is the northern section of the Great Ring (‘Grote Ring’ or ‘Grand Ring’) of Brussels. This was chosen because level of congestion on it is the direst in Europe, just behind London. Its usefulness is finally assessed by discussing the different policies that may be tested thanks to the model. Finally, the value added of system dynamics is discussed.