Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypical developmental features of cortical thickness trajectories in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Neuroimaging studies have reported numerous region-specific atypicalities in the brains of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including alterations in cortical thickness (CT). However, there are many inconsistent findings, and this is probably due to atypical CT developmental trajectories in ASD. To this end, we investigated group differences in terms of shapes of developmental trajectories of CT between ASD and typically developing (TD) populations. Using the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) repository (releases I and II combined), we investigated atypical shapes of developmental trajectories in ASD using a linear, quadratic and cubic models at various scales of spatial coarseness, and their association with symptomatology using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. These parameters were also used to predict ASD and TD CT development. While no overall group differences in CT was observed across the entire age range, ASD and TD populations were different in terms of age-related changes. Developmental trajectories of CT in ASD were mostly characterized by decreased cortical thinning during early adolescence and increased thinning at later stages, involving mostly frontal and parietal areas. Such changes were associated with ADOS scores. The curvature of the trajectories estimated from the quadratic model was the most accurate and sensitive measure for detecting ASD. Our findings suggest that under the context of longitudinal changes in brain morphology, robust detection of ASD would require three time points to estimate the curvature of age-related changes.
The Heterogeneity of the Inflation Expectations of Italian Firms along the Business Cycle

We investigate how the cross-sectional heterogeneity of firms’ inflation expectations reflects information availability and awareness of recent macroeconomic developments, observable firm characteristics, and broader macroeconomic developments using the Bank of Italy’s survey on businesses’ inflation and growth expectations. We find that, on average, about half of the dispersion of expectations is traceable to a lack of information about the most recent price developments; firms incorporate new information into their expectations within a quarter; the dispersion of expectations is related in a statistically significant way to some important aggregate economic variables, and it is greater when current inflation is farther away from the ECB’s price stability goal. Since 2015 the weight attributed to prior beliefs of low inflation has steadily increased and the uncertainty surrounding them has decreased. Furthermore, since 2014 the empirical connection between the dispersion of expectations and the distance from the ECB price stability goal has become considerably weaker. These two facts suggest an increased risk of inflation expectations being de-anchored.
Viscoelastic behaviour of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS), which are fully amorphous polymers, have been extensively studied for over a decade to discover how their mechanical behaviours vary with temperatures and strain rates. In this study, Mechanical tests were carried out at a range of strain rates and temperatures using a Hounsfield H50KM Test Machine wluch provides quasi- static rates (10-4 - 10-3 S-l) and low strain rates (10-2 - 10-1 S-l), and an in-house built Dropweight Machine which provides high strain rates (102 - 103 S-l) Mechanical tests were also performed in a high-speed photographic system, which provides high strain rates (103 S-l), to visualise the deformation of the polymers at a range of temperatures. An aluminium-heating block was built to heat up the samples to the required temperature. Strain limited tests were carried out at a range of strain rates and temperatures. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was employed to study the glass transition temperatures and the specific heats of the samples. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) was adopted to study the transitions in the samples and the change of moduli with temperature densities of samples before and after high strain rate compression at certain strain were measured using a Six Column Density Apparatus The polarising microscope was used to study the orientation of the polymer chains at a range of temperatures, strains and strain rates. Eyring's theory of viscous flow was applied on yield point, 20% and 30% strain to relate the activation energy and volume with strain rate and temperature from the thermodynamic perspective. Temperature rise was calculated for high strain rate data to fit into the isothermal curve for the application of Eyring's theory and to obtain the actual smnple temperature at which the deformation took place. PMMA and PS showed ductile behaviour when tested at quasi-static and low strain rates at temperatures below their ductile-brittle transition temperatures. The densities of samples were not found to increase at different strains. The orientations of polymer chains did not influence the increase at Yield stress at high strain rates. The interpretation of activation energy and volume provided information of how the flows of chains took place at different temperatures and strain rates.
A Discussion on global tectonics in Proterozoic times - Application of palaeomagnetism to Proterozoic tectonics

Assessment of current Proterozoic palaeomagnetic data and the assumptions necessary for applying them to tectonic problems shows that first order tectonic phenomena (involving the creation and/or destruction of Atlantic-sized oceans) should now be detectable. Although lesser relative motions are difficult to prove or disprove in individual cases, it is shown by reference to Africa (from where new data for the Palabora Igneous Complex and lavas of the Transvaal System are presented which contribute to this discussion) that their occurrence between some of the African cratons is improbable. It is necessary, then, to entertain the notion that some tectonically deformed belts, though not necessarily all, developed without associated destruction of large amounts of oceanic crust on their site. Some ways in which palaeomagnetic study may throw further light on this problem are suggested, but a wide range of geological techniques will be needed to solve it, and to assess its broader implications.
Simulink control model of an active pneumatic suspension system for passenger cars

Starting from 1950, greater interest has been gained on active suspensions with respect to semi-active and passive systems. In a vehicle, the suspension system aims at satisfying the contrasting requirements of both comfort and handling, by insulating passengers from vehicle vibrations and providing constant tyre-road contact, respectively. One of the main advantages of active suspension is to provide the possibility of managing the trade off between vertical acceleration reduction and suspension travel usage through the choice of a suitable control strategy. The aim of this work is to set up a basic control model of an automotive active pneumatic system, to meet the essential performances of control and comfort. The active pneumatic suspension system is based on a set of equations for the quarter car model, the pneumatic valve and the air spring. The quarter car model is derived from the Second Newton's Law and accounts for the dynamics of a quarter of the vehicle mass (sprung mass) and of the suspension and tyre mass (unsprung mass). The proportional valve is modeled using the orifi ce equation for the air mass flow rate, exploiting a proportional relationship between the valve active area and the control input u. It is responsible for the air flow regulation to the actuator. The air spring, i.e. the actuator, is represented through the pressure variation equation inside a variable volume chamber. This variation is responsible for the active force production. To generate the right control signal u and to deal with the system nonlinearities, mainly arising from the complex air behavior, a nonlinear control algorithm based on backstepping technique is adopted. As last step, simulations of the developed model are run in MATLAB-Simulink environment under different driving scenarios to test the effectiveness of the adopted solution with respect to a passive system.
The obsidian assemblages from the Wadi Rabah occupations at Ein Zippori, Israel

Au cours de quatre campagnes de fouille sur le site prehistorique d’Ein Zippori (Israel), 266 objets en obsidienne ont ete trouves. La plus grande partie de l’assemblage a ete datee de la culture de Wadi Rabah. Les outils en obsidienne proviennent de trois sources en Anatolie – Gollu Dag en Cappadoce et Bingol A et B en Anatolie orientale. Plusieurs nuances dans la couleur et la texture ont ete observees sur certains objets provenant de ces trois sources. La presence d’objets, tels qu’eclats, lames et CTE, nucleus et outils, reflete une production sur place. La frequence elevee d’outils et de fragments de lamelles par rapport aux autres pieces debitees pourrait egalement etre l’indication d’une importation de lamelles preparees et d’outils. L’utilisation de la pression predominait parallelement a la percussion, probablement, et des indices de production non specialisee apparaissent. Le type d’outil et les caracteres de la retouche indiquent une production hautement standardisee (ou une importation) de pointes de fleche transverses ; l’existence de plusieurs traditions dans la confection de perles et la retouche differente des lames et lamelles suggerent peut-etre un usage distinct.
Sox9 conditional knockdown reduces chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan expression, increases neuroplasticity, and improves motor function in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

s: McKillop, W.M. , Pniak, A, Schedl, A, and A. Brown. Conditional SOX9 ablation reduces chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression and improves motor function following spinal cord injury. Society of Neuroscience Meeting Planner 2011: 462.23. McKillop, W.M. and G.A. Dekaban. Characterization of CD11d Leukocyte Integrin Surface Expression. 2007. McGill Journal of Medicine 10(2): 169.
Reduced Gene Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α in Whole Blood in Euthyroid Patients One Year After Hemithyroidectomy for Benign Euthyroid Goiter

Abstract We have previously reported decreased thyroid function within the laboratory reference range and changes in mitochondrial function after hemithyroidectomy. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and coactivator-1β (PGC-1β) are key regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. The aim was to examine the influence of hemithyroidectomy on the longitudinal change in mRNA expression of these genes. In addition, we measured longitudinal changes in mRNA expressions of the mitochoncrial-related genes nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NFE2L2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and sodium dismutase 2 (SOD2). Twenty-eight patients were examined before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after hemithyroidectomy for benign euthyroid goiter. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones were measured, and whole blood gene expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1β, NFE2L2, TFAM, and SOD2 was examined by reverse transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. We used mixed effect regression models to investigate changes in gene expression with time. Averaged over all follow-up visits, TSH increased (p=0.001), tT3 declined (p=0.01), and fT4/tT3 ratio increased (p=0.03) over one-year follow-up, but fT4 remained unchanged. Averaged over all follow-up visits, whole blood PGC-1α levels (p<0.001) and SOD2 (p=0.009) levels declined, but PGC-1β, TFAM, and NFE2L2 did not change over one-year follow-up. The study demonstrates significant downregulation of whole blood PGC-1α and SOD2 gene expressions in hemithyroidectomized patients with a concomitant increase in TSH concentration within the reference range. Thus, hemithyroidectomized patients may likely have impaired mitochondrial function.
Northernmost record of the Metatheria: a new Late Cretaceous pediomyid from the North Slope of Alaska

The northernmost record of Metatheria, Unnuakomys hutchisoni gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Pediomys Point locality in Upper Cretaceous (lower Maastrichtian) strata of the Prince Creek Formation cropping out along the Colville River on the North Slope of Alaska, USA (70°N). Based on over 60 specimens (including tooth-bearing dentaries and a maxillary fragment), the new taxon is unusual in having two well-developed stylar cusps in the C position flanking the deepest part of the ectoflexus. To examine the relationship between U. hutchisoni and other metatherians, U. hutchisoni was scored into the taxon character matrix of other studies. Our results corroborate prior studies that suggest the new Alaskan pediomyid. However, in contrast to other studies, we do not recover a sister-group relationship between U. hutchisoni and Pediomys elegans. Rather, our study suggests that U. hutchisoni is more closely allied with Aquilan species Iqualadelphis lactea and ? Aquiladelphis laurae. Teeth of U. hutchisoni greatly outnumber those recovered from other mammals at Pediomys Point, like Late Cretaceous localities in the Western Interior where metatherians are among the most abundant mammalian fossils. However, what differs between Late Cretaceous mid-latitude localities and the assemblage from the North Slope of Alaska is metatherian richness. Whereas other studies have reported up to a dozen species of metatherians from Late Cretaceous mid-latitude North American assemblages, to date all the metatherian teeth collected from Pediomys Point appear to belong to just U. hutchisoni. A sampling bias may play a role in this pattern. This can be tested through additional collection from the Prince Creek Formation. However, the abundance of U. hutchisoni at Pediomys Point implies that this tiny metatherian thrived in an environment well above the Arctic Circle whose climatic extremes may have acted as a biogeographical filter to other metatherians. As the first mammal to be described from the Prince Creek Formation, U. hutchisoni provides support for the existence of a northern high-latitude early Maastrichtian faunal province identified by others on the basis of its distinctive dinosaurian fauna – the Paaŋaqtat Province. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0EF38E01-2FF4-4698-A3AD-97CF2EE6847A
Anger Damns the Innocent

False accusations of wrongdoing are common and can have grave consequences. In six studies, we document a worrisome paradox in perceivers’ subjective judgments of a suspect’s guilt. Specifically, we found that people (including online panelists, n = 4,983, and working professionals such as fraud investigators and auditors, n = 136) use suspects’ angry responses to accusations as cues of guilt. However, we found that such anger is an invalid cue of guilt and is instead a valid cue of innocence; accused individuals (university students, n = 230) and online panelists (n = 401) were angrier when they are falsely relative to accurately accused. Moreover, we found that individuals who remain silent are perceived to be at least as guilty as those who angrily deny an accusation.
Monitoring of the Ceramic Kerf During the Laser Cutting Process through Piezoelectric Transducer

Advanced ceramics are widely used in industry due to their unique properties. However, the machining of ceramic components by conventional methods is difficult due to their high level of hardness and brittleness. In this sense, laser beam machining (LBM) is presented as an alternative to conventional methods, enabling the machining of workpieces through more accurate and less invasive techniques. Despite the advantages of laser machining, the process still needs to be studied in detail, as advanced ceramic machining is considered a stochastic process. Thus, real-time monitoring systems are required in order to optimize the ceramic laser machining. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel method for monitoring the cutting kerf in the laser cutting process of ceramic components using a low-cost piezoelectric transducer (PZT) and digital signal processing. Tests were performed on the surface of an alumina ceramic workpiece under different machining conditions. The cutting kerf was measured by a digital microscope and the raw signals from the PZT transducer were collected at a sampling rate of 2 MHz. Time domain and frequency domain analyses were performed in order to find a frequency band that best correlates with the process conditions. Finally, a linear regression was calculated in order to correlate the PZT signal and the measured kerf. The results showed that the piezoelectric transducer was sensitive to the acoustic activity generated during the process, allowing the real-time monitoring of the cutting kerf. Thus, the approach proposed in this paper can be used efficiently in the monitoring of the laser cutting process.
Histopathological Study of Psoriasis and Its Grading According to Trozak Scoring System

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic papulosquamous disorder of undefined etiology, occuring in 0.09 to 11.4% population. Different clinical types occur with varying histopathology. Early and Late onset psoriasis have been defined based on age at presentation. Methods: Cases diagnosed as Psoriasis, both clinically and histologically, were examined for the individual features of Psoriasis. Histomorphological grading of the lesions was also done using the Trozak scoring system. Result: The mean age of the patients was 42.26 with a male predominance (M:F=3.5: 1). Early onset cases constituted 71% of the total cases, while late onset cases were 29%. The histopathological features were found to be variably present. Acanthosis was observed in 96% cases. Hyperkeratosis (94%), parakeratosis (66%), club shaped rete ridges (88%) with regular elongation of rete ridges (72%) with, suprapapillary plate thinning (74%), hypogranulosis (72%), elongation and edema of dermal papillae (88%) were other features seen in majority of cases. Perivascular mononuclear infiltrate in upper dermis of papillae (76%), dermal (76%) and epidermal (78%) neutrophils, spongiform pustules of Kogoj (24%), Munro’s microabscess (28%), were the inflammatory changes observed, present to a greater extent in the early onset cases than the late onset cases. The Trozak scoring system gave an average score of 9.44, with no significant difference in the early and late onset cases of Psoriasis. Conclusion: Entirely typical histological features are found only in a small percentage of biopsy specimens, even if only clinically typical lesions of psoriasis are examined.
A Case Report of an Intestinal Helminth Infection of Human Hymenolepiasis in Rural Gambia

Background Hymenolepis nana, also called dwarf tapeworm infection, is an intestinal helminth not previously reported in The Gambia and only very rarely reported in West Africa. Case presentation We report a case of H. nana infection in a 29-month-old child living in a rural community of the north bank of the Upper River Region (URR) in The Gambia. The child presented with mild iron deficiency anaemia and granulocytosis but was otherwise mostly asymptomatic despite the moderate-intensity of infection. Conclusions We support treatment of H. nana infection even in largely asymptomatic children to prevent autoinfection and spread of this intestinal helminth in The Gambia and in other West African countries. Abbreviations GCP: Good Clinical Practice; HAZ: Height-for-age z-score; IHAT-GUT: Acronym for the Iron Hydroxide Adipate Tartrate Supplementation Study; ICH: International Conference on Harmonisation; SD: Standard Deviation; URR: Upper River Region; WAZ: Weight-for-age z-score; WHO: World Health Organization; WHZ: Weight-for-height z-score
Study the Enzyme and Hormone Profile of Pre-weaned Kids

Goat contributes greatly to the agrarian economy, especially in the arid/semi-arid and mountainous regions where crop and/or dairy farming are not economical (Ninan Jacob et al., 2012). Goat farming has been recommended as the best choice for the rural people in developing countries because of the low investment, wide adaptability, high fertility and fecundity, low feed and management needs, high feed conversion efficiency, quick payoff and low risk involved. The neonatal period is one of the most demanding adaptation periods during the life of any animal, including kids. The survival of the newborn depends on rapid adaptations to new environmental conditions which require the establishment of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and thermoregulatory homeostasis mechanisms that are essential for survival and growth (Nowak and Poindron, 2006). The first week post-partum is crucial in all the domestic animals and the newborns remain in metabolically unstable status. In the case of kids, neonatal mortality and morbidity seem to be relatively higher than in other farm species, in particular during the first days of life (Piccione et al., 2008). Good management techniques and early intervention, diagnosis and treatment could prevent a substantial proportion of neonatal diseases or death. The information on enzyme and hormonal status of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 01 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
PROPRIETES MECANIQUES DU POLYSTYRENE EXPANSE POUR SES APPLICATIONS EN REMBLAI ROUTIER

L'article presente une synthese des conclusions tirees de l'etude experimentale en laboratoire des proprietes mecaniques du polystyrene expanse utilise pour la construction de remblais routiers en France. L'etude a porte principalement sur l'effet de la densite de ce materiau sur son comportement mecanique (module d'elasticite initial, seuil de plasticite, vitesse de fluage), afin de definir les valeurs a prendre en compte dans les projets. Des valeurs forfaitaires a utiliser en l'absence de donnees experimentales sont proposees, pour les differentes references de polystyrene expanse definies dans la norme francaise NF T 56-201. (Titre en anglais et en allemand : The mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene in relation to its applications in the construction of road embankments. Mechanische Eigenschaften von Styropor bei der Verwendung als Strassenschuettung).
Environments with a high probability of incompatible crosses do not select for mate avoidance in spider mites

Arthropods are often infected with Wolbachia inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), whereby crosses between uninfected females and infected males yield unviable fertilized offspring. Although uninfected females benefit from avoiding mating with Wolbachia-infected males, this behaviour is not present in all host species. Here we measured the prevalence of this behaviour across populations of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Females from five populations originally fully infected with Wolbachia showed no preference, possibly because they did not face the choice between compatible and incompatible mates in their environment. Hence, to determine whether this behaviour could be selected in populations with intermediate Wolbachia infection frequency, we performed 15 generations of experimental evolution of spider-mite populations under i) full Wolbachia infection, ii) no infection, or iii) mixed infection. In the latter selection regime, where uninfected females were exposed to infected and uninfected males at every generation, mating duration increased relative to the uninfected regime, suggesting the presence of genetic variation for mating traits. However, mate choice did not evolve. Together, these results show that CI-inducing Wolbachia alone does not necessarily lead to the evolution of pre-copulatory strategies in uninfected hosts, even at intermediate infection frequency.