Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunica Vaginalis Flap Versus Inner Preputial Dartos Flap as Waterproof Layer for Proximal Staged Hypospadias Repair: A Comparative Study

Background: Hypospadias is an abnormality of anterior urethral and penile development in which the urethral opening is ectopically located on the ventral aspect of the penis proximal to the tip of the glans penis, which, in this condition, is splayed open. [1] The urethral opening may be located as far down as in the scrotum or perineum. The penis is more likely to have associated ventral shortening and curvature, called chordee, with more proximal urethral defects. Aim: To compare the outcome of using tunica vaginalis flap to dartos flap in proximal two stage hypospadias repair in reducing post-operative complication (dehiscence and fistula). Materials and Methods: In the defined period of January 2015 to June 2018, 47 male patients with clinical diagnosis of penoscrotal hypospadias, The age of the patients range from 2 years to 10 years, All these cases were managed in 2 stages repair with buccal mucosal graft, with either tunica vginalis flap (group A) (25 cases) , or preputial dartos flap (group B)(22 cases) as a second cover over new tubularized urethra. We compared between these two groups regarding complications rate. Result: we observed that tunica vaginalis flap was better than dartos flap (although it was statistically non significant p value 0.214 > 0.05) specifically in fistula formation. Conclusion: we observed that tunica vaginalis flap had excellent outcome when used as a second layer over the neourethral suture line in term of decrease the fistula rate and wound dehiscence because of its good vascular features
Psycho-behavioral factors associated with neurocognitive performance among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Accra, Ghana

Abstract Background It is estimated that almost half of all people living with HIV have some form of neurocognitive impairment, but few studies have looked at the risk of neurocognitive impairment and its associated factors in Ghana, due in part to limited resources for such testing. Objectives To examine neurocognitive performance in a group of Ghanaians living with HIV and possible factors that contribute to their performance. Methods One hundred and four patients were assessed using a selection of brief non-invasive neuropsychological assessments as well as the International HIV Dementia Scale. Psycho-behavioural factors (alcohol use, depression, and medication adherence) as well as demographic characteristics and functional daily activities were assessed to determine their association with neurocognitive performance, using linear regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Result About 48% of the participants met the criteria for risk of neurocognitive impairment. Age, education, and symptoms of depression were found to be significantly associated with the risk of impairment. Conclusion Some people living with HIV showed risk of neurocognitive impairment, which was significantly associated with education, age and depressive symptoms. It is therefore important to consider routine neurocognitive screening in HIV management to recognize any risks for early interventions.
Sugars and their Support

Most higher animals have taste perception systems that are similar to ours, with specific genes that code for receptors for each of the tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami and, in some species, fat. Herbivores and omnivores like sweetness, because for them, the ability to taste and enjoy carbohydrate-rich foods is a matter of calories, and survival. For carnivores, sweetness is irrelevant, and most of them have mutations that disable the sweet receptors on their tongues [1,2]. This is why cats don’t care about chocolate, while rats, dogs, pigs, monkeys and humans do.
Acceleration of Flower Bud Differentiation of Runner Plants in “Maehyang” Strawberries Using Nutrient Solution Resupply during the Nursery Period

The forced cultivation of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) requires fast flower bud differentiation. Using temporary nutrient-withholding periods is a common management practice for inducing flower bud differentiation at strawberry nurseries in the Republic of Korea. After the temporary nutrient-withholding period, nutrient solution resupply can advance both flower bud growth and fruit yield. This study aims to determine the optimal nutrient solution resupply period with anatomical analysis in order to find a method for fast flower bud differentiation in the early harvest period. Here, the runner plants were divided into 5 groups, each receiving a treatment period of watering (W) and nutrient solution (N) (W40 + N0 (control), W30 + N10, W20 + N20, W10 + N30, and W0 + N40; each number represents the days of the treatment period). The nutrient solution treatments were supplied using a strawberry nutrient solution developed by Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension. Rapid flower bud differentiation was found for W20 + N20 via anatomical analysis. When the temporary nutrient-withholding period was decreased, the T-N (total nitrogen), P, K, and S concentrations showed a tendency to increase. The C/N ratio showed a tendency to decrease when the nutrient solution resupply period was increased. The W20 + N20 group showed faster flower bud development than the other groups at 10 days before transplanting and on the day of transplanting (2.2 and 5.5), 6 days in a primary cluster budding ratio, and 16 days in flowering plants. No differences in fruit characteristics were observed for the different treatments. In conclusion, the W20 + N20 treatment, which maintains fast flowering, seems to be appropriate for nutrient solution resupply treatment for “Maehyang” strawberries during the nursery period.
Agglomeration and/or differentiation at regional scale? Geographic spatial thinking of hotel distribution – a case study of Guangdong, China

ABSTRACT This study is among the ﬁrst attempts to understand hotel location choice by developing a spatial framework based on spatial autocorrelation to investigate hotel pattern. By taking Guangdong Province, China as the study context, this research analyzes the differentiation and agglomeration effects of star-rated hotels in terms of absolute number and density at the county level with Local Moran’s I. The spatially diverse relationships between 13 factors and the number of star-rated hotels were quantiﬁed by regions classified by the Local Moran’s I. Results indicate that (1) counties with positive agglomeration were located south of the Pearl River Delta; (2) factors inﬂuencing hotel location choice varied across regions; and (3) attractions and urbanization do not always aﬀect hotel location choices.
Influence of Genotype, Location and Plant Age on Incidence and Severity of Cassava Mosaic and Cassava Brown Streak Diseases in Western Kenya

This study aimed to assess elite cassava genotypes for resistance to cassava mosaic and brown streak diseases at Alupe, Kakamega and Kibos in Western Kenya. The trial was conducted using alpha lattice balanced design using 24 genotypes with three replicates, for an extended cropping cycle between 2016 and 2017. Results for combined analysis of variance showed that genotype, location, month after planting (MAP) and their interactions significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) incidence and severity of CMD and CBSD. High CMD incidence and severity was recorded across all cassava genotypes at Alupe (mean 0.730; 1.256) as opposed to Kakamega (mean 0.000; 1.000) and Kibos (mean 0.031; 1.006). Similarly, CBSD root incidence and severity were high in Alupe (mean 0.848; 1.310), as opposed to Kakamega (mean 0.020; 1.006) and Kibos (mean 0.188; 1.078). Within location analysis for CMD and CBSD incidence and severity among cassava Original Research Article Navangi et al.; JEAI, 42(6): 86-104, 2020; Article no.JEAI. 51002 87 genotypes 12 MAP gave varied results. Genotypes Kibandameno and Kalawe had the highest CMD and CBSD incidence and severity in all three locations. Whiteflies abundance was significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) by genotype, location, MAP time and interaction. Significant interaction (P ≤ 0.05) between all disease resistance traits further confirmed dual resistance amongst the cassava genotypes, however, this was location specific and not generalized. These findings should be of value to cassava breeding and development efforts throughout Kenya, and other parts of sub Saharan Africa affected or threatened by CMD and CBSD and will hopefully contribute to the development of much improved and/or resistant genotypes and, ultimately more effective management of two of Africa's most pernicious threats to food security
Receiver Function Velocity Analysis Technique and Its Application to Remove Multiples

Results of P wave receiver function (RF) analysis (e.g., H‐κ stacking, common conversion point (CCP) stacking, and migration) depend on the velocity models employed. Converted phases of crustal and upper mantle discontinuities are often interfered by multiple reflections from shallower structures, adding further complexity to the interpretation of P wave RF images. In this study, we propose a receiver function velocity analysis technique (RFVAT) that can constrain the velocity structure above discontinuities and remove multiple reflections arising from target discontinuities. By scanning the amplitude spectra of the Ps and PpPs phases, we can obtain precise arrival times of these phases for interfaces above 250 km (errors < 0.13 s) and derive the average velocities and thicknesses of the layers between interfaces in the crust and upper mantle. Synthetic experiments are used to demonstrate that crustal and upper mantle discontinuities can be coherently identified and that multiple reflections can be effectively removed in the CCP stacking images of P wave RFs using the RFVAT even with low signal‐to‐noise ratio data. By applying the proposed RFVAT to real P wave RF data from the northeastern part of the North China Craton, we achieve an improvement in CCP stacking image of lithospheric discontinuities, especially for the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB). Our P wave RF images reveal distinct lateral variations of the LAB depth. The lithospheric thickness extends to ~120 km beneath the central orogenic belt and decreases sharply to ~80 km at the west edge of the eastern block, consistent with previous S wave RF studies.
Distinguishing factors that influence attendance and behaviour change in family-based treatment of childhood obesity: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES For the effective treatment of childhood obesity, intervention attendance and behaviour change at home are both important. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore influences on attendance and behaviour change during a family-based intervention to treat childhood obesity in the North West of England (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started (GOALS)). DESIGN Focus groups with children and parents/carers as part of a broader mixed-methods evaluation. METHODS Eighteen focus groups were conducted with children (n = 39, 19 boys) and parents/carers (n = 34, 5 male) to explore their experiences of GOALS after 6 weeks of attendance (/18 weeks). Data were analysed thematically to identify influences on attendance and behaviour change. RESULTS Initial attendance came about through targeted referral (from health care professionals and letters in school) and was influenced by motivations for a brighter future. Once at GOALS, it was the fun, non-judgemental healthy lifestyle approach that encouraged continued attendance. Factors that facilitated behaviour change included participatory learning as a family, being accountable and gradual realistic goal setting, whilst challenges focussed on fears about the intervention ending and a lack of support from non-attending significant others. CONCLUSIONS Factors that influence attendance and behaviour change are distinct and may be important at different stages of the family's change process. Practitioners are encouraged to tailor strategies to support both attendance and behaviour change, with a focus on whole family participation within and outside the intervention.
Grain‐Boundary Diffusion Creep of Olivine: 1. Experiments at 1 atm

We conducted one‐atmosphere uniaxial compression experiments on fine‐grained (~1 μm) Fe‐bearing olivine (Mg1.8Fe0.2SiO4) aggregates that were variably doped with CaO ± Al2O3. We identified power‐law interface‐controlled creep at low stresses and grain‐boundary diffusion creep at high stresses, which operate as mutually coupled, that is, sequential processes. We established constitutive equations for interface‐controlled creep and diffusion creep of undoped olivine and used the combined rate equation as a reference to examine the effect of doping on creep rates. Ca and Al were found to enhance rates of both interface‐controlled creep and diffusion creep above certain temperatures, and this effect becomes significant with increasing temperature. We attribute the rate enhancements to grain‐boundary disordering promoted by grain‐boundary segregation of the dopants at near‐solidus conditions. The enhancements are well described in relation to the sample solidus temperature and an additional activation energy relative to that of the reference creep state.
Pengaruh Indeks Produksi Industri (IPI), Sertifikat Bank Indonesia Syariah (SBIS), Inflasi dan Nilai Tukar terhadap Indeks Saham Syariah Indoneisa (periode 2012-2018)

The Indonesian Sharia Stock Index (ISSI) is one of the stock indexes that calculates an average price index for types of business activities to meet sharia criteria. Macroeconomic conditions often lead to market sentiment and turmoil at ISSI. This study aims to analyze the effect of the industrial production index, sharia-compliant Indonesian bank certificates, inflation and the Rupiah Exchange Rate on the Sharia Stock Index, focuses on period of 2012 to 2018. This study based on secondary data which consist of monthly data content and the data of macroeconomic variable. The collected data was analyzed using stationarity test, granger test, co-integration test and VAR test. The variables tested in this study were IPI, SBIS, inflation and the exchange rate against ISSI variables. It is found in this study that SBIS, inflation and the exchange rate has a one-way causality relationship with ISSI. The variable that has the biggest shock effect is inflation with an effect of 2.82 percent in the second period and increased to 18.9 percent in the 10th period. [Indeks Saham Syariah Indonesia (ISSI) adalah salah satu indeks saham yang menghitung indeks harga rata-rata untuk jenis kegiatan bisnis yang berguna untuk memenuhi kriteria syariah. Kondisi ekonomi makro sering menyebabkan sentimen pasar dan kekacauan di ISSI. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh indeks produksi industri, sertifikat bank Indonesia yang syariah, inflasi dan Nilai Tukar Rupiah terhadap Indeks Saham Syariah, berfokus pada periode 2012 hingga 2018. Penelitian ini didasarkan pada data sekunder yang terdiri dari konten data bulanan dan data variabel ekonomi makro. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis menggunakan uji stasioneritas, uji granger, uji co-integrasi dan uji VAR. Variabel yang diuji dalam penelitian ini adalah IPI, SBIS, inflasi dan nilai tukar terhadap variabel ISSI. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa SBIS, inflasi dan nilai tukar memiliki hubungan kausalitas satu arah dengan ISSI. Variabel yang memiliki efek guncangan terbesar adalah inflasi dengan efek 2,82 persen pada periode kedua dan meningkat menjadi 18,9 persen pada periode ke-10. ]
Large‐Eddy Simulation of Turbulent Oscillatory Flow Over Three‐Dimensional Transient Vortex Ripple Geometries in Quasi‐Equilibrium

Vortex ripples induced by oscillatory flow display straight crests at equilibrium, but they develop transient three‐dimensional (3‐D) bedform geometries when transitioning from one equilibrium state to another due to changes in the oscillatory flow. Large‐eddy simulations were performed of oscillatory flow over 3‐D bedform defects associated with an increase of the orbital motion amplitude, similar to what might happen during the waxing phase of a storm. The objective is to determine the intercorrelation between flow processes and evolution of 3‐D bedform defects toward an equilibrium two‐dimensional (2‐D) state of vortex ripples. Results are presented for oscillatory flows over fixed ripples with sinusoidal crests in the spanwise direction, which introduce slope asymmetries on opposite sides of the crests, during different transient states. It was found that steep‐sloped regions of the bedforms are associated with thicker recirculation areas, whereas in more gently sloped regions thinner recirculation vortices exist. Furthermore, streamwise vortical structures and significant secondary flow develop in the vicinity of sinusoidal crests, relative to straight crests. These flow structures might be responsible for the gradual reformation of the rippled bed, as they induce higher bed shear stresses, that is, increasing bed sediment transport, and they diffuse turbulent kinetic energy to higher levels above crests, that is, increasing suspended sediment transport, relative to equilibrium 2‐D ripples. Finally, the period‐averaged currents around the sinusoidal crests exhibit higher velocities on the steep‐sloped side than on the mild‐sloped one, also likely contributing to sediment transport and bed reformation toward a 2‐D configuration.
Urban-Rural Gaps in the Developing World: Does Internal Migration Offer Opportunities?

This article provides an overview of the growing literature on urban-rural gaps in the developing world. I begin with recent evidence on the size of the gaps as measured by consumption, income, and wages, and argue that the gaps are real rather than just nominal. I then discuss the role of sorting more able workers into urban areas and review an array of recent evidence on outcomes from rural-urban migration. Overall, migrants do experience substantial gains on average, though smaller than suggested by the cross-sectional gaps. I conclude that future work should help further explore the frictions—in particular, information, financial, and in land markets—that hold back rural-urban migration and may help explain the persistence of urban-rural gaps.
Efficacy and efficiency of auditory discrimination procedures for children with autism spectrum disorder and typical development: A preliminary investigation

ABSTRACT An auditory discrimination involves differential behavior in the presence of auditory stimuli due to a history of reinforcement. A dearth of research on the instruction of auditory discrimination is in the behavior-analytic literature, so identifying strategies to teach this skill is necessary. This might be especially pertinent for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with impaired auditory discrimination repertoires. The current study evaluated the efficacy and efficiency of go/no-go, do this/do that, and auditory match-to-sample on the acquisition of novel auditory discrimination tasks with three children with ASD and two children of typical development in a total of ten comparisons. At least one condition was efficacious for all participants. The do this/do that procedure was more likely to be efficacious and efficient compared to go/no-go and auditory match-to-sample.
Quarantine encounters with digital animals: More-than-human geographies of lockdown life

Quarantine conditions led to the proliferation of digital encounters with nonhuman animals. Here, we explore three prominent forms: creaturely cameos, avatar acquaintances and background birding. These virtual encounters afforded during lockdown life generated novel and affective human–animal relations that could have lasting effects for humans and nonhumans post-quarantine, posing interesting questions for more-than-human scholarship.
Exploration of membrane-based dehumidification system to improve the energy efficiency of kiln drying processes: Part 1 – Factors that affect moisture removal efficiency

Green wood drying through a steam kiln-drying technology is an energy-demanding process. This process consumes a large amount of energy to evaporate water from wood and discharge it to the atmosphere through venting. The thermal energy loss from the venting of dry kilns takes up to 20% of total energy consumed by the whole wood-drying operation because a considerably large amount of thermal energy is stored in the exhaust air. Harvesting and reusing such waster thermal energy wood improve the energy efficiency of kiln-drying process. Advanced moisture-selective membranes have been used to dehydrate humid air or gas steam because of the advantages of low energy requirements, simplicity of operation, and high specificity. However, the application of the membrane in wood-drying processes has not been addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using a moisture-selective membrane system to dehydrate the warm moist exhaust air to achieve an energy-saving purpose. The membrane material was polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with high water vapor permeability. A small membrane-based dehumidification system was constructed to evaluate the effects of four factors (temperature, airflow rate, initial RH, and vacuum pressure) on the efficiency of moisture vapor removal. Statistical analysis in terms of response surface methodology was carried out. The major findings include 1) an increase in the temperature and vacuum pressure caused a significant increase in the efficiency of moisture vapor removal, 2) the initial RH had little influence on the efficiency of moisture vapor removal, 3) increasing the airflow rate had a negative impact on the efficiency of moisture vapor removal, and 4) the regression model can be used to predict the efficiency of moisture vapor removal. This PDMS membrane would be a possible solution for a pre-drying process at relatively low operation temperatures (<45 o C), that is dehumidification process.
Stock Performance When Facing the Unexpected

The COVID-19 crisis has had enormous costs. The effects on financial markets were exacerbated by panic, fear of the unknown, fear of the end of the world as we knew it. This panic obfuscated our ability to make rational predictions on future cash flows and asset values. Overall though, our economic system is bouncing back. We can learn from this experience and build more flexible models which can help us to better manage severe systemic risks.
Retrospectively analysed tooth loss in periodontally compromised patients: Long-term results 10 years after active periodontal therapy-Patient-related outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Long-term tooth retention is the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy. Aim of this study was to evaluate tooth loss (TL) during 10 years of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) in periodontal compromised patients and to identify factors influencing TL on patient level. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients were re-examined 120 ± 12 months after active periodontal therapy. TL and risk factors [smoking, initial diagnosis, SPT adherence, interleukin-1 polymorphism, cardiovascular diseases, age at baseline, bleeding on probing (BOP), change of practitioner, insurance status, number of SPT, marital and educational status] influencing TL on patient level were assessed. RESULTS One-hundred patients (52 female, mean age 65.6 ± 11 years) lost 121 of 2428 teeth (1.21 teeth/patient; 0.12 teeth/patient/y) during 10 years of SPT. Forty-two of these were lost for periodontal reasons (0.42 teeth/patient; 0.04 teeth/patient/y). Significantly more teeth were lost due to other reasons (P < .001). Smoking, baseline severity of periodontitis, non-adherent SPT, positive interleukin-1 polymorphism, marital and educational status, private insurance, older age at baseline and BOP, small number of SPT were identified as patient-related risk factors for TL (P < .05). CONCLUSION During 120 ± 12 months of SPT, only a small number of teeth was lost in periodontally compromised patients showing the positive effect of a well-established periodontal treatment concept. The remaining risk for TL should be considered using risk-adopted SPT allocation.