Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two‐phase classification: ANN and A‐SVM classifiers on motor imagery BCI

Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) based on Electroencephalograms (EEG) monitor mental activity with the ultimate objective of allowing people to communicate with computers only via their thoughts. Users must create precise cerebral activity patterns that the system uses as control signals to do this. A common activity used to elicit such signals is Motor Imagery (MI), in which certain signals are created in the sensorimotor cortex while imagining the movements. The three phases of the traditional EEG–BCI processing pipeline are preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. We provide categorization advances and track performance gains in 4‐class MI‐based BCIs. In this study, 4‐class MI events are produced via an illusory elevation of the left hand, right hand, feet, and tongue. Finally, a two‐phase classification technique is provided with ANN classifiers being used in the first phase to discriminate between different pair‐wise MI tasks. Secondly, an adaptive SVM classifier is used to assess the user's end task based on the weighted outputs of the classifiers. An adaptive classifier is one technique to maintain consistency in performance, reduce training time, and eliminate non‐stationaries, all of which are required for efficient BCI performance. The suggested approach outperformed conventional two‐stage classification algorithms on MI data, according to experimental findings. The average classification accuracy of this technique is 96% for datasets BCI competition IV 2a. This is a 4% improvement over the comparison approach.
Comparison of intravenous sildenafil with inhaled nitric oxide for acute vasodilator testing in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Acute vasodilator testing (AVT) identifies acute responders for initiation of calcium channel blockers in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and operability in congenital heart disease (CHD). We sought to determine the feasibility of intravenous sildenafil (ivS) as an alternative to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in AVT. All patients with PAH undergoing cardiac catheterization for AVT (November 2015 to December 2020) were prospectively enrolled. Hemodynamic data were obtained at baseline, with iNO 20 ppm and ivS (0.25 mg/kg for children and 10 mg for adults). We studied 44 patients with a mean age of 20.5 ± 14.4 years (27 [61%] females and 20 [45%] children). There were 17 (38.6%) patients in the CHD group for operability assessment and 27 patients in non‐CHD group (idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension—16 [36.3%], residual PAH after shunt closure—7 [15.9%], and 2 cases [4.5%] each of familial PAH and portopulmonary hypertension). There was an excellent intraclass correlation for mean pulmonary artery pressures (0.903, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.809–0.949, p < 0.001), mean aortic pressures (0.745, 95% CI: 0.552–0.858, p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance index (0.920, 95% CI: 0.858–0.956, p < 0.001), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) index (0.828, 95% CI: 0.706–0.902, p < 0.001), and the ratio of pulmonary and SVR indices (0.857, 95% CI: 0.752–0.919, p < 0.001) between the two agents. There were two responders, both in non‐CHD group, and were identified by iNO and ivS. The hemodynamic effects of ivS show excellent correlation with iNO and could be a potential alternative agent for identifying acute responders during AVT.
Microbiota dysbiosis influences immune system and muscle pathophysiology of dystrophin‐deficient mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive severe muscle‐wasting disease caused by mutations in DMD, encoding dystrophin, that leads to loss of muscle function with cardiac/respiratory failure and premature death. Since dystrophic muscles are sensed by infiltrating inflammatory cells and gut microbial communities can cause immune dysregulation and metabolic syndrome, we sought to investigate whether intestinal bacteria support the muscle immune response in mdx dystrophic murine model. We highlighted a strong correlation between DMD disease features and the relative abundance of Prevotella. Furthermore, the absence of gut microbes through the generation of mdx germ‐free animal model, as well as modulation of the microbial community structure by antibiotic treatment, influenced muscle immunity and fibrosis. Intestinal colonization of mdx mice with eubiotic microbiota was sufficient to reduce inflammation and improve muscle pathology and function. This work identifies a potential role for the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DMD.
Electrochemical Characterization and Voltammetric Determination of Methylisothiazolinone on a Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode

The electrochemical properties of methylisothiazolinone (MIT), the most widely used preservative, were investigated by cyclic (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to develop a new method for its determination. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a voltammetric procedure for the determination of MIT on a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE) in a citrate–phosphate buffer (C-PB) environment. The anodic oxidation process of methylisothiazolinone, which is the basis of this method, proved to be diffusion-controlled and proceeded with an irreversible two-electron exchange. The radical cations, as unstable primary products, were converted in subsequent chemical reactions to sulfoxides and sulfones, and finally to more stable final products. Performed determinations were based on the DPV technique. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range from 0.7 to 18.7 mg L−1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The proposed procedure was accurate and precise, allowing the detection of MIT at a concentration level of 0.24 mg L−1. It successfully demonstrated its suitability for the determination of methylisothiazolinone in household products without the need for any separation steps. The proposed method can serve as an alternative to the prevailing chromatographic determinations of MIT in real samples.
MU Radar and Lidar Observations of Clear-Air Turbulence underneath Cirrus

Abstract Turbulence generation mechanisms prevalent in the atmosphere are mainly shear instabilities, breaking of internal buoyancy waves, and convective instabilities such as thermal convection due to heating of the ground. In the present work, clear-air turbulence underneath a cirrus cloud base is described owing to coincident observations from the VHF (46.5 MHz) middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar, a Rayleigh–Mie–Raman (RMR) lidar, and a balloon radiosonde on 7–8 June 2006 (at Shigaraki, Japan; 34.85°N, 136.10°E). Time–height cross section of lidar backscatter ratio obtained at 2206 LT 7 June 2006 showed the presence of a cirrus layer between 8.0 and 12.5 km MSL. Downward-penetrating structures of ice crystals with horizontal and vertical extents of 1.0–4.0 km and 200–800 m, respectively, have been detected at the cirrus cloud base for about 35 min. At the same time, the MU radar data revealed clear-air turbulence layers developing downward from the cloud base in the environment of the protuberances.
Bismide-nitride alloys: Promising for efficient light emitting devices in the near- and mid-infrared

GaAsBiN is a potentially interesting alloy which may be exploited in near- and mid-infrared photonic devices. Here we present the predicted band parameters such as band gap (Eg), the spin-orbit splitting energy (ΔSO), band offsets and strain of GaAsBiN on GaAs versus N and Bi compositions based on recent experimental data. We also show how bismuth may be used to form alloys whereby ΔSO > Eg thereby providing a means of suppressing non-radiative CHSH (hot-hole producing) Auger recombination and inter-valence band absorption. We determine the optimum conditions where ΔSO > Eg, which is expected to improve the high-temperature performance and thermal stability of light emitting devices. It is also shown that preferential band offsets are achievable with GaAsBiN, which makes this material system promising for photonic devices operating in the near- and mid-infrared.
Challenges and Adverse Effects of Wearing Face Masks in the COVID-19 Era

Background: The use of face masks was a significant part of the WHO COVID-19 preventive protocols. While their usage has been effective, lack of adherence by individuals has been associated with discomfort and adverse side effects. This might facilitate unnecessary exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby increasing the incidence of COVID-19. This study assessed the side effects of prolonged mask-wearing and offers recommendations for present and future pandemics. Methods: Adverse side effects of face masks were evaluated from November 2021 to February 2022 with a structured Google Forms online questionnaire. The survey targeted regular and occasional face mask users around the world. All responders anonymously completed the survey, which included ten structured questions with a sub-section on the effects of the continuous use of face masks. The information obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the data were presented in graphs. Results: Almost 60% (1243) of the 2136 participants indicated discomfort while using face masks. Breathing difficulties and pain around the ears were cited as major causes of discomfort, accounting for 32% and 22%, respectively, of responses. Headaches were reported by 26.8% (572) of the respondents, with 44.6% experiencing one within 1 h of wearing a mask. Nine hundred and eight (908) respondents experienced nasal discomfort, while 412 individuals reported various skin-related discomfort, including excessive sweating around the mouth and acne. Conclusions: This study provides baseline data as to why there was less adherence to face mask use which includes headaches, skin irritation, ear pains, breathing difficulties, sore throat, dry eyes, and increased sweating around the mouth. As a result, this may contribute to an increased risk of infection. While COVID-19 lingers and the management of its undesirable effects persists into the future, it is vital that a superior mask design, concentrating on safety, comfort, and tolerability, be developed.
Effect of conservation agriculture on soil hydro-physical properties, total and particulate organic carbon and root morphology in wheat (Triticum aestivum) under rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat system

Short-term (5 years) effect of conservation agriculture (CA) practice on soil hydro-physical characteristics, soil organic carbon status and root morphology in wheat (triticum aestivum L.) was monitored under rice (Orgza sativa L.)-wheat rotation in a clay loam soil at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. A small improvement in soil water content and a marginal decrease in bulk density by CA contributed in significant reduction (30-37%)in sub-surface compaction. The CA improved soil structure in the plough layer (0-15 cm) with significant increase in soil organic carbon status (27-38%). A marginal change in pore size distribution was recorded in favour of larger volume of retention pores (11-12%), in expense of macro- or drainable pore space. Steady-state infiltration, which was essentially profile-controlled, was therefore lower in the CA plots. Decrease in sub-surface soil strength and better soil water retention facilitated root growth in wheat in the sub-surface layer under CA. Results implied thatthe CA practice in rice-wheat system, although with a shorter period, led to an overall physical improvement of the most active root zone. This had positive impact on root morphology, which contributed to increase in the crop yield.
Pre-operative short-term pranayama (yoga) decreases intraoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery

Pranayama is an ancient yoga-based breathing practice and the therapeutic aspects of the same on the mind and the body have been a subject of research for clinicians and pain physicians. [1] Yoga-based breathing practices reduce chronic pain in patients with osteoarthritis, back/neck pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome and also effectively mitigate the acute pain in labour and the postoperative pain in women after gynaecological surgery. [2] The effect of pranayama on presurgical and postsurgical anxiety in a similar subset of patients has been published. [3] However, the effect of these practices on intraoperative pain perception and analgesic requirements are yet to be studied.
The Oosterhoff period effect: luminosities of globular cluster zero-age horizontal branches and field RR Lyrae stars as a function of metallicity

Les variations des magnitudes absolues des etoiles RR Lyrae en fonction de la metallicite sont analysees a partir des proprietes de pulsation de ces etoiles. Le deplacement des periodes et la luminosite des etoiles de la branche horizontale d'âge zero d'amas globulaires sont etudies en fonction de la metallicite
An In Vivo Study on the Development of Bacterial Microbiome on Clear Orthodontic Retainer

Objectives: The objective of this study was to see how the bacterial composition changes on clear orthodontic retainer over a 14-day period. Methods: Saliva and plaque samples collected from a clear retainer surface were obtained from five healthy volunteers receiving retainer treatment. Prior to clear retainer delivery, patients had not been wearing any other appliances. Patients were instructed to wear their clear retainer for the 14-day period, taking them off to eat and to clean them with a soft-bristle toothbrush. The bacterial composition was determined via Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA. After bioinformatics processing using the QIIME pipeline, the intra- and intergroup biodiversity of the sample was analyzed. Results: The bacterial composition changed over a 14-day period in the saliva and on the clear retainer. When comparing the different phylum levels between saliva and clear retainer’ microbiota, the Firmicutes were significantly increased 1.26-fold (p = 0.0194) and 1.34-fold (p = 0.0123) after 7 and 14 days of retainer treatment when compared to saliva, respectively. The Campylobacteriota were significantly decreased 1.80-fold (p = 0.05) in the clear retainer when compared to saliva at 7 days. At the genus level, several microbiota were significantly increased in relative abundance in the clear retainer after the 14-day period. Conclusion: These findings reveal that the presence of a clear retainer in the mouth might lead to enamel changes or periodontal tissue destruction, especially after 14 days of use.
Mental Health and Emotional Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemics: Prevalence and Extent in PICU Staff*

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of burnout, anxiety and depression symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in PICU workers in Brazil during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To compare the results of subgroups stratified by age, gender, professional category, health system, and previous mental health disorders. DESIGN: Multicenter, cross-sectional study using an electronic survey. SETTING: Twenty-nine public and private Brazilian PICUs. SUBJECTS: Multidisciplinary PICU workers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [PCL-5]) in 1,084 respondents. Subjects were mainly young (37.1 ± 8.4 yr old) and females (85%), with a median workload of 50 hours per week. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 33% and 19%, respectively, whereas PTSD was 13%. The overall median burnout scores were high in the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment dimensions (16 [interquartile range (IQR), 8–24] and 40 [IQR, 33–44], respectively) whereas low in the depersonalization one (2 [IQR, 0–5]), suggesting a profile of overextended professionals, with a burnout prevalence of 24%. Professionals reporting prior mental health disorders had higher prevalence of burnout (30% vs 22%; p = 0.02), anxiety (51% vs 29%; p < 0.001), and depression symptoms (32.5% vs 15%; p < 0.001), with superior PCL-5 scores for PTSD (p < 0.001). Public hospital workers presented more burnout (29% vs 18.6%, p < 0.001) and more PTSD levels (14.8% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Younger professionals were also more burned out (p < 0.05 in all three dimensions). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mental health disorders in Brazilian PICU workers during the first 2020 peak of COVID-19 was as high as those described in adult ICU workers. Some subgroups, particularly those reporting previous mental disorders and younger professionals, should receive special attention to prevent future crises.
Properties of Cold Sprayed Titanium and Titanium Alloy Coatings after Laser Surface Treatment

Additive manufacturing (AM) has seen remarkable development in recent years due to relatively high efficiency of the process. Cold spraying (CS) is a particular method of AM, in which titanium and titanium alloy powders are used. CS is a very competitive technology enabling the deposition of coatings, repairing machine parts, and manufacturing new components. For specific applications, the surface of cold-sprayed materials may require further processing. This paper reports an attempt to employ laser surface treatment (LST) of cold-sprayed coatings on an aluminium alloy substrate. The influence of laser beam interaction time on the coatings’ properties was analysed. The microstructure was investigated and observed employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To evaluate residual stress after CS and LST, the sin2ψ technique was used. Investigations were also performed on Vickers hardness, contact angle, and surface roughness. Significant changes in the surface morphology of the coatings and elevated residual stress levels dependent on the laser beam interaction time were observed. Increased Vickers hardness was recorded for titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. LST also led to increased surface hydrophilicity of the modified materials Ti and Ti6Al4V.
Association between brain volume and disability over time in multiple sclerosis

Background Most previous multiple sclerosis (MS) brain atrophy studies using MS impact scale 29 (MSIS-29) or symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) have been cross-sectional with limited sets of clinical outcomes. Objectives To investigate which brain and lesion volume metrics show the strongest long-term associations with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), SDMT, and MSIS-29, and whether MRI-clinical associations vary with age. Methods We acquired MRI and clinical data from a real-world Swedish MS cohort. FreeSurfer and SPM Lesion Segmentation Tool were used to obtain brain parenchymal, cortical and subcortical grey matter, thalamic and white matter fractions as well as T1- and T2-lesion volumes. Mixed-effects and rolling regression models were used in the statistical analyses. Results We included 989 persons with MS followed for a median of 9.3 (EDSS), 10.1 (SDMT), and 9.3 (MSIS-29) years, respectively. In a cross-sectional analysis, the strength of the associations of the MRI metrics with the EDSS and MSIS-29 was found to drastically increase after 40–50 years of age. Low baseline regional grey matter fractions were associated with longitudinal increase of EDSS and physical MSIS-29 scores and decrease in SDMT scores and these atrophy measures were stronger predictors than the lesion volumes. Conclusions The strength of MRI-clinical associations increase with age. Grey matter volume fractions are stronger predictors of long-term disability measures than lesion volumes.
Residual stress measurements with laser speckle correlation interferometry and local heat treating

A new experimental technique has been devised to measure residual stresses in ductile materials with a combination of laser speckle pattern interferometry and spot heating. The speckle pattern interferometer measures in-plane deformations while the heating provides for very localized stress relief. The residual stresses are determined by the amount of strain that is measured subsequent to the heating and cool-down of the region being interrogated. A simple lumped parameter model is presented to provide a description of the method. This description is followed by presentation of the results of finite element analyses and experimental results with uniaxial test specimens. Excellent agreement between the experiments and the computer analyses were obtained.
Additional Taxonomic Information for Lamproglena hemprichii (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy and Genetic Characterization, Alongside Some Aspects of Its Ecology

Additional taxonomic and ecological data for the lernaeid copepod Lamproglena hemprichii Nordmann, 1832 infecting the African tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau, 1861, are presented with scanning electron micrographs, molecular characterization, and selected ecological parameters. Eighty fish were collected from Lake Kariba between October 2014 and July 2015. Scanning electron microscopy provided additional data for the morphology, including structures on the antennulae, antennae, and legs. The 18S and 28S rDNA fragments of this species were distinct from those of other Lamproglena taxa but placed this species within this genus. Phylogenetically, L. hemprichii appears closest to L. monodi Capart, 1944, the only other African species for which molecular data is available. The anterior part of the second gill filament was the preferred attachment site. There was a positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient r2 = 0.64; P = 0.77) between the length of the parasite and the length of the fish. A positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient r2 = 0.61; P = 0.03) between the length of the parasite and the length of the gill filament was also observed. Although the specimens studied here are morphologically highly similar to previous reports of L. hemprichii, some morphological variation was observed, and a revision (morphometric and genetic) of the taxon is suggested. This study provides the first detailed genetic characterization and phylogenetic information for the species.
On an Extensive Late Hydrologic Event in Gale Crater as Indicated by Water‐Rich Fracture Halos

We analyze spatially pervasive, light‐toned “halos” associated with fractures in a sedimentary unit (Stimson) of Gale crater, Mars, and report a similar network of halos discovered in a separate geologic group (Bradbury). Through a dedicated active neutron measurement campaign, we provide independent confirmation of the water‐rich nature of these features. Together with mineralogical and geochemical data, these features are consistent with abundant hydrated amorphous silica (opal‐A). We suggest that the mineral and amorphous assemblages are indicative of formation under low‐temperature and predominantly low‐pH conditions (passive silica enrichment) with minor contribution of silica (active silica enrichment) from adjacent units. We show that there is significant amorphous silica in the array of sedimentary rocks in Gale crater, allowing them to play a role in an active silica enrichment phase of halo formation. We suggest that the involved alteration event was short lived and our finding of vast halo networks in a distant, older unit implies a more vast network of hydrologic subsurface conduits than previously known. This relatively recent subsurface hydrologic system was present long after the transition from a warm and wet to a cold and dry Martian environment, extending the habitability conditions on Mars to an epoch that is generally considered not favorable for life on the surface. Finally, our bulk H quantification of these features, which ranges from ∼3–6 wt% H2O‐equivalent‐H, suggests that the amorphous material in halos hosts ample supplies of readily released water, making them a considerable resource at the otherwise dry Martian equator.