Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Devising a Distributed Co-Simulator for a Multi-UAV Network

Practical evaluation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) network requires a lot of money to build experiment environments, which includes UAVs, network devices, flight controllers, and so on. To investigate the time-sensitivity of the multi-UAV network, the influence of the UAVs’ mobility should be precisely evaluated in the long term. Although there are some simulators for UAVs’ physical flight, there is no explicit scheme for simulating both the network environment and the flight environments simultaneously. In this paper, we propose a novel co-simulation scheme for the multiple UAVs network, which performs the flight simulation and the network simulation simultaneously. By considering the dependency between the flight status and networking situations of UAV, our work focuses on the consistency of simulation state through synchronization among simulation components. Furthermore, we extend our simulator to perform multiple scenarios by exploiting distributed manner. We verify our system with respect to the robustness of time management and propose some use cases which can be solely simulated by this.
Activation of the Cell Wall Stress Response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infected by a Pf4 Phage Variant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 has an integrated Pf4 prophage in its genome, encoding a relatively well-characterized filamentous phage, which contributes to the bacterial biofilm organization and maturation. Pf4 variants are considered as superinfectives when they can re-infect and kill the prophage-carrying host. Herein, the response of P. aeruginosa H103 to Pf4 variant infection was investigated. This phage variant caused partial lysis of the bacterial population and modulated H103 physiology. We show by confocal laser scanning microscopy that a Pf4 variant-infection altered P. aeruginosa H103 biofilm architecture either in static or dynamic conditions. Interestingly, in the latter condition, numerous cells displayed a filamentous morphology, suggesting a link between this phenotype and flow-related forces. In addition, Pf4 variant-infection resulted in cell envelope stress response, mostly mediated by the AlgU and SigX extracytoplasmic function sigma factors (ECFσ). AlgU and SigX involvement may account, at least partly, for the enhanced expression level of genes involved in the biosynthesis pathways of two matrix exopolysaccharides (Pel and alginates) and bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) metabolism.
Positional Differences of the Mandibular Canal in Relation to Permanent Mandibular First Molars with Eruption Disturbances in Children

Eruption disturbances in permanent mandibular first molars (PM1s) are uncommon. This retrospective study aimed to investigate differences in the position of the mandibular canal in relation to PM1s, with or without, eruption disturbances. Panoramic and cross-sectional views were reconstructed from cone-beam computed tomography imaging of children with PM1 eruption disturbances. Distances from the most inferior margin of the mandible to the center of the mandibular canal (M–C) and from the outer margin of the lingual cortex to the center of the mandibular canal (L–C) were measured for normally erupted PM1s (normal group) and for PM1s with eruption disturbances (ED group) and compared using independent t-tests. The mean M–C was significantly shorter in the ED group (4.86 ± 1.07 mm) than in the normal group (6.56 ± 1.06 mm) (p < 0.05). The mean L–C was also significantly shorter in the ED group (2.74 ± 0.74 mm) than in the normal group (3.09 ± 0.71 mm) (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that the mandibular canal tended to be positioned more inferiorly in relation to PM1s with eruption disturbances than normally erupted PM1s in children. Clinicians should be aware of this positional deviation when managing children with PM1 eruption disturbances.
When to initiate antipsychotic treatment for psychotic symptoms: At the premorbid phase or first episode of psychosis?

Objective: Antipsychotic drugs are widely used for treating patients with first episode of psychosis, targeting threshold psychotic symptoms. The clinical high risk of psychosis is characterized as subthreshold psychotic symptoms and it is unclear whether they can also benefit from antipsychotic drugs treatment. This study attempted to determine whether initiating antipsychotic drugs treatment in the clinical high risk of psychosis phase was superior to initiating antipsychotic drugs treatment in the first episode of psychosis phase, after the 2-year symptomatic and functional outcomes. Method: Drawing on 517 individuals with clinical high risk of psychosis from the ShangHai At Risk for Psychosis program, we identified 105 patients who converted to first episode of psychosis within the following 2 years. Patients who initiated antipsychotic drugs while at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR_AP; n = 70) were compared with those who initiated antipsychotic drugs during a first episode of psychosis (FEP_AP; n = 35). Summary scores on positive symptoms and the global function scores at baseline and at 2 months, 1 year and 2 years of follow-up were analyzed to evaluate outcomes. Results: The CHR_AP and FEP_AP groups were not different in the severity of positive symptoms and functioning at baseline. However, the CHR_AP group exhibited significantly more serious negative symptoms and total symptoms than the FEP_AP group. Both groups exhibited a significant reduction in positive symptoms and function (p < 0.001). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed group by time interaction for symptomatic (F = 3.196, df = 3, p = 0.024) and functional scores (F = 7.306, df = 3, p < 0.001). The FEP_AP group showed higher remission rates than the CHR_AP group (χ2 = 22.270, p < 0.001). Compared to initiating antipsychotic drug treatments in the clinical high risk of psychosis state, initiating antipsychotic drugs treatments in the first episode of psychosis state predicted remission in a regression model for FEP_AP (odds ratio = 5.567, 95% confidence interval = [1.783, 17.383], p = 0.003). Conclusion: For clinical high risk of psychosis, antipsychotic drugs might be not the first choice in terms of long-term remission, which is more reasonable to use at the first episode of psychosis phase.
Relationship between Comorbid Drug Use Disorders, Affective Disorders, and Current Smoking

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to identify subgroups of adults based on comorbid psychiatric disorders and to examine the relationship with current smoking. Method: The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III, 2012–2013, sampled, recruited, and assessed 36,309 adults, with interviews on drug use and other characteristics. The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule DSM-5 Version (AUDADIS-5) was used to identify psychiatric conditions. Latent class models were developed based on various psychiatric diagnoses. Multinomial logistic regression estimated the significance of covariates in predicting class membership. Results: Four latent classes optimally distinguished the population: no comorbid conditions (63%), comorbid affective disorders (16%), those with alcohol use disorder (AUD; 17%), and a highly comorbid subgroup (i.e., co-occurring affective and drug use disorders; 4%). Current smoking was about twice as prevalent in the classes defined by psychiatric conditions compared to the group with no comorbid conditions. The highly comorbid class was more likely to be current smokers than the comorbid affective disorders class and the AUD class. Furthermore, the highly comorbid class was younger and had lower income, and the AUD class had a higher proportion of males than the other classes. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking was higher in the nearly 40% of respondents characterized by psychiatric disorders, particularly those with drug use disorders. Correlates of membership in these classes were consistent with known vulnerabilities for smoking, highlighting the need for mental health interventions and future research to explicitly address tobacco cessation in clinical settings based on psychiatric diagnoses.
Body composition, not dietary fatty acid composition, explains metabolic responses following a high-fat meal in premenopausal normal-weight women: a single-blind, randomised, crossover study

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effect of three different fatty acid (FA)-rich meals enriched in either SFA, MUFA or PUFA on postprandial metabolic responses in premenopausal, normal-weight women. For this randomised, single-blind, crossover study, three high-fat (HF) meals rich in either SFA, MUFA or PUFA (65 % energy from fat; 35 % of participants’ total daily energy needs) were tested. For each visit, anthropometrics and RMR were measured following a 12–15 h fast. Then, participants consumed one of the HF meals, and respiratory gases were collected using indirect calorimetry for 3 h postprandially. Energy expenditure (EE) following a SFA-rich meal was significantly higher than a MUFA-rich meal (P = 0·04; η2 = 0·19), but SFA was not significantly different from PUFA. There was a trend towards significance in EE between PUFA and MUFA (P = 0·06). After adjusting for fat-free mass (FFM), there were no longer condition or time effects for EE, although FFM remained a significant predictor (P = 0·005; η2 = 0·45). There were no significant differences between conditions for dietary-induced thermogenesis or substrate oxidation. The relationship between fat mass (FM) and both total fat oxidation (r 0·62; P = 0·025) and total change in RER following a MUFA-rich meal was observed (r −0·55; P = 0·05). In conclusion, weight loss through increases in EE may be best achieved by increasing FFM rather than selection of FA type. Further, a relationship exists between FM and fat oxidation following a MUFA-rich meal, most likely due to an unidentified mechanism.
Evaluation of image quality of wideband single‐shot late gadolinium‐enhancement MRI in patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device

While wideband segmented, breath‐hold late gadolinium‐enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been shown to suppress image artifacts associated with cardiac‐implanted electronic devices (CIEDs), it may produce image artifacts in patients with arrhythmia and/or dyspnea. Single‐shot LGE is capable of suppressing said artifacts. We sought to compare the performance of wideband single‐shot free‐breathing LGE against the standard and wideband‐segmented LGEs in CIED patients.
Safety of Nurse- and Self-Administered Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy

This study aimed to compare and contrast the safety and efficacy of nurse- and self-administered paediatric outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) models of care and to identify clinical factors associated with documented adverse events (AEs). A total of 100 OPAT episodes among children aged between 1 month and 18 years who were discharged from hospital and who received continuous 24 h intravenous antimicrobial therapy at home via an elastomeric infusion device were included. All documented AEs from the case notes were reviewed by a paediatrician and classified as either major or minor. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations between clinical factors and any AE. A total of 86 patients received 100 treatment OPAT episodes (49 self-administered, 51 nurse administered). The most commonly prescribed antimicrobial via continuous infusion was ceftazidime (25 episodes). Overall, an AE was recorded for 27 (27%) OPAT episodes. Major AEs was recorded for 15 episodes and minor AEs were reported in 14 episodes. The odds of an AE was increased in episodes with self-administration (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–27.15) and where the duration of vascular access was >14 days (aOR 1.08, 95%CI 1.01–1.15). Our findings suggest minor AEs may be more frequently reported when intravenous antimicrobials are self-administered via 24 h continuous infusions.
Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients on Levothyroxine Treatment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in thyroid functions in Ramadan, and compare late evening and pre-seheri use of levothyroxine in patients with hypothyroidism. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Endocrinology, Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital and Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkey, from May to June 2018. METHODOLOGY Patients who were on levothyroxine treatment and having normal thyroid functions were recruited for the study in the last one week before Ramadan. Patients were offered to take levothyroxine at 22.30-23.00 pm before sleep or between 01:30-03:00 am at least 30 min pre-seheri. RESULTS There were 53 (85.5%) female and 9 (14.5%) male patients. Basal thyrotrophin (TSH) was 2.02 μIU/mL (0.27-4.14) and insignificantly increased at the end of Ramadan [2.18 μIU/mL (0.04-19.69), p=0.167]. Free-triiodothyronine (fT3) decreased while free-thyroxine (fT4) increased (p<0.001 for both). Eighteen patients preferred to take levothyroxine in late evening and 44 preferred to take at pre-seheri. There were insignificant increases in TSH in both groups (p=0.401 and p=0.276, respectively). At the end of Ramadan, TSH increased in 39 (63.9%), decreased in 22 (36.1%), and did not change in one patient. CONCLUSION Increase in TSH was not significant after Ramadan. While there was an insignificant increase in median TSH, about one-third of patients had lower TSH, indicating for the need to evaluate every patient individually and follow closely during Ramadan. Clinical studies with larger sample sizes will be helpful to determine the optimal time for levothyroxine use during Ramadan. Key Words: Thyroid functions, Ramadan fasting, Hypothyroidism, Levotyhroxine.
Prediction of pre‐eclampsia in twin pregnancy by maternal factors and biomarkers at 11–13 weeks' gestation: data from EVENTS trial

First, to validate a previously developed model for screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) by maternal characteristics and medical history in twin pregnancies; second, to compare the distributions of mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) in twin pregnancies that delivered with PE to those in singleton pregnancies and to develop new models based on these results; and, third, to examine the predictive performance of these models in screening for PE with delivery at < 32 and < 37 weeks' gestation.
Interaction of amyloid beta with humanin and acetylcholinesterase is modulated by ATP

Humanin (HN) is known to bind amyloid beta (Aβ)‐inducing cytoprotective effects, while binding of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to Aβ increases its aggregation and cytotoxicity. Previously, we showed that binding of HN to Aβ blocks aggregation induced by AChE and that HN decreases but does not abolish Aβ‐AChE interactions in A549 cell media. Here, we set out to shed light on factors that modulate the interactions of Aβ with HN and AChE. We found that binding of either HN or AChE to Aβ is not affected by heparan sulfate, while ATP, thought to reduce misfolding of Aβ, weakened interactions between AChE and Aβ but strengthened those between Aβ and HN. Using media from either A549 or H1299 lung cancer cells, we observed that more HN was bound to Aβ upon addition of ATP, while levels of AChE in a complex with Aβ were decreased by ATP addition to A549 cell media. Exogenous addition of ATP to either A549 or H1299 cell media increased interactions of endogenous HN with Aβ to a comparable extent despite differences in AChE expression in the two cell lines, and this was correlated with decreased binding of exogenously added HN to Aβ. Treatment with exogenous ATP had no effect on cell viability under all conditions examined. Exogenously added ATP did not affect viability of cells treated with AChE‐immunodepleted media, and there was no apparent protection against the cytotoxicity resulting from immunodepletion of HN. Moreover, exogenously added ATP had no effect on the relative abundance of oligomer versus total Aβ in either cell line.
Bacterial Communities in the Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere of Halophytes and Drought-Tolerant Plants in Mediterranean Ecosystems

The aim of the study was to investigate the bacterial community diversity and structure by means of 16S rRNA gene high-throughput amplicon sequencing, in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of halophytes and drought-tolerant plants in Mediterranean ecosystems with different soil properties. The locations of the sampled plants included alkaline, saline-sodic soils, acidic soils, and the volcanic soils of Santorini Island, differing in soil fertility. Our results showed high bacterial richness overall with Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria dominating in terms of OTUs number and indicated that variable bacterial communities differed depending on the plant’s compartment (rhizosphere and phyllosphere), the soil properties and location of sampling. Furthermore, a shared pool of generalist bacterial taxa was detected independently of sampling location, plant species, or plant compartment. We conclude that the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of native plants in stressed Mediterranean ecosystems consist of common bacterial assemblages contributing to the survival of the plant, while at the same time the discrete soil properties and environmental pressures of each habitat drive the development of a complementary bacterial community with a distinct structure for each plant and location. We suggest that this trade-off between generalist and specialist bacterial community is tailored to benefit the symbiosis with the plant.
Profile of Mothers of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Population-Based Study in Canada

Objective: To compare the characteristics of mothers of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with mothers of typically developing control children. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional, observational design, using active case ascertainment. Biological mothers were interviewed using a standardized retrospective questionnaire to collect data on demographics, living environment, pregnancy history, nutrition, alcohol and other drug use prior to and following pregnancy recognition. Results: A total of 173 mothers were interviewed. Of these, 19 had a child who was diagnosed with FASD, five had a child who had received a deferred FASD diagnosis, and 37 had children who were selected into the control group as typically developing children. The remaining 112 mothers had children who did not meet diagnostic criteria for FASD. The mothers of children with FASD did not differ significantly from mothers of the control group children with respect to age, ethnicity, marital status, and employment status at the time of pregnancy. However, mothers of children with FASD had lower levels of education (p < 0.01) and were more likely to have received financial support (p < 0.05) at the time of pregnancy, to have smoked tobacco (p < 0.001), and to have used marijuana or hashish (p < 0.01) prior to pregnancy recognition, compared with mothers of control children. All mothers of children with FASD reported alcohol consumption prior to pregnancy recognition; however, only 10.5% reported alcohol consumption following pregnancy recognition. None of the mothers interviewed reported any drug use following pregnancy recognition. Conclusions: Population-based preventive interventions, including repeated screening, monitoring, and education regarding the effects of alcohol use, as well as other substances, before and during pregnancy, are needed to eliminate risk for FASD and other negative consequences on child and maternal health.
Learning from farmers to improve sorghum breeding objectives and adoption in Mali

ABSTRACT Many efforts have been made to improve sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties, but adoption of improved varieties remains low. Sorghum has diverse panicle architecture and grain qualities that vary within and between races, and utilization and adoption may depend on these traits. Recent efforts in West Africa to improve local guinea race germplasm as a base material have diversified potential options: there are breeding materials with a range of panicle types with increased grain number per panicle and a range of droopiness, as well as laxness and threshability. This study was designed to expand our understanding about sorghum grain and panicle traits that are important for farmers in the Sudan savanna zone of Mali. We combined a sorghum panicle sorting activity with qualitative interviews in Mande and Dioïla to understand farmers’ knowledge and preferences about sorghum characteristics. A total of 20 panicle sorting activities and 20 interviews were conducted with men and women sorghum producers. Based on their roles and responsibilities in sorghum production and processing, farmers associated specific panicle types, plant types, and grain traits with aspects of pest control, threshability, storage duration, and yield. Farmers preferred open panicles and droopy architecture for disease and pest control; hard grains for storage and appropriate ratios of flour and grits; high density of grain on the panicle for yield; and specific glume qualities for threshability. Breeding programs need to consider these regional preferences and gender roles to develop appropriate material and increase adoption of productive varieties.
Nickel Cobaltite Functionalized Silver Doped Carbon Xerogels as Efficient Electrode Materials for High Performance Symmetric Supercapacitor

Introducing new inexpensive materials for supercapacitors application with high energy density and stability, is the current research challenge. In this work, Silver doped carbon xerogels have been synthesized via a simple sol-gel method. The silver doped carbon xerogels are further surface functionalized with different loadings of nickel cobaltite (1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.%) using a facile impregnation process. The morphology and textural properties of the obtained composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen physisorption analysis. The silver doped carbon xerogels display a higher surface area and larger mesopore volume compared to the un-doped carbon xerogels and hierarchically porous structure is obtained for all materials. The hybrid composites have been utilized as electrode materials for symmetric supercapacitors in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Among all the hybrid composites, silver doped carbon xerogel functionalized with 1 wt. % nickel cobaltite (NiCo1/Ag-CX) shows the best supercapacitor performance: high specific capacitance (368 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), low equivalent series resistance (1.9 Ω), high rate capability (99% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1), and high energy and power densities (50 Wh/Kg, 200 W/Kg at 0.1 A g−1). It is found that the specific capacitance does not only depend on surface area, but also on others factors such as particle size, uniform particle distribution, micro-mesoporous structure, which contribute to abundant active sites and fast charge, and ion transfer rates between the electrolyte and the active sites.