Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Case of Transverse Myelitis After Moderna Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Vaccination

Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory syndrome of the spinal cord that presents with acute-to-subacute neurological deficits. The differential for TM is broad and includes demyelinating, infectious, neoplastic and paraneoplastic, autoimmune, and metabolic/toxic etiologies. With the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus pandemic, more commonly referred to as the coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19), there have been increasing reports of neurological complications. In this case report, we describe a novel case of longitudinally-extensive TM associated with the Moderna vaccination.
Clinical Evolution of Acute Vestibular Syndrome: Longitudinal Retrospective Analysis of Epidemiological Data and Prognostic Factors for Recovery

We evaluated the clinical features of patients admitted to the ED with acute vertigo, verifying symptoms after one month and one year to establish epidemiological factors and predictors of resolution. We reviewed 233 records of patients admitted to ED for acute vertigo (125 F and 85 M, mean age 56.12 years). We analyzed the correlation between time of resolution (at one month and one year) and symptoms duration (subjective and/or objective vertigo, instability, cervical pain, audiological, neurological, and neurovegetative symptoms), comorbidities, and therapies, the result of the clinical and instrumental vestibular examination. Resolution of acute vertigo occurred in 81.1%, while persistence of vertigo one year after ED access was reported in 18.8%. There were 135 patients who recovered in one month. The presence of instability, auditory and neurovegetative symptoms, and neck pain represents a significant factor for recovery within one year. Age over 65 and a history of hypertension are associated with a worst recovery. Patients with spontaneous Nystagmus or positive HIT showed a significant difference in symptoms recovery within one month and one year. Presence of positional Nystagmus represents a positive prognostic factor. Our findings emphasize the importance of clinical evaluation of the acute vertigo, helping the clinicians to define central or peripheral diagnosis and predict the resolution of vertigo.
Solving Transient Nonlinear Heat Conduction Problems by Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and the Finite-Element Method

ABSTRACT A method of reducing the number of degrees of freedom and the overall computing time by combining proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) with the finite-element method (FEM) has been devised. The POD-FEM technique can be applied both to linear and nonlinear problems. At the first stage of the method a standard FEM time-stepping procedure is invoked. The temperature fields obtained for the first few time steps undergo statistical analysis, yielding an optimal set of globally defined trial and weighting functions for the Galerkin solution of the problem at hand. The resulting set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is of greatly reduced dimensionality when compared with the original FEM formulation. For linear problems, the set can be solved either analytically, resorting to the modal analysis technique, or by time stepping. In the case of nonlinear problems, only time stepping can be applied. The focus of this article is on the time-stepping approach, in which the generation of the FEM-POD matrices, requiring some additional matrix manipulations, can be embedded in the assembly of standard FEM matrices. The gain in execution times comes from the significantly shorter time of solution of the set of algebraic equations at each time step. Numerical results are presented for both linear and nonlinear problems. In the case of linear problems, the derived time-stepping technique is compared with the standard FEM and the modal analysis. For nonlinear problems the proposed POD-FEM approach is compared with the standard FEM. Good accuracy of the POD-FEM solver has been observed. Controlling the error introduced by the reduction of the degrees of freedom in POD is also discussed.
Nonlinear dynamics of boussinesq convection in a deep rotating spherical shell II: Effects of temperature boundary conditions

Abstract We examine the influence on convection in a rotating spherical shell of various boundary conditions on temperature. In particular, we look at the response to constant heat flux, or fixed temperature gradient, boundaries as opposed to constant temperature boundaries assumed in Part I. We also examine the influence of an upper boundary with linear combinations of temperature and temperature gradient held fixed. To compare with earlier studies, calculations are done at Prandtl number of 1, Taylor number 105, Rayleigh numbers between 104 and 105, and convection zone depth 20% of the outer radius. We find that when a constant heat flux boundary condition is imposed at the bottom of the convective layer, equatorial acceleration is produced by Reynolds stresses in the convection for Rayleigh numbers up to 5 × 104, analogously to the constant temperature bottom case, but over the same range the heat flux differentials in latitude at the top of the layer are greatly reduced. Above this Rayleigh number, eq.
Modeling the Atmospheric Convective Boundary Layer within a Zero-Order Jump Approach: An Extended Theoretical Framework.

Abstract The paper presents an extended theoretical background for applied modeling of the atmospheric convective boundary layer within the so-called zero-order jump approach, which implies vertical homogeneity of meteorological fields in the bulk of convective boundary layer (CBL) and zero-order discontinuities of variables at the interface of the layer. The zero-order jump model equations for the most typical cases of CBL are derived. The models of nonsteady, horizontally homogeneous CBL with and without shear, extensively studied in the past with the aid of zero-order jump models, are shown to be particular cases of the general zero-order jump theoretical framework. The integral budgets of momentum and heat are considered for different types of dry CBL. The profiles of vertical turbulent fluxes are presented and analyzed. The general version of the equation of CBL depth growth rate (entrainment rate equation) is obtained by the integration of the turbulence kinetic energy balance equation, invoking bas.
The impact of lee‐side stratification on the spatial distribution of orographic precipitation

Numerical simulations are presented in order to investigate the effect of the lee‐side stratification on the spillover of orographic precipitation. The simulations are conducted with idealized topography as well as with idealized large‐scale flow conditions and consider both moist neutral and convectively unstable situations. Strong lee‐side static stability is achieved by creating a basin enclosed by four mountain ridges that is filled with a cold‐air pool. Sensitivity tests are also performed with a plateau topography, representing the limit of an infinitely stable cold‐air pool.
Does the pain sensitivity questionnaire correlate with tourniquet pain in patients undergoing ankle surgery?

Background Tourniquet pain is the most prominent problem in ankle surgery, and there is no proper method to predict it. It was reported that pain sensitivity questionnaires could evaluate the pain sensitivity of subjects. Its potential to predict tourniquet pain in ankle surgery is constructive and meaningful. Methods One hundred and twenty patients undergoing ankle surgery were included in this study. The pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) were completed before the operation. The methods included an ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic, a femoral nerve block, and a proximal thigh tourniquet. The pressure of the tourniquet was set according to the systolic blood pressure (SBP + 100 mmHg). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the tourniquet pain. Also, the onset time of tourniquet pain ≥4 VAS units was recorded. Results The PSQ-total and PSQ-minor scores were significantly correlated with the onset time when the tourniquet pain ≥4 VAS units (r = −0.763, r = −0.731, P < 0.001). The PSQ-total score <6.5 group gave significantly lower ratings for items 3, 4, 14, and 16 in the PSQ survey compared to the PSQ-total score ≥6.5 group (P < 0.05). Patients with high pain sensitivity have a higher need for analgesic drugs (P < 0.001). PSQ-total score ≥6.5 (OR = 185.8, 95% CI = 39.8–1,437.6, P < 0.001), sex (male, OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.018–0.488, P < 0.05), and age (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.842–0.995, P < 0.05) were risk factors for reporting a tourniquet pain ≥4 VAS units within 30 min. Conclusion The PSQ score is found to be correlated with intraoperative tourniquet pain. In addition, sex and age also affect the time of having intraoperative tourniquet pain.
Radiative transfer in three dimensional leaf canopies

Abstract The governing equation of transfer, cross sections, and a modified discrete ordinates method for numerical solution of the transfer equation for a three dimensional leaf canopy are formulated. Models for the total interaction and scattering cross sections are proposed, and preliminary transport calculations are reported. Convergence acceleration of the iteration on the scattering source using the coarse mesh rebalancing method and convergence criteria are discussed. The extent of flux distortions such as negative and oscillatory fluxes, ray effects, etc. is assessed, and their implications for optical radiometric remote sensing is discussed.
Multiple loss processes of relativistic electrons outside the heart of outer radiation belt during a storm sudden commencement

By examining the compression‐induced changes in the electron phase space density and pitch angle distribution observed by two satellites of Van Allen Probes (RBSP‐A/B), we find that the relativistic electrons (>2 MeV) outside the heart of outer radiation belt (L* ≥ 5) undergo multiple losses during a storm sudden commencement. The relativistic electron loss mainly occurs in the field‐aligned direction (pitch angle α < 30° or >150°), and the flux decay of the field‐aligned electrons is independent of the spatial location variations of the two satellites. However, the relativistic electrons in the pitch angle range of 30°–150° increase (decrease) with the decreasing (increasing) geocentric distance (|ΔL| < 0.25) of the RBSP‐B (RBSP‐A) location, and the electron fluxes in the quasi‐perpendicular direction display energy‐dispersive oscillations in the Pc5 period range (2–10 min). The relativistic electron loss is confirmed by the decrease of electron phase space density at high‐L shell after the magnetospheric compressions, and their loss is associated with the intense plasmaspheric hiss, electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves, relativistic electron precipitation (observed by POES/NOAA satellites at 850 km), and magnetic field fluctuations in the Pc5 band. The intense EMIC waves and whistler mode hiss jointly cause the rapidly pitch angle scattering loss of the relativistic electrons within 10 h. Moreover, the Pc5 ULF waves also lead to the slowly outward radial diffusion of the relativistic electrons in the high‐L region with a negative electron phase space density gradient.
Impact of Novel Treatments in Patients with Melanoma Brain Metastasis: Real-World Data

Simple Summary Cutaneous melanoma is highly prone to metastasize to the brain, with a historically poor overall survival of only 4–5 months. Over the past decade, novel drugs such as targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. However, most prospective studies have excluded patients with melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) or included only patients with stable (steroid-free) or asymptomatic MBM. To assess the impact of novel treatments in patients with MBM in a real-world setting, we studied a cohort of consecutive patients over a period of sixteen years (2005 to 2021) in a large, tertiary referral center for melanoma (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands). We found a significant improvement in overall survival in the modern (post-2015) era, associated with stereotactic radiotherapy and especially ICIs. These findings support that ICIs, if clinically feasible, should be considered first in clinical practice after a diagnosis of MBM. Abstract Background: Melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) is associated with poor outcome, but targeted therapies (TTs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized treatment over the past decade. We assessed the impact of these treatments in a real-world setting. Methods: A single-center cohort study was performed at a large, tertiary referral center for melanoma (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Overall survival (OS) was assessed before and after 2015, after which TTs and ICIs were increasingly prescribed. Results: There were 430 patients with MBM included; 152 pre-2015 and 278 post-2015. Median OS improved from 4.4 to 6.9 months (HR 0.67, p < 0.001) after 2015. TTs and ICIs prior to MBM diagnosis were associated with poorer median OS as compared to no prior systemic treatment (TTs: 2.0 vs. 10.9 and ICIs: 4.2 vs. 7.9 months, p < 0.001). ICIs directly after MBM diagnosis were associated with improved median OS as compared to no direct ICIs (21.5 vs. 4.2 months, p < 0.001). Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT; HR 0.49, p = 0.013) and ICIs (HR 0.32, p < 0.001) were independently associated with improved OS. Conclusion: After 2015, OS significantly improved for patients with MBM, especially with SRT and ICIs. Demonstrating a large survival benefit, ICIs should be considered first after MBM diagnosis, if clinically feasible.
High-speed AFM for 1x node metrology and inspection: Does it damage the features?

This paper aims at unraveling the mystery of damage in high speed AFMs for 1X node and below. With the device dimensions moving towards the 1X node and below, the semiconductor industry is rapidly approaching the point where existing metrology, inspection and review tools face huge challenges in terms of resolution, the ability to resolve 3D, and throughput. In this paper, we critically asses the important issue of damage in high speed AFM for metrology and inspection of semiconductor wafers. The issues of damage in four major scanning modes (contact mode, tapping mode, non-contact mode, and peak force tapping mode) are described to show which modes are suitable for which applications and which conditions are damaging. The effects of all important scanning parameters on resulting damage are taken into account for materials such as silicon, photoresists and low K materials. Finally, we recommend appropriate scanning parameters and conditions for several use cases (FinFET, patterned photoresist, HAR structures) that avoid exceeding a critical contact stress such that sample damage is minimized. In conclusion, we show using our theoretical analysis that selecting parameters that exceed the target contact stress, indeed leads to significant damage. This method provides AFM users for metrology with a better understanding of contact stresses and enables selection of AFM cantilevers and experimental parameters that prevent sample damage.
Prospective memory in bilinguals: Recalling future intentions in first and second language contexts

Recalling future intentions (i.e., prospective memory, PM) plays an essential role in everyday life, but sometimes, if the person is involved in a demanding ongoing task, PM is unsuccessful. This is especially relevant for bilinguals who, in many situations, have to recall intentions while performing a task in their second language (L2). Our aim was to explore whether PM is modulated by the linguistic context in which PM takes place. In this study, bilinguals performed a PM task in their first (L1) or second language (L2). We also manipulated the demands of the ongoing task (early/late updating) and the PM cue (focal/non-focal). In general, results showed an overall impairment in the recall of future intentions when the task was performed in L2. This impairment was especially evident in the more demanding conditions, suggesting that increments in attentional demands due to L2 processing hinder the processes required for prospective remembering.
Stability conditions for time-delay fuzzy systems using fuzzy weighting-dependent approach

The asymptotic stability of Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems with state delay is studied. The aim is not only to extend the fuzzy weighting-dependent Lyapunov function method for delay-free fuzzy systems to time-delay fuzzy systems, but also to provide state-of-the-art stability analysis methods for time-delay fuzzy systems. First, the fuzzy weighting-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is used to reduce the conservatism entailed in previous results using quadratic Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals. By adopting a recent technique called the free-weighting matrix method, a delay-dependent stability condition that improves existing results for time-delay fuzzy systems is derived. Next, an augmented fuzzy weighting-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is proposed to further reduce the conservatism. Delay-independent stability criteria are easy corollaries of the present delay-dependent results. Finally, three examples are given to illustrate the reduced conservativeness achieved by the proposed methods.
Deep Contextual Bandit and Reinforcement Learning for IRS-Assisted MU-MIMO Systems

The combination of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems and intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) is foreseen as a critical enabler of beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G. In this work, two different approaches are considered for the joint optimization of the IRS phase-shift matrix and MIMO precoders of an IRS-assisted multi-stream (MS) multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) system. Both approaches aim to maximize the system sum-rate for every channel realization. The first proposed solution is a novel contextual bandit (CB) framework with continuous state and action spaces called deep contextual bandit-oriented deep deterministic policy gradient (DCB-DDPG). The second is an innovative deep reinforcement learning (DRL) formulation where the states, actions, and rewards are selected such that the Markov decision process (MDP) property of reinforcement learning (RL) is appropriately met. Both proposals perform remarkably better than state-of-the-art heuristic methods in scenarios with high multi-user interference.
Broadband Second-Harmonic Generation in the Near-Infrared Region in a Tapered Zinc Selenide Slab Using Total Internal Reflection Quasi-Phase Matching

We analytically describe the concept of broadband second-harmonic generation in the near-IR region in an isotropic tapered semiconductor slab made of zinc selenide. A computer-aided simulation has been carried out to determine the possibility of generating broadband second-harmonic intensity when broadband fundamental laser radiation is allowed to undergo total internal reflection inside the tapered semiconductor slab. The simulated results indicate an extremely broad spectral bandwidth of 557 nm centered at 4.05 µm (3.812 to 4.369 µm) in a 10-mm-long slab with a conversion efficiency of 0.02%. The losses due to absorption and surface roughness of the semiconductor material have been considered in the analysis. The effects of variations in the temperature, length, and tapering angle of the semiconductor slab have been studied for the generated second-harmonic radiation.
Three-Phase Four-Wire Inverter for Grid Emulator Under Wide Inductance Variation to Evaluate the Performance of Distributed Generator

This article presents a three-phase four-wire inverter to generate voltage sources under wide filter inductance variation. The voltage sources with distortion and unbalance are to emulate grid voltages. The distortion includes voltage sags, voltage swells, and harmonic components, and the unbalance includes voltage and phase-angle differences. With a conventional PI control and direct digital control (DDC) only, the voltage distortion cannot fulfill precisely because of the improper controls. While with the proposed modified DDC (PDDC) and harmonic-angle adjustment algorithm, the soft core saturation can be taken into account and the harmonic voltage distortion can be accurately emulated, respectively. Moreover, the proposed control scheme can achieve a fast transient response. The control law is derived and the inverter with the control to generate grid voltage is described in detail. Simulated and experimental results from the 10-kW prototype have verified the analyses and discussions.
The Effect of Weekly 50,000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplements on the Serum Levels of Selected Cytokines Involved in Cytokine Storm: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Adults with Vitamin D Deficiency

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of high-dose cholecalciferol (VD3) supplements (50,000 IU/week) on selected circulating cytokines associated with cytokine storms in adults with vitamin D deficiency. This clinical trial, based in Jordan, included 50 participants receiving vitamin D3 supplements (50,000 IU/week) for 8 weeks; the exact number was assigned to the control group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), and leptin were measured in serum at baseline and 10 weeks (wash out: 2 weeks). Our results revealed that vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased the serum levels of 25OHD, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and leptin compared with baseline. In contrast, the serum level of TNF-α insignificantly increased in the group receiving vitamin D3 supplementation. Although the observations of this trial may refer to a potential negative effect of VD3 supplementation during cytokine storms, further trials are required to clarify the potential benefits of VD3 supplement during cytokine storms.
A Monte Carlo Implementation of the EM Algorithm and the Poor Man's Data Augmentation Algorithms

Abstract The first part of this article presents the Monte Carlo implementation of the E step of the EM algorithm. Given the current guess to the maximizer of the posterior distribution, latent data patterns are generated from the conditional predictive distribution. The expected value of the augmented log-posterior is then updated as a mixture of augmented log-posteriors, mixed over the generated latent data patterns (multiple imputations). In the M step of the algorithm, this mixture is maximized to obtain the update to the maximizer of the observed posterior. The gradient and Hessian of the observed log posterior are also expressed as mixtures, mixed over the multiple imputations. The relation between the Monte Carlo EM (MCEM) algorithm and the data augmentation algorithm is noted. Two modifications to the MCEM algorithm (the poor man's data augmentation algorithms), which allow for the calculation of the entire posterior, are then presented. These approximations serve as diagnostics for the validity o.
A LEED study of MgO(100). I. Experiment

Normalized LEED intensity-voltage data have been obtained for the (100) surface of MgO prepared by cleavage in-situ. Corrections for the variation of primary current with energy and for varying optical attenuation of the grids as beams move across the screen have both been applied. Variations in surface potential with primary energy have been estimated using the position of the L2.3VV peak in the Auger spectrum. Data are given for four beams at normal incidence, the specular beam in two azimuths and at angles of incidence of 5, 10, 15 and 20 degrees and the (10) beams at one azimuth and the same angles of incidence.