Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generation of Long Water Waves by Moving Disturbances

Several theoretical models are developed to study generation of nonlinear dispersive long waves by moving disturbances. All these models belong to the same class as the original Boussinesq or KdV model. The newly developed models, now with external forcing functions added to the KdV equation and the pair of coupled Boussinesq equations, have been chosen for numerical investigations. A predictor-corrector method is adopted to develop the numerical schemes employed here. In order to make the region of computation reasonably small for the case with moving disturbances, a pseudo-moving frame and the sufficiently transparent open boundary conditions are devised. The numerically obtained surface elevations exhibit a series of positive waves running ahead of the disturbance over a wide range of transcritical speeds of the disturbance. The numerical results show that, for speeds close to the critical value, the generation of such waves appears to continue indefinitely. The numerically obtained wave resistance coefficient is compared to the results given by linear dispersive theory. Numerical solutions have been obtained using the KdV and Boussinesq models with surface pressure and bottom bump as forcing functions. Comparisons are made between these results for various cases. Experiments were conducted for a two-dimensional bottom bump moving steadily in shallow water of a towing tank. Experimental results so attained are compared with the numerical solutions, and the agreement between them is good in terms of both the magnitude and the phase of the waves for the range of parameters used in the current study.
Prognostic role of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a meta-analysis

Background There are numerous articles investigating whether C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is significant for predicting prognosis of cancer cases receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), whereas the results were inconsistent. We thus retrieved the literature and conducted the present meta-analysis for clarifying relation of CAR with survival outcomes among ICI-treated cancer patients. Methods Through search against the Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was carried out. The search was updated on 11 December 2022. This work later determined the combined hazard ratios (HRs) together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for estimating CAR for its prognostic efficiency for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in cancer patients receiving ICIs. Results A total of 11 studies consisting of 1,321 cases were enrolled into the present meta-analysis. As revealed by combined data, the increased CAR level markedly predicted dismal OS (HR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.66–4.67, p < 0.001) together with shortened PFS (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.25–3.03, p = 0.003) among carcinoma cases using ICIs. The prognostic effect of CAR was not influenced by clinical stage or study center. Our result reliability was suggested by sensitivity analysis and publication bias test. Conclusions High CAR expression showed marked relation to worse survival outcomes among ICI-treated cancer cases. CAR is easily available and cost effective, which can be the potential biomarker for selecting cancer cases benefiting from ICIs.
An update on multimodal management of craniopharyngioma in children

Craniopharyngioma (CP) represent 1.2-4.6% of all intracranial tumors in children and carry a significant morbidity due to their lesional intimacy with structures involved in neurological, visual, and endocrinological functions. Variable treatment modalities being available, including surgery, radiation therapy, alternative surgeries, and intracystic therapies or combinations of them, their common goal is to reduce immediate and long-term morbidity while preserving these functions. Multiple attempts have been made to re-evaluate surgical and irradiation strategies in order to optimize their complication and morbidity profile. However, despite significant advances in “function sparing” approaches, such as limited surgery and improved technologies of radiation therapies, achieving interdisciplinary consensus on the optimal treatment algorithm remains a challenge. Furthermore, there remains a significant span of improvement given the number of specialties involved as well as the complex and chronic nature of CP disease. This perspective article aims to summarize recent changes and knowledge gains in the field of pediatric CP, outlining updated treatment recommendations, a concept of integrative interdisciplinary care and the implication of novel potential diagnostic tools. A comprehensive update on the multimodal treatment of pediatric CP is presented, focusing on “function-preserving” therapies and their implications.
The effect of partitioned framing vs. all-inclusive framing of donation amount on prosocial behavior: focus on the moderation effect of psychological characteristics

Despite numerous studies on individual charitable donations and cause-related marketing have been conducted, the framing of the donation amount has not been studied. This research suggests that people's intention to donate to charity differs depending on whether the donation amount is framed as all-inclusive or partitioned. The main effect of partitioned framing was moderated by individual differences in the need for cognition and regulatory focus. The results of our research are threefold. First, people responded more positively to engage in prosocial behavior in the partitioned donation amount condition than in the all-inclusive condition, even when the total amounts were the same. Second, the framing effect of the donation amount differed according to the need for cognition. Individuals with a high need for cognition (NFC) had a higher intention to donate in the partitioned donation amount condition than in the all-inclusive condition, while individuals with low NFC did not show differences in either condition. Third, the framing effect of the donation amount differed according to regulatory focus. Prevention-focused individuals were more willing to donate in the partitioned condition than in the all-inclusive condition, while promotion-focused individuals did not show differences in either condition. In addition, the interaction of framing and regulatory focus on donation intention was mediated by the perceived authenticity of the donation organization. This research has several academic and practical implications for effective corporate social responsibility activities.
Consistency in personality trait judgments across online chatting and offline conversation

Past research has suggested that people utilize various non-verbal cues to make personality judgments in either real-world or online environments, but little is known about the extent to which a person would be perceived consistently across realistic and virtual contexts. The present study was to investigate this issue, exploring the extent to which the same target was judged consistently in terms of empathic and big-five traits across online text-based chatting and offline conversation, and to pinpoint how the judgments occurred in the two contexts. In the formal procedure, 174 participants were asked to make trait judgments and evaluate the observable cues about the partner after chatting online and after watching the partner (who the participant did not know was the same person in the online chatting) in a real-world conversation. The results demonstrated the following: (1) Participants made consistent judgments of each trait about the same target across the online chatting and the offline conversation; (2) many cues in each context were employed to drive trait judgments, whereas few cues validly revealed the self-reported assessments of the traits. The results were discussed based on the empirical and theoretical work in person perception.
The change of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with risk of incident diabetes

Background & aims The effect of change in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) status on incident diabetes has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the association of NAFLD development and remission with the risk of incident diabetes during a median of 3.5-year follow-up. Methods A total of 2690 participants without diabetes were recruited in 2011-2012 and assessed for incident diabetes in 2014. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to determine the change of NAFLD. 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to determine diabetes. NAFLD severity was assessed using Gholam’s model. The odds ratios (ORs) for incident diabetes were estimated by logistic regression models. Results NAFLD was developed in 580 (33.2%) participants and NAFLD remission occurred in 150 (15.9%) participants during a median of 3.5-year follow-up. A total of 484 participants developed diabetes during follow-up, including 170 (14.6%) in consistent non-NAFLD group, 111 (19.1%) in NAFLD developed group, 19 (12.7%) in NAFLD remission group, and 184 (23.2%) in sustained NAFLD group. The development of NAFLD increased the risk of incident diabetes by 43% (OR, 1.43; 95%CI, 1.10-1.86) after adjustment for multiple confounders. Compared with sustained NAFLD group, remission of NAFLD reduced the risk of incident diabetes by 52% (OR, 0.48; 95%CI, 0.29-0.80). The effect of NAFLD alteration on incident diabetes was not changed after adjustment for body mass index or waist circumference, change of body mass index or waist circumference. In NAFLD remission group, participants with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at baseline were more likely to develop diabetes (OR, 3.03; 95%CI, 1.01-9.12). Conclusions NAFLD development increases the risk of incident diabetes, whereas NAFLD remission reduces the risk of incident diabetes. Moreover, presence of NASH at baseline could attenuate the protective effect of NAFLD remission on incident diabetes. Our study suggests that early intervention of NAFLD and maintenance of non-NAFLD are important for prevention of diabetes.
Urban bee functional groups response to landscape context in the Southeastern US

We investigated the influence of landscape cover on urban bee community functional groups. We observed a diversity of functional groups across primarily forested and primarily urban sites, however particular species were favored by forest/urban spaces. Results point to the importance of further investigating the nuance of land use impacts on pollinator communities, and in particular demonstrates the merit of investigating landscape heterogeneity. Conservation of forest remnants in urban environments can positively impact wild bees across multiple functional groups.
Multi-tensor diffusion abnormalities of gray matter in an animal model of cortical dysplasia

Focal cortical dysplasias are a type of malformations of cortical development that are a common cause of drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Surgical treatment is a viable option for some of these patients, with their outcome being highly related to complete surgical resection of lesions visible in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, subtle lesions often go undetected on conventional imaging. Several methods to analyze MRI have been proposed, with the common goal of rendering subtle cortical lesions visible. However, most image-processing methods are targeted to detect the macroscopic characteristics of cortical dysplasias, which do not always correspond to the microstructural disarrangement of these cortical malformations. Quantitative analysis of diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) enables the inference of tissue characteristics, and novel methods provide valuable microstructural features of complex tissue, including gray matter. We investigated the ability of advanced dMRI descriptors to detect diffusion abnormalities in an animal model of cortical dysplasia. For this purpose, we induced cortical dysplasia in 18 animals that were scanned at 30 postnatal days (along with 19 control animals). We obtained multi-shell dMRI, to which we fitted single and multi-tensor representations. Quantitative dMRI parameters derived from these methods were queried using a curvilinear coordinate system to sample the cortical mantle, providing inter-subject anatomical correspondence. We found region- and layer-specific diffusion abnormalities in experimental animals. Moreover, we were able to distinguish diffusion abnormalities related to altered intra-cortical tangential fibers from those associated with radial cortical fibers. Histological examinations revealed myelo-architectural abnormalities that explain the alterations observed through dMRI. The methods for dMRI acquisition and analysis used here are available in clinical settings and our work shows their clinical relevance to detect subtle cortical dysplasias through analysis of their microstructural properties.
In a zebrafish biomedical model of human Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome impaired MTH signaling leads to decreased neural cell diversity

Background Maternally derived thyroid hormone (T3) is a fundamental factor for vertebrate neurodevelopment. In humans, mutations on the thyroid hormones (TH) exclusive transporter monocarboxylic acid transporter 8 (MCT8) lead to the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). Patients with AHDS present severe underdevelopment of the central nervous system, with profound cognitive and locomotor consequences. Functional impairment of zebrafish T3 exclusive membrane transporter Mct8 phenocopies many symptoms observed in patients with AHDS, thus providing an outstanding animal model to study this human condition. In addition, it was previously shown in the zebrafish mct8 KD model that maternal T3 (MTH) acts as an integrator of different key developmental pathways during zebrafish development. Methods Using a zebrafish Mct8 knockdown model, with consequent inhibition of maternal thyroid hormones (MTH) uptake to the target cells, we analyzed genes modulated by MTH by qPCR in a temporal series from the start of segmentation through hatching. Survival (TUNEL) and proliferation (PH3) of neural progenitor cells (dla, her2) were determined, and the cellular distribution of neural MTH-target genes in the spinal cord during development was characterized. In addition, in-vivo live imaging was performed to access NOTCH overexpression action on cell division in this AHDS model. We determined the developmental time window when MTH is required for appropriate CNS development in the zebrafish; MTH is not involved in neuroectoderm specification but is fundamental in the early stages of neurogenesis by promoting the maintenance of specific neural progenitor populations. MTH signaling is required for developing different neural cell types and maintaining spinal cord cytoarchitecture, and modulation of NOTCH signaling in a non-autonomous cell manner is involved in this process. Discussion The findings show that MTH allows the enrichment of neural progenitor pools, regulating the cell diversity output observed by the end of embryogenesis and that Mct8 impairment restricts CNS development. This work contributes to the understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying human AHDS.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients with Parkinson’s disease: a hospital-based case–control study in Shanghai, China

Background Clinical manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD) after Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are poorly investigated. Objective We aimed to explore the clinical features and outcomes of hospitalized PD patients with COVID-19. Methods A total of 48 PD patients and 96 age-and sex-matched non-PD patients were included. Demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between two groups. Results PD patients with COVID-19 were elderly (76.69 ± 9.21 years) with advanced stage (H-Y stage 3–5 as 65.3%). They had less clinical symptoms (nasal obstruction, etc.), more proportions of severe/critical COVID-19 clinical classification (22.9 vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001), receiving oxygen (29.2 vs. 11.5%, p = 0.011), antibiotics (39.6 vs. 21.9%, p = 0.031) therapies, as well as longer hospitalization duration (11.39 vs. 8.32, p = 0.001) and higher mortality (8.3% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.001) relative to those without PD. Laboratory results showed that the PD group had higher white blood cell counts (6.29 vs. 5.16*109, p = 0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (3.14 vs. 2.11, p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein level (12.34 vs. 3.19, p < 0.001). Conclusion PD patients with COVID-19 have insidious clinical manifestation, elevated proinflammatory markers and are prone to the development of severe/critical condition, contributing to a relatively poor prognosis. Early identification and active treatment of COVID-19 are pivotal to advanced PD patients during the pandemic.
Psychotic symptoms and its associated factors relating to psychoactive substance use among the youth population in Northwest Ethiopia

Background Substance use is associated with high rates of psychiatric symptoms including psychotic symptoms. Despite the severity of the problem, there are intervention gaps in Ethiopia. To combat this, relevant evidence is required to raise the awareness of service providers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychotic symptoms and its associated factors among the youth population who uses psychoactive substances in the Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the youth population in the Central Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia, from 01 January to 30 March 2021. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. All data were collected using questionnaires assessing socio-demographic; family-related variables; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Multidimensional Scale Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-24). The data were analyzed using the STATA 14 statistical program. Results A total of 372 young people who used psychoactive substances (79.57%, 53.49%, 34.14%, and 16.13% were consuming alcohol, Khat, tobacco/cigarette products, and other substances such as shisha, inhalants, and drugs, respectively) were included in the study. The prevalence of psychotic symptoms was 24.2% with a 95% CI: 20.1, 28.8. Being married [AOR = 1.87 95% CI: 1.06, 3.48], recent loss of loved ones [AOR = 1.97 95% CI: 1.10, 3.18], low perceived social support [AOR = 1.61 95% CI: 1.11, 3.02], and severe psychological distress [AOR = 3.23 95% CI; 1.64, 6.54] were the factors associated with psychotic symptoms among young people with psychoactive substances use at a p-value of < 0.05. Conclusion Psychotic symptoms related to psychoactive substances among the youth population in Northwest Ethiopia were high. Thus, it is better to give a special attention to the youth population with low social support and existing psychological distress concurrent with psychoactive substance use.
Evaluation of nuclear resonant scattering data

Evaluation methods for data obtained by nuclear resonant scattering techniques are discussed. The CONUSS software package for the interpretation of time or energy spectra from coherent elastic nuclear resonant scattering, i.e., forward scattering and Bragg/Laue scattering, is presented. The analysis of phonon spectra obtained by incoherent nuclear resonant scattering is demonstrated using the PHOENIX software. The combination of nuclear resonant scattering (NRS) and synchrotron radiation prompted novel techniques for the study of condensed matter. The most remarkable , ,
THEORETICAL ANALYSES AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF DYNAMIC RESPONSES OF FINE-WIRE SENSORS TO FLUCTUATING VELOCITY AND TEMPERATURE OF FLUID FLOWS

Fine-wire sensors have been widely used in thermo-fluid measurement and enable us to measure fluid temperatures and flow velocities of various flow fields. Although the most remarkable feature of the fine-wire sensor techniques is to be easy to use and available at low cost, we can also achieve high-precision measurement provided that we fully understand their static and dynamic response characteristics to use them appropriately. The purpose of the present study is to analyze theoretically the static and dynamic response characteristics of the fine-wire sensors and to verify experimentally the effectiveness of the theoretical results in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of thermofluid measurement by the fine-wire sensors. In addition, based on the essential knowledge and technical experiences obtained so far, we have succeeded in developing a novel miniature flow-direction sensor which is applicable to outdoor measurement of complex flow fields and verified its potential for micrometeorological measurement. The present thesis mainly consists of the following three sections: Chapter 2 deals with adaptive response compensation techniques of the constant-current hot-wire anemometer (CCA) and experimental evaluation of their effectiveness; Chapter 3 shows theoretical analysis of heat-conduction error which can be a major source of error in fine-wire temperature measurement and experimental verification of its reliability; Chapter 4 presents a prototype compact sensor for measuring flow velocity and direction of comi
Path analysis of family resemblance and gene-environment interaction

The consequences of interaction between genotype and transmissible environment, in path analysis of family resemblance on the assumption of additivity of effects, are examined. For the model considered here, estimates of heritability are found to be biased measures of the proportion of variance due to additive genetic or transmissible environmental factors. Estimates of other parameters are largely unaffected by the interaction. Circumstances in which interaction can be detected are discussed, and a statistical test, based on a comparison of estimates from subdivisions of the data, is proposed. The power of the test is shown to depend critically on the amount of data available for separated relatives.