Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Water Resistance of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Concrete Based upon Hybrid-BP Neural Network

To obtain the magnesium oxychloride cement concrete (MOCC) ratio with excellent water resistance quickly and accurately, a BP neural network (BPNN) model with a topology structure of 4-10-2 was designed, and the PSO (particle swarm optimization), GWO (gray wolf optimization), and WOA (whale optimization algorithm) algorithms were used to optimize the model. The input layer parameters of the model above were n(MgO/MgCl2), Grade I fly ash, phosphoric acid (PA), and phosphate fertilizer (PF) content, and the output layer was the MOCC’s compressive strength and softening coefficient. The model had a dataset of 144 groups, including 100 training set data, 22 verification set data, and 22 test set data. The results showed that the PSO-BPNN model had the highest predictive accuracy among the four models, with a mean R2 of 0.99, mean absolute error(MAE) of 0.52, mean absolute percentage error(MAPE) of 0.01, and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.73 in predicting compressive strength, and a mean R2 of 0.99, MAE of 0.44, MAPE of 0.01, and RMSE of 0.62 in predicting the softening coefficient. The results showed that using the PSO-BPNN to predict the compressive strength and softening coefficient of MOCC is feasible and can provide theoretical guidance for designing the MOCC mix.
Promethazine inhibits efflux, enhances antifungal susceptibility and disrupts biofilm structure and functioning in Trichosporon

Abstract Trichosporon spp. are emerging opportunistic fungi associated with invasive infections, especially in patients with haematological malignancies. The present study investigated the in vitro inhibition of efflux pumps by promethazine (PMZ) as a strategy to control T. asahii and T. inkin. Planktonic cells were evaluated for antifungal susceptibility to PMZ, as well as inhibition of efflux. The effect of PMZ was also studied in Trichosporon biofilms. PMZ inhibited T. asahii and T. inkin planktonic cells at concentrations ranging from 32 to 256 μg ml–1. Subinhibitory concentrations of PMZ inhibited efflux activity in Trichosporon. Biofilms were completely eradicated by PMZ. PMZ potentiated the action of antifungals, affected the morphology, changed the amount of carbohydrates and proteins and reduced the amount of persister cells inside biofilms. The results showed indirect evidences of the occurrence of efflux pumps in Trichosporon and opens a perspective for the use of this target in the control of trichosporonosis.
Nematic LCs Mixtures with High Birefringence in the Microwave Region

Abstract We present results of microwave measurements of four different nematic mixtures which were prepared out of a tolane matrix by adding some specific quaterphenyl containing LC-compounds. Those high birefringent matrices lead to the improved performance within the microwave wave range. The measurements were done by using the cavity perturbation method at 38 GHz in the temperature interval of –5 °C and 135 °C.
Foveal microvascular features following inverted flap technique for closure of large macular holes

Purpose To describe the anatomical and functional outcomes following use of the inverted flap technique (IFT) to close idiopathic macular holes (MH) of diameter greater than 400 μm. To compare the changes in the macular microvascularization following surgery in operated and healthy fellow eyes. Methods Retrospective study of 24 patients who underwent vitrectomy and IFT for large MH closure. The main variables were closure pattern, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and recovery of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ). Foveal avascular zones (FAZ) and vessel and perfusion densities, obtained by OCT angiography scans, were compared with those in healthy fellow eyes. Results Complete MH closure was achieved in 95.8% (23/24) of patients 6 months after surgery. There was a significant improvement in postoperative BCVA, from 1.0 to 0.4 logMAR (p < 0.001). The most frequent closure pattern was 1a (62.5%, 15/24), followed by 2c (12.5%, 3/24). The closure pattern was not correlated with height, minimum or maximum diameters or macular hole index (MHI) (p > 0.05). ELM and EZ recovery occurred in 87.5% and 83.3% of cases, respectively. FAZ were smaller in operated eyes than in the fellow eyes (p = 0.012). There were no differences in the vessel or perfusion densities between the operated and fellow eyes (p > 0.05). Conclusions Use of the inverted flap technique for large MH closure provides a high rate of functional and anatomical recovery. We observed a reduction in the FAZ following surgery, with no differences in the macular microvascularization parameters, suggesting that the technique is safe.
Flow Separation Control By Trapped Vortex

Modern aircraft lifting surfaces are designed to have high lift–to–drag ratios in order to minimize both the emission of pollutants and the fuel burn. To achieve this aim, a central issue is the design of thin and streamlined wings. However, the tendency to design commercial aircraft of larger dimensions, or innovative configurations such as Blended-Wing-Body airplanes, push the trend toward the use of thick wings. The drawback of such types of airfoils is the low efficiency due to the high value of their drag coefficient. Thick airfoils are characterized by an early flow separation phenomenon even for small angles of incidence. To overcome such problem, the separated flow can be forced to remain attached by using an intense vortex anchored in a cavity. At the end of 2005, VortexCell2050, a European funded research project, was launched with the aim of investigating the possibility of controlling the flow separation by using trapping vortex cavities, equipped with a suction system to stabilize the vortex. In this work it is presented the activity regarding the numerical design of an experiment with trapped vortex, the results of the test campaign without suction in the cavity and the stabilization of the vortex inside the cavity by using steady mass flow suction is presented. Both numerical and experimental results will be compared and discussed.
Integration by parts formulas concerning maxima of some SDEs with applications to study on density functions

Abstract In this article, we prove integration by parts (IBP) formulas concerning maxima of solutions to some stochastic differential equations (SDEs). We will deal with three types of maxima. First, we consider discrete time maximum, and then continuous time maximum in the case of one-dimensional SDEs. Finally, we deal with the maximum of the components of a solution to multi-dimensional SDEs. Applications to study their probability density functions by means of the IBP formulas are also discussed.
The Kansas University DHA Outcomes Study (KUDOS) clinical trial: long-term behavioral follow-up of the effects of prenatal DHA supplementation.

BACKGROUND Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been linked to improved vision and cognition in postnatal feeding studies and has been consistently associated with reduction of early preterm birth in prenatal supplementation trials. This is a report of the first long-term follow-up of infants from mothers receiving prenatal DHA supplementation in a US cohort. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the prenatal supplementation on both global and granular longitudinal assessments of cognitive and behavioral development. METHODS In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, mothers received either 600 mg/d of DHA or a placebo beginning at 14.5 weeks of gestation and capsules were provided until delivery. Children from those pregnancies were followed by cognitive and behavioral assessments administered from 10 mo through 6 y of age. From 301 mothers in the initial study, ∼200 infants completed the longitudinal schedule. RESULTS Although this intervention had been shown to reduce high-risk pregnancies and improve visual attention in infants during the first year, only a few positive long-term effects of prenatal DHA supplementation emerged from analyses of this follow-up. Increases in maternal blood DHA during pregnancy were related to verbal and full scale intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at 5 and 6 y, but these effects disappeared after controlling for SES. Maternal blood DHA concentrations at delivery were unrelated to outcomes, although maternal DHA at enrollment was related to productive vocabulary at 18 mo. CONCLUSIONS Although prenatal DHA supplementation substantially reduced early preterm birth and improved visual attention in infancy in this sample, no consistent long-term benefits were observed into childhood. Increases in maternal blood DHA concentration in pregnancy were related to higher IQs but this effect was confounded with SES and disappeared when SES was statistically controlled. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials. gov as NCT00266825 and NCT02487771.
Efficacy of Pirfenidone and Nintedanib in Interstitial Lung Diseases Other than Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review

Pirfenidone and nintedanib are antifibrotic medications approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment by regulatory agencies and available for clinical use worldwide. These drugs have been shown to reduce the rate of decline in forced vital capacity and the risk of acute exacerbation among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Recent data suggest that different interstitial lung diseases with a progressive pulmonary fibrosis phenotype can share similar pathogenetic and biological pathways and could be amenable to antifibrotic therapies. Indeed, historical management strategies in interstitial lung disease have failed to identify potential treatments once progression has occurred despite available drugs. In this systematic review, we summarized data on the efficacy of pirfenidone and nintedanib in interstitial lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as well as ongoing and upcoming clinical trials. We identify two well-designed trials regarding nintedanib demonstrating the efficacy of this drug in slowing disease progression in patients with interstitial lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. On the other hand, results on the use of pirfenidone in interstitial lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis should be interpreted with more caution on the basis of trial limitations. Several randomized control trials are underway to improve the quality of evidence in the interstitial lung disease field.
A Fast and Minimal System to Identify Depression Using Smartphones: Explainable Machine Learning–Based Approach

Background Existing robust, pervasive device-based systems developed in recent years to detect depression require data collected over a long period and may not be effective in cases where early detection is crucial. Additionally, due to the requirement of running systems in the background for prolonged periods, existing systems can be resource inefficient. As a result, these systems can be infeasible in low-resource settings. Objective Our main objective was to develop a minimalistic system to identify depression using data retrieved in the fastest possible time. Another objective was to explain the machine learning (ML) models that were best for identifying depression. Methods We developed a fast tool that retrieves the past 7 days’ app usage data in 1 second (mean 0.31, SD 1.10 seconds). A total of 100 students from Bangladesh participated in our study, and our tool collected their app usage data and responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. To identify depressed and nondepressed students, we developed a diverse set of ML models: linear, tree-based, and neural network–based models. We selected important features using the stable approach, along with 3 main types of feature selection (FS) approaches: filter, wrapper, and embedded methods. We developed and validated the models using the nested cross-validation method. Additionally, we explained the best ML models through the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method. Results Leveraging only the app usage data retrieved in 1 second, our light gradient boosting machine model used the important features selected by the stable FS approach and correctly identified 82.4% (n=42) of depressed students (precision=75%, F1-score=78.5%). Moreover, after comprehensive exploration, we presented a parsimonious stacking model where around 5 features selected by the all-relevant FS approach Boruta were used in each iteration of validation and showed a maximum precision of 77.4% (balanced accuracy=77.9%). Feature importance analysis suggested app usage behavioral markers containing diurnal usage patterns as being more important than aggregated data-based markers. In addition, a SHAP analysis of our best models presented behavioral markers that were related to depression. For instance, students who were not depressed spent more time on education apps on weekdays, whereas those who were depressed used a higher number of photo and video apps and also had a higher deviation in using photo and video apps over the morning, afternoon, evening, and night time periods of the weekend. Conclusions Due to our system’s fast and minimalistic nature, it may make a worthwhile contribution to identifying depression in underdeveloped and developing regions. In addition, our detailed discussion about the implication of our findings can facilitate the development of less resource-intensive systems to better understand students who are depressed and take steps for intervention.
On fractional derivatives of the local time of a symmetric stable process as a doubly indexed process

Abstract. In this paper we prove two main results. The first one is to prove the regularity of fractional derivatives of local time of symmetric stable process with index 1<β≤2$1<\beta \le 2$ . Our result is similar to that of Marcus and Rosen in 1992 for local time. The second result is to give a (p,q)-variation of fractional derivatives of local time of symmetric stable process with index 1<β≤2$1<\beta \le 2$ . Our approach is similar to that of Eisenbaum in 2000 for local time.
Turkish validity and reliability of the level of sitting scale in children with cerebral palsy

Background/aim The Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) is a valid and reliable classification index that categorizes sitting ability. The aim of this study is to establish the Turkish validity and reliability of the LSS in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and methods In total, 165 children (75 girls and 90 boys) between the ages of 4 and 18 years who were diagnosed with CP were included in the study. All children were evaluated by two independent physiotherapists for the interrater reliability analysis of the LSS and were reevaluated 1 week later by the same physiotherapist for the intrarater reliability analysis. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used for validity analysis. Results The intrarater reliability analyses of the LSS showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.999 (ICC 95% CI [0.999–1]), and the interrater reliability analyses showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.998 (ICC 95% CI [0.998–0.999]). A statistically significant, negative, and strong correlation was found between the GMFCS and the LSS (p < 0.001, r = −0.770). Conclusion The Turkish version of the LSS in children with CP is a valid and reliable scale. The Turkish LSS can be used by researchers and clinicians in research and to determine the sitting level of children with CP.
The potential of berula erecta in vitro for As bioaccumulation and phytoremediation of water environments

ABSTRACT A potential plant species suitable for As bioaccumulation and phytoremediation of water environments could be the macrophyte Berula erecta. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of arsenate (As(V), C2H6AsNaO2∙3 H2O), predominant in freshwater systems, on the growth, development and low molecular weight thiols of Berula erecta under controlled tissue culture conditions in vitro. Uptake of total arsenate increased with increasing arsenate treatments, at a higher percentage in the roots than in the aboveground parts of the plants. Lower concentrations of As(V) (0.1, 1, 10 mg L−1) had a positive effect on growth, dry weight, length of roots and shoots and number of buds. High concentrations of arsenate (50 and 100 mg As(V) L−1) significantly inhibited all growth parameters and decreased the photochemical efficiency of PSII. Evaluation of thiols revealed the critical As level (146 µg g−1 DW; 50 mg As(V) L−1 treatment) above which the As concentration can be toxic.
Computerized False Belief Tasks Impact Mentalizing Ability in People with Williams Syndrome

People with Williams syndrome (WS) are characterized by hyper sociability, fluency in languages, and advantageous face-processing skills, leading to the proposal of a social module. Previous studies on the mentalizing abilities of people with WS using two-dimensional pictures, including normal-like, delayed, and deviant behaviors, have yielded mixed results. Thus, this study examined the mentalizing ability of people with WS through structured computerized animations of false belief tasks to investigate whether inferences about other people’s minds can be improved in this population. Participants were shown animations containing unexpected location and content changes. After viewing each animation, participants had to answer four types of questions relating to character identification, reality, memory, and false belief. Their responses were recorded and analyzed. A comprehension of false belief was observed in 4-year-old healthy children, whereas children with WS showed enhanced comprehension of false belief (until they attained a chronological age [CA] of 5.9 years), suggesting an improvement in the theory of mind resulting from viewing structured computerized animations. This age is earlier than that reported by previous studies for using theory of mind to pass false belief tests (CA 9 years), even challenging the age at which individuals failed to pass the tests (CA 17.11 years). Structured computerized animations enhanced the mentalizing ability of people with WS to a certain extent. Compared to the typically developing controls, people with WS presented with a lower developmental level in processing false belief tasks. This study has educational implications for the development of computerized social skills interventions for people with WS.
A Low-RCS Circularly Polarized Reflectarray Antenna With a Linearly Polarized Feed

A low-radar cross Section (RCS) circularly polarized (CP) reflectarray antenna with a linearly polarized (LP) feed is designed. The out-of-band RCS of the reflectarray for both the TE and TM polarized incident waves is reduced by replacing its ground with an absorptive frequency selective reflector (AFSR). A systematic methodology based on the synthesis of the equivalent circuit model (ECM) is presented to expedite the design of the AFSR. The unit phasing element of the reflectarray is designed in such a way that it exhibits minimum coupling between the two orthogonal reflected LP-field components. Moreover, during the reflectarray construction, a novel phase synthesis is used which takes into account the possible lowest of the existing mutual coupling while providing quadrature phase difference between the orthogonal LP components with minimum phase error. The proposed design is fabricated using $14\times 14$ phasing elements to experimentally validate the numerically simulated results. The performance of the reflectarray is compared with a conventional reflectarray without the AFSR. It is observed that when the reflectarray is integrated with the AFSR, its gain is reduced only by 1.16 dB. However, its out-of-band RCS is reduced significantly. The 8-dB RCS reduction bandwidth can be observed from 3.55 to 7.2 GHz (67.9%) and from 11.85 to 14.21 GHz (18.11%). Moreover, it provides peak co-pol CP gain of 21.62 dBi, aperture efficiency (AE) of 41%, and 1-dB gain bandwidth from 8.68 to 8.95 GHz.
A Practical Method to Plan Co-Evolution of Business and Information Technology

: In our fast-changing digital world, Business-IT alignment is not about reaching an end state where business and IT are aligned but about continuously adapting both IT and business to remain aligned with each other. Currently, managerial instruments for doing so are lacking or disconnected. We aim to provide a light-weight and easy-to-use managerial tool for regular re-alignment and co-evolution of organisational goals and software assets for technical and business-oriented stakeholders. Using a Design Science Research approach, we designed our planning method by conducting exploratory interviews to establish its requirements, reviewing pre-existing instruments, expanding upon them, and integrating them into a single planning process. As a result, we created a 5-step method for collaboratively creating, sharing, and monitoring so-called “evolution plans” and evaluated it in an educational pilot and through confirmatory expert interviews. Our method contributes to emerging research that complements established theoretical models of business-IT alignment with its practical operationalisation.
Characteristics of West African and East Atlantic Cloud Clusters: A Survey from GATE

Abstract This article describes the size, intensity, trajectory, lifetime and distribution of the GATE cloud clusters of West Africa and the eastern Atlantic Ocean and relates their distribution to the summer climate of the region. SMS-1 infrared and visible 3 h pictures for 85 days of GATE, starting 27 June 1974, were used. It was found that over 500 clusters occurred. Size averaged 2 × 105 km2; lifetime, one day. Although both were highly variable, in general, lifetime increased with maximum size. The clusters occurred in a band oriented west-southwest to east-northeast over the ocean and eastward over land. Nodes were observed at intervals of 5–7° along the axis of maximum frequency of occurrence. Clusters at all latitudes moved generally westward, having straighter tracks and faster speeds over land. From July to September the axis of the cluster band shifted northward 100–300 km, and tended to split over the ocean. Clusters on the northern flank of the band were associated with African easterly waves.
On the Determinants and Outcomes of IMF Loans in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Do Politics Matter?

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic and political determinants of IMF loans in low- and middle-income countries and their impact on economic growth. Our contribution is threefold. First, we use the IMF Monitoring of Fund Agreements database along with international political economy factors to analyze IMF lending determinants through a Heckman two-stage selection procedure. Second, we use the predicted values of determinants of IMF lending to explain the consequences of this lending on growth. We also investigate how the domestic political regime of the recipient country would affect the outcomes of these loans. Third, we study the dynamic effects of IMF loans on economic growth using the local projection method. Our main findings show that economic and political proximity to the IMF major shareholders matter for the likelihood of obtaining an IMF non-concessional loan. Furthermore, most of the loans exert a negative effect on the trend component of GDP, confirming that such loans can stabilize the economies in the short term without improving the long-run steady growth. The analysis of the dynamic effects of loans also confirmed these findings. Finally, democratic regimes compared to autocratic ones improve the effects of these loans on economic growth.