Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Features of Focal Splenic Tuberculosis

Background The aim of this study was to characterize the contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging features of focal splenic tuberculosis. Material/Methods We retrospectively analyzed the conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging features of 22 patients with splenic TB confirmed by surgical histopathology or biopsy. Results Conventional US demonstrated that 15 of the 22 patients had a single lesion, while 7 had multiple lesions. The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 3.7 cm. Of the 22, 17 were detected with hypoecho and 5 were detected with complex echo by conventional US. Seven (7/22) were detected with blood flow signals by color Doppler flow image (CDFI). CUES demonstrated that 18 cases (81.8%, 18/22) began to enhance in the arterial phase, mostly followed by slow wash-out in the intermediate or late parenchymal phase, and 4 (18.2%, 4/22) presented with non-enhancement during all phases. The enhancement patterns were categorized into 4 types: Type I, homogeneous enhancement (2/22); Type II, rim-like enhancement (12/22); Type III, septation-like enhancement (4/22); and Type IV, non-enhancement (4/22). Conclusions CEUS showed that splenic TB lesions were enhanced in the arterial phase, followed by slow washed out or persistent enhancement in the intermediate and late parenchymal phases. The rim- or septation-like enhancement may be helpful for diagnosing splenic TB. The splenic lesions presenting round hypoecho by conventional US and complete non-enhancement by CEUS are highly suspicious of splenic TB.
Alleviating Visual Impairment from Radiation-Induced Optic Neuropathy by Mouse Nerve Growth Factor

We reported a 74-year old man who was diagnosed as radiation-induced optic neuropathy eight years after radiotherapy. Even though the visual loss has lasted for more than six months and did not response to corticosteroid monotherapy, his symptoms were improved after receiving mouse nerve growth factor plus methylprednisolone. This case report suggests that mouse nerve growth factor might be a promising treatment for radiation-induced optic neuropathy.
The Role of Banking Concentration on Financial Stability

Globally, financial instability is a major source of concern among policy makers and bank regulators, particularly after the 2007-09 global financial crisis. Motivated by inconsistent theoretical evaluations on the impact of bank concentration on the likelihood of a systemic banking crisis, this paper investigates the role of bank concentration on financial stability in Kenya with competition as an intervening variable. The novelity of this study lies on the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) in the analysis of direct and indirect effects of bank concentration on financial stability. Results show that higher concentration induces banks to increase cost of service provision which may aggravate credit risks and expose banks to systemic risks. Further, competition plays a significant role in ensuring financial system stability which supports the ‘competition-stabiliy’ hypothesis. Uncompetitive banking industry may therefore provide incentive for banks to take excessive risks, which renders them vulnerable to systematic risks. We also establish that tight regulations enhances concentration and financial stability but hinders competition. These new insights give bank regulators and policy makers an incentive to formulate and implement the right policies to improve financial stability.
THE ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN MEDIATING THE EFFECT OF JOB SATISFACTION AND PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT ON TURNOVER INTENTION

Turnover intention is an employee's desire to leave the company because of the intention to move to another company. In order to reduce the high turnover intention, companies need to pay attention to several factors that influence turnover intention. This study aims to determine the effect of job satisfaction and perceived organizational support on turnover intention, as well as knowing the role of organizational commitment in mediating the effect of job satisfaction and perceived organizational support on turnover intention. This research was conducted at PT. Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. The number of samples taken was 81 employees, using probability sampling methods, especially proportionate stratified random sampling. Data collection is done through a survey approach with a questionnaire method. This study uses a variance based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique, often called Partial Least Square (PLS). Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the variables of job satisfaction and perceived organizational support had a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment. Job satisfaction, perceived organizational support, and organizational commitment have a negative and significant effect on turnover intention, and organizational commitment mediates partially the effect of job satisfaction and perceived organizational support on turnover intention. Suggestions that can be given to the management of PT. Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is important for increasing job satisfaction and perceived organizational support which will have an impact on increasing organizational commitment so as to reduce turnover intention.
Adaptation and evaluation of systems for recognition and resolution of named entities in Arabic literacy

In thispaper, we propose chaining two existing tools, one for the recognition of named entities, and the other for the resolution of named entities in order to process texts from modern Arabic literature. The result provided by our processing chain projects the named entities from the Arabic text to its correct location on a map and finally showshow this idea can be interesting to the digital ecosystem.
Structure, mechanism and application of vinyl alcohol oligomers grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate): a proposal

Abstract Oligomers of poly(vinyl alcohol) were grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by radiation-induced polymerization. The aim of this study was to elucidate the structure of these copolymers using nuclear magnetic resonance (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence) spectroscopy supported by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was concluded that vinyl alcohol (VA) was grafted onto PHB for the methylenic and methynic sites. A mechanism for the grafting reaction was proposed based on the experimental evidence. AFM and DLS allowed the characterization of the particles obtained from P(HB-g-VA). The prepared materials showed suitable properties for use in drug delivery systems.
A study on the correlation of serum magnesium with intima-media thickness of carotid in hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Atherosclerosis progression in the patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is more than normal population. Magnesium levels are also associated with an increase in atherosclerosis in the common carotid artery. Intima-media carotid calcification is either directly or indirectly related to cardiovascular disease and a higher rate of death among patients with chronic renal failure. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of serum magnesium levels in vascular calcification and the improvement of the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, the participants were selected from all patients with ESRD in Five Azar Medical Center of Gorgan, Iran. Blood samples collected from research units were tested for serum magnesium level in three times. Patients were referred to a radiologist to measure CIMT. Data collected in all patients were evaluated based on Spearman’s correlation test. Results: The correlation between serum magnesium level and CIMT was not statistically significant (P = 0.66 r= 0.04), however a positive correlation between CIMT and the dialysis adequacy (KT/V) was detected (r = 0.306, P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study demonstrated no correlation between the serum magnesium level and the CIMT in hemodialysis patients.
COVID-19 Anxiety and Quality of Sleep among Employees of a Nursing Campus and Their Spouses

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious, has spread across the world rapidly and has taken many lives. All these have created a lot of concern for people leading to heightened levels of anxiety as a common response to this dreadful situation. It not only has affected physically but psychologically as well including sleep quality. This study aimed to assess employees and their spouses’ level of anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to find out level of anxiety and quality of sleep among employees and their spouses in Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic from June 14, 2020, to July 4, 2020. Web based Google forms and printed questionnaire were used to collect data as required. Total enumerative sampling technique was used where 128 responses were received. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. P value was significant at 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Committee of Patan Academy of Health Sciences. Results: The overall prevalence of COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety was 1.6% and poor quality sleep was 39.1%. There was no significant association of age, gender and status of respondents with quality of sleep at 95% of significance level (p-value=.089, .887, .964 respectively). Conclusion: From findings of the study, it is concluded that though only few respondents had dysfunctional covid-19 anxiety, about two fifth respondents had poor quality of sleep. Therefore, poor quality sleep could be addressed, and counselling could be performed on time.
Marine Heatwaves in the Arabian Sea

Abstract. Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are prolonged warm sea condition events that cause a destructive impact on marine ecosystems. The documentation of MHWs and assessment of their impacts are largely confined to a few regional seas or in global mean studies. The Indian Ocean received almost no attention in this regard despite the fact that this ocean basin, particularly the Arabian Sea, is warming at the most rapid pace among the other tropical basins in recent decades. This study shows the characteristics MHWs for the Arabian Sea during 1982–2019. Our analysis shows that the duration of MHWs exhibit a rapidly increasing trend of ~20 days/decade (1.5–2 count/decade) in the northern Arabian Sea and in the southeastern Arabian Sea close to the west coast of India; which is more than 15 fold increase in the MHW days from the early 80s'. At the same time increase in MHW frequency is ~1.5–2 count/decade i.e an increase of ~6 fold, indicating more frequent and much longer heatwave events in the recent decade. Notably, since the beginning of the satellite record, the year 2010 and 2016 saw the maximum number of heatwave days with more than 75 % of days of the pre-monsoon and summer monsoon season experienced heatwaves. The accelerated trend of the heatwave days is found to be driven by the rapid rise of the mean SST of the Arabian Sea in the recent decade. Moreover, longer heatwave days are also associated with the dominant climate modes and among them, Indian Ocean Basin mode via the decaying phase of the El-Niño is found to be the most influencing mode contributing in more than 70–80 % of observed heatwave days in this basin. Mixed layer heat budget analysis suggests significant heterogeneity in the dominant processes across the years; however, weakening of latent heat loss is in general one of the key mechanism in the genesis of most of the MHWs.
Breaking the Silence and Healing Trauma for Incarcerated Women: Peer-facilitated Delivery of a Brief Intervention

Peer-facilitated programs in corrections can be a cost-effective strategy to provide more opportunity for program services in prison. Brief interventions are also a valuable way to introduce programs to those assigned to short-term housing, while preparing them for lengthier programming once placed in permanent housing. The usefulness of brief interventions in substance use treatment has been extensively researched in the literature; however, the evidence regarding peer-facilitated programs with a trauma focus is less available. Given the extensive prevalence of lifelong trauma in the lives of justice-involved women, there is a vital need for trauma-specific interventions and research assessing both content and models of delivery. This pilot study assesses the effectiveness of a brief peer-facilitated, trauma-specific intervention among participants incarcerated at two women’s facilities in California. Healing Trauma1 is a 6-session brief intervention that was designed for women who have experienced trauma associated with adverse childhood experiences. The peer-facilitated intervention was delivered twice a week with two-hour long sessions in closed groups of 6 - 8 participants. The sample consisted of 682 participants who volunteered for the program and study. Data were collected prior to the start of the first session and upon completion of the last session on ten primary outcomes: depression, anxiety, PTSD, mental health symptoms, aggression, anger expression, anger representation, empathy, social connectedness, and emotional regulation. The results demonstrated strong support for the efficacy of Healing Trauma and a peer-facilitated model of program delivery. Participants exhibited significant improvement across 90% of the outcomes measured. Effect sizes were small to moderate in size, with the largest impact on depression, PTSD, and feelings of anger (Cohen’s d ranged from .51, .41, .42 respectively). The findings provide a knowledge base to create more rigorous studies for further exploration of outcomes.
Intracranial Recordings Demonstrate Both Cortical and Medial Temporal Lobe Engagement in Visual Search in Humans

Abstract Visual search is a fundamental human behavior, providing a gateway to understanding other sensory domains as well as the role of search in higher-order cognition. Search has been proposed to include two component processes: inefficient search (Search) and efficient search (Pop-out). According to extant research, these two processes map onto two separable neural systems located in the frontal and parietal association cortices. In this study, we use intracranial recordings from 23 participants to delineate the neural correlates of Search and Pop-out with an unprecedented combination of spatiotemporal resolution and coverage across cortical and subcortical structures. First, we demonstrate a role for the medial temporal lobe in visual search, on par with engagement in frontal and parietal association cortex. Second, we show a gradient of increasing engagement over anatomical space from dorsal to ventral lateral frontal cortex. Third, we confirm previous intracranial work demonstrating nearly complete overlap in neural engagement across cortical regions in Search and Pop-out. We further demonstrate Pop-out selectivity, manifesting as activity increase in Pop-out as compared to Search, in a distributed set of sites including frontal cortex. This result is at odds with the view that Pop-out is implemented in low-level visual cortex or parietal cortex alone. Finally, we affirm a central role for the right lateral frontal cortex in Search.
Changes in China's anthropogenic emissions and air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020

Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns led to a sharp drop in socio-economic activities in China in 2020, including reductions in fossil fuel use, industry productions, and traffic volumes. The short-term impacts of lockdowns on China's air quality have been measured and reported, however, the changes in anthropogenic emissions have not yet been assessed quantitatively, which hinders our understanding of the causes of the air quality changes during COVID-19. Here, for the first time, we report the anthropogenic air pollutant emissions from mainland China by using a bottom-up approach based on the near-real-time data in 2020 and use the estimated emissions to simulate air quality changes with a chemical transport model. The COVID-19 lockdown was estimated to have reduced China's anthropogenic emissions substantially between January and March in 2020, with the largest reductions in February. Emissions of SO2, NOx, CO, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and primary PM2.5 were estimated to have decreased by 27 %, 36 %, 28 %, 31 %, and 24 %, respectively, in February 2020 compared to the same month in 2019. The reductions in anthropogenic emissions were dominated by the industry sector for SO2 and PM2.5 and were contributed to approximately equally by the industry and transportation sectors for NOx, CO, and NMVOCs. With the spread of coronavirus controlled, China's anthropogenic emissions rebounded in April and since then returned to the comparable levels of 2019 in the second half of 2020. The provinces in China have presented nearly synchronous decline and rebound in anthropogenic emissions, while Hubei and the provinces surrounding Beijing recovered more slowly due to the extension of lockdown measures. The ambient air pollution presented much lower concentrations during the first 3 months in 2020 than in 2019 while rapidly returning to comparable levels afterward, which have been reproduced by the air quality model simulation driven by our estimated emissions. China's monthly anthropogenic emissions in 2020 can be accessed from https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare. c.5214920. v2 (Zheng et al., 2021) by species, month, sector, and province.
Robotics and Intelligent Systems Against a Pandemic

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its disease COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge for humanity. Intelligent systems and robotics particularly are helping the fight against COVID-19 several ways. Potential technology-driven solutions in this accelerating pandemic include, but are not limited to, early detection and diagnosis, assistive robots, indoor and outdoor disinfection robots, public awareness and patrolling, contactless last-mile delivery services, micro- and nano-robotics and laboratory automation. This article sheds light on the roles robotics and automation can play in fighting this disastrous pandemic and highlights a number of potential applications to transform this challenge into opportunities. The article also highlights the ethical implications of robotics and intelligent systems during the emergency side and in the post-pandemic world.
Detection of enteroparasites in foliar vegetables commercialized in street- and supermarkets in Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

Foliar vegetables contaminated with fecal residues are an important route of transmission of intestinal parasites to humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of parasitic forms of protozoa and helminths on lettuces (Lactuca sativa) and collard greens (Brassica oleracea) sold in street- and supermarkets in the city of Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. A total of 30 samples of each vegetable (15 samples from each supermarkets and street markets) was analyzed. All samples were processed by spontaneous sedimentation method and centrifugal flotation. In 45% of the samples, immature forms of intestinal parasites were identified with 66.7% helminths eggs and 33.3% protozoan cysts or oocysts. Significantly more lettuce samples were contaminated with eggs, cysts or oocyst of at least one parasite than collard green samples (U=216; Z=-3.45; P <0.001). The parasitic forms were identified morphologically up to the family level with eggs of Ancylostomatidae, Strongyloididae, Ascarididae and Taeniidae, or oocysts of Eimeriidae, to the genus with Cystoisospora sp. and Toxocara sp. , and to the species level with Cystoisospora canis, Dipylidium caninum and Hymenolepis nana. The presence of these infective agents in lettuce and collard green from both street- and supermarkets highlights the high risk of spreading parasites by eating raw vegetables sold in Aparecida de Goiânia.
Simulation Study on the Effect of PD Pulse Shape on Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in an L-type GIS Structure

Modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation inside a GIS structure can be beneficial to understanding and improvement in sensitivity of PD detection by providing information to help determine more optimal positions for UHF PD sensors. PD pulse shape is found to have a strong influence on the distribution of UHF electric field detected at sensors installed on the GIS. This paper focuses on the effect of different PD pulse shapes to understand better EM wave propagation behavior. The time dependent EM wave propagation behavior is simulated for 3 kinds of pulse shape with different front time, time to half-value and half amplitude width and a comparison is made based on the attenuation characteristic analysis of UHF sensor locations along an L-type GIS tank. The resulting influence of different PD pulse shape sources on the UHF sensor signals is presented and discussed. The results in this paper are conducive to understanding the limitations and optimization of PD sensor positions for UHF signal detection and PD location estimation.
Effect of Forage Processor Roll Gap Width and Storage Length on Fermentation Profile, Nutrient Composition, Kernel Processing Score, and Starch Disappearance of Whole-Plant Maize Silage Harvested at Three Different Maturities

Our objective was to assess the effect of forage processor roll gap width and storage length on fermentation, nutrient composition, kernel processing score (KPS), and ruminal in situ starch disappearance (isSD) of whole-plant maize silage harvested at different maturities. Samples from a single maize silage hybrid at three harvest maturities (1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 kernel milk line (early, intermediate, and late, respectively)) processed with two roll gap widths (1 and 3 mm) were collected and stored in quadruplicate vacuum pouches for 0, 30, 120, or 240 d. Lactic acid concentrations were greater, and pH was reduced in early and intermediate maturity silage compared to late maturity silage. Ruminal isSD was greatest for early maturity silage, intermediate for the intermediate maturity silage, and lowest for the late maturity silage, but differences in isSD due to maturity were diminished after prolonged storage. Kernel processing score was greatest in late maturity silage processed through a 1 mm roll gap and lowest in late maturity silage processed through the 3 mm roll gap. For early and intermediate maturity silages, no differences in KPS were observed between the two roll gap widths. Minimal effects of maturity and roll gap width on fatty acids (FA) and amino acids (AA) were observed. Concentrations of total AA decreased as storage length progressed. Results support the premise that the silo is a dynamic system that undergoes numerous chemical changes throughout the storage period.