Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct In Vivo Analysis of CBD- and THC-Acid Cannabinoids and Classification of Cannabis Cultivars Using SpiderMass

In recent years, cannabis and hemp-based products have become increasingly popular for recreational use, edibles, beverages, health care products, and medicines. The rapid detection and differentiation of phytocannabinoids is, therefore, essential to assess the potency and the therapeutic and nutritional values of cannabis cultivars. Here, we implemented SpiderMass technology for in vivo detection of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinolicacid (∆9-THCA), and other endogenous organic plant compounds, to access distribution gradients within the plants and differentiate between cultivars. The SpiderMass system is composed of an IR-laser handheld microsampling probe connected to a mass spectrometer through a transfer tube. The analysis was performed on different plant organs from freshly cultivated cannabis plants in only a few seconds. SpiderMass analysis easily discriminated the two acid phytocannabinoid isomers via MS/MS, and the built statistical models differentiated between four cannabis cultivars. Different abundancies of the two acid phytocannabinoids were found along the plant as well as between different cultivars. Overall, these results introduce direct analysis by SpiderMass as a compelling analytical alternative for rapid hemp analysis.
[Comparison of shear bond strength of different resin cements to ceramic and dentin].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of different resin cements and dentin surface treatment methods on shear bond strength between glass ceramic and human dentin. METHODS Freshly extracted non-carious human premolars were collected to prepare flat mesial and distal dentin surface with diamond bur. Besides, ceramic discs (3 mm in diameter, 3 mm in height) were fabricated with IPS e. max Press ingots. All samples were randomly divided into five groups, sixteen specimens each. Ceramic discs were cemented on dentin surface using one of the five resin cements [Group A (Variolink II), Group B (Multilink Automix), Group C (Multilink Sprint), Group D (Rely X Unicem) and Group E (BisCem)] respectively. Half of the specimens were stored in water 37 degrees C for 24 h and the other half were additionally thermocycled for 5000 times (5 degrees C/55 degrees C) before shear bond strength test. Dentin bonding surface and transverse plane were examined with a scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS Group A showed the highest bond strength before thermocycling [(22.3 +/- 3.9) MPa], and the bond strength of Group B [(18.1 +/- 3.5) MPa] was lower than that of Group A (P < 0.05). Group E [(11.7 +/- 4.2) MPa], Group C [(11.3 +/- 3.6) MPa] and Group D [(14.1 +/- 2.3) MPa] had the lowest bond strength. After thermocycling, Group A still showed the highest bond strength [(17.8 +/- 2.3) MPa]. The bond strength of Group B [(14.4 +/- 3.5) MPa] and Group D [(13.2 +/- 2.5) MPa] were lower than that of Group A. Group E [(8.9 +/- 3.2) MPa] and Group C [(7.0 +/- 2.4) MPa] showed the lowest bond strength. The bond strength of all groups decreased notably after thermocycling except Group E and Group D. CONCLUSIONS The resin cement based on etch-rinsing bonding system has higher bond strength to dentin than those based on self-etch bonding system and self-adhesive resin cements.
Examining the Role of Deliberation in De-Bias Training

Does avoiding biased responding to reasoning problems and grasping the correct solution requires engaging in effortful deliberation or can such solution insight be acquired more intuitively? In this study we set out to test the impact of deliberation on the efficiency of a de-bias training in which the problem logic was explained to participants. We focused on the infamous bat-and-ball problem and varied the degree of possible deliberation during the training session by manipulating time constraints and cognitive load. The results show that the less constrained the deliberation, the more participants improve. However, even under extremely stringent conditions (high time-pressure and dual task load), participants still show a significant improvement. Critically, this “intuitive” insight effect persists over two months. This suggests that deliberation helps reasoners benefit from the training, but it is not indispensable. We discuss critical applied and theoretical implications.
Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health and Treatment Compliance in Psoriasis Patients

Objective: This study was designed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on treatment compliance and mental health (anxiety and depression) in psoriasis patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Department of Dermatology at York teaching Hospital from April to August 2020. One hundred and eleven patients diagnosed with psoriasis were asked to complete a questionnaire (HADS). Patients were also asked about their compliance or self-modifications in their treatment regime due to fear of Covid-19. Using SPSS version 26.0 all of the collected data was analysed together. Results: 40 patients (36.03%) had depression and 52 patients (46.84%) anxiety on the basis of their HADS score. Twenty patients (18.01%) stopped treatment due to concerns regarding COVID-19. Prevalence of anxiety was more in female patients and those on traditional immuno-suppressants as compared to biological treatment or those receiving topical treatment only. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are common in patients with psoriasis. Female patients and those on systemic medications are worse affected compared to patients on topical treatment or those receiving phototherapy. Fear of COVID-19 has led to 18% of patients self-stopping their treatment altogether. Keywords: Psoriasis, Mental Health, Covid-19, Compliance
Seismic behaviour and analysis of U-shaped RC walls

In many countries of moderate to high seismicity, reinforced concrete (RC) core walls are used as lateral bracing systems in mid- to high-rise buildings where they typically accommodate lift shafts or stair cases. Unlike planar walls which provide horizontal strength and stiffness mainly in the in-plane direction of the wall, core walls provide bidirectional strength and stiffness. This feature complicates their inelastic behaviour which is not yet fully understood as experimental and numerical studies are still rather scarce when compared to planar walls. Therefore, current design codes are based on findings from planar walls while specific guidelines for the design and analysis of core walls are still lacking. In addition, simple analysis tools widely used by design engineers such as the plastic hinge model, have been derived and calibrated for columns, beams or planar walls and their suitability for core walls has been only marginally verified. For these reasons the current study focuses on: (1) improving the knowledge on the inelastic behaviour of U-shaped walls under bidirectional loading and (2) on extending easily applicable engineering type models, such as the plastic hinge model, to the analysis of U-shaped walls. The scope of the thesis is limited to U-shaped walls, which is the simplest type of core wall that still retains the key characteristics of such walls. The first part of the thesis focuses on understanding the behaviour of U-shaped walls under loading along the geometric diagonal of the section. This loading direction is not typically considered in the design process but it was found to determine the shear design of the flanges while the displacement capacity for this direction might be the lowest of all the loading directions. In order to address the behaviour under diagonal loading, two large-scale quasi-static cyclic tests on U-shaped walls were carried out. Failure mechanisms specific to diagonal loading and possible critical design aspects related to these failure modes were identified from the experimental results. In addition, the influence of the longitudinal reinforcement distribution on the wall behaviour was investigated. The second part of the thesis focuses on adapting equations used in plastic hinge model for the analysis of U-shaped walls. Plane section analyses and a shell element model validated against the experimental data were used to perform parametric studies on U-shaped walls. From the results of the parametric studies a new equation for the yield curvature for any direction of horizontal loading was proposed as well as a modified yield displacement equation that accounts for the partially cracked wall height at yield. With this equation, predictions of yield displacements were improved especially for very slender walls. Quantities that rely on the yield displacement, such as the effective stiffness of the wall were also better predicted when the cracked height was accounted for in the prediction. And finally, plastic hinge length equations were also modified to account for the variation with the different loading directions.
The 2003 Tax Reform and Corporate Payout Policy in the US

This study explores the hypothesis that the 2003 tax cuts on dividends and capital gains generated an increase in aggregate dividends and aggregate share repurchases in the US after 2003. I find that the 2003 tax reform leads to a rise in both types of payouts in the General Equilibrium setting with sticky wages after incorporating two financial frictions, including the adjustment costs on dividends and endogenous constraint on repurchases. Two motives lie behind the results. First, the 2003 tax reform generates a tax motive for dividends due to higher tax cuts on dividends than tax cuts on capital gains. Second, the 2003 tax reform activates a flexibility motive for repurchases because paying dividends in the current period induces a commitment of firms to future dividend payments. Since any deviation from such a commitment might be costly for firms, those with low excess cash prefer to choose repurchases as a buffer to protect against extra penalties related to higher dividend volatility. Sticky wages in the General Equilibrium aim to provide firms with excess cash. JEL Classification: D21, E62, G35, H25, H32.
Relating Suprathreshold Auditory Processing Abilities to Speech Understanding in Competition

(1) Background: Difficulty hearing in noise is exacerbated in older adults. Older adults are more likely to have audiometric hearing loss, although some individuals with normal pure-tone audiograms also have difficulty perceiving speech in noise. Additional variables also likely account for speech understanding in noise. It has been suggested that one important class of variables is the ability to process auditory information once it has been detected. Here, we tested a set of these “suprathreshold” auditory processing abilities and related them to performance on a two-part test of speech understanding in competition with and without spatial separation of the target and masking speech. Testing was administered in the Portable Automated Rapid Testing (PART) application developed by our team; PART facilitates psychoacoustic assessments of auditory processing. (2) Methods: Forty-one individuals (average age 51 years), completed assessments of sensitivity to temporal fine structure (TFS) and spectrotemporal modulation (STM) detection via an iPad running the PART application. Statistical models were used to evaluate the strength of associations between performance on the auditory processing tasks and speech understanding in competition. Age and pure-tone-average (PTA) were also included as potential predictors. (3) Results: The model providing the best fit also included age and a measure of diotic frequency modulation (FM) detection but none of the other potential predictors. However, even the best fitting models accounted for 31% or less of the variance, supporting work suggesting that other variables (e.g., cognitive processing abilities) also contribute significantly to speech understanding in noise. (4) Conclusions: The results of the current study do not provide strong support for previous suggestions that suprathreshold processing abilities alone can be used to explain difficulties in speech understanding in competition among older adults. This discrepancy could be due to the speech tests used, the listeners tested, or the suprathreshold tests chosen. Future work with larger numbers of participants is warranted, including a range of cognitive tests and additional assessments of suprathreshold auditory processing abilities.
Re-Annotation of Training Samples for Robust Maritime Object Detection

Machine learning and specifically deep learning techniques address many of the issues faced in visual object detection and classification tasks. However, they have the caveat of needing large amounts of annotated training data. In the maritime domain one may encounter objects fairly infrequently, depending on weather and location. This creates an issue of data collection. Areas such as harbors and channels see a lot of traffic, but the ships are of a specific class. Furthermore, the variability of the buoys from region to region and within regions is difficult and expensive to sample. Thus the amount and quality of available data is severely lacking. Furthermore very few publicly available maritime datasets exist In this work, we present a novel approach that detects possible ‘‘poor’’ training samples and automatically re-annotates them, based on the current state of the object detector. We show the applicability of our approach on real-life maritime data and show that the poor annotation quality of the datasets used can be mitigated. We show performance gain with respect to a baseline approach is proportional to the amount of poorly annotated data in the dataset. When 25% of the data is poor we achieve a 5.5%, 13.7%, and 8.0% increase in performance on 3 separate datasets, compared to a baseline model. With 50% noise we reach 58.5%, 18.7% and 94.2% increase respectively. Our approach also allows for the iterative improvement of a given dataset by providing a set of pseudo-annotations to replace the current incorrect ones.
A role for platelet-derived growth factor (cid:1) -receptor in a newborn rat model of endothelin-mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling

A role for platelet-derived growth factor (cid:1) -receptor in a newborn rat model of endothelin-mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 288: L1162–L1170, 2005. published 2005; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00180. 2004. —Newborn rats exposed to 60% O 2 for 14 days develop endothelin (ET)-1-dependent pulmonary hypertension with vascular remodeling, characterized by increased smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and medial thickening of pulmonary resistance arteries. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses, we examined the effect of exposure to 60% O 2 on expression in the lung of receptors for the platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial smooth muscle hyperplasia. We observed a marked O 2 induced upregulation of PDGF- (cid:2) and - (cid:1) receptors (PDGF- (cid:2) R and - (cid:1) R) on arterial smooth muscle. This led us to examine pulmonary vascular PDGF receptor expression in 60% O 2 -exposed rats given SB-217242, a combined ET receptor antagonist, which we found prevented the O 2 -induced upregulation of PDGF- (cid:1) R, but not PDGF- (cid:2) R, on arterial smooth muscle. PDGF-BB, a major PDGF- (cid:1) R ligand, was found to be a potent in vitro inducer of hyperplasia and DNA synthesis in cultured pulmonary artery SMC from infant rats. A critical role for PDGF- (cid:1) R ligands in arterial SMC proliferation was conﬁrmed in vivo using a truncated soluble PDGF- (cid:1) R intervention, which attenuated SMC proliferation induced by exposure to 60% O 2 . Collectively, these data are consistent with a major role for PDGF- (cid:1) R-mediated SMC proliferation, acting downstream of increased ET-1 in a newborn rat model of 60% O 2 -induced pulmonary hypertension. more groups were compared, one-way or two-way ANOVA was performed followed by pairwise multiple comparisons using Tukey’s test if signiﬁcant differences were found.
Associations of Sex Steroids and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Population-Based Study and Meta-Analysis

Background: Prior studies have reported inconsistent results or less well-explored associations between sex hormones and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we aimed to investigate the associations of NAFLD with sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the population-based study and conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of all published observational studies. Methods: Analyses included 755 men and 1109 women with available data on sex steroids, SHBG, and ultrasound-based NAFLD from the Rotterdam Study. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the associations. Additionally, we searched five databases from inception to 1 April 2022 and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Random-effects (DerSimonian-Laird) method was used for meta-analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the effect estimate, subgroup and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were conducted, and meta-regression was performed to explore the pooled statistics with high heterogeneity. Results: In the Rotterdam Study, lower levels of SHBG were associated with NAFLD in both sexes, while lower testosterone was associated with NAFLD only among women. Similarly, the meta-analysis of 16 studies indicated no sex-specific association between SHBG and NAFLD (men: OR = 0.37, 95%CI 0.21–0.53; women: OR = 0.40, 95%CI 0.21–0.60), yet there was a sex-specific association between testosterone and NAFLD (men: OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.42–0.76; women: OR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.68–1.44). Moreover, men with NAFLD had lower estradiol levels than those without NAFLD. Conclusions: Lower SHBG levels were associated with NAFLD in both sexes, but testosterone levels were associated in a sex-specific manner. In addition, our results showed estradiol with the potential as a protective factor for NAFLD in healthy men.
Solid-state fermentation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell using Trichoderma sp., tape yeast, and tempeh yeast to produce cellulase

At present, utilization of groundnut shell is still very low. Hence, this study was carried out to valorize groundnut shell as a substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) using mixed culture of Trichoderma sp. , tape yeast, and tempeh yeast to produce cellulase with a substrate to culture ratio of 10:1. The process was carried at 25°C for 5 days, and the fungal biomass as well as cellulase activity was determined daily. The groundnut shell contains approximately 12.24% cellulose, 50.15% cellulose, and 33% lignin, on a dry basis. After 5 days of fermentation, the fungal biomass and cellulase activity lies in the range of 0.07–0.34 g and cellulase activity of of 0.06–0.12 filter paper unit FPU/ ml, respectively. A maximum biomass of 0.34 g was obtained from a mixed culture of Trichoderma sp. and tempeh yeast whereas a maximum cellulase activity of 0.12 FPU/ml from a mixed culture of Trichoderma sp . and tape yeast. The results demonstrate that cellulase activity produced by mixed cultures was higher value than produced by single cultures. Mathematical models were also developed using secondary data to estimate kinetic parameters for producing cellulase using submerged and SSF. Both models can predict the kinetic parameters reasonably well.
Point-of-Care Testing Using a Neuropsychology Pocketcard Set: A Preliminary Validation Study

Neurocognitive screening instruments usually require printed sheets and additional accessories, and can be unsuitable for low-threshold use during ward rounds or emergency workup, especially in patients with motor impairments. Here, we test the utility of a newly developed neuropsychology pocketcard set for point-of-care testing. For aphasia and neglect assessment, modified versions of the Language Screening Test and the Bells Test were validated on 63 and 60 acute stroke unit patients, respectively, against expert clinical evaluation and the original pen-and-paper Bells Test. The pocketcard aphasia test achieved an excellent area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1, p < 0.001). Using an optimal cut-off of ≥2 mistakes, sensitivity was 91% and specificity was 81%. The pocketcard Bells Task, measured against the clinical neglect diagnosis, achieved higher sensitivity (89%) and specificity (88%) than the original paper-based instrument (78% and 75%, respectively). Separately, executive function tests (modified versions of the Trail Making Test [TMT] A and B, custom Stroop color naming task, vigilance ‘A’ Montreal Cognitive Assessment item) were validated on 44 inpatients with epilepsy against the EpiTrack® test battery. Pocketcard TMT performance was significantly correlated with the original EpiTrack® versions (A: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; B: r = 0.75, p < 0.001). AUCs for the custom Stroop task, TMT A and TMT B for discriminating between normal and pathological EpiTrack® scores were acceptable, excellent and outstanding, respectively. Quick point-of-care testing using a pocketcard set is feasible and yields diagnostically valid information.
The Triaxial Test of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Fly Ash Soil

Recently, soil reinforcement using arranged or randomly distributed fibers has attracted increasing attention in geotechnical engineering. In this study, polypropylene (PP) fibers with three lengths (6, 12, and 24 mm) and three mass percentages (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) were used to reinforce a coal fly ash soil (FAS) mixture. Unconsolidated, undrained triaxial tests were carried out in order to study the mechanical properties of the polypropylene fiber-reinforced FAS mixture and evaluate the impact of fiber on the shear strength of the FAS mixture. It is found that the fiber length of 12 mm could significantly improve the shear strength of the polypropylene fiber reinforced FAS mixture, and little effect is shown on the shear strength while using a fiber length of 24 mm. Additional fibers enhance the energy absorption capacity of the FAS specimens and therefore the highest energy absorption capacity occurs when the fiber content is 1% and the fiber length is 12 mm. The peak deviator stress enhances impressively with the addition of polypropylene fiber. The impact of fiber on the peak deviator stress is the largest when fiber content is within 1.0%. The fiber length has little effect on the peak deviator stress when it exceeds 12 mm.
Stellate ganglion intervention for chronic pain: A review

Abstract Stellate ganglion (SG) intervention is currently widely being studied in many kinds of chronic pain. As one of the convenient ways to treat the sympathetic nervous system, the indications for stellate ganglion intervention (SGI) include complex regional pain syndrome, postherpetic neuralgia, cancer pain of different origins, orofacial pain, and so forth. SGI refers to the reversible or irreversible blocking of the cervical sympathetic trunk, cervical sympathetic ganglion, and their innervation range through noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment. Current treatment options include stellate ganglion block (SGB), SG pulsed radiofrequency, continuous radiofrequency treatment, and noninvasive SGB. In particular, SGB continues to be one of the most studied methods in chronic pain management. However, a single SGB usually provides only short‐term effects; repeated SGB may result in complications such as hoarseness, light‐headedness, and vessel or nerve injury. Meanwhile, the mechanism of SGI is still unclear. This review discusses the research progress of SGI methods, effectiveness, complications, and possible mechanisms in the management of chronic pain.