Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Structure MRI in Parkinson’s Disease and Comorbidity with Depression Based on Multinomial Tensor Regression Analysis

Background: Depression is a prominent and highly prevalent nonmotor feature in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The neural and pathophysiologic mechanisms of PD with depression (DPD) remain unclear. The current diagnosis of DPD largely depends on clinical evaluation. Methods: We proposed a new family of multinomial tensor regressions that leveraged whole-brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to discriminate among 196 non-depressed PD (NDPD) patients, 84 DPD patients, 200 healthy controls (HC), and to assess the special brain microstructures in NDPD and DPD. The method of maximum likelihood estimation coupled with state-of-art gradient descent algorithms was used to predict the individual diagnosis of PD and the development of DPD in PD patients. Results: The results reveal that the proposed efficient approach not only achieved a high prediction accuracy (0.94) with a multi-class AUC (0.98) for distinguishing between NDPD, DPD, and HC on the testing set but also located the most discriminative regions for NDPD and DPD, including cortical regions, the cerebellum, the brainstem, the bilateral basal ganglia, and the thalamus and limbic regions. Conclusions: The proposed imaging technique based on tensor regression performs well without any prior feature information, facilitates a deeper understanding into the abnormalities in DPD and PD, and plays an essential role in the statistical analysis of high-dimensional complex MRI imaging data to support the radiological diagnosis of comorbidity of depression with PD.
Trade-Off between Task Accuracy, Task Completion Time and Naturalness for Direct Object Manipulation in Virtual Reality

Virtual reality devices are used for several application domains, such as medicine, entertainment, marketing and training. A handheld controller is the common interaction method for direct object manipulation in virtual reality environments. Using hands would be a straightforward way to directly manipulate objects in the virtual environment if hand-tracking technology were reliable enough. In recent comparison studies, hand-based systems compared unfavorably against the handheld controllers in task completion times and accuracy. In our controlled study, we compare these two interaction techniques with a new hybrid interaction technique which combines the controller tracking with hand gestures for a rigid object manipulation task. The results demonstrate that the hybrid interaction technique is the most preferred because it is intuitive, easy to use, fast, reliable and it provides haptic feedback resembling the real-world object grab. This suggests that there is a trade-off between naturalness, task accuracy and task completion time when using these direct manipulation interaction techniques, and participants prefer to use interaction techniques that provide a balance between these three factors.
Digital modalities, nature, and quality of life: mental health and conservation benefits of watching bear cams

ABSTRACT Exposure to nature is correlated with improving mental health and pro-conservation attitudes. Emerging research suggests digital nature exposure may also produce these outcomes. This article used a qualitative approach to evaluate the impact of viewing wildlife-oriented webcams on mental health and pro-conservation attitudes. Data were obtained from 6968 online surveys. Viewers reported improvements in mental health, and positive changes in perceptions of nature and pro-conservation attitudes. Digital exposure to nature, via wildlife webcams, is capable of delivering positive improvements to individuals’ mental health and quality of life, as well as conservation outcomes. Ease of access and affordability positions wildlife webcams as a powerful tool to contribute to mental health and conservation efforts.
A Deep Learning Model Compression and Ensemble Approach for Weed Detection

Site-specific weed management is an important practice in precision agriculture. Current advances in artificial intelligence have resulted in the use of large deep convolutional neural networks for weed detection. In this paper, a transfer learning, model compression, and ensemble learning approach is introduced that is suitable for resource-limited hardware such as mobile and embedded devices. The resulting ensemble model achieves 91.2% classification accuracy which is comparable to the performance of state-of-the-art deep learning models (such as the vanilla VGG16, DenseNet, and ResNet) while being about 62.22% smaller in size than DenseNet (the smallest-sized full-sized model). The approach used in this study is beneficial for further development of deep convolutional neural networks on smaller resource-limited hardware typically used in agriculture, as well as other industries such as healthcare and telecommunication.
Assembly and Disassembly Mechanics of a Cylindrical Snap Fit

Snap fit is a common mechanical mechanism. It uses the physical asymmetry that is easy to assemble but difficult to disassemble to provide a simple and fast link between objects. The ingenious combination of geometric shape, bending elasticity and friction of the snap fit is the mechanism behind the easy to assemble but difficult to disassemble disassemble. Yoshida and Wada (2020) has done a groundbreaking work in the analysis of the elastic snap fit. During our study of their paper, while we really enjoyed their research, unfortunately we detected several questioning formulations. After careful checking, we found that those formulations are not typographical, therefore it is necessary to make corrections. This paper reformulates the linear elasticity of a cylindrical snap fit, obtains an exact solution and proposes an accurate relation between the opening angle and bending tangent angle. Under the first order approximation, our formulations can reduced to the results of Yoshida and Wada and hence confirms the scientific correctness of Yoshida and Wada's work. Furthermore, this paper also derives a correct vertical displacement expression, and propose a new way of disassembly by bending for the first time and formulate a scaling law by data fitting. All formulations are validated by finite element simulation and experiment. The research here is helpful to the design of elastic snap fit or adjustable mechanical mechanism and metamaterial cell.
Antioxidant and Sensory Assessment of Innovative Coffee Blends of Reduced Caffeine Content

Considering the current trend in the global coffee market, which involves an increased demand for decaffeinated coffee, the aim of the present study was to formulate coffee blends with reduced caffeine content, but with pronounced antioxidant and attractive sensory properties. For this purpose, green and roasted Arabica and Robusta coffee beans of different origins were subjected to the screening analysis of their chemical and bioactive composition using standard AOAC, spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. From roasted coffee beans, espresso, Turkish and filter coffees were prepared, and their sensory evaluation was performed using a 10-point hedonic scale. The results showed that Arabica coffee beans were richer in sucrose and oil, while Robusta beans were characterized by higher content of all determined bioactive parameters. Among all studied samples, the highest content of 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (14.09 mg g−1 dmb), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8.23 mg g−1 dmb) and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4.65 mg g−1 dmb), as well as caffeine (22.38 mg g−1 dmb), was detected in roasted Robusta beans from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, which were therefore used to formulate coffee blends with reduced caffeine content. Robusta brews were found to be more astringent and recognized as more sensorily attractive, while Arabica decaffeinated brews were evaluated as more bitter. The obtained results point out that coffee brews may represent a significant source of phenolic compounds, mainly caffeoylquinic acids, with potent antioxidant properties, even if they have reduced caffeine content.
The Novel Methylation Biomarker NPY5R Sensitizes Breast Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor in women, and the molecular mechanism underlying its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate gene modules related to the phenotypes of BC, and identify representative candidate biomarkers for clinical prognosis of BC patients. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we here identified NPY5R as a hub gene in BC. We further found that NPY5R was frequently downregulated in BC tissues compared with adjacent tumor-matched control tissues, due to its aberrant promoter CpG methylation which was confirmed by methylation analysis and treatment with demethylation agent. Higher expression of NPY5R was closely associated with better prognosis for BC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that transcriptome signatures concerning apoptosis and cell cycle were critically enriched in specimens with elevated NPY5R. Ectopic expression of NPY5R significantly curbed breast tumor cell growth, induced cell apoptosis and G2/M arrest. Moreover, NPY5R also promoted the sensitivity of BC cells to doxorubicin. Mechanistically, we found that NPY5R restricted STAT3 signaling pathway activation through interacting with IL6, which may be responsible for the antitumor activity of NPY5R. Collectively, our findings indicate that NPY5R functions as a tumor suppressor but was frequently downregulated in BC.
Relational Psychological Contract and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Commercial Banks in Bayelsa State

This work studied Relational Psychological Contract and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour among employees within the thirteen (13) commercial banks listed on the floor of the Nigerian stock exchange, in Bayelsa state. The cross-sectional research design was adopted. A sample size of 338 was obtained from the population of 2,800. Using Spearman Correlation Coefficient to analyse the data, the following results were obtained: there exist a significant positive relationship between relational psychological contract and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (altruism, conscientiousness and sportsmanship). Employees are loyal and committed to their banks and they go the extra mile to ensure they meet up with obligations and duties. Managers are advised to put in place training and development initiatives and be transparent in dealing with employees to broker sustained competitive advantage.
Unfolding #Anonymous on Twitter The networks behind the mask

This paper presents a comprehensive empirical investigation of the range of actors, issues and sub-groups related to the hashtag Anonymous on Twitter between 2012 and 2015. Complementing existing studies that have provided in-depth accounts of Anonymous from a specific point of view, this research provides an overview of the network related to the discursive construction of Anonymous on Twitter from a synoptic standpoint. In particular, the analysis covers three dimensions: the structure and dynamics of the #Anonymous interaction network; the range of issues that Anonymous has been associated with; and the relation between Anonymous and its offshoots. This research provides a descriptive characterization of the topological and semantic complexity of Anonymous and invites to reflect on the simplifications that our vocabulary and methods entail vis a vis the complexity of digital entities delimited by and individuated through hashtags.
CONSUMER ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBILITY AND CONCERN ON GREEN CONSUMPTION: UNAVAILABILITY OF ECO-PRODUCT MODERATION

Since the emergence of negative issues about the environment, caused human awareness level began to emerge. The green lifestyle is now starting widely applied by the people. The purpose of this study is to build a research framework, which helps companies to generate green consumption intention through the predictors of environmental responsibility mediated by environmental concern and moderated by green product unavailability. This research is classified as quantitative that used associative design with case study approach on Nutrifood company. The research model used is Structural Equation Modeling with questionnaire survey method to compile data from 269 people who know and have looked for Nutrifood products in Indonesia. The findings of this study reveals that environment concern is an important precursor and intermediary that helps encourage green consumption intention through consumer environment responsibility. The green products unavailability has moderating role between environment responsibility and green consumption intentions.
The influence of cognitive reserve in the protection of the cognitive status after an acquired brain injury: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background Cognitive Reserve (CR) hypothesis was introduced to account for the variability in cognitive performance of patients with similar degrees of brain injury or pathology. The individual variability of CR is modulated by the interaction of innate capacities and exposures throughout life, which can act as protectors against neuropathology’s clinical effects. Individuals with higher CR appear to have better cognitive performance after a brain injury. The present review aimed to identify and map the scientific evidence available in literature regarding CR’s influence in protecting the cognitive status after an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Method A systematic review was performed for published studies until October 2020 in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL electronic databases. Studies regarding CR’s influence in protecting the cognitive status after an ABI were included in this review. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. This systematic review was recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42021236594. Results Twenty-one studies published between 2003 and 2020 were selected and analyzed. The literature analysis showed that CR has a positive effect on cognitive status after an ABI. Various proxies were used to estimate CR, including estimated premorbid IQ, education, occupation attainment, socioeconomic status, leisure activities, bilingualism, and social integration. CR proxies constitute a set of variables that may have a significant influence on cognitive status. Higher CR levels were associated with lower cognitive impairment after an ABI. Conclusions Although more research is necessary for a complete understanding of CR’s impact on cognition, the synthesis of these studies confirmed that there is evidence on the beneficial impact of CR on cognitive status after an ABI. These findings support CR’s cognitive status role following an ABI and may provide additional information for prognosis and rehabilitation plans.
Protective Effects of Chrysin against Cyclophosphamide‐Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathological Approach

Mounting evidences have indicated that cyclophosphamide (CyC)a potent anticancer and cytotoxic agent is associated with various organ and systemic toxicities and the cytotoxic effects observed after administration of CyC still challenges its clinical use. Chrysin (Chy) is a dietary flavonoid with prevailing antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the protective properties of Chy against CyC‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The animals were orally treated with Chy (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) for 35 days and exposed to CyC (i. p., 100 mg/kg) once a week for four weeks. The results indicated that CyC caused significant cardiotoxicity as manifested by notable increases in heart weight, cardiac function biomarkers such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), troponin T and aspartate transaminase (AST). In addition, cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1β (IL1 β) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels were considerably increased. Meanwhile, cardiac antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as glutathione (GSH) level were suppressed, while H&E stained histopathological assessment showed marked alterations in cardiac tissues. CyC also significantly lowered red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) parameters, whereas treatment with Chy significantly restored the altered biochemical and histopathological features. Conclusively, aforementioned results inferred that Chy offered cardioprotective potentials against CyC‐induced cardiotoxicity which may be due to its antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory properties.
A Review of the Literature on the Relationship of Music Education to the Development of Socio-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a topic of increasing focus in the education sector. SEL is the process by which children acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively recognize and manage emotions, to formulate positive goals, to feel empathy for others, to establish and maintain functioning social relationships. It develops to take responsible decisions, determine students’ successful academic performance, transformation into adulthood, useful work, a good quality of life, and well-being. By the end of the 20th century the educational role of music has come into the spotlight, and in addition to the impact of music on the development of general skills, its social and emotional effects are also the subject of research. This paper undertakes to explore the literature about the connections between music education and social-emotional skill development. For the collection and analysis of information, online sources of peer-reviewed scientific journals in addition to the university library were used. The study also examined the relationship between social-emotional learning and the world-wide well-known Kodály Concept and the effect of Kodály’s vision of music education as a forerunner of socio-emotional skills development. The relationship between social-emotional skills and music was explored by reviewing the international music-specific literature from music psychology, music education, music therapy, and music for health and wellbeing. In order to illuminate the problem and to develop a holistic approach, the 100 studies presented here summarize research findings made and presented in different countries around the world.
Comparing the Value-Relevance of Accounting Information in China: Standards and Factors Effects

This paper is motivated by the debate over the practicality of International Accounting Standards (IAS) in transitional economies as well as improvements in the Chinese capital market infrastructure in recent years. This study explores whether IAS is more value-relevant than PRC GAAP, and whether the value-relevance of IAS and the Chinese GAAP has decreased over time in the Chinese capital market. This study adopts the Ohlson (1995) valuation model and the Vuong (1989) z-test to compare value-relevance and value-relevance over time in Chinese A-share and B-share markets from 1997 to 2003. The results indicate that IAS does not provide greater explanatory power than Chinese GAAP for A-share investors. The yearly analyses suggest the total explanatory power of IAS earnings and book value has decreased over time in the B-share market due to ineffective enforcement in compliance with IAS. While the explanatory power of PRC earnings and book values has increased from 2001 in the A-share market due to the improvement of the capital market infrastructure in recent years value-relevance has declined. -The latter is related to inefficient enforcement of full compliance with IAS and PRC GAAP, more firms reporting negative earnings and more firms with intangible-intensity. Small-sized firm and firms reporting negative earnings shift value-relevance to book values.
THE EFFECT OF SENSORY CUES AND COGNITIVE LOAD ON WILLINGNESS TO PAY

In this study, two experiments involving a total of 200 participants were conducted. The first experiment was intended to compare the effects of single sensory cues (haptic or visual) and multi-sensory cues (haptic plus visual) on willingness to pay. Results showed multi-sensory cues led to higher willingness to pay. The second experiment was based on a two-factor betweensubject design. The effects of sensory cues on willingness to pay were assessed with consideration of cognitive load. Results indicated that multi-sensory cues were more effective than single sensory cues in boosting willingness to pay, but the difference became insignificant in the presence of cognitive overload. Based on research findings, some managerial implications were proposed.
DETERMINANTS OF STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TOWARDS GOOGLE CLASSROOM IN THE COVID-19 ERA: EVIDENCE FROM ZIMBABWEAN UNIVERSITIES.

Online learning technologies have dismantled geographical boundaries to higher education. The power of internet technologies has enhanced the accessibility of education around the globe through online platforms. Owing to the advent of Covid 19, online learning has become more popular with many institutions of higher learning migrating to such platforms following the closure of campuses. However, despite the growing popularity of online learning platforms, prior research suggests that there is an inadequate reflection and critical analysis of user interaction and behaviour towards such platforms especially in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to analyse the determinants of students’ behavioural intention towards Google Classroom as a learning platform. Research data was collected from 250 respondents via the SurveyMonkey platform. Findings revealed that perceived ease of use and perceived convenience had a significant positive impact on the attitude of students towards Google Classroom. No significant relationship was found between perceived usefulness and the attitude towards Google Classroom. Furthermore, no significant relationship existed between the attitude to Google Classroom and the behavioural intention of students. These results have important managerial implications in terms of decision making.