Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Olfaction, Cognitive Impairment, and PET Biomarkers in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

BACKGROUND Olfactory deficits are early features of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether olfaction is associated with PET biomarkers among community-dwelling older adults is less clear. OBJECTIVE Investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of olfaction with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau deposition. METHODS We analyzed 364 initially cognitively normal participants (58% women, 24% black) who had baseline olfaction data and subsequent cognitive assessments during an average 2.4-year. A subset of 129 had PET-PiB (Aβ) (n = 72 repeated) and 105 had 18F-flortaucipir (FTP)-PET (tau) (n = 44 repeated). Olfaction was measured using a 16-item Sniffin' Sticks Odor Identification Test. The association of olfaction with incident MCI was examined using Cox regression. Associations with PiB-distribution volume ratio (DVR) and FTP-standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) were examined using partial correlation. We tested whether PiB+/-status modified these associations. Analyses were adjusted for demographics and olfactory test version. RESULTS 17 (5%) participants developed MCI. Each unit lower odor identification score was associated with 22% higher risk of developing MCI (p = 0.04). In the PET subset, lower scores were associated with higher mean cortical DVR and DVR in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), precuneus, and middle temporal gyrus (p≤0.04). The "olfaction*PiB+/-" interaction in OFC DVR was significant (p = 0.03), indicating the association was limited to PiB positive individuals. Greater decline in odor identification score was associated with greater increase in anterior OFC DVR and entorhinal tau SUVR (p≤0.03). CONCLUSION Among community-dwelling older adults, poorer olfaction predicts incident MCI and is associated with overall and regional Aβ. Greater olfaction decline is associated with faster Aβ and tau accumulation in olfaction-related regions. Whether olfaction predicts AD-related neurodegenerative changes warrants further investigations.
“White People Still Come Out on Top”: The Persistence of White Supremacy in Shaping Coloured South Africans’ Perceptions of Racial Hierarchy and Experiences of Racism in Post-Apartheid South Africa

White supremacy shaped both the formation of the South African racial state and the formation of racial groups, including the creation of the Coloured category as mixed and liminal between White and Black. There are, however, debates about the continuing legacy of white supremacy in post-apartheid, contemporary South Africa. This paper joins others in the important task of delineating racial hierarchies within contemporary South African society to help reveal the form of oppression, and the accompanying underlying assumptions and ideologies, such as white supremacy, that allows racial difference and deprivation to remain. In this paper, I analyze semi-structured interview data from 50 “Coloured” adults in order to explore their understanding of white supremacy, the racial hierarchy, and contemporary racism. I find that white supremacy negatively impacts Coloureds’ lived experiences through shaping their experiences of structural and interpersonal discrimination from White South Africans. In addition, Coloured South Africans understand the legacy of white supremacy in shaping contemporary racial hierarchies such that White South Africans “still come out on top. ” However, I argue that, at the same time, white supremacy also “colours” or hinders some Coloured respondents’ perceptions of their remaining relative privilege in post-apartheid South Africa. This project contributes by revealing a more complete story about the pervasiveness of contemporary hegemonic, global white supremacy that impacts all aspects of the racial hierarchy, including those mixed or in the middle.
Natural convection over a vertical isothermal plate in a non-Newtonian power-law fluid: New results

The natural convection along a vertical isothermal plate in a non-Newtonian power-law fluid is considered in this article. The problem has been treated in the past but only for the heat transfer case. The boundary layer equations are solved with the finite volume method. The problem is non-similar and is governed by the Prandtl number, the power-law index and the non-dimensional distance along the plate. Results are presented for non-dimensional distance up to 1000, Prandtl numbers from 1 up to 1000 and power-law index from 0.6 up to 1.5. Local Nusselt numbers, temperature profiles, skin friction and velocity profiles have been calculated and presented in tables and figures. The new results, combined with those existing in the literature, give a complete solution to this classical problem in the field of non-Newtonian power-law fluids.
Examining the Importance of Rooting out Bias Through Culturally Responsive Clinical Judgement When Assessing Black Children

In response to national attention regarding issues of racial injustice facing Black Americans, education has been highlighted as a ﬁ eld that has systematically operated in a way that has been detrimental to Black children in the form of underfunding, segregated schools, discriminatory discipline policies, and disproportionate placement in special education. While current estimates indicate a narrowing of the achievement gap, also referred to as opportunity gap, a large difference remains regarding how Black students perform on standardized tests when compared to their White counterparts. According to the Education Opportunity Project at Stanford University (Reardon et al., 2019), the differences in standardized test scores are reported to amount to a de ﬁ cit of approximately two academic years for Black students. While racial disparities in education are a longstanding issue, greater focus on dismantling structural inequity is required for Black students to have equal access to quality education. To accomplish this goal, educational professionals across all disciplines must examine their practices through an
Was It Chikungunya? Laboratorial and Clinical Investigations of Cases Occurred during a Triple Arboviruses’ Outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The co-circulation of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, caused a challenging triple epidemic, as they share similar clinical signs and symptoms and geographical distribution. Here, we aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratorial aspects of chikungunya suspected cases assisted in RJ during the 2018 outbreak, focusing on the differential diagnosis with dengue and zika. All suspected cases were submitted to molecular and/or serological differential diagnostic approaches to arboviruses. A total of 242 cases suspected of arbovirus infection were investigated and 73.6% (178/242) were molecular and/or serologically confirmed as chikungunya. In RT-qPCR confirmed cases, cycle threshold (Ct) values ranged from 15.46 to 35.13, with acute cases presenting lower values. Chikungunya cases were mainly in females (64%) and the most frequently affected age group was adults between 46 to 59 years old (27%). Polyarthralgia affected 89% of patients, especially in hands and feet. No dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infections were confirmed by molecular diagnosis, but 9.5% (23/242) had serological evidence of DENV exposure by the detection of specific anti-DENV IgM or NS1, and 42.7% (76/178) of chikungunya positive cases also presented recent DENV exposure reflected by a positive anti-DENV IgM or NS1 result. A significantly higher frequency of arthritis (p = 0.023) and limb edema (p < 0.001) was found on patients with CHIKV monoinfection compared to dengue patients and patients exposed to both viruses. Lastly, phylogenetic analysis showed that the chikungunya cases were caused by the ECSA genotype. Despite the triple arboviruses’ epidemic in the state of RJ, most patients with fever and arthralgia investigated here were diagnosed as chikungunya cases, and the incidence of CHIKV/DENV co-detection was higher than that reported in other studies.
Ground truth constraints and remote sensing of lunar highland crust composition

We review constraints on the magnitude and possible causes of discrepancies, or at least major disparities, among global and near‐global data sets for lunar highland surface composition. When compared with data from other sources, reported mafic mineral abundance results from the Kaguya Spectral Profiler (Kaguya SP) spectral reflectance method for four Apollo 16 soils appear systematically low by a factor of 0.6, or an even more extreme factor (~1/3) if viewed in relation to the soils’ nonglass or CIPW mineralogy. Also, whether evaluated on a global median basis or on the basis of site‐by‐site comparison (for Apollo 16, Luna 20, and Apollo 17), the compositions found by the Kaguya SP technique show discrepancy, or at least disparity, versus other mafic abundance observations by that same factor of ~1/3. Spectral reflectance does not supply a simple bulk analysis of the target soil. The reflectance mineralogical signal is preponderantly determined by the nonglass fraction, and especially the masswise subordinate 10–20 µm grain size fraction. Literature data show that in anorthositic lunar soil, chemical composition is fractionated, more extremely anorthositic, for the nonglass component compared to the glass component. Also, the grain size fraction (10–20 μm) that most closely matches bulk reflectance has a significantly higher abundance of impact/agglutinitic glass than does the coarser material that dominates the soil mass. The Kaguya SP mafic abundance calibration needs adjustment by a factor of nearly 3 if results are to be interpreted as indicative of the mineralogy of the underlying crust. A claimed detection of several hundred lunar 500 m scale purest anorthosite (PAN; ≥98 vol% plagioclase) locales among millions of spectral reflectance observations is dubious, in part because with large data sets, compositional extremes are inevitably exaggerated as a byproduct of analytical uncertainty. Preponderance of PAN composition is rare among terrestrial layered intrusive anorthosites and is neither required nor expected for the flotation crust of a global magma ocean. Buoyant flotation and compaction would not suffice to yield pure plagioclase unless adcumulus growth was negligible, and trace element contents of ferroan anorthosites show that their mafic silicate components are for the most part of adcumulus, not “trapped melt,” derivation. A PAN‐dominated crust would imply a curiously fractionated (low) thorium/aluminum ratio for the crust, an implausibly high mantle/crust Th concentration ratio, and an oddly low Th/Al for the bulk Moon. Remote sensing techniques for planetary regolith composition are not easy to calibrate, particularly near the extremes of composition‐space and sensitivity.
Associations among sleep-wake rhythm characteristics, time perspective and psycho-emotional state during COVID-19 isolation

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations among time perspective, sleep-wake rhythm characteristics, and psycho-emotional state during COVID-19 isolation. The study was carried out from April 17 to 14 June 2020and involved 844 people aged 17 to 26 years (average age: 19.4 ± 1.8 years, women: 79.4%). Each study participant filled out the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. There were significant changes in the sleep characteristics during isolation: sleep duration increased by 56 minutes, sleep efficiency decreased by 2.4%, sleep phase delayed by 53 minutes, while social jetlag decreased by 77 minutes. Individuals with balanced, future, and past positive time perspective had better sleep characteristics, and were less likely to exhibit symptoms of depression. Persons with past negative, present hedonistic and present fatalistic time perspective were more likely to have worse sleep characteristics, and exhibited signs of depression. The results of the study indicate that persons focused on long-term planning for their lives generally endured the COVID-19 isolation more easily.
Effect of Individualized Guidance on Knowledge and Self-Care Practices of Psoriasis Patients

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-multisystem, inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints and there is a necessity for monitoring and educating patients about benefits as well as risks that may be correlated. Aim: Evaluate the effect of individualized guidance on knowledge and self–care practices of psoriasis patients. Subjects and methods:Design: A quasiexperimental design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at the Dermatology outpatient clinic at El-Mansoura University Hospitals. Sample: Purposive sample of 100 adult patients diagnosed with psoriasis from both sexes and they equally divided into study & control groups, (50) patients for each one. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection; the first tool was a structured interviewing questionnaire, and the second tool was the psoriasis disability index. Results: Mean age of the studied psoriasis patients in the study and control group were 44±8.6 and 42± 7.9 respectively. There was a highly statistically significant difference between the study and the control group in all items of psoriasis knowledge (p-value > 0.001). As well there were highly statistically significant differences between both groups post individualized guidance implementation regarding reported skincare and psoriasis affected areas in all items with (p-value > 0.001). There was a significant difference between the study and control group in the total level of disability post individualized guidance (P > 0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of individualized guidance had a positive effect on patients’ knowledge and overall reported self-care practices including skincare and self-esteem with a decrease of the level of psoriasis disability, additionally a positive correlation between total scores of knowledge and total scores of reported practices were found. Recommendations: Individualized guidance should be recommended as a nursing intervention protocol during the care of every patient with psoriasis.
Performing complex parametric simulations with jEPlus

Parametric study is a useful method for exploring alternative design options and establishing dependencies between design variables. The development of an open-source research tool, jEPlus, has been reported in 2009. The tool is designed to assist setting up parametric runs with EnergyPlus models, and to perform the simulations in “parallel” mode. This paper uses an example to demonstrate how jEPlus can be used for setting up complex parametric runs. In the example, four different building types and five HVAC system configurations were considered along with design parameters including insulation, glazing, temperature set points and day lighting control options. Further more, the simulations were carried out in three different climatic regions. Given that the total number of simulations exceeds 30,000, it would have been a tedious, if not impossible, job to set them up manually. jEPlus made it trivial, however, by automating the tasks such as generating input files for EnergyPlus, executing simulations, and extracting results.
Compression Tests on Hoop-Reinforced Concrete

Forty-eight concrete prisms of square section were studied under monotonically increased axial compression up to maximum load. The two variables in the study concerned the provision of transverse reinforcement in the form of closed square hoops. One variable was the spacing of hoops and the other was the area of cross section of the hoop. Center- to-center spacings varied between 3/4 in. and 6 in. , and three areas of hoop cross section were considered. Results clearly showed that the increase in strength, over that for plain concrete, was proportional to the cross-section area of the hoop and to the reciprocal of the hoop spacing. The axial contraction at the maximum load appeared to be similarly related to those two parameters. A semi-empirical equation for the strength of concrete confined by rectangular hoops proposed by Blume, Newmark and Corning was shown to predict the strength of the speicmens with satisfactory accuracy.
Expo

Hereford/Polled Hereford The Iowa Hereford Breeders Association will give a $600 certificate to apply to the purchase of a horned or polled Hereford heifer from any IHBA member. If the heifer is purchased at the 2014 Iowa Winter Beef Expo sale, an additional $100 will be awarded; and if the heifer is purchased at the 2014 Iowa Winter Beef Expo sale from an Iowa breeder, an additional $200 will be awarded (maximum $800 award).
A Test Method to Evaluate the Adhesive Property between Asphalt and Aggregate Based on Simulating Actual Working Conditions

The adhesive property between asphalt and aggregate is a crucial factor that affects the resistance of asphalt pavement to moisture damage. In this study, by simulating the actual working conditions of asphalt–aggregate bonding characteristics, test equipment was developed and a method for evaluating the adhesive properties between asphalt and aggregate—the brush damage test—was proposed. A steel-wire brush as the brush type, a total of 0.5 kg/m2 asphalt content, 70 °C as the maintenance temperature, and 4 h as the maintenance time, as well as mass loss rate (ML) of specimens before and after brushing, were used as the evaluation index. The brush damage test was conducted on five commonly used asphalt binders and two commonly used aggregates. Finally, the results of the brush damage test were analyzed in comparison with those of a binder bond strength (BBS) test. It was indicated that the evaluation results for the adhesive properties between asphalt and aggregate were not consistent under the two test methods. The pull-off tensile strength under dry conditions (POTSdry) and under wet conditions (POTSwet) when ignoring the influence of the texture of aggregate did not reflect the adhesive properties. ΔPOTS, representing the ability of asphalt to resist the loss of adhesion strength due to moisture damage, can be used to evaluate the adhesion properties between asphalt and aggregate. Under appropriate conditions, the brush damage test has the advantages of simple operation, high credibility, and good discrimination.
CESM simulation of monsoon low pressure systems over India

Monsoon low pressure systems (LPS) during the summer monsoon season (June–September) over India are a lifeline for the agriculture‐dependent country. We use the Community Earth System Model (CESM1.2.2) to simulate the LPS characteristics (genesis, propagation direction, tracks, intensity, and precipitation) over India and the Bay of Bengal and analyse the influence of Southeast Asian mountains (SAMs) on these characteristics. CESM reproduced most of the LPS characteristics. However, a southward latitudinal shift of about 4° is simulated in the median of the tracks, which is likely due to the weaker simulated upper tropospheric meridional temperature gradient (MTG) in the Indian region. Removal of SAMs is found to have little influence on LPS characteristics. Further, it causes only a slight reduction in mean summer monsoon precipitation (by 5%) and LPS‐related precipitation (from 10.7 ± 1.0 to 10.3 ± 0.8 mm/day) over India, as SAMs have negligible influence on in situ westward propagating LPS which are the major contributors to LPS‐related precipitation. The insensitivity of LPS characteristics and precipitation over India to the removal of SAMs can be attributed to their low height and the insensitivity of MTG to the height of these mountains.
Adolescent Positivity and Future Orientation, Parental Psychological Control, and Young Adult Internalising Behaviours during COVID-19 in Nine Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many young adults’ lives educationally, economically, and personally. This study investigated associations between COVID-19-related disruption and perception of increases in internalising symptoms among young adults and whether these associations were moderated by earlier measures of adolescent positivity and future orientation and parental psychological control. Participants included 1329 adolescents at Time 1, and 810 of those participants as young adults (M age = 20, 50.4% female) at Time 2 from 9 countries (China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States). Drawing from a larger longitudinal study of adolescent risk taking and young adult competence, this study controlled for earlier levels of internalising symptoms during adolescence in examining these associations. Higher levels of adolescent positivity and future orientation as well as parent psychological control during late adolescence helped protect young adults from sharper perceived increases in anxiety and depression during the first nine months of widespread pandemic lockdowns in all nine countries. Findings are discussed in terms of how families in the 21st century can foster greater resilience during and after adolescence when faced with community-wide stressors, and the results provide new information about how psychological control may play a protective role during times of significant community-wide threats to personal health and welfare.
Elimination of Dead Time Effects on Common Mode Voltage in an Open-End Winding Induction Motor Drive Under Low Speed Operation Using a Simplified Model Predictive Control

In this article, a simplified model predictive current control (MPCC) for a three-level open-end winding induction motor drive mitigating the dead time effects on common mode voltage (CMV) in the low speed operation of the motor is proposed. The traditional current based objective function is replaced with an equivalent voltage based objective function, and an additional term indicating the nonzero CMV during dead time is added to achieve complete CMV elimination. Further, a sector-based selection of candidate switching states is employed to reduce the computational burden. It is also shown that the constraint on eliminating the dead time effect on CMV heavily deteriorates the performance of the drive at higher speeds and a smooth transition with and without the constraint is also demonstrated. The envisaged MPCC is simulated in MATLAB and is experimentally verified using TMS320F28377S launchpad. The proposed MPCC gives a massive reduction in the computational burden compared to the conventional MPCC without sacrificing the motor drive performance.