Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positive Susceptibility Vessel Sign on SWI-MRI Sequence Imaging Might Differentiate Patients Had Silent Brain Ischemia among Apparently Neurologically-Free Patients

Background: The susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is an essential MRI sequence in the assessment of acute ischemic stroke. Silent cerebrovascular disease is five times more prevalent than symptomatic brain infarcts and is associated with future risk for stroke and dementia. Objectives: Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance sequence imaging (SWI) for early diagnosis of silent brain infarction (SBI) in apparently neurologically-free patients presented by transient neurological manifestations. Patients and Methods: The study included 218 patients who were clinically evaluated for demographic, clinical data concerning presence of chronic medical diseases, presenting symptoms and its frequency and severity. Routine lab investigations and lipid profile were performed and the plasma atherogenic index (PAI) for oncoming cardiovascular insults was calculated. MRI scan was performed using 1.5 T MRI scanner (Toshiba Vantage) with a head coil. Results: 102 patients (46.8%) had chronic medical diseases and hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the most common. The commonest complaint was occasional amnesia, slurred speech and weak handgrip. PAI defined 53 patients at high, 101 patients at intermediate and 64 patients at low risk of cardiovascular insults. Susceptibility vein sign (SVS)+ were detected in 78 SWI scans and showed positive significant correlation with smoking, multiple comorbidities, presence of chronic kidney disease, DM, hypertension and with PAI. Conclusion: The presence of SVS in SWI during MRI examination is pathognomonic sign for the presence of SBI. The incidence of SBI on SWI scans of apparently neurologically free patients who presented by transient neurological manifestations is high and was found to be associated with the presence of chronic medical diseases especially in obese dyslipidemic patients.
Investigation Of A Catenary RiserUndergoing VIV

The vortex induced motion of structures in the ocean is a broad area of intense research. This study focuses upon the analysis of data from an experimental investigation of a towed instrumented catenary cylinder that was intended to represent a steel catenary riser. The data that was collected at ten equally spaced locations along the catenary included in-line and transverse are characterized in terms of statistical parameters, extremes and mode shape. The extreme motion response at selected elevations is presented in terms of probability of exceedance graphs that provide a comparison of Gaussian and Weibull distribution models with the measured data.
Determination of Critical Deformation Regions of a Lithium Polymer Battery by DIC Measurement and WOWA Filter

: This paper considers the determination method of deformation location of lithium polymer batteries. Measurements are performed using the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique and the obtained results are sorted into a database as a function of the charge level. A statistically based algorithm is used to eliminate measurement errors and outliers. This paper adopts the Weighted Ordered Weighted Averaging (WOWA) operator-based 2D filtering method with the purpose of determining the critical regions of the cell. During the tests, several lithium polymer batteries of the same type but in different states are compared. Measurements on completely new and also on worn-out batteries are performed. The results support that the regions where greater deformation is expected during charging and discharging can be predicted. Results of investigations validate that the proposed approach is suitable for determining the critical deformation regions with high accuracy
A HIND-CAST DATA BASE FOR THE DESIGN OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY STRUCTURES IN THE GERMAN BIGHT

Electricity from offshore wind turbines will make an important contribution to tomorrow's energy supply. In Germany, a boom for offshore wind energy conversion systems in the North and Baltic Sea can be expected. The research program GIGAWIND (http://www.gigawind.de) supported by the German Ministry of Economics and the Centre for Wind Energy Research ForWind (http://www.forwind.de) are to develop and improve structural design methods for support structures of offshore wind energy converters (OWEC) with respect to safety and economy. For a cost optimized design an exact knowledge of combined wind and wave loading is necessary. Therefore the windwave activity in the German Bight was simulated for a twelve years period with the computer programs WaveWatch-III and SWAN. A further goal is to set up a data base, which supplies derived design wave parameters for OWECS in the German Bight. The data base system MetaWind will be accessible via internet and will also offer the possibility of visualizing and converting data records.
A

Both allergic and non-allergic asthma phenotypes are thought to vary by specific housing and other indoor environmental conditions. This study evaluated risk factors for allergic asthma phenotypes in First Nation children, an understudied Canadian population with recognized increased respiratory morbidity. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a clinical component to assess the respiratory health of 351 school-age children living on two rural reserve communities. Asthma was defined as parental report of physician diagnosed asthma or a report of wheeze in the past 12 months. Atopy was determined by a ≥ 3-mm wheal response to any of six respiratory allergens upon skin prick testing (SPT). Important domestic and personal characteristics evaluated included damp housing conditions, household heating, respiratory infections and passive smoking exposure. Asthma and atopy prevalence were 17.4% and 17.1%, respectively. Of those with asthma, 21.1% were atopic. We performed multivariate multinomial logistic regression modelling with three outcomes: non-atopic asthma, atopic asthma and no asthma for 280 children who underwent SPT. After adjusting for potential confounders, children with atopic asthma were more likely to be obese and to live in homes with either damage due to dampness (p < 0.05) or signs of mildew/mold (p = 0.06). Both natural gas home heating and a history of respiratory related infections were associated with non-atopic asthma (p < 0.01). Domestic risk factors for asthma appear to vary by atopic status in First Nations children. Determining asthma phenotypes could be useful in environmental management of asthma in this population.
Device for Verifying the Patellar Cut During Knee Replacement Surgery

Cutting the kneecap (patella) in knee replacement surgery is challenging and can lead to pain and reduced function when done incorrectly. The presented device allows the surgeon to check the three-dimensional symmetry and thickness of the bone remnant before the operation is complete. Observations and measurements made on 36 resected artificial patellae and 16 resected cadaveric patellae matched well with computed tomography (CT) scans of the patellae with few exceptions; the exceptions should be addressable by changes in design and use. Average time to apply the device was one minute.
Leader’s Support-an Organisational Asset

In a rapidly changing world of work, leaders face increasing challenges in understanding what motivates and enhances organisational performance. The support from the leader has become essential for the employees and the teams to perform. This study aims to study the level of leader’s support and the various aspects of leader’s support existing in the selected Information Technology (IT) organisation. It also strives to assess the relationship between leader’s support and factors of employee performance and team performance. Primary data was collected from executives, software engineers and senior software engineers who were reporting to a leader from selected IT organisations in Chennai city, India. A well structured questionnaire was administered for the purpose of the research and the responses were recorded. It was found that most of the men working in IT organizations are getting high support from their leaders and most of the employees with total experience in the organization of less than 3 years are getting high support from their leaders. It was also evident that the main factors of Leader’s support are that the leader helps to find meaning in my work, provides suitable working environment and provides solutions for my work related problems. There is also a significant positive relationship between leader’s support and factors of employee performance and team performance. Therefore leader’s support has a major impact on the organisational performance as a whole.
(Re)starting the tourism business during a crisis? Challenges and decisions to reopen of guest house entrepreneurs in the Maldives

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to investigate the challenges and response decisions of guesthouse entrepreneurs in reopening their business during a health crisis. Using a qualitative inquiry with 25 guesthouse entrepreneurs, the findings identify four challenges and four reasons to reopen their business. This study enhances the understanding of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) entrepreneurial decision making under crisis conditions and its implications for the tourism and hospitality industry. This study also offers readers an understanding of the challenges and decisions of small accommodation entrepreneurs in re-launching their operations at this critical time and serves as a reminder to small businesses about the potential challenges in their business recovery operations and proposes feasible management strategies to refer to as a contingency of a probable future crisis.
‘I was like, just wow!’: insights from Global Englishes teacher professional development

ABSTRACT The global spread of English presents a multitude of challenges for teachers who must instruct learners differently to help them use English with a variety of people in multilingual contexts. However, prior research has largely ignored the question of how to support teachers to tackle these challenges. This study attempts to provide teacher professional development for implementing Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT). An explanatory mixed-methods research design was used to document the effects of a teacher professional development program received by teachers. The findings showed that teachers reported having increased knowledge of GELT, slightly changed attitudes toward GELT, and ambivalently improved skills for implementing GELT. Four aspects of the professional development contributed to these changes: practical, experiential, theoretical, and inspirational. Implications for providing GELT teacher professional development were also discussed.
Precise Mathematical Model of PSCM Class-D Amplifiers

A mathematical analysis of four-level (three-phase) phase-shifted carrier modulation class-D amplifiers with analog feedback is proposed. The nonlinear difference equations are extracted and solved using the perturbation theorem. In this way, a closed-form function describes the low-frequency part of the output for an arbitrary input signal. The results are generalized for an arbitrary number of levels by analogy, well matched with the previous model of two-, three-, and the proposed four-level ones. The analytical results confirm that, apart from switching frequency, the multilevel class-D amplifiers converge to linear amplifiers as the number of output levels increases. An analytical equation expresses the harmonic distortion of practically interesting five-level amplifiers with bridge-tied load. The model is verified by system-level simulations and circuit-level implementation. In this way, a prototype fully differential five-level circuit is implemented on the printed circuit board to confirm the model.
Mutual Links between the Endocannabinoidome and the Gut Microbiome, with Special Reference to Companion Animals: A Nutritional Viewpoint

Simple Summary Dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut microbial composition and function, can be caused by several external as well as internal factors, contributing to the onset of human and animal disorders, not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. Accordingly, the mechanisms leading to disease development involve a crucial interaction between the gut microbiota, their metabolic products, and the host. The expanded endocannabinoid system, also known as the “endocannabinoidome”, includes endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamide) and endocannabinoid-like mediators (e.g., palmitoylethanolamide), their receptors and metabolic enzymes. Dysregulation of this newly recognized endogenous system is also involved in several diseases. It is becoming increasingly apparent that a link between the endocannabinoidome and the gut microbiome exists. Here, we review some of the latest discoveries related to the functional link between these two complex systems and the disorders emerging from the malfunctioning of such a mutual interaction: for example, idiopathic inflammation, chronic enteropathies, metabolic disease and certain neuroinflammatory disorders. It is expected that in the near future new nutritional tools will emerge based on the expanding knowledge in this cutting-edge field. Abstract There is growing evidence that perturbation of the gut microbiome, known as “dysbiosis”, is associated with the pathogenesis of human and veterinary diseases that are not restricted to the gastrointestinal tract. In this regard, recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis is linked to the pathogenesis of central neuroinflammatory disorders, supporting the existence of the so-called microbiome-gut-brain axis. The endocannabinoid system is a recently recognized lipid signaling system and termed endocannabinoidome monitoring a variety of body responses. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that a profound link exists between the gut microbiome and the endocannabinoidome, with mutual interactions controlling intestinal homeostasis, energy metabolism and neuroinflammatory responses during physiological conditions. In the present review, we summarize the latest data on the microbiome-endocannabinoidome mutual link in health and disease, focalizing the attention on gut dysbiosis and/or altered endocannabinoidome tone that may distort the bidirectional crosstalk between these two complex systems, thus leading to gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases (e.g., idiopathic inflammation, chronic enteropathies and obesity) as well as neuroinflammatory disorders (e.g., neuropathic pain and depression). We also briefly discuss the novel possible dietary interventions based not only on probiotics and/or prebiotics, but also, and most importantly, on endocannabinoid-like modulators (e.g., palmitoylethanolamide) for intestinal health and beyond.
The Effect of Inflation Targeting (IT) Policy on the Inflation Uncertainty and Economic Growth in Selected African and European Countries

The study assessed the effect of inflation targeting (IT) policy on inflation uncertainty and economic growth in African and European IT countries. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by analysing and comparing the African IT and European IT countries using two advanced approaches which include the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR). To determine how the IT policy affects the inflation uncertainty in selected countries, time series techniques were employed. Panel data approaches were used to determine the effect of inflation targeting on economic growth in the selected countries. The results are as follows: (1) Inflation Targeting policy is insignificant in reducing inflation uncertainty in South Africa, and the effect of the policy in Ghana is inconclusive; (2) The IT policy has a significant impact in reducing inflation uncertainty in European countries (i.e., Poland and the Czech Republic); (3) Inflation targeting has a negative impact on economic growth in African Countries; (4) The policy has a positive impact on economic growth in European Countries; (5) In comparison to European countries, the strategy has a negligible impact on economic growth in Africa. Overall, the results suggest that European countries inflation targeting regimes are more credible in terms of reducing the level of inflation uncertainty and sustaining economic growth compared to African countries. In this respect, policymakers must ensure that they assess the economic condition of an individual country before implementing such a policy.
Moderators and Other Predictors of Methylphenidate Response in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Methylphenidate (MPH) is the treatment of first choice for developmental ADHD. To date, no reliable method to predict how patients will respond to MPH exists and conflicting results are reported on clinical characteristics of responders. The present study aims to give a more precise characterization of the patients who will respond best to MPH to help clinicians in defining the treatment plan. Age, neuropsychological functioning (i.e., attention and working memory), and behavioral/emotional symptoms of 48 drug-naïve children and adolescents with ADHD (42 boys and 6 girls, age-range 6–16 years, mean age 10.5 ± 2.5 years, mean IQ 101.3 ± 11.2) were studied to assess how these different characteristics affected a single-dose MPH response. Four hierarchical linear regression models were used to explore whether age, neuropsychological measures at baseline, and behavioral/emotional symptoms could predict attention and working memory measures after a single-dose MPH administration. We found that improvement in attention and working memory was predicted by age, neuropsychological measures at baseline, and severity of ADHD symptoms. No behavioral and emotional symptoms predicted single-dose MPH response with the exception of conduct symptoms.
Crab diversity and crab potential as support ecotourism in Teleng Ria, Grindulu and Siwil Beach, Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Irwansyah RM, Azzahra SIN, Darmastuti SA, Ramadhandi AR, Firdaus O, Daeni F, Safitri N, Fajri OPA, Nugroho GN, Naim DM, Setyawan AD. 2021. Crab diversity and crab potential as support ecotourism in Teleng Ria, Grindulu and Siwil Beach, Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 75-83. The mangrove area in Pacitan District, Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia is generally not polluted. Therefore, the land is suitable for growing conditions from mangrove plants and has great potential as a mangrove area with ecotourism management in Indonesia. Ecotourism activities in mangrove areas, in principle, are the use of mangrove areas while maintaining the biological/ecological functions of mangrove areas that have social and economic value for local community. The mangrove ecosystem is a habitat of various species of Crustacea, such as the crab. Crabs are live in coastal/mangrove ecosystems and one of the key species that have a very important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. The study about diversity of crabs in the mangrove area is very important because it will improve the quality of mangrove and potentially support ecotourism in the mangrove ecosystem. This study aims to determine the diversity of the crab and its potential to support ecotourism if the Pacitan Beaches will be ecotourism in the future. This research was conducted in Teleng Ria Beach, Grindulu Beach, and Siwil Beach, Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia in November 2021. Plots of 10 x 10 m2 are made to record the species and the number of individual crab species. The result found five species of crab,i.e. Austruca annulipes (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837), Coenobita perlatus (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837), Ocypode kuhlii (De Haan, 1835), Perisesarma guttatum (A. Milne-Edwards, 1869), and Scylla serrata (Forsskål, 1775). The total crab diversity index of 1.25 is included in the medium category. The morphology, activity, number of individuals and distribution of each crabs species in an ecotourism area will increase the attractiveness of tourists to visit. For example, the morphology of C. perlatus that has the red color as a strawberry sometimes has a home/the shells of the Mollusca which color and unique shape so that add appeal to be seen. Then, the crab A. annulipes that like to dance and play the violin with the claw can also be attractions drawing tourists. Hopefully, the data can be a reference for the managers of the mangrove area in developing ecotourism and conservation of mangrove forest.
Factors Associated with Distress Tolerance among Community Dwelling Older Adults

Certain people appear to tolerate stress more than others. To shed light on variations in the older adults' tolerance to stress and the reasons behind it, factors which act as moderators should be examined. Objective: Determine factors associated with distress tolerance among community dwelling older adults. Setting: Somoha health insurance outpatient clinics, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: 168 older adults were recruited. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: 1) Sociodemographic and clinical data structured interview schedule of community dwelling older adults, 2) Factors associated with distress tolerance structured interview schedule of community dwelling older adults, and 3) The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). Results: The present study findings showed that the study subjects showed low scores of distress tolerance on the whole which is significantly related to different individual variables. Conclusion: Distress tolerance among the study subjects is significantly associated with personal characteristics, living arrangement, health history, life style patterns, psychological status, and spiritual activities. Recommendations: The gerontological nurses should be oriented to all factors which could affect the older adults' appraisal of possibly stressful situations and their physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to stress and act to control them.
Analytical closed-form expressions of DC current ripple for three-level neutral point clamped inverters with space-vector pulse-width modulation

The current ripple of the DC bus is a key factor for the DC-link capacitor parameter design of three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverters. It directly affects the selection of capacitor type and material. In this study, an analytical closed-form expression of DC current ripple for NPC inverters with space-vector pulse-width modulation (SVPWM) is proposed based on an analytical study of the calculation principle of capacitor current ripple and SVPWM algorithm. The closed-form expression of DC-link capacitor current ripple is given by modulation index M and power factor angle φ. The deviation of calculation and experience is within 5.7% in spite of neglecting the output current ripple. The analytical closed-form expression provides a convenient way to design the DC-link capacitor of a three-level NPC inverter.