Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivational factors were more important than perceived risk or optimism for compliance to infection control measures in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

Compliance to infection control measures may be influenced both by the fear of negative consequences of a pandemic, but also by the expectation to be able to handle the pandemic’s challenges. We performed a survey on a representative sample for Norway (N = 4,083) in the first weeks of the COVID-19 lock-down in March 2020. We had preregistered hypotheses to test the effect of optimism and perceived risk on compliance. Perceived risk had small effects on increasing compliance and on leading to more careful information gathering. The expected negative association between optimism and compliance was not supported, and there was instead a small positive association. We found a small effect that optimism was associated with seeing less risk from the pandemic and with a larger optimistic bias. Finally, an exploratory analysis showed that seeing the infection control measures as being effective in protecting others explained a substantial proportion of the variation in compliance. The study indicates that how we think about pandemic risk has complex and non-intuitive relationships with compliance. Our beliefs and motivations toward infection control measures appears to be important for compliance.
Molecular biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus and postpartum diabetes

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health problem worldwide that threatens both maternal and fetal health. Identifying individuals at high risk for GDM and diabetes after GDM is particularly useful for early intervention and prevention of disease progression. In the last decades, a number of studies have used metabolomics, genomics, and proteomic approaches to investigate associations between biomolecules and GDM progression. These studies clearly demonstrate that various biomarkers reflect pathological changes in GDM. The established markers have potential use as screening and diagnostic tools in GDM and in postpartum diabetes research. In the present review, we summarize recent studies of metabolites, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, microRNAs, and proteins associated with GDM and its transition to postpartum diabetes, with a focus on their predictive value in screening and diagnosis.
Shorter versus longer corticosteroid duration and recurrent immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated AKI

Background Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury (ICPi-AKI), but the optimal duration of therapy has not been established. Prolonged use of corticosteroids can cause numerous adverse effects and may decrease progression-free survival among patients treated with ICPis. We sought to determine whether a shorter duration of corticosteroids was equally efficacious and safe as compared with a longer duration. Methods We used data from an international multicenter cohort study of patients diagnosed with ICPi-AKI from 29 centers across nine countries. We examined whether a shorter duration of corticosteroids (28 days or less) was associated with a higher rate of recurrent ICPi-AKI or death within 30 days following completion of corticosteroid treatment as compared with a longer duration (29–84 days). Results Of 165 patients treated with corticosteroids, 56 (34%) received a shorter duration of treatment and 109 (66%) received a longer duration. Patients in the shorter versus longer duration groups were similar with respect to baseline and ICPi-AKI characteristics. Five of 56 patients (8.9%) in the shorter duration group and 12 of 109 (11%) in the longer duration group developed recurrent ICPi-AKI or died (p=0.90). Nadir serum creatinine in the first 14, 28, and 90 days following completion of corticosteroid treatment was similar between groups (p=0.40, p=0.56, and p=0.89, respectively). Conclusion A shorter duration of corticosteroids (28 days or less) may be safe for patients with ICPi-AKI. However, the findings may be susceptible to unmeasured confounding and further research from randomized clinical trials is needed.
A novel SYNJ1 homozygous variant causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in an Afro‐Caribbean individual

SYNJ1 encodes Synaptojanin‐1, a dual‐function poly‐phosphoinositide phosphatase that is expressed in the brain to regulate neuronal synaptic vesicle dynamics. Biallelic SYNJ1 variants cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations, from early onset parkinsonism to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
The role of Mab as a source for the μ ring of Uranus

Context. We previously analysed how the solar radiation force combined with the planetary oblateness changes the orbital evolution of a sample of dust particles located at the secondary ring system of Uranus. Both effects combined with the gravitational perturbations of the close satellites lead to the depletion of these dust particles through collisions on the surfaces of these satellites on a timescale of hundreds of years. Aims. In this work we investigate if the impacts of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) onto Mab’s surface can produce sufficient particles to replenish the μ ring population. Methods. We first analysed through numerical simulations the evolution of a sample of particles ejected from the surface of Mab and computed the lifetime of the grains when the effects of the solar radiation pressure and the planetary oblateness are taken into account. Then we estimated the mass production rate due to the impacts of IDPs following a previously established algorithm, and used this value to determine the time necessary to accumulate an amount of particles comparable with the mass of the μ ring. Results. Based on an estimate of the flux of interplanetary particles and on the surface properties of Mab it is expected that the satellite supplies material to the ring at a rate of ∼ 3g /s. Meanwhile, our numerical model showed that the ejected particles are removed from the system through collisions with the satellite, and the mean lifetime of the grains may vary from 320 to 1500 years, depending on the radius of the particle. Conclusions. The time necessary to accumulate the mass of the μ ring via ejection from Mab is much shorter than the mean lifetime of the particles, and a stationary regime is not reached. If the ring is kept in a steady state, other effects such as the electromagnetic force and/or the existence of additional bodies may play a significant role in the dust balance, but the current lack of information about the environment renders modelling these effects unfeasible.
Cannabis use and related clinical variables in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract Objective Limited studies have investigated cannabis use in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), despite its widespread use by patients with psychiatric illnesses. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency, correlates, and clinical impact of cannabis use in an Italian sample of patients with OCD. Methods Seventy consecutive outpatients with OCD were recruited from a tertiary specialized clinic. To assess cannabis-related variables, patients completed a questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study, investigating cannabis use-related habits and the influence of cannabis use on OCD symptoms and treatments. A set of clinician and self-reported questionnaires was administered to measure disease severity. The sample was then divided into three subgroups according to the pattern of cannabis use: “current users” (CUs), “past-users” (PUs), and “non-users” (NUs). Results Approximately 42.8% of patients reported lifetime cannabis use and 14.3% reported current use. Approximately 10% of cannabis users reported an improvement in OCD symptoms secondary to cannabis use, while 23.3% reported an exacerbation of anxiety symptoms. CUs showed specific unfavorable clinical variables compared to PUs and NUs: a significant higher rate of lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances, and a higher rate of pre-OCD onset comorbidities. Conversely, the three subgroups showed a similar severity of illness. Conclusion A considerable subgroup of patients with OCD showed a predisposition towards cannabis use and was associated with some specific clinical characteristics, suggesting the need for targeted consideration and interventions in this population.
Propagation and ion dynamics of waves in amplitude modulated helicon plasmas

A helicon source is driven with amplitude modulated RF at modulation frequencies near the ion cyclotron frequency in the VINETA device. In response to the modulation propagating electromagnetic waves are found, whose dispersion differs significantly from linear wave dispersion theory. This indicates that the observed waves are generated by non‐linear wave coupling of the helicon waves with a second strongly damped or evanescent wave. Laser induced fluorescence measurements reveal a local increase of the ion temperature at the minimum of the modulation drive.
Creative Long Covid: A qualitative exploration of the experience of Long Covid through the medium of creative narratives

Healthcare is witnessing a new disease with the emergence of Long Covid; a condition which can result in myriad symptoms, varying in frequency and severity. As new data are emerging to help inform treatment guidelines, the perspectives of those living with Long Covid are essential in informing healthcare practice. The research aimed to collect the narratives of people living with Long Covid to better understand the lived experience of this condition. In attempting to narrate complex or traumatic experiences the arts and humanities can offer alternative ways of expressing embodied narratives, representing rich sources of meaning. Therefore, the research specifically sought to elicit creative expressions from participants with lived experience of Long Covid.
Use of ICT for acquiring, practicing and assessing algebraic expertise

For several years the skill level of students leaving secondary education in the Netherlands has been discussed. Lecturers in higher education –for example– complain about their freshmen’s apparent lack of algebraic skills. Another development in recent years is the advent of the use of technology in mathematics education. Combining algebraic expertise and ICT use, the aim of this study is to design an online environment for learning supported by formative assessment of both procedural skills and conceptual understanding in algebra, to investigate the effects of the environment, and to identify decisive factors that influence the outcome. The central research question, therefore, is: in what way can the use of ICT support acquiring, practicing and assessing algebraic expertise? This general question leads to several sub-questions, each related to an appropriate cycle in the study. The theoretical framework is based on the three key perspectives n ICT tool use, algebraic expertise, assessment and feedback. As we aim to design an intervention in several iterations, the research method is based on the principles of design research. Research takes place in one preparatory cycle and three subsequent cycles. The preliminary cycle concerns the design of criteria for an evaluation instrument for digital algebra tools. The instrument was used to choose an appropriate algebra tool for the remainder of the study, and design prototypical digital activities. In the first research cycle one-to-one think-aloud sessions were conducted with five 12th grade students. The results were used to examine the interplay between ICT and the acquisition of algebra, and determine what feedback could be added to the intervention. Based on the initial characteristics, the digital activities and feedback, the intervention was redesigned in an iterative fashion. The revised intervention was field tested in a second cycle for two classes (12th grade, wiskunde B, N=31), after which we made the final improvements based on three design principles all focusing on feedback. The final intervention was field tested in the third and last cycle in nine different schools (N=324). The use of the intervention for an average of five hours has a large effect on improving algebraic expertise, as post-test score is significantly higher than the pretest score. Furthermore, previous knowledge, time spent in self-test and summative test mode, and general attitude towards mathematics are the largest predictors for a high posttest outcome. The fact that these variables have nothing to do with ICT may indicate that indeed conventional pen-and-paper techniques and ICT techniques are reconciled. In line with this, the variables overall quality of the school (operationalized by trend exam grades), total practice time and the home work – school work ratio did not significantly predict the outcome. Discussion points for the study concern the interplay between acquiring skills and understanding, the extrapolation of the findings for a small sub-domain of algebraic knowledge to algebra as a whole and the methodology of the study.
Body activity grading strategy for cervical rehabilitation training

Abstract A body activity grading strategy is proposed for computer-assisted cervical rehabilitation training, which employs hidden Markov model to partition an exercise into independently assessable phases and a scoring reference to rate respective kinematic features. Samples of 34 cervical rehabilitation exercises are evaluated by both manual and the proposed approaches, where the average phase segmentation difference is 93 ms, the phase scoring difference is 0.045, and the grading difference for overall samples is 5.5% between the approaches. It indicates that the proposed method has similar accuracy as physical therapists and is thus capable of performing online supervision for cervical rehabilitation training.
Reduced brain activity and functional connectivity during creative idea generation in individuals with smartphone addiction

Abstract Since the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, the frequency of smartphone use has surged, which has caused an increase in smartphone addiction among individuals. Smartphone addiction can impair various cognitive abilities. However, to date, the impact of smartphone addiction on creative cognition remains unclear. The current functional near-infrared spectroscopy study compared neural differences between smartphone addiction tendency (SAT) and healthy control (HC) individuals during creative idea generation. In particular, by manipulating a key component of creative cognition, that is, overcoming semantic constraints, we explored whether SAT individuals could overcome semantic constraints. Both the SAT and HC groups completed the alternate uses task (AUT) in semantic constraint and unconstraint conditions. The results indicated that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and temporal regions were less active during AUT in the SAT group than in the HC group. In the SAT group, the PFC was less active under constraint than unconstraint conditions. Moreover, both task-related and resting-state functional connectivity analyses indicated weaker coupling between the PFC and temporal regions in the SAT than in the HC group. Furthermore, the left dorsolateral PFC mediated the effect of smartphone addiction on creative performance. These findings provide unprecedented neuroimaging evidence on the negative impact of smartphone addiction on creative cognition.
Novel Approach to Visualize Microglia Death and Proliferation After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice

Background: Microglia are important brain immune cells. However, it is difficult to differentiate microglia from monocyte-derived macrophages. To visualize microglia changes following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), we utilized a genetic knock-in mouse line, Tmem119 (transmembrane protein 119)-EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein), which expresses EGFP specifically in microglia. Methods: There were 2 parts in this study. First, autologous blood was injected into the right basal ganglia to model ICH in Tmem119-EGFP mice. Mice were euthanized at 4 hours, days 1, 3, and 7 after ICH. Sham animals were used as controls. Second, Tmem119-EGFP mice were injected with iron or thrombin, factors involved in ICH-induced injury, and were euthanized at 4 hours. Naïve mice were controls. Brains were harvested for histology. Results: The number of perihematomal microglia significantly decreased 1 day after ICH, but markedly increased by days 3 and 7. Microglia death was also induced by intracerebral iron injection while microglia proliferation was found with intracerebral thrombin injection. Conclusions: Perihematomal microglia death and proliferation after ICH are visualized in vivo with a Tmem119-EGFP transgenic mouse line. Iron and thrombin may contribute to ICH-induced microglia death and proliferation, respectively.
GADF-VGG16 based fault diagnosis method for HVDC transmission lines

Transmission lines are most prone to faults in the transmission system, so high-precision fault diagnosis is very important for quick troubleshooting. There are some problems in current intelligent fault diagnosis research methods, such as difficulty in extracting fault features accurately, low fault recognition accuracy and poor fault tolerance. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes an intelligent fault diagnosis method for high voltage direct current transmission lines (HVDC) based on Gramian angular difference field (GADF) domain and improved convolutional neural network (VGG16). This method first performs variational modal decomposition (VMD) on the original fault voltage signal, and then uses the correlation coefficient method to select the appropriate intrinsic mode function (IMF) component, and converts it into a two-dimensional image using the Gramian Angular Difference Field(GADF). Finally, the improved VGG16 network is used to extract and classify fault features adaptively to realize fault diagnosis. In order to improve the performance of the VGG16 fault diagnosis model, batch normalization, dense connection and global average pooling techniques are introduced. The comparative experimental results show that the model proposed in this paper can further identify fault features and has a high fault diagnosis accuracy. In addition, the method is not affected by fault type, transitional resistance and fault distance, has good anti-interference ability, strong fault tolerance, and has great potential in practical applications.
Qualitative Matrices and Information

This paper proposes a method for assessing the information content and validity of a mathematical structural model for which only the directions of influence among its endogenous and exogenous variables are known, as expressed by the sign patterns of associated arrays. The traditional literature on this issue presents extremely restrictive conditions under which such a “qualitative analysis” can be conducted. As a result, there have been very few successful applications of the traditional method. We propose a means of vastly expanding the scope of such an analysis to virtually any applied model. Our method works with the restrictions found for the sign patterns of complete rows and columns, or even the entire sign pattern, of the reduced form, rather than only individual entries. The information provided by the model is measured by the Shannon entropy of the possible sign patterns of the reduced form and the frequency of occurrence of each possibility. An example of the method is provided for Klein’s Model I. Although this model has been used for over fifty years for a variety of purposes, we found that the sign pattern of the estimated, unrestricted reduced form from the original data set was not consistent with the proposed, structural directions of influence among the model’s variables.
Cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the multidimensional cognitive attentional syndrome scale (MCASS)

ABSTRACT The cognitive attentional syndrome (CAS) is a core concept within metacognitive theory. The premise of the CAS is related to metacognition, however its role in psychopathology is distinct. Due to the complex nature of the CAS, a theoretically driven and psychometrically sound self-report measure of the CAS for the Arabic population is yet to be developed. We translated the Multidimensional Cognitive Attentional Syndrome Scale (MCASS) into the Arabic language and tested its structural validity. The MCASS was translated according to the standard guidelines of forward-translation followed by backward-translation. In Study 1, the MCASS was administered to a larger sample (N = 1027), selected from 22 Arabic-speaking countries in the Arab League countries, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the measure. Those who participated in Study 1 were excluded from participating in Study 2. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used in Study 2 (N = 567) to assess the latent factor structure of MCASS, which supported a six-factor model. Results support multidimensional assessment of the CAS using the MCASS, and demonstrate suitability for use in Arab speaking samples. Implications of this study and recommendations for use of the Arabic version of MCASS are discussed.
Closed-loop TMS-EEG reactivity with occipital alpha-phase synchronized

Objective. Transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalogram (TMS-EEG) technology has played an increasingly important role in the field of neuroscience, and closed loop TMS has also been gradually concerned. However, the characteristics of closed-loop TMS-EEG were few discussed. To study the dependence of EEG reactivity on cortical oscillation phase under TMS stimulation, we explored in detail the TMS-EEG characteristics induced by closed-loop TMS contingent on occipital alpha phase. Approach. By collecting 30 healthy volunteers’ closed-loop TMS-EEG data, we verified the real-time accuracy of our closed-loop system and analyzed the inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) value, the TMS-induced natural frequency, the N100 TMS-evoked potential and the spatial characteristics of TMS-EEG data. Main results. The ITPC value of closed-loop TMS-EEG was higher than that of open loop TMS-EEG, suggesting that our research improves the repeatability of TMS-EEG experiments; the alpha power induced by 0° TMS was higher than that induced by 180° stimulation in the central region and parietal/occipital lobe; the N100 amplitude of 90° (3.85 μV) stimulation was significantly higher than that of 270° (1.87 μV) stimulation, and the latency of the N100 of the 90° stimulation (mean 95.01 ms) was significantly less than that of the 270° stimulation (mean 113.94 ms); the topographical distributions of the N45-P70-N100 potential were significantly affected by the O1 alpha phase at the moment of TMS. Significance. Our experimental results provided support for the dependence of EEG reactivity on cortical oscillation phase under TMS stimulation.