Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional MRI Correlates of Stroop N-Back Test Underpin the Diagnosis of Major Depression.

INTRODUCTION In the current study, we used the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) combined with an n-back component in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in order to activate the working memory and cognitive interference in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as compared to healthy controls. Our hypothesis was that there would be significant alterations in the selective visual attention processing regions of the brain which may identify mechanisms underlying major depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty participants, of which 24 were patients with depression and 26 healthy controls were recruited. RESULTS The first major finding of the current study was hypoactivation in the lingual gyrus during the condition with instructions to track the sequence of the words (word>color) of the Stroop n-back task and hyperactivation of the same structure in the opposite (color>word) condition where subjects had to focus on the order of the word color in depressed patients as compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Changes in these regions have been consistently reported across studies with different fMRI techniques in both adolescent and adult patients with MDD reinforcing the role of the region in the pathophysiology of depression. Further studies are needed to examine possible longitudinal changes in the region and its activity in remission.
Age-Adjusted D-Dimer Levels May Improve Diagnostic Assessment for Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to a hypercoagulable state. The prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) seems to be higher in this subgroup of patients. Patients and methods: We combined data from two tertiary referral centers specialized in the management of PE. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to evaluate the prevalence of PE among a large population of consecutive patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia in two centers, (2) to identify a plasma D-dimer threshold that may be useful in PE diagnostic assessment, (3) to characterize the abnormalities associated with PE and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Results: The incidence of symptomatic acute PE was 19.3%. For diagnosing PE in COVID-19 patients, based on ROC curve analysis, we identified a D-dimer concentration/patient’s age ratio of 70, which improved D-dimer diagnostic capacity for PE and led to a reclassification improvement of 14% (NRI 0.14, p = 0.03) when compared to a cut-off level of 1000 ng/mL. Especially in severe COVID-19 lung involvement, D-dimer/age ratio cut-off equal to 70 was characterized by high diagnostic feasibility (sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value of 83%, 94%, 96%, and 73%, respectively). Apart from PE status, lung involvement and troponin T concentration were also independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. In the subgroup of PE patients, mortality was comparable with non-PE patients (19/88 (21.5%) vs. 101/368 (27.4%) for non-PE, p = 0.26) and was associated with older age, higher Bova scores, and higher troponin T concentrations. Age was the sole independent predictor for mortality in this subgroup. Conclusions: PE in COVID-19 patients is common, but it may not influence mortality when managed at a specialized center. In suspected PE, age-adjusted D-dimer levels (upper limit of normal obtained from the formula patient’s age × 70) may still be a useful tool to start the diagnostic workup. In COVID-19 patients without PE, older age, more extensive parenchymal involvement, or higher D-dimer levels are factors predicting mortality.
Teaming with Technology at the TSA: An Examination of Trust in Automation’s Influence on Human Performance in Operational Environments

Automated systems are not only commonplace but a necessity to complete highly specialized tasks in many operational environments. Problems arise, however, when the automation is used injudiciously. Trust is known to influence how workers use and rely on automated systems, especially when the operational environment poses a great amount of complexity for the user. The environment in which most Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers operate is characterized by complexity that often demands the use of automation to complete required tasks. The TSA aims to better understand the influence of trust in automation on operational performance to better support its mission and workforce. This paper will discuss the methods, findings, and practical implications gleaned from an examination of the role trust plays on human-automation interactions in the operational environment at TSA.
Versatile RFID-Based Sensing: Model, Algorithm, and Applications

The signal phase is one of the most important metrics in RFID-based sensing, which is a useful technique enabling many significant applications. However, existing approaches of RFID-based sensing are often restricted in terms of the sensing capability or accuracy, due to the phase entanglement problem: the phase of the RFID signal is jointly affected by multiple factors, and the change in the signal phase cannot be directly attributed to any one of them. In order to tackle this problem, we propose RF-Prism, a versatile sensing approach that can simultaneously infer multiple physical factors (i.e., location, orientation, and material of targets), purely based on the phase readings. RF-Prism includes a comprehensive model to describe how different physical factors affect the phase of the received signal, and a complete design to disentangle the phase in the multi-frequency and multi-antenna scenario. We implement RF-Prism and evaluate its performance with extensive experiments. The results show that RF-Prism simultaneously achieves a mean localization error of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{7.61}~cm$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>7.61</mml:mtext><mml:mspace width="3.33333pt"/><mml:mi>c</mml:mi><mml:mi>m</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="he-ieq1-3181170.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>, a mean orientation error of 9.83 degrees, a mean tracking error of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{6.12}~cm$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>6.12</mml:mtext><mml:mspace width="3.33333pt"/><mml:mi>c</mml:mi><mml:mi>m</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="he-ieq2-3181170.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>, and 87.9% material identification accuracy, which outperforms state-of-the-art approaches.
Teratogenic effect on bone tissue development in Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain, induced by the presence of arsenic

En este estudio evaluamos los posibles efectos teratogénicos del arsénico (As) en las mismas concentraciones registradas en el agua de Zimapan, Hidalgo, usando especímenes de la cepa Wist de Rattus norvegicus, preñada. Se sometieron a concentraciones variables de arseniato de sodio (1887.9 mg/L, 943.9 mg/L y 0.5 mg/L), concentración, 0.5 mg/L corresponde al agua registrada de Zimapan, Hidalgo y trióxido de cromo (166.0 mg/L) utilizados como control positivo y 5% de sacarosa como control negativo. Las muestras se expusieron del día 7 al 15 de gestación y se sacrificaron el día 19 de gestación por inhalación de cloroformo. Analizamos el daño reproductivo de la madre, así como las alteraciones y la falta de osificación del tejido óseo del feto. La dosis más alta probada (1887.9 mg/L) produjo más daño reproductivo en las resorciones de la madre causado por la prevención de la continuación del desarrollo embrionario. Concentraciones de 0.5 mg/L a 943.9 mg/L, resultaron en la falta de costillas de osificación, esternebras, metacarpianos, falanges metatarsales previos y falanges de vértebras sacras posteriores.
FFT, DA, and Mori-Tanaka approximation to determine the elastic moduli of three-phase composites with the random inclusions

In this work, some solutions such as Mori-Tanaka approximation (MTA), Differential approximations (DA), and Fast Fourier transformation method (FFT) were applied to estimate the elastic bulk and shear modulus of three-phase composites in 2D. In which two different sizes of circular inclusions are arranged randomly non-overlapping in a continuous matrix. The numerical solutions using FFT analysis were compared with DA, MTA, and Hashin-Strikman's bounds. The MTA and DA reasonably agreeable solution with the FFT solution shows the effectiveness of the approximation methods, which makes MTA, DA useful with simplicity and ease of application.
Development of Antimicrobial Polyester Fabric by a Green In Situ Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Mediated from Chitosan and Ascorbic Acid

The antimicrobial functionalization of polyester fabrics (PES) is useful to provide protection from pathogens and reducing odors. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been widely applied due to their antimicrobial properties and higher biocompatibility compared with other metal nanoparticles. However, the inherent instability of CuNPs under atmospheric conditions and the use of harmful chemicals during their synthesis limit their use. Thus, the development of efficient and safe methods for the CuNPs synthesis and their stabilization onto surfaces present high interest. In this work, PES was functionalized with CuNPs via in situ synthesis using cost-effective and safe chemicals in the presence and absence of chitosan. In sample without chitosan, the CuNPs showed a suitable stabilization onto PES due to the doubled stabilization of ascorbic acid (AA) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). In sample with chitosan, less CuNPs were retained by the PES but also less CuNPs agglomeration was observed. Both samples presented excellent antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) as well as laundering durability.
Numerical model & design of wideband band reject filter with closed loop rectangular resonator

ABSTRACT Numerical model of a wideband band reject filter using closed rectangular loop resonator is presented using transmission lines. The prototype design of wide band reject filter centred at 3 GHz with lower cut-off frequency of 2 GHz and upper cut-off frequency of 4 GHz is fabricate from the optimal values obtained from the numeric model on a substrate (FR4) with a dielectric constant of 4.3, loss tangent of 0.02–0.03 and substrate height of 1.6 mm. For bidirectional operations, the length-to-width ratio of filter is 2:1. The impedance of the transmission line which is connected between input and output ports is taken as double the feed line impedance while the impedance of the other half wavelength is considered as four times the feed line impedance. The design has obtained bandwidth of more than 60%. It is observed that the full wave electromagnetic results are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results.
Retinal Proteomic Analysis in a Mouse Model of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis Using Data-Independent Acquisition-Based Mass Spectrometry

Uveitis is a group of sight-threatening ocular inflammatory diseases, potentially leading to permanent vision loss in patients. However, it remains largely unknown how uveitis causes retinal malfunction and vision loss. Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rodents is a good animal model to study uveitis and associated acute retinal inflammation. To understand the pathogenic mechanism of uveitis and screen potential targets for treatment, we analyzed the retinal proteomic profile of the EIU mouse model using a data-independent acquisition-based mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS). After systemic LPS administration, we observed activation of microglial cells accompanied with the elevation of pro-inflammatory mediators and visual function declines. In total, we observed 79 upregulated and 90 downregulated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Among the DEPs, we found that histone family members (histone H1, H2A, H2B) and blood proteins including haptoglobin (HP), hemopexin (HPX), and fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG) were dramatically increased in EIU groups relative to those in control groups. We identified phototransduction and synaptic vesicle cycle as the top two significant KEGG pathways. Moreover, canonical pathway analysis on DEPs using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed top three most significant enriched pathways related to acute phase response signaling, synaptogenesis signaling, and eif2 signaling. We further confirmed upregulation of several DEPs associated with the acute phase response signaling including HP, HPX, and FGG in LPS-treated retinas by qPCR and Western blot. In summary, this study serves as the first report to detect retinal proteome changes in the EIU model. The study provides several potential candidates for exploring the mechanism and novel therapeutic targets for uveitis and other retinal inflammatory diseases.
Resident activity pattern recognition and comparison of six Sino‐American metropolises

Travel decision making is driven by different activities. To better understand the traffic-activity characteristics of different regions, representative activity patterns (RAPs) of six Sino-American metropolises are recognised, and then these metropolises are clustered for each kind of RAP. Same year's National Household Travel Survey data of USA and Shanghai Household Travel Survey (SHTS) data are used in this study. Each resident's activity-topic probability distribution could be obtained by latent Dirichlet allocation topic model, then residents' RAPs of a region are recognised by affinity propagation clustering, for each region's weekdays and weekends, respectively. Based on RAPs recognition, the six metropolises are clustered within conspecific RAP according to the dissimilarity of pattern characteristics (the number of per capita activities, sex ratio etc.). At last, six metropolises are divided into three, two, five clusters in accordance with three kinds of work patterns, which are weekdays' normal work pattern, weekdays' late return (home) work pattern, and weekends' work pattern. Regions in the same cluster have homologous demographic compositions and show similar activity characteristics.
Interprocess control of critical dimensions in production of MEMS

В статье приведены результаты разработки программного обеспечения (ПО) для автоматического анализа оптических изображений. С использованием алгоритма выделения границ Дерише ПО рассчитывает геометрические параметры микроструктур на изображениях, полученных при помощи автоматизированной оптической системы в рамках межпроцессного контроля критических размеров (КР) МЭМС-продукции. Подобный контроль КР является одним из инструментов системы управления качества в производстве МЭМС. Разработанная методика позволяет с высокой точностью определять критические размеры чипов, расположенных на кремниевой или стеклянной пластине. Полная оптическая инспекция одной пластины диаметром 100 мм вместе с обработкой изображений занимает менее 10 мин. Хотя разработанное ПО предназначено для контроля параметров пластин определенных типов и размеров, использованные алгоритмы допускают значительное расширение его функциональности в будущем. The paper presents the results of the development of the script for the analysis of optical images. Using Deriche’s boundary delimitation algorithm, the analysis script allows obtaining critical dimensions (CD) of micro-sized structures captured by an automated optical system. The monitoring of the geometrical parameters of the MEMS products after various technological processes helps to control the processes’ performance which is strictly required by the quality management system maintained in the MEMS manufacturing. The developed technique allows to determine with a high accuracy the critical dimensions of chips located on a silicon or glass wafer. A complete optical inspection of one 100 mm wafer together with image processing takes less than 10 minutes. Although the developed script is designed to control the parameters of wafers of certain types and sizes, the algorithms used allow for a significant expansion of its functionality in the future.
Thermal comfort properties of nonwoven fabrics used in surgical gowns

Nonwoven fabrics are used for surgical gown applications due to their low cost, lightweight, durability, breathability, low hairiness and disposability. Multi-layered nonwovens with membranes are used in disposable surgical gowns to enhance protection against fluids, aerosol, toxins and microorganisms to meet the needs of surgical applications. In this study, we have analysed thermal comfort properties of SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) fabrics with three different weights (35 g/m2, 50 g/m2 and 80 g/m2) and also evaluated the layered nonwoven structures with a breathable and water impermeable membrane. As a result of the study, fabric weight and layered structure had been found to have an important effect on the comfort properties of nonwoven fabrics.
The Role of Communication and Network Technologies in the Dynamics of Social Movements

We investigate the multi-faceted role of information technologies in the spread and dynamics of social movements. Speciﬁcally, we ask two main questions: 1) how do communication and network technologies impact the number and connectivity of movement participants, and 2) how does more eﬃcient and more accurate surveillance technology impact an authority’s ability to learn about the movement. Importantly, our simulation model includes both homophily and social inﬂuence, two established tenants of social movements and social relationships more broadly. Our results show that communication technology that increases spontaneous interaction helps to ignite social movements, while improvements in networking technology are more eﬀective at accelerating the growth of social movements in their intermediate stages. However, when agents are allowed to join the movement, outreach is more eﬀective at accelerating the growth of the number of participants. Our results also show that authority can gain highly accurate beliefs simply by observing network links (instead of individual actors) in all but the smallest social movements.
QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR COLLISIONS INVOLVING DOUBLE HULL OIL TANKERS

In recent decades, the safety of ships at sea has become a major concern of the global maritime industries. Ships are rarely subject to severe accidents during their life cycle. Collision is one of the most hazardous accidents, with potentially serious consequences such as the loss of human life, structural damage and environmental damage, especially if large tankers, LNG and/or nuclear-powered vessels are involved. This study presents a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for double hull oil tankers that have collided with different types of ships. The methodology used to perform the QRA is based on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) definition of a Formal Safety Assessment (FSA). Using probabilistic approaches, ship-ship collision scenarios are randomly selected to create a representative sample of all possible scenarios. The collision frequency is then calculated for each scenario. As this is a virtual experiment, the LS-DYNA nonlinear finite element method (NLFEM) is used to predict the structural consequences of each scenario selected. In addition, the environmental consequences are estimated by calculating the size of each scenario’s oil spill. To assess the economic consequences, the property and environmental damages are calculated in terms of monetary units. The total risk is then calculated as the sum of the resultant structural and environmental damages. Exceedance curves are established that can be used to define the collision design loads in association with various design criteria.
High-sensitivity in various gyrator-based circuits with exceptional points of degeneracy

Exceptional points of degeneracy (EPD) can enhance the sensitivity of circuits by orders of magnitude. We show various configurations of coupled LC resonators via a gyrator that support EPDs of second and third-order. Each resonator includes a capacitor and inductor with a positive or negative value, and the corresponding EPD frequency could be real or imaginary. When a perturbation occurs in the second-order EPD gyrator-based circuit, we show that there are two real-valued frequencies shifted from the EPD one, following a square root law. This is contrary to what happens in a Parity-Time (PT) symmetric circuits where the two perturbed resonances are complex valued. We show how to get a stable EPD by coupling two unstable resonators, how to get an unstable EPD with an imaginary frequency, and how to get an EPD with a real frequency using an asymmetric gyrator. The relevant Puiseux fractional power series expansion shows the EPD occurrence and the circuit's sensitivity to perturbations. Our findings pave the way for new types of high-sensitive devices that can be used to sense physical, chemical, or biological changes.
Secondary Prevention after Myocardial Infarction: What to Do and Where to Do It

Acute myocardial infarction is a manifestation of atherosclerosis which may be fatal. In-hospital and short-term mortality rates after an acute myocardial infarction have declined in the past few decades. However, although long-term mortality has decreased, it remains unacceptably high. This review paper summarises the non-pharmacological interventions (smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial intervention) and pharmacological approaches (antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, beta-blockers, and glucose-lowering drugs) to secondary prevention after a myocardial infarction. The provision of secondary prevention services is established through cardiac rehabilitation, which consists of several discussed components. Finally, we discuss the quality indicators for long-term care after an acute myocardial infarction.
Differential Eating Behavior Patterns among the Dark Triad

There is little extant empirical literature examining the associations between Dark Triad (DT: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and eating behaviors. The current study (n = 361) investigated the associations between Dark Triad and restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating in a sample drawn from the general population. The results from the study indicate that (a) despite expected sex differences in narcissism and primary psychopathy, no sex differences were found in Machiavellianism, secondary psychopathy, and eating behaviors; (b) among women, Machiavellianism was a protective factor against uncontrolled eating behaviors; (c) the sex of the participant moderated the narcissism–uncontrolled eating behaviors and narcissism–emotional eating behaviors relationships, with the negative correlation being stronger for men than that for women; (d) secondary psychopathy, rather than primary psychopathy, was associated with higher uncontrolled eating behaviors in both sexes, and associated with higher emotional eating behaviors for men only. The implication of these findings are interpreted and discussed.
Computational Evaluation for Age-Dependent Material Nonlinear Behavior of Aortic Wall Tissue on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a localized expansion of the abdominal aorta with a diameter >3 cm or >50% larger than the normal diameter. In this study, the stretch and strength of the materials in the abdominal aorta in patients with aneurysms were examined based on the results of tensile tests, and databases of failure stress and stretch were established according to age. Generally, the tensile test results of the axial and circumferential directions have become a priority in the tests of aortic materials. However, this study focused on the results of the axial direction. In addition, finite element analysis, where the Holzapfel model and the test results were applied, was performed. As a result, the behavior characteristics of the abdominal aortic materials were precisely simulated. The formula and material constants used in the Holzapfel model were studied and proposed in order to simulate the failure stress and stretch according to age as well as simulation.