Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frontal interhemispheric structural connectivity, attention, and executive function in children with perinatal stroke

Perinatal stroke affects ∼1 in 1000 births and concomitant cognitive impairments are common but poorly understood. Rates of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are increased 5–10× and executive dysfunction can be disabling. We used diffusion imaging to investigate whether stroke‐related differences in frontal white matter (WM) relate to cognitive impairments. Anterior forceps were isolated using tractography and sampled along the tract. Resulting metrics quantified frontal WM microstructure. Associations between WM metrics and parent ratings of ADHD symptoms (ADHD‐5 rating scale) and executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)) were explored. Eighty‐three children were recruited (arterial ischemic stroke [AIS] n = 26; periventricular venous infarction [PVI] n = 26; controls n = 31). WM metrics were altered for stroke groups compared to controls. Along‐tract analyses showed differences in WM metrics in areas approximating the lesion as well as more remote differences at midline and in the nonlesioned hemisphere. WM metrics correlated with parental ratings of ADHD and executive function such that higher diffusivity values were associated with poorer function. These findings suggest that underlying microstructure of frontal white matter quantified via tractography may provide a relevant biomarker associated with cognition and behavior in children with perinatal stroke.
Negative body size‐dependent resource allocation underlies conspicuous sexual ornaments in a territorial damselfly

Sexual ornaments, signalling individual quality to choosy females or rival males, often show steeper body size scaling compared with non‐sexually selected traits. Theory posits such steeper body size scaling is the result of differential resource allocation, reflecting trade‐offs between different components of fitness. Yet, the process of resource allocation towards body size‐dependent sexual ornaments has been rarely understood empirically. Using the Neotropical territorial damselfly Megaloprepus caerulatus, whose males and females carry wax‐based, sex‐specific white wing bands and white wing tips respectively, we investigated nutrition sensitivity and body size scaling of both traits by manipulating larval food availability and directly quantified both the fat allocated to wing ornaments and the fat reserve from which allocations are made. Both colour traits exhibited sensitivity to food availability during larval development and steeper body size scaling compared with control traits. Although the absolute amount of fat invested in developing the colour ornaments increased with body size, the proportion of total fat allocated to the ornaments decreased with body size, making exaggerated ornaments less affordable for smaller individuals. Our data demonstrate that measuring the proportion of resource pool from which an individual's ornaments are derived (i.e. its affordability) is essential for understanding the maintenance of honesty of sexual signals.
Shark skin inspired riblet structures as aerodynamically optimized high temperature coatings for blades of aeroengines

This paper deals with different structuring methods for high temperature resistant nickel alloys. The ideal structured surface for a possible application on the blades of aeroengines combines high oxidation resistance with low drag in a hot gas flow. The effect of drag reduction due to riblet structured surfaces was originally inspired by shark scales, which have a drag reducing riblet structure. The necessary riblet sizes for effective drag reduction depend on the temperature, pressure and velocity of the flowing medium (gas or liquid). These riblet sizes were calculated for the different sections in an aeroengine. The riblets were successfully produced on a NiCoCrAlY coating by picosecond laser treatment. This method is suitable for larger structures within the range of some tens of micrometers. Furthermore, experiments were performed by depositing different materials through polymer and metal masks via electrodeposition and physical vapor deposition. All fabricated structures were oxidized at 900–1000 °C for up to 100 h to simulate the temperature conditions in an aeroengine. The resulting shape of the riblets was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The most accurate structures were obtained by using photolithography with a subsequent electrodeposition of nickel. This method is suited for single digit micrometer structures. The reduction of the wall shear stress was measured in an oil channel. The riblet structures prior to oxidation showed a reduction of the wall shear stress of up to 4.9% compared to a normal smooth surface. This proves that the fabricated riblet design can be used as a drag reducing surface.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of methylphenidate and modafinil in the treatment of daily drowsiness in patients with refractory epilepsy and their comparison with the control group.

BACKGROUND Various articles show the high prevalence of sleep disorders and especially excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with refractory epilepsy and the importance of personal and social burden of this complication on individuals. Considering the insufficient evidence to draw efficacy and safety of modafinil and methylphenidate to treat EDS in the patient with intractable seizures, we decided to compare the effect of methylphenidate and modafinil with the control group. It is hoped that this study will pave the way for further studies. METHODS This study is a clinical trial (IRCT20171030037093N22) (URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/42485). The study population was patients with refractory epilepsy referred to the neurology clinic of Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, from 2019 to 2020. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was treated with methylphenidate, the second group was treated with modafinil, and the third group was not received any medication such as modafinil and methylphenidate. Methylphenidate dosage was 10-20 mg/day. The patients were treated with modafinil at a dose of 200-600 mg/day. EPWORTH sleepiness scale (ESS) and Total Sleep Time (TST) were calculated before and 8 weeks after the intervention for the patients. RESULTS 47 patients were included and divided into 3 groups, methylphenidate (10 males and 9 females), modafinil (7 males and 13 females), and control (4 males and 4 females). There was no significant difference among the groups based on ESS before and after intervention and TST after the intervention (P>0.05), but the mean of TST was significantly lower in the control group than in methylphenidate and modafinil groups before the intervention (P=0.003). The change of ESS and TST before compared to after intervention in the methylphenidate and modafinil group were significant (P<0.001), but the changes of ESS and TST in the control group were not significant (P>0.05). The frequency of complications (P=0.74) and outcomes (P=0.07) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Modafinil and methylphenidate are two effective and safe drugs to increase the quality of sleep in the patients. Additionally, ESS and TST scores are better in the patients who used modafinil and methylphenidate.
PERCEIVED WORK SITUATION AND WORK ABILITY AMONG PERSONS WHO ARE WORKING ONE YEAR AFTER STROKE

Objective To explore how persons who have returned to work perceive their work situation and work ability one year after stroke. Design Cross-sectional design. Subjects A total of 88 persons of working age (mean age 52 (standard deviation; SD 8) years, 36% women), with mild to moderate disabilities following stroke, who had returned to work within one year after stroke participated in the study. Methods A survey including a questionnaire regarding psychological and social factors at work (QPS Nordic) and 4 questions from the Work Ability Index (WAI) was posted to the participants. Results According to the QPS Nordic survey, 69–94% of respondents perceived their work duties as well defined, and were content with their work performance. Most participants had good social support at work and at home. Between 51% and 64% of respondents reported that they seldom felt stressed at work, seldom had to work overtime, or that work demands seldom interfered with family life. According to the WAI ≥75% of respondents perceived their work ability as sufficient, and they were rather sure that they would still be working 2 years ahead. Conclusion Persons who have returned to work within one year after stroke appear to be content with their work situation and work ability. Appreciation at work, well-defined and meaningful work duties and support seem to be important for a sustainable work situation. LAY ABSTRACT To be able to return to work after stroke is important for health and well-being. In this study, 88 persons who were working at one year after stroke responded to a survey including questionnaires regarding psychological and social factors at work, and work ability. A majority of respondents perceived that their skills and knowledge were useful, that their work duties were well defined and that they were content with their work performance. Most of them had good social support in the workplace and from family and friends. A majority (≥75%) considered their work ability to be rather good or very good, and were reasonably sure that they would be working for a further 2 years. These findings indicate that persons who are working at one year after stroke seem to be content with their work situation and work ability. Individual adjustments, meaningful work duties and support are important for a successful and sustainable work situation.
The mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 cooperates with semaphorins to control neural crest migration

ABSTRACT Cells are permanently exposed to a multitude of different kinds of signals: however, how cells respond to simultaneous extracellular signals within a complex in vivo environment is poorly understood. Here, we studied the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 on the migration of the neural crest, a multipotent embryonic cell population. We identify that Piezo1 is required for the migration of Xenopus cephalic neural crest. We show that loss of Piezo1 promotes focal adhesion turnover and cytoskeletal dynamics by controlling Rac1 activity, leading to increased speed of migration. Moreover, overactivation of Rac1, due to Piezo1 inhibition, counteracts cell migration inhibitory signals by Semaphorin 3A and Semaphorin 3F, generating aberrant neural crest invasion in vivo. Thus, we find that, for directional migration in vivo, neural crest cells require a tight regulation of Rac1, by semaphorins and Piezo1. We reveal here that a balance between a myriad of signals through Rac1 dictates cell migration in vivo, a mechanism that is likely to be conserved in other cell migration processes.
aflN Is Involved in the Biosynthesis of Aflatoxin and Conidiation in Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus poses a threat to society economy and public health due to aflatoxin production. aflN is a gene located in the aflatoxin gene cluster, but the function of AflN is undefined in Aspergillus flavus. In this study, aflN is knocked out and overexpressed to study the function of AflN. The results indicated that the loss of AflN leads to the defect of aflatoxin biosynthesis. AflN is also found to play a role in conidiation but not hyphal growth and sclerotia development. Moreover, AlfN is related to the response to environmental oxidative stress and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. At last, AflN is involved in the pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus to host. These results suggested that AflN played important roles in aflatoxin biosynthesis, conidiation and reactive oxygen species generation in Aspergillus flavus, which will be helpful for the understanding of aflN function, and will be beneficial to the prevention and control of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins contamination.
Severe asthma in adult, inner-city predominantly African–American and latinx population: demographic, clinical and phenotypic characteristics

Abstract Introduction The burden of asthma morbidity with co-existing atopy among the racial/ethnic minorities in the socio-economically disadvantaged NYC borough of the Bronx is unusually high. The multidisciplinary Montefiore Asthma Center (MAC) provides guideline-based treatment to this high-risk population through the joint efforts of Allergists/Immunologists, Pulmonologists, and on-site health educators. Methods The objective of this prospective, observational study was to define the demographic and clinical characteristics of severe asthma, evaluate improvement in asthma severity and lung function through the course of treatment at the MAC, and describe the asthma phenotypes of the patients managed at the MAC. Adults with severe asthma receiving treatment at the MAC were followed from their first to their last visit at the MAC. Patient demographics, along with asthma severity and co-existing allergies, were assessed. Possible phenotypes were defined (based on presence or absence of atopy, age at asthma onset, and blood eosinophil counts). Results 227 patients were included in the final analysis, of which 55.5% were Hispanic and 33.9% identified as non-Hispanic Black. Ninety-one percent (91%) of our cohort was found to be atopic and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) was the most commonly identified co-existing allergic condition (86.3%). Mean Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores improved from 11.1 (± 4.9) at the initial visit to 14.8 (± 6.1) at the last visit. The spirometric values did not improve despite treatment at MAC. Conclusion A multidisciplinary severe asthma center is an ideal setting to phenotype patients and offer personalized guideline-based management and education to adults with severe asthma.
Factors Influencing Building Contractors’ Pricing for Time-Related Risks in Tenders

The contractors’ pricing for contract risks in tenders determines how much the employers have to pay for the risk transfer. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the contractors’ pricing for contract risks is crucial for employers to optimize the cost effectiveness of risk allocation in contracts. This study investigates the factors that contractors perceive to be important when they are pricing “time-related” contract risks. A questionnaire survey was designed for collecting data from building contractors currently operating in Hong Kong. Contractors were not only required to rate the importance of individual factors, but also to state the cost implications when compared with normal pricing in the absence of the concerned factor. The findings reveal that a single factor may have two-sided implications (both inflating and deflating the prices) for which they can be in unequal scales. These scales vary according to the contractor size and the reasons of the differences are investigated. The find.
Return to Sport in Athletes With Borderline Hip Dysplasia After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Background: Data on outcomes in patients with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) who undergo hip arthroscopy remain limited, particularly in regard to return to sport (RTS). Purpose: To evaluate outcomes in patients with BHD and their ability to RTS after hip arthroscopy for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Consecutive patients with self-reported athletic activity and radiographic evidence of BHD, characterized by a lateral femoral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25° and a Tönnis angle >10°, who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS between November 2014 and March 2017 were identified. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes including the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score–Sports Subscale (HOS-SS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), international Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction were analyzed at minimum 2-year follow-up. In addition, all patients completed an RTS survey. Results: A total of 41 patients with a mean age and body mass index (BMI) of 29.6 ± 13.4 years and 25.3 ± 5.6, respectively, were included. Mean LCEA and Tönnis angle for the study population were 22.7°± 1.8° and 13.3°± 2.9°, respectively. A total of 31 (75.6%) patients were able to RTS after hip arthroscopy at a mean of 8.3 ± 3.2 months. A total of 14 patients (45.2%) were able to RTS at the same level of activity, 16 patients (51.6%) returned to a lower level of activity, and only 1 (3.2%) patient returned to a higher level of activity. Of the 11 high school and collegiate athletes, 10 (90.9%) were able to RTS. All patients demonstrated significant improvements in all patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as in pain scores at a mean of 26.1 ± 5.4 months after surgery. Patients who were able to RTS had a lower preoperative BMI than patients who did not RTS. Analysis of minimum 2-year PROMs demonstrated better HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, mHHS, iHOT-12, and VAS outcomes for pain in patients able to RTS versus those who did not RTS (P < .05). Conclusion: Of the patients with BHD studied here, 75.6% of patients successfully returned to sport at a mean of 8.3 ± 3.2 months after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. Of the patients who successfully returned to sport, 45.2% returned at the same level, and 3.2% returned at a higher activity level.
Diagnose Like a Radiologist: Hybrid Neuro-Probabilistic Reasoning for Attribute-Based Medical Image Diagnosis

During clinical practice, radiologists often use attributes, e.g., morphological and appearance characteristics of a lesion, to aid disease diagnosis. Effectively modeling attributes as well as all relationships involving attributes could boost the generalization ability and verifiability of medical image diagnosis algorithms. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid neuro-probabilistic reasoning algorithm for verifiable attribute-based medical image diagnosis. There are two parallel branches in our hybrid algorithm, a Bayesian network branch performing probabilistic causal relationship reasoning and a graph convolutional network branch performing more generic relational modeling and reasoning using a feature representation. Tight coupling between these two branches is achieved via a cross-network attention mechanism and the fusion of their classification results. We have successfully applied our hybrid reasoning algorithm to two challenging medical image diagnosis tasks. On the LIDC-IDRI benchmark dataset for benign-malignant classification of pulmonary nodules in CT images, our method achieves a new state-of-the-art accuracy of 95.36% and an AUC of 96.54%. Our method also achieves a 3.24% accuracy improvement on an in-house chest X-ray image dataset for tuberculosis diagnosis. Our ablation study indicates that our hybrid algorithm achieves a much better generalization performance than a pure neural network architecture under very limited training data.
Antimicrobial effect of radiant catalytic ionization

The main purpose of micro‐organisms elimination from the air and surfaces is to ensure microbiological safety in health care facilities or food production plants. Currently, many disinfection methods are used, both physical, chemical and, increasingly, biological. Scientists seek new solutions with high antimicrobial effectiveness (especially against the drug‐resistant strains of bacteria), low production and operating costs, and, above all, the safety of patients and food consumers. The limitation of the methods used so far is primarily the micro‐organisms acquire the resistance, mainly to antimicrobial agents. One of the new and alternative methods of disinfection is radiant catalytic ionization (RCI). RCI is an active method of air and surface purification. The technology proved high efficiency against viruses, Gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria, and fungi, both in the air and on surfaces (planktonic forms and biofilm). RCI has many advantages as well as some minor limitations. This overview summarizes the current knowledge about RCI technology.
Organic And Conventional Date Farm EfficiencyEstimation, And Its Determents At RiyadhProvince, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

This paper aims to estimate efficiencies of input use and its determinants using a two step methodology. First, to estimate the efficiency of conventional and organic date farms in Saudi Arabia, with special reference to the Riyadh province. Second, to show the impacts of relative input use, as an indicator of technology level and specialization degree, as efficiency determinants. Riyadh Province has the main date production and date area, it reaches 23% and 25% of total production and area of dates respectively. It is also a province which is characterized by most of the organic date farms in the Kingdom. Technical, cost, and scale efficiencies are estimated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, for 82 conventional and 49 organic date farms. The study results show that 22% of conventional date farm technical efficiency have a range of 50–59%, while 32% of them have a cost efficiency range of 40–49%. Technical and cost efficiency ranges were 50–59% and 20–29% for 29% and 39% of organic date farms respectively. The efficiency measures are regressed, using Tobit Model, on a set of explanatory variables which includes efficiency determinants such as water, labor, per hectares. The significant relationship between farm use of water per hectare, as the most scarce resource, and scale efficiency is negative in the case of conventional and organic date farms, i.e. less water use increases scale efficiency. Date farm area relative to total farm area has a positive impact on date farm efficiency. A negative impact of labor, per hectare, on efficiency reflects the importance of applying modern agriculture which required less labor and more technology.
Destruction Analysis of Broadside Multi-Cabin Protective Structure of Warship under Explosion Loading

Shock wave parameters of cabins for shipboard defensive structure are studied based on shock wave theory. The destroy of defensive structure can be estimated by impulse of shock wave. In the process of air shock wave propagating, isentropic suction wave is reflected from void cabin into defense structure. The solution of shock wave attenuation of void cabin can be reached by using isentropic line to replace the shock adiabatic of the reflected shock. It can be seen from the example that the multi-layers defense structure system of warship is very important to decrease the damage from explosive shock wave. The method can be used to predict the extent of damage of naval vessel.