Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Spectral Doppler Estimation Based on the Modified Amplitude Spectrum Capon

In conventional ultrasound systems, the compromise between frequency and temporal resolution limits the quality of the spectrograms and the ability to track fast blood flows. The main objective of this study was to identify a method that could reduce spectral broadening over time by reducing the observations and improving the spectral resolution and contrast. This problem is more pronounced in the process of imaging at higher blood velocities when using a short Doppler signal observation window (OW) in adaptive methods. The proposed adaptive technique, which is based on the covariance matrix Eigen space and the amplitude spectrum Capon (ASC) algorithm, managed to improve the spectral resolution and contrast compared with other adaptive algorithms within a shorter observation time, and it offered a narrower power spectrum and a more accurate spectrogram over time in combination with a coherence-based post filter. All methods were tested through various simulations. First, an analysis was carried out by simulating the femoral artery flow and the time-independent parabolic flow using the Field II simulator. Then, the performance of the proposed method was evaluated under more realistic conditions using a computational fluid dynamics simulation of complex flow fields in a carotid bifurcation model. Afterward, in vivo clinical data on the hepatic vein were used to validate the proposed method. Finally, the accuracy of the velocity estimated by different methods was evaluated through a mean-square-error assessment. Not only could the proposed method show significant improvements using extreme small OWs, ${N}={[}{2}, {4}{]}$ , in the simulated data in terms of frequency resolution and contrast, but it also managed to offer an improvement of 74%, 73.3%, 22.2%, and 50% in frequency resolution, and an increase of 96.5, 90.2, 49, and 31.5 dB in contrast using in vivo clinical data compared with the Capon, amplitude and phase estimation (APES), projection-based Capon, and projection-based APES, respectively, for the OW of ${N}={4}$ .
Schema therapy with exposure and response prevention for the treatment of chronic anxiety with comorbid personality disorder

Background and objectives A considerable group of patients with anxiety disorders do not respond to guideline CBT treatment, possibly due to comorbid personality disorder (PD) traits. Schema therapy (ST) is an integrative treatment for personality disorders, and preliminary evidence suggests that it also affects anxiety. The present study examined the effects of a combination treatment (‘SCHerp’: ST + exposure and response prevention) in a non‐responsive outpatient group suffering from chronic anxiety and comorbid cluster C personality disorder. Methods Psychological malfunction (n = 42), and adaptive and maladaptive schema modes (n = 49) were assessed pre‐ and post‐treatment. Results Patients showed statistically significant decreases in psychological malfunction and maladaptive modes, and significant increases in adaptive modes from pre‐ to post‐treatment. Changes in modes were correlated with changes in psychological malfunction. Limitations No control group or follow‐up measurements were included. Conclusions The combination of ST and exposure with response prevention may be a viable avenue for research and treatment for this subpopulation. However, further research is needed to confirm and enhance effectiveness and identify working mechanisms of SCHerp. Practitioner points The SCHerp programme combines schema therapy with exposure and response prevention to tackle chronic anxiety in patients with comorbid personality disorder SCHerp significantly reduced psychological malfunction and maladaptive modes, and increased adaptive modes Changes in schema modes correlated with changes in psychological malfunction, suggesting that schema modes are an appropriate treatment target in this population No active control group was included so no therapy‐specific factors can be determined at this stage
Fault detection in a photovoltaic plant by time domain reflectometry

A reflectometric technique has been developed for diagnostic monitoring of a photovoltaic plant. Detailed information on the position and type of fault is inferred from the shape of the voltage waveforms resulting when a pulsed voltage excitation is applied to a string consisting of several series-connected modules. When an open circuit or a short circuit to ground are occurring, direct reading of the results is obtained by means of a software tool performing numerical analysis of the digitized waveforms. Extensions of this approach to the case of parallel-connected strings, as well as to the cases of a loaded plant and no illumination, are discussed.
Diverging functional strategies but high sensitivity to an extreme drought in tropical dry forests

Abstract Extreme drought events have negative effects on forest diversity and functioning. At the species level, however, these effects are still unclear, as species vary in their response to drought through specific functional trait combinations. We used long‐term demographic records of 21,821 trees and extensive databases of traits to understand the responses of 338 tropical dry forests tree species to ENSO2015, the driest event in decades in Northern South America. Functional differences between species were related to the hydraulic safety‐efficiency trade‐off, but unexpectedly, dominant species were characterised by high investment in leaf and wood tissues regardless of their leaf phenological habit. Despite broad functional trait combinations, tree mortality was more widespread in the functional space than tree growth, where less adapted species showed more negative net biomass balances. Our results suggest that if dry conditions increase in this ecosystem, ecological functionality and biomass gain would be reduced.
Rapid visual detection method for barley yellow mosaic virus using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP).

Barley yellow mosaic disease, caused mainly by barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), is a devastating disease of barley and is a threat to Eurasian barley production. Early detection is essential for effective management of the pathogens and to assure food security. In the present study, a simple, rapid, specific, sensitive, and visual method was developed to detect BaYMV using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers (inner and outer primers) were designed to amplify the gene encoding the coat protein of BaYMV. The optimal conditions for the LAMP method were determined, and a one-step reverse transcription (RT)-LAMP method was also developed. Subsequently, the fastest processing time for RT-LAMP was determined. Among eight plant viruses examined using the LAMP method, only BaYMV was detectable, suggesting that the assay was highly specific. The RT-LAMP method was ten times more sensitive than the RT-PCR method in the sensitivity test. To further shorten the virus detection process, a dye was added to the RT-LAMP products, and positive reactions were simply read by the naked eye via a color change (from orange to light green) under visible light. Barley samples from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, where barley yellow mosaic disease broke out very seriously in 1970s, were detected by the newly established RT-LAMP method. The results showed that all samples were positive for BaYMV, indicating that the potential risk of the virus in these areas. This newly established LAMP/RT-LAMP method could be a promising tool for barley protection and food security control.
Liquid Crystals Resulting from Combined Ionic and Hydrogen Bonding Interactions of Nucleobase Derivatives

Abstract Salts derived from the interaction of guanine or cytosine acid derivatives with hexadecylamine exhibited smectic liquid crystalline character. This behavior was attributed to a two-level organization process, i.e., to the segregation of lipophilic from hydrophilic moieties due to the formation of the n-alkylammonium salts and to the self-dimerization of these salts through molecular recognition. Furthermore, mixing of the complementary salts in 1:1 molar ratio led, at elevated temperatures, to the formation of their heterodimer which also exhibited a smectic liquid crystalline phase.
Association of work‐time control with sickness absence due to musculoskeletal and mental disorders: An occupational cohort study

Abstract Objectives Work‐time control is associated with lower sickness absence rates, but it remains unclear whether this association differs by type of diagnosis and sub‐dimension of work‐time control (control over daily hours and control over time off) and whether certain vulnerable groups benefit more from higher levels of work‐time control. Methods Survey data from the Finnish 10‐town study in 2004 were used to examine if baseline levels of work‐time control were associated with register data on diagnose‐specific sickness absence for 7 consecutive years (n = 22 599). Cox proportional hazard models were conducted, adjusted for age, sex, education, occupational status, shift work including nights, and physical/mental workload. Results During follow‐up, 2,818 individuals were on sick leave (≥10 days) due to musculoskeletal disorders and 1724 due to mental disorders. Employees with high (HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.74‐0.87; HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.70‐0.82, respectively) and moderate (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.77‐0.90; HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.79‐0.91, respectively) levels of control over daily hours/control over time off had a decreased risk of sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders. Sub‐group analyses revealed that especially workers who were older benefitted the most from higher levels of work‐time control. Neither sub‐dimension of work‐time control was related to sickness absence due to mental disorders. Conclusions Over a 7‐year period of follow‐up, high and moderate levels of work‐time control were related to lower rates of sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders, but not due to mental disorders.
Novel fecal biomarkers that precede clinical diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Altered gut microbiota composition and function have been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (UC), but causality and mechanisms remain unknown. METHODS We applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, in vitro functional assays and gnotobiotic colonizations to define the microbial composition and function in fecal samples obtained from a cohort of healthy individuals at-risk for IBD (pre-UC) that later developed UC (post-UC), and matched healthy controls (HC). RESULTS Microbiota composition of post-UC subjects was different from HC and pre-UC; however, functional analysis revealed increased fecal proteolytic and elastase activity before UC onset. Metagenomics identified over 22,000 gene families that were significantly different between HC, pre-UC and post-UC samples. Of these, 237 related to proteases and peptidases, suggesting a bacterial component to the pre-UC proteolytic signature. Elastase activity inversely correlated with the relative abundance of Adlercreutzia and other potentially beneficial taxa, and directly correlated with known proteolytic taxa, such as Bacteroides vulgatus. High elastase activity was confirmed in Bacteroides isolates from fecal samples. Bacterial contribution and functional significance of the proteolytic signature were investigated in germ-free adult mice and in dams colonized with HC, pre-UC or post-UC microbiota. Mice colonized with or born from pre-UC colonized dams developed higher fecal proteolytic activity and an inflammatory immune tone compared with HC colonized mice. CONCLUSIONS We have identified increased fecal proteolytic activity that precedes the clinical diagnosis of UC and associates with gut microbiota changes. This proteolytic signature may constitute a non-invasive biomarker of inflammation to monitor at-risk populations that can be targeted therapeutically with anti-proteases.
Preparation of by Spray Pyrolysis and Evaluation of Apparent Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production from Water

photocatalyst was prepared by spray pyrolysis process and tested as photocatalyst for water splitting under UV light. Precursor solution was prepared from and in nitric acid solution and spray-pyrolyzed in air at between 973 and 1273 K. Considerable enhancement of photocatalytic activity was achieved by loading wt% of NiO on the surface of . The NiO loading was more effective on the synthesized by spray pyrolysis in comparison with that synthesized by solid-state reaction. The quantum yield (QY) of photocatalyst was measured by chemical actinometry using potassium ferrioxalate and compared with the apparent photocatalytic activities (APA) which would be more useful for the purpose of photocatalytic reactor design than the quantum yield. The apparent photocatalytic activity (APA) was defined by the rate of hydrogen production divided by weight of catalyst, volume of reactant mixture, duration of irradiation, and power of UV lamp. The validity of the apparent photocatalytic activity (APA) was discussed based on our results and reported activities of photocatalyst loaded with or without NiO.
State boredom results in optimistic perception of risk and increased risk-taking

ABSTRACT While models considering the relationship between emotion and risk differ, many agree that emotions should affect risk in accordance with the adaptive function of the emotion. The function of boredom has been proposed to motivate the pursuit of an alternative experience. Based on this, we predicted that a state of boredom would result in an optimistic perception of risk and increased risk-taking. In Study 1 (n = 164) and Study 2 (n = 200) participants who were made bored (relative to neutral, anger, and fear conditions) reported less worry and concern and estimated fewer deaths for causes of death. Study 3 (n = 149) showed that participants who were made bored (compared to neutral and fear conditions) perceived risk more optimistically, reported being more likely to take risks, and perceived more potential benefits from taking risks. In Study 4 (n = 84) participants who were made bored (relative to neutral) took more risks on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, a behavioural measure of risk. These findings show that state boredom results in an optimistic perception of risk, increased self-reported risk taking, and increased risk taking. Our results support boredom as an emotion that impacts risk in line with its function.
Impact of health-related quality of life on survival after dialysis initiation: a prospective cohort study in Korea

Background The effect of each health-related quality of life (HRQOL) component on hemodialysis prognosis has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the clinical factors associated with HRQOL and the effect of HRQOL after dialysis initiation on long-term survival in an Asian population. Methods A total of 568 hemodialysis patients were included from a nationwide prospective cohort study. HRQOL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) Short FormTM 1.3 at 3 months after dialysis initiation. The effect of each KDQOL item score on mortality was analyzed. Multivariable Cox analysis was performed after adjusting for age, sex, modified Charlson comorbidity index, and causes of primary kidney disease. Results Old age, diabetes mellitus, high comorbidities, and low serum albumin levels were associated with poor physical health status. Decreased urine output was associated with both poor physical and mental health status. The scores of 3 indices in the kidney disease domain (effect of kidney disease, social support, and dialysis staff encouragement) showed significant associations with mortality, as did the 3 indices (physical function, physical role limitation, and body pain) in the physical health domain. Neither the 4 indices in the mental health domain nor the mental composite score showed a significant association with mortality. However, a high physical composite score was associated with decreased overall patient mortality (P = 0.003). The effect of physical composite score on survival was prominent among young or middle-aged groups. Conclusion Poor physical health status 3 months after hemodialysis start correlates significantly with overall mortality.
Association of the Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosed by Computed Tomography.

Background: Although previous studies have suggested that the serum uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) is associated with metabolic syndrome, there is limited evidence of a relationship between sUA/Cr and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the association between sUA/Cr and NAFLD in healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 778 subjects who participated in a health examination. The participants were divided according to presence of NAFLD, which was determined by abdominal computed tomography (CT). Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the variables associated with NAFLD, and an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of sUA/Cr for NAFLD was estimated. Results: sUA/Cr in participants with NAFLD was significantly higher than in those without NAFLD. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant association between sUA/Cr and NAFLD, and the adjusted OR of sUA/Cr increase of 1 for NAFLD was 1.182. (95% CI: 1.066-1.311). Conclusions: Elevated sUA/Cr was significantly associated with CT-diagnosed NAFLD in healthy adults. sUA/Cr may be a reliable marker for predicting NAFLD. (The Clinical Trial Registration number: 2020-06-002-002).
The dialog between neurons and microglia in Alzheimer's disease: The neurotransmitters view

Microglia play a vital role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Their continuous sensing of surrounding micro‐environments is crucial for their activity. Cross talk between specific neurons and microglia might occur through specific neurotransmitter receptors on microglia. Impairment with this interaction might result in pathological activity of microglia against potential insults. The reason for this activity in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not known. However, several papers report of the effects of different neurotransmitter agonists on microglial cells function that relate to their activity in AD. This review aims to summarize those works and to raise potential fundamental questions for future research.
Hearing impairment due to Mir183/96/182 mutations suggests both loss-of-function and gain-of-function effects

ABSTRACT The microRNA miR-96 is important for hearing, as point mutations in humans and mice result in dominant progressive hearing loss. Mir96 is expressed in sensory cells along with Mir182 and Mir183, but the roles of these closely-linked microRNAs are as yet unknown. Here, we analyse mice carrying null alleles of Mir182, and of Mir183 and Mir96 together to investigate their roles in hearing. We found that Mir183/96 heterozygous mice had normal hearing and homozygotes were completely deaf with abnormal hair cell stereocilia bundles and reduced numbers of inner hair cell synapses at 4 weeks of age. Mir182 knockout mice developed normal hearing then exhibited progressive hearing loss. Our transcriptional analyses revealed significant changes in a range of other genes, but surprisingly there were fewer genes with altered expression in the organ of Corti of Mir183/96 null mice compared with our previous findings in Mir96Dmdo mutants, which have a point mutation in the miR-96 seed region. This suggests that the more-severe phenotype of Mir96Dmdo mutants compared with Mir183/96 mutants, including progressive hearing loss in Mir96Dmdo heterozygotes, is likely to be mediated by the gain of novel target genes in addition to the loss of its normal targets. We propose three mechanisms of action of mutant miRNAs: loss of targets that are normally completely repressed, loss of targets for which transcription is normally buffered by the miRNA, and gain of novel targets. Any of these mechanisms could lead to a partial loss of a robust cellular identity and consequent dysfunction. Summary: Our study describes mice carrying knockout alleles of microRNAs involved in hearing and suggests that a point mutation in a microRNA can have a greater phenotypic impact than a null allele.
Silicon-Based Anode of Lithium Ion Battery Made of Nano Silicon Flakes Partially Encapsulated by Silicon Dioxide

Ubiquitous mobile electronic devices and rapidly increasing electric vehicles demand a better lithium ion battery (LIB) with a more durable and higher specific charge storage capacity than traditional graphite-based ones. Silicon is among the most promising active media since it exhibits ten times of a specific capacity. However, alloying with lithium by silicon and dissociation of the silicon-lithium alloys induce high volume changes and result in pulverization. The loss of electrical contacts by silicon with the current collector of the anode causes rapid capacity decay. We report improved anode cycling performance made of silicon flakes partially encapsulated by silicon dioxide and coated with conductive nanocarbon films and CNTs. The silicon dioxide surface layer on a silicon flake improves the physical integrity for a silicon-based anode. The exposed silicon surface provides a fast transport of lithium ions and electrons. CNTs and nanocarbon films provide electrical connections between silicon flakes and the current collector. We report a novel way of manufacturing silicon flakes partially covered by silicon dioxide through breaking oxidized silicon flakes into smaller pieces. Additionally, we demonstrate an improved cycling life and capacity retention compared to pristine silicon flakes and silicon flakes fully encapsulated by silicon dioxide. Nanocarbon coatings provide conduction channels and further improve the anode performance.