Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive and mental health impact of adrenoleukodystrophy across the lifespan: Insights for the era of newborn screening

X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare inherited neurological disorder that poses considerable challenges for clinical management throughout the lifespan. Although males are generally more severely affected than females, the time course and presentation of clinical symptoms are otherwise difficult to predict. Opportunities to improve outcomes for individuals with ALD are rapidly expanding due to the introduction of newborn screening programs for this condition and an evolving treatment landscape. The aim of this comprehensive review is to synthesize current knowledge regarding the neurocognitive and mental health effects of ALD. This review provides investigators and clinicians with context to improve case conceptualization, inform prognostic counseling, and optimize neuropsychological and mental health care for patients and their families. Results highlight key predictive factors and brain‐behavior relationships associated with the diverse manifestations of ALD. The review also discusses considerations for endpoints within clinical trials and identifies gaps to address in future research.
Adaptive-Additive Multilevel Methods for Hypersingular Integral Equation

In this article we present the combined adaptive-additive multilevel methods for the Galerkin approximation of hypersingular integral equation on the interval o = ( m 1,1). We also derive an efficient and reliable a posteriori error estimate for the error between the exact solution u and the approximated multilevel solution $ \tilde u_ {\cal M} $ , measuring locally the quality of $ \tilde u_ {\cal M} $ . The algorithm is carefully designed to obtain minimal complexity. A limitation of our analysis approach is that the meshes must be assumed to be quasi-uniform.
Intercomparison of Spatial Forecast Verification Methods: Identifying Skillful Spatial Scales Using the Fractions Skill Score

Abstract The fractions skill score (FSS) was one of the measures that formed part of the Intercomparison of Spatial Forecast Verification Methods project. The FSS was used to assess a common dataset that consisted of real and perturbed Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model precipitation forecasts, as well as geometric cases. These datasets are all based on the NCEP 240 grid, which translates to approximately 4-km resolution over the contiguous United States. The geometric cases showed that the FSS can provide a truthful assessment of displacement errors and forecast skill. In addition, the FSS can be used to determine the scale at which an acceptable level of skill is reached and this usage is perhaps more helpful than interpreting the actual FSS value. This spatial-scale approach is becoming more popular for monitoring operational forecast performance. The study also shows how the FSS responds to forecast bias. A more biased forecast always gives lower FSS values at large scales and usually at sma.
A novel fitness evaluation method for evolutionary algorithms

Fitness evaluation is a crucial task in evolutionary algorithms because it can affect the convergence speed and also the quality of the final solution. But these algorithms may require huge computation power for solving nonlinear programming problems. This paper proposes a novel fitness evaluation approach which employs similarity-base learning embedded in a classical differential evolution (SDE) to evaluate all new individuals. Each individual consists of three elements: parameter vector (v), a fitness value (f), and a reliability value(r). The f is calculated using NFEA, and only when the r is below a threshold is the f calculated using true fitness function. Moreover, applying error compensation system to the proposed algorithm further enhances the performance of the algorithm to make r much closer to true fitness value for each new child. Simulation results over a comprehensive set of benchmark functions show that the convergence rate of the proposed algorithm is much faster than much that of the compared algorithms.
A computer analysis of the effect of a wide‐band‐gap emitter layer on the performance of a‐Si:H‐based heterojunction solar cells

A first principles computer model for simulating the performance of amorphous‐silicon‐based solar cells has been applied to study the effect on solar cell performance of using an emitter layer with band gap larger than that of the intrinsic absorber. We surprisingly find that if the transparent conducting oxide/p‐layer contact barrier height φb0 is held constant, the effect of increasing the band gap of the emitter layer Eμ(p) is to depress the open‐circuit voltage Voc, fill factor (FF), and cell efficiency η, although the short‐circuit current Jsc increases as expected. The main reason for the decrease of Voc, FF, and η at constant φb0 is that as Eμ(p) expands, the field corresponding to the gradient in the electron affinity at the p/i interface increases also, leading more and more to a collapse of the field over the intrinsic absorber layer. Considering the effect of φb0, we find that Jsc in these structures is practically independent of this parameter. However, φb0 exerts considerable influence on Voc.
Watercolor Image Processing Method for Big Data Analysis

: The colors in a watercolor painting are transparent. The watercolor style uses one layer of color over another to achieve a special transparent visual effect. Therefore, the watercolor pixel color change level is more complex, and the color edge is not apparent. The traditional image processing method is challenging to carry out high-quality image transformation, image coding, image compression, and image segmentation. This paper proposes a watercolor image processing method oriented to big data analysis. First, the collected watercolor image is preprocessed to eliminate background noise in the watercolor image. Then, the watercolor image is colorized through image semantic segmentation. Based on the semantic segmentation results, the images can be clustered by different layers. These layers are then colorized according to their properties. Finally, the colored layers are combined with a degree of transparency to get the final watercolor-style image. The watercolor obtained by this method is more consistent with the actual watercolor painting form and fully uses the advantages of big data analysis. The computer simulation of the watercolor painting process and the parallel deep learning method can significantly improve the algorithm's efficiency.
Negative Temperature Coefficient of Electrical Resistivity in B2-Type Ti–Ni Alloys

A negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity (TCR) has been observed in Ti50-XNi50+X (at.%; X=1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5) in the temperature range between 20 and 350 K. The resistivity vs temperature curve has no hysteresis and the relative resistivity at 20 K (ρ20 K/ρ350 K) decreases with increasing Ni content. X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that a negative TCR is not caused by structural phase transition nor by magnetic transition. The Debye temperature of Ti48Ni52, obtained from the analysis of specific heat measurements, is quite low (217 K) and its spin relaxation process has a time duration between 400 µs and 20 ms, suggesting that some lattice instability exists. Based on these results, the origin of a negative TCR is discussed.
Compact electronically tunable microstrip dual-band filter using stub-loaded SIRs

A compact electronically tunable dual-bandpass filter (BPF) with harmonic suppression is investigated in this paper. The BPF is composed of a step-impedance resonator, a T-stub with a varactor diode and a filtering network. The second passband can be independently tuned by varying the bias voltage across the varactor, whereas the first passband is fixed. The proposed filter exhibits wide stopband due to the introduction of the filtering network suppressing harmonics. A prototype of a tunable dual-band BPF, in which the second passband is tuned from 1.58 to 2.21 GHz and the first passband is fixed at 0.98 GHz, is designed and fabricated. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement with each other.
Domain inversion by pulse poling in polymer films

We report on an original technique for poling polymeric thin films, which allowed us to obtain a second-order nonlinear inverted domain structure, which could be used for frequency-doubling waveguides under quasi-phase-matching condition. Measurements of the local value and orientation of the electro-optic r33 tensor component were performed by a reflection microscopic electro-optic ellipsometer. The measured parameters for the nonlinear structure induced in the polymeric film result to be consistent with the expected values.
A multiple-level variable neighborhood search approach to the orienteering problem

A multiple-level variable neighborhood search (ML-VNS) approach is developed for the orienteering problem (OP) which maximizes the reward collected from visited sites while satisfying predetermined constraints. The ML-VNS approach remedies situations in which the information accumulated during the search process of an individual instance is not shared with the search processes in other instances with different constraint levels. New large-sized OPs have been defined. Results of the ML-VNS approach show promise when compared with previous tabu search (TS) algorithm and probabilistic solution discovery algorithm (PSDA).
Ultra-steep-spectrum radio sources. I. 4C objects

We present radio total intensity and polarization images and complete optical identifications of a representative sample of ultra-steep-spectrum 4C objects. The radio morphologies are all resolved into double lobes or triples with cores. The radio polarization intensity morphologies are strikingly asymmetric. The optical identifications consist of galaxies in distant clusters (0.4{lt}{ital z}{lt}1.0), quasars, and high-redshift ({ital z}{gt}1) radio galaxies. We identify several (1{lt}{ital z}{lt}2) cluster candidates, and faint candidates for very high redshift radio galaxies. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Astronomical Society. }
Effects of experimental nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon storage in Southern California drylands

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is enriching soils with N across biomes. Soil N enrichment can increase plant productivity and affect microbial activity, thereby increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), but such responses vary across biomes. Drylands cover ~45% of Earth's land area and store ~33% of global SOC contained in the top 1 m of soil. Nitrogen fertilization could, therefore, disproportionately impact carbon (C) cycling, yet whether dryland SOC storage increases with N remains unclear. To understand how N enrichment may change SOC storage, we separated SOC into plant‐derived, particulate organic C (POC), and largely microbially derived, mineral‐associated organic C (MAOC) at four N deposition experimental sites in Southern California. Theory suggests that N enrichment increases the efficiency by which microbes build MAOC (C stabilization efficiency) if soil pH stays constant. But if soils acidify, a common response to N enrichment, then microbial biomass and enzymatic organic matter decay may decrease, increasing POC but not MAOC. We found that N enrichment had no effect on C fractions except for a decrease in MAOC at one site. Specifically, despite reported increases in plant biomass in three sites and decreases in microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activities in two sites that acidified, POC did not increase. Furthermore, microbial C use and stabilization efficiency increased in a non‐acidified site, but without increasing MAOC. Instead, MAOC decreased by 16% at one of the sites that acidified, likely because it lost 47% of the exchangeable calcium (Ca) relative to controls. Indeed, MAOC was strongly and positively affected by Ca, which directly and, through its positive effect on microbial biomass, explained 58% of variation in MAOC. Long‐term effects of N fertilization on dryland SOC storage appear abiotic in nature, such that drylands where Ca‐stabilization of SOC is prevalent and soils acidify, are most at risk for significant C loss.
Array‐Based Teleseismic Love Wave Tomography

Fundamental mode Love waves from earthquakes can be contaminated by higher modes, which can affect the accuracy of phase velocity measurements. If such contaminations are not well dealt with, models of Earth's interior structures based on Love waves could be significantly biased. In this study, we develop an array‐based teleseismic Love wave tomography method that can mitigate higher‐mode interference effects and therefore obtain more accurate phase‐velocity maps compared to previous studies. By applying our tomography method to synthetic data, we first illustrate the effectiveness of our method in construction phase velocity maps of fundamental Love waves when 30% of Love waves are contaminated by higher modes. In addition, as a case study, we apply our method to field data from the Western United States to construct phase velocity maps at 20–100 s period. By comparing phase velocity maps obtained by our method with those obtained by ambient noise data which do not suffer the interferences of higher modes, we demonstrate our method can obtain Love wave phase velocity maps as accurately as those based on ambient noise data with deviations smaller than 0.5% of the average value of these phase velocity maps, further illustrating the validity of our method in constructing Love wave phase velocity maps.
Race, Class, and Masculinities in a South African Primary School

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, this article examines how 8–9-year-old South African boys construct and negotiate heterosexual masculinities in the primary school. Situated within a racially diverse schooling context comprised of a mixed class of middle and low income Indian and Black boys, we offer insights into how race and class structures intersect with masculinities to create hierarchies of power as boys navigate the pressures of compulsory heterosexuality. Boys’ investment in the male provider role and in aspiring to material shows of wealth—such as wearing expensive clothing—as key ways to engender heterosexual relationships, was also nuanced by race and class. While such practices defined boys’ masculinities, failure to conform to normative masculine behaviour subjected them to homophobic teasing thus pointing to the regulatory mechanisms through which heterosexual masculinity was policed. The study contributes to the growing field of young masculinities in South Africa as we consider its local manifestations and gendered performances.
BVRI CCD photometry of the globular cluster M55 (NGC 6809)

We present BVRI photometry of two neighboring fields in the low concentration globular cluster M55 (NGC 6809) observed with a CCD camera and the 2.2 m telescope at ESO/La Silla. We compare our BV color-magnitude diagram (CMD) with those of Lee [A & AS, 29, 1 (1977)] and Schade et al. [AJ, 96, 1632 (1988)] and find generally good agreement down to about a magnitude below the main-sequence turnoff. We adopt a distance modulus of (m− M) V =14.10, and find that the fits between our four-color observations and the isochrones published by VandenBerg & Bell [ApJS, 58, 561 (1985)] consistently yield an age of 14-15 Gyr, depending on initial assumptions
Stability of Collapsing Isothermal Spheres

The stability of collapsing isothermal spheres to radial perturbations is studied under the assumption of self-similar flow. A linear perturbation equation for the growth of density contrast is derived in the similarity coordinate, and eigenfunctions are obtained in the asymptotic regimes of the Larson-Penston and the expansion wave solutions. In either solution, fragmentation occurs only very slowly and is almost negligible within an initial free-fall time. 9 references.
How does pain work? A qualitative analysis of how young adults with chronic pain conceptualize the biology of pain

Pain science education (PSE) is commonly integrated into treatments for childhood‐onset chronic pain. A core component of PSE is learning about, and often reconceptualizing, the biology of chronic pain. Yet, few interventions have been developed specifically for young adults and little is known about how young adults conceptualize the biology of pain. This study used a qualitative methodology to examine how young adults with childhood‐onset chronic pain understand the biology of pain, and the language they use in this meaning‐making process, which may inform future interventions tailored to this age group.
OPTIMAL EVASIVE MANOEUVRE FOR A SHIP IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF FIXED INSTALLATIONS AND OTHER SHIPS

La prevention des collisions entre plusieurs navires et installations dans la mer libre est traitee comme un probleme de controle optimal, en utilisant la theorie des jeux differentiels. Chaque navire est, dans ce modele idealise, suppose avoir 2 commandes correspondant a l'angle du gouvernail et un carlingage de machine. La fonction objective, que les capitaines essaient de minimiser dans une manœuvre evasive optimale, est definie comme le risque de solution. Les solutions numeriques pour le probleme de manœuvre evasive optimale des installations I et des navires M, peuvent etre trouvees par l'algorithme ping-pong. Des exemples numeriques sont donnes jusqu'a plus de 5 navires et 2 installations
A unified model of ketamine’s dissociative and psychedelic properties

Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist which is increasingly being researched and used as a treatment for depression. In low doses, it can cause a transitory modification in consciousness which was classically labelled as ‘dissociation’. However, ketamine is also commonly classified as an atypical psychedelic and it has been recently reported that ego dissolution experiences during ketamine administration are associated with greater antidepressant response. Neuroimaging studies have highlighted several similarities between the effects of ketamine and those of serotonergic psychedelics in the brain; however, no unified account has been proposed for ketamine’s multi-level effects – from molecular to network and psychological levels. Here, we propose that the fast, albeit transient, antidepressant effects observed after ketamine infusions are mainly driven by its acute modulation of reward circuits and sub-acute increase in neuroplasticity, while its dissociative and psychedelic properties are driven by dose- and context-dependent disruption of large-scale functional networks. Computationally, as nodes of the salience network (SN) represent high-level priors about the body (‘minimal’ self) and nodes of the default-mode network (DMN) represent the highest-level priors about narrative self-experience (‘biographical’ self), we propose that transitory SN desegregation and disintegration accounts for ketamine’s ‘dissociative’ state, while transitory DMN desegregation and disintegration accounts for ketamine’s ‘psychedelic’ state. In psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, a relaxation of the highest-level beliefs with psychotherapeutic support may allow a revision of pathological self-representation models, for which neuroplasticity plays a permissive role. Our account provides a multi-level rationale for using the psychedelic properties of ketamine to increase its long-term benefits.
The instability of a straight vortex filament in a strain field

A straight infinite vortex of finite cross section is deformed by the action of weak irrotational plane strain. The deformed vortex is shown, in the absence of axial flow, to be unstable to disturbances whose axial wavelengths lie in a narrow band, whose width is proportional to the imposed strain. The band is centred on the wavelength of the helical wave which does not propagate on the unstrained circular vortex. Thus support is given to the instability mechanism proposed recently by Widnall, Bliss & Tsai (1974). The argument depends, however, on the mirror image of the helical wave also being a possible non-propagating disturbance on the unstrained vortex.
A second‐order linearized difference scheme for a strongly coupled reaction‐diffusion system

This article deals with the numerical solution to some models described by the system of strongly coupled reaction–diffusion equations with the Neumann boundary value conditions. A linearized three‐level scheme is derived by the method of reduction of order. The uniquely solvability and second‐order convergence in L2‐norm are proved by the energy method. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
Capacity of a channel assisted by two-mode squeezed states

The main purpose of this paper is to derive the capacity of attenuated or amplified noisy quantum channel assisted by two-mode squeezed states. In our previous works, formulas for capacity and reliability function have been obtained for continuous variable communication channel in the case where the classical information is conveyed by unentangled quantum Gaussian states. This paper investigates how two-mode squeezed states can enhance classical communication over quantum Gaussian channel.
On the Front Lines: Nonprofits in the Homeless-serving Sector During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article examines the experiences of the nonprofit, homeless-serving sector during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative interviews were conducted with staff and volunteers from frontline organizations in the two largest communities in Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants reported much strain on their organizations' human resources, but also the ability to adjust service delivery mechanisms quickly in order to continue offering supports. Most reported greater in-kind contributions from businesses and community members as well as more funding from the federal government in particular, albeit with administrative burdens and defined timelines. Nonprofits played a leadership role in developing responses to serve the needs of those experiencing homelessness, including developing comfort centres, installing portable toilets in downtown locations, and moving those without housing into hotels. They also advocated to government for state-level responses to those without housing, including calls to invest in new units and enhance funding for frontline service providers. At the same time, nonprofits reported working across sectors, noting better communication and relationships with state actors as well as other nonprofit organizations as a result of their COVID-19 response.
Intra-arterial Bevacizumab for Posterior Fossa Hemangioblastoma

Hemangioblastoma (HB) is a rare, highly vascularized, and benign central nervous system (CNS) tumor. This vascularity is due to a high degree of signaling by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Consequently, anti-VEGF agents, such as bevacizumab, have been postulated and shown in a few cases to be effective in treating these tumors when surgical therapy is not feasible. Additionally, selective intra-arterial (IA) administration of bevacizumab has shown promise in treating other cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM). Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old female with a symptomatic posterior fossa HB where embolization and surgery were not feasible due to tumor location. She underwent selective IA treatment with bevacizumab, which led to tumor stability and symptomatic improvement. Bevacizumab has been used intravenously (IV) as a treatment for HB, however, its efficacy has not been well-established. This case demonstrates the potential viability of selective bevacizumab in HB, as demonstrated by symptomatic improvement and decreased tumor size on MRI. Further research is needed to demonstrate the specific efficacy of IA bevacizumab for CNS HB when surgery or other treatment modalities are not viable options.