Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Anterior Segment Anatomical Features in Primary Angle Closure Subgroups Based on Configurations of Iris Root Insertion

Purpose To compare the clinical and anterior segment anatomical features in primary angle closure sub-groups based on configurations of iris root insertion. Methods Primary angle closure patients were imaged using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Anterior chamber depth, iris curvature, iris thickness (IT) at the scleral spur and 500, 750, and 1,500 µm from the scleral spur (IT0, IT500, IT750, and IT1500), lens vault, iris area, angle opening distance (AOD500), angle recess area (ARA750), and trabecular iris space area (TISA750) were measured. Iris root insertion was categorized into a non-basal insertion group (NBG) and basal insertion group (BG). Results In total, 43 eyes of 39 participants belonged to the NBG and 89 eyes of 53 participants to the BG. The mean age of participants was greater in the NBG than the BG (62.7 ± 5.7 vs. 59.8 ± 7.3 years, p = 0.043), and the baseline intraocular pressure was higher in the BG than the NBG (16.4 ± 4.4 vs. 14.9 ± 3.3 mmHg, p = 0.037). The BG showed a greater IT0 (0.265 ± 0.04 vs. 0.214 ± 0.03 mm, p < 0.001) and iris area (1.59 ± 0.24 vs. 1.52 ± 0.27 mm2, p = 0.045), lower ARA750 (0.112 ± 0.08 vs. 0.154 ± 0.08 mm2, p = 0.017) and AOD500 (0.165 ± 0.07 vs. 0.202 ± 0.08 mm, p = 0.014) compared to the NBG. Conclusions The BG had a narrower anterior chamber angle, thicker peripheral iris, and higher pretreatment intraocular pressure.
Cross‐talk between monocyte invasion and astrocyte proliferation regulates scarring in brain injury

Scar formation after brain injury is still poorly understood. To further elucidate such processes, here, we examine the interplay between astrocyte proliferation taking place predominantly at the vascular interface and monocyte invasion. Using genetic mouse models that decrease or increase reactive astrocyte proliferation, we demonstrate inverse effects on monocyte numbers in the injury site. Conversely, reducing monocyte invasion using CCR2−/− mice causes a strong increase in astrocyte proliferation, demonstrating an intriguing negative cross‐regulation between these cell types at the vascular interface. CCR2−/− mice show reduced scar formation with less extracellular matrix deposition, smaller lesion site and increased neuronal coverage. Surprisingly, the GFAP+ scar area in these mice is also significantly decreased despite increased astrocyte proliferation. Proteomic analysis at the peak of increased astrocyte proliferation reveals a decrease in extracellular matrix synthesizing enzymes in the injury sites of CCR2−/− mice, highlighting how early key aspects of scar formation are initiated. Taken together, we provide novel insights into the cross‐regulation of juxtavascular proliferating astrocytes and invading monocytes as a crucial mechanism of scar formation upon brain injury.
Cavity and Pore Segmentation in 3D Images with Ambient Occlusion

Many natural objects contain pores and cavities that are filled with the same material that also surrounds the object. When such objects are imaged using, for example, computed tomography, the pores and cavities cannot be distinguished from the surrounding material by considering gray values and texture properties of the image. In this case, morphological operations are often used to fill the inner region. This is efficient, if the pore and cavity structures are small compared to the overall size of the object and if the object's shape is mainly convex. If this is not the case, the segmentation might be very difficult and may result in a lot of noise. We propose the usage of ambient occlusion for the segmentation of pores and cavities. One nice property of ambient occlusion is that it generates smooth scalar fields. Due to this smoothness property, a segmentation based on those fields will result in smooth boundaries at the pore and cavity openings. This is often desired, particularly when dealing with natural objects.
Comparison Study on the Adsorption Capacity of Rhodamine B, Congo Red, and Orange II on Fe-MOFs

Using a microwave-assisted ball-milling approach, Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) were prepared from FeSO4·7H2O and trimesic acid. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray, and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to characterize the thermal stability and structure of the prepared Fe-MOFs. These Fe-MOFs were used to remove organic dyes from aqueous solutions. Specifically, they removed 96.97% of 23.3592 mg/L of Congo red in a 200 mL solution within 300 min of treatment with natural light at 15 °C. Likewise, 88.21 and 70.90% of 22.7527 mg/L of Orange II and 17.8326 mg/L of Rhodamine B, respectively, were removed from 200 mL solutions within 300 min of treatment at 15 °C. At 35 °C, 99.57, 95.98, and 99.38% of 23.3855 mg/L of Congo Red, 22.7365 mg/L of Orange II, and 17.9973 mg/L of Rhodamine B, respectively, were removed from 200 mL solutions within 300 min of treatment. The adsorption kinetics were investigated and the pseudo-first-order kinetic model was found to be superior to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Overall, using metal-organic frameworks to treat dye wastewater was found to be inexpensive, feasible, and efficient. Therefore, this material has future prospects in research and applications in the purification of wastewater.
VARIABLES PREDICTING FOREIGN LANGUAGE READING COMPREHENSION AND VOCABULARY ACQUISITION IN A LINEAR HYPERMEDIA ENVIRONMENT

Factors predicting vocabulary learning and reading comprehension of advanced language learners of English in a linear multimedia text were investigated in the current study. Predictor variables of interest were multimedia type, reading proficiency, learning styles, topic interest and background knowledge about the topic. The outcome variables of interest were vocabulary and reading comprehension scores. Participants were 69 undergraduates enrolled at the foreign language teaching department of a Turkish university. Participants were randomly assigned to three different forms of an authentic electronic text, which differed from each other based on the type of multimedia: (a) definition of words, (b) definitions coupled with pictures, and (c) definitions coupled with short movies. The participants were given the text to read for general comprehension and were given an unannounced vocabulary test along with a reading comprehension test. Multiple regression analyses with vocabulary scores and reading scores as the criterion variables and the independent variables as the predictors served to reveal whether a relationship existed between the independent and dependent variables. Findings suggest that annotation type, reading ability and prior topical knowledge are important variables contributing to vocabulary learning whilst reading ability and learning styles (visual score) are important variables contributing to reading comprehension in a hypermedia environment.
Evidence for Double Parton Scatterings in W + Prompt J/Psi Production at the LHC

We re-analyse the associated production of a prompt J/psi and a W boson in pp collisions at the LHC following the results of the ATLAS Collaboration. We perform the first study of the Single-Parton-Scattering (SPS) contributions at the Next-to-Leading Order (NLO) in alpha_s in the Colour-Evaporation Model (CEM), an approach based on the quark-hadron-duality. Our study provides clear indications for Double-Parton-Scattering (DPS) contributions, in particular at low transverse momenta, since our SPS CEM evaluation, which can be viewed as a conservative upper limit of the SPS yields, falls short compared to the ATLAS experimental data by 3.1 standard deviations. We also determine a finite allowed region for sigma_eff, inversely proportional to the size of the DPS yields, corresponding to the otherwise opposed hypotheses, namely our NLO CEM evaluation and the LO direct Colour-Singlet (CS) Model contribution. In both cases, the resulting DPS yields are significantly larger than that initially assumed by ATLAS based on jet-related analyses but is consistent with their observed raw-yield azimuthal distribution and with their prompt J/psi+J/psi and Z + prompt J/psi data.
What undermines healthy habits with regard to physical activity and food? Voices of adolescents in a disadvantaged community

ABSTRACT This study aimed to illuminate factors that undermine the healthy habits of adolescents from a multicultural community with low socioeconomic status (S.E.S.) in Sweden with regard to physical activity (P.A.) and food, as stated in their own voices. Adolescents (n = 53, 12–13 y/o) were recruited from one school situated in a multicultural community characterized by low S.E. S. Embracing an interpretive approach, 10 focus-group interviews were conducted to produce data for the study. The focus-group interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in two major themes: (1) the availability of temptations is large, and support from the surroundings is limited; and (2) norms and demands set the agenda. The adolescents’ voices illuminate a profound awareness and the magnitude of tempting screen-based activities as undermining their P.A. and healthy food habits. Moreover, several gender boundaries were highlighted as undermining girls’ P.A. and healthy food habits. The adolescents’ stories illuminated that it is difficult for them, within their environment, to establish healthy habits with regard to P.A. and food. To facilitate the adolescents’ healthy habits, we suggest that support from family, friends, the school, and society at large is essential.
How Attention Modulates Encoding of Dynamic Stimuli

When encoding a real-life, continuous stimulus, the same neural circuits support processing and integration of prior as well as new incoming information. This ongoing interplay is modulated by attention, and is evident in regions such as the prefrontal cortex section of the task positive network (TPN), and in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a hub of the default mode network (DMN). Yet the exact nature of such modulation is still unclear. To investigate this issue, we utilized an fMRI task that employed movies as the encoded stimuli and manipulated attentional load via an easy or hard secondary task that was performed simultaneously with encoding. Results showed increased intersubject correlation (inter-SC) levels when encoding movies in a condition of high, as compared to low attentional load. This was evident in bilateral ventrolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices and the dorsal PCC (dPCC). These regions became more attuned to the combination of the movie and the secondary task as the attentional demand of the latter increased. Activation analyses revealed that at higher load the prefrontal TPN regions were more activated, whereas the dPCC was more deactivated. Attentional load also influenced connectivity within and between the networks. At high load the dPCC was anti-correlated to the prefrontal regions, which were more functionally coherent amongst themselves. Finally and critically, greater inter-SC in the dPCC at high load during encoding predicted lower memory strength when that information was retrieved. This association between inter-SC levels and memory strength suggest that as attentional demands increased, the dPCC was more attuned to the secondary task at the expense of the encoded stimulus, thus weakening memory for the encoded stimulus. Together, our findings show that attentional load modulated the function of core TPN and DMN regions. Furthermore, the observed relationship between memory strength and the modulation of the dPCC points to this region as a key area involved in the manipulation of attentional load on memory function.
Prediction of Induced Voltages on Ports in Complex, Three-Dimensional Enclosures With Apertures, Using the Random Coupling Model

A statistical modeling technique known as the random coupling model (RCM) is an effective method for estimating the probabilistic magnitudes of induced voltages on objects within a closed, complex, three-dimensional (3-D) enclosure. The limitations of the RCM to predict electromagnetic wave coupling into an enclosure with apertures are examined. We experimentally demonstrate the applicability of the RCM to estimate the probabilistic magnitudes of voltages induced on ports in a complex 3-D enclosure with an electrically large aperture. This study is a first step toward being able to predict effects on sensitive electronic targets in large, real-world, lossy enclosures such as office buildings, ship compartments, and aircraft compartments.
Increased collagen deposition correlated with lung destruction in human emphysema.

BACKGROUND To study the relationship between collagen amount and degree of emphysema as assessed by mean linear intercept (Lm) and correlating these with lung function test workup in patients with and without COPD. METHODS Lung function tests were assessed in 16 smokers or ex-smokers and 1 non-smoker in order to separate them into two groups: COPD (FEV1/FVC lower than 70%) and non-COPD. A piece of lung tissue was used to analyse the collagen amount (HYP) by means of a colorimetric method. Morphometry was assessed to divide patients into two groups according to Lm: Lm > 260 micrometers was considered non-emphysema and Lm < 260 mm mild-emphysema. RESULTS The non-emphysema group had a mean Lm value of 246.08+/-3.12 micrometers and the mild-emphysema group of 276.29+/-4.26 micrometers. The amount of hydroxyproline was significantly higher in the mild-emphysema group than in the non-emphysema group (7.82+/-0.67 vs. 5.50+/-0.54 microgram/g tissue). There was a clear positive correlation between Lm and HYP (r=0.55) and a negative correlation between Lm and DlCO (R=-0.5092). No correlation was found between the functional test and HYP, nor were there significant differences between COPD and non-COPD patients for Lm and HYP. CONCLUSIONS Emphysema is associated with collagen deposition in the lungs, and air space size correlates with the amount of lung collagen even when there is no emphysema.
Effects of non-uniform stiffness on the swimming performance of a passively-flexing, fish-like foil model

Simple mechanical models emulating fish have been used recently to enable targeted study of individual factors contributing to swimming locomotion without the confounding complexity of the whole fish body. Yet, unlike these uniform models, the fish body is notable for its non-uniform material properties. In particular, flexural stiffness decreases along the fish’s anterior-posterior axis. To identify the role of non-uniform bending stiffness during fish-like propulsion, we studied four foil model configurations made by adhering layers of plastic sheets to produce discrete regions of high (5.5 × 10−5 Nm2) and low (1.9 × 10−5 Nm2) flexural stiffness of biologically-relevant magnitudes. This resulted in two uniform control foils and two foils with anterior regions of high stiffness and posterior regions of low stiffness. With a mechanical flapping foil controller, we measured forces and torques in three directions and quantified swimming performance under both heaving (no pitch) and constant 0° angle of attack programs. Foils self-propelled at Reynolds number 21 000–115 000 and Strouhal number ∼0.20–0.25, values characteristic of fish locomotion. Although previous models have emphasized uniform distributions and heaving motions, the combination of non-uniform stiffness distributions and 0° angle of attack pitching program was better able to reproduce the kinematics of freely-swimming fish. This combination was likewise crucial in maximizing swimming performance and resulted in high self-propelled speeds at low costs of transport and large thrust coefficients at relatively high efficiency. Because these metrics were not all maximized together, selection of the ‘best’ stiffness distribution will depend on actuation constraints and performance goals. These improved models enable more detailed, accurate analyses of fish-like swimming.
HUMAN BODY FE MODEL REPOSITIONING: A STEP TOWARDS POSTURE SPECIFIC - HUMAN BODY MODELS (PS-HBM)

This study reports a methodology to generate anatomically correct postures of existing human body finite element models while maintaining their mesh quality. The developed method is based on computer graphics techniques and permits control over the kinematics followed by the bones. Initial mesh quality of the model being repositioned is quantified and maintained during the process in order to preserve the suitability of the model for subsequent use. For some critical areas (areas in the vicinity of the joint) where element distortion is large, a mesh smoothing technique is used to improve the mesh quality. The applicability of the tool developed is demonstrated on the lower extremity (knee joint) of a human body FE model. The tool repositions a given model from hyper extension to 90 degree flexion in just a few seconds and does not require subjective interventions. As the mesh quality of the repositioned model is maintained to a predefined level (typically to the level of model in initial configuration) the model is suitable for subsequent simulations and remeshing is not needed.
Bayesian posteriors for arbitrarily rare events

Significance Many decision problems in contexts ranging from drug safety tests to game-theoretic learning models require Bayesian comparisons between the likelihoods of two events. When both events are arbitrarily rare, a large data set is needed to reach the correct decision with high probability. The best result in previous work requires the data size to grow so quickly with rarity that the expectation of the number of observations of the rare event explodes. We show for a large class of priors that it is enough that this expectation exceeds a prior-dependent constant. However, without some restrictions on the prior the result fails, and our condition on the data size is the weakest possible. We study how much data a Bayesian observer needs to correctly infer the relative likelihoods of two events when both events are arbitrarily rare. Each period, either a blue die or a red die is tossed. The two dice land on side 1 with unknown probabilities p1 and q1, which can be arbitrarily low. Given a data-generating process where p1≥cq1, we are interested in how much data are required to guarantee that with high probability the observer’s Bayesian posterior mean for p1 exceeds (1−δ)c times that for q1. If the prior densities for the two dice are positive on the interior of the parameter space and behave like power functions at the boundary, then for every ϵ> 0, there exists a finite N so that the observer obtains such an inference after n periods with probability at least 1−ϵ whenever np1≥N. The condition on n and p1 is the best possible. The result can fail if one of the prior densities converges to zero exponentially fast at the boundary.
Optimal management of constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, meanly characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habit. It is a complex disorder involving biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. The diagnosis is achieved according to the Rome III criteria provided that organic causes have been excluded. Although IBS does not constitute a life-threatening condition, it has a remarkable prevalence and profoundly reduces the quality of life with burdening socioeconomic costs. One of the principal concerns about IBS is the lack of effective therapeutic options. Up to 40% of patients are not satisfied with any available medications, especially those suffering from chronic constipation. A correct management of IBS with constipation should evolve through a global approach focused on the patient, starting with careful history taking in order to assess the presence of organic diseases that might trigger the disorder. Therefore, the second step is to examine lifestyle, dietary habits, and psychological status. On these bases, a step-up management of disease is recommended: from fiber and bulking agents, to osmotic laxative drugs, to new molecules like lubiprostone and linaclotide. Although new promising tools for relief of bowel-movement-related symptoms are being discovered, a dedicated doctor–patient relationship still seems to be the key for success.
Input-current-shaper based on a modified SEPIC converter with low voltage stress

The boost topology is often the designer's first choice when dealing with PFC front-ends. This topology is well documented in the literature and has obvious advantages like continuous input current and low voltage- and current-stress compared to other PFC topologies. The PFC SEPIC converter also has the advantage of the continuous input current but suffers from high voltage- and current stress. In this paper a modified SEPIC converter is presented with reduced voltage stress, comparable to that of the boost converter. Experimental result of a 200 W prototype for 185-270 V line voltage are also presented.
Effects of Prebiotic Fiber Xylooligosaccharide in Adenine‐Induced Nephropathy in Mice

SCOPE This study evaluates the effect of the prebiotic fiber xylooligosaccharide (XOS) on kidney function and gut microbiome in mice with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHOD AND RESULTS Mice are fed the control diet containing adenine for 3 weeks to induce CKD and are switched to XOS supplemented (2 or 7%) or control diets for another 3 weeks. Mice with CKD exhibit increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and kidney histopathology. XOS significantly reverses kidney injuries in CKD mice. Analysis of cecum microbiota reveales that adenine-induced CKD does not change alpha diversity, and XOS induces a decrease of alpha diversity in control mice and mice with CKD. Beta diversity analysis shows significant clustering according to experimental groups. Six out of the nine bacterial genera enriched in CKD are significantly reduced with XOS intervention. Furthermore, XOS increases cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in both control and CKD mice. Cecal SCFAs and blood propionate are negatively correlated with BUN. XOS also decreases blood p-cresol sulfate in CKD mice, likely resulting from altered microbial tyrosine metabolism. CONCLUSION These results show that XOS intervention improves kidney function in mice with CKD, and is associated with profound changes in microbial composition and metabolism.