Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics of Mice on a Normal or High-Fat Diet and Intestinal and Metabolic Outcomes

Background: Microplastics (MPs) are small particles of plastic (≤5mm in diameter). In recent years, oral exposure to MPs in living organisms has been a cause of concern. Leaky gut syndrome (LGS), associated with a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice, can increase the entry of foreign substances into the body through the intestinal mucosa. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the pathophysiology of intestinal outcomes associated with consuming a high-fat diet and simultaneous intake of MPs, focusing on endocrine and metabolic systems. Methods: C57BL6/J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD with or without polystyrene MP for 4 wk to investigate differences in glucose tolerance, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota, as well as metabolites in serum, feces, and liver. Results: In comparison with HFD mice, mice fed the HFD with MPs had higher blood glucose, serum lipid concentrations, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity scores. Permeability and goblet cell count of the small intestine (SI) in HFD-fed mice were higher and lower, respectively, than in ND-fed mice. There was no obvious difference in the number of inflammatory cells in the SI lamina propria between mice fed the ND and mice fed the ND with MP, but there were more inflammatory cells and fewer anti-inflammatory cells in mice fed the HFD with MPs in comparison with mice fed the HFD without MPs. The expression of genes related to inflammation, long-chain fatty acid transporter, and Na+/glucose cotransporter was significantly higher in mice fed the HFD with MPs than in mice fed the HFD without MPs. Furthermore, the genus Desulfovibrio was significantly more abundant in the intestines of mice fed the HFD with MPs in comparison with mice fed the HFD without MPs. Muc2 gene expression was decreased when palmitic acid and microplastics were added to the murine intestinal epithelial cell line MODE-K cells, and Muc2 gene expression was increased when IL-22 was added. Discussion: Our findings suggest that in this study, MP induced metabolic disturbances, such as diabetes and NAFLD, only in mice fed a high-fat diet. These findings suggest that LGS might have been triggered by HFD, causing MPs to be deposited in the intestinal mucosa, resulting in inflammation of the intestinal mucosal intrinsic layer and thereby altering nutrient absorption. These results highlight the need for reducing oral exposure to MPs through remedial environmental measures to improve metabolic disturbance under high-fat diet conditions. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11072
Thermal heterogeneity is an important factor for maintaining the genetic differentiation pattern of the pelagic barnacle Lepas anatifera in the northwest Pacific

Abstract Macrobenthic invertebrates are ubiquitously distributed in the epipelagic zone of the open ocean. Yet, our understanding of their genetic structure patterns remains poorly understood. Investigating the genetic differentiation patterns of pelagic Lepas anatifera and clarifying the potential roles of temperature maintaining this pattern are crucial for our understanding of the distribution and biodiversity of pelagic macrobenthos. In the present study, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) from three South China Sea (SCS) populations and six Kuroshio Extension (KE) region populations of L. anatifera sampled from fixed buoys and genome‐wide SNPs from a subset of populations (two SCS populations and four KE region populations) were sequenced and analyzed for investigating the genetic pattern of the pelagic barnacle. Water temperature was different among sampling sites; in other words, the water temperature decreased with latitude increases, and the water temperature on the surface was higher than in the subsurface. Our result showed that three lineages with clear genetic differentiation were found in different geographical locations and depths based on mtDNA COI, all SNPs, neutral SNPs, and outlier SNPs. Lineage 1 and lineage 2 were dominant in the subsurface populations and surface populations from the KE region, respectively. Lineage 3 was dominant in the SCS populations. Historical events during the Pliocene epoch shaped the differentiation of the three lineages, while, nowadays, temperature heterogeneity maintains the current genetic pattern of L. anatifera in the northwest Pacific. The subsurface populations were genetically isolated from the surface populations in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region, implying small‐scale vertical thermal heterogeneity was also an important factor maintaining the genetic differentiation pattern of the pelagic species.
Blood-Transfusion Risk Factors after Intramedullary Nailing for Extracapsular Femoral Neck Fracture in Elderly Patients

Background: Extracapsular femoral neck fractures (eFNF) are the third most common type of fracture in traumatology. Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is one of the most frequently used ortho-pedic treatments for eFNF. Blood loss is one of the main complications of this treatment. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the perioperative risk factors that lead to blood transfusion in frail patients with eFNF who undergo IMN. Methods: From July 2020 to December 2020, 170 eFNF-affected patients who were treated with IMN were enrolled and divided into two groups according to blood transfusion: NBT (71 patients who did not need a blood transfusion), and BT (72 patients who needed blood transfusion). Gender, age, BMI, pre-operative hemoglobin levels, in-ternational normalized ratio (INR) level, number of blood units transfused, length of hospital stay, surgery duration, type of anesthesia, pre-operative ASA score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and mortality rate were assessed. Results: Cohorts differed only for pre-operatively Hb and surgery time (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients who have a lower preoperative Hb level and longer surgery time have a high blood-transfusion risk and should be closely followed peri-operatively.
Development of a new standard laboratory protocol for estimating the field attenuation of hearing protection devices. Part I. Research of Working Group 11, Accredited Standards Committee S12, Noise

This paper describes research conducted by Working Group 11 of Accredited Standards Committee S12, Noise, to develop procedures to estimate the field performance of hearing protection devices (HPDs). Current standardized test methods overestimate the attenuation achieved by workers in everyday use on the job. The goal was to approximate the amount of attenuation that can be achieved by noise‐exposed populations in well‐managed real‐world hearing conservation programs, while maintaining acceptable interlaboratory measurement variability. S12/WG11 designed two new laboratory‐based protocols for measuring real‐ear attenuation at threshold, with explicit procedures for subject selection, training, supervision, and HPD fitting. After pilot‐testing, S12/WG11 conducted a full‐scale study of three types of earplugs and one earmuff tested by four independent laboratories using both protocols. The protocol designated as ‘‘subject‐fit’’ assessed the attenuation achieved by subjects who were experienced in threshold .
On estimation of the integrals of the fourth order cumulant spectral density

SUMMARY It is known that the asymptotic variance of a quasimaximum likelihood estimate for a non-Gaussian process contains certain integrals of the fourth order cumulant spectral density. If we apply the asymptotic theory we are required to estimate these integrals. Here we shall propose some operational consistent estimates for them.
CENTRAL AUTOMORPHISMS THAT ARE ALMOST INNER

An automorphism σ of a group G is central if σ commutes with every automorphism in Inn(G), the group of inner automorphisms of G, or equivalently, if g−1σ (g) lies in the centre Z (G) of G, for all g in G. The central automorphisms fix the commutator subgroup G ′ of G pointwise, and form a normal subgroup, denoted Autc(G), of the full automorphism group Aut(G). Non-abelian p-groups G in which all automorphisms are central, that is Autc(G) = Aut(G), have been well studied. If Aut(G) is abelian then this is necessarily the case, and various papers, such as [1], [3], [6], [8], [9] have considered this situation. But even if Aut(G) is non-abelian, all automorphisms may be central and this case has also been explored, for example in [2], [4], [7]. In this paper, we consider what might be considered an opposite extreme, where the central automorphisms rather than being all the automorphisms are just the inner automorphisms, that is Autc(G) = Inn(G). In one result, we characterize finite p-groups with this property, and show they have a particularly simple form:
Optimal rates of convergence in the CLT for quadratic forms

We prove optimal convergence rates in the central limit theorem for sums in R k . Assuming a fourth moment, we obtain a Berry-Esseen type bound of O(N - 1) for the probability of hitting a ball provided that k ≥ 5. The proof still requires a technical assumption related to the independence of coordinates of sums.
2-D resistivity modeling; an approach to arrays parallel to the strike direction

An algorithm for two-dimensional electrical resistivity modeling using the finite-element method with mixed boundary conditions can calculate the electrical potential along any arbitrary direction. In the particular case of the direction parallel to the strike of the structure, a numerical singularity occurs. We resolved it by calculating the potential near the singularity and improving the involved interpolation of the transformed potential. Investigating the shape of potential in the Fourier transformed space, we conclude that this interpolation may combine logarithmic and exponential functions.
Bow shocks in molecular clouds: H2 line strengths

It is demonstrated that molecular-hydrogen emission-line ratios can be utilized to distinguish between models for shocks in molecular clouds. Planar and curved shocks of both C- and J-type are compared. Line strengths are determined from a model for bow-shaped C-shocks under high-density molecular cloud conditions. The line ratios are independent of the bow speed once it exceeds the breakdown value (typically 30-50 km/s). This is because the H 2 emitting section is simply shifted towards the bow tail at higher speeds.
Success in Supporting Early Mobility and Exercise in a Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

Early mobility contributes to improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital length of stay during acute and intensive care hospitalization. The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool was implemented in a cardiothoracic intensive care unit during participation in a nationwide evidence-based quality improvement initiative. One outcome included a high level of mobility that was sustained over time. Using the Dynamic Sustainability Framework model, this article describes the key components that contributed to this sustained mobility performance over 4 years.
Band structure of TiB 2 : Orientation-dependent EELS near-edge fine structure and the effect of the core hole at the B K edge

The ceramic compound ${\mathrm{TiB}}_{2}$ has been studied by electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. Spectral shapes in the vicinity of the $\mathrm{B} K$ edge with momentum transfer $\mathbf{q}\ensuremath{\Vert}c$ and $\mathbf{q}\ensuremath{\perp}c$ have been investigated and compared with decomposed, calculated spectra. The dipole selection $(\ensuremath{\Delta}l=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)$ rule applies, so the $\mathrm{B} K$ edge provides information on p final states local to boron. For a uniaxial system like ${\mathrm{TiB}}_{2}, {\mathbf{q}}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$ is proportional to ${p}_{z}$ and ${\mathbf{q}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ is proportional to ${p}_{x}{+p}_{y}. $ The theoretical density of states has been calculated using the ab initio full-potential linear augmented-plane-wave method, and, when combined with the relevant matrix elements, theoretical spectra have been obtained. While giving good agreement with experiment, our theoretical calculations show that the presence of the core hole must be considered in order to reproduce the experiments, especially for momentum transfer ${\mathbf{q}}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$ due to reduced screening in this direction. In this study the core-hole effect is calculated within the $Z+1$ supercell approximation. From the interpretation of the spectral features common hybridized electronic states between boron p and titanium d bands are observed, and the structure is highly anisotropic due to more delocalized $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ bonding within the boron planes.
CLAIRE: contrastive learning-based batch correction framework for better balance between batch mixing and preservation of cellular heterogeneity

Abstract Motivation Integration of growing single-cell RNA sequencing datasets helps better understand cellular identity and function. The major challenge for integration is removing batch effects while preserving biological heterogeneities. Advances in contrastive learning have inspired several contrastive learning-based batch correction methods. However, existing contrastive-learning-based methods exhibit noticeable ad hoc trade-off between batch mixing and preservation of cellular heterogeneities (mix-heterogeneity trade-off). Therefore, a deliberate mix-heterogeneity trade-off is expected to yield considerable improvements in scRNA-seq dataset integration. Results We develop a novel contrastive learning-based batch correction framework, CIAIRE, which achieves superior mix-heterogeneity trade-off. The key contributions of CLAIRE are proposal of two complementary strategies: construction strategy and refinement strategy, to improve the appropriateness of positive pairs. Construction strategy dynamically generates positive pairs by augmenting inter-batch mutual nearest neighbors (MNN) with intra-batch k-nearest neighbors (KNN), which improves the coverage of positive pairs for the whole distribution of shared cell types between batches. Refinement strategy aims to automatically reduce the potential false positive pairs from the construction strategy, which resorts to the memory effect of deep neural networks. We demonstrate that CLAIRE possesses superior mix-heterogeneity trade-off over existing contrastive learning-based methods. Benchmark results on six real datasets also show that CLAIRE achieves the best integration performance against eight state-of-the-art methods. Finally, comprehensive experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of CLAIRE. Availability and implementation The source code and data used in this study can be found in https://github.com/CSUBioGroup/CLAIRE-release. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dielectric and ferroelectric properties of lead zirconate titanate-lead nickel niobate ceramics under compressive stress

Dielectric and ferroelectric properties of complex perovskite lead zirconate titanate-lead nickel niobate ceramic system were investigated under the influence of the compressive stress. The results showed that the dielectric properties, i.e., dielectric constant (er) and dielectric loss (tan δ), and the ferroelectric characteristics, i.e., the area of the ferroelectric hysteresis (P-E) loops, the maximum polarization (Pmax), and the remanent polarization (Pr) changed significantly with increasing compressive stress. These changes depended greatly on the ceramic compositions. The experimental results on the dielectric properties could be explained by the deaging phenomenon. The stress-induced domain wall motion suppression and non-180° ferroelectric domain switching processes were responsible for the changes observed for the ferroelectric parameters. In addition, a significant decrease in those parameters after a cycle of stress was observed and attributed to the stress-induced decrease in switchable part .
On a Partitioned Strong Coupling Algorithm for Modeling Fluid–Structure Interaction

This paper presents a partitioned strong coupling algorithm for fluid–structure interaction in the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element framework. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved by the semi-implicit characteristic-based split (CBS) scheme while the structural equations are temporally advanced by the Bathe method. The celled-based smoothed finite element method is adopted for the solution of a geometrically nonlinear solid. To update the dynamic mesh, the moving submesh approach is performed in conjunction with the ortho-semi-torsional spring analogy method. A mass source term is implanted into the pressure Poisson equation to respect the geometric conservation law for the fractional-step-type CBS fluid solver. The iterative solution is achieved by fixed-point method with Aitken's Δ2 accelerator. The proposed methodology is validated against flow-induced oscillations of a bluff body and a flexible body. The overall numerical results agree well with the available data. Some important flow phenomena have been disclosed successfully.
Convolution using a conjugate symmetry property for number theoretic transforms over rings of regular integers

In a recent paper, Dubois and Venetsanopoulos [7] have derived a method for convolving sequences over a ring S, using number theoretic transforms (NTT's) over an extension ring R of S. Until now, their assumptions have only been verified for the special case that R is an extension field of S. This paper examines their assumptions for the very general class of rings of regular integers, a class of rings that was introduced by the authors in [5]. In this paper, we also present an algorithm for the synthesis of rings suitable for number theoretic transforms and with low computational complexity.
Hawler Medical University students’ perceptions of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Protective measures like social distancing and staying home when possible were imposed by the public health authorities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational institutions which had previously experienced only face-to-face traditional methods of service delivery suffered from huge difficulties in maintaining an effective teaching process. This cross-sectional study investigates the experiences of students of Hawler Medical University (Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan), exploring their e-learning experience and satisfaction when conventional classroom learning was suspended due to lockdown. Methods A self-administered online questionnaire designed on Google Forms was administered from 14 to 31 March 2020. The main section of the questionnaire asked participants to rate their agreement with statements concerning e-learning satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale, with answers ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Results From an initial 1550 participants, 808 ultimately completed the processual stage. The majority of respondents were female, from the College of Medicine, of urban residence, and of an average economic situation. Three-quarters of the respondents had not participated in any online course before, 27.7% did not have the required electronic devices, 43.3% did not have the sufficient computer skills for the e-learning, and 38% thought that the University did not support the use of the e-learning system. During the processual stage, only 24.4% thought that the internet connection was good and helpful, 14.6% easily attended the online sessions, 35.6% thought that teachers have enough time to answer students’ questions and concerns, and 18% that the teaching materials contributed to the course objectives and overall learning outcome. Conclusions Hawler Medical students were not well prepared to engage in the e-learning process. The majority experienced internet access and other technical problems in accessing the online sessions. They did not feel that the e-learning process has contributed to the achievement of course objectives and overall learning outcomes.
Measuring the suicidal mind: The ‘open source’ Suicidality Scale, for adolescents and adults

Clinicians are expected to provide accurate and useful mental health assessments, sometimes in emergency settings. The most urgent challenge may be in calculating suicide risk. Unfortunately, existing instruments often fail to meet requirements. To address this situation, we used a sustainable scale development approach to create a publicly available Suicidality Scale (SS). Following a critical review of current measures, community input, and panel discussions, an international item pool survey included 5,115 English-speaking participants aged 13–82 years. Revisions were tested with two follow-up cross-sectional surveys (Ns = 814 and 626). Pool items and SS versions were critically examined through item response theory, hierarchical cluster, factor and bifactor analyses, resulting in a unidimensional eight-item scale. Psychometric properties were high (loadings > .77; discrimination > 2.2; test-retest r = .87; internal consistency, ω = .96). Invariance checks were satisfied for age, gender, ethnicity, rural/urban residence, first language, self-reported psychiatric diagnosis and suicide attempt history. The SS showed stronger psychometric properties, and significant differences in bivariate associations with depressive symptoms, compared with included suicide measures. The ‘open source’ Suicidality Scale represents a significant step forward in accurate assessment for people aged 13+, and diverse populations. This study provides an example of sustainable scale development utilizing community input, emphasis on strong psychometric evidence from diverse samples, and a free-to-use license allowing instrument revisions. These methods can be used to develop a wide variety of psychosocial instruments that can benefit clinicians, researchers, and the public.
Surfaces with holes in them: new plasmonic metamaterials

In this paper we explore the existence of surface electromagnetic modes in corrugated surfaces of perfect conductors. We analyse two cases: one-dimensional arrays of grooves and two-dimensional arrays of holes. In both cases we find that these structures support surface bound states and that the dispersions of these modes have strong similarities with the dispersion of the surface plasmon polariton bands of real metals. Importantly, the dispersion relation of these surface states is mainly dictated by the geometry of the grooves or holes and these results open the possibility of tailoring the properties of these modes by just tuning the geometrical parameters of the surface.
Identification of putative noncanonical driver mutations in patients with essential thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) cases without canonical JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutations, that is, triple‐negative (TN) ET, have been found in 10%–20% of ET cases. Owing to the limited number of TN ET cases, its clinical significance remains unclear. This study evaluated TN ET's clinical characteristics and identified novel driver mutations. Among 119 patients with ET, 20 (16.8%) had no canonical JAK2/CALR/MPL mutations. Patients with TN ET tended to be younger and had lower white blood cell counts and lactate dehydrogenase values. We identified putative driver mutations in 7 (35%): MPL S204P, MPL L265F, JAK2 R683G, and JAK2 T875N were previously reported as candidate driver mutations in ET. Moreover, we identified a THPO splicing site mutation, MPL*636Wext*12, and MPL E237K. Four of the seven identified driver mutations were germline. Functional studies on MPL*636Wext*12 and MPL E237K revealed that they are gain‐of‐function mutants that increase MPL signaling and confer thrombopoietin hypersensitivity with very low efficiency. Patients with TN ET tended to be younger, although this was thought to be due to the inclusion of germline mutations, hereditary thrombocytosis. Accumulating the genetic and clinical characteristics of noncanonical mutations may help future clinical interventions in TN ET and hereditary thrombocytosis.