Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low serum levels of bone turnover markers are associated with perirenal fat thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Obesity is known as a common risk factor for osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Perirenal fat, surrounding the kidneys, has been reported to be unique in anatomy and biological functions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between perirenal fat and bone metabolism in patients with T2DM. Methods A total of 234 patients with T2DM were recruited from September 2019 to December 2019 in the cross-sectional study. The biochemical parameters and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were determined in all participants. Perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) was performed by ultrasounds via a duplex Doppler apparatus. Associations between PrFT and bone metabolism index were determined via correlation analysis and regression models. Results The PrFT was significantly correlated with β-C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTX) (r = −0.14, P < 0.036), parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (r = −0.18, P ≤ 0.006), and 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) (r = −0.14, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the association of PrFT and β-CTX (β = −0.136, P = 0.042) was independent of other variables. Conclusion This study showed a negative and independent association between PrFT and β-CTX in subjects with T2DM, suggesting a possible role of PrFT in bone metabolism. Follow-up studies and further research are necessary to validate the associations and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Maternal genetic diversity, differentiation and phylogeny of three white yak breeds/populations in China

Abstract White yak is a unique economic livestock animal on the Qilian Mountains of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Here, 369 mitochondrial D-loop sequences from three Chinese white yak breeds/populations (Tianzhu, Menyuan and Huzhu) were comprehensively analyzed to indicate their maternal genetic diversity, differentiation and phylogenetic relationship. Our results showed that the haplotype diversity (Hd) was found to be highest in Tianzhu white yak (Hd ± SD = 0.9501 ± 0.0058), while the lowest was recorded in Huzhu white yak (Hd ± SD = 0.7178 ± 0.0474). Totally, the haplotype and nucleotide diversities of white yak were 0.9407 ± 0.0069 and 0.0187 ± 0.0094, respectively, indicating an abundant maternal genetic diversity in white yak. Estimates of FST (Fixation Index) values showed a high genetic differentiation between Tianzhu and Menyuan populations (FST = 0.2928, p < 0.05) as well as that between Tianzhu and Huzhu populations (FST = 0.2721, p < 0.05), but a moderate genetic differentiation between Menyuan and Huzhu populations (FST = 0.1352, p > 0.05) was observed. Cluster analysis based on FST values among populations indicated that the genetic relationship between Menyuan and Huzhu white yak was closer, but they had a far genetic relationship with Tianzhu white yak. Maternal phylogenetic analysis revealed that white yak represented two maternal lineages (I and II), suggesting two maternal origins. In addition, it is notable that taurine mtDNA haplotypes were detected in Tianzhu and Huzhu white yak populations, indicating taurine genetic introgression to some extent. Our study would provide useful information for the conservation and utilization of white yak.
Normative data and percentile curves for axial length and axial length/corneal curvature in Chinese children and adolescents aged 4–18 years

Purpose To develop age-specific and gender-specific reference percentile charts for axial length (AL) and AL/corneal radius of curvature (AL/CR) and, to use percentiles to determine probability of myopia and estimate refractive error (RE). Methods Analysis of AL, cycloplegic RE and CR of 14 127 Chinese participants aged 4–18 years from 3 studies. AL and AL/CR percentiles estimated using Lambda-Mu-Sigma method and compared for agreement using intraclass correlation (ICC). Logistic regression was used to model risk of myopia based on age, gender, AL and AL/CR percentiles. Accuracy of AL progression and RE estimated using percentiles was validated using an independent sample of 5742 eyes of children aged 7–10 years. Results Age-specific and gender-specific AL and AL/CR (3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th) percentiles are presented. Concordance between AL and AL/CR percentiles improved with age (0.13 at 4 years to >0.75 from 13 years) and a year-to-year change was observed for all except <10th percentile from 15 years. Increasing age, AL and AL/CR was associated with a more myopic RE (r2=0.45,0.70 and 0.83, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the model to estimate probability of myopia was 86.0% and 84.5%, respectively. Estimation of 1-year change in AL using percentiles correlated highly with actual AL (ICC=0.98). Concordance of estimated to actual RE was high (ICC=0.80) and within ±0.50D and ±1.0D of actual RE for 47.4% and 78.9% of eyes, respectively. Conclusion Age-specific and gender-specific AL and AL/CR percentiles provide reference data, aid in identifying and monitoring individuals at risk of myopia and have utility in screening for myopia. AL/CR percentiles were more accurate in estimating probability of myopia in younger children.
Prediction of keratoconus progression using deep learning of anterior segment optical coherence tomography maps

Background To predict keratoconus progression using deep learning of the color-coded maps measured with a swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (As-OCT) device. Methods We enrolled 218 keratoconic eyes with and without disease progression. Using deep learning of the 6 color-coded maps (anterior elevation, anterior curvature, posterior elevation, posterior curvature, total refractive power, and pachymetry map) obtained by the As-OCT (CASIA, Tomey), we assessed the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of prediction of keratoconus progression in such eyes. Results Deep learning of the 6 color-coded maps exhibited an accuracy of 0.794 in discriminating keratoconus with and without progression. For a single map analysis, posterior elevation map (0.798) showed the highest accuracy, followed by anterior curvature map (0.775), posterior corneal curvature map (0.757), anterior elevation map (0.752), total refractive power map (0.729), and pachymetry map (0.720), in distinguishing between progressive and non-progressive keratoconus. The use of the adjusted algorithm by age subgroups improved to an accuracy of 0.849. Conclusions Deep learning of the As-OCT color-coded maps effectively discriminates progressive keratoconus from non-progressive keratoconus with an accuracy of approximately 85% using the adjusted age algorithm, indicating that it will become an aid for predicting the progression of the disease, which is clinically beneficial for decision-making of the surgical indication of corneal cross-linking (CXL).
Lifelogging as a rehabilitation tool in patients with amnesia: A narrative literature review on the effect of lifelogging on memory loss

ABSTRACT Visual lifelogging is the procedure that enables individuals to visually record daily life activities by means of small wearable cameras, which can be worn around the neck or on the clothing. Lifelogging devices automatically take pictures or videos after pre-set time intervals or after dynamic input changes. Although some studies have shown effectivity of reviewing lifelogging images in brain-damaged individuals with forms of amnesia as a rehabilitation tool, systematic endeavours to overview this literature is yet missing. The aim of this narrative literature review was to review all the available case-studies, experimental studies and group studies in brain-damaged individuals applying lifelogging devices in a clinical context. The included studies showed efficacy for both subjective and objective measures of memory. In mild to severe amnesia, reviewing images recorded by the lifelogging device was beneficial to subjective and objective measures of memory. Lifelogging is demonstrated to have a great potential in helping people who are suffering from memory loss. It can offer an excellent alternative to currently more frequently used memory rehabilitation techniques and can be applied more in clinical settings.
Intratumoral combination therapy with poly(I:C) and resiquimod synergistically triggers tumor-associated macrophages for effective systemic antitumoral immunity

Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key immunosuppressive role that limits the ability of the immune system to fight cancer and hinder the antitumoral efficacy of most treatments currently applied in the clinic. Previous studies have evaluated the antitumoral immune response triggered by (TLR) agonists, such as poly(I:C), imiquimod (R837) or resiquimod (R848) as monotherapies; however, their combination for the treatment of cancer has not been explored. This study investigates the antitumoral efficacy and the macrophage reprogramming triggered by poly(I:C) combined with R848 or with R837, versus single treatments. Methods TLR agonist treatments were evaluated in vitro for toxicity and immunostimulatory activity by Alamar Blue, ELISA and flow cytometry using primary human and murine M-CSF-differentiated macrophages. Cytotoxic activity of TLR-treated macrophages toward cancer cells was evaluated with an in vitro functional assay by flow cytometry. For in vivo experiments, the CMT167 lung cancer model and the MN/MCA1 fibrosarcoma model metastasizing to lungs were used; tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, multispectral immunophenotyping, quantitative proteomic experiments, and protein–protein interaction analysis. Results Results demonstrated the higher efficacy of poly(I:C) combined with R848 versus single treatments or combined with R837 to polarize macrophages toward M1-like antitumor effectors in vitro. In vivo, the intratumoral synergistic combination of poly(I:C)+R848 significantly prevented tumor growth and metastasis in lung cancer and fibrosarcoma immunocompetent murine models. Regressing tumors showed increased infiltration of macrophages with a higher M1:M2 ratio, recruitment of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, accompanied by a reduction of immunosuppressive CD206+ TAMs and FOXP3+/CD4+ T cells. The depletion of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells resulted in complete loss of treatment efficacy. Treated mice acquired systemic antitumoral response and resistance to tumor rechallenge mediated by boosted macrophage cytotoxic activity and T-cell proliferation. Proteomic experiments validate the superior activation of innate immunity by poly(I:C)+R848 combination versus single treatments or poly(I:C)+R837, and protein–protein-interaction network analysis reveal the key activation of the STAT1 pathway. Discussion These findings demonstrate the antitumor immune responses mediated by macrophage activation on local administration of poly(I:C)+R848 combination and support the intratumoral application of this therapy to patients with solid tumors in the clinic.
The spatiotemporal control of expert tennis players when returning first serves: A perception-action perspective

ABSTRACT The aim of the current experiment was to examine the spatiotemporal control of expert tennis players while executing first service returns within a representative experimental setting. We recruited and tested 12 male expert tennis players in hard courts. A comprehensive analysis of the timing (eleven temporal variables analysed at 300 Hz) and performance success of the return actions were carried out, while simultaneously considering task constraints such as the accuracy and the speed of the serves. Temporal organisation of return actions were scaled relative to the server’s racket-ball contact (5 ms), an adaptation of fly-time of the split-step, which resulted in consistent landings (133 ms), and initiation of lateral movements towards the ball – with no response errors – after the server’s stroke (around 177 ms). Poorer returns occurred when responding to accurate serves accompanied by late trunk movements towards the ball. Returners scaled the timing of the response to the unfolding action of the serve in order to support both spatial and temporal accuracy. These novel findings highlight the significance of the study of fast-ball sports in representative settings and offer further detail on the spatiotemporal control of skilful perception-action.
TURBULENCE ASPECTS OF MASS TRANSFER IN THE THIN INTERFACIAL REGION OF THE CONCENTRATION BOUNDARY LAYER IN GAS–LIQUID SYSTEMS

The quantification of overall mass transfers in gas–liquid systems depends on the spatial evolution of the relevant variables close to the interface of the two phases. When turbulence is present (in the present study the turbulence is considered in the liquid phase), the methods of treating the problem consider the differential form of the momentum and mass conservation equations. The continuous hypothesis that underlies these equations in principle allows verifying the limiting trends very close to the interface. Because the theoretical concepts of turbulence are defined using statistical tools, the mentioned veri- fication depends on the intrinsic definitions used in the statistical approach. In this study the turbulent mass transfer parameters are calculated for the thin region close to the interface based on the tool of random square waves (RSW). Theoretical results are obtained and analyzed in the context of existing experimental data and conceptual discussions of the literature, using a constant ‘reduction function’, a parameter defined in this methodology. The results of the present analysis show that the RSW method allows obtaining functional trends, as well as indicate the adequacy of using a variable reduction function to better represent reality.
In Vitro, In Vivo, and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion Evaluation of SF5-Containing N,N’-Diarylureas as Antischistosomal Agents

In recent years, N,N’-diarylureas have emerged as a promising chemotype for the treatment of schistosomiasis, a parasite-caused disease that poses a considerable health burden to millions of people worldwide. Here, we report a novel series of N,N’-diarylureas featuring the scarcely explored pentafluorosulfanyl group (SF5). ABSTRACT In recent years, N,N’-diarylureas have emerged as a promising chemotype for the treatment of schistosomiasis, a parasite-caused disease that poses a considerable health burden to millions of people worldwide. Here, we report a novel series of N,N’-diarylureas featuring the scarcely explored pentafluorosulfanyl group (SF5). Low 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for Schistosoma mansoni newly transformed schistosomula (0.6 to 7.7 μM) and adult worms (0.1 to 1.6 μM) were observed. Four selected compounds that were highly active in the presence of albumin (>70% at 10 μM), endowed with decent cytotoxicity profiles (selectivity index [SI] against L6 cells >8.5), and good microsomal hepatic stability (>62.5% of drug remaining after 60 min) were tested in S. mansoni-infected mice. Despite the promising in vitro worm-killing potency, none of them showed significant activity in vivo. Pharmacokinetic data showed a slow absorption, with maximal drug concentrations reached after 24 h of exposure. Finally, no direct correlation between drug exposure and in vivo activity was found. Thus, further investigations are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of SF5-containing N,N’-diarylureas.
Reactivation mechanisms and related-porosity enhancement of shear zones in the context of basement-hosted uranium mineralization: case of the Spitfire discovery in the Patterson Lake corridor, Canada

Uranium mineralization in the Patterson Lake corridor (southwestern Churchill province, Canada) is hosted in the metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic basement covered to the north by the flat-lying sandstone formations of the Athabasca Basin. The mineralization is exclusively contained within inherited ductile structures that were reactivated under a brittle regime. Petrographic and micro-structural studies of drill core samples from the Spitfire discovery (Hook Lake project) reveal the linkages between structural evolution of the basement, alteration and mineralization. During basement exhumation, localization of non-coaxial deformation led to the formation of a large anastomosing shear zone system made of mylonitic rocks. Strain localization associated with fluid circulation induced strong mineralogical and rheological changes, forming discontinuities in mechanical anisotropy. During and post-deposition of the Athabasca Basin after 1.80 Ga, these zones of anisotropy localized brittle reactivation, expressed by a network of micro-fractures later amplified by dissolution processes which enhanced porosity later filled with phyllosilicates and uranium oxides. Cross-cutting relationships between alteration minerals and structures indicate that fluid circulation was active after the basement exhumation. Uranium-bearing fluids moved through the network of micro-fractures. As shown for the Spitfire prospect, fertile structures in the basement below the Athabasca Basin have a combined poly-phase structural and alteration history during which development of ductile shear zones followed by brittle reactivation and dissolution processes led to the formation of superimposed shear and damaged zones in which uranium orebodies are located. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Uranium Fluid Pathways collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection. org/cc/uranium-fluid-pathways
Optimization of biodiesel yield and diesel engine performance from waste cooking oil by response surface method (RSM)

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate optimization of biodiesel production process and the effects of biodiesel–diesel fuel blends on engine performance and exhaust emission parameters by using response surface methodology. Transesterification method was used in biodiesel production. The importance of four process parameters namely molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction temperature, and reaction time on biodiesel conversion rate is determined. For the optimization process Box–Behnken design (BBD) based on RSM was used. An optimum biodiesel yield was 93.124% was obtained at 6.05:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.77 wt% catalyst amount, 62.75 °C reaction temperature and 72.63 min reaction time. Engine operating parameters such as blend ratio of biodiesel fuel and engine speed have been optimized to obtain optimum performance and exhaust emission values. The experiments were designed using central composite design method based on RSM. The results revealed that when the engine was operated with 1943.51 rpm engine speed and fueled with a 9.17% biodiesel ratio as the optimal conditions, responses were determined as 44.8097 kW, 245.946 Nm 5.17481%, 262.235 ppm, and 810.227 ppm for power, torque, smoke opacity, CO, and NOx, respectively.
Critical role of temporal contexts in evaluating urban cellular automata models

ABSTRACT Cellular automata (CA)-based models have been extensively used in urban expansion modeling because of their simplicity, flexibility and intuitiveness. Previous studies on CA-based urban growth modeling have mainly focused on the process of spatial allocation of increased urban lands; however, the temporal contexts during the simulation have not been properly explored. In this study, we examined the influence of temporal contexts of initial seeds (i.e. urban extent maps), transition rules, and urban demands (i.e. urban areas) on the CA-based urban growth modeling in Beijing, China, over a long period of 1984–2013. Comparison of the annual model outputs with the time series data of annual urban extent maps from satellite observations revealed that the overall accuracy of urban growth modeling decreased by approximately 12%, with an increase in iterations from 1984–2013. By contrast, the value of the figure of merit (FoM) increased to 26.57%. The continuous change of FoM during the modeling suggests a “spin-up” effect, a rapid increase in FoM at the beginning of modeling, of CA-based urban growth models, and this effect is primarily attributed to the neighborhood component in CA. The effect of temporal contexts reflected by components of initial seeds and urban demands in CA-based urban growth models have considerable impacts on the model performance, i.e. the FoM increased by 7% when using actual urban demands during each iteration instead of the commonly used linear growth during the modeling period. Hence, we suggest that more efforts regarding the temporal contexts in CA-based modeling are required, to better understand error propagation and uncertainty assessment.
Interpolation sub-pixel mapping based on multiple subpixel shifted images based on a consideration of the point spread function effect

ABSTRACT In this paper, the interpolation sub-pixel mapping (ISM) based on multiple sub-pixel shifted images (MSSIs) based on a consideration of the point spread function (PSF) effect, named as MSSI-PSF, is proposed. In the proposed MSSI-PSF, MSSIs are first unmixed to produce the coarse fractional images. Second, under considering the PSF effect, the improved coarse fractional images are obtained by applying the area-to-point kriging (ATPK) and then the ideal square-wave filter to the coarse fractional images. Third, the improved coarse fractional images are upsampled by interpolation to obtain the upsampled fractional images, and then the upsampled fractional images are integrated to obtain a fine fractional image. Finally, according to the fine fractional images from all MSSIs, the class allocation method is utilized to assign class labels to sub-pixels to obtain the final mapping result. The experimental results show that the proposed MSSI-PSF model produces better mapping result than the existing ISM models.
Metallic nanotrenches for terahertz studies on nano-confined molecules

A pair of parallel metallic plates with nanometer-scale separations, or a ‘metallic nanotrench’, creates strongly enhanced electric field with uniform spatial distribution when a long wavelength radiation is incident. This property is not only useful for quantitative analysis of light-matter interactions, but also for potential electrochemical studies on nanoconfined molecules. Here, we show our progress on realizing sub-10 nm-wide metallic nanotrenches filled with various liquids to study interaction of nano-confined molecules with terahertz radiation. Large height-to-width aspect ratio and strong field enhancement of the nanotrenches enable sensitive detection of the nano-confined molecules, from which optical properties of the molecules can be determined. We demonstrate fabrication of the nanotrenches with widths as small as 2 nm, and study changes in their terahertz optical properties upon integration with various liquids. Also, we discuss anomalous optical properties of water molecules confined within sub-10 nm-wide metallic nanotrenches.
Detecting changes between two strangers: Insight from a classic change blindness paradigm

The current study aims to investigate what factors influence whether adults detect a change between social partners in a brief interaction. In two experiments, we examined whether locale diversity, a stranger’s marginalized minority status (e.g., minority race, minority religious affiliation), and race congruence (e.g., own or other race) influenced the likelihood of being differentiated. Using a change blindness paradigm, an experimenter approached pedestrians asking for directions, then surreptitiously changed places with a confederate. After the switch, we measured whether pedestrians noticed if the person had changed. In Experiment 1, noticing rates were significantly lower for confederates belonging to a minority race compared to White confederates, but only in the more homogenous location and not in the highly diverse location. In Experiment 2, pedestrians were least likely to detect a change when confederates belonged to a religious minority and a racial minority. We discuss the important implications for prejudicial behaviour and eyewitness identification, as well as the utility of performing psychological research outside of the lab.