Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Deep Recurrent Neural Network with Gated Momentum Unit for CT Image Reconstruction

Many algorithms and methods have been proposed for Computed Tomography (CT) image reconstruction, partic- ularly with the recent surge of interest in machine learning and deep learning methods. The majority of recently proposed methods are, however, limited to the image domain processing where deep learning is used to learn the mapping from a noisy image data set to a true image data set. While deep learning-based methods can produce higher quality images than conventional model-based post-processing algorithms, these methods have lim- itations. Deep learning-based methods used in the image domain are not sufficient for compensating for lost information during a forward and a backward projection in CT image reconstruction especially with a presence of high noise. In this paper, we propose a new Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architecture for CT image reconstruction. We propose the Gated Momentum Unit (GMU) that has been extended from the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) but it is specifically designed for image processing inverse problems. This new RNN cell performs an iterative optimization with an accelerated convergence. The GMU has a few gates to regulate information flow where the gates decide to keep important long-term information and discard insignificant short- term detail. Besides, the GMU has a likelihood term and a prior term analogous to the Iterative Reconstruction (IR). This helps ensure estimated images are consistent with observation data while the prior term makes sure the likelihood term does not overfit each individual observation data. We conducted a synthetic image study along with a real CT image study to demonstrate this proposed method achieved the highest level of Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structure Similarity (SSIM). Also, we showed this algorithm converged faster than other well-known methods.
Influence of Covid -19 on the management of Appendicitis

Objective: Acute Appendicitis encounters as the frequent problem in surgical pediatric patients leading to Appendectomy, being one of the most common procedures performed in surgical Emergency. During COVID-19 pandemic, the trends in the management of acute appendicitis have changed. Conservative management of appendicitis with antibiotics is being proposed as an alternative to conventional appendectomy. So, this study is conducted to compare the presentation and outcome of Appendicitis managed during pre and post pandemic period in our settings. Methodology: After approval of Ethical Review Committee, a total of 267 patients of age 1-12 years were selected for the study. It was a retrospective Cohort Study. Patients were divided into group A (n=145) which was pre pandemic group. Data was collected retrospectively from charts regarding demographics, presentation, duration of stay operative findings and complications from May-Oct 2019 and Group B (n=122) during covid-19 was collected from the patients presented with appendicitis over a period of six months from May-Oct 2020 . Similar months of the year were selected to remove seasonal variation in the presentation of Appendicitis. All information was collected on a predesigned Performa. Data was compared and analyzed on SPSS 20. Results: Out of 267 patients, 151 (56.56%) were male. Group A patients presented during pre-pandemic period (n=145) were undergone appendectomy for appendicitis in 129 patients (88.96%) with 59 patients (40.68%) having acutely inflamed appendix and 70 patients (48.27%) had complicated appendicitis such as gangrenous, perforated with generalized peritonitis. In Group A only 16 patients (11.03%) were managed conservatively for appendicular mass. In contrast to group B (n=122) presented during pandemic, only 43 patients (35.24%) were operated with findings of acutely inflamed appendicitis while gangrenous/perforated appendicitis with pelvic abscess and/or generalized peritonitis was found in most of the patients with a number of 69 (56.55%), only 10 (8.19%) patient presented as Appendicular mass hence managed conservatively. Conclusion: Delay in presentation and early conservative management during pandemic crisis has resulted in an increase in the complications of Appendicitis. Early referral to specialized centers with vigilant selection for conservative treatment can save patients from developing complications. Keywords: Appendicitis, covid-19, Appendectomy, complications, Pandemic
Uncovering the vertebrate scavenger guild composition and functioning in the Cerrado biodiversity hotspot

Scavenging is widespread among vertebrates, being very important for maintaining certain ecosystem functions. Despite this, the scavenger communities remain poorly known in some biomes, especially in the Neotropics. Our main objective was to describe for the first time the scavenger community and identify the factors affecting scavenging efficiency in the Brazilian Cerrado. We analyzed the effects of vegetation cover, time of carcass placement and carcass weight, on scavenger species richness, individual abundances, carcass detection and consumption times, and carcass consumption rate. We monitored 11 large and 45 small carcasses using automatic cameras. We documented a total of 19 vertebrate scavenging species, four species of vultures and 15 facultative scavengers. We found that carcass size was the most important factor affecting the scavenger assemblage and consumption patterns. Large carcasses were dominated by vultures, whereas small carcasses were consumed mainly by facultative scavengers. We also found differences between large and small carcasses in all carcass consumption variables except for detection time. However, we did not find an effect of vegetation cover or time of carcass placement on scavenging patterns. The negligible role of mammals and non‐raptor birds in large carcasses is also noteworthy, probably due to the consumption and foraging efficiency of the vultures, and the more frugivorous habits of the mesocarnivores. Our results show a highly diverse and efficient scavenging vertebrate community in the Brazilian Cerrado, and the need to preserve them in the face of the significant habitat transformations suffered by this biodiversity hotspot.
A Numerical Study of the Influence of Process Parameters on the Efficiency of Staged Coal Gasification Using Mixtures of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

The paper considers a staged conversion process of pulverized coal fuel in the MHPS-type gasifier, which uses mixtures of oxygen and carbon dioxide as a gasifying agent instead of air. Similar conversion processes can be applied in the process diagrams with the capture and disposal of carbon dioxide. The research tool is a reduced-order mathematical model of coal particles' conversion in a reacting gas flow. Replacement of nitrogen with carbon dioxide leads to significant changes in the gasification process characteristics: the average reaction temperature decreases, but this decrease is partially compensated by an increase in the concentration of gaseous reactants. Thus, the gasification process efficiency and the fuel conversion degree increase. Calculations make it possible to identify a range of parameters with the highest cold gas efficiency values. The influence of oxygen concentration is estimated, the dependence of the fuel conversion degree on the reaction temperature is analyzed.
POTENSI JALI (COIX LACHRYMA-JOBI L.) SEBAGAI PREBIOTIK TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT

ABSTRAK Jali (Coix lachryma-jobi L.) adalah sumber karbohidrat yang keberadaannya belum dimanfaatkan secara maksimal oleh masyarakat Indonesia. Di luar negeri, jali telah banyak dimanfaatkan sebagai tanaman obat karena mengandung banyak senyawa fungsional, salah satunya adalah polisakarida yang berfungsi sebagai prebiotik. Polisakarida biasanya didapatkan dengan cara ekstraksi menggunakan pelarut air bersuhu tinggi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan ekstraksi polisakarida pada jali dengan faktor suhu dan lama ekstraksi untuk mendapatkan ekstrak polisakarida dengan hasil rendemen tertinggi, yang akan diuji manfaatnya sebagai prebiotik secara in vitro. Penelitian ini menggunakan Response Surface Methodology dengan rancangan komposit pusat dua faktor, yakni suhu (75, 90, dan 105 °C) dan lama ekstraksi (150, 210, dan 270 menit), serta satu respon yaitu jumlah rendemen ekstrak (%). Pengujian prebiotik dilakukan menggunakan bakteri Bifidobacterium bifidum dan Lactobacillus casei yang ditumbuhkan pada media dengan penambahan ekstrak polisakarida sebesar 0, 1, dan 2%. Optimasi ekstraksi polisakarida pada jali memiliki rendemen tertinggi pada suhu 85.45 °C dan lama ekstraksi 207.63 menit, yaitu sebesar 3.29%. Ekstrak ini juga diketahui berpotensi sebagai prebiotik karena dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan kedua bakteri, serta dapat mempertahankan keberadaannya pada konsentrasi penambahan 2% ekstrak dalam media pertumbuhan mikroba ABSTRACT Adlays (Coix lachryma-jobi L.) is one of a local grain crop that have a high carbohydate content. Their existance is not being maximally utilized yet in Indonesia. In many foreign countries, adlay are called food supplement because it has a lot of functional subtances, such as polysaccharides, and have the ability as prebiotics and can be extracted by hot water extraction method. The purpose of this study is to extract polysaccharide with temperature and time as the variable for getting the maximum yield extract. This study conducted by Response Surface Methodology with central composite design two factorial, that was temperature (75, 90, and 105 °C) and time extraction (150, 210, and 270 minutes). The optimum point then were verified and analyzed its prebiotic activity on L. casei and B. bifidum in a media supplemented with 0, 1, and 2% of polysaccharide extract. The optimization of polysaccharide extraction reached maximum yield at 85.45 °C and 207.63 minutes, that was 3.2863%. The prebiotic test found that polysaccharide extract could increase the growth of both probiotics in the media supplemented with 1% and 2% extract. This extract could also maintain their existence during 36 hours of fermentation process
EFFECTS OF GUANIDINOACETIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION IN BROILER CHICKEN DIET ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a natural organic acid in the body that acts as a precursor of creatine which plays the role of energy carrier in the cell This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing broiler chicken feed with GAA on carcass characteristics. Two hundred-and forty, day old Cornish breeds were kept under a deep litter system. Six treatments with four replicates of 10 birds per replica were used. The experimental diets comprised of six treatments with varying levels of feed additive (GAA) supplemented in the diets D1 (control) with no GAA, D2 was supplemented with (0.003% GAA/kg), D3 (0.006% GAA/kg), D4 (0.009% GAA/kg), D5 (0.012% GAA/kg), and D6 (0.015% GAA/kg). The treatments were laid down in a complete randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. Carcass characteristics were determined in the laboratory by analyzing the (abdominal fat, tissue protein, tissue fat and pH). There were statistically significant effects observed on abdominal fat, body tissue protein and body tissue fat of the carcass. The study concluded that GAA supplementation increased carcass characteristics, and provided better economic returns. The study recommends utilization of GAA supplementation at level of 0.12% GAA/Kg for rapid growth of broiler, enhanced abdominal fat, body tissue protein, body tissue fat, and utilization of GAA for better economic returns to the farmers.
Funding Behaviour of Debt Management Offices and the ECB's Public Sector Purchase Programme

This paper investigates whether the funding behaviour of euro area debt management offices (DMOs) changed with the start of the ECB’s Public Sector Purchase Programme (PSPP). Our results show that (i) lower yield levels and (ii) PSPP purchases supported higher maturities at issuance. The former indicates a behaviour of “locking in low rates for longer”, while the latter suggests the existence of an additional “demand effect” of the PSPP on DMO strategies beyond the PSPP’s effect via yields. The combined impact of the PSPP via these channels amounts to maturity extensions at issuance of about one year in our estimation, which compares to the average issuance maturity for Germany, France, Italy and Spain before the PSPP of four years. Our finding that DMOs extend maturities when funding conditions ease invites further work on the economic implications of public debt management during the PSPP and its relevance for monetary policy transmission.
On the models for the distribution of examination score for projecting the demand for Korean Long-Term Care Insurance

The Korean Long-Term Care Insurance (K-LTCI) provides ﬁnancial support for long-term care service to people who need various types of assistance with daily activities. As the number of elderly people in Korea is expected to increase in the future, the demand for long-term care insurance would also increase over time. Projection of future expenditure on K-LTCI depends on the number of beneﬁciaries within the grading system of K-LTCI based on the test scores of applicants. This study investigated the suitability of mixture distributions to the model K-LTCI score distribution using recent empirical data on K-LTCI, provided by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Based on the developed mixture models, the number of beneﬁciaries in each grade and its variability under the current grading system were estimated by simulation. It was observed that a mixture model is suitable for K-LTCI score distribution and may prove useful in devising a funding plan for K-LTCI beneﬁt payment and investigating the e ﬀ ects of any possible revision in the K-LTCI grading system.
Topological photonics in 3D micro-printed systems

Topological materials have been at the forefront of research across various fields of physics in hopes of harnessing properties such as scatter-free transport due to protection from defects and disorder. Photonic systems are ideal test beds for topological models and seek to profit from the idea of topological robustness for applications. Recent progress in 3D-printing of microscopic structures has allowed for a range of implementations of topological systems. We review recent work on topological models realized particularly in photonic crystals and waveguide arrays fabricated by 3D micro-printing. The opportunities that this technique provides are a result of its facility to tune the refractive index, compatibility with infiltration methods, and its ability to fabricate a wide range of flexible geometries.
“Those Are Typical Tell-Tale Signs of a Lesbian”: LGBQ Young Peoples’ Perceptions of Parental Messaging Surrounding Gender Non-Conforming Behavior

Socialization surrounding gender and sexuality is prominent within the familial context. Gender and sexuality are frequently linked with the assumption that gender-expansive behavior leads to nonheterosexuality. Research has largely focused on parental perspectives, leaving queer youth experiences largely invisible. Utilizing semistructured interviews with 10 queer young adults, this project contributes to the existing discussions regarding gender and sexuality socialization while growing up. First, participants described parents’ seemingly natural ability to correctly categorize youth’s sexual orientation, which is often linked to gender nonconforming behavior. Participants reinforced essentialized ideas of gender and sexuality through their discussion of engagement in expansive gender behavior. Furthermore, women discussed more freedom to engage in diverse gender behavior, while being expected to conform to traditional gender roles. Through elevating youth’s viewpoints on gender and sexuality family dynamics, these findings can assist service providers and parents in supporting queer youth across their gender and sexual development.
Modulation Electronic Properties of Silicane/SnSe2 Van der Waals Heterostructures Using External Force and Electric Field

In recent years, much interest in the study of Van der Waals heterostructures (vdWhs) has arisen. This has led to a significant amount of fundamental research being produced, from which novel optoelectronic applications have been established. By using first principles, we analyze the electronic structure of silicane/SnSe2 vdWhs in the response to an externally applied electric field and a normal strain. The results show that the silicane/SnSe2 vdWh acts as an indirect semiconductor when it is subjected to an applied electric field between −1 and 0.1 V/Å and becomes a metal in the 0.2 to 1 V/Å range. Significantly, the electronic band alignments of the silicane/SnSe2 vdWhs are modified from a type-II to a type-I when a field of −0.7 V/Å is applied. Furthermore, it is determined that the silicane/SnSe2 vdWhs appears to have a semiconductor-metal phase transition at a strain of −5%. Our results indicate that the silicane/SnSe2 vdWhs have the potential for applications in novel high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Visual Performance of a Polynomial Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens

Purpose: To clinically evaluate a new extended depth of focus intraocular lens (ISOPURE, PhysIOL) with optic design modification based on a unique polynomial concept to improve intermediate vision while keeping the quality of distance vision equal to a monofocal lens. Methods: 18 patients (11 female, 7 male, mean age of 69.4 years) with bilateral cataract and regular corneal astigmatism ≤ 1.0 D underwent bilateral cataract surgery with ISOPURE implantation. Patients were followed for up to 6 months. Measured parameters were uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity at 80 cm and 66 cm (DCI80VA, DCI66VA) subjective refraction, defocus curve, tolerance of cylinder induction, and contrast sensitivity. The data from all implanted eyes (all-eyes) and a subset only including the first eye implanted for each patient were analysed. Results: The mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) decreased from 1.05 D pre-operatively to ? 0.15 D at the 4 - 6 month assessment, with 80.6% of eyes within ±0.50 D of emmetropia. At the final follow-up, mean (SD) monocular CDVA was ? 0.06 (0.04) logMAR, DCI80VA was 0.18 (0.08) logMAR and DCI66VA was 0.27 (0.13) logMAR. Despite a cylinder induction of ? 0.50 D, uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.02 logMAR was still achieved. Conclusion: The ISOPURE intraocular lens provides excellent distance corrected visual acuity for far and intermediate distances along with high contrast sensitivity and good tolerance of residual refractive cylinder.
Dietary Intakes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Semi-professional Rugby Athletes in Scotland

ABSTRACT Background Adequate nutritional intake plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance, recovery, and body composition goals. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intakes (DIs); nutritional knowledge (NK); and attitudes, perceptions, and challenges (APC) of semiprofessional rugby players in Scotland. Methods Dietary intakes and NK of 24 male semiprofessional rugby players of a Super6 club were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Players were categorized as having good or poor NK according to NK scores. Diet-related APCs were assessed using researcher-developed questionnaires and 1-1 semi-structured interviews. Results Mean ± SD total NK% was poor, 53.7 ± 11.9%. The ‘Good’ NK group scored significantly higher in the Weight Management (p = 0.014), Macronutrients (p < 0.001), Micronutrients (p = 0.001), and Sports Nutrition (p < 0.001) sections. Mean DIs from food sources were 26.3 ± 9.2 kcal/kg/day energy, 1.4 ± 0.4 g/kg/day protein, and 21.7 ± 10.1 g/day fibre. Median (25th,75th) carbohydrate intake was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) g/kg/day, and 6.3 (2.3, 10.6) units/week alcohol. Mean ± SD fat and saturated fat (SFA) % total energy intake (EI) were 36.2 ± 3.7% and 12.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, and SFA %EI exceeded recommendations (p < 0.001). The ‘Good’ NK group had significantly higher intakes of all macronutrients (p < 0.05). Total NK% positively correlated with intakes of meat (r = 0.556, p = 0.011), cereals (r = 0.458, p = 0.042), dietary fat (r = 0.477, p = 0.034), vegetables (r = 0.487, p = 0.030), and alcoholic beverages (r = 0.541, p = 0.014). Supplement use was 68%. Players felt diet affected performance (94%) but 31% of them were unaware of any specific nutritional strategies. A healthy diet was perceived to be ‘balanced’ with ‘variety from all food groups. Lack of time for preparation was described as the main barrier to healthy eating. Conclusions Overall, players had poor NK, their fibre and carbohydrate intake was suboptimal, whereas saturated fat intake exceeded recommendations. Many lacked awareness of current sports nutrition guidelines. Further nutrition education may be needed to improve diet quality and aid performance goals.
Physical Properties of Fe3Si Films Coated through Facing Targets Sputtering after Microwave Plasma Treatment

Fe3Si films are deposited onto the Si(111) wafer using sputtering with parallel facing targets. Surface modification of the deposited Fe3Si film is conducted by using a microwave plasma treatment under an Ar atmosphere at different powers of 50, 100 and, 150 W. After the Ar plasma treatment, the crystallinity of the coated Fe3Si films is enhanced, in which the orientation peaks, including (220), (222), (400), and (422) of the Fe3Si are sharpened. The extinction rule suggests that the B2–Fe3Si crystallites are the film’s dominant composition. The stoichiometry of the Fe3Si surfaces is marginally changed after the treatment. An increase in microwave power damages the surface of the Fe3Si films, resulting in the generation of small pinholes. The roughness of the Fe3Si films after being treated at 150 W is insignificantly increased compared to the untreated films. The untreated Fe3Si films have a hydrophobic surface with an average contact angle of 101.70°. After treatment at 150 W, it turns into a hydrophilic surface with an average contact angle of 67.05° because of the reduction in the hydrophobic carbon group and the increase in the hydrophilic oxide group. The hardness of the untreated Fe3Si is ~9.39 GPa, which is kept at a similar level throughout each treatment power.
The Roles of N, S, and O in Molecular Absorption Features of Brown Carbon in PM2.5 in a Typical Semi‐Arid Megacity in Northwestern China

Brown Carbon (BrC) absorbs light in wavelength of 300–400 nm, and BrC molecule (BrCM) is a fundamental component responsible for aerosol radiative forcing. In this study, Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) was used to determine methanol extracted BrCM in PM2.5 collected in Xi'an, China. The absorption of individual BrCM was quantified through partial least square regression (PLSR) method. Results showed that 77.5% and 91.8% of winter and summer BrCMs were weak absorptive. The top BrCMs were responsible for 60.4% and 84.6%, respectively, of the absorbances in summer and winter. The nitrogen (N)‐containing organic molecules were identified to be critical components of light‐absorbing matters in both of the two seasons, outlining the significance of N chromogenesis in BrC. The top BrCMs were more closely related to ‐(O)NO2 that originated from NO2 engaged reactions in winter, and to ‐NH that formed in NH3 reactions in summer. Sulfur (S)‐containing functional groups were not chromophoric while sulfur dioxide (SO2) triggered N‐containing and S‐free BrCM formations under high nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentration levels and relative humidity (RH) in winter. Hypochromicity of oxygen (O) in BrC was discovered because of the photobleaching of oxidation and weak light‐absorbing of highly oxidized molecules.