Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The apply of spectral domain optical coherence tomography in retinal vessel assessment of diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: To evaluate spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) based methods to differentiate retinal vessel types and easure retinal vessel diameters, and compare these findings with the reference from infrared reflectance (IR) images and/or fluorescein angiography (FA); then, evaluate the retinal vessel diameters in relation to different severity grades of diabetic retinopathy using SD-OCT. Methods: Patients who underwent circular OCT-scans centered at the optic disc with or without non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were retrospectively reviewed. Individual retinal vessels were identified on IR and given unique labels both on IR and SD-OCT. Vessel types (artery, vein or uncertain) and vessel width obtained by IR and/or FA were documented as ground truth. From OCT, presence of the hyperreflective lower border reflectivity feature and measurements of each vessel, including horizontal vessel contour diameter, vertical vessel contour diameter, horizontal hyperreflective core diameter, and reflectance shadowing width, were assessed. Results: A total of 398 vessels with documented vessel type were included for vessel type assessment. Using SD-OCT, 338 vessels were assigned a final grade, of which, 86.4% (292 vessels) were classified correctly. When using only IR based ground truth for vessel type, the SD-OCT based classification approach reached a sensitivity of 0.88/0.93, and a specificity of 0.93/0.88 for arteries/veins, respectively. 194 vessels larger than 40 μm were documented for diameter measurements. The mean vessel width obtained from IR was 107.9±36.1 μm. A mean vertical vessel contour diameter of 119.6±29.9 μm and a mean horizontal vessel contour diameter of 124.1±31.1 μm were measured by SD-OCT. Vertical vessel contour diameter did not differ from vessel width in all subgroup analysis. Horizontal vessel contour diameter was not significantly different from vessel width for arteries and had strong (r=0.88m) or very strong (r=0.91) correlation with vessel width for veins. Of 59 eyes from 45 patients examined, 30 (50.2%) had mild NPDR and 29 (49.8%) had severe NPDR, respectively. Eyes with mild NPDR had wider mean arteriolar vertical vessel inner diameter (89.8±12.1μm), vertical vessel outer diameter (120.9±12.9μm), and vessel shadow width (81.3±15.3μm) than patients with severe NPDR (87.9±10.8μm, 119.1±9.7μm, 78.8±10.9μm). However, the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.53, 0.55, 0.47). In contrast, wider venular diameters were associated with increasing severity of NPDR (p=<0.001, <0.001, 0.007). Conclusion: Retinal vessel type assessment and diameter measurements can be achieved with the current generation of SD-OCTs and be routinely implemented in the clinic. Wider retinal venule diameter was significantly associated with the severity of NPDR by SD-OCT assisted measurement.
Identification of depositional features in the Albian and Aptian sections over the hydrocarbon exploration block M2 on the Mannar Basin, Sri Lanka

The Mannar Basin extends over 45,000 km2 off the western coast of Sri Lanka. It has evolved due to the multiphase rifting between Indo-Lanka landmasses during the Barremian-Paleocene time. The sediment thickness of the basin ranges from about 4 to 10 km. The northern part of the basin is a targeted area for hydrocarbon exploration in Sri Lanka. Though two natural gas discoveries were made in 2011, the basin remains a frontier due to lack of well penetration and 3D seismic coverage. As a result, the depositional features of sediment in the basin are little known. This study focuses on identifying paleo depositional features in the Albian and Aptian strata using 650 km2 3D seismic data from the Mannar Basin. Root Mean Square (RMS) amplitude was used to characterize the depositional features in three-time windows on IHS Kingdom software (v.8.3). The results show the existence of a multi-level paleo submarine fan system in the Albian and Aptian strata. They are located relatively close to the western coastline compared to the fan system in the Eocene strata. The deposition of this paleo submarine fan system has taken place in a shelf marine environment and has been influenced by relatively high sea levels during the Albian and Aptian compared to the relatively low sea levels in the Paleocene and Eocene.
Susceptibility and plant immune control—a case of mycorrhizal strategy for plant colonization, symbiosis, and plant immune suppression

Plants and microbes (mycorrhizal fungi to be precise) have evolved together over the past millions of years into an association that is mutualist. The plants supply the fungi with photosynthates and shelter, while the fungi reciprocate by enhancing nutrient and water uptake by the plants as well as, in some cases, control of soil-borne pathogens, but this fungi–plant association is not always beneficial. We argue that mycorrhizal fungi, despite contributing to plant nutrition, equally increase plant susceptibility to pathogens and herbivorous pests' infestation. Understanding of mycorrhizal fungi strategies for suppressing plant immunity, the phytohormones involved and the signaling pathways that aid them will enable the harnessing of tripartite (consisting of three biological systems)—plant–mycorrhizal fungi–microbe interactions for promoting sustainable production of crops.
Modelling of non-ideal steady detonations

Steady state detonations of rate-stick explosives can be modelled via a streamline based approach. The Straight Streamline Approximation (SSA) is a method for predicting the shape of the shock front and sonic surface for an explosive rate-stick. The SSA model is implemented with different explosives models to verify its ability to accurately match high resolution Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) beyond the simple polytropic EOS (equation of state) and power law reaction rate models. For explosive models using a reaction rate with an induction zone it shown that the SSA is unable to capture diameter effect curves when compared with DNS. The CREST model is implemented into the ZND and Wood-Kirkwood steady- state detonation models. Implementing the CREST model into the steady-state models required the development of a thermodynamic relation not published before. Rate- stick calculations are performed for the SSA model and compared with DNS for various explosive models. With a realistic equation of state there is a limit on the boundary that the SSA model can integrate to, beyond this the streamlines begin to converge and the model equations break down. This places a limit on the SSA’s modelling capabilities not previously reported. Equations for the post-shock streamline curvature with a reaction term are devel- oped. The streamline curvature is calculated for a polytropic EOS with and without reaction at the shock. It is shown that when reaction is a maximum at the shock the magnitude of the streamline curvature is reduced and, in some cases, changes the sign of the curvature. With no reaction at the shock the streamline curvature is signifi- cantly larger. Moreover DNS shows that the streamlines are more curved for reaction rates with induction zones when compared to simple power law reaction rates. The implications for the SSA’s validity are discussed.
Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Reducing Blood Pressure among Elderly People with Hypertension Residing in Selected Geriatric Homes at Dindigul District, Tamilnadu

Hypertension has long been recognised as a modifiable risk factor causing cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths worldwide. It is one of the most common lifestyle diseases and considered to be a silent killer. Among the geriatric population hypertension is a major problem, presenting the risk of multiple associated co-morbidities. One in every three senior citizen living in old age homes in urban area is diagnosed with hypertension due to many causes. Music therapy helps to reduce the blood pressure among elderly people. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of music therapy on reducing blood pressure among elderly people. A quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test approach with non- equivalent control group design was adopted to assess the effectiveness of the music therapy among 60 patients (30 patients each in the experimental and control group) at old age home Vellodu, Mariya Anthonia old age home and St Joseph' s home for aged, Kodairoad. The elderly patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected as samples based on a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The study revealed that the calculated unpaired ' t' value for the post-test systolic were, t= 9.461 and diastolic t = -11.180, respectively, which showed a very high statistical significance at p'lt;0.001 level. An older adult with hypertension can reduce blood pressure with music therapy, a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and cost-effective intervention.
Event-Triggered Fuzzy Adaptive Control of Incommensurate Fractional-Order Nonlinear Systems With Prescribed Performance

This brief focuses on the event-triggered fuzzy adaptive prescribed performance control (PPC) of incommensurate uncertain fractional order systems (FOSs). First, fuzzy logic systems are employed to approximate the uncertain system dynamics and adaptive update laws are designed to estimate the approximation errors. Then, by integrating the PPC and dynamic surface control (DSC) technique, the dimension explosion phenomenon in the backstepping process is avoided and preeminent transient performance can be obtained. After that relative-threshold-based event-triggered strategy is adopted to release more communication resources and mitigate the triggered time instant. Zeno behavior is proved to be avoided. Finally, the stability of the closed-loop systems is confirmed by indirect Lyapunov method and the validity of the developed controller is verified by the simulation examples.
Interleukin 12 in the Acute Phase of the Immune Response after Excimer Laser Treatment

Background and objectives: The aim of the research was to investigate the differences in the concentrations of IL-12, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in tears after LASIK and PRK procedures. Materials and methods: The study included 68 myopic eyes up to −3.0 D refractive spherical equivalent, divided into two groups: Group 1 LASIK (n = 31) and Group 2 PRK (n = 37). Three tear samples were taken from each eye: immediately before the procedure (t0), 1 h after the procedure (t1), and 24 h after the procedure (t2). The concentrations of IL-12p70, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the tear samples were determined by flow cytometry. Participants were not taking anti-inflammatory therapy 24 h after the procedure. Results: IL-4 levels 1 h after treatment did not differ between LASIK and PRK (p = 0.990), while 24 h after PRK there was a significant decrease in IL-4 levels (p < 0.05), but not after LASIK (p = 0.476). In both the LASIK (p < 0.05) and PRK (p < 0.05) groups, there is an increase in IL-10 concentrations 1 h after treatment, which persists 24 h after LASIK (p < 0.05) but not after PRK (p = 0.081). There is an increase in IL-12p70 concentration 1 h after treatment in both the LASIK (p < 0.001) and PRK groups (p < 0.001). There is also an increase in IL-12p70 concentration 24 h after PRK (p < 0.005), but not after LASIK (p = 0.775). Conclusions: IL-4 concentration shows a significantly higher value in the LASIK group than in the PRK group after 24 h. IL-10 and IL-12p70 levels increase one hour after surgery in both groups. After 24 h, the IL-10 levels remain elevated in the LASIK group, and the IL-12p70 levels remain elevated in the PRK group. Thus, LASIK and PRK procedures show different inflammatory dynamics.
The Shape Evolution of Galactic Open Clusters from Observations under Galactic External Forces

We present the Galactic characteristics of 154 open clusters using the stellar statistics method with data from the WEBDA database. We find that all clusters in our sample are elongated in shape, which indicates that the spherical clusters are stretched out to be ellipsoid as a function of age . By dividing a cluster into a central core and an outer part, we have computed the apparent ellipticities of these two parts respectively. The scale relations between ellipticities and age indicate that the outer parts of open clusters become more elliptical while the central cores remain circular. We suppose that the outer parts become more elliptical because they are more subjected to the external forces, e.g., Galactic differential rotation, while the central cores form a circular shape under the domination of stellar dynamics. We have also performed an analysis of the crucial influence of cluster mass and location on its shape.
Cash Waqf Literacy in Indonesia: Literature Studies and Perspectives of Islamic Economics Academics

Cash waqf in Indonesia has become a topic of discussion in the world of scientific articles, both national and international scientific articles. In addition, cash waqf has also been regulated in law but all of this does not make the literacy of Muslims in Indonesia increase related to cash waqf, this can be seen from the waqf funds collected are not optimal if look at the condition of Muslims in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach to content analysis by using the FGD method as a complement to this research. The results in this study, there is still a lack of public literacy related to cash waqf by looking at several previous studies so that academics provide several strategies and inputs to improve public literacy related to cash waqf, so that people have awareness in cash waqf.
An Efficient Chaotic Cuckoo Search Framework for Solving Non-Convex Optimal Power Flow Problem

The optimal power flow (OPF) problem is a very complicated task in power systems. OPF problem has a set of equality and inequality constraints. This paper looks at a chaotic cuckoo search (CCS) algorithm for solving non-convex OPF problem. The proposed CCS is a bio-inspired optimization calculation that is inspired by the behaviour of cuckoos people in nature. The chaotic guide is a variation of qualities combined with CS. A sinusoidal chaotic is integrated with CS algorithm and tested on standard IEEE 30-bus test system to the point of improving its global speed of convergence and enhancing its performance. The elitism scheme is also serves to save the best cuckoo during amid the procedure when updating the cuckoo. The results show clearly the superiority of CCS in searching for the best function values results when compared with well-known metaheuristic search algorithms.
An algorithm for retrieving aerosol optical depth from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager in Vietnam

Abstract High-resolution aerosol products offer advantages over lower spatial-resolution products for monitoring pollution in urban areas and industrial zones. Therefore, in this study we develop a Landsat 8 algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) based on the MODIS Dark Target (DT) algorithm. This algorithm uses the direct surface reflectance of Landsat 8 to build a surface reflectance relationship between the visible (BLUE, RED) and short-wave infrared bands (SWIR2). AOD data from AERONET stations in the study area and AOD data from MODIS 3 km were used for validation of the estimated Landsat 8 AOD. The estimated AOD was highly correlated at most AERONET AOD, with R2=0.98, (RMSE = 0.3), except Bac Lieu, but only had a moderate correlation with MODIS AOD which was attributed to the difference in data retrieval time and associated changes in climate conditions. This is the first high-resolution AOD retrieval in Vietnam, leading to more practical applications for air quality monitoring.
The cosmic spacetime: Is the universe much simpler than we thought?

The polish priest Nicolaus Copernicus (1473—1543) started a revolution with his heliocentric cosmology that displaced the Earth from the center of the Universe. His remarkable shift in paradigm continues to this day, the cornerstone of a concept we now call the Cosmological Principle, in which the Universe is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic, without a center or boundary. But few realize that even this high degree of symmetry is insufficient for cosmologists to build a practical model of the Universe from the equations of General Relativity.
Prototyping an integrated IoT-based real-time sewer monitoring system using low-power sensors

Improper monitoring of sewage networks may raise various issues such as overflows, pipe blockages, theft of manhole covers, leading to flooding and pollution, infrastructure damage, vehicles accidents, injury, and even death from falling into open manholes. The key objective of this research was to examine different elements and create a prototype architecture for a real-time sewer monitoring system. Implementation of the architecture involved constructing a data gathering station and experimenting with various wireless sensing devices to assess the precision of the sensors. In addition, the study sought to design a geographic information system that integrates algorithms capable of identifying sewer overflow, blocked pipes, and the presence of manhole covers. The performance of Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F infrared, TF-Luna Benewake LiDar, TOF400 VL53L1X laser, JSN-SR04T ultrasonic distance sensors was tested in terms of their ability to monitor water level and manhole cover. Tests revealed the most favorable results in TOF400 VL53L1X at distances between 0.2 and 1.0 m (presumed distance to the manhole cover) with a standard deviation of 0.13–0.24, and in TF-Luna Benewake at distances between 1.0 and 5.0 m (presumed distance to the chamber bottom) with a standard deviation of 0.44–1.15. The deviation analysis has yielded equations that can be utilized to provide rough estimates of the accuracy levels of the aforementioned sensors, based on the measured distance. Additionally, the FC-28 analog and YL-63 infrared sensors were evaluated for detecting pipe blockages, with the YL-63 being more suitable. The outcomes of this study furnish valuable insights that can aid in achieving sustainable resolutions for issues related to sewer monitoring
Adsorption of toxic gases by metal-organic frameworks

Nepal is a developing country in the world where sufficient clean energy is not available in our daily needs for cooking, lighting and other developmental activities. So, it is high time to promote clean and green energy, which is freely available in every corner of the country. In this regard, the present study helps to estimate the global solar radiation at the lowland region Biratnagar (lat. 26◦28′53′′N, long. 87◦15′50′′E and Alt. 72 m) using measured global solar radiation (GSR) and sunshine hours on empirical models. This paper uses the regression technique on two different empirical models Angstrom-Prescott(A-P) and Tiwari and Sangeeta, to estimate solar radiation. After analyzing the data on empirical models, the empirical constants 0.25 and 0.23 and 0.13 and 0.24 are found in A-P and Tiwari and Sangeeta models, respectively. The performance of the models was carried out by employing mean bias error (MBE), mean percentage error (MPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and adjusted coefficient of determination (R2). These statistical tools reveal that all these models are statistically significant. Such a study is relevant when reliable data for solar radiation is not adequately available. The findings of empirical coefficients can be utilized for predicting solar radiation and solar energy at similar geographical locations in Nepal.
Asymptotic and numerical analysis of resonance and lock-in by flow-acoustic interaction in an expansion chamber-pipe system

The paper is concerned with the generation of sound by the ﬂow through a closed, cylindrical expansion chamber, followed by a long tailpipe. The sound generation is due to self-sustained ﬂow oscillations in the expansion chamber which, in turn, may generate standing acoustic waves in the tailpipe. The main interest is in the interaction between these two sound sources. An analytical, approximate solution of the acoustic part of the problem is obtained via the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The sound-generating ﬂow is represented by a discrete vortex method, which is modiﬁed to include the e ﬀ ects of acoustic feedback. It is demonstrated that lock-in of the self-sustained ﬂow oscillations to the resonant acoustic waves in the tailpipe can take place.
Photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of green-mediated Khaya senegalensis-silver nanoparticles and oxidized carbon nanotubes

This study investigated the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from a medicinal plant extract of Khaya senegalensis (K. senegalensis) and oxygen functionalized carbon nanotubes (oCNTs), respectively. The CNTs were functionalized using acid treatment. The green synthesized AgNPs from K. senegalensis (KS-AgNPs) and oCNTs were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission emission microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The formation of KS-AgNPs was confirmed by the UV–Vis absorption spectra, which showed an absorption band at 427 nm with a color change from yellow to brown. The morphology of KS-AgNPs was spherical in shape, with an average particle size of 9.30 nm. The FTIR analyses revealed distinctive functional groups, such as, hydroxyl (O-H), amines (N-H), and carbonyl (C-O), which were directly involved in the synthesis and stability of AgNPs. The XRD spectra was distinctive with five intense peaks at 2theta angles of 38.12°, 44.28°, 64.43°, 77.48°, and 81.54o while oCNTs gave intense peaks at 2theta angles of 26.43o, 42.36o, 44.46o, 54.51o, 59.98o, and 77.40o. The photocatalytic property of green synthesized KS-AgNPs was determined to be 40.7 % higher than that of oCNTs when applied for treatment of industrial waste water. The ability of green-mediated KS-AgNPs to inhibit against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was observed to be that gram (-) bacteria (E. coli) was more susceptible to KS-AgNPs than the gram (+) bacteria (S. aureus), in which case their susceptibility was least in oCNTs for both bacteria, respectively.
Late Cambrian Pywackia is a cnidarian, not a bryozoan: Insights from skeletal microstructure

Abstract The phylum Bryozoa had long been the only major phylum unknown from the Cambrian and by inference the Cambrian Explosion of biodiversity. When described in 2010 as a late Cambrian cryptostome bryozoan, Pywackia baileyi Landing in Landing et al., 2010 became the oldest known bryozoan (early Cambrian bryozoans have since been described). Controversy remains about the phylum-level identification of Pywackia Landing in Landing et al., 2010—one study proposed an interpretation of Pywackia as an octocoral. No previous studies of the skeletal microstructure of Pywackia have employed the analysis of petrographic thin sections and high-magnification scanning electron microscopy. These two methods, with the addition of data from previous studies, are employed in this analysis of skeletal microstructure, a feature often important for higher-level taxonomic identification. Although many candidate groups were considered, Pywackia's distinctive pillar and laminae, porous skeleton like many Cnidaria, topology of the body walls, and growth of modules are consistent with a cnidarian affinity. Pywackia skeletons with primary microstructure were 100% phosphate mineral and were collected from a setting of pervasive phosphatic replacement, which leaves uncertainty as to the original skeletal composition. Pywackia is not assigned here to a cnidarian class and likely represents an early, rare, short-lived cnidarian evolutionary group.