Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing Robust Statistics in the Uncertainty Quantification of Nuclear Safeguards Measurements

The monitoring of nuclear safeguards measurements consists of verifying the coherence between the operator declarations and the corresponding inspector measurements on the same nuclear items. Significant deviations may be present in the data, as consequence of problems with the operator and/or inspector measurement systems. However, they could also be the result of data falsification. In both cases, quantitative analysis and statistical outcomes may be negatively affected by their presence unless robust statistical methods are used. This article aims to investigate the benefits deriving from the introduction of robust procedures in the nuclear safeguards context. In particular, we will introduce a robust estimator for the estimation of the uncertainty components of the measurement error model. The analysis will prove the capacity of robust procedures to limit the bias in simulated and empirical contexts to provide more sounding statistical outcomes. For these reasons, the introduction of robust procedures may represent a step forward in the still ongoing development of reliable uncertainty quantification methods for error variance estimation.
ON SLOW VISCOUS FLOW

Abstract : A new linearization is considered for the problem of the flow of a viscous fluid past an obstacle at low Reynolds number. The linearization results from the conjecture that there may exist a function c(epsilon), 0 less than c less than 1, such that the solution of Delta Delta Chi = Chi sub y Delta Chi sub x - Chi sub x Delta Chi sub y under suitable boundary conditions can be replaced by a solution of Delta Delta Chi = c sub 1 Delta Chi sub x with c sub 1 replaced by c(epsilon), where c depends only upon epsilon and Chi denotes the stream function. This linearization is discussed for the problems of the flow past a long flat plate, a cylinder, a sphere, and a finite flat plate as well as for the flow in wedge-shaped region. For these problems a successful prediction of the macroscopic feature of the flow is obtained by the linearized theory with c = 0.43. Equally successful results are anticipated for other similar flows. No conclusion can be drawn for more complicated flows, and it is not clear whether the range of applicability can be increased by finding a c(epsilon) for larger epsilon than those considered.
Deteriorating Australia-China relations and prospects for the Australian tourism industry: A dynamic demand analysis

Inbound tourism from China contributes to around 15% of Australian tourist arrivals. However, the political and trade relations between the two countries began to deteriorate since 2018. Considering this environment, using annual data from 1991 to 2019, this study enables the identification of alternative tourism markets for Australia. The results suggest that maintaining price competitiveness and consumer satisfaction should be high priorities of the Australian tourism policy to attract more tourists. The findings of this study provide insights to formulate new strategies to attract tourists from the other top markets in the event of a decline in Chinese tourist arrivals to Australia.
Relationship between body weight and linear body measurements in boer goats.

Fifty-five Boer goats from a private farm located at Kg Pulau Meranti, Mukim Dengkil, Puchong, Selangor was sampled to examine the relationship between body weight and linear body measurements (body length, height at withers and heart girth). The goats were of four age groups: Group 1 (4-12 mo), Group 2 (13-18 mo), Group 3 (19-24 mo) and Group 4 (25-36 mo). Body weight and linear body measurements (body length, height at withers and heart girth) were taken during a 7-d period in December 2010. The body weight and linear body measurements were not significantly (p>0.05) different between male and female goats but were significantly(p<0.05) different among age groups. Male goats were heavier in weight, longer in body length, taller in height at withers and larger in heart girth compared to the female goats. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation showed positive, high and significant correlation between body weight and linear body measurements and also among the body measurements.A simple linear regression equation with a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.948) using heart girth to predict body weight of Boer goats was also derived
Comparative Ubiquitome Analysis Reveals Deubiquitinating Effects Induced by Wolbachia Infection in Drosophila melanogaster

The endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria frequently cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in their insect hosts, where Wolbachia-infected males cross with uninfected females, leading to no or fewer progenies, indicating a paternal modification by Wolbachia. Recent studies have identified a Wolbachia protein, CidB, containing a DUB (deubiquitylating enzyme) domain, which can be loaded into host sperm nuclei and involved in CI, though the DUB activity is not necessary for CI in Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate whether and how Wolbachia affect protein ubiquitination in testes of male hosts and are thus involved in male fertility, we compared the protein and ubiquitinated protein expressions in D. melanogaster testes with and without Wolbachia. A total of 643 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 309 differentially expressed ubiquitinated proteins (DEUPs) were identified to have at least a 1.5-fold change with a p-value of <0.05. Many DEPs were enriched in metabolic pathway, ribosome, RNA transport, and post-translational protein modification pathways. Many DEUPs were involved in metabolism, ribosome, and proteasome pathways. Notably, 98.1% DEUPs were downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. Four genes coding for DEUPs in ubiquitin proteasome pathways were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Rpn6 and Rpn7 knockdown caused male sterility, with no mature sperm in seminal vesicles. These results reveal deubiquitylating effects induced by Wolbachia infection, suggesting that Wolbachia can widely deubiquitinate proteins that have crucial functions in male fertility of their hosts, but are not involved in CI. Our data provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of endosymbiont/host interactions and male fertility.
Regulatory Roles of Estrogens in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease of the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis. The severity of psoriasis has been reported as higher in men than in women. The immunoregulatory role of female sex hormones has been proposed to be one of the factors responsible for sex differences. Among female sex hormones, estrogens have been suggested to be significantly involved in the development of psoriasis by various epidemiological and in vitro studies. For example, the severity of psoriasis is inversely correlated with serum estrogen levels. In vitro, estrogens suppress the production of psoriasis-related cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-23 from neutrophils and dendritic cells, respectively. Furthermore, a recent study using a mouse psoriasis model indicated the inhibitory role of estrogens in psoriatic dermatitis by suppressing IL-1β production from neutrophils and macrophages. Understanding the role and molecular mechanisms of female sex hormones in psoriasis may lead to better control of the disease.
Use of the Thyromental Height Test for Prediction of Difficult Laryngoscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The thyromental height test (TMHT) has been proposed as a novel single clinical test for predicting difficult laryngoscopy (DL), though consequent studies have put forward various estimates when verifying its reliability. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the predictive value of TMHT for DL. A computerized search of CNKI, CQVIP, EBSCO, PubMed, SinoMed, and Wanfang Data was conducted on 1 June 2022. Prospective cohort studies reporting diagnostic properties of TMHT in relation to Cormack and Lehane grading in patients aged more than 16 years, either sex, scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia, requiring tracheal intubation with direct laryngoscopy were included in this analysis. Data was extracted or calculated, and meta-analysis was done by the Stata MIDAS module. A total of 23 studies with 5896 patients were included in this analysis. Summary estimates of all included studies are as follows: sensitivity 74% (95% CI, 68–79%); specificity 88% (95% CI, 81–92%); diagnostic odd ratio, 20 (95% CI, 10–40); positive likelihood ratio, 5.9 (95% CI, 3.6–9.6); and negative likelihood ratio, 0.30 (95% CI, 0.23–0.39). Summary sensitivity and specificity for studies with a prespecified threshold were 82% (95% CI, 71–89%) and 94% (95% CI, 87–98%), respectively. The estimated area under curve (AUC) was 85% (95% CI, 81–88%). There was no significant threshold effect but significant heterogeneity in both sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity in sensitivity became insignificant after removing two outliers of sensitivity analysis. It is concluded that THMT has an overall optimal predictive value for DL in adult patients with diverse ethnicity and various risk factors, displaying better predictive values in a large patient population comparing to other recent reported bedside assessments and a previous meta-analysis. As significant heterogeneity brought by un-standardized application of external laryngeal manipulations in the included studies may have biased the results of this meta-analysis, the actual predictive value of TMHT for DL still awaits further studies with good designs and large sample sizes for better determination.
SALL4: An Intriguing Therapeutic Target in Cancer Treatment

Spalt-Like Transcription Factor 4 (SALL4) is a critical factor for self-renewal ability and pluripotency of stem cells. On the other hand, various reports show tight relation of SALL4 to cancer occurrence and metastasis. SALL4 exerts its effects not only by inducing gene expression but also repressing a large cluster of genes through interaction with various epigenetic modifiers. Due to high expression of SALL4 in cancer cells and its silence in almost all adult tissues, it is an ideal target for cancer therapy. However, targeting SALL4 meets various challenges. SALL4 is a transcription factor and designing appropriate drug to inhibit this intra-nucleus component is challenging. On the other hand, due to lack of our knowledge on structure of the protein and the suitable active sites, it becomes more difficult to reach the appropriate drugs against SALL4. In this review, we have focused on approaches applied yet to target this oncogene and discuss the potential of degrader systems as new therapeutics to target oncogenes.
TERT and TET2 Genetic Variants Affect Leukocyte Telomere Length and Clinical Outcome in Coronary Artery Disease Patients—A Possible Link to Clonal Hematopoiesis

Inherited and acquired mutations in hematopoietic stem cells can cause clonal expansion with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a condition known for the clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Inherited genetic variants in two CHIP-associated genome loci, the telomerase gene telomerase enzyme reverse transcriptase (TERT) (rs7705526) and the epigenetic regulator ten–eleven translocation 2 (TET2) (rs2454206), were investigated in 1001 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (mean age 62 years, 22% women), with regards to cardiovascular outcome, comorbidities, and leukocyte telomere length. Over 2 years, mutated TERT increased the risk two-fold for major clinical events (MACEs) in all patients (p = 0.004), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in male patients (p = 0.011), and stroke in female patients (p < 0.001). Mutated TET2 correlated with type 2 diabetes (p < 0.001), the metabolic syndrome (p = 0.002), as well as fasting glucose, HbA1c, and shorter telomeres (p = 0.032, p = 0.003, and p = 0.016, respectively). In conclusion, our results from stable CAD patients highlight TERTs’ role in CVD, and underline TET2s’ role in the epigenetic regulation of lifestyle-related diseases.
Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma with Exuberant CD30-Positive Follicular Dendritic Cell Proliferation in a SARS-CoV-2 Patient: The Role of Mutational Analysis to Exclude an Associated Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) proliferation in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is still not well defined, challenging the accurate differential diagnosis between the AITL with expanded follicular dendritic cell meshwork and the combined AITL and follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS). Herein, we reported the case of a 58-year-old male with coexisting SARS-CoV-2 infection and AITL with an exuberant CD30-positive FDC proliferation, in which genetic analysis identified mutations of genes commonly involved in AITL but not in FDC sarcoma (i.e., RHOA, TET2, DNMT3A, and IDH2), thus supporting the reactive nature of the CD30-positive FDC expansion.
Factors associated with quality of life (QOL) scores among methadone patients in Myanmar

The Drug Dependency Treatment and Research Unit (DDTRU) in Myanmar established opioid substitution with methadone in 2006. Reducing HIV transmission could be affected by eliminating the unsafe needle sharing among injecting drug uses and treatment with opioid substitution. The quality of life (QOL) among the clients retained in the methadone program is important for their personal development and is an indication of the treatment efficacy. This study evaluated factors associated with the QOL of methadone patients to ensure efficient service delivery. It also identified how patients’ characteristics had differed QOL scores of respondents. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five cities with stratified random sampling. The study assessed the QOL of methadone patients in Myanmar. The study recruited 210 respondents to answer structured questionnaires for their quality of life: WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires and urine sample collection for methadone and illicit drug use. Survey responses on the QOL were transformed into 100-scale ratings, and higher QOL scores reflect better QOL. The average score of total QOL was 60.82%; precisely 60.09% in the physical domain, 63.11% in the psychological domain, 59.87% in the social relation domain, 60.41% in the environmental domain respectively. Respondents who reported illicit drug use had lower QOL scores. Statistically significant association of the QOL category of the methadone patients was identified with frequent methadone treatment episodes, the infection status of HIV, current treatment on antiretroviral therapy (ART), tuberculosis (TB) treatment history, sexually transmitted infections (STI) history in their lifetime, current work status as peer, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) for drug use, satisfaction with current marital status, satisfaction with current leisure status, history of psychological abuse within 30 days, heroin injection within 30 days, frequency of injection, and reported use of barbiturates (p<0.05). Addressing these factors will improve the treatment service intervention and the quality of life among methadone patients.
Sound radiation from surface cutouts in high speed flow

In an experimental investigation of subsonic and supersonic flows of air past rectangular cavities cut into a flat surface it was discovered that the cavities emit a strong acoustic radiation. The frequency of the sound-producing oscillations measured by a hot wire in the cavity was found to be inversely proportional to the breadth for fixed depth. For fixed breadth the frequency was found to increase, though not systematically, with a decrease in depth. A non-dimensional frequency S is defined in terms of the frequency of emission, the gap breadth, and the free stream velocity. The dependence of S on the various parameters in the problem, such as Mach number, Reynolds number and ratio of the boundary layer thickness to a dimension of the cavity, is discussed in light of appropriate experiments. An estimate of the intensity of the radiation was obtained by means of an optical interferometer of the Mach-Zehnder type. For points located at 3 to 4 cavity breadths from the cavity, intensities of the order of 100 - 150 decibels were found for sound fields from cavities 0.1" deep and 0.1 to 0.2 inch broad at Mach numbers 0.7 to 0.85. Possible mechanisms for the sound production by the cavities are discussed.
Educated into Sinophilia? How Kazakh Graduates/Students of Chinese Universities Perceive China

This article examines perceptions of China and contributes to the ongoing academic debate on Sinophobia in Central Asia. However, unlike existing studies, it specifically focuses on perceptions of those, who have first-hand China experience – Kazakh students/graduates of Chinese universities. Based on in-depth interviews with them, the article argues that those with first-hand China experience tend to reject the China threat theory, found to be widespread among the general population. Instead, China-educated Kazakh youth perceive China mostly as an economic opportunity for their own country. Yet, this does not necessarily make them Sinophiles in the sense that they still express certain concerns related to their country’s potential over-dependence on China. But more interestingly, they see China as the “civilizational other. ” This perceived civilisational abyss even among the more-informed segments of the population appears to be one of the main causes of the alienation of China and the Chinese in Kazakhstan.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SELF-ASSESSMENT IN EFL STUDENT’S SPEAKING PERFORMANCE

A lot of EFL students feel unconfident in performing their English-speaking performance and do not have a decent engagement in self-reflection of their speaking performance development. Self-assessment is one of the assessment techniques that requires students’ participation in its process. The study was conducted to explore whether the implementation of self-assessment results a significant difference in EFL students’ speaking performance. The researcher conducted a quantitative study with a Posttest-Only Control Design. 34 first-year EFL students became the participants in this study. Seventeen students took part in an experimental group and the other seventeen students took part in a control group, in English department at a university in Surabaya, Indonesia. The researcher analyzed data using an Independent Samples t-test. The findings of the Independent Samples t-test indicate that there is a significant difference in experimental group students’ speaking performance after implementing self-assessment. Thus, the teachers are recommended to promote the use of self-assessment in facilitating students’ speaking performance Keywords: speaking performance, self-assessment, EFL student, English-speaking, E-portfolio
Calcium Extract Characterization from Rajungan Crab Shell (Portunus pelagicus) and Bakau Crab Shell (Scylla serrata) using Calcination as Effervescent

One of the prevention of osteoporosis is by taking calcium supplements. Crab shells are calcium sources that can be processed into supplements. Calcium extraction used the calcinations method at 900°C temperature for 4 hours. After calcining the crab shell powder, it was analyzed by using XRD and processed with the Highscore Plus application by using Rietveld method. The best calcium crystals will be used as raw material for effervescent powder. The results showed that calcium crystals from rajungan crab shells contained 0.4% CaCO3 with a crystallite size of 25.9001 nm and 99.6% CaO with a crystallite size of 82.7183 nm with a GoF value of 1.69979. Calcium crystals produced from bakau crab shells were 100% CaO with a crystallite size of 77.3397 nm with a GoF value of 1.90266. Calcium crystals from bakau crab shells were used as effervescent raw materials with 2 different formulations. The results of the organoleptic test from both effervescents showed the same results, namely in the form of a pale yellow powder with a orange scent and sour taste The results of the dispersion time test showed that the 2 formulations had met the requirements with the dispersion time of formula 1 being 31.67 seconds and formula 2 being 32.33 seconds. The results of the water content test of the two formulas met the requirements with the water content of formula 1 being 0.071% and formula 2 being 0.067%.
Impact of Early Nephrology Referral on the Outcomes of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increase in patient mortality and high rates of renal/non-renal complications. Late detection of the disease has been associated with worse prognosis, but no such study has been conducted from Saudi Arabia. Objectives: To assess the impact of early nephrology referral on the outcomes of patients with AKI. Methods: This retrospective record review included all adult patients (≥18 years) with AKI who were referred to the Nephrology Department at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 2019 and July 2020. AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. AKI patients evaluated by nephrologists were stratified into early referral group (i.e., referral in <48 h from the first detection of AKI) and late referral group (referral ≥48 h after the first detection of AKI). Results: A total of 400 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 264 (66%) were early referrals. A significant association was found between delayed referral and mortality rates and length of hospital stay (for both, P = 0.001). Late referral was also significantly associated with increased likeliness of the need for renal replacement therapy (P = 0.037) and sepsis (P = 0.005). Conclusions: The outcomes were worse for patients with AKI receiving late referrals to nephrologists. Raising the awareness of AKI among non-nephrologists would likely increase the proportion of earlier referrals.
Advances in the Formation and Control Methods of Undesirable Flavors in Fish

Undesirable flavor formation in fish is a dynamic biological process, decreasing the overall flavor quality of fish products and impeding the sale of fresh fish. This review extensively summarizes chemical compounds contributing to undesirable flavors and their sources or formation. Specifically, hexanal, heptanal, nonanal, 1−octen−3−ol, 1−penten−3−ol, (E,E)−2,4−heptadienal, (E,E)−2,4−decadienal, trimethylamine, dimethyl sulfide, 2−methyl−butanol, etc., are characteristic compounds causing off−odors. These volatile compounds are mainly generated via enzymatic reactions, lipid autoxidation, environmentally derived reactions, and microbial actions. A brief description of progress in existing deodorization methods for controlling undesirable flavors in fish, e.g., proper fermenting, defatting, appropriate use of food additives, and packaging, is also presented. Lastly, we propose a developmental method regarding the multifunctional natural active substances made available during fish processing or packaging, which hold great potential in controlling undesirable flavors in fish due to their safety and efficiency in deodorization.
A mmWave Automotive Joint Radar-Communications System

We propose a millimeter-wave joint radar-communications (JRC) system comprising a bi-static automotive radar and vehicle-to-vehicle communications. We study the applicability of known phase-modulated-continuous-wave (PMCW) and orthogonal-frequency-division-multiple-access waveforms for bi-static-JRC. In both cases, we design multiplexing strategies to ensure the parameter identifiability, derive JRC statistical bounds and numerically demonstrate superior performance of proposed low-complexity JRC super-resolution algorithms over conventional two-dimensional fast Fourier transform/MUltiple SIgnal Classification.