Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
associations between gestation length and production, fertility, survival, and calf traits

Gestation length may be a useful selection criterion in the genetic evaluation of fertility for New Zealand’s predominantly seasonally calving dairy herd. However, it is unknown if calves born following shorter gestation lengths have lower survival or are compromised in their subsequent performance as a milking cow. In this study, data from a large number (~38,000) of cows were first analyzed to determine if those animals born following a short (shortest 5%) or a long (longest 5%) gestation length differed in their subsequent fertility, milk production, and survival compared with interme-diate-gestation-length animals. To determine the effect of gestation length on calving difficulty and perinatal mortality, the gestation records of the calves born to these cows (from their heifer and subsequent 6 parities) were also analyzed. Animals born following short gestation lengths had improved fertility (specifically, their probability of being presented for mating in the first 21 d of the mating season was increased by 4 to 5 percentage points and the day of the calving season at which they calved was 2 to 5 d earlier), whereas those born following long gestation lengths had decreased fertility (3 to 4% less likely to be presented for mating in the first 21 d of the calving season and calved 3 to 5 d later) compared with animals with average gestation lengths. Both short-and long-gestation-length animals produced significantly less milk and solids (e.g., 1.3 to 1.4 kg of protein over a standardized 270-d lactation) relative to intermediate-gestation-length cows, after adjusting for the day of the year they were born. However, for short-gestation-length cows, this effect disappeared when the earlier birth advantage was retained. Short-gestation-length cows did not exhibit a significant reduction in survival compared with intermediate-gestation-length cows. Short gestation length did not affect calving difficulty but long gestation length was negatively associated with this trait (i
A Report on the 2008 Test Excavation at the Sankeshu Paleolithic Site in the Nihewan Basin

The Sankeshu Paleolithic site was discovered in the northeast area of Donggutuo village,Yangyuan County,Hebei Province. From a test excavation in autumn of 2008,251 stone artifacts and some fragmentary bones and teeth were unearthed in four cultural layers. The artifacts included: cores,flakes,tools,chunks and debris,with tools represented by scrapers, points,endscrapers,notches,denticulates,burins,awls and borers. Endscrapers and notches were common in layers 4 and 5. Six "DGT cores"were found in layers 4-6. Most of stone artifacts were small and middle sized. Raw material was mainly quartzose sandstone,quartz, chert,dolomite and basalt,which were common in local bedrock and cobbles. Like the Hougou site,the Sankeshu site is also located in the upper part of the Nihewan Beds and thus belongs to a rarely found late period site in this area. This site is situated just below the Hougou site and above the Maliang site,and therefore the age of the site should be later than the former but earlier than the latter. Considering the cultural features,materials from this site can reasonably belong to the middle or late period of the Middle Pleistocene. The discovery of "DGT cores" here strengthens the significance of this site for discussing tradition of small tool industry including microlithic culture in north China.
MIT Open Access Articles Determination of nanoparticle size distribution together with density or molecular weight by 2D analytical ultracentrifugation

Nanoparticles are finding many research and industrial applications, yet their characterization remains a challenge. Their cores are often polydisperse and coated by a stabilizing shell that varies in size and composition. No single technique can characterize both the size distribution and the nature of the shell. Advances in analytical ultracentrifugation allow for the extraction of the sedimentation ( s ) and diffusion coefficients ( D ). Here we report an approach to transform the s and D distributions of nanoparticles in solution into precise molecular weight ( M ), density ( ρ P ) and particle diameter ( d p ) distributions. M for mixtures of discrete nanocrystals is found within 4% of the known quantities. The accuracy and the density information we achieve on nanoparticles are unparalleled. A single experimental run is sufficient for full nanoparticle characterization, without the need for standards or other auxiliary measurements. We believe that our method is of general applicability and we discuss its limitations
The impact of changing surface ocean conditions on the dissolution of 5 aerosol iron

Matthew P. Fishwick, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University 8 of Plymouth, UK 9 10 Peter N. Sedwick, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University, 11 Virginia, USA 12 13 Maeve C. Lohan, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of 14 Plymouth, UK 15 16 Paul J. Worsfold, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of 17 Plymouth, UK 18 19 Kristen N. Buck, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Bermuda; Present address: College of 20 Marine Science, University of South Florida, Florida, USA 21 22 Thomas M. Church, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, 23 Delaware, USA 24 25 Simon J. Ussher, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of 26 Plymouth, UK 27 28 Corresponding author: Simon J. Ussher, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental 29 Sciences, B519 Portland Square, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK 30 (sussher@plymouth.ac.uk) 31 32 33
Complex alterations in in�ammatory pain and analgesic sensitivity in young and ageing female rats: involvement of ASIC3 and Nav1.8 in primary sensory neurons

Background The therapeutic failure in the management of chronic in�ammatory pain in geriatric populations arises from drug-associated toxicity and lack of speci�c regulation of nociceptor excitability. Methods We compared 6 and 24 months-old female Wistar rats that underwent cutaneous in�ammation to examine the role of Nav1.8 and ASIC3 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in long-term in�ammatory pain. We carried out this using a combination of behavioral pain assessments, qPCR, quantitative immunohistochemistry, selective pharmacological manipulation, ELISA, and the in vitroevaluation of cytokine effects.
Impact of umbelliprenin-containing niosome nanoparticles on VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression in retinal pigment epithelium cells.

AIM To investigate the impact of niosome nanoparticles carrying umbelliprenin (UMB), an anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory plant compound, on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) genes in a human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-like retina-derived cell line. METHODS UMB-containing niosomes were created, optimized, and characterized. RPE-like cells were treated with free UMB and UMB-containing niosomes. The IC50 values of the treatments were determined using an MTT assay. Gene expression of VEGF-A and CTGF was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Niosomes' characteristics, including drug entrapment efficiency, size, dispersion index, and zeta potential were assessed. Free UMB had an IC50 of 96.2 µg/mL, while UMB-containing niosomes had an IC50 of 25 µg/mL. RESULTS Treatment with UMB-containing niosomes and free UMB resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-A expression compared to control cells (P=0.001). Additionally, UMB-containing niosomes demonstrated a significant reduction in CTGF expression compared to control cells (P=0.05). However, there was no significant reduction in the expression of both genes in cells treated with free UMB. CONCLUSION Both free UMB and niosome-encapsulated UMB inhibits VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression. However, the latter demonstrates significantly greater efficacy, potentially due to the lower UMB dosage and gradual delivery. These findings have implications for anti-angiogenesis therapeutic approaches targeting age-related macular degeneration.
Knowledge, attitude, and esthetic perceptions about dental fluorosis amongst the rural population in Meerut District, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction/Background: Fluorosis has attained an alarming dimension all over the world. It has been identified as an endemic disease among which Uttar Pradesh is facing serious health problems. Aim and Objectives: This study is aimed to determine the awareness about fluorosis among the rural population examined during oral health screening camps, to assess the opinions about the appearance of dental fluorosis and to correlate the perception of dental fluorosis with the psychological health of the rural population. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was used for the assessment of knowledge, attitude, and esthetic perception toward dental fluorosis among the rural population of Meerut. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four blocks of Meerut where 677 patients were screened positive for dental fluorosis were selected. Results: The present study revealed that 80% of the study populations were aware of the dental fluorosis and 51.2% of the study population knew about the availability of the treatment for dental fluorosis. The study participants had a negative attitude toward the dental fluorosis as 70.9% of them never consulted the dentist and 31.5% responded that they do not find their teeth to be esthetic. Conclusion: Dental fluorosis is a not only a cosmetic problem that impairs social well-being but also affects the oral health-related quality of life.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SURFACE RUPTURE OF THE M_S 7.1 YUSHU,QINGHAI PROVINCE EARTHQUAKE AT TWO REPRESENTATIVE PLACES

The MS 7.1Yushu,Qinghai earthquake on April 14th,2010 generated a surface rupture zone about 65km long.The west of Ganda Village,D1,and Guo Qing Yi Rong Song Duo,D2,are the two most representative places of surface rupture characteristics of the MS 7.1 earthquake in Yushu,Qinghai Province.Survey results on co-seismic surface rupture characteristics at the two locations show that:(1)Surface rupture extends along the remains of late Quaternary activities on the pre-existing fault,and at the west of Ganda Village,the surface rupture is composed of tensile shear fcractures arranged en echelon,with mole tracks.Most part of the surface rupture is distributed along the paleoseismology trench,and through measuring an offset wall,we get the offset of 1.4m. (2)At Guo Qing Yi Rong Song Duo,the surface rupture zone consists of a series of right-step en echelon sub-cracks with a spacing about 30m each other,and the sub-crack is formed by the right step cracks,with a spacing of 3～5m.The mole track-tension crack and crack belt compose the single rupture,which are along the slope wash in front of the mountain.The surface rupture across the river valley appears as compressional ridge and sag pond in the valley.The offset of a fence is measured to be 1.4m. (3)The surface rupture shows left-lateral strike-slip characteristics,with no significant vertical component.The surface rupture mode shows a typical strike slip character.The surface rupture distributed along the pre-existing offset landforms reflects that the Ganzi-Yushu Fault,which is an active fault of Late Quaternary,is the seismogenic fault of this earthquake.The fault has the character of in situ recurrence of large earthquakes.
Retinal capillary plexus in Parkinson's disease using optical coherence tomography angiography.

AIM To evaluate the alterations of the retinal microvasculature and foveal avascular zone in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). METHODS A retrospective study of PD patients examined in the Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital of Athens, "Georgios Gennimatas" from March 2021 to March 2022 was conducted. Totally 44 patients with PD were included and 18 healthy controls were examined, hence a total of 124 eyes were enrolled in the study. The foveal and parafoveal superficial and deep capillary plexus vascular density (fSCP-VD, fDCP-VD, pSCP-VD, pDCP-CD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were quantified with OCTA. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure macular thickness. Our statistical analysis was conducted by using a mixed effect linear regression model. RESULTS After adjustment for age and gender, the mean parafoveal superficial capillary plexus vascular density (pSCP-VD) and mean parafoveal deep capillary plexus vascular density (pDCP-VD) were significantly decreased in individuals with PD (P<0.001 in both) by -2.35 (95%CI -3.3, -1.45) and -7.5 (95%CI -10.4, -4.6) respectively. fSCP-VD and fDCP-VD didn't approach statistical significance. The FAZ area and perimeter were significantly decreased (P<0.001 in both) by -0.1 mm2 (95%CI -0.13, -0.07) and -0.49 mm2 (95%CI -0.66, -0.32) respectively. Circularity didn't approach statistical significance. Central retinal thickness (CRT) was significantly decreased in individuals with PD (P<0.001) by -23.1 µm (95%CI -30.2, -16) and temporal retinal thickness (TRT) was decreased (P=0.025) by -11 µm (95%CI -22, -1.5) while nasal retinal thickness (NRT) only approached statistical significance (P=0.066). CONCLUSION The mean pSCP-VD, pDCP-VD, CRT and TRT are significantly decreased and FAZ is altered in individuals with PD. These findings can be potentially used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and evaluation of early PD.
Language Teaching Research Quarterly

Most students and practitioners commonly see grammar teaching and learning as both tedious and unattractive experiences. In this sense, more innovative ways of presenting foreign language grammar are needed. One such novel approach is Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT), which has proven to be beneficial in a wide array of disciplines, including language learning. The present exploratory study aims to examine how JiTT contributes to success rates in English grammar learning at two proficiency levels, and to analyse how participants perceive this methodological approach. Sixty-four English as a foreign language students, divided into beginners and intermediate learners, were exposed to five JiTT grammar lessons throughout an academic semester. Participants’ answers on JiTT quizzes and satisfaction questionnaires were recorded and compared to their performance on a final exam based on the same five grammar points presented through JiTT. Statistical analyses revealed that JiTT had little impact on learners’ success rates in grammar learning, although a higher impact was observed in intermediate learners, in comparison to beginners. However, both groups of participants showed positive attitudes towards the intervention. Results are discussed in the light of how teaching English grammar through JiTT contributes to success rates. The potential of JiTT as a good methodology to be used in foreign language teaching is also addressed.
Journal of Plant Production

Two water regimes were applied (control) irrigated every 15 days and irrigated every 30 days. The results showed that water stress and genotypes had significantly affected drought tolerance. The highest genotypes estimate of drought tolerance indices were Giza 1 and Giza 2 which its water stress at 30 days in the two summer seasons 2019 and 2020 respectively. While the lowest one was genotype IS 3382. There was a wide range of drought tolerance among the twenty-one tested genotypes. Correlation among forage yield components indicated that fresh forage yield was positively correlated with all forage yield components under normal and water stress. Dry forage yield was positively correlated with all forage yield components under normal and water stress. Path analysis revealed that dry forage yield exhibited the highest positive direct effect on fresh forage yield as well as showing significant and positive correlation with fresh forage yield. Stem diameter showed the highest negative direct effects on fresh forage yield which was followed by plant height. The results concluded that Sudan grass tolerance the drought at 30 days and the best yield obtained by genotype Giza 1. The genotype Giza 1 followed by the genotype Giza 2 gave the highest tolerance to water stress, while the genotype MV1 followed by the genotype IS 3382 gave the highest sensitivity to the lack of irrigation water periods for Sudan grass under the conditions of this study.
for Modern Sciences and Arts University MSA Dental Journal

Streptococcus mutans is acid producing, acid tolerant bacteria that is involved in the multifactorial process of dental caries. Streptococcus mutans is considered one of the most cariogenic bacteria of the oral flora capable of causing dental caries alone. This was attributed to its ability to produce extracellular polysaccharides that form the oral biofilm through their glucosyltransferase enzymes. Scientists have searched for a method to selectively target these bacteria or their enzymes in an attempt to prevent caries occurrence. This was previously done through the use of artificial products as Chlorhexidine gluconate, however, most artificial products have undesirable side effects. Therefore, researchers are nowadays researching natural products for their antibacterial properties and their ability to inhibit glucosyltransferase enzymes of Streptococcus mutans without the unnecessary side effects. Hence, the aim of this literature review was to focus on the natural products and their ability to inhibit Streptococcus mutans and its glucosyltransferase enzyme.
A double-edge sword: the role of D-chiro-inositol in oocyte and embryo quality

— D-chiro-inositol is one of the nine stereoisomers of inositol, a water-soluble cyclic carbohydrate with six hydroxyl groups. Inositol has an essential function in the activation of crucial enzymes in glucose metabolism. In fact, D-chiro-inositol shortage can lead to insulin resistance development. D-chiro-inosi-tol administration in pathologies where insulin resistance is an important factor, i.e. diabetes, has given satisfying results; however in other disorders, i.e. Polycystic ovary syndrome, this stereoisomer can be detrimental for pregnancy. Indeed, high follicular D-chiro-inositol levels in presence of reduced myo-Inositol values are associated with worsened oocyte quality. In conclusion, some recent studies and re-searches suggest that restoring the physiologic ratio between myo-inositol and D-chiro-ino-sitol is mandatory to protect the efficiency of the reproductive system in women.
Factors influencing willingness to participate in ophthalmic clinical trials and strategies for effective recruitment.

AIM To explore the factors influencing individuals' willingness to participate in ophthalmic clinical trials. METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted from January to April 2021 among patients and their family members at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, in Guangzhou, China. The survey gathered data on respondents' willingness, demographic and socioeconomic profiles, as well as their reasons and concerns regarding engagement in clinical trials. RESULTS Of the 1078 residents surveyed (mean age 31.2±13.1y; 65.8% females) in Guangzhou, 749 (69.5%) expressed a willingness to participate in future ophthalmic clinical trials. Specific characteristics associated with greater willingness included a younger age, lower annual income, higher education, prior participation experience, previous ophthalmic treatment, and a better understanding of clinical trials. With the exception of age, these characteristics were significantly linked to a higher willingness. The primary barrier to participation, expressed by 64.8% of those willing and 54.4% of those unwilling, was "Uncertain efficacy". In terms of motivations, the willing group ranked "Better therapeutic benefits" (35.0%), "Professional monitoring" (34.3%), and "Trust in healthcare professionals" (33.1%) as their top three reasons, whereas the unwilling participants indicated "Full comprehension of the protocol" (46.2%) as the key facilitator. CONCLUSION This study reveals a substantial willingness to participate in ophthalmic clinical trials and demonstrates the predictive role of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Variations in motivators and concerns between willing and unwilling participants highlight the significance of tailored recruitment strategies. Importantly, the need for and trust in healthcare professionals stand out as powerful motivations, underscoring the importance of enhancing physician-patient relationships, adopting patient-centered communication approaches, and addressing individualized needs to improve accrual rates.
Scalable Analytics on Multi-Streams Dynamic Graphs

Several real-time applications rely on dynamic graphs to model and store data arriving from multiple streams. In addition to the high ingestion rate, the storage and query execution challenges are amplified in contexts where consistency should be considered when storing and querying the data. Our work addresses the challenges associated with multi-stream dynamic graph analytics. We propose a database design that can provide scalable storage and indexing, to support consistent read-only analytical queries (present and historical), in the presence of real-time dynamic graph updates that arrive continuously from multiple streams.
An Assessment of Water Distribution Systems and Associated Research Needs

BACKGROUND The purpose of this project was to assess the condition of water distribution systems throughout North America and to develop a 10-year research agenda for the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) oriented toward needs of these systems. The Research Advisory Council (RAC) and the AwwaRF Board of Trustees have always believed that water distribution systems are very important in the supply of high-quality drinking water; however, research in this critical area has sometimes lacked focus.
Philippine retinoblastoma initiative multi-eye center study 2010-2020.

AIM To provide a comprehensive and more representative national data on the disease, especially on treatment options and outcomes, and to determine access of retinoblastoma patients from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to eye care, and determine if access is associated with delay in consultation, staging and outcomes. METHODS Cohort study of retinoblastoma patients seen in eleven institutions located in the three major areas of the Philippines namely Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao from 2010-2020. RESULTS Totally 636 patients, involving 821 eyes, were included. Majority (57%) were from Luzon and were seen in institutions in Luzon (72%). Annually, 58±10 new cases were seen with 71% having unilateral disease. Median delay of consultation remained long at 9 (3, 17)mo, longest in patients with unilateral disease (P<0.02) and those from the Visayas (P<0.003). Based on the International Retinoblastoma Staging System, only 35% of patients had Stage 1 while 47% already had extraocular disease. Enucleation was the most common treatment received by 484 patients while intravenous chemotherapy was received by 469. There were 250 (39%) patients alive, 195 (31%) dead, 85 (13%) abandoned, 17 (3%) refused and 89 (14%) with no data. CONCLUSION This study presents the largest cohort of retinoblastoma patients in the Philippines in terms of patients' and participating institutions' number and geographical location and type of institution (private and public). It also presents more comprehensive data on the treatments used and outcomes (survival, globe salvage, and vision retention rates). Delay in consultation was still long among patients leading to advanced disease stage and lower survival rate. Despite increasing capacity to diagnose and manage retinoblastoma in the country, the delay of consultation remains long primarily due to accessibility issues to eye care institutions especially in the Visayas and financial concerns. The delay was still significant that overall survival rate remain low.