Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bragg scattering of random surface gravity waves by irregular seabed topography

The Bragg scattering of random, non-stationary surface gravity waves by random topography on a gently sloping bottom is investigated. A correction is given of previously published expressions for the triad wave–wave–bottom interaction source term in the spectral energy balance equation, and the result is reconciled with deterministic theories for the reflection of waves from sinusoidal seabed undulations. For both normal and oblique incidence, the stochastic and deterministic theories are equivalent in the limit of long propagation distances. Even for relatively short distances (for example two bottom undulations), the reflected energy predicted by the stochastic source term formulation is generally within 15% of values predicted by deterministic theories. The detuning of Bragg resonance by refraction and shoaling is discussed, suggesting practical validity conditions for the stochastic theory. The effect of bottom scattering on swell propagation is illustrated with numerical model computations for the North Carolina continental shelf using high-resolution bathymetry and an efficient semi-implicit scheme to evaluate the bottom scattering source term and integrate the energy balance equation. Model results demonstrate the importance of forward scattering of waves that propagate at large oblique angles over bottom features with typical scales of one to several surface wavelengths. This process contributes significantly to the directional spread of swell on the continental shelf by diffusing energy, in the spectrum, around the mean wave direction. Back-scattering, caused by bottom features with crests parallel to those of the surface waves and wavelengths close to half the surface wavelength, is weak, owing to the sharp roll-off of the bottom elevation spectrum at high wavenumbers. Model predictions are consistent with field measurements.
Relationship between asporin and extracellular matrix behavior: A literature review

Asporin (ASPN), as a member of the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan family, is a type of protein that is found in the extracellular matrix. Collagen deposition or transformation is involved in a variety of pathological processes. ASPN is identified in cancerous tissue, pathological cardiac tissue, articular cartilage, keloid, and fibrotic lung tissue, and it has a role in the development of cancer, cardiovascular, bone and joint, keloid, and pulmonary fibrosis by interfering with collagen metabolism. This review article summarizes the data on ASPN expressions in mouse and human and highlights that overexpress of ASPN might play a role in a variety of diseases. Although our knowledge of ASPN is currently limited, these instances may help us better understand how it interacts with diseases.
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Effect on Dry Eye Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study

The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and dry eye disease (DED) using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and patients with an NPC diagnosis were included. Next, one NPC patient was matched to four non-NPC participants via demographic data and systemic comorbidities. In total, 4184 and 16,736 participants were enrolled in the NPC and non-NPC groups, respectively. The primary outcome was the development of DED one year after the diagnosis of NPC. Cox proportional hazard regression was applied to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of DED. In this study, 717 and 2225 DED cases were found in the NPC and non-NPC groups, respectively, and the NPC group showed a significantly higher incidence of DED development compared to the non-NPC group (aHR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.33–1.58, p < 0.0001) in the multivariable analysis. The other covariates that were positively correlated with DED development included age over 40 years, an education level higher than senior high school, hypertension, DM, allergic pulmonary diseases, allergic otolaryngologic diseases, and allergic dermatological diseases (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of NPC is an independent risk factor for subsequent DED.
In Vitro Digestion and Colonic Fermentation of UHT Treated Faba Protein Emulsions: Effects of Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Thermal Processing on Proteins and Phenolics

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) protein is a new plant protein alternative source with high nutrient content especially protein and phenolic compounds. The present study investigated physicochemical properties, phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation of faba bean hydrolysates and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Results indicate that the enzymic hydrolysates of faba proteins exhibited higher protein solubility, increased electronegativity, and decreased surface hydrophobicity than native faba protein. O/W emulsions showed improved colloidal stability for the faba protein hydrolysates after ultra-high temperature processing (UHT). Furthermore, UHT processing preserved total phenolic content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities while decreasing total flavonoid content and ferric reducing power. Besides, the release of phenolic compounds in faba bean hydrolysates (FBH) and emulsions (FBE) improved after intestinal digestion by 0.44 mg GAE/g and 0.55 mg GAE/g, respectively. For colonic fermentation, FBH demonstrated an approximately 10 mg TE/g higher ABTS value than FBE (106.45 mg TE/g). Total SCFAs production of both FBH and FBE was only 0.03 mM. The treatment of FBH with 30 min enzymatic hydrolysis displayed relatively higher antioxidant capacities and SCFAs production, indicating its potential to bring more benefits to gut health. Overall, this study showed that enzymic hydrolysis of faba proteins not only improved the colloidal emulsion stability, but also released antioxidant capacity during in vitro digestibility and colonic fermentation. Colonic fermentation metabolites (SCFAs) were related to the degree of hydrolysis for both FBH and FBE. Additional studies are required to further elucidate and differentiate the role of phenolics during faba protein processing and digestion stages in comparison to contributions of peptides, amino acids and microelements to digestion rates, antioxidant capacities and colonial SCFA production.
Cross preferences for colors and shapes

Preferences for colors and geometric shapes vary considerably across individuals. Studies have demonstrated these variations in preference separately for colors and shapes, but the relationships between preference variations for colors and shapes are not yet known. By measuring individual preferences for basic colors and shapes, we found that color preferences and shape preferences were partly, but systematically, correlated. People who preferred some simple shapes (e.g., cone, pyramid) tended to prefer some light or warm colors (e.g., yellow, orange). In contrast, people who preferred some complex shapes (e.g., scrambled truncated-pyramid, scrambled pyramid) tended to prefer some dark or cold colors (e.g., blue, blue-green). That is, people who like “simple” or “complex” visual features might tend to like “light or warm” or “dark or cold” visual features. These results indicate that individual preferences for colors and shapes might not be independent, but could be correlated and intertwined to some extent. We suggest that the semantic information associated with colors and shapes underlies the cross preferences. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 188–195, 2016
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and sports bracelets usage in physical education for freshmen: the role of gender and self-efficacy

ABSTRACT Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and supplemented by social cognitive theory and gender schema theory, this study investigated the interactive mechanism of TAM by incorporating self-efficacy and gender as two factors in students’ usage of sports bracelets. Data were collected from 682 Chinese college freshmen. Results indicated that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU) and attitude towards technology (ATT) significantly influenced students’ intention to use sports bracelets. Self-efficacy (SE) not only was positively associated with PU and PEU, but, more importantly, self-efficacy moderated the relationship between PEU and behavioural intention (BI), and also between ATT and BI marginally. The effects of SE towards BI were found to be more apparent for low PEU and ATT students. In the case of sports bracelets, gender was found to moderate the relationships between PU and BI, and BI increased with PU for males but remained unchanged for females. Implications were discussed.
Effect of MAOA DNA Methylation on Human in Vivo Protein Expression Measured by [11C]harmine Positron Emission Tomography

Abstract Background Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation are understood as an intermediary between environmental factors and neurobiology. Cerebral monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) levels are altered in depression, as are DNA methylation levels within the MAOA gene, particularly in the promoter/exon I/intron I region. An effect of MAOA methylation on peripheral protein expression was shown, but the extent to which methylation affects brain MAO-A levels is not fully understood. Methods Here, the influence of MAOA promoter/exon I/intron I region DNA methylation on global MAO-A distribution volume (VT), an index of MAO-A density, was assessed via [11C]harmine positron emission tomography in 22 patients (14 females) suffering from seasonal affective disorder and 30 healthy controls (17 females). Results No significant influence of MAOA DNA methylation on global MAO-A VT was found, despite correction for health status, sex, season, and MAOA variable number of tandem repeat genotype. However, season affected average methylation in women, with higher levels in spring and summer (Puncorr = .03). We thus did not find evidence for an effect of MAOA DNA methylation on brain MAO-A VT. Conclusions In contrast to a previous study demonstrating an effect of methylation of a MAOA promoter region located further 5’ on brain MAO-A, MAOA methylation of the region assessed here appears to affect brain protein levels to a limited extent at most. The observed effect of season on methylation levels is in accordance with extensive evidence for seasonal effects within the serotonergic system. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT02582398 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02582398).
Survival-Larval Density Relationships in the Field and Their Implications for Control of Container-Dwelling Aedes Mosquitoes

Simple Summary Aedes mosquitoes with larvae that develop in water-filled containers are prominent vectors of disease and are often targets of mosquito control. Laboratory studies and theory suggest that survival of larvae to adulthood decreases as the density of larvae increases. Theory further suggests that this density effect may interact with mosquito control, such that mortality from mosquito control may sometimes increase production of adults. To understand whether such an effect is likely in nature, we conducted field studies of three Aedes species at five sites. Our field studies determined the typical range of densities in the field and quantified the shape of the survival-density relationship. We find that observed larval densities and survival-density relationships vary substantially, often resulting in the prediction that adult production would be unaffected, or even increased, by imposing mortality on larvae. Maximum larval density at a site is strongly and positively related to the likelihood of these counter-productive predicted outcomes. Our results indicate that we cannot assume that killing larvae will result in fewer adults. Effectiveness of mosquito control may be improved by a thorough understanding of how a local mosquito population will respond to achievable levels of larval mortality from mosquito control. Abstract Population density can affect survival, growth, development time, and adult size and fecundity, which are collectively known as density-dependent effects. Container Aedes larvae often attain high densities in nature, and those densities may be reduced when larval control is applied. We tested the hypothesis that density-dependent effects on survival are common and strong in nature and could result in maximal adult production at intermediate densities for Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes triseriatus. We surveyed naturally occurring densities in field containers, then introduced larvae at a similar range of densities, and censused the containers for survivors. We analyzed the survival-density relationships by nonlinear regressions, which showed that survival-density relationships vary among seasons, sites, and species. For each Aedes species, some sites and times yielded predictions that larval density reduction would yield the same (compensation), or more (overcompensation), adults than no larval density reduction. Thus, larval control targeting these Aedes species cannot always be assumed to yield a reduction in the number of adult mosquitoes. We suggest that mosquito control targeting larvae may be made more effective by: Imposing maximum mortality; targeting populations when larval abundances are low; and knowing the shape of the survival-density response of the target population.
H II Region Population in a Sample of Nearby Galaxies with Nuclear Activity. II. Luminosity Function, Size, and Radial Distributions

This paper presents the second part of an extensive study of the properties of the H II region population in a sample of spiral galaxies with active nucleus. This study comprises some 2000 H II regions, distributed in 27 out of the 55 galaxies in the original sample, observed in narrow-band Hα CCD imaging. About 70% of these H II regions are calibrated in absolute flux. We present the luminosity function, size distribution, the relationship between the Hα flux and the size, the emission measure, and the radial distribution of the H II regions in each galaxy. We analyze the main properties of the H II regions attending to the Hubble type and to the level of nuclear activity of the host galaxy.
The Phenolic Profile of Sweet Cherry Fruits Influenced by Cultivar/Rootstock Combination

The influence of three cultivars (‘Carmen’, ‘Kordia’ and ‘Regina’) grafted on six rootstocks (Mahaleb, ‘Colt’, ‘Oblacinska’, ‘M × M 14′, ‘Gisela 5′ and ‘Gisela 6′) on the phenolic profile of sweet cherry fruits was studied during a two-year period. All the individual phenolic compounds were detected using high-pressure liquid chromatography with diode-array detection coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MSn). In all the examined samples, 54 compounds were identified and divided into five phenolic classes: anthocyanins (4 compounds), flavonols (7), flavanols (11), flavanones (4), and hydroxycinnamic acids (28). Anthocyanins (58%) and hydroxycinnamic acids (31%) showed the greatest amounts in all the examined fruit samples. PCA analysis revealed that among the cultivars, ‘Kordia’ showed the highest phenolic content. Regarding rootstocks, the lowest values of the most important phenolic compounds were obtained in fruits from trees grafted onto the seedling rootstock Mahaleb. Among the clonal rootstocks, the vigorous ‘Colt’ and dwarf ‘Gisela 5′ promoted the highest values of the evaluated phenolic compounds in the cultivars ‘Kordia’ and ‘Carmen’, while the dwarf ‘Oblacinska’ and semi-vigorous ‘M × M 14′ induced the highest values in the cultivar ‘Regina’. By evaluating the influence of cultivars and rootstocks on the phenolic content in fruit, it has been proven that the cultivar has the most significant influence. However, the rootstock also influences the content of a large number of phenolic compounds. The selection of an adequate cultivar/rootstock combination can also be a powerful tool for improving the phenolic content in fruits, and consequently the nutritional value of sweet cherry fruits.
A Systematic Review of Amino Acid PET Imaging in Adult-Type High-Grade Glioma Surgery: A Neurosurgeon’s Perspective

Simple Summary Several advantages of molecular imaging, namely, positron emission tomography (PET), have been already described in different settings of glioma management. Particularly, the use of amino acidic radiotracers for PET imaging has gained favor for their added value in diagnosis, grading, guidance, and response to treatment and in order to rule out recurrences. Despite the meaning of the biologically active volume of the tumor, a PET-integrated resection of adult-type diffuse high-grade gliomas is not routinely performed, but it can represent a further perspective for neurosurgeons. A systematic review of the literature has been performed to investigate this topic with a precise focus on the neurosurgeon’s point of view presented, examining the reasons of its limited use in surgical practice and possible applications. Abstract Amino acid PET imaging has been used for a few years in the clinical and surgical management of gliomas with satisfactory results in diagnosis and grading for surgical and radiotherapy planning and to differentiate recurrences. Biological tumor volume (BTV) provides more meaningful information than standard MR imaging alone and often exceeds the boundary of the contrast-enhanced nodule seen in MRI. Since a gross total resection reflects the resection of the contrast-enhanced nodule and the majority of recurrences are at a tumor’s margins, an integration of PET imaging during resection could increase PFS and OS. A systematic review of the literature searching for “PET” [All fields] AND “glioma” [All fields] AND “resection” [All fields] was performed in order to investigate the diffusion of integration of PET imaging in surgical practice. Integration in a neuronavigation system and intraoperative use of PET imaging in the primary diagnosis of adult high-grade gliomas were among the criteria for article selection. Only one study has satisfied the inclusion criteria, and a few more (13) have declared to use multimodal imaging techniques with the integration of PET imaging to intentionally perform a biopsy of the PET uptake area. Despite few pieces of evidence, targeting a biologically active area in addition to other tools, which can help intraoperatively the neurosurgeon to increase the amount of resected tumor, has the potential to provide incremental and complementary information in the management of brain gliomas. Since supramaximal resection based on the extent of MRI FLAIR hyperintensity resulted in an advantage in terms of PFS and OS, PET-based biological tumor volume, avoiding new neurological deficits, deserves further investigation.
Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ba-133 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 133Ba to include the results of the IFIN-HH (Romania) and the NMIJ (Japan)

Since 2005, the Institutul de Fizica si Inginerie Nucleara–"Horia Hulubei" (IFIN-HH) of Romania and the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) have each submitted samples of known activity of 133Ba to the International Reference System (SIR). The values of the activity submitted were about 1.4 MBq and 6.6 MBq. The IFIN result is their first contribution to the SIR for this radionuclide and for the NMIJ this key comparison result has replaced their earlier result dating from 1986. Each of these two new results has contributed to the updating of the KCRV for this radionuclide and is included in the matrix of degrees of equivalence in the key comparison database that now contains nine results for the comparison identified as BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ba-133. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm. org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI Section II, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
Relationship among Body Composition, Adipocytokines, and Irisin on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in COPD: A Pilot Study

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that interferes with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although inflammatory markers, body composition, and nutritional status have a significant impact on pulmonary function, the real contribution of adipocytokines and myokines in COPD is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the role played by the body composition, leptin, adiponectin, haptoglobin, and irisin on the functional exercise capacity, respiratory function, and quality of life (QoL) in COPD. In 25 COPD (20% GOLD-1; 60% GOLD-2; 20% GOLD-3) patients and 26 matched control subjects, we find that leptin, total adiponectin and haptoglobin are significantly increased whereas the 6 min walk test (6MWT) and physical functioning scores are significantly decreased in COPD versus controls. A significant positive relationship is found between leptin and fat mass and between 6MWT and the good health indicators of nutritional status. A significant inverse relationship is found between 6MWT and leptin and fat mass, FEV1 and haptoglobin, and irisin and haptoglobin. Phase angle and leptin level are significant predictors for functional exercise capacity assessed with 6MWT. Taken altogether, the results of this pilot study further support the role played by body composition and adipocytokines on exercise capacity respiratory function and QoL in COPD.
Hormone replacement therapy in women with history of thrombosis or a thrombophilia

Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) randomised placebo-controlled trial (RCT) were published at the beginning of this century. They suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis The findings led to a decline in HRT prescriptions and negative publicity about the use of HRT for women with significant menopausal symptoms. Subsequent studies have shown that the risk of thrombosis with HRT relates to whether estrogen is combined with a progestogen and the route of administration of estrogen. In healthy women with no background medical problems, transdermal hormone replacement is not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. However, much less is known about the safety of various HRT preparations in women with a high background risk of thrombosis. These cases can often be challenging for clinicians with uncertainties around testing for thrombophilia, use of anticoagulation and striking a balance between the risks and benefits of prescribing HRT. This article will review the mechanism of thrombosis with differing types of HRT and present the evidence from the relevant trials. The article will also present the evidence that specifically relates to women with a personal history of thrombosis or thrombophilia (heritable and acquired) to enable clinicians to better individualise the risk assessment for each woman requesting HRT and understand the role of thrombophilia screening or concomitant anticoagulation in such situations.