Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence Rates and Risk Factors for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in the Middle East

Abstract Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease and a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Current data has demonstrated the approximate distribution of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in patients of European, African, Hispanic, and Eastern Asian descent. However, a significant gap in the literature exists regarding the prevalence of POAG in Middle Eastern (ME) populations. Current studies estimate ME POAG prevalence based on a European model. Herein we screened 65 total publications on ME prevalence of POAG and specific risk factors using keywords: “glaucoma”, “prevalence”, “incidence”, “risk factor”, “Middle East”, “Mideast”, “Persian”, “Far East”, as well as searching by individual ME countries through PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Scopus, and Trip searches with additional reference list searches from relevant articles published up to and including March 1, 2021. Fifty qualifying records were included after 15 studies identified with low statistical power, confounding co-morbid ophthalmic diseases, and funding bias were excluded. Studies of ME glaucoma risk factors that identify chromosomes, familial trend, age/gender, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, intraocular pressure, vascular influences, optic disc hemorrhage, cup-to-disc ratio, blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were included in this systematic review. We conclude that the prevalence of POAG in the ME is likely higher than the prevalence rate that European models suggest, with ME specific risk factors likely playing a role. However, these findings are severely limited by the paucity of population-level data in the ME. Well-designed, longitudinal population-based studies with rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria are ultimately needed to accurately assess the epidemiology and specific mechanistic risk factors of glaucoma in ME populations.
Occurrence and Effects of High Temperature Stress in Rations Stored in Container Vans: A Comparison with Storage Studies in the 1950s

Abstract : Three container vans (CVs) used to transport and store rations in Operation Desert Shield/Storm (ODS) in 1991 were obtained and located at the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), Yuma, AZ to monitor heat stress occurring in military rations in a desert climate. One of the vans contained Meal-Ready-To-Eat (MRE) rations, one B Rations, and one Tray Rations. A total of 64 thermocouples were attached throughout the vans and temperatures were recorded hourly. Time-temperature indicators (TTI) were also attached to some cartons, and samples of MREs inserted for sensory evaluations after the summer of storage. Temperatures were analyzed for the summer period from 18 June to 14 September 1992 and compared to similar studies conducted in the 1950s in railroad boxcars. Results show that, despite a smaller headspace in the CVs, the maximum temperatures reached in the top cartons of rations, as in the boxcars, rarely exceeded 120 deg F, although temperatures four inches below the roof reached 142-151 deg F. Mean temperatures of the top ration cartons in CVs were five degrees higher than in boxcars and were five to seven degrees higher than the outside ambient mean. Similar to the situation in boxcars and storage dumps, there appears to be a strong linear correlation between mean weekly ambient air temperature and top carton air temperature. The heat stress in the vans caused appropriate decreases in reflectance with certain TTIs. Significant decreases in sensory qualities of color and other attributes in rations were noted after the summer of storage in the hot desert. Container transport, Hot regions, Deserts, High temperature, Ration storage, Storage, Military rations, Heat stress.
Investigating Behavior of Six Methods for Sediment Transport Capacity Estimation of Spatial-Temporal Soil Erosion

Estimation of sediment transport capacity (STC) plays a crucial role in simulating soil erosion using any physics-based models. In this research, we aim to investigate the pros and cons of six popular STC methods (namely, Shear velocity, Kilinc-Richardson (KR), Effective stream power, Slope and unit discharge, Englund-Hansen (EH), and Unit stream power) for soil erosion/deposition simulation at watershed scales. An in-depth analysis was performed using the selected STC methods integrated into the Grid Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis model for investigating the changes in morphology at spatial-temporal scales at the Cheoncheon watershed, South Korea, over three storm events. Conclusions were drawn as follows. (1) Due to the ability of the KR and EH methods to include an additional parameter (i.e., erodibility coefficient), they outperformed others by producing more accurate simulation results of sediment concentration predictions. The KR method also proved to be superior to the EH method when it showed a more suitable for sediment concentration simulations with a wide range of sediment size and forcing magnitude. (2) We further selected 2 STC methods among the 6 methods to deeply explore the spatial distribution of erosion/deposition. The overall results were more agreeable. For instance, the phenomenon of erosion mainly occurred upstream of watersheds with steep slopes and unbalanced initial sediment concentrations, whereas deposition typically appeared at locations with flat terrain (or along the mainstream). The EH method demonstrated the influence of topography (e.g., gradient slope) on accretionary erosion/deposition results more significantly than the KR method. The obtained results contribute a new understanding of rainfall-sediment-runoff processes and provide fundamental plans for soil conservation in watersheds.
A Cross-National Study of COVID-19 Impact and Future Possibilities Among Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty

The present research examined the association of perceived impact of COVID-19 on emerging adults’ perceptions of their future and the potential mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty on these associations. Specifically, we investigated the associations of perceived financial impact, needed resource impact, and psychological impact on perceptions of future life and financial future. Using online survey data from emerging adults (N = 1768) living in six countries (China, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, and USA), we found that the perceived dimension of impact (i.e., finances, needed resources, and psychological) was negatively associated with perceptions of future life and financial future, despite mean level differences by country. The ability to tolerate uncertainty was a significant mediator only for psychological impact. We conclude the article with suggestions for applying our findings in the design of future interventions.
Nonlinear Seismic Response of Articulated Offshore Tower

The seismic response of articulated offshore tower has been investigated by the spectral analysis method which is based on the principle of random vibration, where seismic excitation is assumed to be a broadband stationary process. The nonlinear dynamic eqliation of motion is derived using Lagrangian approgch and the solution is obtained by Newmark's P integration scheme. The present study includes nonlinearities associated due to variable submergence, drag force, Coulomb damping, variable buoyancy, and added ms along with the geonmrical nonlinearities of the system. The study includes the joint occurrence of waves and seismic fofces together with the current under random sea state. A parametric study has been conducted to investigate the relative importance of the seismic response in comparison to the response due to wave forces. Kywords: Articulated offshore tower, earthquake loading, seismic response, random vibration, base shear, drag, nonlinear dynamics, equation of motion
Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception toward COVID-19 Vaccines among Adults in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that initiated early vaccination programs despite the global challenges concerning the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Massive vaccination campaigns have been undertaken in the country; however, negative perception and hesitancy toward vaccines may exist which could reduce public response to vaccination. Further, studies evaluating the current perception and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccines are scarce. Thus, this study aims to assess the community attitudes and perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study using an online questionnaire was conducted among the public in Jazan, the southern region of Saudi Arabia. General and demographic data were collected, and perception and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated. Results: Most participants in this study were female (67%) with a median age of 23 years. The majority held a bachelor’s degree, and they trusted the Saudi healthcare system. Our survey showed that 67% of the study participants had positive perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines, a finding that is significantly associated with receiving the influenza vaccine in the past, the existence of trust on the current healthcare system and holding positive beliefs toward the effectiveness of the current COVID-19 vaccines in reducing the risk of infection, complication, and mortality. Conclusions: The proportion of the public in Jazan who believed in the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness is not inferior from similar international reports. Thus, national awareness programs toward the effectiveness of the vaccine could be enhanced to accelerate vaccination coverage. Further, nationwide surveys are warranted to include larger populations from different communities to assess the overall perception toward COVID-19 vaccines in the whole country.
Association between quantitative and qualitative image features of contrast-enhanced mammography and molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Background The molecular subtype of breast cancer is one of the most important factors affecting patient prognosis. The study aimed to analyze the association between quantitative and qualitative features of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) images and breast cancer molecular subtypes. Methods This retrospective double-center study included women who underwent CEM between November 2017 and April 2020. Each patient had at least 1 malignant lesion confirmed by pathology. The CEM images were evaluated by 2 radiologists to obtain quantitative and qualitative image features. The molecular subtypes were studied as dichotomous outcomes, including luminal versus non-luminal, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-enriched versus non-HER2-enriched, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) versus non-TNBC subtypes. The association between the image features and molecular subtypes was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) provided. Results A total of 151 patients with 160 malignant lesions were included in the study. For quantitative features, a higher standard deviation of lesion density was associated with non-luminal (OR =0.88, 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.96, P=0.004) and HER2-enriched breast cancers (OR =1.16, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.28, P=0.006). The relative degree of enhancement (RDE) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were not associated with molecular subtypes. However, a higher CNR/lesion size (OR =1.06, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.12, P=0.012) was associated with luminal subtype cancers, and a higher RDE/lesion size (OR =0.94, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.00, P=0.035) or a higher CNR/lesion size (OR =0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.00, P=0.038) was associated with non-TNBCs. For qualitative features, the presence of calcification was associated with HER2-enriched breast cancers (OR =2.91, 95% CI: 1.10 to 7.67, P=0.031). The presence of architectural distortion was associated with luminal cancer (OR =14.50, 95% CI: 1.91 to 110.14, P=0.010) and non-TNBC (OR =0.05, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.43, P=0.022). Non-mass enhancement (OR =2.78, 95% CI: 1.08 to 7.14, P=0.033) was associated with HER2-enriched breast cancers. An association remained after adjustments for age, breast thickness, and breast density (all adjusted P<0.050). Conclusions The quantitative and qualitative imaging features of CEM could contribute to distinguishing breast cancer molecular subtypes.
Snow cover prediction in the Italian Central Apennines using weather forecast and snowpack numerical models

Abstract. Italy is a territory characterized by complex topography with the Apennines mountain range crossing the entire peninsula with its highest peaks in central Italy. Using the latter as area of interest and the winter season during 2018–2019, the goal of this study is to investigate the ability of snow cover models to reproduce the observed snow height, using forecast weather data as meteorological forcing. We here consider two well-known ground surface and soil models: i) Noah LSM, a single-layer Eulerian model; ii) Alpine3D, a multi-layer Lagrangian model. We adopt the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to produce the meteorological data to drive both Noah LSM and Alpine3D at regional scale with a spatial resolution of 3 km. While Noah LSM is already online coupled with the WRF model, we develop here a dedicated offline coupling between WRF and Alpine3D LSM. We validate the WRF simulations of surface meteorological variables in central Italy using a dense network of automatic weather stations, obtaining correlation coefficients of 0.84, 0.58, 0.4, 0.77 and 0.66 for air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, incoming shortwave radiation and daily precipitation, respectively. The performances of both WRF-Noah and WRF-Alpine3D, are evaluated by comparing simulated and measured snow heights, provided by a quality-controlled network of snow stations located in Central Apennines. We find that WRF-Noah and WRF-Alpine3D models present similar correlation coefficients equal to 0.77 and 0.71, respectively, but the WRF-Alpine3D model produces a lower bias (about 2.2 cm) compared to the WRF-Noah model (about −8.0 cm) in the snow height estimation. For the estimation of daily snow height variation WRF-Noah and WRF-Alpine3D present similar results with correlation coefficients of 0.72 and 0.71, respectively, but again WRF-Alpine3D showed a bias lower than WRF-Noah, about 0.09 cm and −0.22 cm respectively. The WRF-Noah model is slightly better than WRF-Alpine3D to reproduce the snow cover area observed with respect to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) with the Jaccard spatial correlation index of 0.38 and 0.36 (optimal value equal 1), respectively, and Average Symmetric Surface Distance (ASSD) of 2.0 and 2.2 (optimal value equal 0), respectively, even though both models tend to overestimate it. We finally show that snow settlement rate in WRF-Alpine3D is mainly driven by densification, whereas in WRF-Noah there is also an important contribution of snow melting especially at high elevation. As a general conclusion, the snow cover extension and height in central Italy at moderate spatial resolution (3 km) are well reproduced by both WRF-Noah and WRF-Alpine3D, but with the latter exhibiting a lower bias likely due to its multi-layer more sophisticated numerical scheme.
Wireless Power and Bidirectional Data Transfer System for IoT and Mobile Devices

Wireless power and bidirectional wireless data transfer system using a conventional 2-coil inductive link is presented for Internet-of-Things (IoT) and mobile applications without any additional coil or antenna. The proposed system utilizes the dual-band frequency shift-keying and the load shift-keying for the downlink and uplink telemetries, respectively, while ∼140 mW power is delivered to the receiver in the 2-coil inductive link. The data rates for downlink and uplink telemetries are 800 kb/s and 14 kb/s with 3.12 × 10−5 and <10−6 bit error rate at 10 mm distance, respectively.
Experimental Investigation of Simultaneous Removal of SO2 and NOx Using a Heteropoly Compound

Aiming at developing a simple, feasible method for SO 2 and NO x removal, in this work, various doping amounts of heteropolyacid and heteropolyacid salts were prepared and used in wet absorption for simultaneous removal of SO 2 and NO. The desulfurization and denitrification performance was evaluated by investigating dynamic SO 2 and NO absorption in a simulated reactor containing a heteropoly compound (HPC) solution along with various factors influencing the reaction. The results demonstrate that this system had a high removal efficiency of SO 2 and modest NO removal. The amount of Wolfram (W) doping and the pH of the solution affecting the removal performance was studied, and a stable SO 2 removal efficiency higher than 95% was obtained for HPW 1 Mo at a pH value of 5.5. In addition, the desulfurization performance of NaPWMo with a 50% removal efficiency was higher than that of the HPWMo solution (20%) after a 60 min reaction time. A high concentration of the NaPWMo solution and the presence of O 2 were beneficial to desulfurization at room temperature. In addition, the removal efficiency of SO 2 or NO by NaPWMo was only affected by its own gas concentration rather than their mutual influences on each other. This work should be beneficial to the optimization leading to the development of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification systems in practical applications.
The Assessment of Food Addiction and the Yale Food Addiction Scale in Bariatric Surgery Populations

Abstract Food addiction (FA) appears among bariatric weight loss surgery candidates who struggle to control the intake of hyperpalatable/refined foods have high rates of psychopathology and related health problems. Despite this, prevalence rates of FA in the bariatric sector are reported as low or variable. We investigated the prevalence of FA and the applicability of conventionally used metrics for 166 pre-surgery candidates from a weight management centre (USA) and a major metropolitan hospital (Australia). Self-report measures assessed FA (Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS)), body mass index (BMI), disordered eating, addictive personality, psychopathology, and diet. Consistent with prior research, standard YFAS scoring, requiring the endorsement of a distress/impairment (D/I) criterion (FA + D/I), yielded a FA prevalence rate of 12.7%, compared to 37.3% when D/I was omitted (FA − D/I). We compared profiles for those with FA using each scoring method against those ‘without’, who did not meet a minimum of three YFAS symptoms (non-FA ≤ 2). Both methods differentiated those with and without FA on addictive traits, disordered eating and hyperpalatable food consumption. Only FA + D/I differentiated markers of psychological distress or impairment, including depression, anxiety and quality of life. Results indicate a need for further FA research in bariatric settings.
Ga2O3(Sn) Oxides for High-Temperature Gas Sensors

Gallium(III) oxide is a promising functional wide-gap semiconductor for high temperature gas sensors of the resistive type. Doping of Ga2O3 with tin improves material conductivity and leads to the complicated influence on phase content, microstructure, adsorption sites, donor centers and, as a result, gas sensor properties. In this work, Ga2O3 and Ga2O3(Sn) samples with tin content of 0–13 at. % prepared by aqueous co-precipitation method were investigated by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and probe molecule techniques. The introduction of tin leads to a decrease in the average crystallite size, increase in the temperature of β-Ga2O3 formation. The sensor responses of all Ga2O3(Sn) samples to CO and NH3 have non-monotonous character depending on Sn content due to the following factors: the formation of donor centers and the change of free electron concentration, increase in reactive chemisorbed oxygen ions concentration, formation of metastable Ga2O3 phases and segregation of SnO2 on the surface of Ga2O3(Sn) grains.
Male–female sensitivity in climate-induced income insecurity: some empirical evidence from farming households in Northern Cameroon

ABSTRACT African women's particular responsibilities in the family make them vulnerable to environmental change, exacerbated by the impacts of climate variability. In light of varying climatic conditions, this paper compares the exposure of female-headed and male-headed rural households to income risk induced by climate variation. Three hundred and twenty households and their farms are observed in the three Northern provinces of Cameroon. Most of them are livestock and crop farmers in a region characterised by high average daily temperatures, longer dry seasons, and shorter rainy seasons. The econometric assessment of incomes and market food expenditure (non-own farm-related expenses) indicates that increases in climate variability have an explicit impact on the expected farm and household incomes and expenditures on food, with significant implications for system's resilience and food security. Risk measured as variations in rainfall or temperature has an unexpected positive significant impact on incomes, with the impact more substantial in female-headed households. However, when the variations in rainfall and temperature double, households experience negative returns to income levels, indicating the insufficiency of the coping choices in cushioning the households against stronger shocks. This has significant consequences on household livelihood security.
Dietary Fiber Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The burden of pancreatic cancer varies greatly across countries, with the number of deaths, incident cases, and disability-adjusted life years more than doubling in recent years, and with high-income countries having the highest incidence and mortality rates. We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis with the goal of summarizing the current evidence on dietary fiber intake and its role in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer, given the importance of identifying risk factors. This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. The structured literature search was conducted on PubMed/Medline and Scopus, combining free text words and medical subject headings. Our review contained 18 records at the end of the process. Our results show that dietary fiber intake reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. When the analysis was differentiated according to the type of fiber considered, sub-grouped by gender (reduction of around 60% among women), and when case-control studies were conducted, the strength of the association increased. Clinicians and policymakers should improve interventions to raise the population’s awareness regarding the consumption of high-fiber diets, both in practice and in terms of public health policy.
Multiband microwave passive devices using generalized negative‐refractive‐index transmission lines (Invited paper)

This article presents an overview of the generalized negative‐refractive‐index transmission‐line (G‐NRI‐TL) and summarizes the design equations that determine the frequencies of each of its four passbands. Specific multiband devices to which G‐NRI‐TLs have been applied are discussed: both a dual‐band coupled‐line coupler operating at 2.7 and 4.7 GHz and a printed single‐ended all‐pass cell with two pairs of right‐ and left‐handed bands are explained. The details of how each may be fabricated in a fully‐printed layout are provided and simulated and measured results are given. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 22:459–468, 2012.