Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty‐guided self‐ensembling model for semi‐supervised segmentation of multiclass retinal fluid in optical coherence tomography images

Macular edema is the accumulation of fluid leakage from retinal capillaries. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images can show changes in the retinal tissue caused by ophthalmological diseases, such as fluid accumulation. Therefore, the segmentation of retinal fluid is important. Some methods based on image processing and machine learning often require large amounts of labeled data and rich domain knowledge. This study proposes a self‐ensembling semi‐supervised model based on uncertainty guidance, namely, UGNet. The model is trained end‐to‐end with a few labeled data and plenty of unlabeled data, and contains a teacher model and a student model with the same architecture. The two models consist of an encoder and three decoders, which are used to predict the probability map, contour map, and distance map. The segmentation result is the fusion result of the three maps generated by the student model. The selective kernel module (SKM) is embedded in the decoder to make the model adaptively adjust the receptive field according to the size of the fluid. The uncertainty of teacher model evaluation guides the student model to learn more reliable knowledge. The proposed method is trained and evaluated on the RETOUCH challenge dataset. The experimental results show that our method achieves better segmentation results than other start‐of‐the‐art methods.
How to improve Nafion with tailor made annealing

A tailor-made annealing procedure was developed for Nafion in order to avoid a critical degradation of the mechanical properties associated with a decrease of the ionic conductivity. The formation of layered morphologies, prevalently oriented in the direction parallel to the membrane surface, is responsible of the decay in fuel cell operation conditions. Nafion membranes are annealed at 140 °C over 7 days in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a proton-acceptor solvent. The important increase of mechanical stability is related to the formation of a crystalline phase, which acts as a physical cross-linker. The procedure is followed by hydrothermal annealing in liquid water in order to obtain an optimal water uptake at equilibrium (tailor made). To better understand the behavior of these polymers, we use the INCA method (Ionomer nc Analysis) and compare with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The stabilized materials are proposed for use in intermediate temperature fuel cells, where the mechanical stabilization by the annealing procedure plays a fundamental role.
Banana Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Revised! HS-10, a 13-page fact sheet by Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, and Ian Maguire, provides general information to Florida homeowners for growing bananas. Includes tables of cultivars available in south Florida, cultural calendar, fertilizer program, and nutrient values for raw banana fruit. This version expands and updates information throughout, while narrowing the content to specifically address the needs of a homeowner audience. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, September 2005. HS10/MG040: Banana Growing in the Florida Home Landscape (ufl.edu)
The age and palaeomagnetism of Jurassic dykes, western Dronning Maud Land: implications for Gondwana breakup

Abstract New 40Ar/39Ar data from dykes intruded into Sverdrupfjella and Ahlmanryggen, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, indicate that dyke emplacement commenced at c. 207 Ma and lasted until c. 178 Ma. Whereas the ages ascribed to the Karoo-age magmatism contributing to Gondwana breakup are typically inferred as being c. 182 Ma, the data indicate that ages older than c.192 Ma in the broader Karoo Province are restricted to western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, indicating the locality where breakup was initiated. Limited palaeomagnetic data from c. 178–185 Ma dykes combined with published palaeomagnetic data from similar-aged dykes in Vestfjella and the Ferrar Province, suggest that Antarctica had already drifted/rifted significantly away from southern Africa from c. 207 to c. 180 Ma, earlier than previously thought. The data, if correct, require a re-evaluation of the ages ascribed to ocean-floor anomalies used to constrain reconstructions of Gondwana and may provide insight into the history of microcontinental blocks including the Falkland Islands, Haag nunataks, Ellsworth–Whitmore block and Maurice Ewing Bank. Supplementary material: Petrography, Ar isotope data from all samples and summary of ages are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare. c.5612838
Reliability of an automated gaze‐controlled paradigm for capturing neural responses during visual and face processing in toddlerhood

Abstract Electroencephalography (EEG) has substantial potential value for examining individual differences during early development. Current challenges in developmental EEG research include high dropout rates and low trial numbers, which may in part be due to passive stimulus presentation. Comparability is challenged by idiosyncratic processing pipelines. We present a novel toolbox (“Braintools”) that uses gaze‐contingent stimulus presentation and an automated processing pipeline suitable for measuring visual processing through low‐density EEG recordings in the field. We tested the feasibility of this toolbox in 61 2.5‐ to 4‐year olds, and computed test–retest reliability (1‐ to 2‐week interval) of event‐related potentials (ERP) associated with visual (P1) and face processing (N290, P400). Feasibility was good, with 52 toddlers providing some EEG data at the first session. Reliability values for ERP features were moderate when derived from 20 trials; this would allow inclusion of 79% of the 61 toddlers for the P1 and 82% for the N290 and P400. P1 amplitude/latency were more reliable across sessions than for the N290 and P400. Amplitudes were generally more reliable than latencies. Automated and standardized solutions to collection and analysis of event‐related EEG data would allow efficient application in large‐scale global health studies, opening significant potential for examining individual differences in development.
Strengthening MTSS for Behavior (MTSS-B) to Promote Racial Equity

Abstract Despite widespread implementation of multitiered systems of support for behavior (MTSS-B), evidence of racial discipline disproportionality persists. We argue MTSS-B must prioritize racial equity and healing in schools. We first discuss how discipline has centered Whiteness, providing a brief history of relevant events and sociopolitical forces that have maintained a reliance on exclusionary discipline practices with a primary focus on out-of-school suspension to oppress youth of color, specifically Black students. Then, we describe the harm exclusionary discipline has caused the Black community by synthesizing counter-storytelling. Finally, we propose ways to strengthen MTSS-B to promote racial equity with a primary focus on supports to adults in the systems in which oppression is maintained. We propose school psychologists can (a) empower students, families, and communities to engage in authentic partnerships, (b) advocate to educational leaders, (c) coordinate transformative staff professional development, and (d) support teachers to create inclusive and healing classroom communities. We frame these suggestions within an ecological–behavioral paradigm that considers root conditions of harm. Impact Statement Discipline in U.S. public schools has long been rooted in White centrality, and exclusionary practices (e.g., out-of-school suspension) have caused harm to individuals, particularly in the Black community. School psychologists are poised to strengthen the design and delivery of behavior supports provided in schools to center racial equity and address this sustained harm. School psychologists must focus on providing supports to adults (e.g., educators) in the systems in which oppression is maintained to propel change.
Comparative study of the properties of sericin-gelatin nanofibrous wound dressing containing halloysite nanotubes loaded with zinc and copper ions

Abstract This study introduces and characterizes a novel antibacterial wound dressing from gelatin-sericin nanofibers containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with therapeutic copper and zinc ions. Finer fibers with faster bactericidal activity were observed in the Cu2+ containing mat; however, the fibroblast viability was reduced in these samples. On the contrary, Zn+2 loaded nanofibers exhibited the best hosting area for fibroblast cells attachment, viability, and collagen secretion. Therefore, the proliferative effects of Zn-loaded gelatin-sericin nanofibers along with sufficient mechanical properties and favorable antibacterial activity proved that such a nanocomposite can have a potential of use as an antibacterial wound dressing. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Examining Associations Between Major Negative Life Events, Changes in Weekly Reports of Post-Traumatic Growth and Global Reports of Eudaimonic Well-Being

Research on post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been compromised by methodological limitations. Recent process-oriented accounts of personality suggest, however, that positive changes may occur through short-term (i.e., state-level) changes in PTG. In the current year-long study, 1,247 participants provided weekly reports of significant negative events as well as state manifestations of PTG (up to 44 assessments per individual; 34,205 total). Trait assessments of eudaimonic well-being (EWB) were administered at intake and Weeks 45 and 52. Experiencing negative life events predicted increases in state PTG, which in turn predicted increases in EWB. However, stability was observed when modeling prospective changes in overall state PTG before and after the initial negative life event or across all negative life events occurring during the study time frame. These findings highlight the importance of studying PTG-related processes using appropriate research designs, analytic strategies, and time frames.
Arteriovenous Fistula Nonmaturation: What’s the Immune System Got to Do with It?

Visual Abstract Key Points Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) nonmaturation is a persistent problem, and there are some notable disparities in AVF maturation outcomes by sex and race. Panel reactive antibodies (PRA) are markers of immune system reactivity that tend to be higher among female and Black patients, and are associated with greater cardiovascular mortality outside the transplant setting. On multivariable analysis, class II PRA were independently associated with greater rates of AVF nonmaturation in this study population, suggesting a possible role for the adaptive immune system in AVF maturation outcomes. Background Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) nonmaturation is a persistent problem, particularly among female and Black patients. Increasingly, the immune system has been recognized as an important contributor to vascular disease, but few studies have examined immune factors relative to AVF maturation outcomes. This study evaluated the association of serum panel reactive antibodies (PRA), a measure of immune system reactivity assessed in patients undergoing kidney transplant evaluation, with AVF nonmaturation. Methods We identified 132 patients at our institution who underwent surgical AVF placement between 2010–2019 and had PRA testing within 1 year of AVF creation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of patient demographic and clinical factors, class I and class II PRA levels, and preoperative arterial and venous diameters with AVF maturation outcomes. Results AVF nonmaturation was more likely in females than males (44% versus 20%, P=0.003) and in Black than white patients (40% versus 13%, P=0.001). Class II PRA was higher in females than males (12%±23% versus 4%±13%, P=0.02). In the multivariable model, AVF nonmaturation was associated with class II PRA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.34 per 10% increase; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04 to 1.82, P=0.02) and Black race (aOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.02 to 10.89, P=0.03), but not with patient sex or preoperative arterial or venous diameters. Conclusions The association of elevated class II PRA with AVF nonmaturation suggests the immune system may play a role in AVF maturation outcomes, especially among female patients.
Extrinsic Defects in Crystalline MoO3: Solubility and Effect on the Electronic Structure

The effect of six potential contaminants (Cu, In, Ga, Se, Sn, and Zn) and five potential dopants (Ti, Mn, Sc, V, and Y) on the electronic and optical properties of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) contact layers for solar cells was investigated using point defect analysis based on density functional theory simulations. Of the contaminants investigated, Sn, In, and Ga were found to be highly insoluble at all relevant temperatures and pressures and therefore not a concern for solar cell manufacturing. Zn, Cu, and Se exhibit some solubility, with the latter two appearing to introduce detrimental defect states near the valence band. This contamination can be avoided by increasing the O2 partial pressure during MoO3 deposition. Of the five potential aliovalent dopants, Sc, Ti, and Y were disregarded because of their limited solubility in MoO3, whereas V was found to be highly soluble and Mn somewhat soluble. The effect of Mn and V doping was shown to be strongly dependent on the O2 partial pressure during deposition, w.
Fabrication of polytetrafluoroethylene nanofibrous membranes for guided bone regeneration

In this study, we first prepared the precursor polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibrous membranes by electrospinning with different PTFE/PEO weight ratios. These membranes exhibited three-dimensional interconnected pore structures. The average diameter of the precursor nanofibres decreased with increased PTFE contents from 633 ± 34 nm (PTFE/PEO weight ratio of 5 : 1) to 555 ± 63 nm (PTFE/PEO weight ratio of 7 : 1) because of the decrease in solution viscosity. Then, the precursor membranes were sintered with different temperatures to obtain the PTFE nanofibrous membranes, resulting in the average diameter of the nanofibres increasing from 633 ± 34 nm to 947 ± 78 nm with the increase in sintering temperature; consequently, the membrane became more compact. This compaction caused a decrease in porosity from 76.5 ± 2.9% to 69.1 ± 2.6% and an increase in water contact angle from 94.1 ± 4.2° to 143.3 ± 3.5°. In addition, the mechanical properties of the PTFE nanofibrous membranes increased with increasing sintering temperature. Cytocompatibility test results revealed that the PTFE350 membrane, which was sintered at 350 °C, promoted the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells more rapidly than other membrane types. These results suggested that the PTFE nanofibrous membranes could be ideal biomaterials in tissue engineering for bone regeneration.
Ion fluxes towards surfaces exposed to EUV-induced plasmas

• A submitted manuscript is the author's version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Impact of cadmium levels in fertilisers on cadmium accumulation in soil and uptake by food crops

Cadmium (Cd) and other heavy metals (lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn)) occur naturally in fertilisers but at variable levels. To determine whether or not levels of metals in fertiliser affect the absorption of Cd and other metals by agricultural crops, a greenhouse study was performed to measure the uptake of Cd and other metals from 7 different soils grounds treated with either mineral fertiliser with increasing levels of Cd and one type of animal manure (cattle manure). The results show that there is no significant difference in absorption of Cd nor on other metals when P fertiliser is used with levels of Cd varying between 0.04 and 60 mg Cd kg-1 P2O5. Differences in soil properties (e.g. acidity and organic matter content) in combination with the content of Cd in the soil control the short term (1 harvest cycle) variation of Cd concentrations in crops. Long-term (100 years) calculations on a field and regional scale, however, show that the content of Cd in P fertilisers does affect both levels in soil and that in crops. Dynamic model simulations at EU level indicate that accumulation of Cd in soil (arable and grassland) continues if the Cd content in P fertilisers exceeds 20 mg Cd kg-1 P2O5. The calculated average long-term relative changes in both soil and arable crops relative to current levels are in the order of magnitude of +0.2% if no more Cd is applied via P fertiliser to 12.1% to 16% if, at the European level the concentration of Cd in mineral P-fertilisers averages 60 or 80 mg Cd kg-1 P2O5 respectively.
The influence of outdoor light on biomass, nitrogen, and phytohormone concentrations of a nitrogen-fixing Anabaena sp. Cyanobacterium

THE INFLUENCE OF OUTDOOR LIGHT ON BIOMASS, NITROGEN, AND PHYTOHORMONE CONCENTRATIONS OF A NITROGEN-FIXING ANABAENA SP. CYANOBACTERIUM Cultivation of a strain of freshwater heterocystous N-fixing cyanobacterium, collected in Fort Collins, CO, with 99% similarity to Anabaena cylindrica, was scaled up to raceway production volumes of 2200L for application as a fertilizer for horticultural crops. Previous research at Colorado State University showed that an Anabaena sp. -based fertilizer is comparable to organically certified sources of N, such as fish emulsion, blood meal, and feather meal. Although previous laboratory cultivations produced up to 1017 mg L-1 biomass and 110 mg L-1 N during a 14-d growth period, two week batch production in on-farm open raceways, under polyethylene covered high tunnels, and without CO2 supplementation, achieved only 296 mg L-1 biomass and 30.0 mg L-1 N. Furthermore, algae and cyanobacteria, including Anabaena, have been reported to produce a number of phytohormones under laboratory conditions. However, it is not known which phytohormones would be produced at detectable concentrations in an Anabaena sp. based culture under outdoor batch cultivation conditions. It is also unknown whether the resulting phytohormone concentrations would be sufficient to influence crop growth. The primary goal of this study was to increase daily productivity (24-hr gains in biomass) and 14-d batch biomass and N concentrations of Anabaena sp. cultures under outdoor production by addressing light and CO2 availability, the two limiting factors in cyanobacterial growth. A
Determination of the Prandtl's Stress Function for Non-Warping Anisotropic Cross Section

The object of this paper is the Saint-Venant torsion of homogeneous anisotropic cross section. The classes of anisotropy considered has at least one plane of elastic symmetry, which is normal to the axis of the beam. A new and very simple derivation is given to obtain the boundary contour of the non-warping anisotropic cross section. The determination of the torsional rigidity in terms of area of the cross section is also presented.
Self-diffusion coefficient of bulk and confined water: a critical review of classical molecular simulation studies

ABSTRACT We present a detailed overview of classical molecular simulation studies examining the self-diffusion coefficient of water. The self-diffusion coefficient is directly associated with the calculations of tracer or mutual diffusion coefficient of mixtures and, therefore, is a fundamental transport property, essential for an accurate description of mass transfer processes in biological, geological (i.e. energy or environmentally related), and chemical systems. In the current review we explore two distinct research areas. Namely, we discuss the self-diffusion of water in the bulk phase and under confinement. Different aspects that affect the diffusion process, including the molecular models, the system-size effects, the temperature and pressure conditions and the type of confinement are discussed. Finally, possible directions for future research are outlined.
Mortality salience and the Trolley Problem in Medical Students

Terror Management Theory predicts that when subjects are exposed to mortality salience (i.e. they are reminded of their death), they develop higher levels of anxiety and have stronger holdings for their cultural worldviews. Mortality salience also makes subjects more cautious in many daily activities. These premises lead to the hypothesis that, under mortality salience, subjects are more deontological in their moral judgments. To test this hypothesis, medical students from a Caribbean school were presented with two classical versions of the Trolley Problem. Subjects were placed in two groups, on the basis of a computer random generator. One group was not exposed to mortality salience, the other group was. Results came out showing that being under mortality salience does not significantly increase the probability that subjects have a deontological approach to ethics.
The sustainable impacts of teacher action research on EFL teachers in Indonesia

Action research has been a prominent topic in continuous professional development literature. Studies have evidenced its potentials for teachers, but not many have discussed the sustainability of the research as a means of Teacher Professional Development (TPD) as well as its sustainable impact. Underpinning the issue of sustainability, the present study aims at investigating what factors made the teachers choose to continue conducting teacher action research, and what pedagogical and professional competences perceived changed as sustainable impacts of Teacher Action Research (TAR). This qualitative study with a phenomenological undertone adapted Seidman’s framework to conduct in-depth interviews with five English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. The results showed that motivation and self-efficacy belief, institutional supports, and collaboration with academics/universities were essentials for sustainable engagement with the research. Pedagogically, the teachers increased their awareness of the students’ characteristics, knowledge of effective learning, and ability to carry out reflective teaching. In terms of professional competence, they felt very confident and were able to make more publications. This study implies that TAR is a model of TPD that is able to develop EFL teachers’ professionalism where they can establish a better practice and develop themselves as professionals and individuals on daily basis, without leaving their students.
Finite growth of InGaN/GaN triple-quantum-well microdisks on LiAlO2 substrate

We have grown high-quality InxGa1-xN/GaN triple-quantum-well microdisks on LiAlO2 substrate by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The InxGa1-xN/GaN microdisk with a hexagonal shape of oblique face 28o-angle off c-axis was achieved. The mechanism of the termination of awl-shaped growth and the growth rates of GaN-barrier and InxGa1-xN-well were evaluated and confirmed with the triple quantum wells. Based on the growth rates and 28o-angle geometric shape, one can control the finite size of InGaN/GaN microdisks by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy.