Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bariatric Surgery Improves the Atherogenic Profile of Circulating Methylarginines in Obese Patients: Results from a Pilot Study

Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related comorbidities. Methylarginines are biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, liver steatosis, and insulin resistance. Here, we aimed to investigate methylarginines in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and compared them to age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Thirty-one obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery and 31 healthy individuals were used for this retrospective study. The basal serum methylarginine levels were determined in the healthy individuals and the obese patients, before surgery and 6 and 12 months after surgery, by mass spectrometry. Compared with the healthy individuals, the obese patients displayed elevated monomethylarginine (mean change: +95%, p < 0.001), asymmetric-dimethylarginine (+105%, p < 0.001), symmetric-dimethylarginine (+25%, p = 0.003), and dimethylguanidino valerate (+32%, p = 0.008) concentrations. Bariatric surgery durably reduced the body mass index by 28% (12 months, 95%CI: 24–33, p = 0.002) and improved plasma lipids, insulin resistance, and liver function. Bariatric surgery reduced the serum levels of monomethylarginine and asymmetric-dimethylarginine by 12% (95%CI: 6–17) and 36% (95%CI: 27–45) (12 months, p = 0.003), respectively, but not symmetric-dimethylarginine or dimethylguanidino valerate. The monomethylarginine and asymmetric-dimethylarginine concentrations were strongly correlated with markers of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and a fatty liver. Serum dimethylguanidino valerate was primarily correlated with glycemia and renal function, whereas serum symmetric-dimethylarginine was almost exclusively associated with renal function. In conclusion, the monomethylarginine and asymmetric-dimethylarginine levels are efficiently decreased by bariatric surgery, leading to a reduced atherogenic profile in obese patients. Methylarginines follow different metabolic patterns, which could help for the stratification of cardiometabolic disorders in obese patients.
Genotype-specific transcriptional responses overshadow salinity effects in a marine diatom sampled along the Baltic Sea salinity cline

The salinity gradient separating marine and freshwater environments represents a major ecological divide for microbiota, yet the mechanisms by which marine microbes have adapted to and ultimately diversified in freshwater environments are poorly understood. Here, we take advantage of a natural evolutionary experiment: the colonization of the brackish Baltic Sea by the ancestrally marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi. To understand how diatoms respond to low salinity, we characterized transcriptomic responses of S. marinoi grown in a common garden. Our experiment included eight genotypes from source populations spanning the Baltic Sea salinity cline. Changes in gene expression revealed a shared response to salinity across genotypes, where low salinities induced profound changes in cellular metabolism, including upregulation of carbon fixation and storage compound biosynthesis, and increased nutrient demand and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the genotype effect overshadowed the salinity effect, as genotypes differed significantly in their response, both in the magnitude and direction of gene expression. Intraspecific differences included regulation of transcription and translation, nitrogen metabolism, cell signaling, and aerobic respiration. The high degree of intraspecific variation in gene expression observed here highlights an important but often overlooked source of biological variation associated with how diatoms respond and adapt to environmental change.
2.75-4.75 GHz QPSK modulator with low amplitude and phase errors

A QPSK modulator with a 2.75-4.75 GHz operating frequency range is presented. The modulator is realised using a broadband power divider, microstrip-slotline-microstrip transitions and Lange couplers. Computer optimised matching circuits are used to maintain a phase error less than 5 degrees and an amplitude phase imbalance error across the band of less than 0.5 dB. The modulator is suitable for MMIC implementation.
A lateral protrusion latticework connects neuroepithelial cells and is regulated during neurogenesis

Dynamic contacts between cells within the developing neuroepithelium are poorly understood but play important roles in cell and tissue morphology and cell signalling. Here, using live-cell imaging and electron microscopy we reveal multiple protrusive structures in neuroepithelial apical endfeet of the chick embryonic spinal cord, including sub-apical protrusions that extend laterally within the tissue, and observe similar structures in human neuroepithelium. We characterise the dynamics, shape, and cytoskeleton of these lateral protrusions and distinguish these structures from cytonemes/filopodia and tunnelling nanotubes. We demonstrate that lateral protrusions form a latticework of membrane contacts between non-adjacent cells, depend on actin but not microtubule dynamics and provide a lamellipodial-like platform for further extending fine actin-dependent filipodia. We find that lateral protrusions depend on the actin-binding protein WAVE1: mutant-WAVE1 misexpression attenuated protrusion and generated a round-ended apical endfoot morphology. However, this did not alter apico-basal cell polarity nor reduce tissue integrity. During normal neuronal delamination sub-apical protrusions were withdrawn, but mutant-WAVE1-induced precocious protrusion loss was insufficient to trigger neurogenesis. This study uncovers a new form of cell-cell contact within the developing neuroepithelium regulation of which prefigures neuronal delamination.
Prevalence and Pattern of Impacted Third Molar in a Sample of Sudanese Population

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular and maxillary third molars in a sample of Sudanese population. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in radiographic dental center covering the majority of Khartoum state. A total of 2600 orthopantomograms records were inspected and 576 cases were selected as per the inclusion criteria. Each Orthopantomogram was evaluated for the frequency and angulation of impaction according to Winter’s classification. Descriptive statistics, frequency, distribution, tables were used. Chi-square test was used for data analysis. The level of significance was set to be p≤ 0.05. Results: Mandibular impacted third molars were the most prevalent followed by maxillary molars 53.8% & 46.2% respectively, females were more affected 79.6% than males 20.4%. No significant difference between genders (p-value = 0.25). Mesioangular pattern was recorded as the highest pattern of third molar impaction 25.7% and was seen generally in the mandible 45% while vertical pattern was the most common in the maxilla 32.2%. Conclusion: The prevalence and pattern of impacted third molar recorded in this study occurred within the range reported in the literature, with early detection of impaction a better treatment can be planned and performed. The study provided some evidence about the extent of the problem, however a strong conclusion cannot be drawn since the sample is not representative to whole Sudanese population. Therefore, further studies are recommended with large sample size including different provinces of Sudan in order to induce a better conclusion.
Demand and Supply Analysis as a Basis for Jakarta Water Provision Planning

Water provision is a necessity to reduce the risk of coronavirus contamination. Delivering water and sanitation services is now more critical than ever; the hygiene requirements increased water need. It is expected to grow even after the pandemic as a healthier habit that will become a routine for most of the population. In addition, economic activity is predicted to expand once the pandemic is under control. To safeguard sustainable water provision, it is critical for Jakarta to have comprehensive planning based on careful calculation of demand and supply. This is especially valid as climate change adds the pressures to water availability that have long been experienced by the capital, such as pollution, high reliance on groundwater, huge water supply from outside the region, lack of infrastructure, land subsidence, floods, and land-use change. This study aims to estimate the demand and supply for Jakarta’s water comprehensively, cover all water sources inside and outside the capital, and develop a strategy based on the analysis produced. The strategy includes the need to focus on reducing, reusing and recycling approaches to local water available in Jakarta.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is reduced after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Introduction Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) describes heart rate (HR) changes in synchrony with respiration. It is relevant for exercise capacity and mechanistically linked with the cardiac autonomic nervous system. After pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), the current therapy of choice for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), the cardiac vagal tone is often diminished. We hypothesized that RSA is modulated by PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF. Material and methods Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, measured by using a deep breathing test and heart rate variability parameters, was studied in 10 patients (64 ±3 years) with paroxysmal AF presenting in stable sinus rhythm for their first catheter-based PVI. Additionally, heart rate dynamics before and after PVI were studied during sympathetic/parasympathetic coactivation by using a cold-face test. All tests were performed within 24 h before and 48 h after PVI. Results After PVI RSA (E/I difference: 7.9 ±1.0 vs. 3.5 ±0.6 bpm, p = 0.006; E/I ratio: 1.14 ±0.02 vs. 1.05 ±0.01, p = 0.003), heart rate variability (SDNN: 31 ±3 vs. 14 ±3 ms, p = 0.006; RMSSD: 17 ±2 vs. 8 ±2 ms, p = 0.002) and the HR response to sympathetic/parasympathetic coactivation (10.2 ±0.7% vs. 5.7 ±1.1%, p = 0.014) were diminished. The PVI-related changes in RSA correlated with the heart rate change during sympathetic/parasympathetic coactivation before vs. after PVI (E/I difference: r = 0.849, p = 0.002; E/I ratio: r = 0.786, p = 0.007). One patient with vagal driven arrhythmia experienced AF recurrence during follow-up (mean: 6.5 ±0.6 months). Conclusions Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is reduced after PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF. Our findings suggest that this is related to a decrease in cardiac vagal tone. Whether and how this affects the clinical outcome including exercise capacity need to be determined.
Automation of Lung Ultrasound Interpretation via Deep Learning for the Classification of Normal versus Abnormal Lung Parenchyma: A Multicenter Study

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate thoracic imaging technique distinguished by its handheld size, low-cost, and lack of radiation. User dependence and poor access to training have limited the impact and dissemination of LUS outside of acute care hospital environments. Automated interpretation of LUS using deep learning can overcome these barriers by increasing accuracy while allowing point-of-care use by non-experts. In this multicenter study, we seek to automate the clinically vital distinction between A line (normal parenchyma) and B line (abnormal parenchyma) on LUS by training a customized neural network using 272,891 labelled LUS images. After external validation on 23,393 frames, pragmatic clinical application at the clip level was performed on 1162 videos. The trained classifier demonstrated an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.96 (±0.02) through 10-fold cross-validation on local frames and an AUC of 0.93 on the external validation dataset. Clip-level inference yielded sensitivities and specificities of 90% and 92% (local) and 83% and 82% (external), respectively, for detecting the B line pattern. This study demonstrates accurate deep-learning-enabled LUS interpretation between normal and abnormal lung parenchyma on ultrasound frames while rendering diagnostically important sensitivity and specificity at the video clip level.
Complex modes in lossless shielded microstrip lines

The possible existence of complex modes in lossless shielded microstrip lines was investigated using the singular integral equation method. The method is used for the analysis of three lossless shielded microstrip line structures with different substrate permittivities. To confirm the validity of the method, results are compared with existing data for propagating modes. Complex modes were found in the moderate and high permittivity structures. >
The risk of catastrophic failure of the solid rocket boosters on the space shuttle

Abstract The Challenger disaster evoked a national resolve to reduce the risk of future space flight tragedies. A part of that resolve was to estimate the present risks as accurately as possible. This article illustrates and compares several such ways of incorporating past experience into the process of estimating such risks. Failure data from five military solid rocket programs, as well as pre- and post-Challenger space shuttle data, are used in selected Bayes, empirical Bayes, and Bayes empirical Bayes methods. The derived posterior distributions are used to estimate the required probability of catastrophic failure of the solid rocket boosters on the space shuttle for the Galileo mission, which occurred in October 1989. The point estimates are in fairly close agreement, while the credibility intervals differ substantially. We estimate the probability of catastrophic failure to be 1/60 with 90% credibility interval of 1/578 to 1/21.
Neutronic Analyses for HEU to LEU fuel conversion of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reactor (MITR-II), based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a research reactor designed primarily for experiments using neutron beam and in-core irradiation facilities. It delivers a neutron flux comparable to current LWR power reactors in a compact 6 MW core using Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) fuel. In the framework of its non-proliferation policies, the international community presently aims to minimize the amount of nuclear material available that could be used for nuclear weapons. In this geopolitical context, most research and test reactors both domestic and international have started a program of conversion to the use of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel. A new type of LEU fuel based on a mixture of uranium and molybdenum (UMo) is expected to allow the conversion of compact high performance reactors like the MITR-II. This report presents the results of steady state neutronic safety analyses for conversion of MITR-II from the use of HEU fuel to the use of U-Mo LEU fuel. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the safety analyses meet current requirements for an LEU core replacement of MITR-II.
Analysing the Views of School of Foreign Languages Instructors about Organizational Culture

This study aims to investigate the views of school of foreign languages instructors about organizational culture. The study is designed in qualitative research method and as a case study. The study was conducted with 15 school of foreign languages instructors who were selected by maximum variation sampling method during the 2018 and 2019 academic year in Ankara. Semi structured interviews were conducted to gather data and content analysis was used to analyse the data. The study emphasises that for the powerful school culture, instructors should focus on orientation, social activities, merit, and democratic management style.
JUMPING GENES FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION

The design of a water distribution system (WDS) is a challenging problem involving multiple conflicting objectives. The goal of multi-objective WDS design optimization is to find the set of solutions which embodies the Pareto-optimal trade-off between system cost and benefit (typically some measure of reliability). This provides decision-makers with a broad understanding of design possibilities, allowing them to identify a solution with the maximum cost-benefit, or maximize benefit subject to a given budget. A WDS must be designed in order to satisfy consumer demand at required pressures, handle multiple demand loading conditions, withstand component failure and degradation, and provide surplus capacity for growth. In this paper, a jumping-gene (JG) evolutionary algorithm is applied to multi-objective WDS design, and tested on a number of established WDS benchmarks. The JG algorithm is compared to the Non-dominating Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). Results indicate that the JG algorithm is comparable to the NSGA-II, yet sufficiently different to warrant consideration, particularly in terms of finding high reliability looped configurations. It is argued that the JG mechanism is capable of mimicking how an engineer might exchange capacity between various parts of a system in the course of the design process, and as such is able to find robust alternative designs which may elude competing algorithms.
Teachers’ Views Regarding the Implementation of Education Programs in Distance Education through the EBA Platform During the Covid-19 Pandemic

: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the programs in distance education through the Education Information Network (EBA) platform due to the Covid-19 pandemic according to teachers’ opinions. In the study, the case study method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. A semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions was given to 107 teachers. The data obtained were examined using content analysis. According to the study results, in “EBA Internet” and “EBA Live Class,” teachers stated that not having information about activities suitable for distance education and limited interaction with students were the difficulties they have faced. The teachers stated that the contents in the EBA are suitable for the targeted learning outcomes. Still, they are qualitatively simple, insufficient, and most of them cannot be accessed. They also stated that they had difficulty carrying out assessment and evaluation in their teaching activities due to insufficient measurement content suitable for the class level in the EBA platform. The students did not want to answer the questions in distance education courses. In addition, teachers suggested that learning with games, movies, songs, visuals, experiments, and STEM activities should be added for the programs to be implemented more efficiently on the EBA platform. Furthermore, an application that makes the board more practical and useful in live lessons should be created.
Modulation and frequency response of GDDs in the millimeter wave/THz region

New methods are being developed for efficient detection of terahertz waves. While many detection techniques show promise their commercial development is still limited due to the overall complexity and cost of the imaging system. Using commercially available neon indicator lamps the interaction mechanism between the glow plasma and the millimeter / THz wave is investigated in detail as a function of the device speed, sensitivity to frequency and polarization of the light. A lock-in amplifier was used to measure the response up to 90kHz when the GDD was placed at the focus of a 113GHz center frequency reconfigured Dielectric Resonating Oscillator (DRO) driven multiplied Schottky diode source. In addition the polarization sensitivity of the GDD was tested for two different scenarios whereby rotating the GDD the detected signal is observed to agree well with Malus’s Law for one particular orientation. Furthermore, the frequency dependent GDD-THz interactions are investigated using a 240-380 GHz tunable continuous wave radiation source. Employing both systems allow us to understand the response of GDDs with respect to modulation frequency, RF frequency and polarization orientation. Resonance effects, frequency sensitivity and geometrical structures of GDDs are studied for the purpose of obtaining better performance in THz-GDD interaction for applications including general THz wave detection and imaging.
Traffic model for Copenhagen: updating of the trip matrices

rip distribution and mode choice models, all following a utility-based framework, and network models based on mixed-Probit formulations and equilibrium formulations. The model system includes feedback cycles to take congestion into account. The behavioural functions have been estimated based on the combination of multiple Revealed and Stated Preference data-set. The presently matrices describing the 1992 travel patterns were built upon travel analyses from the end of 1980's and the beginning of 1990's. Those matrices have been adjusted to the counted traffic numerous times since the first version of the model was built in 1995. The 2004 GA-travel matrices describe travel patterns for an average working day (Monday to Friday), for five travel modes (walk, bicycle, public transport, car driver and car passenger), and six travel purposes (home-work, home-education, home-shopping, home-other private trips, non home based private trips and business trips). Day matrices were split by seven day periods. The new model operates therefore with 5 x 6 x 7 = 210 matrices. To improve the accuracy and spatial resolution it was decided to split the model analysis area from 601 zones into 818 zones while the surrounding area was split into 17 port zones. The paper describes the applied matrix estimation procedures, and demonstrates appraisals of the new matrices. The study had a fairly large budget - out of the total budget amounting to Euro 710.000, activities related to building of the travel matrices had a budget of about Euro 430.000. However, we believe that quality of modelling depends on the data foundation and the hybrid approach has been cost efficient. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135582.
Epidemiology of Edwardsiella infections in farmed fish in Morogoro, Tanzania

A cross sectional study was undertaken from November 2016 to April 2017 to find out whether Edwardsiella infections exist in farmed fish in Morogoro. The prevalence of infection, risk factors and fish haematological parameters were established. A total of 270 fish were sampled from 24 ponds. Each fish was clinically examined and aseptically swabs of kidney, liver and spleen and pond water were collected for bacteriology. Bacteria were cultured onto Tryptic soya agar and Salmonella-Shigella Agar. Colony morphology and biochemical tests were used for phenotypic identification of the bacterium and confirmed by conventional PCR through detection of gyrB, IRS and IVS in the 23S rRNA gene for E. tarda and E. ictaluri, respectively. Presumptive results identified 14 Gram-negative, rod-shaped similar biochemically with Edwardsiella bacterial isolates. Out of 14 only four isolates amplified the gyrB gene using specific E. tarda primers. Overall, the prevalence of E. tarda in the study area was 1.48% (n=270). Clarias gariepinus was at a higher risk of acquiring E.tarda infection than Oreochromis niloticus (P < 0.05). Since the bacterial prevalence was low, it was not possible to establish the correlation with hematological parameters. In addition, there was no association between water quality and the prevalence of E. tarda infections. For the first time, this study isolated and confirmed the occurrence of E. tarda pathogens in farmed fish in Morogoro, Tanzania. However, more work on virulence studies on E. tarda isolates need to be done. The establishment and implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreak in fish farms is also recommended taking into account its zoonotic potential.