Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Binocular vision therapy for the treatment of Amblyopia—A review

Amblyopia is a monocular or binocular reduction in visual acuity that results from prolonged visual deprivation in the early years of life. It is second only to refractive error as a cause of poor vision in children. The gold standard treatment of amblyopia includes patching and, less commonly, atropine penalization and filters. These therapies are aimed at improvements in the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye alone. They have compliance and psychosocial issues and gains are accrued after prolonged periods. Experimental studies have demonstrated the presence of binocular cortical communication even in amblyopes and neural plasticity in late childhood as well as adulthood. On this basis, binocular vision therapy aimed at the stimulation of both eyes rather than forced use of the amblyopic eye was developed. Such therapies involve visual tasks designed in such a way that they can be completed only by binocular viewing. These tasks vary from simple game play using red-green glasses, to engaging 3D games and movie viewing. Preliminary data suggest that binocular vision therapy has led to lasting improvements in visual acuity and can be a useful adjunct, if not replacement, to the conventional treatment of amblyopia. In this article, we aim to describe the various binocular vision therapies and review the available literature on the same.
An Efficient Procedure for Bonding Piezoelectric Transducers to Thermoplastic Composite Structures for SHM Application and Its Durability in Aeronautical Environmental Conditions

Piezoceramic transducers (PCTs) bonded to carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite structures must be durable as well as remain properly bonded to the structure in order to provide reliable data for accurate guided-wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) of aeronautical components. The current method of bonding transducers to composite structures through epoxy adhesives faces some shortcomings, such as difficult reparability, lack of weldability, longer curing cycles, and shorter shelf life. To overcome these shortcomings, a new efficient procedure for bonding the transducers to thermoplastic (TP) composite structures was developed by utilizing TP adhesive films. Application-suitable TP films (TPFs) were identified and characterized through standard differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and single lap shear (SLS) tests to study their melting behavior and bonding strength, respectively. Special PCTs called acousto-ultrasonic composite transducers (AUCTs) were bonded to high-performance TP composites (carbon fiber Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone) coupons with a reference adhesive (Loctite EA 9695) and the selected TPFs. The integrity and durability of the bonded AUCTs in aeronautical operational environmental conditions (AOEC) were assessed in accordance to the standard Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics DO-160. The AOEC tests performed were operating low and high temperatures, thermal cycling, hot-wet, and fluid susceptibility tests. The health and bonding quality of the AUCTs were evaluated by the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) spectroscopy method and ultrasonic inspections. The AUCT defects were created artificially and their influence on the susceptance spectra (SS) was measured to compare them with the AOEC-tested AUCTs. The results show that a small change occurred in the SS characteristics of the bonded AUCTs in all of the adhesive cases after the AOEC tests. After comparing the changes in SS characteristics of simulated defects with that of the AOEC-tested AUCTs, the change is relatively smaller and therefore it can be concluded that no serious degradation of the AUCT or the adhesive layer has occurred. It was observed that the most critical tests among the AOEC tests are the fluid susceptibility tests, which can cause the biggest change in the SS characteristics. Comparing the performance of the AUCTs bonded with the reference adhesive and the selected TPFs in the AOEC tests, it was seen that some of the TPFs, e.g., Pontacol 22.100 outperforms the reference adhesive, while the other TPFs have similar performance to that of the reference adhesive. Therefore, in conclusion, the AUCTs bonded with the selected TPFs can withstand the operational and environmental conditions of an aircraft structure, and hence, the proposed procedure is easily installed, reparable, and a more reliable method of bonding sensors to aircraft structures.
The Study of Alanine Transaminase Activity in Tissues of Silkworm (Bombyx mori) via Direct Analysis in Real-Time (DART) Mass Spectrometry

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an important amino acid-metabolizing enzyme in silkworm Bombyx mori L. , and is mainly involved in transferring glutamate to alanine (serving as an essential precursor in silk protein synthesis) through transamination. Therefore, it is generally believed that silk protein synthesis in the silk gland and the cocoon quantity increase with the increase in ALT activity to a certain extent. Here, a novel analytical method was developed to determine the ALT activity in several key tissues of Bombyx mori L. including the posterior silk gland, midgut, fat body, middle silk gland, trachea and hemolymph, by combining the direct-analysis-in-real-time (DART) ion source with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In addition, a traditional ALT activity assay, the Reitman–Frankel method, was also used to measure ALT activity for comparison. The ALT activity results obtained via the DART-MS method are in good agreement with those obtained via the Reitman–Frankel method. However, the present DART-MS method provides a more convenient, rapid and environmentally friendly quantitative method for ALT measurement. Especially, this method can also monitor ALT activity in different tissues of Bombyx mori L. in real time.
Stable determination of (Brune) stress drops

Abstract The Brune stress drop, σ B , is generally calculated from two spectral observables: Ω 0 , the zero-frequency level of the far-field displacement amplitude spectrum, and v c , the corner frequency of that spectrum. σ B takes the form σ B = h Ω 0 v c 3 , (a) where h contains kinematic factors. In some recent studies, other estimates of the stress drop, such as the dynamic stress drop and the apparent stress, are found to be more stable and/or reliable than σ B . We find that these apparent shortcomings of σ B can be remedied if we replace the dependence of σ B on v c as a directly determined spectral observable with a dependence on a parameter which can be determined more reliably and which appears linearly (instead of as the third power) in the expression for σ B . This observable is J , the integral of the square of the ground velocity, which, by Parseval9s theorem, is the second moment of the power spectrum. For spectra from broadband seismographs, the determination of J is totally objective; it is an integral for which the integrand approaches zero at both limits. For Brune9s model, v c 3 = qJ /Ω 0 2 with q = 1/(2π 3 ), and equation (a) becomes σ b = h q J Ω 0 ( b ) If the P -wave contribution to the radiated energy as well as the angular dependence of J are neglected, the right-hand side of equation (b) is a constant multiple of the apparent stress. Hence, studies which show that apparent stress determinations provide more robust estimates of the stress drop than σ B determined through equation (a) support evaluating σ B through equation (b).
Rings Characterized by their Cyclic Modules

A ring R (with identity element) is called a right PCI-ring if and only if every proper cyclic right R-module is injective; that is, if C is a cyclic right R-module then either C ≌ R or C is injective. Faith [3, Theorems 14 and 17] (or see [2, Proposition 6.12 and Theorem 6.17]) proved that if a ring R is a right PCI-ring then R is semiprime Artinian or R is a simple right semihereditary right Ore domain. These latter rings we shall call simple right PCI-domains. Examples of non-Artinian simple right PCI-domains were produced by Cozzens [1]. The object of this paper is to examine rings with similar properties and thus extend Faith's results.
Effect of Reynolds number on compressible convex-corner flows

2014) Abstract. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of Reynolds number on compressible convex-corner flows, which correspond to an upper surface of a deflected flap of an aircraft wing. The flow is naturally developed along a flat plate with two different lengths, resulting in different incoming boundary layer thicknesses or Reynolds numbers. It is found that boundary layer Reynolds number, ranging from 8.04×10 4 to 1.63×10 5 , has a minor influence on flow expansion and compression near the corner apex in the transonic flow regime, but not for the subsonic expansion flow. For shock-induced separated flow, higher peak pressure fluctuations are observed at smaller Reynolds number, corresponding to the excursion phenomena and the shorter region of shock-induced boundary layer separation. An explicit correlation of separation length with deflection angle is also
COVID-19 Information Dissemination Via Social Media: Content Analysis of Instagram Posts During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Introduction: Social media platforms provide easy access to an unprecedented volume of information which could influence the awareness and perception of people during public health crises. The current study aims to explore the trends and content of the posts on Instagram.Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective content analysis of available public messages posted on Instagram. We collected data between 23 January 2020 and 25 March 2020. The inclusion criteria included an Instagram post with a hashtag related to Coronavirus (i.e. # “Corona” and # “Coronavirus”, in the Persian language). Persian hashtags were used for retrieving posts. All posts were categorized into seven categories. We performed descriptive statistics with Microsoft Excel 2019 and SPSS version 26.Results: A total of 4280 posts were extracted, out of which 1281 were categorized into seven main categories including News (n=205, 26.7%), Criticism (n=136, 17.7%), Education (n=112, 14.6%), Coronavirus’s impact on the healthcare system (n=100, 13%), Combating Coronavirus (n=98, 12.8%), Coronavirus’s impact on society (n=89, 11.6%), Joke (n=28, 3.6%). Conclusion:Our findings revealed that the trend of posts on social media was influenced by factors such as the nature of the information sources as well as social and political occasions. This study provides insight into health dissemination on social media for future responses to public health crises.
Second Species of Eusthenodon (Tristichopteridae, Sarcopterygii) from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Catskill Formation of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and a Review of Global Eusthenodon Occurrence

ABSTRACT A new species of Eusthenodon from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) Catskill Formation was collected from associated talus blocks excavated during road construction along the northbound lanes of U.S. Route 15/Interstate 99 near Trout Run in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The new species is represented by isolated or partially articulated cranial bones, an anocleithrum, and body scales from several individuals. The new discovery is the second species of Eusthenodon described from the Catskill Formation after Eusthenodon bourdoni, a species found only at the Cogan House Exit Ramp locality, north of and up section from the Trout Run site. The new species is of a larger size category and exhibits qualities that distinguish it from E. bourdoni including a contact between posterior supraorbital and lacrimal bones that excludes the jugal from the orbital margin and scales with an ornamental field incised by radiating grooves. The clarity offered by the Catskill Formation Eusthenodon species informs an historical review of reports on Eusthenodon occurrence that suggests a polydemic but not cosmopolitan distribution of the taxon. A phylogenetic analysis of Tristichopteridae is presented that includes the new species presented here. The Eusthenodon species at Trout Run is the fifth tristichopterid species described from the Catskill Formation and all five are found to belong to a highly nested clade of largely Famennian tristichopterids. With a growing fauna that additionally includes rhizodontids, dipnoans, holoptychiid porolepiforms, megalichthyids, and limbed tetrapodomorphs, the Catskill Formation of Pennsylvania continues to be an important focus for the study of Late Devonian sarcopterygian evolution.
Nelson's Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Nelson's syndrome (NS) is an uncommon disease occurring as a complication of bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA) in patients with persistent Cushing's disease (CD) due to an adrenocorticotropin-producing pituitary tumor. The first reports of this syndrome were done in the 50s, although its pathophysiology is still not understood. Every year, between 1.8 and 2.6 cases are thought to occur per million people. It is characterized by hyperpigmentation, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) plasma levels, and typical signs and symptoms related to pituitary adenomas, such as visual deficits due to optic pathway compression or decreased hormone production from the adenohypophysis. NS represents a challenge due to the lack of accepted diagnostic criteria and the complexity of its treatment. Moreover, the development of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the last few years has become an essential but controversial strategy for this syndrome. This review presents a comprehensive overview of NS.
Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 as an Alternative to Metaphylactic Antimicrobials in Swine: The Impact on Production Parameters and Meat Composition

Simple Summary Antibiotic usage in swine husbandry contributes to the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a serious threat to public health. Consequently, alternative strategies are required to mitigate this issue. In a previous study, we showed that the replacement of metaphylactic antimicrobials with an administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 for two years to sows and piglets changed the fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid profiles in an intensive pig farm. In this work, we compared the productivity-related data between a 2-year period of routine metaphylactic antibiotherapy and the first 2 years in which such a practice was replaced by the probiotic strain. Subsequently, the composition of the meat of the animals ingesting the probiotic strain was compared to that of animals with a similar diet but receiving metaphylactic antibiotherapy. This probiotic intake did not negatively alter the composition of the meat and was associated with an increase in the concentration of inosine and a slight tendency for increasing the thickness of the subcutaneour lumbar fat and intramuscular fat content. These factors are considered as biomarkers of meat quality and health. Therefore, the substitution of metaphylactic antimicrobials with a daily administration of the probiotic strain was associated with beneficial productivity and quality outcomes. Abstract The metaphylactic use of antimicrobials in swine farms contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which constitutes a major challenge for public health. Alternative strategies are required to eradicate their routine use. In a previous study, metaphylactic antimicrobials were replaced by the administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 to sows and piglets for two years. This practice positively modified the fecal microbiota and metabolic profiles in the farm. In this work, the farm dataset was used to compare the productivity-related parameters between a 2-year period of routine metaphylactic antibiotherapy and the first 2 years of a replacement with the probiotic strain. The probiotic period improved these productivity-related parameters, from litter size to growth performance. In addition, samples of Longissimus lumborum, including skin and subcutaneous fat, were obtained from the animals ingesting the probiotic strain and controls (metaphylactic antibiotherapy) and analyzed for their pH, water holding capacity, composition, and metabolic profiling. The probiotic intake did not negatively affect the meat composition and was associated with an increase in inosine concentration and a slight tendency for increasing the intramuscular fat content. These factors are considered as biomarkers of meat quality. In conclusion, the substitution of metaphylactic antimicrobials with the administration of the probiotic strain was associated with beneficial productivity and meat quality outcomes.
On the best-choice problem when the number of observations is random

We consider the problem of maximizing the probability of choosing the largest from a sequence of N observations when N is a bounded random variable. The present paper gives a necessary and sufficient condition, based on the distribution of N, for the optimal stopping rule to have a particularly simple form: what Rasmussen and Robbins (1975) call an s(r) rule. A second result indicates that optimal stopping rules for this problem can, with one restriction, take virtually any form.
Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens Present in Hospital Environment within Awka Metropolis

The contamination of hospital environment by bacterial organisms plays a vital role in the spread of nosocomial infections. This study was conducted to determine bacterial contamination, bacterial profiles, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and plasmid profiles of bacterial isolates from hospital air, water and fomite environment within Awka. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Crest Specialist Hospital, Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Medical Centre, Awka. Using random sampling techniques (surface, air and water), culturing, Gram staining, antibiotic susceptibility test, biochemical tests and molecular identification, bacterial organisms from surrounding air, water and fomites were isolated and identified. A total of 112 samples were collected from the three hospitals. Of all the samples, 110 (98.2%) showed positive for bacterial growth. A total of 40 bacterial isolates underwent antibiotic sensitivity testing, of which 6 (15%) showed multidrug resistance. Bacterial organisms isolated from Regina Caeli Hospital showed the most resistance to the antibiotic drugs (41.8%), followed by Crest Specialist Hospital (30.9%) and then UNIZIK Medical Centre (27.3%). Interestingly, there was 100% sensitivity of isolates to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, augmentin (amoxicillinclavulanate), rifampicin and septrin. Out of the six multidrug resistant isolates, Staphylococcus hominis strain PCP01, Myroides odoratimimus subsp. xuanwuensis strain M2S3B6 and Bacillus cereus strain DS-2 were identified using DNA sequencing and PCR. The three identified microorganisms are opportunistic pathogens. While S. hominis has no plasmid, both M. odoratimimus and B. cereus showed the presence of plasmids. With proper prevention practices such as; disinfection of hospital surfaces, proper personal hygiene of health care workers, special air handling and ventilation and wearing of facemask within the hospital environment, possibilities of nosocomial infections can be reduced drastically, especially in Africa. Keywords: Isolation, Characterization, Multidrug Resistant and Bacterial
Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiac Myxoma

Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac neoplasm. It is a benign tumor that typically arises in the left atrium, specifically from the interatrial septum adjacent to the fossa ovalis. We present a case of a 71-year-old male presenting with hematuria that was incidentally found to have a left atrial myxoma on a CT urogram. Follow-up CT and MRI of the heart demonstrated findings compatible with myxoma. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted, and the patient underwent resection of the left atrial mass, which was confirmed to be a myxoma on pathology.
Sample Size Effects on Petrophysical Characterization and Fluid-to-Pore Accessibility of Natural Rocks

Laboratory-scale analysis of natural rocks provides petrophysical properties such as density, porosity, pore diameter/pore-throat diameter distribution, and fluid accessibility, in addition to the size and shape of framework grains and their contact relationship with the rock matrix. Different types of laboratory approaches for petrophysical characterization involve the use of a range of sample sizes. While the sample sizes selected should aim to be representative of the rock body, there are inherent limitations imposed by the analytical principles and holding capacities of the different experimental apparatuses, with many instruments only able to accept samples at the μm–mm scale. Therefore, a total of nine (three limestones, three shales, two sandstones, and one dolomite) samples were collected from Texas to fill the knowledge gap of the sample size effect on the resultant petrophysical characteristics. The sample sizes ranged from 3 cm cubes to <75 μm particles. Using a combination of petrographic microscopy, helium expansion pycnometry, water immersion porosimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and (ultra-) small-angle X-ray scattering, the impact of sample size on the petrophysical properties of these samples was systematically investigated here. The results suggest that the sample size effect is influenced by both pore structure changes during crushing and sample size-dependent fluid-to-pore connectivity.
The Effects of Worked-Out Example and Metacognitive Scaffolding on Problem-Solving Programming

This study explores the effects of worked-out examples and metacognitive scaffolding on novice learners’ knowledge performance, cognitive loads, and self-regulation skills in problem-solving programming. 126 undergraduate students in a computer programming fundamentals course were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) task performance with a traditional WOE (TW), 2) task performance with a faded WOE (FW), 3) task performance with traditional WOE and metacognitive scaffolding (TWM), and 4) task performance with a faded WOE and metacognitive scaffolding (FWM). Over the course of 3 weeks, participants in these four groups were asked to solve programming problems using Python with WOE and metacognitive scaffolding. The results demonstrate that the provision of metacognitive scaffolding with faded WOE (FWM) is the most effective for problem-solving programming and self-regulation skills. In addition, an interaction effect exists between the two treatments for the germane load in FWM. Therefore, results in this study provide empirical insights into ways to effectively apply WOE and metacognitive scaffolding to problem-solving processes for programming-based complex problem-solving, especially for novice learners.