Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Reacting Carbohydrate Determinants Inhibitor Can Improve the Diagnostic Accuracy in Pollen and Food Allergy

Background Cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCD) exist in some pollen and food allergens, but they do not contribute to allergic symptoms. However, CCD can induce specific IgE (sIgE) production and may lead to incorrect allergen diagnosis and treatment. CCD inhibitor is a specific antibody adsorbent which can preclude CCD from binding to sIgE. Currently, the data of CCD inhibition in allergen sIgE test are limited. Methods The allergic patients with positive skin prick reactions to two or more pollen and/or food allergen extracts were included in our study. Their sera were obtained and sIgE was tested with an allergen panel that included 29 single and mixed allergens (MEDIWISS Analytic GmbH, China) before and after CCD inhibition. The changes of sIgE against these allergens and the correlations of sIgEs to clinical symptoms were analyzed. Results A total of 44 patients were included and 36 (81.82%) of those were multi-sensitized to house dust mites and pollen allergens based on skin prick tests. The sIgE levels and positive rates against most pollen and food allergens were significantly lower after CCD inhibition. The sIgE levels of pollen were positively correlated to those of food allergens before CCD inhibition. However, these correlations were weakened or no longer existed after CCD inhibition. The sIgE against pollen and food allergens showed significantly higher consistency with clinical symptoms after CCD inhibition. Conclusion Cross-sensitization caused by CCD is widespread in pollen and food. CCD inhibition test can improve the diagnostic accuracy of pollen and food allergy.
Bindi: Affective Internet of Things to Combat Gender-Based Violence

The main research motivation of this article is the fight against gender-based violence and achieving gender equality from a technological perspective. The solution proposed in this work goes beyond currently existing panic buttons, needing to be manually operated by the victims under difficult circumstances. Instead, Bindi, our end-to-end autonomous multimodal system, relies on artificial intelligence methods to automatically identify violent situations, based on detecting fear-related emotions, and trigger a protection protocol, if necessary. To this end, Bindi integrates modern state-of-the-art technologies, such as the Internet of Bodies, affective computing, and cyber–physical systems, leveraging: 1) affective Internet of Things (IoT) with auditory and physiological commercial off-the-shelf smart sensors embedded in wearable devices; 2) hierarchical multisensorial information fusion; and 3) the edge-fog-cloud IoT architecture. This solution is evaluated using our own data set named WEMAC, a very recently collected and freely available collection of data comprising the auditory and physiological responses of 47 women to several emotions elicited by using a virtual reality environment. On this basis, this work provides an analysis of multimodal late fusion strategies to combine the physiological and speech data processing pipelines to identify the best intelligence engine strategy for Bindi. In particular, the best data fusion strategy reports an overall fear classification accuracy of 63.61% for a subject-independent approach. Both a power consumption study and an audio data processing pipeline to detect violent acoustic events complement this analysis. This research is intended as an initial multimodal baseline that facilitates further work with real-life elicited fear in women.
The Impact of Economic Reforms on Poverty: A Case Study of Pakistan

Poverty alleviation has been a major concern of governments and international institutions in developing countries over the past few decades. In Pakistan, government and international organizations have implemented several economic reforms in the country to mitigate poverty and improve the living standards of the masses. Present study investigates the effects of these economic reforms on poverty reduction in Pakistan. Using time series data over the period of 1975-2019, the study constructs indices of social reforms, trade reforms and financial reforms following the methodology of Morris and McAlpin (1983). An econometric model is formulated to explore the link between poverty and economic reforms. Results of the model are obtained using ARDL technique. It is found that trade reforms significantly reduce poverty in the long run while social and financial reforms remained insignificant for poverty eradication. Other important factors determining poverty in the long run are unemployment and real output. On the basis of the findings, it is suggested that trade restrictions should be minimized and there should be focus towards increasing trade at international level. Furthermore, long term financial and social sector planning is required to increase the effectiveness of economic reforms.
Analysis of third‐grade liquid under the influence of wall slip and variable fluid properties in an inclined peristaltic channel

The current model investigates the effect of wall slip on third‐grade liquid flow through an inclined peristaltic channel. The variation in viscosity and thermal conductivity are taken into account, along with wall properties. The governing equations are simplified using long wavelength and small Reynolds number approximations. The transformed equations are solved by using the perturbation technique. Physiological quantities such as velocity, streamlines, temperature, and concentration are obtained for different parameters of interest. The findings show that increasing the variable viscosity and slip term value improves the velocity profile. Furthermore, elasticity factors help flow, but damping causes fluid particles to slow down. Similarly, when the slip, variable viscosity, and inclination parameter values rise, the size of the trapped bolus grows, resulting in more bolus forms. Furthermore, the inclusion of variable properties helps understand the complex rheological properties of blood flowing through narrow or micro arteries.
Viewpoint-Invariant Loop Closure Detection Using Step-Wise Learning With Controlling Embeddings of Landmarks

The research on loop closure detection has been carried out for the last many years; however, loop closure detection efficiency is still not that good and has been affected by many factors, including illumination conditions, weather conditions, seasons, and viewpoint changes. The research on loop closure detection from a different viewpoint is still an open research problem. The paper proposes an efficient solution to loop closure detection from different viewpoints by using landmarks instead of whole frames and taking the deep and robust features of deep learning instead of handcrafted features. A different kind of training approach is used to train the deep CNN to get highly abstract embeddings of input landmarks. The approach has many advantages over the traditional training approach and can solve many complex problems. This paper has used this approach to force similar or closer embeddings for similar landmarks and is forced to have a large gap in embeddings of different landmarks. The proposed method endeavors viewpoint invariant features, and the astonishing power of deep learning makes the features robust to viewpoint changes, occlusions, and illumination variations. The proposed visual SLAM system is tested on six publicly available datasets, and the results are compared with the most popular Bag of Words methods like DBoW2, DBoW3, and state-of-the-art deep learning methods AlexNet, ResNeXt, FlyNet, AFDPR and Siamese network. The results show that our method is efficient in finding loop closures candidates from different viewpoints. Code is available at https://github.com/IRMVLab/Step-wise-Learning.
Three studies in high-Tc cuprates

We investigate three fundamental issues in the physics of high-Tc cuprates, from the perspective of a recently proposed comprehensive theory for these materials. (a) Orbital ordering × superconductivity. The first issue is the detailed microscopic mechanism that produces an attractive interaction between holes in high-Tc cuprates. (b) Dispersion relation × pseudogap order parameter. The second issue refers to the existence of a pseudogap order parameter, which would be different from zero all over the pseudogap phase and would vanish elsewhere. (c) Chemical potential × quantum critical point location. The third issue concerns the debate as to whether the quantum critical point, located where the pseudogap transition line T*(x) meets the T = 0 axis is inside the superconducting dome or at its boundary. We obtain clearcut solutions for the three issues.
Energy-Efficient Design for IRS-Empowered Uplink MIMO-NOMA Systems

In future wireless communication systems, intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) plays an important role since it is capable of dynamically reconfiguring the channel conditions. In this paper, we apply IRS to facilitate the communication of an uplink multiple-input multiple-output non-orthogonal multiple access system. The objective is to maximize the system energy-efficiency (EE), requiring a joint optimization of the active beamforming at the base station, passive beamforming at the IRS, and power allocation. An iterative method is proposed to solve the formulated multi-variable non-convex optimization problem. Moreover, a low-complexity user ordering method is provided. Numerical results verify the rapid convergence of the iterative optimization scheme and the effectiveness of the user ordering. In addition, a substantial gain can be obtained by employing the proposed scheme over the benchmark schemes without IRS and with orthogonal multiple access.
Design and Simulation of Silicon Ring Optical Modulator with p/n Junctions along Circumference

A Si ring optical modulator, where a low operation voltage is expected, is proposed. In this device, p/n junctions are arranged along the circumference of the ring resonator. By simulation, the propagation loss <5 dB/cm and 1×1017–5×1017 cm-3 carrier concentration are estimated to be necessary, to obtain >95% modulation at 1 V, where the length of the p/n region is 150 nm. Multi-interference occurs between the light reflections at the interfaces of neutral and depletion regions. When the resonance wavelength of multi-interference is equal to that of the ring resonator, the effect of multi-interference is simulated. Moreover, it is shown that the multi-interference effect is not the problem when a different resonance wavelength is used as an input optical signal.
Effect of Buerger Allen Exercise on Lower Extremity Perfusion Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus - Randomized Clinical Trial

An experimental study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Buerger Allen exercise on lower extremity perfusion among patients with diabetes mellitus. Conceptual framework used in this study was based on modified Daniel Stuffle Beam’s CIPP evaluation model. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select 30 Type- II diabetes mellitus patients (15 patients each in experimental and control group). The study was conducted in medicine unit of Pradyumna Bal Memorial Hospital. In experimental group samples were subjected to Buerger Allen exercise whereas in control group no intervention was given. Ankle Brachial Index was used to assess the lower extremity perfusion. Statistical value revealed that on post-intervention the mean lower extremity perfusion in right leg in experimental group was 0.84 which is higher than the mean lower extremity perfusion of control group 0.65 with p value 0.000 which is extremely significant at pd0.001 level of significance. The mean lower extremity perfusion in left leg in experimental group was 0.84 which is higher than the mean lower extremity perfusion of control group 0.67 with p value 0.000 which is extremely significant at pd0.001 level of significance. The study concluded that Buerger Allen exercise is a non-invasive cost effective method to improve the lower extremity perfusion.
DNA Methylation of the Natriuretic Peptide System Genes and Ischemic Stroke

Background and Objectives The natriuretic peptide (NP) system has been considered an important regulator for ischemic stroke (IS) with a limited clinical implication. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is urgent. Here, we aimed to examine the role of DNA methylation of NP system genes in IS. Methods DNA methylation at promoter regions of 4 core NP system genes, e.g., CORIN, FURIN, NPPA, and NPPB, was measured by targeted bisulfite sequencing in 853 patients with IS and 918 controls. We first examined the association between DNA methylation at each single CpG and IS, followed by gene-based and gene set analyses to examine the joint associations of DNA methylation at multiple CpGs in a gene or all 4 genes as a pathway with IS. Results After control of covariates and multiple testing, DNA methylation at 19 of the 36 assayed CpGs was individually associated with IS at q < 0.05. Higher average methylation levels at the targeted regions of CORIN (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–0.73), FURIN (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.88), and NPPA (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.88) were associated with a lower odds of IS (all q < 0.05). The truncated product method revealed the same gene-based associations (all q < 0.05) and found that DNA methylation at all 4 NP system genes together was jointly associated with IS (p = 0.0001). Discussion DNA methylation at NP system genes was downregulated in patients with IS. Our results may unravel a molecular mechanism underlying the regulating effect of the NP system on IS and highlight the relevance of testing the joint effect of multiple CpGs in the epigenetic analysis.
Predicting farmed rainbow trout weight distribution to improve feeding practice: an individual-based model approach.

In the near future, the role of aquaculture in human diet is likely to increase due to the rising demand for fish proteins. With a long tradition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming, Italy is one of the main producers of this species in the European Union (EU). The EU is allocating economic resources to foster the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, aiming to produce more while using less resources. Precision fish farming (PFF) is a promising approach to achieve this goal and its implementation is being facilitated thanks to the reduction of costs of sensors. PFF will likely lead to a new generation of mathematical dynamic models based on sets of control variables and external forcing functions, coping with Big Data and machine learning techniques. In this work, we developed an individual-based dynamic model for the simulation of the fish size distribution and total biomass of a population of rainbow trout within a raceway. At its core, there is a bioenergetic individual model that can simulate weight changes taking into account water temperature and feeding regime. This model was tested against weight observations collected by a non–invasive monitoring system, that was deployed for the first time in a trout farm. The model allows one to estimate the optimal feeding ration based on fish weight and water temperature. The results indicate that current methodologies, based on the estimation of the average weight, lead to slightly overestimate the feed ration: therefore, the model proposed here would allow one to save feed, thus reducing operational costs.
Pancancer Analyses Reveal Genomics and Clinical Characteristics of the SETDB1 in Human Tumors

Background Malignant tumor is one of the most common diseases that seriously affect human health. The prior literature has reported the biological function and potential therapeutic targets of SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (SETDB1) as an oncogene. However, SETDB1 has rarely been analyzed from a pan-cancer perspective. Methods Bioinformatics analysis tools and databases, including GeneCards, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), UniProt, Illustrator for Biological Sequences (IBS), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), GEPIA, TIMER2, Sangerbox 3.0, UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier (K-M) plotter, cBioPortal, Catalogue Of Somatic Mutations In Cancer (COSMIC), PhosphoSitePlus, TISIDB, STRING, and GeneMANIA, were utilized to clarify the biological functions and clinical significance of SETDB1 from a pan-cancer perspective. Results In this study, the pan-cancer analysis demonstrated that SETDB1 showed significantly differential expression in most tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues, and SETDB1 expression was associated with clinicopathological features and clinical prognosis. We also found that SETDB1 mutations occurred in most tumors and were related to tumorigenesis. In addition, DNA methylation of SETDB1 primarily occurred at the cg10444928 site and was associated with prognosis in several human tumors. The predicted phosphorylation site of SETDB1 was Ser1006. We found that SETDB1 was significantly related to the specific tumor-infiltrating immune cell populations and expression of clinically targetable immune checkpoints and may be a promising immunotherapy target. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses also indicated that SETDB1 may function as crucial regulator in carcinogenesis of human cancers. Conclusions SETDB1 is an important oncogene involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression through different biological mechanisms. Furthermore, SETDB1 may be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Clinico-epidemiological Study of Patients with Glaucoma in a Tertiary Eye Center, Nepal.

INTRODUCTION Major cause of irreversible blindness is glaucoma which is increasing as a significant global health problem. Knowledge of glaucoma burden and its clinical characteristics in this region is essential. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional hospital -based study conducted at Glaucoma unit in CHEERS Hospital, Bhaktapur from August 2015 to July 2019. Patients' demographic profile, along with comprehensive eye examination findings were reviewed from the records. Data analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 24 and was presented in mean (±SD), frequency and proportions and a chi- square test was applied. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Total of 310 glaucoma cases were included in this study. The mean age presentation was 61.89±14.4 years, and the majority of patients (52.9%) were in the age group 60-79 years. Most patients had primary open angle glaucoma (171, 55.2%) followed by primary angle closure glaucoma (92, 29.7%). CONCLUSION Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. The proportion of glaucoma increased with increasing age (> 40 years). Provision of screening programs targeting persons with risk factors and opportunistic eye examinations would be beneficial in detection of glaucoma.
The Story of Female Sex Workers in The Shadow of Sex Work Coercion: A Qualitative Study

Background: What has been less considered in the literature of the sex work research, especially in Iran, is to look at the causes of sex work from the perspective of women. The present study sought to understand the causes of the problem and the experience of female sex workers. Methods: The present study was conducted by using qualitative method. Twenty-eight sex workers participated in the study voluntarily and with informed consent. The researcher conducted deep semistructured interviews. Purposive sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Conventional content analysis of the transcribed interviews and field notes were performed to identify key themes, first by each of researchers separately and then in joint discussions. Results: The main theme of the study, according to the participants, was the sense of “what pushed me into sex worker” which included the five main categories of “despair, psychic restlessness, getting drunk by alcohol and drug, incomplete families, not to be left behind by the sudden social changes. ” Conclusions: Social and health consequences, especially reproductive health of female sex, workers are affected by several factors. However, to deal with this social and health problems, specific attention should be paid to social factors affecting health. Accordingly, each of the influential variables known in this study could be a target for the country's intervention programs, especially in public health centers and even charities related to the healthcare counseling of sex workers.
Effect of Intensive versus Standard BP Control on AKI and Subsequent Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality: Findings from the SPRINT EHR Study

Key Points Identifying ways to prevent AKI may reduce mortality further in the setting of intensive BP control. Creatinine-based ascertainment of AKI, enabled by electronic health record data, may be more sensitive and less biased than traditional serious adverse event adjudication. Visual Abstract Background Adjudication of inpatient AKI in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) was based on billing codes and admission and discharge notes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intensive versus standard BP control on creatinine-based inpatient and outpatient AKI, and whether AKI was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Methods We linked electronic health record (EHR) data from 47 clinic sites with trial data to enable creatinine-based adjudication of AKI. Cox regression was used to evaluate the effect of intensive BP control on the incidence of AKI, and the relationship between incident AKI and CVD and all-cause mortality. Results A total of 3644 participants had linked EHR data. A greater number of inpatient AKI events were identified using EHR data (187 on intensive versus 155 on standard treatment) as compared with serious adverse event (SAE) adjudication in the trial (95 on intensive versus 61 on standard treatment). Intensive treatment increased risk for SPRINT-adjudicated inpatient AKI (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.08) and for creatinine-based outpatient AKI (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.70), but not for creatinine-based inpatient AKI (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.48). Irrespective of the definition (SAE or creatinine based), AKI was associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality, but only creatinine-based inpatient AKI was associated with increased risk for CVD. Conclusions Creatinine-based ascertainment of AKI, enabled by EHR data, may be more sensitive and less biased than traditional SAE adjudication. Identifying ways to prevent AKI may reduce mortality further in the setting of intensive BP control.
Study Regarding the Relationship between Coordination and Performance Capacity in Badminton

First appeared at the Olympic Games in Munich 1972 as a demonstration sport, badminton has the ability to attract a large number of practitioners because of the ease with which a beginner can perform ball exchanges with his/her partner. The role of the coach is to use motivation to make the beginners progress. Designing effective training programs for junior badminton practitioners aims to provide individual evolution opportunities regarding the sportspecific techniques and tactics. The purpose of our research is to identify means of personalized intervention that will increase the performance capacity in badminton. Evaluation of techniques used by athletes showed an increase in the number of excellent executions between the two tests and a decrease in the total number of executions. This is nothing but an increase in the quality of the techniques used. The results achieved by the 26 athletes highlight that applying an optimized training program through means aimed to develop the coordination capacity has led to an increased capacity of performance in juniors, ranking them among the top athletes in the national championship for under 15 and 17 years of age. © 2016 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.uk