Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent-Dye-Labeled Amino Acids for Real-Time Imaging in Arabidopsis thaliana

Amino acid is the main transport form of reduced nitrogen in plants. To investigate the uptake and source–sink translocation process of plants to help understand their physiological roles and transport mechanisms, we designed and synthesized three fluorescent-dye-labeled amino acids as tools to visualize amino acid transportation in Arabidopsis thaliana; these amino acids consist of amino acids linked to the fluorophore nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) with excellent optical properties. Furthermore, we incubated Arabidopsis thaliana with these NBD fluorescent-dye-labeled amino acids for real-time imaging along with fluorescence enhancement for 24 h. The results showed that Arabidopsis thaliana could absorb them directly from the roots to the leaves. Therefore, our fluorescent-dye-labeled amino acids provide a de novo tool and strategy for visualizing amino acid absorption and transportation in plants.
Heart Adaptation Mechanisms in Elite Female Athletes: Comparison With Healthy Individuals and Time of Training

Background: Intense continuous exercise provokes adaptive remodeling phenotypes in athletes, the parameters of which can be evaluated through conventional echocardiography and myocardial deformation. We compared myocardial remodeling in female athletes (athlete group) with sedentary women of the same age range (control group) and between older and younger athletes. Methods: A total of 57 female soccer players and 25 healthy sedentary women were selected. The athlete group was subdivided into a main group and those under 17 years of age (< 17 group). The dimensions and systolic and diastolic function of the cardiac chambers and myocardial deformation (longitudinal and circumferential, as well as radial strain and rotational mechanics) was determined through echocardiography, using the Z statistic with a significance level of p< 0.05. Results: The mean age of the athlete, control, main, and < 17 groups was 22.1 (SD, 6.3); 21.2 (SD, 5.0); 26.5 (SD, 5.1); 16.5 (SD, 0.6) years, respectively. Weight, body mass index and heart rate were lower in the athlete group. Wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, left atrial (LA) volume, ejection fraction, and right ventricular dimensions were higher in athlete group, but remained within normal ranges. Regarding myocardial deformation, there was decreased radial strain, basal rotation, apical rotation, and twisting in the athlete group, suggesting a contractile reserve mechanism. These parameters were lesser in the main athlete group, who also had greater wall thickness, greater volume in the left atrium (LA) and larger size in the right ventricle (RV), suggesting that increased contractile reserve is related to longer time spent in the sport. Conclusions: In female athletes who had undergone intense long-term training, we observed adaptive remodeling of the cardiac chambers and increased contractile reserve (at rest), and these changes were more pronounced in those with longer involvement in the sport.
A randomized controlled trial of pectoralis major myofascial release massage for breastfeeding mothers: breast pain, engorgement, and newborns’ breast milk intake and sleeping patterns

Purpose Supportive interventions to improve breastfeeding practice are needed in nursing. This study investigated the effects of pectoralis major myofascial release massage (MRM) on breast pain and engorgement among breastfeeding mothers and on breast milk intake and sleep patterns among newborns. Methods Breastfeeding mothers who had delivered between 37 and 43 weeks and had 7- to 14-day-old newborns were recruited from a postpartum care center in Gunpo, Korea. Participants were randomized to the MRM or control group. The outcome variables were breast pain and breast engorgement among breastfeeding mothers and breast milk intake and sleep time among newborns. The experimental treatment involved applying MRM to separate the pectoralis major muscle and the underlying breast tissue in the chest. After delivery, the first MRM session (MRM I) was provided by a breast specialist nurse, and the second (MRM II) was administered 48 hours after MRM I. Results Following MRM, breast pain (MRM I: t=−5.38, p<.001; MRM II: t=−10.05, p<.001), breast engorgement (MRM I: right, t=−1.68, p=.100; left, t=−2.13, p=.037 and MRM II: right, t=−4.50, p<.001; left, t=−3.74, p<.001), and newborn breast milk intake (MRM I: t=3.10, p=.003; MRM II: t=3.09, p=.003) differed significantly between the groups. Conclusion MRM effectively reduced breast engorgement and breast pain in breastfeeding mothers, reducing the need for formula supplementation, and increasing newborns’ breast milk intake. Therefore, MRM can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention to alleviate discomfort during breastfeeding and to improve the rate of breastfeeding practice (clinical trial number: KCT0002436).
An application of the reciprocity gap functional to inverse scattering theory

A method is given for determining the shape of an object from the Cauchy data of the total field measured on the boundary of a domain containing the object in its interior. An application is given to the problem of determining the shape of an object buried in the earth from measurements on the surface of the earth. The advantages of the method are that (1) no a priori knowledge is needed of the physical properties of the scattering object and (2) there is no need to compute Green's function for the background medium.
Membrane Sweeping to Induce Labor in Post-term Pregnant Women: Success Rate and Outcomes

Introduction Membrane sweeping is a mechanical technique by which a clinician inserts one or two fingers into the cervix and detaches the inferior pole of the membranes from the lower uterine segment using a continuous circular sweeping motion. This produces hormones that promote effacement and dilatation, potentially promoting labor. This study aimed to determine the success rate and the outcome of membrane sweeping in postdate pregnant women in Alhasahesa Teaching Hospital. Methods This prospective descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Alhashesa Teaching Hospital, Alhashesa, Sudan, between May and October 2022 included all pregnant women at 40 or more weeks of gestation who underwent membrane sweeping to induce labor. We recorded the number of sweeps needed, sweeping-to-delivery interval, mode of delivery, maternal outcome, and fetal outcome (including birth weight, Apgar score at delivery, and the need for neonatal intensive care unit admission [NICU]). Data were collected through patient interviews using a specially designed questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software for Windows, Version 26.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), Results Membrane sweeping induced labor in 127 postdate women (86.4%). Most of the women in the study (n=138; 93.9%) had no complications, seven (4.8%) had postpartum hemorrhage, one (0.7%) had sepsis, and one (0.7%) was admitted to the intensive care unit. All neonates were alive, and most (n=126; 85.8%) birth weights ranged from 2.5 kg to 3.5 kg. Thirteen (8.8%) neonates weighed less than 2.5 kg, and eight (5.4%) weighed more than 3.5 kg. One hundred thirty-three (90.5%) had Apgar scores <7, eight (5.4%) had Apgar scores under five, and six (4.1%) had Apgar scores of five to six. Seven neonates (4.8%) were admitted to the NICU. Conclusions Membrane sweeping to induce labor has a high success rate, and it can be safe for both the mother and the baby, as it is associated with a low rate of maternal and fetal complications. Additionally, no maternal and/or fetal deaths were reported. A large, controlled study is required to compare its benefits over other methods of induction of labor.
Combined Photobleaching and Temperature Effects on 1550 nm Radiation-Induced Attenuation of Germanosilicate Optical Fiber

Combined temperature and photobleaching (PB) effects on the 1550 nm radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) levels and kinetics of a commercial Ge-doped single-mode optical fiber (OF) have been investigated. The main goal of this study was to evaluate if synergetic effects could impact the performances of free-space optical communication links in space. For this, we performed accelerated (0.5 Gy(SiO2)/s) irradiation runs with 100 kV X-rays up to the total ionizing dose of 150 kGy(SiO2), varying the irradiation temperature between −80 °C and 80 °C. First, we evaluate the irradiation temperature effects: infrared RIA largely increases at negative temperatures. Second, the effects of injecting different optical powers at different temperatures have been characterized: if at temperatures exceeding room temperature (RT), PB effects are almost negligible, a PB effect is clearly observable at lower temperatures where the germanosilicate OF present large RIA levels due to the contribution of metastable defects absorbing at 1550 nm. Increasing the injected powers allows for reducing the concentration of these radiation-induced unstable defects, but not as much as thermal treatment consecutive to the irradiation. These results highlight the complex physics of radiation-induced defects absorbing at 1550 nm in Ge-doped OF, but also the vulnerability of this class of fiber for space telecommunication links. Regarding the unstable nature of point defects causing the RIA at a lower temperature, it seems possible to mitigate the loss excess by thermal cycles at RT or higher temperatures. We also could expect that our accelerated tests represent a worst-case scenario in terms of RIA levels at the maximum dose.
The Association between Metformin and the Cancer-Specific Mortality Rate in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients: Real-World Evidence

Objectives: Nasopharyngeal cancer is a common cancer in East and South Asia. The radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimen has advanced in recent years. However, many patients still suffer from local recurrence and distant metastasis; thus, identifying medication that can be combined with standard treatment to improve the treatment outcomes in nasopharyngeal cancer patients is an unmet need. Methods: We included nasopharyngeal cancer patients from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD). The primary endpoint was set as the cancer-specific mortality rate. Metformin cohorts and non-Metformin cohorts were matched by sex, age, and the year of the index date. Propensity score matching with a ratio of 1:1 was applied. Results: A total of 6078 subjects were included in the study, with 3039 patients in each group. Male participants outnumbered female participants. Most of the patients were aged 50 to 64; the mean age was 60.4 ± 10.4 years in Metformin non-users, and that of Metformin users was 59.9 ± 10.5 years. Metformin users had a lower risk of death due to nasopharyngeal cancer (adjusted HR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.71, 0.90) than controls. Conclusions: We concluded that Metformin might be effective at reducing the cancer-specific mortality rate in nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Further randomized control trials should be completed.
Announcement of the Registered Report “Can a Variant of the Implicit Association Test Detect Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in a Clinical Population? A Registered Report”

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a severe and prevalent mental health problem (Nock, 2010). Measures to detect which individuals are at risk for NSSI would be valuable for clinical practice. However, we still lack strong predictors of future NSSI behaviour, with the most notable exception being prior NSSI behaviour (Franklin et al., 2017; Griep & MacKinnon, 2022; Kiekens et al., 2018; Turner et al., 2013; Whitlock et al., 2013). Yet, the measurement of prior NSSI behaviour with self-report measures can be difficult because individuals may be motivated to conceal this harmful behaviour (Long, 2018; MacDonald et al., 2020; Simone & Hamza, 2020). To overcome this problem, an implicit measure has been developed that assesses automatic responding to statements about prior NSSI behaviour (i.e., the past nonsuicidal self-injury Implicit Association Test: P-NSSI-IAT;
Evaluating Logistic Models for Large Contingency Tables

Abstract This article discusses through three examples several new methods to aid in the analysis of large contingency tables. The general goal is to give better understanding of specific contingency tables, both by comparing how various log-linear/logistic models fit and through clearer interpretations of the resulting fits. For model selection, we show how to focus on a subset of simple, good-fitting models, beginning with a plot of a goodness-of-fit statistic versus residual degrees of freedom for all of the fitted models. To assess whether a particular model is adequate, we demonstrate that certain plots of residuals can reveal interesting effects that are often otherwise hidden. For model summarization and interpretation, we plot odds-ratio factors with confidence intervals to show the effects of explanatory variables in a concise and appealing way. The first example involves the relationship of job satisfaction to demographic variables for craft employees of a large corporation. The data presented c.
Colorimetric Detection of S1 Nuclease Activity using a Hairpin DNA with Split G-Quadruplex

Abstract Hairpin DNA containing split G-quadruplex at its terminus displayed tagging position-dependent horseradish peroxidase activity. In general, the hairpin DNA coupled with one GGG repeat at its 5’-terminus and three GGG repeats at its 3′-terminus demonstrated strong catalytic activity, while slight activity was observed after exchanging the position of split G-quadruplex sequence. Inspired by these observations, a novel colorimetric biosensor for nuclease activity assay was developed by selecting S1 nuclease as the model. Specifically, S1 nuclease cleaves the split G-quadruplex into mono- or oligonucleotide fragments, thereby suppressing the catalytic activity, accompanied by a color change from blue to colorless. Under optimum conditions, S1 nuclease was determined with a linear range from 1.60 to 17.6 U/mL and a detection limit of 1.458 U/mL. The constructed method was simple and did not require complex sequence design, expensive instrumentation, and probe labeling. Most importantly, this work facilitates a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism of the DNAzyme and provides an example of the practical application of G-quadruplex-based DNAzyme.
Construction and Validation of a Novel Nomogram for Predicting the Recurrence of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Treated with R-CHOP

Purpose To explore recurrence-risk factors of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and construct a risk nomogram for predicting recurrence. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 228 DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after R-CHOP treatment between January 2015 and December 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify recurrence-related risk factors from the pretreatment evaluation factors covering patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, serological indicators, pathological and immunohistochemical results. A nomogram was developed based on the above results and validated by the concordance index (C-index), the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the calibration curve. Results The training and validation cohorts consisted of 160 and 68 patients (randomized by 7:3). Of the whole cohort, 50 of 228 (21.9%) cases recurred during follow-up. Three recurrence-risk factors including BCL2 expression (P = 0.027), CD10 expression (P = 0.021), LDH level (P = 0.004) were identified from multivariate analysis and entered the final nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.815 in training cohort and 0.797 in the validation cohort, higher than that of IPI system (0.699) and NCCN-IPI system (0.709). And the 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year areas under ROC (AUC) were 0.812, 0.850, 0.837, and 0.801, respectively. The calibration curves also showed a good discrimination capability and accuracy. Conclusion The novel nomogram incorporating the three independent risk factors (BCL2 expression, CD10 expression and LDH level) provided a valuable tool for predicting DLBCL recurrence.
Precise measurements of oxygen content: Oxygen vacancies in transparent conducting indium oxide films

High precision electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) has been used to measure the correlation of oxygen deficiency with carrier concentration in thin films of amorphous indium oxide. This has shown that there are ten times as many oxygen vacancies as would be expected from the carrier concentration measurements, giving a doping efficiency of 0.1. It is therefore clear that the doping mechanism is more complex than the usual picture of every oxygen vacancy producing two free electrons.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF LANDAU-ZENER TUNNELING AT THE M+N LEVEL CROSSING

Two rules have been analytically obtained for the well-known problem of Landau-Zener tunneling at the $M+N$ level crossing. Both rules are valid for the arbitrary crossing rate, level splitting vectors, and mixing matrix. The first rule is given by a simple expression for an arbitrary diagonal element of the $S$ matrix. The second rule is that the $S$ matrix has $(M\ensuremath{-}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(M\ensuremath{-}1)$ and $(N\ensuremath{-}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(N\ensuremath{-}1)$ triangles of zeros in its $M\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}M$ and $N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N$ submatrices, i.e., some interlevel transitions are strictly forbidden. Some other features of the off-diagonal elements are also studied, using a $2+2$ level crossing as an example. Numerical and analytical results of the $2+2$ crossing show difference from a $1+2$ level, and we conclude that the $M+N$ level crossing cannot be expressed as a mere composition of $1+1$ level crossings except for the above two rules. Finally we discuss the possibility of a single-electron operation using these results.
On the time periodic thermistor problem

In this paper we study a nonlocal parabolic/elliptic system which models thermistor behaviour in cases where heat losses to the surrounding gas play a significant role. The existence of time periodic solutions for the system is established through Faedo-Galerkin approximations and the Leray–Schauder degree theory. We show that for the small gas pressure case, the temperature of the time periodic solutions is positive. Moreover we consider the long time behaviour of the system and prove the existence of a uniform attractor. Finally, the finite dimensionality of the attractor is discussed.
Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Double Cages: Surgical Techniques and Treatment Outcomes

Objective To describe the surgical techniques and the treatment outcomes of biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BETLIF) using double cages. Methods This study included 89 patients with 114 fusion segments between July 2019 and May 2021. One pure polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and 1 composite titanium-PEEK cage were used for interbody fusion. Clinical outcomes measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for lower back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine 1 year postoperatively was used to evaluate the Bridwell interbody fusion grades. Results There were significant improvement in VAS for lower back pain from 5.2±3.1 to 1.7±2.1, VAS for leg pain from 6.3±2.5 to 1.7±2.0, ODI from 46.7±17.0 to 12.7±16.1, and JOA score from 15.6±6.3 to 26.4±3.2. The p-values were all <0.001. The average hospital stay was 5.7±1.1 days. The CT studies available for 60 fusion segments showed successful fusion (Bridwell grade I or grade II) in 56 segments (93.3%). Significant cage subsidence of more than 2 mm was only noted in 3 segments (5.0%). Complications included 1 dural tear, 2 pedicle screws malposition, and 2 epidural hematomas, in which 2 patients required reoperations. Conclusion BETLIF with double cages provided good neural decompression and a sound environment for interbody fusion with a big cage footprint, a large amount of bone graft, endplate preservation, and segmental stability.
High-density molecular gas in external galaxies: formaldehyde and carbon monosulfide

Observations in the 2(11)-2(12) transition of orthoformaldehyde were made to search for high-density gas in extragalactic sources. The line was detected in absorption toward NGC 253 and in emission toward M82, the first detection of 2 cm emission outside the Galaxy. A comparison of the 2 and 6 cm lines from Cen A indicates densities of the order of 100,000/cu cm. Comparison of the 2 and 6 cm lines from NGC 253 suggests that the central part of the 6 cm profile consists of a superposition of a broad absorption line and a narrower emission component. The emission probably originates in foreground formaldehyde gas pumped by the nonthermal radio continuum from the nucleus. In M82, a high angular resolution CS map shows two spatially unresolved centers of emission located along the major axis of the galaxy. The two emission centers are a part of the molecular torus structure also seen in CO. Extragalactic paraformaldehyde was detected for the first time. 43 refs.
Impact of High Concentrations of Saharan Dust Aerosols on Infrared-Based Land Surface Temperature Products

An analysis of three operational satellite-based thermal-infrared land surface temperature (LST) products is presented for conditions of heavy dust aerosol loading. The LST products are compared against ERA5’s skin temperature (SKT) across the Sahara Desert and Sahel region, where high concentrations of dust aerosols are prevalent. Large anomalous differences are found between satellite LST and ERA5’s SKT during the periods of highest dust activity, and satellite–ERA5 differences are shown to be strongly related to dust aerosol optical depth (DuAOD) at 550 nm, indicating an underestimation of LST in conditions of heavy dust aerosol loading. In situ measurements from two ground stations in the Sahel region provide additional evidence of this underestimation, showing increased biases of satellite LST with DuAOD, and no significant dependence of ERA5’s SKT biases on dust aerosol concentrations. The impact of atmospheric water vapor content on LST and SKT is also examined, but dust aerosols are shown to be the primary driver of the inaccurate LSTs observed. Based on comparisons with in situ data, we estimate an aerosol-induced underestimation of LST of approximately 0.9 K for every 0.1 increase in DuAOD. Analysis of brightness temperatures (BTs) in the thermal infrared atmospheric window reveals that dust aerosols have the opposite effect on BT differences compared to water vapor, leading to an underestimation of atmospheric correction by the LST retrieval algorithms. This article highlights a shortcoming of current operational LST retrieval algorithms that must be addressed.
Formation of Sulphides in As-Cast GOES Thin Strips

This paper deals with the formation of sulphides in as-cast grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) thin strip during solidification and subsequent cooling through the (δ + γ) field. Chemical composition of the strip was as follows, in mass %: 0.034 C, 2.81 Si, 0.06 Mn, 0.024 S, 0.20 Cr, 0.15 Cu, 0.055 Ni, 0.0011 Ti, 0.0056 N and 0.002 Al. It was found out that chemical composition of coarse sulphides, formed in the area of final solidification, was very different from the composition of fine sulphides precipitated in the two-phase region. Coarse sulphides were rich in iron. Fine complex sulphides were identified as the Cr2CuS4 phase. The effect of fine sulphides on the austenite decomposition at the end of the (δ + γ) field was studied.