Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass composition modelling at sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays

Extragalactic sources are thought to be the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays detected at Earth. In this work, we explore energy-dependent mass compositions of these sources taking a subset of the VCV catalog for distances with z≤0.6. We use a power-law spectrum with an exponential cutoff to model individual sources above 1018.7 eV. To be more realistic we use the individual distance and radio flux weight of the sources, while sharing other properties as the power law index, Z-dependent rigidity cut and nuclei fraction. We propagate the different nuclei using CRPropa and search for the best stable parameters that fit the features of the spectrum measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. We show that the mass composition at the sources tends to have lighter nuclei, with H and He having the greatest contributions. The power law index found is 2 ± 0.1 and the rigidity cutoff 1021±0.3 eV.
SURGICAL ACCURACY AND EFFICIENCY OF COMPUTER-NAVIGATED TKA WITH A ROBOTIC CUTTING GUIDE – REPORT ON THE FIRST 100 CASES

Robotic-guided arthroplasty procedures are becoming increasingly common. We introduced a new computer-navigated TKA system with a robotic cutting-guide into a community-based hospital and characterized the accuracy and efficiency of the technique. We retrospectively reviewed our first 100 cases following IRB approval. Tourniquet time, intraoperative bone-cut accuracy and final limb alignment as measured by the computer were collected and divided into consecutive quartiles: Groups I, II, III, and IV; 25 cases per group. All resections were planned neutral to the mechanical axis. Postoperative component alignment and overall mechanical axis limb alignment were also measured on standing long-leg radiographs by two independent observers at minimum six weeks follow-up. Radiographic alignment was available for 62 cases. Intraoperative Computer Data: Bone-cut accuracy was a mean 0.1° valgus, SD±0.8° for both the femur and tibia (range, femur: 2.0° valgus to 1.5° varus; range, tibia: 3.5° valgus to 1.5° varus). Final limb alignment was within 3° for 98% (97/99) of cases (range: 2.0° valgus to 3.5° varus). Radiographic Alignment: Pre-operative mechanical alignment ranged from −14.5° valgus to 21.5° varus. Radiographic femoral and tibial component alignment was within 3° of neutral in 98.4% of cases (61/62). Final limb alignment was within 3° for 87.1% (54/62) of cases (range: 4.5° varus to 4.5° valgus). Learning curve: Mean tourniquet time was 60minutes ±9.9SD (range 46–79) for Group I and 49.5minutes for Groups II, III, and IV (range 35–68), p = 0.0001. Mean tourniquet time for the first ten and second ten procedures was 65±10.6minutes and 55±8.3minutes, respectively, p = 0.034. There were no differences in accuracy among the four groups (p>0.05). Imageless computer-navigated TKA with a robotic cutting guide allowed one surgeon to make bone resections within 3° of neutral in 98% of cases. Radiographic limb alignment was less precise, which is consistent with the known limitations inherent to this measurement technique. Surgeons can expect this procedure to take 15 additional minutes during the first ten cases and five additional minutes during the second ten cases on average, without compromising accuracy.
Meta-Interpretive Learning meets Neural Networks

In this work we present NeuralLog+MIL, a structure learning system based on Meta-Interpretive Learning. NeuralLog+MIL applies the idea of Metagol to learn theories in the NeuralLog language. Metagol is a system that uses a set of higher-order clauses to deﬁne a hypotheses space of ﬁrst-order logic theories and applies those clauses in order to derive ﬁrst-order theories from examples. Then, NeuralLog transforms a ﬁrst-order logic program into a neural network. It receives as input a set of ﬁrst-order clauses that are used to deﬁne the neural network models, and a set of facts that becomes weights in the neural network. We show that our approach has competitive results for the link prediction task when compared with Neural-LP in three diﬀerent datasets. Achieving comparable values for the hit at top 10 entities and the mean rank metric in the UMLS and WordNet datasets; and outper-forming Neural-LP in the UWCSE dataset in those metrics.
Magnesium and Melatonin Co-Administration Attenuates Blood Glucose Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose. The raised blood glucose level if not properly managed can results in damage and failure of several vital organs such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of co-administration of melatonin and magnesium on blood glucose level of streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetic Wistar rats. To achieve this aim sixty-four Wistar rats were used in the study. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce chemical type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) after two weeks acclimatization period in fifty-eight Wistar rats. Fifty-three rats were diabetic and fourty-eight diabetic rats were randomly distributed in eight groups and six normal normoglycaemic rats were used as control. The animals were assigned into nine groups as follows, Normal control group (NC), Diabetic control (DC) group, Melatonin Low dose group of 10 mg/kgb (MLD), magnesium low dose group of 240 mg/kgbw (MgLD), melatonin and magnesium combined low dose group of 10mg/kgbw+240mg/kgbw (MMgLD), melatonin high dose group of 20mg/kgbw (MHD), magnesium high dose group of 480mg/kgbw (MgHD), melatonin and magnesium high dose combined group of 20mg/kgbw+480mg/kgbw (MMgHD) and insulin at 500mg/kgbw group (IN). Melatonin and insulin were administered through intraperitoneal injections (IP) while magnesium was by oral administration. The control groups were given placebo and all group treatment was for twenty-one days. Blood glucose was measured weekly in all groups by day 8, day 15 and day 22. At the end of the evaluation Day 22, the blood glucose levels showed a highly significant decrease (p˂0.05) in melatonin treatment group at low dose (MLD), melatonin and magnesium combined group at low doses (MMgLD), melatonin treatment group at high doses (MHD) and insulin treated group (IN) when compared with normoglycaemic group (NC) while groups treated with Magnesium at low doses (MgLD), magnesium treated group at high doses and melatonin and magnesium treatment group at high doses (MMgHD) showed no significant decrease (p˂0.05) in blood glucose levels as compared with diabetic control (DC). Melatonin and magnesium co-administration has hypoglycaemic effects on blood glucose levels in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic Wistar rats.
EFFICIENCY OF SOME FUNGICIDE ALTERNATIVES TO CONTROL DATE PALM DISEASES

Several alternative control methods were evaluated against some important date palm diseases i.e. false leaf smut, inflorescence rot, black scorch, basal leaf rot and leaf spot . Results revealed that, using plant extracts and essential oils in addition to some biocontrol agents gave similar control capacity as fungicides. Using plant extracts of Neem, swamp mahogany, garlic and jasmine suppressed infection with studied diseases at 100 ppm while, Nigella and rocket were the most effective oils at the same concentration. T. harzianum , T. viride and B. subtilis isolate (1) were the most effective in reducing diseases incidence. Data show that, Diathen M was the most effective fungicide in controlling all studied diseases at dose 1.5 g/liter except black scarch where Daconil was the most effective at the same dose.
Making sense of free associations with PURPLE – A new coding scheme testing French speakers in three countries

The colour category PURPLE is strangely heterogeneous, potentially due to the use of different cognates. We asked French speakers from Algeria, France, and Switzerland (n = 274) to produce up to three free associations with violet (basic term), pourpre, and lilas (non-basic terms). We counted 2,075 associations. We developed a coding scheme that i) covers nine major themes, and ii) shows high inter-rater reliability. Overall, the themes colour terms and natural elements and objects were most prominent showing that participants provided closely related associations. Finally, violet triggered more diverse semantic associations than pourpre or lilas. This was true for all countries. It seems that the basic term PURPLE carries more diverse associations and connotations than the non-basic terms.
COST OF EQUITY CAPITAL AND UNDERSTATED

Pension discount rates have a powerful effect on the size of reported defined benefit corporate pension liabilities because of the long-term nature of projected benefit obligations. Firms often choose pension discount rates that are above the guideline long-term Treasury, AAA-grade, and AA-grade corporate bond yields. We assess the sizes of understated pension liabilities relative to these benchmark interest rates and relate them to individual firms’ implied cost of equity. We find that firms with large, understated pension liabilities have a higher implied cost of equity after taking into account standard control variables and other pension information such as funded status and mandatory contributions.
Water quality model-based methodology to assess assimilative capacity of waste-water discharges in rivers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: One of the negative impacts of polluting activities on aquatic ecosystems is the loss of its natural self-purification ability, for this reason, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the Sinú River capacity to assimilate wastewater discharges. METHODS: Monitoring of several water quality parameters was carried out in the river at different seasons and a numerical method was used to simulate different scenarios through the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code model. The model calibration process was tested applying the Root Mean Square Error and after calibrating the model, scenarios of increase and decrease of discharge concentrations and flows, and river flows were simulated. Finally, the results were compared to water quality reference limits. FINDINGS: Results show that the model accurately represented the real conditions of the studied river section for all the evaluated parameters. Also, assimilative capacity was affected mostly by the scenario in which the river flow was decreased by 50%, and the flows and discharges concentrations were increased five times; causing parameters such as ammonia nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, phosphates, and total nitrogen, to exceed the established reference limits with maximum concentrations of 2.7 mg/L, 30.9mg/L, 0.98 mg/L and 6.3 mg/L; respectively. Higher concentrations of water quality parameters were mostly found in the dry season since lower velocities and river flows promote less pollutants mixing and dilution processes. CONCLUSION: The model spatiotemporal simulations showed the effect of the wastewater discharges on the Sinú River assimilative capacity and made it possible to find those scenarios where water quality parameters exceeded the reference limits, becoming an essential tool for water management and the development of strong water quality objectives by stakeholders and environmental authorities. ARTICLE INFO
Synthesis, transport, and processing of apolipoproteins of high density lipoproteins

Cell biology methods have greatly influenced the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of apolipoproteins. In vitro and tissue culture systems allow the study, to a large extent, of the process of synthesis, intracellular processing, secretion, and extracellular processing of the major high density lipoprotein apoproteins apoA-I and A-I1 and also of a minor component, apoA-IV. Whereas the latter apoprotein is equipped only with a signal sequence, the primary translation products of apoA-I and apoA-I1 carry N-terminal extensions of preprosequence of 24 amino acids for apoA-I and 23 amino acid residues for apoA-11. The pro-form of apoA-I characterized by a hexapeptide extension is completely stable intracellularly and is secreted as such. The pro-form is further processed by a serum protease specific for an unusual -Gln-Gln-AspGlusequence site. Pro-apoA-11, a pentapeptide sequence, is partially processed intracellularly to its mature form and secreted together with the residual preform. The cleavage site of proapoA-I1 is characterized by two basic amino acid residues ArgArg, present also in other known pro-proteins. The biological function of the N-terminal pro-sequences and details of their final processing by the serum protease(s) have yet to be established. -Stoffel, W. Synthesis, transport, and processing of apolipoproteins of high density lipoproteins. J . Lipid Res. 1984. 2 5 1586-1592. Supplementary key words apoA-1 apoA-I1 signal peptide
Plant regeneration from nodal explants of Adhatoda

A simple micropropagation protocol for the important medicinal plant species Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka) from nodal explants was developed. The young juvenile nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with CW (15% v/v) + BAP (5 mg/l) started proliferating multiple shoot buds (142) in 3 to 4 weeks and the shoots became 3 cm long in 6 to 8 weeks. The regenerated plants produced well developed roots on transfer to MS + IBA 1 mg/l in 10 to 12 days. The rooted plantlets were acclimatized before transfer to soil and 80% of the transferred plants survived.
Identifying the Retinal Layers Linked to Human Contrast Sensitivity Via Deep Learning

Purpose Luminance contrast is the fundamental building block of human spatial vision. Therefore contrast sensitivity, the reciprocal of contrast threshold required for target detection, has been a barometer of human visual function. Although retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are known to be involved in contrast coding, it still remains unknown whether the retinal layers containing RGCs are linked to a person's contrast sensitivity (e.g., Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity) and, if so, to what extent the retinal layers are related to behavioral contrast sensitivity. Thus the current study aims to identify the retinal layers and features critical for predicting a person's contrast sensitivity via deep learning. Methods Data were collected from 225 subjects including individuals with either glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or normal vision. A deep convolutional neural network trained to predict a person's Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity from structural retinal images measured with optical coherence tomography was used. Then, activation maps that represent the critical features learned by the network for the output prediction were computed. Results The thickness of both ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers, reflecting RGC counts, were found to be significantly correlated with contrast sensitivity (r = 0.26 ∼ 0.58, Ps < 0.001 for different eccentricities). Importantly, the results showed that retinal layers containing RGCs were the critical features the network uses to predict a person's contrast sensitivity (an average R2 = 0.36 ± 0.10). Conclusions The findings confirmed the structure and function relationship for contrast sensitivity while highlighting the role of RGC density for human contrast sensitivity.
m6A demethylase FTO regulates the apoptosis and inflammation of cardiomyocytes via YAP1 in ischemia-reperfusion injury

ABSTRACT Reperfusion therapy after acute myocardial infarction can induce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Novel evidence has illustrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification modulates the myocardial IRI progression. Here, our study focuses on the role of m6A methyltransferase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in myocardial ischemia/reoxygenation injury and explores potential regulatory mechanisms. Results discovered that FTO down-expressed in myocardial IRI mice and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes. Functionally, FTO overexpression attenuated the H/R-induced apoptosis and inflammation of cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MeRIP-qPCR) assay and RIP assay revealed that Yap1 mRNA acted as the target of FTO in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, FTO uninstalled the methylation of Yap1 mRNA, and enforced the stability of Yap1 mRNA. Taken together, our study reveals the role of FTO in H/R-induced myocardial cell injury via m6A-dependent manner, which may provide a new approach to improve myocardial IRI.
Antibacterial activity and mechanism of essential oils in combination with medium‐chain fatty acids against predominant bovine mastitis pathogens

Bovine mastitis has become a significant economic importance for the dairy industry. Concerns regarding poor milk quality and emergence of bacterial resistance have necessitated to develop an alternative therapeutic approach to antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis. Saturated medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and essential oils (EOs) are known natural antimicrobials, but their combined effect has not been investigated extensively. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the bactericidal effect of various combined treatments of eight EOs and three saturated MCFAs to inactivate predominant mastitis pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 27736 and Streptococcus agalactiae ATCC 27956. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values confirmed that all the tested pathogens were variably susceptible to both EOs and saturated MCFAs. Among essential oils, carvacrol (CAR), trans‐cinnamaldehyde (TC) and thymol (TM) showed the highest inhibitory activity at concentration 0·38–1·32 mg/mL. Carvacrol exhibited effective additive antibacterial activity in combined treatment with octanoic acid (OA) in terms of its fractional inhibitory index (0·63–0·88) and time‐kill effect in reducing about 6 log CFU/mL bacterial cells in less than 5 min. The effort was also made to elucidate the mechanism of antibacterial action of CAR and OA against selected mastitis pathogens by observing changes in cell microstructure, permeability and integrity of cell membrane and their membrane potential. After adding CAR and OA at MIC level, there were obvious changes in cell morphology, leakage of small electrolytes and macromolecules at the initial few hours of treatment i.e. within 1–2 h were observed. Our results indicated that CAR and OA could be evaluated as alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotics as intramammary infusion or topical application to treat bovine mastitis, significantly improving the microbiological safety of milk.
Von Economo neurons: Cellular specialization of human limbic cortices?

Von Economo neurons (VENs) have been mentioned in the medical literature since the second half of the 19th century; however, it was not until the second decade of the 20th century that their cytomorphology was described in detail. To date, VENs have been found in limbic sectors of the frontal, temporal and insular lobes. In humans, their density seems to decrease in the caudo‐rostral and ventro‐dorsal direction; that is, from the anterior regions of the cingulate and insular cortices towards the frontal pole and the superior frontal gyrus. Several studies have provided similar descriptions of the shape of the VEN soma, but the size of the soma varies from one cortical region to another. There is consensus among different authors about the selective vulnerability of VENs in certain pathologies, in which a deterioration of the capacities involved in social behaviour is observed. In this review, we propose that the restriction of VENs towards the sectors linked to limbic information processing in Homo sapiens gives them a possible functional role in relation to the structures in which they are located. However, given the divergence in characteristics such as location, density, size and biochemical profile among VENs of different cortical sectors, the activities in which they participate could allow them to partake in a wide spectrum of neurological functions, including autonomic responses and executive functions.
Comparison of UGT1A1 Polymorphism as Guidance of Irinotecan Dose Escalation in RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With Cetuximab or Bevacizumab Plus FOLFIRI as the First-Line Therapy

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphism plays a crucial role in the increased susceptibility and toxicity of patients to irinotecan. This retrospective, observational study compared the clinical outcomes and adverse events (AEs) in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with cetuximab or bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI with UGT1A1 genotyping and irinotecan dose escalation as the first-line therapy. In total, 173 patients with mCRC with RAS wild-type were enrolled. Among them, 98 patients were treated with cetuximab, whereas 75 patients were treated with bevacizumab. All patients received irinotecan dose escalation based on UGT1A1 genotyping. We compared the progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rates (ORRs), disease control rates (DCRs), metastatectomy, and severe adverse events (SAEs) between the two groups. The clinical effects of primary tumor sidedness and target therapy crossover were further analyzed. Over a median follow-up of 23.0 months [interquartile range (IQR), 15.0–32.5 months], no significant differences were observed between the cetuximab and bevacizumab groups in PFS [18.0 months vs. 14.0 months; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.517–1.027; hazard ratio (HR), 0.729; p = 0.071], OS (40.0 months vs. 30.0 months; 95% CI, 0.410–1.008; HR, 0.643; p = 0.054), ORR (65.3% vs. 62.7%; p = 0.720), DCR (92.8% vs. 86.7%; p = 0.175), metastatectomy (36.7% vs. 29.3%; p = 0.307), and SAEs (p = 0.685). Regardless of primary tumor sidedness and target therapy crossover, no significant differences were noted in efficacy and safety between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Our results revealed that patients with wild-type RAS mCRC, regardless of biologics, with UGT1A1 genotyping can tolerate escalated doses of irinotecan and potentially achieve a more favorable clinical outcome without significantly increased toxicity.
Mobilising the Household Data Required to Progress toward the SDGs

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be reported annually, but at present data on poverty-related SDGs are not updated frequently, nor are the data always available promptly. This paper reviews the key non-census data sources underlying the MDGs - household surveys (national and international), and administrative and registry data - to assess which data sources could provide the more frequent data required to design and coordinate policies, measure, manage, and monitor progress towards the poverty-related SDGs. It also reviews new data sources such as opinion polls â€œbig dataâ€ , satellite data, call records, and other digital breadcrumbs to see how these might augment the information required to assess progress in the SDGs. We evaluate each option according to ten criteria. While each option has strengths, and each will clearly contribute, high quality multi-topic household surveys complemented by interim lighter surveys have a demonstrated ability to collect the core indicators of human poverty at an individual and household level in a rigorous way, so are likely to remain a core component of the data framework.