Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Underwater Image Enhancement via Minimal Color Loss and Locally Adaptive Contrast Enhancement

Underwater images typically suffer from color deviations and low visibility due to the wavelength-dependent light absorption and scattering. To deal with these degradation issues, we propose an efficient and robust underwater image enhancement method, called MLLE. Specifically, we first locally adjust the color and details of an input image according to a minimum color loss principle and a maximum attenuation map-guided fusion strategy. Afterward, we employ the integral and squared integral maps to compute the mean and variance of local image blocks, which are used to adaptively adjust the contrast of the input image. Meanwhile, a color balance strategy is introduced to balance the color differences between channel a and channel b in the CIELAB color space. Our enhanced results are characterized by vivid color, improved contrast, and enhanced details. Extensive experiments on three underwater image enhancement datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods. Our method is also appealing in its fast processing speed within 1s for processing an image of size $1024\times 1024 \times 3$ on a single CPU. Experiments further suggest that our method can effectively improve the performance of underwater image segmentation, keypoint detection, and saliency detection. The project page is available at https://li-chongyi.github. io/proj
AC 2012-3585: IMPROVING ENGINEERING RECRUITMENT

Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) is a new provider of Engineering in New Zealand and faces numerous challenges. These include a general ignorance of engineering amongst our secondary school students and very strong competition from established providers. Traditional marketing strategies have been unsuccessful in achieving the level of growth our programme requires. In collaboration with the regional polytechnic, Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), VUW undertook a major exercise to identify issues relevant to recruitment and retention in the “digital” engineering specializations. This paper considers the recruitment aspect of this project. Demographic studies indicate that our target audience strongly identify with being “geeks”, something that no New Zealand tertiary training institute incorporates into its marketing strategy. In response, a novel website, hard-copy “geek hero” publication and clothing range was created. The publications have been extremely well received by secondary school students, teachers and career advisors. Informative and promotional posters have also been created for display in secondary school laboratories and classrooms. Whilst final enrolment numbers are not at this stage known, one indicator of the success of our initiatives can be seen in the unprecedented increase in preenrolment numbers.
Age-Related Changes in the Lacrimal Punctum Morphology in a Normal Population: Punctum Update (PUP) Study-Paper 1

Purpose: To define the clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) morphology of the lacrimal punctum and assess the age-related changes across 8 decades of life in a normal population. Methods: A total of 1310 high-magnification slit-lamp, Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were obtained from 320 puncta of normal asymptomatic individuals representing the Indian population. The punctum and peri-punctal area were defined with the help of 2 rims (inner punctal rim and outer punctal rim ) and 3 zones (white zone [Wz], separation zone [Sz], and peri-punctal vascularity). FD-OCT images were used to measure the external punctal diameters and internal lacrimal punctal diameters and the reflectivity patterns of the 3 punctal layers. OCTA was used to assess the branching and extent of vascular networks. Results: The upper puncta were narrower and more circular than the lower puncta across the decades. The elevation of the punctal papilla began in the upper puncta in the fifth decade, involved the lower puncta in the sixth decade, and gradually became exaggerated by the eighth decade. A typical punctal narrowing in previously wide puncta began to appear in the sixth decade of life, peaks in the seventh decade, and reverses gradually and spontaneously by the end of the eighth decade of life. The third and fourth decades saw a narrowing of the Sz with prominent vascularity crossing the Sz to reach the Wz. The Sz became indistinct in the fifth and sixth decades of life. The FD-OCT showed gradual thickening and dominance of the fibrous layer from the fifth to eighth decade of life. The clinical vascularity in the peri-punctal region increases from the third decade onwards, with vascular networks becoming increasingly dense, intricate, and branched as the age progresses. Conclusion: The present study defined and characterized the involutional changes in a normal population’s first–eighth decades of life. Significant morphological changes were noticed across the different age groups with several clinical implications. Involutional changes in the punctal morphology can be defined and characterized for understanding its clinical implications better.
Community transmission of monkeypox in the United Kingdom, April to May 2022

Between 7 and 25 May, 86 monkeypox cases were confirmed in the United Kingdom (UK). Only one case is known to have travelled to a monkeypox virus (MPXV) endemic country. Seventy-nine cases with information were male and 66 reported being gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men. This is the first reported sustained MPXV transmission in the UK, with human-to-human transmission through close contacts, including in sexual networks. Improving case ascertainment and onward-transmission preventive measures are ongoing.
Does work passion benefit or hinder employee’s career commitment? The mediating role of work–family interface and the moderating role of autonomy support

Based on the dualistic model of passion, this study explored the relationship between distinct types of work passion and career commitment, as well as the mediating role of work–family interface and the moderating role of autonomy support. A two-wave study was conducted among South Korean workers (N = 250) over a 5-month time period. Results showed that harmonious work passion was positively associated with career commitment, whereas obsessive work passion was not significantly associated with career commitment. Moreover, work–family enrichment partially mediated the positive effect of harmonious work passion on career commitment, and work–family conflict fully mediated the negative effect of obsessive work passion on career commitment. Results further indicated that autonomy support strengthens the positive effect of harmonious work passion on work–family enrichment. Furthermore, this study expanded the understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms of effects of work passion. The implications and limitations of the study and potential topics for future research are discussed.
The Association Between Smoking Status and Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Systematic Review

Purpose To determine whether smoking status (active/passive) affects recurrence events after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis among women. Methods A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases on smoking status and BC outcomes retrieved 5,940 articles. After reviewing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 14 articles for a full review and synthesis. Results Five studies were cohort retrospective, 6 were case-control, 2 were prospective cohort studies, and 1 was a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial. Among the 8 articles that focused on active smoking, 6 showed an increased risk of BC recurrence, and 2 showed no evidence of such an association. Studies that examined former smokers found little evidence of an increased risk of BC recurrence. This association may be dose-dependent. Conclusion Given the current evidence, although limited, active smokers should quit smoking after BC diagnosis as trends indicate a positive association between active smoking and BC recurrence. More robust evidence is needed to assess such associations and examine the outcomes of quitting smoking in such patients.
Reduced Immune Response and Neutralizing Antibody Activity to the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with a History of Solid Organ Transplant

Abstract Objective Three SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations and boosters are available. We determined whether solid organ transplant patients mounted an immune response to the vaccinations and whether the antibodies had neutralizing activity compared to healthcare worker controls and monoclonal gammopathy patients. Methods Remnant plasma was obtained from vaccinated solid organ transplant, allogeneic stem cell transplant, monoclonal gammopathy patients, and healthcare worker controls. Samples positive on a SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay (detects spike protein and nucleocapsid) were run on a SARS-CoV-2 in vitro neutralizing antibody assay and a nucleocapsid-specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Results Only 25% of solid organ transplant patients produced antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Of these, 90% had neutralizing activity against wild type virus, but reduced activity to the variants compared to monoclonal gammopathy patients and healthcare worker controls, particularly the delta variant, for which only 50% had neutralizing antibody activity. Conclusion Solid organ transplant patients should consider protecting themselves against future SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A clinically‐relevant residue of POLR1D is required for Drosophila development

POLR1D is a subunit of RNA Polymerases I and III, which synthesize ribosomal RNAs. Dysregulation of these polymerases cause several types of diseases, including ribosomopathies. The craniofacial disorder Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) is a ribosomopathy caused by mutations in several subunits of RNA Polymerase I, including POLR1D. Here, we characterized the effect of a missense mutation in POLR1D and RNAi knockdown of POLR1D on Drosophila development.
Meta‐Analyses on the Effects of Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on the Most Relevant Patient‐Reported Outcome Domains in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Whereas in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis much evidence exists on the effects of current pharmacologic treatment on clinical outcomes, little is known about the effects on patient‐reported outcomes. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on the patient‐relevant domains of pain, fatigue, activity limitation, overall emotional and physical health impact, and work/school/housework ability and productivity.
EFFECTS OF SEISMIC DIRECTIVITY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LATERAL FORCE PROCEDURE

In the present paper the influence of the seismic incident angle on the longitudinal steel reinforcement of R/C buildings within the context of the lateral force method of analysis is investigated. According to current seismic codes the horizontal static seismic forces are applied along the structural axes of the building, provided that can be clearly identified. In an extensive parametric study a wide range of buildings (symmetric, asymmetric, with or without orthogonal arrangement of their resisting elements) have been analysed and their response is computed due to the simultaneous action of the two horizontal seismic components for a series of different angles of seismic incidence. It is proved that, in general, different orientations of the seismic action may lead to differences of up to 29% concerning the required longitudinal steel reinforcement. The only case in which the structural response does not depend on the loading direction is that of structures which fulfill the criterion
Single-Stage Posterior Approach for the En Bloc Resection and Spinal Reconstruction of T4 Pancoast Tumors Invading the Spine

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine and underwent en bloc resection and spinal stabilization through a single-stage posterior approach. Overview of Literature Surgical resection for Pancoast tumors affecting the spine has been successfully performed in two stages involving spinal reconstruction and tumor resection. However, reports have rarely presented the results of en bloc resection combined with spinal stabilization for T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine through a single-stage posterior approach. Methods Patients who had T4N0M0 Pancoast tumors invading the spine and underwent a single-stage posterior approach were retrospectively recruited. The following data were obtained and examined: demographics, tumor histology, preoperative and postoperative therapy, complications, spinal reconstruction technique, tumor resection extent, survival time, and disease recurrence. Results Eighteen patients were included. The mean population age was 61±17 years, and the most common pathological type was adenocarcinoma (61.1%). Complete resection (R0) was obtained in 15 patients (83.3%), positive surgical margins (R1) were found in three patients (16.7%), and the 90-day mortality rate was 0%. Postoperative major complications were detected in 12 patients (66.7%), who required reoperation. The mean survival time was 67±24 months, but the median survival time was not reached. Among the patients, 10 (55.6%) are still alive at the end of the study. The 2- and 5-year actual survival rates were 59% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.7%–82.3%) and 52.5% (95% CI, 28.4%–76.6%), respectively. Conclusions En bloc resection and spinal stabilization through a single-stage posterior approach might be effective for T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine.
Cholecalciferol supplementation and angiogenic markers in chronic kidney disease

Vitamin D plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of cells and deficiency of vitamin D disturbs angiogenic balance. Previous studies in animal models have reported an association between serum levels of vitamin D and balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. There is insufficient evidence about the effect of vitamin D on mediators of angiogenesis in patients with CKD. We investigated the effect of cholecalciferol supplementation on serum levels of angiogenic markers in non-diabetic patients with CKD stage 3–4. In this secondary analysis on stored samples of our previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, stable patients of either sex, aged 18–70 years, with non-diabetic CKD stage 3–4 and vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≤20 ng/ml) were randomized to receive either two directly observed oral doses of cholecalciferol (300,000 IU) or matching placebo at baseline and 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation at 16 weeks. Changes in levels of serum angiogenesis markers (angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, VEGF-A, VEGEF-R, and Tie-2) between groups over 16 weeks were compared. A total 120 patients were enrolled. Supplementation with cholecalciferol led to significant improvement in FMD. Serum 25(OH)D levels were similar in both groups at baseline (13.21±4.78 ng/ml and 13.40±4.42 ng/ml; p = 0.888). At 16 weeks, the serum 25(OH)D levels increased in the cholecalciferol group but not in the placebo group (between-group difference in mean change:23.40 ng/ml; 95% CI, 19.76 to 27.06; p<0.001). Serum levels of angiogenic markers were similar at baseline. At 16 weeks, angiopoietin-2 level decreased in cholecalciferol group (mean difference:-0.73 ng/ml, 95%CI, -1.25 to -0.20, p = 0.002) but not in placebo group (mean difference -0.46 ng/ml, 95%CI, -1.09 to 0.17, p = 0.154), however there was no between-group difference at 16 weeks (between-group difference in mean change: -0.27 ng/ml, 95%CI, -1.09 to 0.55, p = 0.624). Serum angiopoietin-1 level increased [mean change: 5.63 (0.51 to 10.75), p = 0.018] and VEGF-R level decreased [mean change: -87.16 (-131.89 to -42.44), p<0.001] in placebo group but did not show any change in cholecalciferol group. Our data shows the changes in Ang-1, Ang-2 and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio after high dose oral cholecalciferol supplementation in patients with non-diabetic G3-4 CKD. The data suggests changes in circulating levels of angiogenic markers which needs to be confirmed through an adequately powered study.
Amplified Ca2+ dynamics and accelerated cell proliferation in breast cancer tissue during purinergic stimulation

Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics shape malignant behaviors of cancer cells. Whereas previous studies focused on cultured cancer cells, we here used breast organoids and colonic crypts freshly isolated from human and murine surgical biopsies. We performed fluorescence microscopy to evaluate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in breast and colon cancer tissue with preferential focus on intracellular Ca2+ release in response to purinergic and cholinergic stimuli. Inhibition of the sarco‐/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase with cyclopiazonic acid elicited larger Ca2+ responses in breast cancer tissue, but not in colon cancer tissue, relative to respective normal tissue. The resting intracellular Ca2+ concentration was elevated, and ATP, UTP and acetylcholine induced strongly augmented intracellular Ca2+ responses in breast cancer tissue compared with normal breast tissue. In contrast, resting intracellular Ca2+ levels and acetylcholine‐induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were unaffected and ATP‐ and UTP‐induced Ca2+ responses were smaller in colon cancer tissue compared with normal colon tissue. In accordance with the amplified Ca2+ responses, ATP and UTP substantially increased proliferative activity—evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation—in breast cancer tissue, whereas the effect was minimal in normal breast tissue. ATP caused cell death—identified with ethidium homodimer‐1 staining—in breast cancer tissue only at concentrations above the expected pathophysiological range. We conclude that intracellular Ca2+ responses are amplified in breast cancer tissue, but not in colon cancer tissue, and that nucleotide signaling stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation within the extracellular concentration range typical for solid cancer tissue.
Reloading DNA History in Rice Domestication

Abstract Although crop domestication is a prehistoric event, DNA (or genome) sequences of modern cultivars and the accession lines of wild relatives contain information regarding the history of crop domestication and the breeding process. Accordingly, with plentiful genomic data, many new findings have been obtained concerning the crop domestication process, for which various (some controversial) interpretations exist. Since approximately 20 years ago, dozens of quantitative trait genes (QTGs) related to the domestication process have been cloned from several crops including rice, a global staple food. However, the determination of how and when these QTGs were involved in rice domestication requires a precise understanding of the DNA code. In addition to the identification of domestication-related QTGs, large-scale rice genome analysis based on short-read Illumina data (but with shallow depth) including more than 1,000 rice cultivars and hundreds of wild rice (or Oryza rufipogon) lines, along with extensive genome analysis including more than 3,000 cultivars with sufficient Illumina data, has been reported. From these data, the genome-wide changes during rice domestication have been explained. However, these genome-wide changes were not interpreted based on QTG changes for domestication-related traits during rice domestication. In addition, a substantial gap remains between the archeological hypothesis based on ancient relics and findings from DNA variations among current cultivars. Thus, this review reconsiders the present status of rice domestication research from a biologist’s perspective.
Prospective case series of neuropathic cancer pain in patients treated with an EGFR-inhibitor

Background: Novel treatments of neuropathic pain are urgently needed. Rapid relief of neuropathic cancer pain in patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have been reported. Experiments in rodent models confirm the pain relief and reveal novel mechanisms critically involving the EGFR. Clinical pain research is complicated and patients with advanced cancer are heterogeneous, often with complex, deteriorating clinical pictures, hampering feasibility of drug-trial procedures. Actual case: Prospective case series exploring the EGFR inhibition/neuropathic cancer pain association in order to inform planning clinical trials. Possible courses of action: Symptom assessment method was tailored to what was ethical, feasible, and clinically relevant for each patient. Formulation of a plan: Patients with neuropathic cancer pain treated off-label with the monoclonal antibody panitumumab were studied to assess feasibility of different measurement tools. Outcome: Fourteen of 20 patients (70%) experienced clinically significant pain relief. There was good concordance in patient and physician-reported outcomes. Lessons: Results support panitumumab’s potential to be of significant benefit to patients with refractory neuropathic cancer pain. Findings also reinforce the difficulty of using conventional drug trial endpoints and designs in this population. View: Innovative research methods must be considered for much needed pivotal trials.
Cip1 tunes cell cycle arrest duration upon calcineurin activation

Significance To ensure their survival, cells arrest the cell division cycle when they are exposed to environmental stress. The duration of this arrest is dependent upon the time it takes a cell to adapt to a particular environment. How cells adjust the amount of time they remain arrested is not known. This study investigates the role of the phosphatase calcineurin in controlling cell cycle arrest duration in yeast. We show that calcineurin lengthens arrest by prolonging Hog1-dependent activation of the poorly characterized cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Cip1. Cip1 only impacts cell cycle arrest in response to stressors that robustly activate calcineurin, suggesting that Cip1 is a context-specific regulator that differentially adjusts the length of arrest depending on the particular stressor.
Comparison of ciprofol (HSK3486) versus propofol for the induction of deep sedation during gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures: A multi‐centre, non‐inferiority, randomized, controlled phase 3 clinical trial

Ciprofol is a propofol analogue with improved pharmacokinetic properties. A multi‐centre, non‐inferiority trial was conducted to compare the deep sedation properties of ciprofol and propofol with a non‐inferiority margin of 8% in patients undergoing gastroscopy and colonoscopy. In total, 289 patients were randomly allocated for surgery (259 colonoscopy and 30 gastroscopy) at a 1:1 ratio to be given intravenous injections of ciprofol (0.4 mg/kg) or propofol (1.5 mg/kg). The primary outcome was the success rate of colonoscopy defined as colonoscopy completion with no need for an alternative sedative or >5 ciprofol or propofol top up doses within any 15‐min time period. The success rate of colonoscopy was 100% in the ciprofol group vs. 99.2% in the propofol group (mean difference 0.8%, 95% CI: −2.2% to 4.2%). Except for the gastrointestinal lesions found during the gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures, the occurrence rates of adverse drug reactions in the ciprofol and propofol groups were 31.3% and 62.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Pain on injection was less common in the ciprofol group (4.9% vs. 52.4%, P < 0.001). The outcomes demonstrated that ciprofol was non‐inferior to propofol with regard to successful sedation for gastroscopy or colonoscopy procedures and no obvious important adverse events occurred.