Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affordable IgY-based antiviral prophylaxis for resource-limited settings to address epidemic and pandemic risks

Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 exposed a global problem, as highly effective vaccines are challenging to produce and distribute, particularly in regions with limited resources and funding. As an alternative, immunoglobulins produced in eggs of immunized hens (IgY) can be a simple and inexpensive source for a topical and temporary prophylaxis. Here, we developed a method to extract and purify IgY antibodies from egg yolks of hens immunized against viral pathogen-derived proteins using low-cost, readily available materials, for use in resource-limited settings. Methods Existing protocols for IgY purification and equipment were modified, including extraction from yolks and separation of water-soluble IgY using common household reagents and tools. A replacement for a commercial centrifuge was developed, using a home food processor equipped with a 3D printed adapter to enable IgY precipitation. IgY purification was verified using standard gel electrophoresis and Western blot analyses. Results We developed a step-by-step protocol for IgY purification for two settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): a local laboratory, where commercial centrifuges are available, or a more rural setting, where an alternative for expensive centrifuges can be used. Gel electrophoresis and Western blot analyses confirmed that the method produced highly enriched IgY preparation; each commercial egg produced ~ 90 mg of IgY. We also designed a kit for IgY production in these two settings and provided a cost estimate of the kit. Conclusion IgY purified from eggs of immunized local hens can offer a fast and affordable prophylaxis, provided that purification can be performed in a resource-limited setting. Here, we created a low-cost method that can be used anywhere where electricity is available using inexpensive, readily available materials in place of costly, specialized laboratory equipment and chemicals. This procedure can readily be used now to make an anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis in areas where vaccines are unavailable, and can be modified to combat future threats from viral epidemics and pandemics.
Salinity, waterlogging and elevated [CO2] induced interactive and complicated responses in cultivated and wild tomato.

With the aggravated abiotic stresses due to climate change and burgeoning population, a better understanding of crop responses to multiple stresses are needed to secure the crop production. The effects of individual climatic factor on crops were well documented, while the interaction of combined climatic factors received less attention. The frequency of salinity and waterlogging stress is increasing, which will be accompanied by elevated CO2 concentration (e[CO2]). This study aimed to explore how these three climatic variables interacted and affected two tomato genotypes. Cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum) and wild tomato (S. pimpinellifolium) were grown at ambient [CO2] (a[CO2]) and e[CO2], and then subjected to salinity, waterlogging, and combined stress besides control. Phenotyping of plants included leaf photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence, quenching analysis, pigment and plant growth. The results showed that the response of tomatoes depended on both genotype and stress type. The photosynthesis of the cultivated tomato at salinity and combined stress were inhibited, while that of wild tomato at individual salinity, waterlogging stress and their combination decreased Pn. The e[CO2] increased both Pn and biomass of the cultivated tomato at salinity and combined stress compared with a[CO2]. Differences in response patterns between the two genotypes to individual and combined stress were observed in key parameters for both Pn and tomato growth. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis stated genetic variations of tomatoes responding to these three climatic factors. Understanding these interactive effects of salinity and waterlogging with e[CO2] in tomato will facilitate improvement of crop resilience to climate change.
Afibercept treatment for macular edema with and without serous retinal detachment due to branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept treatment for macular edema with and without serous retinal detachment due to branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS Thirty-seven eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion treated with intravitreal aflibercept injection for macular edema were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they showed serous retinal detachment on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Pro re nata regimen was applied after 1 dose of intravitreal aflibercept injection. After the initial injection, control treatments were administered at months 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12. The best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness were measured. RESULTS Fifteen patients had serous retinal detachment, and 22 with macular edema only (non-serous retinal detachment). The central macular thickness was significantly greater in the group with than in the group without serous retinal detachment (811.73 ± 220.68 µm and 667.90 ± 220.68 µm, respectively, p=0.04). The difference between the groups disappeared from the third month. The central macular thickness was similar between the two groups at the last control treatment (407.27 ± 99.08 µm and 376.66 ± 74.71 µm, p=0.66). The best-corrected visual acuity increased significantly in both groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the best-corrected visual acuities at baseline and the final control. CONCLUSION The intravitreal aflibercept treatment was highly effective in improving best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion-induced macular edema independent of serous retinal detachment.
Coordinated control with electronic stability control and active front steering using the optimum yaw moment distribution under a lateral force constraint on the active front steering

This paper presents an optimum yaw moment distribution scheme with electronic stability control and active front steering for vehicle stability control. Direct yaw moment control is used to derive the control yaw moment needed to stabilize the lateral motion of a vehicle. The yaw moment distribution is formulated as an optimization problem, whose objective is to coordinate the braking of electronic stability control and the corrective steering obtained by active front steering. To tune the relative magnitude of the braking of electronic stability control to the corrective steering obtained by active front steering, an adaptive tuning rule is proposed. To cope with the situation that the lateral tyre force of active front steering exceeds its physical limit, a new constraint is added to the original optimization problem. To solve the problem, weighted pseudo-inverse-based control allocation is adopted. By using the vehicle simulation software CarSim®, the proposed method is shown to be effective for coordination between electronic stability control and active front steering.
The Efficacy of Two Novel Retreatment Systems in the Removal of Root Canal Obturating Materials (An In vitro Study)

BACKGROUND: The complete removal of root filling material is one of the main goals of non-surgical endodontic retreatment. Thus, the development of new techniques and instruments aiming to promote this task presents clinical significance. AIM: The purpose of the study was to assess the amount of residual root canal filling materials (gutta-percha/sealer) after using two different endodontic retreatment systems and ultrasonic tip. METHODS: Forty-five mandibular premolar teeth were mechanically instrumented and obturated. Retreatment was performed using two different Endostar RE (Group 2), Rogin retreatment system (Group 3), and ultrasonic tip (Group 1). Roots were separated buccolingually into two halves. A digital camera connected to the stereomicroscope captured images to each half. Image-J software was used to evaluate and measure the areas with remaining filling material in each third (cervical, middle, and apical). RESULTS: Data analysis revealed significant differences between the groups in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds (p < 0.05). The ultrasonic retreatment tips (G1) were significantly more efficient in removing the gutta-percha and sealers compared to the Rogin (G3) and Endostar (G2) retreatment endodontic kits. CONCLUSIONS: All the file systems left some filling material in the canals. Ultrasonic retreatment tip had maximum efficacy for the removal of filling materials in comparison with the retreatment file systems under investigation.
Two Cognitive Dimensions of Students’ Mental Models in Science: Fidelity of Gestalt and Functional Fidelity

A poorly elaborated learner’s understanding of models has been reported to be one of the major sources for learning difficulties in the quantum domain. To be able to provide physics education in schools with evidence as to how this problem can be tackled, a deeper theoretical understanding of the structure of learners’ mental models in quantum physics seems essential. In this respect, previous research has proposed two dimensions in learners’ mental models in the atomic hull context, labelled Fidelity of Gestalt and Functional Fidelity. In this article, we investigate whether this proposed two-factorial structure can be transferred to quantum concepts beyond the atomic hull context. To approach this, we surveyed the structure of students’ mental models in the context of photons’ properties and behavior. We conducted a questionnaire study: 170 secondary school students completed a survey instrument adapted from the literature. Using exploratory factor analysis, the two factors Fidelity of Gestalt and Functional Fidelity to describe the students’ mental models could be replicated for the photon context. We provide a selection of results from physics education literature to reveal that our two-factor framework to describe the students’ mental models seems to be a promising endeavor in the landscape of science education research in general.
Myopia prevalence in a population-based childhood visual impairment study in North India - CHVI-2

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of myopia at the community level. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was planned in 40 clusters among children identified with subnormal vision in the urban community of Delhi. House-to-house visits were conducted for visual acuity screening of 20,000 children aged 0–15 years using age appropriate visual acuity charts. All the children with visual acuity of < 6/12 in any eye in the age group between 3 and 15 years and inability to follow light in age group 0–3 years were referred for detailed ophthalmic examination. Results: A total of 13,572 (64.7%) children belonged to the age group of 6–15 years. Of these, a total of 507 (3.7%) were found to be having myopia (spherical equivalent of -0.50 DS or worse in one or both eyes) with positive association with higher age groups. Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of myopia is 3.7%; the proportion of uncorrected myopia was 45%, which reflects that refractive error services need to be improved further.
QAM and PSK OFDM RoFSO Over M-Turbulence Induced Fading Channels

Free-Space Optical (FSO) technology can effectively transfer multiple radio-frequency signals, and this new technique is commonly referred in the technical literature as radio on FSO (RoFSO). In the present study, we investigate the evaluation of an RoFSO scenario employing the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing scheme. Both phase shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) formats are considered, and the performance is investigated over the weak to strong atmospheric turbulence regime characterized by the recently launched Malaga or $M$ -distribution probability density function (pdf). This pdf acts as a unifying statistical model, which incorporates several common irradiance scintillation distributions extensively used by researchers working in the FSO area. We particularly obtain useful mathematical expressions of some critical metrics, i.e., the average bit error rate (BER) and the probability of outage. Proper numerical results are also provided and depicted using suitable graphs to verify the accuracy of the derived expressions.
Independence and Sex Differences in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Trends from Middle Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: A Latent Class Growth Curve Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship and sex differences in the growth patterns of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) from middle adolescence (around age 15) to emerging adulthood (18–29 years old). We used the secondary data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health’s (Add Health) publicly accessible database. MVPA and SB were assessed four times (1995, 1996, 2000–2001, and 2008–2009) for a total of 681 individuals from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood. Latent class growth modeling was utilized to identify heterogeneous growth patterns in MVPA and SB. Chi-square tests were used to assess group dependence and sex differences in MVPA and SB growth patterns. Seven quadratic growth patterns for MVPA and two linear growth patterns for SB were found. Both MVPA and SB growth patterns exhibited slow or rapid rate of change at different periods of adolescence and emerging adulthood. MVPA growth patterns included: decline (slow)-and-rise (rapid), rise-and-decline (both rapid), decline-and-rise (both rapid), consistently low, consistently high, decline (rapid)-and-decline (slow), and decline (rapid)-and-rise (slow). SB growth patterns included: consistently low (slow decline) and consistently high (rapid decline). While women were more likely to be involved in consistently low group for MVPA and consistently low (slow decline) group for SB, men were more likely to be involved in rise-and-decline (both rapid) group, consistently high group, and decline (rapid)-and-rise (slow) group for MVPA and consistently high (rapid decline) group for SB. SB growth patterns were independent of MVPA growth patterns. SB should not be assumed to decrease as a result of MVPA intervention. Treatment of MVPA should prioritize adolescence over emerging adulthood, with an emphasis on preventing men’s MVPA levels from decreasing in emerging adulthood and increasing women’s overall MVPA levels.
Default Options and Insurance Demand

Abstract Default options may provide a low-cost way of influencing behaviour without modifying incentives and constraining choices between alternatives. However, an improved understanding is needed on whether they are effective when individuals have experience with making the choice in practice and have preferences for specific alternatives. We study whether defaults can be used to increase insurance coverage against low-probability/high-impact risks, like floods, and whether past flood insurance purchases and flooding experience moderate the effect of defaults. Our study uses a naturally occurring difference in experience, comparing the surveyed flood insurance choices of 1,187 homeowners, half of whom are in the Netherlands, where flood insurance penetration rates are low and recent flooding caused minor losses, and the other half of whom are in the United Kingdom (UK), where the opposite is true. We find defaults are effective amongst homeowners with little to no flood-related experience: in the Netherlands defaults increase the likelihood of insuring by between 17 and 18 percentage points. Although there is no overall effect of defaults in the UK, defaults increase flood insurance coverage for risk averse individuals, and those who have no reported previous flood experience and have not purchased flood insurance. Anticipated regret about not having insurance coverage in the event of a flood, and perceptions about the insurance cost explain between 34 and 37 percent of the relationship between the default and flood insurance demand. We discuss policy implications of our findings.
The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Presentation and Outcomes—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The influence of the early COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 emergencies is uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, management, and prognosis of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from January to August 2020. A meta-analysis of studies comparing the profile, STEMI severity at presentation, reperfusion delay, and in-hospital mortality for patients presenting before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Fifteen cross-sectional observational studies including 20,528 STEMI patients from the pre-COVID period and 2190 patients diagnosed and treated during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic met the inclusion criteria. Results: Patients presenting with STEMI during the pandemic were younger and had a higher comorbidity burden. The time interval between symptoms and first medical contact increased from 93.22 ± 137.37 min to 142 ± 281.60 min (p < 0.001). Door-to-balloon time did not differ significantly between the two periods (p = 0.293). The pooled odds ratio (OR) for low left ventricular ejection fraction at presentation during the pandemic was 2.24 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54–3.26) and for a presentation delay >24 h was 2.9 (95% CI 1.54–5.45) relative to before the pandemic. In-hospital mortality did not increase significantly during the outbreak (p = 0.97). Conclusion: During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients presenting with STEMI were addressed later in the course of the disease with more severe left ventricular impairment. In-hospital emergency circuits and care functioned properly with no increase in door-to-balloon time and early mortality.
Three-Dimensional Flows and Loss Reduction in Axial Compressors

Measurements have been performed in a low speed high reaction single stage axial compressor. Data obtained within and downstream of the rotor, when correlated with the results of other investigations, provide a link between the existence of suction surface-hub corner separations, their associated loss mechanisms and blade loading. Within the stator, it has been shown that introducing a small clearance between the stator blade and the stationary hub increases the efficiency of the stator compared to the case with no clearance. Oil flow visualisation indicated that the leakage reduced the extensive suction surface-hub corner separation that would otherwise exist. A tracer gas experiment showed that the large radial shifts of the surface streamlines indicated by the oil flow technique were only present close to the blade. The investigation demonstrates the possible advantages of including hub clearance in axial flow compressor stator blade rows.Copyright © 1986 by ASME
Asymmetric Peripheral Refraction Profile in Myopes along the Horizontal Meridian

SIGNIFICANCE The investigation of peripheral refraction profiles in Indian myopes showed relative peripheral hyperopic refraction in temporal retina and possible dominant role of hyperopic defocus signals from temporal retina in the development of myopia. PURPOSE Considering that the peripheral refraction profiles were extensively reported to be associated with the central refractive error and vary among different ethnicities, we investigated the peripheral refraction profiles in Indians. METHODS A total of 161 participants aged between 18 and 33 years were included in the study. All of the eligible participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination. Central and peripheral refractions were determined using an open-field autorefractor in 10° intervals up to ±30° in the horizontal meridian, and in 5° intervals up to ±15° in the vertical meridian. Axial length and central corneal radius were measured using a non-contact optical biometer. Peripheral refraction was compared between the different refractive error groups and myopic subgroups. RESULTS Myopes showed a significant asymmetrical peripheral refraction profile along horizontal meridian with relative peripheral myopia at nasal 30° and relative peripheral hyperopia at temporal 30° (mean ± standard error at N30°: −0.37 ± 0.13 D vs. T30°: +0.56 ± 0.11 D, P < .05). Emmetropes and hyperopes showed relative peripheral myopia both in nasal and temporal eccentricities. Relative peripheral refraction was significantly different between the refractive groups and myopic subgroups along the temporal retinal eccentricities only (P < .05). Along the vertical meridian, relative peripheral myopia was seen among the three refractive error groups (P < .05). J0 and J45 significantly changed with retinal eccentricity along both the meridians in all the refractive error groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Myopes showed an asymmetric type of peripheral refraction with relative hyperopic defocus in temporal retina and myopic defocus in the nasal retina. Possible role of retinal hyperopic defocus along temporal retina in myopiogenesis needs to be explored.
Impact performance of ice hockey helmets: head acceleration versus focal force dispersion

Modern sport helmets certified to various international safety standards have virtually eliminated the incidence of cranial fracture and fatal brain injury in contact sports; however, the occurrence of diffuse brain injuries (mTBI) are still prevalent. Local contact mechanics between the colliding surface (helmet/head) need to be considered as global measures of acceleration and are insensitive to load distribution measures which are indicative of helmet performance. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the ability to capture localized load distribution response between the helmet and headform and to examine factors that may influence these measures. Twenty-five flexible force sensors were arranged in a 5 × 5 array about three impact sites (front, side, rear) of a 575 mm EN960 headform. Test factors included helmet model (5), impact location (3) and temperature (21 °C, −25 °C) as well as repeated impacts (3). Testing procedure followed the CSA Z262.1-09 standard at the defined locations. Average error calculated during sensor calibration was 2.8 ± 1% with an R2 value of 0.987 ± 0.009. As expected, peak global force correlated well to peak acceleration (R2 = 0.98) but weakly corresponded to peak focal force (R2 = 0.22). Furthermore, both load distribution magnitudes and patterns were found to vary substantially with mixed effects between helmet models, impact locations, and temperatures. Given these findings, this novel approach may be used to quantify local contact mechanics between the colliding surface/helmet/head.