Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An immunologist's perspective on anti-COVID-19 vaccines

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Purpose of review Antisevere acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines may provide prompt, effective, and safe solution for the COVID-19 pandemic. Several vaccine candidates have been evaluated in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Furthermore, data from observational studies mimicking real-life practice and studies on specific groups, such as pregnant women or immunocompromised patients who were excluded from RCTs, are currently available. The main aim of the review is to summarize and provide an immunologist's view on mechanism of action, efficacy and safety, and future challenges in vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Recent findings mRNA and recombinant viral vector-based vaccines have been approved for conditional use in Europe and the USA. They show robust humoral and cellular responses, high with efficacy in prevention of COVID-19 infection (66.9 95%) and favorable safety profile in RCTs. High efficacy of 80–92% was observed in real-life practice. A pilot study also confirmed good safety profile of the mRNA vaccines in pregnant women. Unlike in those with secondary immunodeficiencies where postvaccination responses did not occur, encouraging results were obtained in patients with inborn errors of immunity. Summary Although both RCTs and observational studies suggest good efficacy and safety profiles of the vaccines, their long-term efficacy and safety are still being discussed. Despite the promising results, clinical evidence for specific groups such as children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and immunocompromised patients, and for novel virus variants are lacking. Video abstract http://links.lww. com/COAI/A21.
Copper modified carbon nitride as fluorescence sensor for nitrate ions

Carbon nitride (CN) has attracted tremendous interest in numerous applications owing to its unique chemical properties. In this study, newly developed copper modified CN composites were prepared and tested as fluorescence sensor for the detection of nitrate ions (NO3-). The CN was prepared by using urea as a precursor by using thermal polymerization technique and calcined at 823 K for 4 hours. Modification of CN with copper species was carried out via impregnation of copper(II) acetylacetonate onto the CN, followed by thermal reduction process at 473 K for 2 hours. The structure and chemical properties of CN and copper modified CN composites were investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DR UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopies. Three excitation wavelengths represented as C=N, C=O and C-N moieties were suggested to contribute as sensing sites in CN and copper modified CN composites. The sensing capabilities of CN and copper modified CN composites toward NO3- in the range of 300 to 1800 µM were determined via a quenching technique. The quenching efficiencies (KSV) of CN and copper modified CN composites were obtained from the Stern-Volmer plot. Among three excitation peaks of CN, C=N sites were found to be the most sensitive site having the strongest interaction with NO3-. At the optimum loading of Cu (0.1 mol%), the KSV of CN was improved from 2.1 x 10-4 to 2.5 x 10-4 µM-1. This study showed that with the addition of copper as modifier, the performance of CN can be improved and the composite can be used as potential fluorescence sensor for the detection of NO3-.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is a Significant Risk Factor for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Male Veterans

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether psychosocial factors, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, are independently associated with the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), a predominantly male eye disorder. A secondary aim was to verify previously determined risk factors in a veteran population. All CSCR subjects seen in one year at a veteran eye clinic were included. Chart review was performed to identify general health information as well as eye history. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors that were independently associated with the development of CSCR. Fifty-one cases of CSCR were identified and an additional 51 age-matched controls with healthy eyes were used for analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that history of PTSD was strongly associated with the development of CSCR (OR = 9.43, p = .002), even more so than previously reported risk factors. Anxiety was significant at the univariate level (OR = 6.48, p = .001) but lost significance at the multivariate level. At the multivariate level, several existing risk factors were confirmed including sleep apnea (OR = 5.76, p = .004), heart disease (OR = 7.06, p = .004), smoking (OR = 5.52, p = .003) and steroid use (OR = 4.55, p = .005). PTSD was strongly associated with the development of CSCR in the veteran population studied and may represent an important modifiable risk factor.
Development of Air Cathode Materials for Metal- Air Batteries

불안정한 유가와 지구온난화는 화석연료를 대체할 수 있는 높은 에너지 밀도의 금속 공기 전지의 발전을 야기하였다. 이 진보된 기술을 상용화 하기 위해서는 충·방전 시 양극 및 음극에서 산소환원반응 및 산소발생반응을 일어나게 하기 위하여 귀금속(Pt/C) 및 금속 산화물(RuO2, MnO2) 촉매가 필요하다. 그러나 이러한 귀금속 기반의 촉매는 가격이 비싸며 낮은 선택성과 낮은 내구성, 홖경오염 이라는 문제점들을 지니고 있다. 우리는 간단한 전기방사법을 통해 일차원의 LaCo1-xNixO3-δ 페로브스카이트 촉매를 개발하였다. LaCo1-xNixO3-δ 페로브스카이트 구조 내에서 코발트를 니켈로 치환했을 때 OER 활성을 향상시킬 수 있으며, La(Co0.71Ni0.25)0.96O3-δ 구성 시 0.1M 의 KOH 에서 10mAcm-2 의 전류를 얻기 위해서는 324 mV 의 낮은 과전압이 요구됨을 확인하였다. 이를 전지에 홗용 시, La(Co0.71Ni0.25)0.96O3-δ 를 음극 촉매로 사용한 수용성 일차 아연-공기 전지에서는 높은 용량(705 mAh.g-1zinc)의 성능을 얻을 수 있었다. 재생 가능한 이차 아연-공기 전지로 제작 시, 전지 방전 과정에서 낮은 용량모드(400 mAh.g-1 catalyst) 에서는 0.792 V, 높은 용량모드(2500 mAh.g-1catalyst) 에서는 0.696 V 로 LaCo0.97O3-δ 나노 튜브 구조 기반촉매와 귀금속 촉매인 Pt/C 를 사용하였을 때 보다 훨씬 낮은 과전압을 필요로 함을 확인할 수 있었다. 학위논문의 두 번째 파트에서는 수열합성법을 통해 카본이 얇게 코팅된 SiO2 나노스피어(nanosphere)를 합성하였고, 리튬 공기 전지에 적용하여 150 mAh.g-1 의 높은 전류밀도에서 18588 mAh.g-1 의 용량을 지닌 음극 촉매로 사용하였다. 이는 같은 전류 밀도에서 질소가 도핑된 탄소보다 거의 2 배의 용량을 보였으며, 2 차 전지로 제조 시 1000mAh.g-1 의 차단용량에서 10 사이클이 지속되는 것을 확인하였다. 본 학위논문에서는 준금속 산화물 촉매의 작동 매커니즘을 설명하기 위해 리튬 공기 전지 음극 물질에 대한 분석 또한 함께 논의되었다. ⓒ 2016 DGIST
Volume Expansion of Branched Polymers

The excluded volume effects of randomly branched polymers are investigated. To approach this problem we assume the Gaussian distribution of segments around the center of gravity. Once this approximation is introduced, we can make use of the same method as employed for linear molecules. By simulating a model-polymer system, it is found that the excluded volume effects of branched polymers are manifested pronouncedly under any conditions from the dilution limit to the melt, including the $\Theta$ state; every result satisfies the restraining condition: $\langle s^2\rangle^{1/2} \ge N^{1/d}$ in accord with our experiences. As a result the Gaussian approximation extracts the essential features of the excluded volume effects of branched molecules.
Evidence for a force favoring GC over AT at short intronic sites in Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Population genetics studies often make use of a class of nucleotide site free from selective pressures, in order to make inferences about population size changes or natural selection at other sites. If such neutral sites can be identified, they offer the opportunity to avoid any confounding effects of selection. Here, we investigate evolution at putatively neutrally evolving short intronic sites in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, in order to understand the properties of spontaneous mutations and the extent of GC-biased gene conversion in these species. Use of data on the genetics of natural populations is advantageous because it integrates information from large numbers of individuals over long timescales. In agreement with direct evidence from observations of spontaneous mutations in Drosophila, we find a bias in the spectrum of mutations toward AT basepairs. In addition, we find that this bias is stronger in the D. melanogaster lineage than in the D. simulans lineage. The evidence for GC-biased gene conversion in Drosophila has been equivocal. Here, we provide evidence for a weak force favoring GC in both species, which is correlated with the GC content of introns and is stronger in D. simulans than in D. melanogaster.
Role of deceased donor kidney procurement biopsies in organ allocation

Purpose of review There has been an increased emphasis by the transplant community and the federal government to increase the utilization of deceased donor kidneys. Procurement biopsies during allocation are the most common reason for kidney discards. This manuscript reviews the evidence of procurement biopsies practices and utility. Recent findings Procurement biopsies are performed in over half of all the kidneys recovered in the United States and account for more than one third of the kidney discards. However, there is a significant heterogeneity across the organ procurement organizations regarding the indications for biopsy, biopsy techniques and their reporting. Procurement biopsy findings are not reproducible and poorly correlate to postimplantation histology, although reasons for these limitations are not clear. Procurement biopsy findings are not associated with posttransplant outcomes after accounting for readily available donor clinical characteristics. Summary Procurement biopsies contribute to deceased donor kidney discards but do not predict posttransplant outcomes. Research to establish the best practices for procurement biopsies is needed to improve organ utilization.
Analysis of Solanum Americanum Mill. by Ultrafast Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array and Time-Of-flight Mass Spectrometry Detection with Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Rodent Models

ABSTRACT Solanum americanum Mill. has been traditionally used for the treatment of fever, stomachache, skin diseases, gynecological disorders, and different kinds of inflammation. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory response of different extracts obtained from ripe fruits of S. americanum Mill. , in experimental models and evaluated them qualitatively using ultrafast liquid chromatography with diode array and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UFLC-DAD/TOF-MS). The inflammatory response of four extracts of ripe fruits was evaluated for the systemic and topical anti-inflammatory activities. The compounds in each extract were identified using UFLC-DAD-TOF/MS. A total of 34 compounds was identified in the four extracts. The best results were obtained in compounds from the aqueous and chloroform extracts. This study demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory activity for the compounds present in fruit of S. americanum Mill.
Online sizing: examining True Fit® technology using adapted TAM model

ABSTRACT Retail fashion is the fastest growing e-commerce sector; however, the industry is facing a serious issue with returns for purchases made online. Retailers are slowly but surely embracing new online tools to help consumers make smarter fit decisions. The current study investigates the influence that online sizing technology, True Fit®, has on consumer confidence while making sizing decisions online and eventual intention to use True Fit®. The study uses an adapted Technology Acceptance Model and includes the following variables: perceived ease of use of using True Fit®, perceived usefulness of using True Fit®; convenience of using True Fit®, and intention to use True Fit®. Data were collected via an online survey (n = 577). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and Structural Equation Modelling, all the hypotheses were supported. The paper adds insights into the subject of online sizing and provides recommendations for future studies.
Mathematics Learning Pathways on a School Fieldtrip: Interactional Practices Linking School and Museum Activity

Abstract Formal and informal educators often struggle with the question of whether and how school fieldtrips might productively connect school- and museum-based learning. I share findings from a video-based ethnographic study of 5th- through 7th-grade fieldtrips to a museum mathematics exhibition. Through a collection of case analyses of situated talk and interaction, I describe three distinct interactional practices by which teachers and students can relate learning mathematics in the classroom and on the museum floor. Findings help further elucidate the potential nature of situated interactions during school fieldtrips while pointing to the possibility that teachers and learners are making more connections between the classroom and the museum than might be made visible by attention to instructional design or written assessments alone. Moreover, teachers and students can forge these connections in ways that build on the kinds of open-ended material encounters, unanticipated curiosities, and playful engagements that are hallmarks of intended visitor experiences at free-choice science centers.
Patterns of cataract surgery-related litigations in the United States from 2000-2020

ABSTRACT Background: Awareness of the outcomes of cataract surgery-related malpractice litigation in the United States allows for ophthalmologists to better understand how to improve patient care and reduce litigation. Methods: United States malpractice trials involving cataract surgery were searched in the LexisNexis legal database. Monetary amounts were inflation-adjusted to 2020 dollars. Results: Over the past 20 years, 482 cataract surgery litigations from 37 states were identified. New York (27.5%), Florida (8.9%), and California (8.3%) had the most cases. However, District of Columbia (11.63), New York (6.86), and Rhode Island (3.80) had the most cases per 1,000,000 residents. 48.5% of verdicts were for the defendant, 11.8% were for the plaintiff, and 30.5% were settled. Leading reasons for litigation were retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. The average amounts demanded, offered, and awarded were $1,224,061, $241,314, and $1,350,600, respectively. When comparing 2000-2010 and 2011-2020, amounts demanded (p=0.039) in the second decade significantly increased but amounts awarded (p=0.118) did not. Conclusions: Almost half of reviewed cataract-related malpractice litigation resulted in a defendant verdict. Settlements or plaintiff verdicts were costly with amounts awarded averaging above $1 million. Over the past decade, while plaintiffs are requesting significantly more, there was no significant increase in awarded amounts.
Learning from multimodal and multisensor earth observation dataset for improving estimates of mangrove soil organic carbon in Vietnam

ABSTRACT Quantifying mangrove soil organic carbon (SOC) is key to better understanding the global carbon cycle, a critical phenomenon in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is challenging to have a large sample size in soil carbon measurements and analysis due to the high costs associated with them. In the current research, we propose a novel hybridized artificial intelligence model based on the categorical boosting regression (CBR) and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for feature selection, namely, the CBR-PSO model for estimating mangrove SOC. We integrated multisensor optical (Sentinel-2) and synthetic aperture radar (Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2) remote sensing data to construct and verify the proposed model, drawing upon a survey in 85 soil cores at 100 cm depth in the Red River Delta, Vietnam. The CBR-PSO model estimated the mangrove SOC ranging from 44.74 to 91.92 Mg ha−1 (average = 68.76 Mg ha−1) with satisfactory accuracy (coefficient of determination (R 2) = 0.809 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 9.30 Mg ha−1). We also compared the proposed model’s capability with four machine learning techniques, i.e. support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), extreme gradient boosting regression (XGBR), and XGBR-PSO models. We show that multimodal and multisensor earth observation dataset combined with the CBR-PSO model can significantly improve the estimates of mangrove SOC. Our findings contribute novel and advanced machine learning approaches for robustness of SOC estimation using open-source software. Our novel framework, which is automated, fast, and reliable, developed in this study can be easily applicable to other mangrove ecosystems across the world, thus providing insights for a voluntary blue carbon offset marketplace for sustainable mangrove conservation.
Why is the literature on first impressions so focused on White faces?

We spontaneously attribute to strangers a wide variety of character traits based on their facial appearance. While these first impressions have little or no basis in reality, they exert a strong influence over our behaviour. Cognitive scientists have revealed a great deal about first impressions from faces including their factor structure, the cues on which they are based, the neurocognitive mechanisms responsible, and their developmental trajectory. In this field, authors frequently strive to remove as much ethnic variability from stimulus sets as possible. Typically, this convention means that participants are asked to judge the likely traits of White faces only. In the present article, we consider four possible reasons for the lack of facial diversity in this literature and find that it is unjustified. Next, we illustrate how the focus on White faces has undermined scientific efforts to understand first impressions from faces and argue that it reinforces socially regressive ideas about ‘race’ and status. We go on to articulate our concern that opportunities may be lost to leverage the knowledge derived from the study of first impressions against the dire consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Finally, we highlight some promising developments in the field.
Readily dispersible clay in soils from different Brazilian regions by visible, near, and mid-infrared spectral data

ABSTRACT Unstable soil aggregates can easily be dispersed when mechanical energy is applied, denominated as readily dispersible clay (RDC) which is usually measured by turbidimetry. Faster methods that require minimum preparation at reduced costs are needed, such as the spectroscopy technique. Nevertheless, the technique has not yet been tested on soils. Electromagnetic radiation has strong interaction with soil physical elements (sand, silt, and clay) and with selective elements of the clay fraction, such as mineralogy. Thus, this study assessed the potential of 400–16,680 nm range (visible – Vis; near-infrared – NIR; short-wave infrared – SWIR; and medium infrared – MIR) spectroscopy to estimate RDC in some tropical soils. We also evaluated the wavelengths and regions that contribute to this prediction. We collected 68 samples from the underlying horizon of three different soils from three important states in Brazil The soil analyses were performed (physical and chemical) in the laboratory. RDC quantification was compared with the Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR wavelengths models. The random forest (RF) algorithm was used to generate the prediction in the soil database. For RDC, the Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR configuration presented a better relationship (coefficient of correlation (r) = 0.659 and root of the mean square error (RMSE) = 0.469%), although the results were similar when the regions were evaluated separately (Vis-NIR-SWIR – 350 to 2500 nm and MIR 2500 to 16,680 nm). RDC determination is more related to bands from 1980 to 2040, 6840 to 7360, and 7750 to 9820 nm. Spectroscopy showed its importance in RDC quantification, as it is fast and does not require soil preparations. The results show that spectral wavelengths are appropriate to assist on the estimative of RDC in the studied soils and may provide a basis for future research.
Hoverflies use a time-compensated sun compass to orientate during autumn migration

The sun is the most reliable celestial cue for orientation available to daytime migrants. It is widely assumed that diurnal migratory insects use a ‘time-compensated sun compass’ to adjust for the changing position of the sun throughout the day, as demonstrated in some butterfly species. The mechanisms used by other groups of diurnal insect migrants remain to be elucidated. Migratory species of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are one of the most abundant and beneficial groups of diurnal migrants, providing multiple ecosystem services and undergoing directed seasonal movements throughout much of the temperate zone. To identify the hoverfly navigational strategy, a flight simulator was used to measure orientation responses of the hoverflies Scaeva pyrastri and Scaeva selenitica to celestial cues during their autumn migration. Hoverflies oriented southwards when they could see the sun and shifted this orientation westward following a 6 h advance of their circadian clocks. Our results demonstrate the use of a time-compensated sun compass as the primary navigational mechanism, consistent with field observations that hoverfly migration occurs predominately under clear and sunny conditions.
Mathematical model of tuberculosis considering observed treatment and vaccination interventions

Abstract In this study, a mathematical model of tuberculosis (TB) spread is constructed, considering vaccination and observed treatment. Slow-fast infection and treatment failures are also considered in the model. Mathematical analysis show that the TB-free equilibrium is locally stable if the basic reproduction number is smaller than unity, and it becomes unstable when this number exceeds unity. Furthermore, the TB endemic equilibrium exists only (and uniquely) if the basic reproduction number is larger than unity. Our results show that even though the basic reproduction number is more sensitive to vaccination than observed treatment interventions, both interventions exhibit potential for controlling the spread of TB in the population.
The influence of ethnicity and other socio-demographic characteristics on pro-environmental attitudes: a Malaysian perspective

ABSTRACT Alarming global environmental problems have created urgency for educating the general public on pro-environmental attitudes. Previous studies indicated that the formation of pro-environmental attitudes significantly depended on society's cultural background and socio-demographic characteristics. Malaysia is a multicultural country with multi-ethnic groups residing in the country. Malaysian multicultural society is typified by three major ethnic groups, namely Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The study investigated how pro-environmental attitudes, using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, change with cultural background and socio-demographic characteristics. The NEP scale provided one reliable dimension (Cronbach’s α = 0.73). The Malay, in general, appeared to exhibit more favourable pro-environmental attitudes as measured by the NEP than what has been reported. Malays with post-secondary education exhibited lower pro-environmental attitudes than most other ethnicities, ages, and levels of education subgroups. Females and males did not significantly differ in their pro-environmental attitudes. Findings from this study would be useful for designing environmental education programmes.