Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Canine Ergonomic Abdominal Simulator for Training Basic Laparoscopic Skills in Veterinarians

Simple Summary The creation of simulation models that enable the training of basic and advanced skills has been a challenge in veterinary medicine. The idea of this study was to test a laparoscopic simulator initially created for the acquisition of an advanced laparoscopic skill, such as an intracorporeal suture for total laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs. The objective was to evaluate and validate the canine ergonomic abdominal simulator for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills; it was used by beginners without previous experience in laparoscopic surgery. The beginners’ performance on our proposed simulator was compared with a previously validated simulator. The simulator provides the acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills, reflected in the surgical performance scores, and improves the time metrics, number of movements, and angular displacement. In addition, it provides the acquisition of laparoscopic surgical skills in the same way as a previously validated simulator. This will allow those interested in acquiring both basic and advanced skills to practice on the same simulator. Abstract The validity of the CALMA Veterinary Lap-trainer simulator (CVLTS) for training basic veterinary laparoscopic skills was assessed and compared to a simple collapsible mobile box trainer. Ten veterinarian surgeons with no experience in laparoscopic surgery and four experts with at least two years of experience in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) were included. The training curriculum included object transfer, non-woven gauze cutting with curved scissors, and interrupted and continuous intracorporeal sutures, which were practiced on the CVLTS. The initial and final assessments were carried out in both the CVLTS and in a collapsible mobile simulator. These were video-recorded and evaluated by external experts using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and a specific scale evaluation in a double-blinded schedule. The time, angular displacement, number, and movement smoothness were recorded using a hands movement assessment system (HMAS). Through a survey, the face validity and content were evaluated. The data were analyzed by a Pearson’s proportions comparison or Mann Whitney U test and a bilateral Student’s t-test. The experimental group OSATS, specific scores, and HMAS values, with the exception of the smoothness of movements, significantly improved after training, with no statistically significant differences compared to the expert group. No differences were found between the two simulators. The experts’ and experimental participants’ CVLTS mean score was 4.8. Our data support the CVLTS validations for laparoscopic surgery basic skills training.
Flood Defense Standard Estimation Using Machine Learning and Its Representation in Large‐Scale Flood Hazard Modeling

We propose a machine learning‐based approach to estimate the flood defense standard (FDS) for unlabeled sites. We adopted random forest regression (RFR) to characterize the relationship between the declared FDS and 10 explanatory factors contained in publicly available data sets. We compared RFR with multiple linear regression (MLR) and demonstrated the proposed approach in the conterminous United States (CONUS) and England, respectively. The results showed the following: (a) RFR performed better than MLR, with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.85 in the CONUS and 0.76 in England. Unsatisfactory performances of MLR indicated that the relationship between the FDS and explanatory factors did not obey an explicit linear function. (b) RFR revealed river flood factors had higher importance than physical and socio‐economic factors in the FDS estimation. The proposed RFR achieved the highest performance using all factors for prediction and could not provide good predictions (NSE < 0.65) using physical or socio‐economic factors individually. (c) We estimated the FDS for all unlabeled sites in the CONUS and England. Approximately 80% and 29% of sites were identified as high or highest standard (>100‐year return period) in the CONUS and England, respectively. (d) We incorporated the estimated FDS in large‐scale flood modeling and compared the model results with official flood hazard maps in three case studies. We identified obvious overestimations in protected areas when flood defenses were not taken into account; flood defenses were successfully represented using the proposed approach.
Analytical model of a dual frequency capacitive sheath

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in capacitively coupled plasma discharges which are operated with two frequencies. An analytical sheath model for a capacitively coupled radio-frequency plasma discharge operated with two frequencies is proposed and studied under the assumptions of a time-independent, collisionless ion motion. Expressions are obtained for the time-average electric potential within the sheath, nonlinear motion of the electron sheath boundary and nonlinear instantaneous sheath voltage. The derived model is valid under the condition that the low frequency (lf) electric field Elf in the sheath is much higher than the high frequency (hf) electric field Ehf. This condition is fulfilled within typical dual frequency conditions. It is shown, however, that the hf electric field modifies the sheath structure significantly because of the electron response to Ehf. This model has been compared to particle-in-cell plasma simulations, finding good quantitative agreement. We present the dependence of the maximum sheath width and the dc sheath voltage drop on the hf/lf current ratio and on the hf/lf frequency ratio.
Behavioral Discrepancy of P300 and Cognitive Load in Varying Auditory Speech Perception

People with hearing loss find it challenging to process complex speech signals and yet mislead speech perception. The relationship between P300 evoked response and cognitive load from electroencephalography (EEG) frequency bandwidth could inform speech perception discrepancy. This study aims to investigate functional relationship of P3b behavioral response and cortical neuronal oscillations of cognitive load activity at different phonological features of speech stimulus. Two groups of participants were recruited: ten male adults having bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and ten male adults with normal hearing. They underwent EEG recording while delivered with two distinctive speech stimuli namely voicing contrast and placing contrast at 80 dB. The P3b evoked potential and cortical oscillatory activities were measured throughout the targeted potential window. Statistically significant differences between speech stimulus amplitude responses were noted in the control participants, especially on ${C}_{z}$ and ${P}_{z}$ . In the control group (CG), placing contrast showed higher amplitudes and delayed latency compared to voicing contrast. The patient group (PG) had lower P3b amplitudes and earlier latency at similar conditions. Greater power energy was deployed at alpha and theta activities for the control participants at placing contrast. Higher complexity discriminant was evident in placing contrast when delayed latency with higher energy power for alpha and theta activities were constantly observed. The peak P3b highlighted the functional relationship with cognitive load response when evaluated at different hearing capabilities. The diminished power levels in higher complexity discriminant have brought an objective understanding of the loss of attention and perception task withdrawal during higher order processing among disability.
The Effects of Pancreatic Omentoplasty on Weight Loss, Improvement of Triglyceride and Interleukin-1 Levels in Obese Rats with Type II Diabetes Mellitus Performed Sleeve Gastrectomy

Background: Obesity can trigger inflammation or inflammatory disease, which is one of the main features of adipose tissue dysfunction. Adipose secretes several different peptides called adipocytokines, which can induce several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1. Omentoplasty pancreas dan sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical technique that can treat overweight and metabolic syndrome in obesity and type II DM. This study aims to determine the effect of pancreatic omentoplasty on weight loss and improvement of triglyceride and interleukin-1 levels in rats obesity with type II diabetes mellitus performed sleeve gastrectomy. Methods: This study is an experimental study in vivo. Eighteen rats participated in this study and were grouped into the control group (KI) and the KII and KIII treatment groups. Triglyceride levels were assessed using the spectrophotometric method, and IL-1 levels were assessed using the ELISA method. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS univariate and bivariate. Results: The KII and KIII treatment groups experienced a decrease in body weight, triglyceride levels, and Interleukin-1 levels of rats after the treatment intervention, p<0.05. The KIII treatment group showed the most significant reduction in body weight, triglyceride levels, and Interleukin-1 levels compared to the KII treatment. Conclusion: Pancreatic omentoplasty is effective in reducing body weight, reducing triglyceride levels, and reducing IL-1 levels in obese rats with type II diabetes mellitus undergoing sleeve gastrectomy surgery.
Assessment of Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Oral Cancer Among the Outpatient Population in a Tertiary Care Rural Hospital

Introduction Lack of knowledge and awareness about oral cancer and its risk factors and negligence of the early warning signs play a crucial role in raising the incidence of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this present study is to assess the awareness of oral cancer among the local population regarding the prevalence, etiology, early signs of oral cancer, and treatment options available for the same. Materials and methods The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. A cross-sectional study was done on 158 patients from 15-70 years. The questionnaire comprised closed-ended questions to assess the subject’s awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward the prevalence, causative factors, early signs that suggest oral cancer, and treatment options available for oral cancer. Results The study population consisted of 61% females and 39% males; the participants were aged between 15 and 70 years and the majority of them belonged to the 46-60-year age group (39.2%). Most of the participants (46%) had completed secondary education. Thirty-two point nine percent (32.9%) had not heard about oral cancer, 43.7% considered tobacco chewing and smoking risk factors, but only 25.8% were aware of early signs of oral cancer. Individuals who were unaware of oral cancer were educated. Conclusion This is a simple method to understand the participants' knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors. Based on the results, we can identify the populations that are unaware of oral cancer, and they can be educated regarding early screening, prevention, and control.
Targeting Mitochondria with ClpP Agonists as a Novel Therapeutic Opportunity in Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Mitochondria, often called “the powerhouse of the cell”, generate most of the energy required for all cellular processes. Mitochondria also provide a platform for multiple functions, including building essential macromolecules (nucleotides, proteins, and lipids), cell signaling, detoxification, and cell fate control. Studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial function is widely reprogrammed in breast cancers to promote tumor progression. Therefore, targeting mitochondria is currently one of the focal points in breast cancer research. Over 1000 proteins are involved with mitochondrial functions. The mitochondrial protease called ClpP plays a central role in mitochondrial protein quality control. Recently, ClpP agonists have emerged as a novel class of mitochondria-targeting drugs. Hyperactivating ClpP induces uncontrolled, but selective, degradation of ClpP substrates and disrupts mitochondrial functions, leading to growth inhibition of breast cancer cells, without adverse effect in non-malignant cells. The unique characteristics and mechanism of action of ClpP agonists provide new opportunities in breast cancer treatment. Abstract Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Despite the recent development of new therapeutics including targeted therapies and immunotherapy, triple-negative breast cancer remains an aggressive form of breast cancer, and thus improved treatments are needed. In recent decades, it has become increasingly clear that breast cancers harbor metabolic plasticity that is controlled by mitochondria. A myriad of studies provide evidence that mitochondria are essential to breast cancer progression. Mitochondria in breast cancers are widely reprogrammed to enhance energy production and biosynthesis of macromolecules required for tumor growth. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of mitochondrial roles in breast cancers and elucidate why mitochondria are a rational therapeutic target. We will then outline the status of the use of mitochondria-targeting drugs in breast cancers, and highlight ClpP agonists as emerging mitochondria-targeting drugs with a unique mechanism of action. We also illustrate possible drug combination strategies and challenges in the future breast cancer clinic.
Flexible work arrangements in family firms: A socioemotional wealth perspective

This study investigates the use and effects of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) across family and non-family firms. Drawing on the Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) model, first, I theorise on family firms’ attitude towards FWAs. I anticipate that, although FWAs may deliver employee and organisational advantages, family firms are less likely to adopt them because they reduce employee visibility and presence, thus threatening their ability to control the workforce (i.e. an essential component of their SEW). Second, I extend application of the SEW model to the analysis of the influence of family on the effects of FWAs. I posit that the pursuit of control provides a less-than-optimal ground for these arrangements to thrive in family firms, thus reducing their workforce outcomes. The hypotheses proposed are tested via ordinary least square regressions on a sample of 781 highly diverse workplaces operating in different industries and sectors in the UK. The results obtained shed light on the stance family firms take when addressing workforce management decisions and offer novel insights into the distinctiveness of these firms as employers, supporting the view that they tend to be agentic towards the workforce. Importantly, the findings here also draw attention to critical challenges family firms may face when competing for talent, particularly at the current time when the shift towards flexible work is accelerating dramatically.
Comparing the clinical trial characteristics of industry-funded trials and non- industry-funded trials

Importance: In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), small sample size and lack of blinding can cause biased and spurious results. Whether and how study characteristics differ based on a trial's funder is an important area to study. Objective: To compare study characteristics of RCTs funded by industry with study characteristics of RCTs not funded by industry. Design, Setting and Participants: We systematically reviewed all RCTs published between 2015 and 2019 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Lancet, and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Our primary data sources were ClinicalTrials.gov and MEDLINE. Data extraction included manual review and use of natural language processing. Main Outcomes and Measures: We compared the rate of blinding, use of placebo, and sample size. We used natural language processing to analyze the sentiment of the study's conclusion as reported in the abstract. As proxies for knowledge dissemination, we calculated the AltMetric scores and number of times the article was cited (citation count). Results: We identified 1533 RCTs published by NEJM, Lancet, and JAMA between 2015 and 2019. Of these RCTs, 697 were funded by industry. Trials funded by industry were more likely to be blinded (n=378, 54% vs n=318, 38%), more likely to include a placebo (n=317, 45% vs n=196, 23%), more likely to post their results on ClinicalTrials.gov (78%, 443 of 570 vs 41%, 207 of 501) compared to trials that were not industry funded. Industry-funded RCTs had a smaller sample size than non-industry-funded RCTs (median=557 [IQR: 230, 1369] vs 648 [IQR: 301, 1916], P<0.01). Trials funded by industry had more citations than non-industry-funded trials (285 vs 145, p < 0.01), while per-manuscript Almetric scores were similar between both groups (229 vs 226, p=0.2). Conclusions and Relevance: These data highlight important variability in key metrics of trial quality and call attention to specific areas of improvement, especially for non-industry-funded trials.
Finite-time singularity formation for angled-crested water waves

We show that the water waves system is locally wellposed in weighted Sobolev spaces which allow for interfaces with corners. No symmetry assumptions are required. These singular points are not rigid: if the initial interface exhibits a corner, it remains a corner but generically its angle changes. Using a characterization of the asymptotic behavior of the fluid near a corner that follows from our a priori energy estimates, we show the existence of initial data in these spaces for which the fluid becomes singular in finite time.
Implications of palatini gravity for inflation and beyond

We present an introduction to cosmic inflation in the framework of Palatini gravity, which provides an intriguing alternative to the conventional metric formulation of gravity. In the latter, only the metric specifies the spacetime geometry, whereas in the former, the metric and the spacetime connection are independent variables-an option that can result in a gravity theory distinct from the metric one. In scenarios where the field(s) responsible for cosmic inflation are non-minimally coupled to gravity or the gravitational sector is extended, assumptions about the underlying gravitational degrees of freedom can have substantial implications for the observational effects of inflation. We examine this explicitly by discussing various compelling scenarios, such as Higgs inflation with non-minimal coupling to gravity, Higgs inflation with non-minimal derivative coupling, $\mathcal{R}^2$ inflation, and beyond. We also comment on reheating in these models. Finally, as an application of the general results of Palatini $\mathcal{R}^2$ inflation, we review a model of successful quintessential inflation, where a single scalar field acts initially as the inflaton and then becomes dynamical dark energy, in agreement will all experimental constraints.
The sensitivity of shaped pupil coronagraphs to optical aberrations

Unlike focal-plane coronagraphs that use occulting spots and Lyot stops to eliminate diffraction, pupil-plane coronagraphs operate by shaping the pupil to redirect the diffracted stellar light into a tight core. As with focal-plane coronagraphs, the optical aberrations in the telescope must be sufficiently corrected to enable high contrast imaging. However, in shaped-pupil coronagraphs, the low-order aberrations resulting from misalignment and optical figure drift have a much smaller influence upon the contrast at the inner working angle. These weaker sensitivities greatly relax the strict low-order wavefront stability required for high-contrast imaging at the cost of some throughput. In this paper, we present the simulated performance of the concentric ring shaped pupil concepts comparing them to focal-plane coronagraphs that are optimized for the same inner working angles.
WildLight: In-the-wild Inverse Rendering with a Flashlight

This paper proposes a practical photometric solution for the challenging problem of in-the-wild inverse rendering under unknown ambient lighting. Our system recovers scene geometry and reflectance using only multi-view images captured by a smartphone. The key idea is to exploit smartphone's built-in flashlight as a minimally controlled light source, and decompose image intensities into two photometric components – a static appearance corresponds to ambient flux, plus a dynamic reflection induced by the moving flashlight. Our method does not require flash/non-flash images to be captured in pairs. Building on the success of neural light fields, we use an off-the-shelf method to capture the ambient reflections, while the flashlight component enables physically accurate photometric constraints to decouple reflectance and illumination. Compared to existing inverse rendering methods, our setup is applicable to non-darkroom environments yet sidesteps the inherent difficulties of explicit solving ambient reflections. We demonstrate by extensive experiments that our method is easy to implement, casual to set up, and consistently outperforms existing in-the-wild inverse rendering techniques. Finally, our neural reconstruction can be easily exported to PBR textured triangle mesh ready for industrial renderers. Our source code and data are released to https://github.com/za-cheng/WildLight.
Converging Measures and an Emergent Model: A Meta-Analysis of Human-Automation Trust Questionnaires

A significant challenge to measuring human-automation trust is the amount of construct proliferation, models, and questionnaires with highly variable validation. However, all agree that trust is a crucial element of technological acceptance, continued usage, fluency, and teamwork. Herein, we synthesize a consensus model for trust in human-automation interaction by performing a meta-analysis of validated and reliable trust survey instruments. To accomplish this objective, this work identifies the most frequently cited and best-validated human-automation and human-robot trust questionnaires, as well as the most well-established factors, which form the dimensions and antecedents of such trust. To reduce both confusion and construct proliferation, we provide a detailed mapping of terminology between questionnaires. Furthermore, we perform a meta-analysis of the regression models that emerged from those experiments which used multi-factorial survey instruments. Based on this meta-analysis, we demonstrate a convergent experimentally validated model of human-automation trust. This convergent model establishes an integrated framework for future research. It identifies the current boundaries of trust measurement and where further investigation is necessary. We close by discussing choosing and designing an appropriate trust survey instrument. By comparing, mapping, and analyzing well-constructed trust survey instruments, a consensus structure of trust in human-automation interaction is identified. Doing so discloses a more complete basis for measuring trust emerges that is widely applicable. It integrates the academic idea of trust with the colloquial, common-sense one. Given the increasingly recognized importance of trust, especially in human-automation interaction, this work leaves us better positioned to understand and measure it.