Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Lens-Induced Astigmatism at Near and Far Distances

Purpose To investigate and compare the degradation of visual acuity (VA) in myopic presbyopes due to lens-induced astigmatism at near and at far distance. Patients and Methods Fourteen corrected myopic presbyopes were recruited. VA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was measured binocularly for different conditions of lens-induced astigmatism: cylindrical powers of −0.25, −0.50, −0.75, −1.00, −1.50, and −2.00 diopters (and positive spherical power of half the cylindrical power) with two axis orientations (with-the-rule WTR and against-the-rule ATR) were added to their optical correction. Measurements were carried out at far and near distance both in photopic and mesopic conditions, and for high and low contrast (HC/LC) stimuli. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank statistics test was used to evaluate difference between conditions. Results The measured VA as a function of the lens-induced astigmatism was described by regression lines in all investigated experimental conditions. The angular coefficients (slopes) of these lines represent the VA degradation, ie, the variation in logMAR corresponding to the addition of 1.00 diopters of cylindrical power. In photopic HC conditions, the VA degradation is significantly more pronounced at far distance than at near distance (0.22±0.06 diopters−1 vs 0.15±0.05 diopters−1, p = 0.0061 in WTR conditions; 0.18±0.06 diopters−1 vs 0.12±0.05 diopters−1, p = 0.0017 in ATR conditions), although VAs at near and at far with zero cylinder were similar (−0.14±0.10 vs −0.14±0.08, p = 0.824). Conclusion The better tolerance to lens-induced astigmatism blur at near than at far distance in photopic conditions with HC stimuli is tentatively attributed to a possible experience-mediated neural compensation associated to the tendency of the eye toward an inherent astigmatism at near.
Switching from Sugar- to Artificially-Sweetened Beverages: A 12-Week Trial

Background: Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) forms the primary source of added sugar intake and can increase the risk of metabolic disease. Evidence from studies in humans and rodents also indicates that consumption of SSBs can impair performance on cognitive tests, but that removing SSB access can ameliorate these effects. Methods: The present study used an unblinded 3-group parallel design to assess the effects of a 12-week intervention in which young healthy adults (mean age = 22.85, SD = 3.89; mean BMI: 23.2, SD = 3.6) who regularly consumed SSBs were instructed to replace SSB intake with artificially-sweetened beverages (n = 28) or water (n = 25), or (c) to continue SSB intake (n = 27). Results: No significant group differences were observed in short-term verbal memory on the Logical Memory test or the ratio of waist circumference to height (primary outcomes), nor in secondary measures of effect, impulsivity, adiposity, or glucose tolerance. One notable change was a significant reduction in liking for strong sucrose solutions in participants who switched to water. Switching from SSBs to ‘diet’ drinks or water had no detectable impact on cognitive or metabolic health over the relatively short time frame studied here. This study was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615001004550; Universal Trial Number: U1111-1170-4543).
Post-Prandial Cognitive and Blood Pressure Effects of a DHA-Rich Omega-3 Powder in Middle-Aged Males: A Pilot Study

The use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplements is increasingly common among middle-aged and older adults. Users of ω-3 PUFA supplements often report using such supplements to support cognitive health, despite mixed findings reported within the ω-3 PUFA literature. To date, very few studies have explored cognitive effects in distinctly middle-aged (40 to 60 years) adults, and none have examined the acute effects (in the hours following a single dose) on cognitive performance. The current study evaluated whether a single dose of ω-3 PUFA (4020 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 720 mg eicosapentaenoic acid) influences cognitive performance and cardiovascular function in middle-aged males. Cognitive performance and cardiovascular function were assessed before and 3.5–4 h after consumption of a high dose of ω-3 PUFA (DHA + EPA) or placebo, incorporated into a standardized meal (i.e., single serve of Greek yogurt). In this study of middle-aged males, no significant differential treatment effects were observed for cognitive performance. However, a significant reduction in aortic systolic blood pressure (pre-dose to post-dose) was apparent following consumption of the ω-3 PUFA (DHA + EPA) treatment (mean difference = −4.11 mmHg, p = 0.004) but not placebo (mean difference = −1.39 mmHg, p = 0.122). Future replication in a sample comprising females, as well as patients with hypertension, is merited.
Asymmetric exclusion process with a dynamic roadblock and open boundaries

Motivated by complex transport processes occurring in nature, we study a totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with a dynamic ‘roadblock’ particle. The roadblock particle blocks the traffic of moving particles while bound to the lattice, but can stochastically unbind or switch off, thus enabling the traffic to pass. We use simulations to study the dependence of the particle flux on the on/off switching dynamics of the roadblock, which exhibits a surprisingly rich dynamic behaviour. In particular, unlike in other studied TASEP variants with defects, here we observe that the particle flux is affected by the roadblock even in the initiation-limited or low density phase if the roadblock dynamics is slow. Rapid switching off the roadblock results in the typical behaviour of a TASEP with a defect/pause with reduced maximal current, but no effect of the roadblock on the flux in the initiation-limited phase. Moreover, in an intermediate range of roadblock rates, the particle current is found to be system-size dependent.
Autophagic-Related Proteins in Brain Gliomas: Role, Mechanisms, and Targeting Agents

Simple Summary The aim of the present review is to discuss the autophagy, a well-known cellular process, able to remove damaged intracellular organelles as well as macromolecules and misfolded proteins. A dual role, as tumour promoter and tumour suppressor, has been attributed to autophagy. Therefore, we would analyse molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways of autophagy, mainly concerning human astrocytic neoplasms. Moreover, information about relationships between autophagy, the tumour immune microenvironment, and glioma stem cells are furtherly illustrated. Drugs with higher selectivity for autophagy are actually developing and hopefully applied in the future to clinical practice. This modern perspective could help in the selection of patients with gliomas that are most likely to respond to the therapy of autophagy–inhibition. Abstract The present review focuses on the phenomenon of autophagy, a catabolic cellular process, which allows for the recycling of damaged organelles, macromolecules, and misfolded proteins. The different steps able to activate autophagy start with the formation of the autophagosome, mainly controlled by the action of several autophagy-related proteins. It is remarkable that autophagy may exert a double role as a tumour promoter and a tumour suppressor. Herein, we analyse the molecular mechanisms as well as the regulatory pathways of autophagy, mainly addressing their involvement in human astrocytic neoplasms. Moreover, the relationships between autophagy, the tumour immune microenvironment, and glioma stem cells are discussed. Finally, an excursus concerning autophagy-targeting agents is included in the present review in order to obtain additional information for the better treatment and management of therapy-resistant patients.
Pudendal nerve block vs usual lidocaine infiltration for pain relief in episiotomy repair: a comparative prospective study

Objective. we aimed to compare the anesthetic and analgesic effect of the pudendal nerve block (PNB) and of the local lidocaine infiltration during episiotomy repair and in the following 24 hours. Patients and Methods. 70 parturients undergoing natural birth requiring episiotomy and presenting contraindication or refusal of epidural analgesia were randomized to receive pudendal nerve block with ropivacaine or local lidocaine infiltration. The main endpoint was: evaluation of obstetric analgesia by visual analogical scale . The secondary judgment criteria were: hemodynamic parameters, suture duration, onset time of sensory block, time to first analgesic request, rehabilitation parameters, parturient and obstetrician satisfaction and pain intensifying factors. Results. Mean VAS pain score was significantly lower in pudendal group versus infiltration group at T10min(10 minutes after local anesthetic injection) (7.20±8.56 vs. 20.43±18.25, p<0.01), T15min (5.43±8.17 vs. 17.71±16.42, p<0.01), T20min (repair starting) (29.63±23.59 vs. 44.06±28.16, p=0.023), T1h (13.14±19.18 vs. 32.20±21.25, p<0.01), T1h30min (10.57±14.74 vs. 27.34±16.74, p<0.01) and T2h (9.57±15.69 vs. 25.34±16.32, p<0.01), T6h (13.57±14.07 vs. 41.43±23.24, p<0.01), T12h (22.60±20.41 vs. 36.49±23.35, p=0.010) and T18h (12.23±11.84 vs. 27.94±23.40, p<0.01). Significantly shorter average suture time and better obstetrician's satisfaction were observed in pudendal group. Nevertheless, parturient satisfaction did not reveal significant difference in our study, as well as time to first analgesic request. Conclusions . Nerve stimulator guided PNB proved to be more effective for pain management in episiotomy repair than the classical lidocaine infiltration.
Evaluating lean execution performance in Indian MSMEs using SEM and TOPSIS models

To meet competitive requirements and reduce costs, many manufacturers are turning to lean manufacturing techniques. Various problems are usually faced in the implementation of lean manufacturing in the Indian micro, small and medium enterprises. This paper investigates the implementation of the lean manufacturing concept in the MSME sector. In particular, it examines the extent to which lean manufacturing can be implemented given the various financial constraints encountered in the current economic environment of India. To this end, lean implementations were conducted and studied in six Indian MSMEs. The study was conducted using structural equation modelling (SEM). The software, LISREL was used for calculating the ranking factors using TOPSIS and FUZZY TOPSIS technologies. The study was conducted with a view to elucidating the methodology of lean manufacturing that was successful, besides supporting the basic hypotheses. The final solution proposed is a systematic method postulated to improve the productivity and performance of the manufacturing industry.
The Dakwah Communication Model of the Post-Persecution Muslim Minority: The Case of the Restoration of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI)

Ahmadiyya is a Muslim minority with distinctive teachings contradictory to mainstream Islam that has been entrenched in Indonesia since the Dutch colonial era. After independence, the sect enjoyed the freedom of religion and belief under the law's guarantee and the state's power during the reign of the first two presidents (1945-1998). However, the power of orthodox Muslims strengthened during the Reformation Order, and in 2005, a fatwa regarding the heresy of the Ahmadiyya was issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). This was followed by the Joint Decree of the Three High State Institutions, which limited the movement of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI). Regional regulations emerged, followed by a violent crusade against this sect. Consequently, this research examined the communication model used by the Ahmadiyya Muslim minority to preach post-persecution. The qualitative methods employed for data collection were observation, interviews, and documentation, which intensively occurred in October-December 2019 and August 2022. The respondents were six JAI central/branch managers and three missionaries. The research results show that the Ahmadiyya teachings naming Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (MGA) as a prophet are the trigger for persecution. Although orthodox Muslims allow the unhindered performance of activities, providing Ahmadiyya is labeled a religion and not a part of Islam, JAI refused because it believes MGA is the non-shari'at Prophet. After the persecution, JAI proposed four models of dakwah communication that internally strengthen Ahmadi beliefs and invite sympathy and new converts. Received: 24 January 2023 / Accepted: 12 April 2023 / Published: 5 May 2023
Occurrence characteristics of outer zone relativistic electron butterfly distribution: A survey of Van Allen Probes REPT measurements

Using Van Allen Probes Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) pitch angle resolved electron flux data from September 2012 to March 2015, we investigate in detail the global occurrence pattern of equatorial (|λ| ≤ 3°) butterfly distribution of outer zone relativistic electrons and its potential correlation with the solar wind dynamic pressure. The statistical results demonstrate that these butterfly distributions occur with the highest occurrence rate ~ 80% at ~ 20–04 magnetic local time (MLT) and L > ~ 5.5 and with the second peak (> ~ 50%) at ~ 11–15 MLT of lower L shells ~ 4.0. They can also extend to L = 3.5 and to other MLT intervals but with the occurrence rates predominantly < ~25%. It is further shown that outer zone relativistic electron butterfly distributions are likely to peak between 58° and 79° for L = 4.0 and 5.0 and between 37° and 58° for L = 6.0, regardless of the level of solar wind dynamic pressure. Relativistic electron butterfly distributions at L = 4.0 also exhibit a pronounced day‐night asymmetry in response to the Pdyn variations. Compared to the significant L shell and MLT dependence of the global occurrence pattern, outer zone relativistic electron butterfly distributions show much less but still discernable sensitivity to Pdyn, geomagnetic activity level, and electron energy, the full understanding of which requires future attempts of detailed simulations that combine and differentiate underlying physical mechanisms of the geomagnetic field asymmetry and scattering by various magnetospheric waves.
The Upper Atmospheric Fountain Effect in the Polar Cusp Region

Diese Arbeit untersucht, inwiefern die Cusp als Merkmal des Erdmagnetfeldes die Dynamik der (neutralen) Hochatmosphare beeinflusst. Die aus CHAMP-Satellitendaten abgeleitete thermospharische Gesamtmassendichte zeigt eine markante Erhohung im Bereich der Cusp, die sogenannte Dichteanomalie. In einer klimatologischen Analyse wird diese Anomalie als kontinuierliches Phanomen beider Hemispharen identifiziert, das im wesentlichen von der Hintergrunddichte, der Kopplungseffizienz zwischen Erdmagnetfeld und interplanetarem Magnetfeld und von der solaren Aktivitat abhangt. Das Aufsteigen von Luftmassen aus tieferen Schichten (Neutralgasfontane), ausgelost durch Joule-Heizung, wird als Ursache der Dichteanomalie angesehen. Deren Auslosemechanismen werden mit Hilfe einer kombinierten CHAMP-EISCAT-Kampagne, Modellstudien zum Einfall niederenergetischer Teilchen in der Cusp und einer harmonischen Analyse der Dichteanomalie und ihrer Steuerungsparameter untersucht. Ausgehend von den Ergebnissen dieser Untersuchungen wird folgender Mechanismus zur Entstehung der Neutralgasfontane im Bereich der polaren Cusps vorgeschlagen: Der Energieeintrag durch den Sonnenwind ermoglicht Joulesche Heizung des Neutralgases. Gleichzeitig wird durch den Einfall niederenergetischer Teilchen in der Cusp die Hohe maximaler Pedersenleitfahigkeit und damit auch die Hohe der effektiven Heizschicht angehoben. Differenzielle Expansion schwererer Partikel verandert die lokale Zusammensetzung der Luft und tragt so zur Dichteanomalie bei. Der Mechanismus ist in Phasen erhohter solarer Aktivitat starker ausgepragt, denn eine grosere Hintergrunddichte bewirkt grosere Amplituden der Dichteanomalie. Das Phanomen kann Auswirkungen auf die globale Dichteverteilung der Thermosphare haben.
Development of a technology to produce titanium powder with a low carbon footprint

This paper reports the analysis of modern technologies for the production of titanium from oxide raw materials. It has been established that current industrial methods for producing titanium require the use of carbon as a reducing agent and, accordingly, cannot decrease carbon emissions without changing the technology. That is why devising a technology for producing titanium with a reduction in emissions of carbon components is a relevant task. So, the object of research is the technology of obtaining titanium from its oxide without the use of carbon components. It was found that an integrated approach to the preparation of raw materials and the separation of reduction processes with the successive use of two types of reducing agents – magnesium and calcium, made it possible to create an effective process for producing titanium without the use of carbon reducing agents. The influence of calcium and magnesium chlorides as promoters of the reduction process was revealed. Experimental studies have established that the shape and density of raw materials significantly affect the efficiency of the reduction process by streamlining the reducing agent flows and reaction products in the furnace charge. The established regularities made it possible to improve the process of reduction of titanium oxide to obtain samples of titanium powders with an oxygen content of 0.17 %, which corresponds to international standards for titanium alloys and powders. Additional plasma treatment made it possible to obtain materials that were suitable for additive processes in all respects. A systematic approach to the utilization of reaction products made it possible to devise a technological scheme in which all possible waste is either returned to the technological process after treatment or processed into marketable products. Based on the results of the study, a technological scheme for obtaining powders of titanium alloys from titanium oxide by complex reduction in two stages – magnesium and calcium – was developed. The proposed scheme involves standard metallurgical processes and is brought to standard processes and equipment of metallurgical enterprises and chemical industry. In terms of practical significance, the results of this work could be used in the development of industrial technology to produce titanium from titanium dioxide without the use of carbon components.
Regularized Neural Detection for Millimeter Wave Massive Mimo Communication Systems with One-Bit Adcs

Multi-user massive MIMO signal detection from one-bit received measurements strongly depends on the wireless channel. To this end, majority of the model and learning-based approaches address detector design for the rich-scattering, homogeneous Rayleigh fading channel. Our work proposes detection for one-bit massive MIMO for the lower diversity mmWave channel. We analyze the limitations of the current state-of-the-art gradient descent (GD)-based joint multiuser detection of one-bit received signals for the mmWave channels. Addressing these, we introduce a new framework to ensure equitable per-user performance, in spite of joint multi-user detection. This is realized by means of: (i) a parametric deep learning system, i.e., the mmW-ROBNet, (ii) a constellation-aware loss function, and (iii) a hierarchical detection training strategy. The experimental results corroborate this proposed approach for equitable per-user detection.
Description of an Equine Hepacivirus Cluster in a Horse Stable in Italy

Equine hepacivirus (EqHV), also known as Hepacivirus A, represents the most closely related genetic homologue of human hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although detected worldwide, limited information on the clinical features of this infection is available and on the mechanisms by which EqHV is transmitted. In this study, we describe a spread of infection of EqHV that occurred in a small stable of horses in southern Italy. The RNA of EqHV was detected in 6/13 (46.2%) sera of the horses introduced into the herd, at different times, over a period of approximately one year. Based on the sequencing analyses of genomic portions located in the NS5B, 5′UTR, and NS3 genes, the viruses detected in the animals were genetically highly related (100% nt identity) to each other. The nearly full-length genome of the virus identified from two horses was generated. For one animal with a profile of chronic infection, the genome sequence was determined with a 7-month interval, revealing 26nt changes resulting in 11 nonsynonymous intrahost nucleotide variations. Overall, based on the epidemiological information, we support the hypothesis that horizontal transmission occurred in the herd.
Variational learning for latent Gaussian model of discrete data

This thesis focuses on the variational learning of latent Gaussian models for discrete data. The learning is difficult since the discrete-data likelihood is not conjugate to the Gaussian prior. Existing methods to solve this problem are either inaccurate or slow. We consider a variational approach based on evidence lower bound optimization. We solve the following two main problems of the variational approach: the computational inefficiency associated with the maximization of the lower bound and the intractability of the lower bound. For the first problem, we establish concavity of the lower bound and design fast learning algorithms using concave optimization. For the second problem, we design tractable and accurate lower bounds, some of which have provable error guarantees. We show that these lower bounds not only make accurate variational learning possible, but can also give rise to algorithms with a wide variety of speed-accuracy trade-offs. We compare various lower bounds, both theoretically and experimentally, giving clear design guidelines for variational algorithms. Through application to real-world data, we show that the variational approach can be more accurate and faster than existing methods.
The genus Ophelina Örsted, 1843 (Annelida: Opheliidae) in the coast of Kuwait (northern Indian Ocean), with the description of a new species

Two species of the genus Ophelina Örsted, 1843 (Annelida, Opheliidae) are reported from the coast of Kuwait (Arabian Gulf) after specimens collected in the intertidal and shallow subtidal, namely Ophelina arabica sp. nov. and Ophelina grandis (Pillai, 1961). The new species is mainly characterised by features of the anal tube, which is provided with about 25 annulations at each side; the ventral margins are fully fused while dorsal margins are fused at most of their length but are free at the distal end in the shape of a conspicuous incision; the posterior end is opened with free margins; the anal tube also lacks marginal papillae but bears a pair of basal papillae and an unpaired anal cirrus attached to ventral margin at mid-length. Ophelina grandis is reported for the first time in the Arabian Gulf; specimens are fully described and compared with similar species. A key for species of Ophelina in the Indo-Pacific, Southern Asia, Indo-Malay Archipelago and Australia, is also provided.