Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimate of OH trends over one decade in North American cities

Significance OH is the critical chemical setting removal rates of local pollutants in the atmosphere. The importance of OH to tropospheric chemistry stands in stark contrast to the absence of long-term measurements. Here we synthesize a machine learning technique, satellite observations, and simulations from a state-of-the-art chemical model to estimate OH trends between 2005 and 2014 in 49 North American cities. Compared to the summertime OH in 2005, the OH in 2014 exhibits changes that range from –17 to +11% in different cities. The variation of OH over one decade can be explained by the chemical regime shifts over the years. The identification of chemical regime, in turn, sheds light on the effective policy for controlling ozone.
The effect of prolonged spaceflight on cerebrospinal fluid and perivascular spaces of astronauts and cosmonauts

Long-duration spaceflight induces changes to the brain and cerebrospinal fluid compartments and visual acuity problems known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). The clinical relevance of these changes and whether they equally affect crews of different space agencies remain unknown. We used MRI to analyze the alterations occurring in the perivascular spaces (PVS) in NASA and European Space Agency astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts after a 6-mo spaceflight on the International Space Station (ISS). We found increased volume of basal ganglia PVS and white matter PVS (WM-PVS) after spaceflight, which was more prominent in the NASA crew than the Roscosmos crew. Moreover, both crews demonstrated a similar degree of lateral ventricle enlargement and decreased subarachnoid space at the vertex, which was correlated with WM-PVS enlargement. As all crews experienced the same environment aboard the ISS, the differences in WM-PVS enlargement may have been due to, among other factors, differences in the use of countermeasures and high-resistive exercise regimes, which can influence brain fluid redistribution. Moreover, NASA astronauts who developed SANS had greater pre- and postflight WM-PVS volumes than those unaffected. These results provide evidence for a potential link between WM-PVS fluid and SANS.
Natural infections of SARS‐CoV‐2 increased in animals: How should humans interact with animals?

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), along with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are three emerging coronaviruses with significant public health implications in the twenty-first century. SARS-CoV-2, in particular, has caused an unprecedented global pandemic, spreading to over 200 countries. As of the manuscript submission date, more than 450 million people were infected with SARS-CoV-2, with near 6 million of those infected dying. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Biometrics in Cyber Security

Computers play an important role in our daily lives and its usage has grown manifolds today. With ever increasing demand of security regulations all over the world and large number of services provided using the internet in day to day life, the assurance of security associated with such services has become a crucial issue. Biometrics is a key to the future of data/cyber security. This paper presents a biometric recognition system which can be embedded in any system involving access control, e-commerce, online banking, computer login etc. to enhance the security. Fingerprint is an old and mature technology which has been used in this work as biometric trait. In this paper a fingerprint recognition system based on no minutiae features: Fuzzy features and Invariant moment features has been developed. Fingerprint images from FVC2002 are used for experimentation. The images are enhanced for improving the quality and a region of interest (ROI) is cropped around the core point. Two sets of features are extracted from ROI and support vector machine (SVM) is used for verification. An accuracy of 95 per cent is achieved with the invariant moment features using RBF kernel in SVM.
Feasibility of double sleeve lobectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study intends to appraise the feasibility of double sleeve lobectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in central non-small-cell lung cancer with bronchovascular aggression. METHODS This retrospective study included non-small-cell lung cancer patients who received double sleeve lobectomy from January 2014 to June 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. Demographic data and perioperative outcomes were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS Of the 110 patients who received double sleeve lobectomy during this period, 35 patients (31.8%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Compared with the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were associated with younger age (P = 0.026), smaller pathologic tumour size (P = 0.005), higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P = 0.007), higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s of predicted value (P = 0.005) and higher clinical stage (P < 0.001). In the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 18 patients (51.4%) attained a partial response and 17 patients (48.6%) achieved stable disease. The postoperative hospital stays (P = 0.042) and chest tube drainage duration (P = 0.030) were longer in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and other perioperative performances were similar between these 2 groups. No statistically significant difference was reported in postoperative complications and mortality between these 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS The intraoperative performance and postoperative outcomes of double sleeve lobectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy were similar to direct surgery, indicating that double sleeve lobectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is feasible and safe in central lung cancer involving both the pulmonary artery and bronchus.
An introduction to UGRS: the ultimate grading and remanufacturing system

The Ultimate Grading and Remanufactming System (UGRS) is an advanced computer program for grading and remanufacturing lumber. It is an interactive program that will both grade lumber according to NHLA rules and remanufacture it for maximum value. UGRS is written to run under Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later updates and provides a sophisticated graphical user interface. UGRS displays boards that have been digitally described in a computer file (x-y coordinates) showing the board outline and defects along with pertinent grading and remanufacturing infmmation. Potential applications include: 1) training in the basics of lumber grading; 2) investigation into potential value increases obtainable from remanufacturing operations; 3) research into the effects of grading rules on lumber grades and value; and 4) yield optimization studies.
Brucellosis control methods with an emphasis on vaccination: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Introduction Brucellosis is considered as one of the main zoonotic infections and a major public health concern worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate various strategies for controlling brucellosis with an especial emphasis on efficacy of vaccination. Areas covered International databanks (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase) were searched for potentially relevant studies published from 1 January 2011 to 25 March 2021 using the following keywords: ‘Brucella,’ ‘Brucella abortus,’ ‘Brucella melitensis,’ ‘Brucella canis,’ ‘Brucella suis,’ ‘brucellosis,’ ‘Bang disease,’ ‘undulant fever,’ ‘Malta fever,’ ‘vaccination,’ ‘vaccine,’ and ‘immunization. ’ The literature search was restricted to original articles published in English. Expert opinion Various methods are employed to prevent and control brucellosis, such as removing sick animals by slaughtering, separating sick animals from the herd, and vaccination. Preventing, controlling, and eradicating brucellosis requires a lot of financial support, perseverance, and time. In order to conduct a detailed study, it is recommended that more studies be conducted in developing countries and different parts of the world.
Targeted chemotherapy in retinoblastoma: A step forward from patient survival to globe survival

Background/ Objectives Despite being the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood, there is a substantial disparity between developing and developed countries in terms of patient and globe survival in retinoblastoma (Rb). The current study intends to determine patient and globe survival before and after the introduction of the new targeted treatment modalities in a developing country. Methods Medical records of 350 patients (516 eyes) with retinoblastoma referred to a tertiary referral center for Rb in Tehran, Iran, were reviewed. In order to compare patient and globe survival before and after the availability of the new treatment modalities, including intra-arterial and intravitreal chemotherapy, the patients were divided into group 1 (2001–2007) and group 2 (2008–2018) based on the calendar period of diagnosis. Results Two-hundred-twenty-three eyes of 149 patients and 293 eyes of 201 patients were categorized into groups 1 and 2, respectively. The 5-year patient survival was 97% across the current survey, and the overall survival rate was 96% in group 1 and 99% in group 2 (P = 0.08). Overall, 50% of eyes with retinoblastoma underwent enucleation, which was the primary in 63% (116/184) of the unilateral and 30% (99/322) of the bilateral cases. Primary enucleation was significantly lower in group 2 (35%) in contrast to group 1 (50%) (P < 0.001). In addition, globe survival improved significantly in the International Classification of Retinoblastoma Groups D (17% in group 1 vs. 66% in group 2, P < 0.001) and E (1% in group 1 vs. 23% in group 2 P < 0.001) during the two timelines. In enucleated eyes, despite the increased rate of prelaminar involvement in group 2 (13% vs. 2% in group 1, P = 0.003), the rate of high-risk histopathologic findings was similar between the two groups. Conclusion Similar to developed countries, the application of new targeted treatment modalities, including intra-arterial and intravitreal chemotherapy, has been associated with significantly improved globe survival in Rb patients. However, it should be noted that even with the availability of these novel treatment options, the decision for on-time enucleation should not be deferred.
Choroidal Microvascular Alterations in COVID-19 Patients

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate alterations in the choroidal angioarchitecture of COVID-19 patients using optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) based surrogate markers. Methods This prospective case-control study recruited 56 COVID-19 patients (111 eyes) and 61 healthy individuals (120 eyes). Choroidal thickness (CT) and Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were derived from OCT images using a purpose-built automated software for choroidal image segmentation. A linear mixed model with age and gender as covariates was employed to compare CVI and CT between groups. Results COVID-19 patients had significantly higher subfoveal (81.3um vs 86.8um, p = .02), temporal (78.8um vs 84.3um, p = .005), nasal (87.5um vs 95.1um, p = .001) and average CT (82.5um vs 88.7um, p = .001). COVID-19 patients had significantly lower subfoveal (64.0 vs 63.5, p = .02) and average CVI (63.5 vs 63.1, p = .02). Conclusion COVID-19 results in significantly thicker choroid with reduced relative vascularity. This may be attributable to increased vascular permeability secondary to inflammation, resulting in choroidal stromal edema.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles Enable Rapid, Reliable, and Robust Point-of-Care Thermal Detection of SARS-CoV-2

Rapid antigen tests are currently used for population screening of COVID-19. However, they lack sensitivity and utilize antibodies as receptors, which can only function in narrow temperature and pH ranges. Consequently, molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) are synthetized with a fast (2 h) and scalable process using merely a tiny SARS-CoV-2 fragment (∼10 amino acids). The nanoMIPs rival the affinity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies under standard testing conditions and surpass them at elevated temperatures or in acidic media. Therefore, nanoMIP sensors possess clear advantages over antibody-based assays as they can function in various challenging media. A thermal assay is developed with nanoMIPs electrografted onto screen-printed electrodes to accurately quantify SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Heat transfer-based measurements demonstrate superior detection limits compared to commercial rapid antigen tests and most antigen tests from the literature for both the alpha (∼9.9 fg mL–1) and delta (∼6.1 fg mL–1) variants of the spike protein. A prototype assay is developed, which can rapidly (∼15 min) validate clinical patient samples with excellent sensitivity and specificity. The straightforward epitope imprinting method and high robustness of nanoMIPs produce a SARS-CoV-2 sensor with significant commercial potential for population screening, in addition to the possibility of measurements in diagnostically challenging environments.
Neutrophils impose strong immune pressure against PfEMP1 variants implicated in cerebral malaria

Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest form of human malaria, remains one of the major threats to human health in endemic regions. Its virulence is attributed to its ability to modify infected red blood cells (iRBC) to adhere to endothelial receptors by placing variable antigens known as PfEMP1 on the iRBC surface. PfEMP1 expression determines the cytoadhesive properties of the iRBCs and is implicated in severe malaria. To evade antibody‐mediated responses, the parasite undergoes continuous switches of expression between different PfEMP1 variants. Recently, it became clear that in addition to antibody‐mediated responses, PfEMP1 triggers innate immune responses; however, the role of neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells in the human circulation, in malaria remains elusive. Here, we show that neutrophils recognize and kill blood‐stage P. falciparum isolates. We identify neutrophil ICAM‐1 and specific PfEMP1 implicated in cerebral malaria as the key molecules involved in this killing. Our data provide mechanistic insight into the interactions between neutrophils and iRBCs and demonstrate the important influence of PfEMP1 on the selective innate response to cerebral malaria.
Mixotrophic flagellate ingestion boosts microplastic accumulation in ascidians

Abstract Microplastics are contaminants of global environmental concern. They can be ingested by a variety of organisms when they enter the food web. Several studies have reported trophic transfer of microplastics from low trophic levels to higher ones. Bioaccumulation has been suggested to occur but few studies have demonstrated it for marine environments. In this article, in controlled laboratory conditions, we exposed filter‐feeder ascidian juveniles to microplastics in the presence or in absence of mixotrophic cryptomonad flagellates. Cryptomonads can efficiently ingest microbeads, and their presence significantly increased the concentration of microplastics in the digestive tract of the ascidians. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of microplastic bioaccumulation in the lower levels of the marine trophic chain and suggest that unicellular organisms can be key actors in microplastic trophic transfer at the microscale level.
Poor and Lost Connections: Essential Family Caregivers’ Experiences Using Technology with Family Living in Long-Term Care Homes during COVID-19

Background: Long-term care homes (LTCHs) restricted essential family caregivers’ (EFCs) visitations during COVID-19, and virtual visits using technology were used. Objective: To understand EFCs’ virtual visitations experiences during COVID-19 in two Canadian provinces. Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted with EFCs. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes at micro, meso, and macro levels. Results: Four themes were found: 1) a lack of technology and infrastructure; 2) barriers to scheduling visitations; 3) unsuitable technology implementation; and 4) inability of technology to adapt to residents’ needs. Discussion: Virtual visitations showcased a confluence of micro, meso, and macro factors that, in some cases, negatively impacted the EFCs, residents, and the relationship between EFCs and residents. Structural and home inequities within and beyond the LTCH impacted the quality of technology-based visitations, underscoring the need to support technology infrastructure and training to ensure residents are able to maintain relationships during visitation bans. Conclusion: EFCs’ experiences of technology-based visitations were impacted by structural vulnerabilities of the LTCH sector.
The development of a core key word signing vocabulary (Lámh) to facilitate communication with children with down syndrome in the first year of mainstream primary school in Ireland

Abstract Key word signing, an unaided augmentative, and alternative communication (AAC) system is commonly used by children with Down syndrome who attend mainstream primary schools. To ensure the successful use of key word signing within a mainstream environment, a meaningful, contextually appropriate sign vocabulary must be available to all communication partners. The aim of this study was to develop a core school-based key word signing vocabulary to facilitate effective communication between children with Down syndrome and their communication partners in the first year of mainstream primary school. Four key groups—participants with Down syndrome, their peers, teachers, and special needs assistants—and a speech-language pathologist contributed to the vocabulary over the course of an academic year, through observations, semi-structured interviews, and guided tours of the school environment. Based on criteria of frequency and commonality, 140 words were considered to be core vocabulary. The current study provides new insights into the complex process of vocabulary selection for children who use key word signing at school and highlights the importance of access to a functional sign vocabulary in facilitating inclusive education practices.
Integrity and quantity of salivary cell‐free DNA as a potential molecular biomarker in oral cancer: A preliminary study

Abstract Background Differences in cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) fragments have been described as a valuable tool to distinguish cancer patients from healthy individuals. We aim to investigate the concentration and integrity of cfDNA fragments in saliva from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and healthy individuals in order to explore their value as diagnostic biomarkers. Methods Saliva samples were collected from a total of 34 subjects (19 OSCC patients and 15 healthy controls). The total concentration of salivary cfDNA (scfDNA) was determined using a fluorometry method and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). To evaluate the scfDNA quantity and integrity, qPCR targeting Arthobacter luteus (ALU) sequences at three amplicons of different lengths (60, 115, and 247 bp, respectively) was carried out. ScfDNA integrity indexes (ALU115/ALU60 and ALU247/ALU60) were calculated as the ratio between the absolute concentration of the longer amplicons 115 bp and 247 bp and the total scfDNA amount (amplicon 60 bp). Results The total scfDNA concentration (ALU60) was higher in OSCC than in healthy donors, but this trend was not statistically significant. The medians of scfDNA integrity indexes, ALU115/ALU60 and ALU247/ALU60, were significantly higher in OSCC, showing area under the curve values of 0.8211 and 0.7018, respectively. Conclusion Our preliminary results suggest that scfDNA integrity indexes (ALU115/ALU60 and ALU247/ALU60) have potential as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for OSCC.
Critical factors in achieving fine‐scale functional MRI: Removing sources of inadvertent spatial smoothing

Ultra‐high Field (≥7T) functional magnetic resonance imaging (UHF‐fMRI) provides opportunities to resolve fine‐scale features of functional architecture such as cerebral cortical columns and layers, in vivo. While the nominal resolution of modern fMRI acquisitions may appear to be sufficient to resolve these features, several common data preprocessing steps can introduce unwanted spatial blurring, especially those that require interpolation of the data. These resolution losses can impede the detection of the fine‐scale features of interest. To examine quantitatively and systematically the sources of spatial resolution losses occurring during preprocessing, we used synthetic fMRI data and real fMRI data from the human visual cortex—the spatially interdigitated human V2 “thin” and “thick” stripes. The pattern of these cortical columns lies along the cortical surface and thus can be best appreciated using surface‐based fMRI analysis. We used this as a testbed for evaluating strategies that can reduce spatial blurring of fMRI data. Our results show that resolution losses can be mitigated at multiple points in preprocessing pathway. We show that unwanted blur is introduced at each step of volume transformation and surface projection, and can be ameliorated by replacing multi‐step transformations with equivalent single‐step transformations. Surprisingly, the simple approaches of volume upsampling and of cortical mesh refinement also helped to reduce resolution losses caused by interpolation. Volume upsampling also serves to improve motion estimation accuracy, which helps to reduce blur. Moreover, we demonstrate that the level of spatial blurring is nonuniform over the brain—knowledge which is critical for interpreting data in high‐resolution fMRI studies. Importantly, our study provides recommendations for reducing unwanted blurring during preprocessing as well as methods that enable quantitative comparisons between preprocessing strategies. These findings highlight several underappreciated sources of a spatial blur. Individually, the factors that contribute to spatial blur may appear to be minor, but in combination, the cumulative effects can hinder the interpretation of fine‐scale fMRI and the detectability of these fine‐scale features of functional architecture.
Anaerobic methane oxidation in a coastal oxygen minimum zone: spatial and temporal dynamics

Summary Coastal waters are a major source of marine methane to the atmosphere. Particularly high concentrations of this potent greenhouse gas are found in anoxic waters, but it remains unclear if and to what extent anaerobic methanotrophs mitigate the methane flux. Here we investigate the long‐term dynamics in methanotrophic activity and the methanotroph community in the coastal oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) of Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, combining biogeochemical analyses, experimental incubations and 16S rRNA gene sequencing over 3 consecutive years. Our results demonstrate a stable redox zonation across the years with high concentrations of methane (up to 1.7 μmol L−1) in anoxic bottom waters. However, we also measured high activities of anaerobic methane oxidation in the OMZ core (rate constant, k, averaging 30 yr−1 in 2018 and 8 yr−1 in 2019–2020). The OPU3 and Deep Sea‐1 clades of the Methylococcales were implicated as conveyors of the activity, peaking in relative abundance 5–25 m below the oxic–anoxic interface and in the deep anoxic water respectively. Although their genetic capacity for anaerobic methane oxidation remains unexplored, their sustained high relative abundance indicates an adaptation of these clades to the anoxic, methane‐rich OMZ environment, allowing them to play major roles in mitigating methane fluxes.