Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical relevance of vitamin B12 level and vitamin B12 metabolic gene variation in pulmonary tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to assess the association of vitamin B12 level and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin B12 metabolic genes with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Chinese Han population. The plasma vitamin B12 expression level was detected using ELISA. Ten SNPs in six key genes (TCN1, TCN2, CUBN, MMACHC, FUT6, and MUT) of vitamin B12 metabolic pathway were included for genotyping by the SNPscan technique among 454 PTB patients and 467 controls. Our results found that vitamin B12 level was significantly reduced in PTB patients when compared with controls. There was no significant association between TCN1 rs526934, TCN2 rs1801198, CUBN rs7906242, rs10904861, rs1801222, MMACHC rs10789465, FUT6 rs3760776, rs3760775, MUT rs9473555, rs9381784 variants, and PTB susceptibility. TCN2 rs1801198 CC genotype, C allele was significantly associated with hypoproteinemia in PTB patients. In CUBN, rs7906242 GG genotype, G allele, rs10904861 TT genotype, and T allele were significantly related to the decreased frequency of sputum smear-positive, and rs10904861 variant affected the occurrence of drug resistance in PTB patients. In addition, the increased frequency of CUBN rs1801222 AA genotype was significantly associated with leukopenia. The decreased frequency of MUT rs9473555 CC genotype was found in the PTB patients with hypoproteinemia. However, vitamin B12 expression was not associated with the genotype distribution of above SNPs. In conclusion, vitamin B12 level was significantly decreased in PTB patients and genetic variants in vitamin B12 metabolic genes were not contributed to PTB susceptibility. Several SNPs in TCN2, CUBN, and MUT gene might associate with multiple clinical manifestations in PTB.
The sequence effect: Character position processing in Chinese words

Numerous studies indicate that letter position processing is important for word recognition; also, the position processing of external letters (especially the initial letter) is better than that of inner letters in the Roman script. Similarly, the position processing of characters is critical in Chinese word recognition. However, the position processing pattern of characters within Chinese words is still understudied. Therefore, using a single-presentation lexical decision task with 79 university students in China, we conducted two experiments with three- and four-character words to explore this issue. The results revealed clear character position processing with transposed pseudowords. Crucially, we identified a sequence effect in Chinese character position processing within words, directly supporting the hypothesis that character-based processing occurs with Chinese words. We also discussed other possibilities in Chinese character position processing.
Real-World Robot Learning with Masked Visual Pre-training

In this work, we explore self-supervised visual pre-training on images from diverse, in-the-wild videos for real-world robotic tasks. Like prior work, our visual representations are pre-trained via a masked autoencoder (MAE), frozen, and then passed into a learnable control module. Unlike prior work, we show that the pre-trained representations are effective across a range of real-world robotic tasks and embodiments. We find that our encoder consistently outperforms CLIP (up to 75%), supervised ImageNet pre-training (up to 81%), and training from scratch (up to 81%). Finally, we train a 307M parameter vision transformer on a massive collection of 4.5M images from the Internet and egocentric videos, and demonstrate clearly the benefits of scaling visual pre-training for robot learning.
Barriers to Mental Health Service Use among Palestinian-Arab Women in Israel: Psychological Distress as Moderator

Background: Many studies indicate that ethnic minority women, including women from the disadvantaged Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel, experience higher rates of psychological distress but are less likely to use mental health services. This study examined psychological distress and its role as a moderator in the relationship between mental health service use and stigma-related, attitudinal, and instrumental barriers. Method: Cross-sectional study of 146 Palestinian-Arab women who completed measures of psychological distress, mental health service use, the Barriers to Care Evaluation scale, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Participants who did not utilize mental health services reported higher levels of all barrier types compared to participants who reported previous use, but lower levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress was a significant moderator only in the relationship between attitudinal barriers and mental health service use. Conclusions: This study highlights the role of psychological distress in the relationship between barriers to and utilization of mental health services, helping professionals and policymakers increase mental health service use among Palestinian-Arab women in Israel and other vulnerable women elsewhere.
Torsion cosmology of Poincaré gauge theory and the constraints of its parameters via SNeIa data

Poincare gauge theory (PGT) is an alternative gravity theory, which brings the gravity into the gauge-theoretic framework, where the Lagrangian includes both quadratic torsion and curvature terms. Recently, the cosmological models with torsion based on this theory, which explained the cosmic acceleration in a new way, have received much attention. Among these PGT cosmological models, the one with only even parity dynamical modes-SNY model, for its realistic meaning, is very attractive. In this paper, we first analyze the past-time cosmic evolution of SNY model analytically. And based on these results we fit this model to the most comprehensive SNeIa data (Union 2) and thus find the best-fit values of model parameters and initial conditions, whose related χ2 value is consistent with the one from ΛCMD at the 1σ level. Also by the χ2 estimate, we provide certain constraints on these parameters. Using these best-fit values for the Union 2 SNeIa dataset, we are able to predict the evolution of our real universe in late time. From this prediction, we know that the fate of our universe is that it would expand forever, slowly asymptotically to a halt, which is in accordance with the earlier works.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EXPENDITURE ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN TANZANIA

: The study sought to assess the expenditure on road construction and economic growth in Tanzania. The secondary data were obtained for the period of 31 years (1990-2020). This data was quantified and coded using descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA Version 13. Findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between expenditure on road construction, government spending, industry value-added, foreign direct investment, and economic growth whereby the value of R 2 was 64.64 percent, which is a significant level to describe our model. This means that expenditure on road construction, government expenditures, manufacturing value-added, industry value-added, inflation, and foreign direct investment all have an impact on economic development. The entire value of R 2 indicates the six independent variables, while with the remaining 35.36 percent explained by other factors hence results indicated that there is an insignificant relationship between Manufacturing Value Added, Inflation and Economic Growth. The researcher recommended that there is a need for the government to ensure the execution of policies that stimulate road construction spending to boost Tanzania's economic growth by providing a price policy, a perfect market, and financing facilities. Either, this study suggests a further in-depth investigation of the impact of road construction expenditure on Tanzanian economic growth. the net production of each resident manufacturing unit, achieved by additional output and intermediary consumption subtraction. Study findings unveiled there an These findings reflect the situation of Lenz (2018) who concluded for economic growth. These findings also support the findings of Su and Yao (2017), Kathuria and Natarajan (2018), and Chakravarty, and Mitra (2019), who discovered additional value for manufacturing. However, the results of Szirmai (2019) show that the leading role of manufacturing is unsure, which is why it is questioning if manufacturing remains an engine of economic growth. to and from industrialized FDI is seen as a vital of and formation, and and a viable channel for inter-country commerce. is now massive road development in all of its to diversify the economy away from agriculture earnings. These structures are aimed at strengthening the industrial sector, which, predictably, results in austerity. From correlation analysis, study findings unveiled that Foreign Direct Investment had a positive association with economic growth in Tanzania. These findings contradict those of and and Mallik and (2020), all of whom found a substantial threshold effect of on economic growth. These findings are consistent with those of Anetor 2019 in The, and Ijuo 2016 2018 and 2019 in and et al.2018 in all found that FDI a positive impact on economic
Research Online Research Online Ebola virus disease: An update on current prevention and management Ebola virus disease: An update on current prevention and management strategies strategies

Abstract Ebola virus disease (EVD) is characterised by systemic viral replication, immuno-suppression, abnormal inflammatory responses, large volume fluid and electrolyte losses, and high mortality in under-resourced settings. There are various therapeutic strategies targeting EVD including vaccines utilizing different antigen delivery methods, antibody-based therapies and antiviral drugs. These therapies remain experimental, but received attention following their use particularly in cases treated outside West Africa during the 2014-15 outbreak, in which 20 (80%) out of 25 patients survived. Emerging data from current trials look promising and are undergoing further study, however optimised supportive care remains the key to reducing mortality from EVD. Abstract Ebola virus disease (EVD) is characterised by systemic viral replication, immuno- 5 suppression, abnormal inflammatory responses, large volume fluid and electrolyte 6 losses, and high mortality in under-resourced settings. There are various therapeutic 7 strategies targeting EVD including vaccines utilizing different antigen delivery 8 methods, antibody-based therapies and antiviral drugs. These therapies remain 9 experimental, but received attention following their use particularly in cases treated 10 outside West Africa during the 2014-15 outbreak, in which 20 (80%) out of 25 11 patients survived. Emerging data from current trials look promising and are 12 undergoing further study, however optimised supportive care remains the key to 13 reducing mortality from EVD.
Does Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Matter for Liver Health? Prospective Analysis among Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract: Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of liver alterations that can result in severe disease and even death. Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has been associated with obesity and related comorbidities. However, the link between UPF and NAFLD has not been sufficiently assessed. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between UPF consumption and liver health biomarkers. Methods: We followed for 1 year 5867 older participants with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. A validated 143-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate consumption of UPF at baseline, 6, and 12 months. The degree of processing for foods and beverages (g/day) was established according to the NOVA classification system. The non-invasive fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were used to evaluate liver health at three points in time. The associations between changes in UPF consumption (percentage of total daily dietary intake (g)) and liver biomarkers were assessed using mixed-effects linear models with repeated measurements. Results: In this cohort, UPF consumption at baseline was 8.19% (SD 6.95%) of total daily dietary intake in grams. In multivariable models, each 10% daily increment in UPF consumption in 1 year was associated with significantly greater FLI (β 1.60 points, 95% CI 1.24;1.96 points) and HSI (0.43, 0.29; 0.57) scores (all p-values < 0.001). These associations persisted statistically significant after adjusting for potential dietary confounders and NAFLD risk factors. Conclusions: A higher UPF consumption was associated with higher levels of NAFLD-related biomarkers in older adults with overweight/obesity and MetS.
Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: 10-Year Experience in a Cancer Center—The Ottawa Hospital (TOH)

(1) Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is one of the predominant primary small bowel cancers that has a dismal outcome. We aim to report 10 years of experience in SBA management at a regional cancer centre in Canada. ; (2) Methods: We retrospectively analysed clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with an SBA between 2011 and 2021 at the Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa, Canada. We describe the clinicopathological features and outcomes, including survival. Potential prognostic factors were analysed using the Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis. ; (3) Results: We identified 115 patients with SBA. The duodenum was the most common SBA location representing 61% (70) of the total patients, followed by the jejunum (17%) and ileum (10%). Around 24% (27) of cases presented with bowel obstructions. The majority of patients (56%, 64) had stage IV disease on presentation. Seven patients had MSI-high tumours, while 24% (27) were MS-stable. In terms of management, 48 patients underwent curative surgical resection, 17 of whom received adjuvant chemotherapy. On the other hand, 57 patients (49.5%) with the advanced disease received palliative systemic therapy, and 18 patients (16%) had supportive care only. Over a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range 0–122), the median overall survival was 94, 61, and 34 months for stages II, III, and IV, respectively (p < 0.05). The median recurrence-free survival was 93 and 23 months for stages II and III, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference between TNM stages in RFS, p = 0.069. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed only poor performance status at diagnosis as a predictor for shorter overall survival (p < 0.05). The univariate analysis didn’t show any significant correlation between RFS and covariants. ; (4) Conclusions: SBA remains one of the most aggressive tumours with a dismal prognosis even after surgical resection. The optimal chemotherapy regimen has not been established. Further studies are needed to explore the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for stages I-III SBA.
Meteorites and the physico-chemical conditions in the early solar nebula

Chondritic meteorites constitute the most ancient rock record available in the laboratory to study the formation of the solar system and its planets. Detailed investigations of their mineralogy, petrography, chemistry and isotopic composition and comparison with other primitive solar system samples such as cometary dust particles have allowed through the years to decipher the conditions of formation of their individual components thought to have once been free-floating pieces of dust and rocks in the early solar nebula. When put in the context of astrophysical models of young stellar objects, chondritic meteorites and cometary dust bring essential insights on the astrophysical conditions prevailing in the very first stages of the solar system. Several exemples are shown in this chapter, which include (1) high temperature processes and the formation of chondrules and refractory inclusions, (2) oxygen isotopes and their bearing on photochemistry and large scale geochemical reservoirs in the nebula, (3) organosynthesis and cold cloud chemistry recorded by organic matter and hydrogen isotopes, (4) irradiation of solids by flares from the young Sun and finally (5) large scale transport and mixing of material evidenced in chondritic interplanetary dust particles and samples returned from comet Wild2 by the Stardust mission.
Theory of biphoton generation in a single-resonant optical parametric oscillator far below threshold

We present a quantum-theoretical treatment of biphoton generation in single-resonant type-II parametric down-conversion. The nonlinear medium is continuously pumped and is placed inside a cavity which is resonant for the signal field, but nonresonant for the idler deflected by an intracavity polarizing beam splitter. The intensity of the classical pump is assumed to be sufficiently low in order to yield a biphoton production rate that is small compared to the cavity loss rate. Explicit expressions are derived for the rate of biphoton generation and for the biphoton wave function. The output spectra of the signal and idler field are determined, as well as the second-order signal-idler cross-correlation function which is shown to be asymmetric with respect to the time delay. Due to frequency entanglement in the signal-idler photon pair, the idler spectrum is found to reveal the longitudinal mode structure of the cavity, even though the idler field is not resonant.
Artificial Intelligence in a Structurally Unjust Society

Increasing concerns have been raised regarding artificial intelligence (AI) bias, and in response, efforts have been made to pursue AI fairness. In this paper, we argue that the idea of structural injustice serves as a helpful framework for clarifying the ethical concerns surrounding AI bias—including the nature of its moral problem and the responsibility for addressing it—and reconceptualizing the approach to pursuing AI fairness. Using AI in health care as a case study, we argue that AI bias is a form of structural injustice that exists when AI systems interact with other social factors to exacerbate existing social inequalities, making some groups of people more vulnerable to undeserved burdens while conferring unearned benefits to others. The goal of AI fairness, understood this way, is to pursue a more just social structure with the development and use of AI systems when appropriate. We further argue that all participating agents in the unjust social structure associated with AI bias bear a shared responsibility to join collective action with the goal of reforming the social structure, and we provide a list of practical recommendations for agents in various social positions to contribute to this collective action.
Journal Pre-proof as an language (EIL) views in Indonesia and Japan: A survey research

The purpose of this study is to address students' views of EIL in various circumstances by concentrating on the perspectives of Indonesian and Japanese university students about their EIL experiences, including their perception of current status of English (CSE), varieties of English (VE), strategies for multilingual/multicultural communication (SMC), and English speakers' identity (ESI). A total of 220 participants took part in this survey research. With the help of IBM SPSS Statistics 22, we conducted an EFA on the newly acquired data. Varimax rotations and Principle Components Analysis (PCA) were employed to extract data and we looked at three factors such as eigenvalues, factor loadings, and communalities. Using the criteria of Cronbach's alpha and Composite Reliability (CR), as well as Average Variance Extracted (AVE), the reliability and validity had been examined and the thresholds were reached. All items of CSE, VE, SMC, and ESI were employed in each construct. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the four constructs using their pooled mean and standard deviation (SD). At last, we used an independent samples t-test to evaluate whether the groups differed significantly in how Indonesian and Japanese students viewed EIL. The findings indicated that both groups had no differences in perceiving current status of English, varieties of English, strategies for multilingual/multicultural communication, and English speakers’ identity. The implications for the deployment of EIL teaching methodologies and resources are highlighted.
Near-infrared spectroscopy of M dwarfs. IV. A preliminary survey on the carbon isotopic ratio in M dwarfs*

Based on the medium resolution near infrared spectra of 13CO (3,1) band, carbon isotopic ratios are estimated in 48 M dwarfs, for which we had determined the carbon and oxygen abundances from CO and H2O lines, respectively. We find clear evidence for the presence of a 13CO feature for the first time in the spectra of M dwarfs. The spectral resolution of our observed data, however, is not high enough to analyze the 13CO feature directly. Instead, we compare observed spectrum with synthetic spectra assuming 12C/13C = 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 for each of 48 M dwarfs and estimate the best possible 12C/13C ratio by the chi-square analysis. The resulting 12C/13C ratios in M dwarfs distribute from 39 to a lower limit of 200. The mean value of 31 M dwarfs for which 12C/13C ratios are determined is 12C/13C = 87 +- 21 (p.e.), and that of 48 M dwarfs including those with the lower limit of 200 is 12C/13C > 127 +- 41 (p.e.). These results are somewhat larger than the 12C/13C ratio of the present interstellar matter (ISM) determined from the molecular lines observed in the millimeter and optical wavelength regions. Since the amount of 13C in the ISM has increased with time due to mass-loss from evolved stars, the 12C/13C ratios in M dwarfs, reflecting those of the past ISM, should be larger than those of the present ISM. In M dwarfs, log 13C/12C plotted against log Ac shows a large scatter without clear dependence on the metallicity. This result shows a marked contrast to log 16O/12C (= log Ao/Ac) plotted against log Ac, which shows a rather tight correlation with the larger value at the lower metallicity. Such a contrast can be a natural consequence that 16O and 12C are the primary products in the stellar nuclear synthesis while 13C is the secondary product, at least partly.
SDSS 1355+0856: a detached white dwarf + M star binary in the period gap discovered by the SWARMS survey

SDSS 1355+0856 was identified as a hot white dwarf (WD) with a binary companion from time-resolved SDSS spectroscopy as part of the ongoing SWARMS survey. Follow-up observations with the ARC 3.5m telescope and the MMT revealed weak emission lines in the central cores of the Balmer absorption lines during some phases of the orbit, but no line emission during other phases. This can be explained if SDSS 1355+0856 is a detached WD+M dwarf binary similar to GD 448, where one of the hemispheres of the low-mass companion is irradiated by the proximity of the hot white dwarf. Based on the available data, we derive a period of 0.11438 +- 0.00006 days, a primary mass of 0.46 +- 0.01 solar masses, a secondary mass between 0.083 and 0.097 solar masses, and an inclination larger than 57 degrees. This makes SDSS 1355+0856 one of the shortest period post-common envelope WD+M dwarf binaries known, and one of only a few where the primary is likely a He-core white dwarf, which has interesting implications for our understanding of common envelope evolution and the phenomenology of cataclysmic variables. The short cooling time of the WD (25 Myr) implies that the system emerged from the common envelope phase with a period very similar to what we observe today, and was born in the period gap of cataclysmic variables.