Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of aging and lifestyle on healthy macular photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane complex thickness

Objectives Investigate how aging and some lifestyle factors correlate with changes in macular photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane complex layers thickness in a sample of healthy population by using OCT segmentation technique. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study conducted at the ophthalmology department in the Medical City in Baghdad. All participants underwent an interview of medical history and lifestyle habits. Maculae of all participants were scanned using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, followed by manual segmentation of retinal layers. Results The study included 152 healthy participants (152 eyes), their mean age was 57.3 ± 6.7 years, gender distribution was 82(53.9%) males and 70(46.1%) females. There was a decrement in retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane layer thickness at central subfield (500 µm radius from fovea minimum) by − 0.178 µm/year (p = 0.019), inner macula (500–1500 µm radius from fovea minimum) by − 0.263 µm/year (p = 0.002), outer macula (1500–3000 µm radius from fovea minimum) by − 0.225 µm/year (p = 0.015) with no statistically significant effect on photoreceptor thickness. Physical activity and smoking had statistically no significant effect on these layers thickness, however smokers had higher photoreceptor thickness at fovea minimum and central subfield. Body mass index increase by one kg/m2 correlated with a decrement in photoreceptor layer thickness by − 0.108 µm (p = 0.007). Conclusion Aging process affected the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane complex and photoreceptor layer thickness in a healthy population, and this process can be slowed down by avoiding some lifestyles which aggravate these changes like obesity.
Does Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Patient-Reported Pain and Functional Outcomes at 12 Months After Lumbar Fusion?

Background Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been described in various fields to predict pain outcomes, but its prognostic utility for pain/functional outcomes after spine surgery is unclear. Objective To determine the relationship between preoperative NLR and pain/functional outcomes at 12 months after lumbar fusion. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective study of 53 patients who underwent lumbar fusion and collected demographic data including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, spinal levels operated, and preoperative NLR. Visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline and 12 months after lumbar fusion were also collected. The outcome measures were the occurrence of a clinically important improvement in VAS and ODI scores at 12 months. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the associations of demographic factors and NLR with improvement in VAS and ODI scores. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant associations between preoperative NLR and improvement in VAS or ODI scores. A unit increase in baseline VAS back pain score was associated with a 56% increase in the odds of improvement in back pain (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04–2.35, P = 0.03). Compared to male patients, female patients had 12 times greater odds of an improvement in leg pain (OR: 12.0, 95% CI: 1.3–110, P = 0.03). Conclusion Preoperative NLR does not predict patient-reported pain/functional outcomes at 12 months after lumbar fusion. Large-scale prospective multicenter studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Assessing the attitude and problem-based learning in mathematics through PLS-SEM modeling

Mathematics plays a leading part in day-to-day life and has enhanced a necessary component for human accomplishments. Students from many countries do not reach the expected level in mathematics. Therefore, it is essential to pay close consideration to the causes related to ability in mathematics. Mathematics attitude is considered as one of the critical variables in the process of mathematics learning. This study aimed to determine students’ attitudes and achievements through problem-based learning in mathematics. The selected study group contained 600 students and 35 teachers from rural public secondary schools in District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The data collection was done using questionnaires from students and teachers and collected data analyzed by SPSS 23 and Amos 23. This study’s result was carried out using Partial Least square structural equation Model (PLS-SEM), descriptive analysis, and hypotheses testing. The outcomes in this study indicated that the mean fluctuated between 1 to 4.5, 3.71 to 4.20, and Std. Deviation fluctuated between 0.6 to 2.0 and 0.75 to 1.55 in the students and teacher models, respectively. The results of the PLS-SEM students’ model show a negative attitude towards mathematics. The teachers’ PLS-SEM model showed the Effects of using problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ achievements. According to the hypotheses testing, the acceptance of hypotheses by stating that the Confidence in Learning Mathematics Scale (C), Value of Mathematics Scale (V), and Student Mathematics Motivation Scale (M) are significant effects for the Students’ Attitude Toward Problem-Based Learning (ATPBL). But the Attitude Toward Enjoyment in Mathematics Scale (AE) was rejected, and it did not significantly affect the ATPBL. As well as, the Problem-solving learning and students’ achievement (PLA), Advantages of problem-solving learning (APL) and Difficulties in using problem-solving learning (DPL) have a significant positive effect on the ATPBL. Finally, this study suggested that teachers also adopt new teaching methods corresponding to mathematics, and there is a need to explore particular mathematics skills to enhance students’ learning abilities.
Digital Digital Liver-resident NK cells confer adaptive immunity in skin-contact Liver-resident NK cells confer adaptive immunity in skin-contact inflammation inflammation

Liver natural killer (NK) cells were recently reported to possess memory-like properties in contact hypersensi-tivity (CHS) models. However, the phenotype and origin of these “memory” NK cells cannot be distinguished from other NK cell subpopulations. Here, we define the transcriptional, phenotypic, and functional features of liver NK cell subsets and their roles in mediating CHS. Liver NK cells can be divided into two distinct subsets: CD49a + DX5 – and CD49a – DX5 + . Substantial transcriptional and phenotypic differences existed between liver CD49a + DX5 – NK cells and other NK cell subsets. CD49a + DX5 – NK cells possessed memory potential and conferred hapten-specific CHS responses upon hapten challenge. Importantly, CD49a + DX5 – NK cells were liver resident and were present in the liver sinusoidal blood, but not the afferent and efferent blood of the liver. Moreover, they appeared to originate from hepatic hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells (HPCs/HSCs) but not from the bone marrow, and maintained their phenotypes in the steady state. Our findings of liver-resident NK cells shed new light on the acquisition of memory-like properties of NK cells. dilution rinsed 3 times PBS. For detection of CD49a, the sections incubated in goat anti–Armenian hamster IgG-HRP in a 1:1,000 dilution for 30 minutes at 37°C and rinsed 3 times in PBS. Sections were then incubated in a peroxidase substrate solution using DAB (Vector Laboratories) for stable brown staining and rinsed in pure water. For NK1.1 staining, an SP-9002 kit was used. Sections were incubated in biotinylated goat anti-mouse IgG for 30 minutes at 37°C and rinsed 3 times in PBS. Then sections were incubated in streptavidin-HRP for 30 minutes at 37°C and rinsed 3 times in PBS. Sections were incubated in a peroxidase substrate solution using DAB (Vector Laboratories) for stable purple staining and rinsed in pure water. Finally, sections were stained in hematoxylin for 5 seconds, rinsed in pure water, dehydrated, cleared, and coverslipped. examined the stained sections using an Olympus IX-81 microscope. The mentioned above were dissolved in PBS.
Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures Subjected to Column Loss

AbstractIn this study, the variability inherent in the performance of RC frame structures to bridge over a column loss was investigated, considering the uncertainties existing in gravity loads, material properties, and construction geometries. Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis were conducted in tandem to provide the influence and significance of the uncertain parameters on RC frames to resist progressive collapse. Quasi-static pushdown analysis was used to assess the residual load-resisting capacity of structures with an initialized damage. A set of structural models were generated for uncertainty analysis by using the correlation-reduced Latin hypercube sampling method. Sensitivity analysis was performed by independently varying parameters with one standard deviation away from their means. Two typical RC frame structures with different span aspect ratios were taken as the study cases. The macromodeling technique, which was validated by the test results, was used for analysis. The study results indicat.
Do audiovisual media possess unique teaching capabilities

AbstractWhile much of the discussion on the use of media for education has revolved around the mass media, especially radio and television, there is a growing trend to also consider the role to be played by small group media. Research seems to indicate that the media are equally effective as teaching instruments. Janet Jenkins provides us here with a valuable cost and benefit analysis of the various mass and group media in education.
Impact of Office Design over the Employees Productivity (A Case Study of NADRA)

A study is based on the performance of NADRA and its employees, comprises on several factors that show an impact on employeesâ€™ productivity. It was assumed that office design (like Furniture, Noise, Lighting, Temperature and Spatial Arrangement) put an impact on the productivity of employees of NADRA. A research has been conducted in several areas of Pakistan and gathered data through questionnaire and survey. Work environment and office design were kept in mind while survey and 185 respondents were included in research. After successfully collection of data, categorical regression has been used in analyzing result and OLS-Model had been deployed. Result was not found in the favor of hypotheses and it was revealed that there is no impact of office design on employeesâ€™ productivity.
Colon Tumors in Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF)-Colonized Mice Do Not Display a Unique Mutational Signature but Instead Possess Host-Dependent Alterations in the APC Gene

Many studies have shown that microbiome composition in both the mucosa and the stool differs in individuals with sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Both human and mouse models have established a strong association between particular microbes and colon tumor induction. ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) is consistently found at higher frequency in individuals with sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) and induces tumorigenesis in several mouse models of CRC. However, whether specific mutations induced by ETBF lead to colon tumor formation has not been investigated. To determine if ETBF-induced mutations impact the Apc gene, and other tumor suppressors or proto-oncogenes, we performed whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing on tumors isolated after ETBF and sham colonization of Apcmin/+ and Apcmin/+Msh2fl/flVC mice, as well as whole-genome sequencing of organoids cocultured with ETBF. Our results indicate that ETBF-induced tumor formation results from loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of Apc, unless the mismatch repair system is disrupted, in which case, tumor formation results from new acquisition of protein-truncating mutations in Apc. In contrast to polyketide synthase-positive Escherichia coli (pks+ E. coli), ETBF does not produce a unique mutational signature; instead, ETBF-induced tumors arise from errors in DNA mismatch repair and homologous recombination DNA damage repair, established pathways of tumor formation in the colon, and the same genetic mechanism accounting for sham tumors in these mouse models. Our analysis informs how this procarcinogenic bacterium may promote tumor formation in individuals with inherited predispositions to CRC, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). IMPORTANCE Many studies have shown that microbiome composition in both the mucosa and the stool differs in individuals with sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). Both human and mouse models have established a strong association between particular microbes and colon tumor induction. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying putative microbe-induced colon tumor formation are not well established. In this paper, we applied whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing to investigate the impact of ETBF-induced genetic changes on tumor formation. Additionally, we performed whole-genome sequencing of human colon organoids exposed to ETBF to validate the mutational patterns seen in our mouse models and begin to understand their relevance in human colon epithelial cells. The results of this study highlight the importance of ETBF colonization in the development of sporadic CRC and in individuals with hereditary tumor conditions, such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Timed Automata as a Formalism for Expressing Security: A Survey on Theory and Practice

Timed automata are a common formalism for the verification of concurrent systems subject to timing constraints. They extend finite-state automata with clocks, that constrain the system behavior in locations, and to take transitions. While timed automata were originally designed for safety (in the wide sense of correctness w.r.t. a formal property), they were progressively used in a number of works to guarantee security properties. In this work, we review works studying security properties for timed automata over the past two decades. We notably review theoretical works, with a particular focus on opacity, as well as more practical works, with a particular focus on attack trees and their extensions. We derive main conclusions concerning open perspectives, as well as tool support.
Wellness Improvements Following a 15-Week Lifelong Fitness and Wellness Class

ABSTRACT Wellness behaviors enacted during the college years may have long-term impacts on adult health; as such, it is critical that college students be educated regarding health behaviors and ways to improve their wellness. One way to educate students in reference to improved health practices is through college/university instructional physical activity programs that include a didactic wellness component. Limited research is available on the impact that courses of this nature have on student wellness outcomes. To assess the impact of a 15-week fitness and wellness course on perceived wellness in emerging adults, a convenience sample of undergraduate students (N = 334) enrolled in a general education Lifelong Fitness and Wellness class completed an instrument consisting of the Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS), the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3), and demographic questions at the beginning and end of the Fall 2018 semester. Data were collected using a web-based survey administered through a password-protected Qualtrics account. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the goodness of fit of participants’ responses on the PWS to the proposed model and then the data were analyzed using a pretest/posttest statistical design. Mixed analyses of covariance revealed improvements in overall wellness, emotional wellness, and physical wellness from pretest to posttest with no impact on lecture delivery mode or activity participation type. These results indicate that general wellness and fitness courses may positively impact perceived wellness in college students.
A laboratory study of internal gravity waves incident upon slopes with varying surface roughness

Abstract We report a laboratory study on the scattering, energy dissipation and mean flow induced by internal gravity waves incident upon slopes with varying surface roughness. The experiment was performed in a rectangular box filled with thermally stratified water. The roughness of the slope surface, $\lambda$, defined as the height of a roughness element over its base width, and the off-criticality $\gamma =(\alpha -\beta )/\beta$, with $\alpha$ and $\beta$ being the angles of the incident wave and the slope, are used as two control parameters. The distribution of energy dissipation in the direction normal to the slope is found to be more uniform in the rough surface cases. Counter-intuitively, both the maximum value in the dissipation profile and the total energy dissipation near the slope are reduced by surface roughness under most circumstances. The measured peak width (the full width at half-maximum of the peaks) of the dissipation profile is found to be broadened significantly in the rough surface cases. We also observed that there exists a non-zero optimal off-criticality ($\gamma =0.17$ for the present measurement resolution) for the normalized average dissipation and total dissipation, which may be due to the strongest wave energy near the slope at this $\gamma$. Unlike surface roughness, the off-criticality has a small effect on the distribution of energy dissipation. Moreover, surface roughness is also found to change the structure of the scattering-induced mean flow and enhance its strength. The present study provides new perspectives on how the surface roughness on topographic features influences energy dissipation.
Parkinson's Disease, Premature Mortality, and Amygdala

Philip W. Tipton, MD, Daniel Kenney-Jung, MD, Beth K. Rush, PhD, Erik H. Middlebrooks, MD, David Nascene, MD, Balvindar Singh, PhD, Shernan Holtan, MD, Ernesto Ayala, MD, Daniel F. Broderick, MD, Troy Lund, MD, PhD, and Zbigniew K. Wszolek, MD* Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Department of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplant, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Low-Level Knowledge and Associated Factor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among Aksum University Students, Aksum Ethiopia

Background Reproductive health rights in Africa are unknown. According to international studies, reproductive health rights of young people particularly university students, are violated, and most of these violations go unreported due to a lack of information and awareness of these rights. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and associated factors on sexual and reproductive health rights in Ethiopia. Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study using an interviewer-administered and structured questionnaire was conducted. The study population consisted of students of the selected department between November, 2018 and June, 2019. A simple random sampling method technique was used to select 420 students. Bi-variate and multi-variate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results The knowledge level of the respondents was 16.4%. The majority of students 205 (51%) were in the age group < 20 years. Male [AOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.09–1.95]; coming from urban areas [AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: (1.02–4.37)]; provision of sexuality education or lecture in departments [AOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.02–1.91] and discussion about reproductive health with anyone else [AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.48–3.62] were significant association for the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights. Conclusions Respondents' knowledge level was found to be very low. Therefore, strengthening students' lectures or education on reproductive health in the curricula of high school, encouraging discussions with parents, and anyone might improve the knowledge toward sexual and reproductive health rights.
Classification of Cassini’s Orbit Regions as Magnetosphere, Magnetosheath, and Solar Wind via Machine Learning

Several machine learning algorithms and feature subsets from a variety of particle and magnetic field instruments on-board the Cassini spacecraft were explored for their utility in classifying orbit segments as magnetosphere, magnetosheath or solar wind. Using a list of manually detected magnetopause and bow shock crossings from mission scientists, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression (LR) and recurrent neural network long short-term memory (RNN LSTM) classification algorithms were trained and tested. A detailed error analysis revealed a RNN LSTM model provided the best overall performance with a 93.1% accuracy on the unseen test set and MCC score of 0.88 when utilizing 60 min of magnetometer data (|B|, B θ , B ϕ and B R ) to predict the region at the final time step. RF models using a combination of magnetometer and particle data, spanning H+, He+, He++ and electrons at a single time step, provided a nearly equivalent performance with a test set accuracy of 91.4% and MCC score of 0.84. Derived boundary crossings from each model’s region predictions revealed that the RNN model was able to successfully detect 82.1% of labeled magnetopause crossings and 91.2% of labeled bow shock crossings, while the RF model using magnetometer and particle data detected 82.4 and 74.3%, respectively.
Surrogate Endpoints for Late Kidney Transplantation Failure

In kidney transplant recipients, late graft failure is often multifactorial. In addition, primary endpoints in kidney transplantation studies seek to demonstrate the short-term efficacy and safety of clinical interventions. Although such endpoints might demonstrate short-term improvement in specific aspects of graft function or incidence of rejection, such findings do not automatically translate into meaningful long-term graft survival benefits. Combining many factors into a well-validated model is therefore more likely to predict long-term outcome and better reflect the complexity of late graft failure than using single endpoints. If conditional marketing authorization could be considered for therapies that aim to improve long-term outcomes following kidney transplantation, then the surrogate endpoint for graft failure in clinical trial settings needs clearer definition. This Consensus Report considers the potential benefits and drawbacks of several candidate surrogate endpoints (including estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, histological lesions, and donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies) and composite scoring systems. The content was created from information prepared by a working group within the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT). The group submitted a Broad Scientific Advice request to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), June 2020: the request focused on clinical trial design and endpoints in kidney transplantation. Following discussion and refinement, the EMA made final recommendations to ESOT in December 2020 regarding the potential to use surrogate endpoints in clinical studies that aim to improving late graft failure.