Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parafoveal degradation during reading reduces preview costs only when it is not perceptually distinct

There is a growing understanding that the parafoveal preview effect during reading may represent a combination of preview benefits and preview costs due to interference from parafoveal masks. It has been suggested that visually degrading the parafoveal masks may reduce their costs, but adult readers were later shown to be highly sensitive to degraded display changes. Four experiments examined how preview benefits and preview costs are influenced by the perception of distinct parafoveal degradation at the target word location. Participants read sentences with four preview types (identity, orthographic, phonological, and letter-mask preview) and two levels of visual degradation (0% vs. 20%). The distinctiveness of the target word degradation was either eliminated by degrading all words in the sentence (Experiments 1a–2a) or remained present, as in previous research (Experiments 1b–2b). Degrading the letter masks resulted in a reduction in preview costs, but only when all words in the sentence were degraded. When degradation at the target word location was perceptually distinct, it induced costs of its own, even for orthographically and phonologically related previews. These results confirm previous reports that traditional parafoveal masks introduce preview costs that overestimate the size of the true benefit. However, they also show that parafoveal degradation has the unintended consequence of introducing additional costs when participants are aware of distinct degradation on the target word. Parafoveal degradation appears to be easily perceived and may temporarily orient attention away from the reading task, thus delaying word processing.
Exploiting Unique Alignment of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles, Mild Hyperthermia, and Controlled Intrinsic Cobalt Toxicity for Cancer Therapy

Nanoparticle‐based magnetic hyperthermia is a well‐known thermal therapy platform studied to treat solid tumors, but its use for monotherapy is limited due to incomplete tumor eradication at hyperthermia temperature (45 °C). It is often combined with chemotherapy for obtaining a more effective therapeutic outcome. Cubic‐shaped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (Co–Fe NCs) serve as magnetic hyperthermia agents and as a cytotoxic agent due to the known cobalt ion toxicity, allowing the achievement of both heat and cytotoxic effects from a single platform. In addition to this advantage, Co–Fe NCs have the unique ability to form growing chains under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This unique chain formation, along with the mild hyperthermia and intrinsic cobalt toxicity, leads to complete tumor regression and improved overall survival in an in vivo murine xenograft model, all under clinically approved AMF conditions. Numerical calculations identify magnetic anisotropy as the main Co–Fe NCs’ feature to generate such chain formations. This novel combination therapy can improve the effects of magnetic hyperthermia, inaugurating investigation of mechanical behaviors of nanoparticles under AMF, as a new avenue for cancer therapy.
The Use of Pork from Entire Male and Immunocastrated Pigs for Meat Products—An Overview with Recommendations

Simple Summary Introducing alternatives to surgical castration of pigs bring welfare and economical benefits, but also reveal several quality-related issues. Most important is the presence of boar taint, but also includes low quantity and quality of fat, meat texture and color deviations in addition to inferior water binding properties, most of them negatively influencing meat product characteristics. The present paper highlights the important differences between the conventionally used surgical castrates and the most likely introduced alternatives: entire males and immunocastrates. Based on the review of the available research, the possible reasons for quality alterations are elaborated according to the type of meat product and recommendations for improving product quality or preventing boar taint perception are given. Abstract Due to the strong public initiative in Europe and increased regulator focus to mitigate pain, surgical castration of pigs is being gradually abandoned, while the importance of other sex categories like entire males (EM) and immunocastrates (IC) increases. Although beneficial for animal welfare and economics, their use also brings forward several quality problems. Besides the occurrence of boar taint in EM, these include excessive carcass leanness, softer fat, meat color and pH deviations, inferior water holding capacity and increased meat toughness. In this paper, the raw material differences between the male sex categories and their influence on product quality are reviewed, and possible solutions are presented. Using EM for dried or thermally processed products may result in lower processing yields and inferior sensory quality, which may partially be prevented by applying specific processing adaptations. Immunocastration is a viable solution, especially when prolonging the vaccination to slaughter interval. Low to medium levels of boar taint can be effectively managed in most of the meat products, applying procedures like cooking, microbial inoculation or masking (by spices and especially smoking), while highly tainted material can be valorized only by combining various methods and/or with dilution of the tainted meat.
Effects of Additional Use of Bioactive Glasses or a Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste on Remineralization of Artificial Lesions in vitro

Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of two different bioactive glasses, a hydroxyapatite-containing, fluoride-free toothpaste (HTP) and a fluoride toothpaste (FTP) on the remineralization behavior of initial caries lesions. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 bovine enamel samples were randomly allocated to five groups of 20 samples each: NC = negative control group (artificial saliva); HTP = HTP group (Karex); FTP = FTP group (Elmex caries protection, 1,400 ppm); FTP + BGnano = FTP followed by Actimins bioactive glass; FTP + BGamorph = FTP followed by Schott bioactive glass. Radiographic documentation (advanced transversal microradiography; aTMR) was applied before and after all samples were exposed to a demineralizing gel for 10 days. Over a period of 28 days, samples were covered twice a day (every 12 h) with a toothpaste slurry of the respective test group or with artificial saliva in NC for 60 s and brushed with 15 brushing strokes. Samples in FTP + BGnano and FTP + BGamorph were additionally treated with the respective bioactive glass slurry for 30 s after brushing with the FTP. In the meantime, all samples were stored in artificial saliva. After 28 days, the structure of all samples was assessed again using aTMR and compared to the values measured after demineralization. The statistical evaluation of the integrated mineral loss was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a post hoc Conover test. Results: The FTP revealed the significantly highest increase of mineral content while the HTP showed the significantly lowest remineralization. Compared to artificial saliva, the use of the HTP or the combined application of FTP followed by bioactive glasses (FTP + BGnano and FTP + BGamorph) showed no significant remineralization. Conclusion: Under remineralizing in vitro conditions, brushing with 1,400 ppm FTP induced significantly more remineralization compared to storage in artificial saliva. The additional administration of both bioactive glasses as well as the substitutional brushing with an HTP resulted in significantly less remineralization compared to brushing with 1,400 ppm FTP.
Genetic Variability in Floral Traits of 10 Cytosterile Lines of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

We evaluated 10 cytosterile lines and their respective maintainers for different floral traits such as duration of opening of florets, angle of opened florets, percentage of stigma exsertion, percentage of panicle exsertion, stigma length, anther length, filament length, and stigma surface influencing outcrossing in rice.
A mix-method investigation on acculturative stress among Pakistani students in China

This article investigates acculturation stress among Pakistani students who are studying in Chinese universities, located in five provinces where international students are concentrated, with a mix-method approach. 203 students among 260 questionnaire recipients responded the online survey. When using the ASSIS (Acculturation Stress Scale for International Students) as instrument, the Principal Component Analysis Method and SPSS 20.0, we found that Pakistani students are under acculturative stress, 68.53%, 10.97% and 9.15% of them perceived discrimination, home sickness and perceived hate, and 5.25%, 3.11% and 2.58% of them fear, culture shock and guilt respectively. The qualitative segment of the study is consisted of 20 Pakistani students studying in 4 universities located in Wuhan city of Hubei capital enquiring through semi-structured interviews. The findings illustrate that Pakistani students in China are expressing their major concerns on culture shock, homesickness, food and language barriers while disconfirm ASSIS findings like perceived discrimination, hate, fear and guilt as factors responsible for acculturative stress. The study suggested that pre-departure orientation lectures about host country’s cultural values and campus environment, and on-campus extra-curricular, cultural activities and maximum social interaction with local students can effectively acculturate students in new cultural setting, and can lower their acculturative stress.
Sodium Intake Is Associated With Renal Resistive Index in an Adult Population-Based Study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Renal resistive index (RRI) has been associated with adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes. Although traditionally considered a marker of intrinsic renal damage, RRI could also reflect systemic vascular dysfunction. As sodium intake was linked to alterations in vascular properties, we wished to characterize the association of salt consumption with RRI in the general adult population. Participants were recruited in a population-based study in Switzerland. RRI was measured by ultrasound in 3 segmental arteries. Sodium intake (UNa; mmol/24 h) was estimated on 24-hour urine samples. Carotido-femoral pulse wave velocity was obtained by applanation tonometry. Mixed multivariate regression models were used with RRI or pulse wave velocity as independent variables and UNa as dependent variable, adjusting for possible confounders. We included 1002 patients in the analyses with 528 (52.7%) women and mean age of 47.2±17.4. Mean values of UNa and RRI were 141.8±61.1 mmol/24 h and 63.8±5.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, UNa was positively associated with RRI (P=0.002) but not with pulse wave velocity (P=0.344). Plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not modify the relationship between UNa and RRI (P=0.087 for interaction). UNa/urinary potassium ratio was positively associated with pulse wave velocity ≥12 m/s (P=0.033). Our results suggest that dietary salt consumption has a direct impact on renal hemodynamic in the adult general population. Alterations in vascular properties likely explain those findings, but inadequate renal vaso-motor response is also possible. Sodium intake could thus potentially be linked to underlying structural systemic damages affecting this population.
Population dynamics and sex ratio of two biocontrol agents of water hyacinth

Population dynamics and sex ratio of two co-existing species of Water hyacinth weevils, Neochetina bruchi Hustache, 1826 and N. eichhorniae Warner, 1970 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were studied. The weevil attack on Water hyacinth was investigated monthly for four years in different water bodies. The weevil's abundance was affected by temperature, humidity and rainfall. The population of the weevils in general was highest (14.97 weevils/plant) in September when the humidity level was very high (88%) with the average of temperature almost 26°C. The lowest abundance (2.49 weevils/plant) was in January when the temperature was the lowest (15.7°C). The abundance of N. bruchi was significantly higher than the population of N. eichhorinae (1:0.04) in Jabalpur, India. Statistical studies revealed that the sex ratio was in favour of female in both the species (1:0.52 and 1:0.70 for N. bruchi and N. eichhorniae, respectively).
Motivations for the Use of Video Game Streaming Platforms: The Moderating Effect of Sex, Age and Self-Perception of Level as a Player

A particularly striking new phenomenon in recent years is the live streaming of video games through popular platforms, such as Twitch. This study focuses on the motivations and types of use underlying viewer participation in live streaming platforms. Based on the uses and gratifications theory, this paper aims to analyse how three basic motivations are related to the use of video game streaming platforms. Furthermore, it examines the moderating effects that significant variables, such as the audience member’s age, sex or self-perception of level as a player may exert on this relationship. The results reveal that the three types of motivations are positively associated with use of the platform, although notable differences appear, with informational motivations outweighing entertainment and social motivations. At the same time, no moderating effects on the results of the proposed model were found for the heterogeneity stemming from sex and age. Conversely, the influence of informational motivations on the use of these platforms is moderated by the self-perception of level as a player.
Polysomnography and Nocturia Evaluations after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

A higher incidence rate of nocturia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been observed. We investigated the differences in clinical examinations between OSA patients with and without nocturia, and further compared those with successful and unsuccessful uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This retrospective study enrolled 103 patients with OSA undergoing UPPP. Patients were diagnosed with OSA by following the 2018 American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Scoring Manual Version 2.5. Patients were divided into two groups depending on if they urinated more than twice per night. The medical data of body mass index (BMI), nocturia frequency per night, apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were analyzed before and after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery. All of the measurements were compared between successful and unsuccessful surgery in the non-nocturia or nocturia groups, respectively. Fifty patients (41 males and nine females) without nocturia were assigned to group 1, and 53 patients (43 males and 10 females) with nocturia were assigned to group 2. Nocturia frequency and post-surgery AHI in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (p < 0.05). Significant decreases in IPSS and OABSS were observed in the successful surgery subgroup of group 2 (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in post-surgery AHI was observed between unsuccessful and successful surgery in patients with nocturia (p < 0.05), but not in the non-nocturia group (p > 0.05). Although AHI had a significant correlation to nocturia frequency in all OSA patients before UPPP, no significant correlation between AHI reduction and nocturia frequency was found. UPPP appeared to be an effective treatment for nocturia associated with OSA. OSA should be taken into consideration for patients who complain of nocturia syndrome. The relationship of AHI reduction and nocturia improvement after OSA treatment with UPPP is still unclear. In addition, it is necessary to establish the existence of nocturia in patients with OSA, as a result of its high prevalence in OSA patients. UPPP could reduce the symptoms of OSA and could also contribute to a reduction of nocturia even in the unsuccessful surgery group.
Genetic variability and diversity in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) under rainfed conditions

Genetic variability and diversity of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajanL. Millsp.) genotypes(102) in respect of days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), primary branches/plant, secondary branches/plant, pods/plant, pod length (cm), seeds/pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant were studied under rainfed conditions with terminal moisture stress. Genotypic coefficient of variation revealed seed yield/plant had greater range of variability followed by pods/plant and secondary branches/plant. Heritability in broad sense was moderate indicating influence of moisture stress on these traits. However, high genetic advance as per cent of mean indicated additive gene effects governing the traits providing ample scope of improvement. Divergence analysis using D2 statistics grouped genotypes into 8 clusters. Cluster I comprised of 89 genotypes from same and/or different geographical origin. Cluster II had 7 genotypes having greatest intra-cluster distance. Rest of the clusters (III-VIII) possessed single genotype. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster V and VIII (10.28) followed by cluster IV and VIII (10.17) while the least distance was between clusters III and IV (3.92). The genotypes ‘ICP 11204’(Cluster IV), ‘KPBR 80-2-2’(Cluster III) and ‘KPBR 80-2-1’ (Cluster VII) with high cluster distance and mean for yield and yield contributing traits were considered desirable for hybridization and selection of transgressive segregants to enhance yield potential under terminal moisture stress.
Efficacy and tolerability of 20% aluminum sesquichlorohydrate vs 20% aluminum chloride for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis: A randomized controlled trial

This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of topical aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (AS) when compared to aluminum chloride (AC) as a treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH). Twenty subjects were included in this randomized, controlled, split‐side 8‐week study. All participants applied 20% AS and 20% AC lotions in their axillae (one treatment per axilla) every night for 2 weeks; next, the application was reduced to three times a week for 4 weeks. The assessment was performed using the sweating intensity visual scale (SIVS), hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS), patient satisfaction score, and the appearance of adverse effects on weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Both AS as well as AC application showed positive results, significantly differing from the baseline, as assessed using SIVS, HDSS, and patient satisfaction score at every follow‐up visit; however, no significant difference was observed between the AS and AC groups at any follow‐up visit. The mean time of response was 1.14 weeks for both treatments. A side effect was observed in one subject (5%), who reported itching on the AC axilla. The therapeutic effects persisted even after reducing the frequency of application and lasted for at least 2 weeks after cessation of use. In conclusion, topical 20% AS demonstrated similar efficacy to topical 20% AC in the treatment of PAH, with a high safety profile.
Impact of select PPE design elements and repeated laundering in firefighter protection from smoke exposure

Abstract As the Fire Service becomes more aware of the potential health effects from occupational exposure to hazardous contaminants, personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers, and fire departments have responded by developing and implementing improved means of firefighter protection, including more frequent laundering of PPE after exposures. While laboratory testing of new PPE designs and the effect of laundering on PPE fabric provides a useful way to evaluate these approaches, laboratory scale testing does not necessarily translate to full garment protection. Utilizing a fireground smoke exposure simulator, along with air and/or filter-substrate sampling for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene, this pilot study tested the chemical-protective capabilities of firefighting PPE of different designs (knit hood vs. particulate-blocking hood, turnout jacket with zipper closure vs. hook & dee closure), including the impact of repeatedly exposing and cleaning (through laundering or decontamination on-scene) PPE 40 times. Overall, PAH contamination on filters under hoods in the neck region were higher (median PAHs = 14.7 µg) than samples taken under jackets in the chest region (median PAHs = 7.05 µg). PAH levels measured under particulate-blocking hoods were lower than levels found under knit hoods. Similarly, zippered closures were found to provide a greater reduction in PAHs compared to hook & dee closures. However, neither design element completely eliminated contaminant ingress. Measurements for benzene under turnout jackets were similar to ambient chamber air concentrations, indicating little to no attenuation from the PPE. The effect of laundering or on-scene decontamination on contaminant breakthrough appeared to depend on the type of contaminant. Benzene breakthrough was negatively associated with laundering, while PAH breakthrough was positively associated. More research is needed to identify PPE features that reduce breakthrough, how targeted changes impact exposures, and how fireground exposures relate to biological absorption of contaminants.
Iron status is linked to disease severity after avian influenza virus H7N9 infection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The high mortality rate of H7N9 strain of avian influenza virus (AIV) infected patients has been a major clinical concern. Iron overload increases the susceptibility of host for several kinds of microbial infection. However, the study on patients' iron and ferritin status associated with clinical outcome of AIVH7N9 virus infection is poorly understood, and in order to explain the linkage we carried out this study. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN We retrospectively collected serum from 46 patients infected with H7N9 virus from the hospital in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province of China in 2013. We measured the level of serum iron and ferritin by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The correlation analysis of iron and ferritin with disease severity was done by SPSS 16.0 and MedCalc Software. RESULTS After H7N9 infection, there is a reduction in iron level and an increase in ferritin, hepcidin and C-reactive protein (CRP) level in patient's serum compared to those of the control (p<0.001), and there's little correlation between procalcitonin (PCT) level and H7N9 infection. At week 1 and week 2 post-infection, serum iron level is much lower and ferritin level is much higher in the patients who died later than those in the patients who survived. The sensitivity, specificity, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the assay was calculated with MedCalc software and they were 85.5%, 65.9% and 0.803 for iron and 84.9%, 80.7% and 0.900 for ferritin, 95.2%, 51.1% and 0.684 for PCT and 100%, 94.6% and 0.988 for CRP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that low serum iron and high serum ferritin levels are correlated with the disease severity of H7N9-infected patients and can predict fatal outcomes.