Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre-Training by Completing Point Clouds

There has recently been a flurry of exciting advances in deep learning models on point clouds. However, these advances have been hampered by the difficulty of creating labelled point cloud datasets: sparse point clouds often have unclear label identities for certain points, while dense point clouds are time-consuming to annotate. Inspired by mask-based pre-training in the natural language processing community, we propose a pre-training mechanism based point clouds completion. It works by masking occluded points that result from observations at different camera views. It then optimizes a completion model that learns how to reconstruct the occluded points, given the partial point cloud. In this way, our method learns a pre-trained representation that can identify the visual constraints inherently embedded in real-world point clouds. We call our method Occlusion Completion (OcCo). We demonstrate that OcCo learns representations that improve the semantic understandings as well as generalization on downstream tasks over prior methods, transfer to different datasets, reduce training time and improve label efficiency.
Statistical combination of searches for the $\rm{X^{\pm}(5568)}$ state decaying into $\rm{B^0_s \pi^\pm}$

A statistical combination of the search results for the narrow $\rm{X^{\pm}(5568)}$ resonance decaying into $\rm{B_s^0 \pi^+}$ is reported, based on published results from the ATLAS, CMS, CDF and LHCb Collaborations. A structure in the invariant mass distribution of $\rm{B_s^0 \pi^+}$ has been observed by the D0 Collaboration with a mass value of 5568 MeV but not confirmed by any of the latest searches from the other Collaborations. Limits have been set on the relative production rate $\rm{\rho_X}$ of the $\rm{X^{\pm}(5568)}$ and $\rm{B^0_s}$ states, times the branching ratio for the decay $\rm{X^{\pm}(5568) \rightarrow B^0_s\pi^\pm}$. By applying a statistical combination of limits set by the three LHC experiments, we derive a limit at 95\% Confidence Level of $\rho_X $ 10 GeV, and $\rho_X $ 15 GeV, superseding the previous most stringent upper limits. The effect of including the CDF result in the combination is also discussed.
Modeling the effects of local climate change on crop acreage

The impacts of climate change on agriculture depend on local conditions and crops grown. For instance, warmer winter temperatures in a given area would reduce chill hours, potentially cutting yields for some crops but extending the growing season for others. Using a century of climate data and six decades of acreage data, we established quantitative economic relationships between the evolution of local climate and acreage of 12 important crops in Yolo County. We then used the historical trend in climate change to project future crop acreages in the county. Only marginal changes in acreage in 2050 were projected for tree and vine crops there, in part because chill hours, although lower, remained above critical values. Walnuts were the most vulnerable tree crop, and the projections indicated some cultivars might be marginal in years with particularly warm winters. Processing tomato acreage might increase, due to a longer growing season, and also alfalfa acreage, if water availability and other factors remain constant.
Self-calibration of weak lensing systematic effects using combined two- and three-point statistics

We investigate the prospects for using the weak lensing bispectrum alongside the power spectrum to control systematic uncertainties in a Euclid-like survey. Three systematic effects are considered: the intrinsic alignment of galaxies, uncertainties in the means of tomographic redshift distributions, and multiplicative bias in the measurement of the shear signal. We find that the bispectrum is very effective in mitigating these systematic errors. Varying all three systematics simultaneously, a joint power spectrum and bispectrum analysis reduces the area of credible regions for the cosmological parameters $\Omega_\mathrm{m}$ and $\sigma_8$ by a factor of 90 and for the two parameters of a time-varying dark energy equation of state by a factor of almost 20, compared with the baseline approach of using the power spectrum alone and of imposing priors consistent with the accuracy requirements specified for Euclid. We also demonstrate that including the bispectrum self-calibrates all three systematic effects to the stringent levels required by the forthcoming generation of weak lensing surveys, thereby reducing the need for external calibration data.
Fractal Model of the Influence of Expanded Clay Concrete Macrostructure on its Strength

The characteristics of the macrostructure of expanded clay concretes are compared using the topological and fractal approaches. The sensitivity of concrete strength to the fractal dimensions of a cement-sand matrix, expanded clay gravel, feldspar grains, large fractions of quartz and pores is verified. The trend of the influence of the expanded clay concrete macrostructure on its strength is determined using the fractal approach. Fractal modeling of the macrostructure of expanded clay concrete made it possible to reduce the forecast error in the indices of their strength by 1.18. 2.03 times in comparison with the topological approach.
Structural Analysis of Sputtered Sc(x)Al(1-x)N Layers for Sensor Applications

Scandium aluminum nitride (ScxAl1-xN) is a promising material for sensor applications as it exhibits enhanced piezoelectric properties compared to pristine AlN while maintaining other advantageous properties like high thermal stability. Magnetoelectric sensors in particular are used to detect magnetic fields which leads to special requirements regarding the investigated ScAlN in order to achieve high sensor sensitivities. Co-sputtered ScAlN layers are investigated in this work using XRD, XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for scandium concentrations from 0 to 34 %. The impact of Sc incorporation regarding residual biaxial strain and bond softening is discussed on basis of the experimental results. The activity of the B1 and E2 modes found in the FTIR measurements is of special interest as the presumably oxygen related excitation is expected to influence the piezoelectric properties.
A Quantified Risk-Scoring System for the Recurrence of Meningiomas: Results From a Retrospective Study of 392 Patients

Aim: This study aimed to identify the independent risk factors of recurrence in patients undergoing primary resection of meningioma and construct a scoring system for the prediction of the risk of postoperative recurrence. Materials and Methods: The clinical data of 591 patients who underwent primary surgical resection for meningioma at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between November 2010 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics were evaluated, and the independent risk factors for recurrence were identified via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic analyses. A scoring system that included these independent risk factors was used to construct a risk-predicting model that was evaluated via a ROC curve analysis. The recurrences of different subgroups were observed by Kaplan-Meier's curves. Results: The clinical data of 392 patients with meningioma were used to construct the scoring system. The logistic analysis showed that sex (OR = 2.793, 95% CI = 1.076–7.249, P = 0.035), heterogeneous tumor enhancement (OR = 4.452, 95% CI = 1.714–11.559, P = 0.002), brain invasion (OR = 2.650, 95% CI = 1.043–6.733, P = 0.041), Simpson's removal grade (OR = 5.139, 95% CI = 1.355–19.489, P = 0.016), and pathological grade (OR = 3.282, 95% CI = 1.123–9.595, P = 0.030) were independent risk factors for recurrence. A scoring system was developed and used to divide the patients into the following four subgroups: subgroup 1 with scores of 0–75 (n = 249), subgroup 2 with scores of 76–154 (n = 88), subgroup 3 with scores of 155–215 (n = 46), and subgroup 4 with scores of 216–275 (n = 9). The incidences of recurrence in each subgroup were as follows: subgroup 1, 1.2%; subgroup 2, 5.7%; subgroup 3, 26.1%; and subgroup 4, 66.7% (P < 0.001). The scoring system reliably predicted the postoperative recurrence of meningioma with a high area under the ROC curve. Conclusions: Our scoring system is a simple and reliable instrument for identifying meningioma patients at risk of postoperative recurrence and could help in optimizing individualized clinical treatment.
Metagenomics of the modern and historical human oral microbiome with phylogenetic studies on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus

We have recently developed bioinformatic tools to accurately assign metagenomic sequence reads to microbial taxa: SPARSE for probabilistic, taxonomic classification of sequence reads; EToKi for assembling and polishing genomes from short-read sequences; and GrapeTree, a graphic visualizer of genetic distances between large numbers of genomes. Together, these methods support comparative analyses of genomes from ancient skeletons and modern humans. Here, we illustrate these capabilities with 784 samples from historical dental calculus, modern saliva and modern dental plaque. The analyses revealed 1591 microbial species within the oral microbiome. We anticipated that the oral complexes of Socransky et al., which were defined in 1998, would predominate among taxa whose frequencies differed by source. However, although some species discriminated between sources, we could not confirm the existence of the complexes. The results also illustrate further functionality of our pipelines with two species that are associated with dental caries, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. They were rare in historical dental calculus but common in modern plaque, and even more common in saliva. Reconstructed draft genomes of these two species from metagenomic samples in which they were abundant were combined with modern public genomes to provide a detailed overview of their core genomic diversity. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Insights into health and disease from ancient biomolecules’.
Studies on the Metabolic Control of Caffeine Turnover in Developing Endosperms and Leaves of Coffea arabica and Coffea dewevrei

Leaves and immature fruits of Coffea deweurei and Coffea arabica var. Mundo Novo and var. Laurina were fed with [8- 3 H]caffeine and the products analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and radioactivity detection. In fruits, only endosperms were analyzed. In addition, the activities of two methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of caffeine were studied in cell-free preparations from leaves and endosperms. The results provide evidence that the low caffeine content in leaves and endosperms of immature fruits of C. deweurei may be due to slow biosynthesis and fast degradation
Trace Metal Level of Human Blood From Dareta Village, Anka, Nigeria

The trace metal levels of blood obtained from some people in Dareta Village (a mining community) were determined. About 33 males of various age groups ranging from 1 to 40yrs were recruited for the study. The trace metals studied include Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu. These metals were analyzed using graphite furnace Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer(Shimazu AA-6800). The mean trace metal concentrations and their ranges were Zn, 8.42(5.21- 14.44) mg/l; Pb 1.13 (0.25-2.65) mg/l; Cd 0.052(0.01-0.098) mg/l and Cu, 0.67 (0.154-2.178) mg/l. The levels of these metals were higher than acceptable limits, except for copper which is within safe limits. These metals could bioaccumulate and thereby pose a long term effect on man. These effects have been extensively discussed.
Preliminary Studies on Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Wild Garcinia in Sijunjung, West Sumatra

A total of 18 samples of five Garcinia species from two sites in Sijunjung district, West Sumatra were evaluated using morphological traits and molecular markers. The species comprised four wild species, G. xanthocymus, G. atroviridis, G. nervosa and G. macrophyla, and one cultivated species, G. mangostana. Morphological variability was observed with respect to flower and fruit position, leaf size, flower colour, fruit shape and size, the existence of stigma lobe, calyx, and the corolla in ripe fruit. Using RAPD markers, highest inter-specific diversity was observed in G. xanthocymus with genetic similarity coefficient ranging from 0.75 to 0.88, while the three other species exhibited similar range from 0.80 to 0.88. The genetic similarity coefficient among species was from 0.60 to 0.88. There are two types of each species based on their sites of occurrence and also their morphological and molecular characters. The information generated will be of use in devising in situ conservation strategy and sustainable use of Garcinia species.
Renal pseudotumor: A new challenge in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related disease

Background: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune mediated fibro inflammatory condition characterized by abundant IgG4-positive (IgG4+) plasma cell infiltrated lesions and elevated serum IgG4 concentrations. Tubulointerstitial nephritis and glomerular lesions are the most common renal IgG4-RDs. However, solitary mass lesion is rarely observed in renal IgG4-RD. Materials and Methods: We reported a 55-year-old male patient with a space-occupying lesion in the right kidney detected during a routine ultrasound medical examination. Computed tomography indicated a 20 mm × 15 mm × 18 mm mass located at the lower pole of the right kidney. Both T1-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a hypointense mass. Diffusion-weighted imaging (b value = 800) showed slightly hyperintensity. Results: The lesion was diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma clinically based on the laboratory and radiological findings and treated with laparoscopic resection. However, the postoperative histological examination results indicated the lesion IgG4-RD of the kidney. Conclusion: We should consider pseudotumor-like IgG4-RD as a differential diagnosis for solitary renal lesion although the incidence is low.
Third Molar Angulation Changes in Class II Div I Malocclusion Subjects Treated with Extraction of Four Premolars: A Retrospective Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in maxillary and mandibular third molar inclinations in individuals with class II div 1 malocclusion, before and after orthodontic treatment with extraction of all four first premolars. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study consisted of the pretreatment and posttreatment records of 30 patients that were obtained from the archives of the department of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics in A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. The maxillary third molar’s relation to the palatal plane and the mandibular third molar’s relation to the mandibular plane were measured. The paired t test was used to calculate pre- and posttreatment changes. A value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The maxillary third molars showed a mean correction of 6.15° (P < 0.001) and the mandibular third molars showed a mean correction of 5.10° (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Maxillary third molars showed more uprighting when compared to the mandibular third molars and that both maxillary and mandibular third molars showed an improvement in their angulations to their respective planes after extraction of the first premolars. However, the results of the study cannot be analyzed to state if the third molars do become fully functional.
Effect of Ramadan on glucose levels, serum lipid profile, and blood pressure among fasting and nonfasting medical students in a public university of Karachi

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, and serum proteins between non-Muslim and fasting Muslim students. Methodology: The study was conducted on undergraduate medical students of a medical university of Karachi. Participants were invited for data collection: in the last 10 days of Shaban, Ramadan, and Shawwal. Along with blood pressure, height, and weight were measured and a sample of 10 cc blood was also drawn in each visit. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, lipid profile, and serum protein. Two samples, “t”-test and repeated measure design analysis of variance were utilized for statistical analysis. Results: Sixty Muslims and 15 non-Muslim students completed all the three visits. Seventy-five percent were females. Mean systolic blood pressure reduced significantly in Ramadan. Mean diastolic blood pressure reduced noticeably in Ramadan and Shawwal for non-Muslim students and minor changes occurred in Muslim students. Even though the fasting blood sugar increased insignificantly from Shaban to Ramadan in the total sample, but the increment among Muslim students showed a significant increase. The mean cholesterol value of Muslim students significantly increased in Ramadan but decreased in Ramadan for non-Muslim students. The mean value of low-density lipoprotein increased significantly in Ramadan for Muslim students but decreased in Ramadan for non-Muslim. The mean values of triglyceride showed a significant reduction from Shaban to Ramadan and then increased in Shawwal. Conclusion: The study revealed that the environment of Ramadan was helpful to the non-Muslim students more than the Muslim students, with respect to the biochemical parameters.
Ethanol extract of Schinus molle L. (Molle) and Erythroxylum coca Lam (Coca): Antibacterial Properties at Different Concentrations against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the antibacterial activity of an ethanol extract of Erythroxylum coca Lam (EEE) and Schinus molle L. (EES) at 50% and 75% versus Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, comparative, longitudinal experimental study. The ethanol extract of coca and molle leaves was obtained by the vacuum filtration method at concentrations of 50% and 75% and was compared with a positive control (0.12% chlorhexidine). Streptococcus mutans strains were isolated in a culture medium (Mitis Salivarius Agar) ideal for the growth of bacterial colonies. The antibacterial activity of the ethanol extract was carried out following the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method in Mueller–Hinton agar to measure bacterial sensitivity. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of EEE and EES at 24 and 48 h showed that a concentration of 75% for both groups had the highest antimicrobial activity against S. mutans (11.2 ± 0.7 mm; 11.6 ± 0.5 mm and 11.3 ± 0.7 mm; 11.8 ± 0.5 mm, respectively). So, the results have shown that the concentration of EEE and EES of 75% has a greater efficacy than the concentration of 50%, but both concentrations are not as effective as chlorhexidine. Conclusion: EEE and EES at concentrations of 50% and 75% present antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC 25175.
Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) Control on Chrysanthemum by Neem Seed Extract Applied to Soil

Applied as a soil drench to chrysanthemums, 0.4% crude neem extract caused significant mortality of late instars and pupae of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) in both research and commercial greenhouses. Insecticidal effects of drenching lasted for 3 weeks. Drenching did not inhibit female feeding or oviposition. Repeated drenching did not significantly inhibit plant growth. Mortality (89%) of prepupae reared from untreated plants occurred when the prepupae were placed on neem-drenched soil.
Retention of Provisional Intraradicular Retainers Using Fiberglass Pins

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the retention properties between fiberglass pins with chemically activated acrylic resin and metallic intraradicular retainers often used for the purpose of temporary prosthetic retention. Materials and Methods: Two mechanical tests, pushout and traction, were performed on specimens distributed in three groups (n = 10) for each test; two metal pins G1: Metalpin Ângelus and G2: Provisional Pivot Jon in addition to one fiberglass pin G3: Whitepost DC-E, FGM. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was used at the level of significance α = 0.05. Results: The fiberglass pins (G3) showed higher values in the traction test than the metal pins (G1 and G2) with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05); however, they performed similarly to the metal pin groups in the pushout test (P > 0.05). They also presented a lower occurrence of failure in the relining acrylic resin. Conclusion: The study pointed out the use of fiberglass pins as suitable alternatives for provisional intracanal metallic retainers.
"Proliferation of cytotoxic and activated T cells during acute Epstein-Barr virus induced Infectious Mononucleosis "

The immune responses that develop following Epstien-Barr Virus (EBV) infection are complex and involve both humoral and to a greater extent cell-mediated immune mechanisms. To evaluate the immune response, flow cytometric analysis of the peripheral blood of six patients during the acute phase of EBV infection was performed. This analysis revealed a significant increase in the percentages and the absolute number of CD8+cytotoxic and activated (HLA-DR+ - T lymphocytes and in some cases with a concomitan decrease in the percentages of B (CD19+) lymphocytes and T helper (CD4+) lymphocytes. These patient invariably had inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. All changes reversed to normal level during the recovery phase of infection. It is therefore concluded that EBV specific cytotoxic and activated T lymphocytes are essential in controlling acute EBV infection presented by the infected B cells.
Emerging mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic: An Indian perspective

The current global health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, has posed an unprecedented challenge to our health systems, economy, socio-political organizations, and the infrastructure of most countries and the world. This pandemic has affected physical health as well as mental health adversely. Several recent evidence suggests that health systems across the world have to improve their preparedness in context to infectious pandemics. The research on mental health aspects of COVID-19 and other related pandemics is lacking due to obvious reasons. This narrative review article, along with our personal views, is on various current and future mental health issues in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on various challenges and suggested solutions. The aim is also to update mental health strategies in the context of such rapidly spreading contagious illness, which can act as a resource for such a situation, currently and in future. We recommend that there is a need to facilitate mental health research to understand the psychiatric aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, include psychiatrists in the task force, and make available psychotropic and other medications with special attention to the deprived sector of the society.