Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle filter–based data assimilation in dynamic data-driven simulation: sensitivity analysis of three critical experimental conditions

Data assimilation (DA) is a methodology widely used by different disciplines of science and engineering. It is typically applied to continuous systems with numerical models. The application of DA to discrete-event and discrete-time systems including agent-based models is relatively new. Because of its non-linearity and non-Gaussianity, the particle filter (PF) method is often a good option for stochastic simulation models of discrete systems. The probability distributions of model runs, however, make it computationally intensive. The experimental conditions therein are understudied. This paper studied three critical conditions of PF-based DA in a discrete event model: (1) the time interval between two consecutive DA iterations, (2) the number of particles, and (3) the actual level and perceived level of measurement errors (or noises). The study conducted identical-twin experiments of an M/M/1 single server queuing system. The ground truth is imitated in a stand-alone simulation model. The measurement errors are superimposed so that the effect of the three conditions can be quantitatively evaluated in a controlled manner. The results show that the estimation accuracy of such a system using PF is more constrained by the choice of time intervals than the number of particles. An under estimation of measurement errors produces worse state estimates than an over estimation of errors. A correct perception of the measurement errors does not guarantee better state estimates. Moreover, a slight over estimation of errors results in better state estimates, and it is more responsive to abrupt system changes than an accurate perception of measurement errors.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATION OF TEMPERATURE IN A ROTATING DISK SUBJECTED TO AN ECCENTRIC CIRCULAR HEAT SOURCE AND SURFACE COOLING

This article derives, for the first time, an appropriate analytical solution for the calculation of three-dimensional temperature distribution inside a rotating disk subjected to an eccentric circular heat source and surface cooling. This problem is encountered in, among others, the pin-on-disk frictional device, thrust ball bearing, or machining in a lathe. In order to obtain this solution under an explicit and simple form, we assume that the cooling occurs over the whole frictional surface of the disk, including the heated region. A numerical study, using the finite-volume method, is also conducted in order to define the limits of validity of the above assumption. It is shown that the analytical solution is accurate for a wide range of heat convection coefficients ( h ≤ 1,000 W/m2K for high Peclet numbers and h ≤ 5,000 W/m2K for low ones).
Impact of excise tax on consumption, brand loyalty and health awareness: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the impact of excise tax on excisable goods consumption, brand loyalty and health awareness in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. The research is conducted based on the self-administered questionnaire collected from the residents of the UAE. The snow-ball sampling technique is used to collect the data set during 2022. A total of 559 usable questionnaires were analyzed. This paper uses the multiple regression analysis model (OLS) to test the study hypothesis. The findings of the research show that implementation of excise tax has no significant impact on the consumption of excisable goods. The findings show a positive relation between implementation of excise tax and customers’ brand loyalty. Likewise, the excise tax implementation has a positive impact on the health awareness among the residents of the UAE for the consumption of excisable goods. The findings of this paper would provide insights to the policymakers for formulating the future excise tax policies and extending the scope of excise tax to the other unhealthy products in the emerging market (UAE). This paper provides evidence supporting the impact of implementation of excise tax on the consumption, brand loyalty and health awareness of the individual consumers in the emerging economy. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to research and test the consumption behavior of individuals through the collection of primary data set since the excise tax is implemented in the Gulf Cooperation Council specially in the UAE economy which includes the excisable products, i.e., tobacco, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, sweetened beverages and electronic smoking devices.
The error of replicated potency estimates in a biological assay method of the parallel line type.

In the practice of biological assay the most widely used formulas [2, 3] for the variance and the fiducial limits of a potency estimate take account of intra-assay error only. The assumption implicit in the use of these formulas that inter-assay variation need not be considered may be tested by comparing the variation predicted by the formula with the variation actually observed in replicated assays of unknowns. Such a test in a collaborative penicillin assay of the parallel line type analyzed by Bliss [4] showed that the actual error of the log potency estimate (M) was considerably and significantly greater than the error predicted from intra-assay statistics. It was suggested that a large portion of the discrepancy might be due to errors in dosage of test substances. A similar suggestion was made by Dews and Berkson [5] in their consideration of the actual error of quantal assays. Excess variability in M occurring during collaborative trials for International Standards of several antibiotics [6-10] was at times associated with, although not fully explained by, significant deviations from linearity or from parallelism. Although many of the observed discrepancies were small in an absolute senlse, they were detected because of the considerable innate (within-group) precision of the assay methods. The actual error of M for several other International Standards [11-13] was also greater than predicted by the usual computations. Interactions of M with replicate samples of the same milk within assays and also between assays were observed by Clarke [14] in parallel line assays for riboflavin potency.
Toll-like Receptors and Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder triggered by dietary gluten intake in some genetically predisposed individuals; however, the additional non-HLA-related genetic factors implicated in CD immunopathogenesis are not well-defined. The role of the innate immune system in autoimmunity has emerged in the last few years. Genetic polymorphisms of some pattern-recognition receptors, including toll-like receptors (TLRs), have been associated with several autoimmune disorders. In this review, we summarize and discuss the evidence from basic research and clinical studies as regards the potential role of TLRs in CD immunopathogenesis. The evidence supporting the role of TLRs in CD immunopathogenesis is limited, especially in terms of basic research. However, differences in the expression and activation of TLRs between active CD patients from one side, and controls and treated CD patients from the other side, have been described in some clinical studies. Therefore, TLRs may be part of those non-HLA-related genetic factors implicated in CD etiopathogenesis, considering their potential role in the interaction between the host immune system and some environmental factors (including viral infections and gut microbiota), which are included in the list of candidate agents potentially contributing to the determination of CD risk in genetically predisposed individuals exposed to dietary gluten intake. Further basic research and clinical studies focused on TLRs in the context of CD and other gluten-related disorders are needed.
Microbiome Profiling from Fecal Immunochemical Test Reveals Microbial Signatures with Potential for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global healthcare challenge that involves both genetic and environmental factors. Several pieces of evidence suggest that alterations of the gut microbiome can influence CRC development. In the present study we analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing data from fecal immunochemical test (FIT) samples from a large cohort, observing a predictive potential of the microbiome, revealing changes along the path from healthy tissue to carcinoma. Our work has implications in the understanding of the roles of microbes on the adenoma to carcinoma progression and opens the door to an improvement of the current CRC screening programmes. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Early diagnosis of CRC, which saves lives and enables better outcomes, is generally implemented through a two-step population screening approach based on the use of Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) followed by colonoscopy if the test is positive. However, the FIT step has a high false positive rate, and there is a need for new predictive biomarkers to better prioritize cases for colonoscopy. Here we used 16S rRNA metabarcoding from FIT positive samples to uncover microbial taxa, taxon co-occurrence and metabolic features significantly associated with different colonoscopy outcomes, underscoring a predictive potential and revealing changes along the path from healthy tissue to carcinoma. Finally, we used machine learning to develop a two-phase classifier which reduces the current false positive rate while maximizing the inclusion of CRC and clinically relevant samples.
Metal/Graphene Composites: A Review on the Simulation of Fabrication and Study of Mechanical Properties

Although carbon materials, particularly graphene and carbon nanotubes, are widely used to reinforce metal matrix composites, understanding the fabrication process and connection between morphology and mechanical properties is still not understood well. This review discusses the relevant literature concerning the simulation of graphene/metal composites and their mechanical properties. This review demonstrates the promising role of simulation of composite fabrication and their properties. Further, results from the revised studies suggest that morphology and fabrication techniques play the most crucial roles in property improvements. The presented results can open up the way for developing new nanocomposites based on the combination of metal and graphene components. It is shown that computer simulation is a possible and practical way to understand the effect of the morphology of graphene reinforcement and strengthening mechanisms.
Olive Oil Produced from Olives Stored under CO2 Atmosphere: Volatile and Physicochemical Characterization

In this study, an alternative debittering technique for olives, invented and patented by Prof. Vassilis Dourtoglou, was employed. Olive fruits (Olea europaea cv. Megaritiki) were stored under CO2 atmosphere immediately after harvest for a period of 15 days. After the treatment, a sensory evaluation between the olives stored under CO2 and those stored under regular atmospheric conditions (control) was performed. Additionally, the CO2-treated olives were used for the cold press of olive oil production. The volatile profile of the olive oil produced was analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of thirty different volatile compounds were detected. The volatile characteristics of olive oil are attributed, among others, to aldehydes, alcohols, esters, hydrocarbons, alkanes, and terpenes. The volatile compounds’ analysis showed many differences between the two treatments. In order to compare the volatile profile, commercial olive oil was also used (produced from olives from the same olive grove with a conventional process in an industrial olive mill). The antioxidant activity, the content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, α-tocopherol, carotenoids, and chlorophylls), and the fatty acids’ profile were also determined. The results showed that the oil produced from CO2-treated olives contains different volatile components, which bestow a unique flavor and aroma to the oil. Moreover, this oil was found comparable to extra virgin olive oil, according to its physicochemical characteristics. Finally, the enhanced content in antioxidant compounds (i.e., polyphenols) not only rendered the oil more stable against oxidation but also better for human health. The overall quality of the olive oil was enhanced and, as such, this procedure holds great promise for future developments.
Penetrating Exploration of Prognostic Correlations of the FKBP Gene Family with Lung Adenocarcinoma

The complexity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the development of which involves many interacting biological processes, makes it difficult to find therapeutic biomarkers for treatment. FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are composed of 12 members classified as conservative intracellular immunophilin family proteins, which are often connected to cyclophilin structures by tetratricopeptide repeat domains and have peptidyl prolyl isomerase activity that catalyzes proline from residues and turns the trans form into the cis form. Since FKBPs belong to chaperone molecules and promote protein folding, previous studies demonstrated that FKBP family members significantly contribute to the degradation of damaged, misfolded, abnormal, and foreign proteins. However, transcript expressions of this gene family in LUAD still need to be more fully investigated. In this research, we adopted high-throughput bioinformatics technology to analyze FKBP family genes in LUAD to provide credible information to clinicians and promote the development of novel cancer target drugs in the future. The current data revealed that the messenger (m)RNA levels of FKBP2, FKBP3, FKBP4, FKBP10, FKBP11, and FKBP14 were overexpressed in LUAD, and FKBP10 had connections to poor prognoses among LUAD patients in an overall survival (OS) analysis. Based on the above results, we selected FKBP10 to further conduct a comprehensive analysis of the downstream pathway and network. Through a DAVID analysis, we found that FKBP10 was involved in mitochondrial electron transport, NADH to ubiquinone transport, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly, etc. The MetaCore pathway analysis also indicated that FKBP10 was involved in "Ubiquinone metabolism", "Translation_(L)-selenoaminoacid incorporation in proteins during translation", and "Transcription_Negative regulation of HIF1A function". Collectively, this study revealed that FKBP family members are both significant prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer progression and promising clinical therapeutic targets, thus providing new targets for treating LUAD patients.
Association between scene time interval and clinical outcomes according to key Utstein factors in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

There is no consensus on the appropriate length of time spent on the scene by emergency medical services. Hence, our study aimed to investigate the association between the scene time interval (STI) and clinical outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and determine whether this association is affected by key Utstein factors—witness status, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and initial electrocardiogram rhythm. This study is a cross-sectional study, using data between 2017 and 2020 from a nationwide, population-based, prospective registry of OHCA. The primary exposure is the STI, which was categorized into 3 groups: short (0 < STI ≤ 12 min), middle (13 ≤ STI ≤ 16 min), long (17 ≤ STI ≤ 30 min). The main outcome was good neurological recovery. Multivariable logistic regression and interaction analyses were performed to estimate the effect of STIs on study outcomes according to key Utstein factors. Witnessed, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an initial shockable rhythm were associated with high survival to discharge and good neurological recovery, whereas prolonged STI was associated with low survival to discharge and poor neurological recovery. In patients with witnessed arrest, increased STI caused a more rapid decrease in survival to discharge than in non-witnessed cases (witnessed arrest: 0.56 (0.51–0.62) in middle STI and 0.33 (0.30–0.37) in long STI, non-witnessed arrest: 0.72 (0.61–0.85) in middle STI and 0.53 (0.45–0.62) in long STI. In patients with an initial shockable rhythm, increased STI caused a more rapid decrease in survival to discharge and neurological recovery than in initial non-shockable cases. Longer STIs were associated with poorer OHCA outcomes, and this trend was further emphasized in patients with witnessed OHCA and OHCA with an initial shockable rhythm.
The spreading rate dependence of the distribution of axial magma lenses along mid-ocean ridges

Significance The best constraints on the size and depth of magma chambers on Earth come from seismic studies of quasihorizontal axial melt lenses (AMLs) seen all along fast-spreading mid-ocean ridges but only at the centers of slow-spreading segments. We present a model that explains the observed distribution of AMLs by assuming that lenses form as magma-filled tension fractures during the opening of magmatic dikes. This stress change can force open an AML below the axial lithosphere only if the average density of the lithosphere is less than or equal to the magma density. Seismic observations and thermal models suggest that this condition is met along most fast- and some intermediate-spreading ridges but only at the centers of slow-spreading segments.
Trends in dispensed prescriptions for opioids, sedatives, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and stimulants to children by general dentists, 2012–2019

Opioids, benzodiazepines and sedatives can manage dental pain, fear and anxiety but have a narrow margin of safety in children. General dentists may inappropriately prescribe gabapentin and stimulants. National evidence on dispensing rates of these high‐alert medicines by dentists to children is limited.
Thermoelectric performance of half-Heusler compounds MYSb (M = Ni, Pd, Pt)

Motivated by the recent findings of potential topological insulators and good high-temperature thermoelectric materials in the half-Heusler compounds based on heavy metals, we combine first-principles and Boltzmann transport theory to systematically study the electronic structure and thermoelectric performance of half-Heusler compounds MYSb (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). We find that among these three compounds PtYSb is a direct band-gap semiconductor, while the remaining two show indirect band-gaps. Chemical potential dependence of Seebeck coefficients and power factors (PFs) are discussed in terms of electronic band structure and density of states near the Fermi level. Calculated Seebeck coefficients of these compounds are found to be about 245 µV K−1 at room temperature, and n-type doping would present a better PF. NiYSb has a high PF of 9.5 × 1011 W K−2 m−1 s−1 at 900 K and thus exhibits good high-temperature thermoelectricity. The temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficients under different carrier concentrations are also presented, which are in good agreement with available theories and experiments.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Group-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder Following Breast Cancer Treatment

Abstract This study aimed to assess feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) group program to treat Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD) in women following breast cancer (BrCa) treatment. Thirty women participated, of whom 67% (n = 20) attended at least 6 of 8 group sessions. Feedback indicated the program was relevant and valuable; minor modifications were suggested to further address survivorship concerns. Results of pre-post questionnaires demonstrated significant improvements in sexual distress and sexual interest/desire, with large effect sizes. Results support the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week MBCT program among women following breast cancer treatment.
A Deep CNN Transformer Hybrid Model for Skin Lesion Classification of Dermoscopic Images Using Focal Loss

Skin cancers are the most cancers diagnosed worldwide, with an estimated > 1.5 million new cases in 2020. Use of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems for early detection and classification of skin lesions helps reduce skin cancer mortality rates. Inspired by the success of the transformer network in natural language processing (NLP) and the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) in computer vision, we propose an end-to-end CNN transformer hybrid model with a focal loss (FL) function to classify skin lesion images. First, the CNN extracts low-level, local feature maps from the dermoscopic images. In the second stage, the vision transformer (ViT) globally models these features, then extracts abstract and high-level semantic information, and finally sends this to the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) head for classification. Based on an evaluation of three different loss functions, the FL-based algorithm is aimed to improve the extreme class imbalance that exists in the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) 2018 dataset. The experimental analysis demonstrates that impressive results of skin lesion classification are achieved by employing the hybrid model and FL strategy, which shows significantly high performance and outperforms the existing work.
Aspirin and Primary Cancer Risk Reduction in Ischemic Cardiac or Cerebrovascular Disease Survivors: A Nationwide Population-Based Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

Simple Summary Long-term low-dose aspirin use was associated with a reduced risk of primary cancer in survivors of ischemic cardiac or cerebrovascular disease. Thus, in contrast to the situation for the general population (for which the anticancer effects of aspirin are still controversial), long-term low-dose aspirin use in these patients, though originally employed for the secondary prevention of ischemic attack, also has extra anticancer benefits. Abstract Ischemic cardiac or cerebrovascular disease (ICCD) survivors represent a subpopulation with a high cancer risk. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, remain a fundamental therapy for the secondary prevention of ischemic attack in these patients. We conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the association of long-term low-dose aspirin use with the risk of primary cancer in ICCD survivors. Patients aged ≥20 years with newly diagnosed ICCD (n = 98,519) between January 2000 and December 2013 were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The aspirin user and nonuser groups (each n = 24,030) were propensity-matched (1:1) for age, sex, comorbidities, prior medications, ICCD diagnosis year, and year of index dates. The incidence rate of primary cancer was significantly lower in the user group (6.49/1000 person-years) than in the nonuser group (14.04/1000 person-years). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that aspirin use was an independent factor associated with a reduced risk of primary cancer (aHR (95% confidence interval) = 0.42 (0.38–0.45)) after adjustment. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence rate of primary cancer was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the user group than in the nonuser group over the 14-year follow-up period. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that this anticancer effect increased with duration of treatment and with similar estimates in women and men. In addition, aspirin use was associated with a reduced risk for seven out of the ten most common cancers in Taiwan. These findings suggest the anticancer effect of aspirin in ICCD survivors and provide information for assessing the benefit-to-risk profile of aspirin as an antiplatelet medication in these patients.