Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new estimate of oceanic CO 2 fluxes by machine learning reveals the impact of CO 2 trends in different methods

Global oceans have absorbed a substantial portion of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emitted into the atmosphere. Data-based machine learning (DML) estimates for the oceanic CO 2 sink have become an import part of the Global Carbon Budget in recent years. Although DML models are considered objective as they impose very few subjective conditions in optimizing model parameters, they face the challenge of data scarcity problem when applied to mapping ocean CO 2 concentrations, from which air-sea CO 2 fluxes can be computed. Data scarcity forces DML models to pool multiple years’ 10 data for model training. When the time span extends to a few decades, the result could be largely affected by how ocean CO 2 trends are obtained. This study extracted the trends using a new method and reconstructed monthly surface ocean CO 2 concentrations and air-sea fluxes in 1980-2020 with a spatial resolution of 1x1 degree. Comparing with six other products, our results show a smaller oceanic sink and the sink in early and late year of the modelled period could be overestimated if ocean CO 2 trends were not well processed by models. We estimated that the oceanic sink has increased from 1.79  0.47 PgC yr -1 in 15 1980s to 2.58  0.20 PgC yr -1 in 2010s with a mean acceleration of 0.027 PgC yr -2 .
An Implementation Of Six-Sigma In Steel Tube Welding: A Case Study

In this paper we have tried to maintain a balance mix of surveys as well as experimental observation to provide a clear concept of a steel tube welding by using DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analysis, Improve and Control) technology under Six-Sigma in order to reduce leakage problem in steel tube welding. By taking various tube welding parameter in a machining process the tube welding strength (yield stress and tensile stress) increased. By taking into consideration and analyzing the drawbacks in the previous researches in context with constraints like finishing, quality, mechanical properties, time taken for welding and selection of material, we implemented our own welding method which has the ability to withstand the all these features and can easily rectify the leakage problems arising in the machining operations.
The Tangible Risk of Intangible Capital

With the rise of high technology producing companies, intangible capital becomes an important part of the capital of a modern economy. However, under current U.S. accounting standards, most of investment in intangible capital is expensed rather than capitalized, which complicates the valuation of corporate securities and assessment of risk and return of investments. We exploit the return heterogeneity of firms with different book-to-market ratio (B/M) and intensity in research and development (R&D) to study the importance of intangible capital in explaining the link between stock return and risk priced in the market. We find tangible evidences that the unobserved risk in different types of intangible capital is the key to rationalize B/M and R&D anomalies in the stock market. R&D expenses (developing intangible capital) to discover new technology and new products should be evaluated differently from the investments to improve the existing process of production (embodied intangible capital). Embodied-intangible-capital intensive firms invest more aggressively in physical capital and have higher market value relative to book value of physical capital (lower B/M), and appear to be overvalued in an asset pricing model without intangible capital; while developing-intangible-capital intensive firms are riskier due to intensive R&D expenses are not yet embodied in the production process, appear to have weaker earnings and be undervalued in an asset pricing model with missing factor or intangible capital.
OVERVIEW ON GLAUCOMA DIAGNOSIS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IMAGE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

: Today, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In fact, the damage to the visual field is the major outcome of glaucoma. There are multiple goals of artificial intelligence in glaucoma. The first aim has been detection of glaucoma by classifying visual fields, optic nerve imaging, or other clinical data. Second, artificial intelligence has been utilized to detect worsening earlier than conventional algorithms. As the goal of its treatment is preventing the deterioration of the quality of life, detecting variations of the visual function on a time degree basis is principal for monitoring the effectiveness of the therapy. This paper presents an overview on glaucoma diagnosis using artificial intelligence and image processing.
Mechanisms of Low-Frequency Broadband Noise by Cavitating Tip- Vortices on Marine Propellers

Comfort on board has become an important aspect in the design of ships over the last decades, especially comfort for passengers on cruise vessels and for owners of yachts. Therefore, cavitation on propellers for these ships should be minimized, leaving often only a tip-vortex cavity. However, tip-vortex cavitation is known to be a cause of broadband pressure fluctuations on the hull above the propeller, typically in a frequency range between 30 and 100 Hz. The present paper discusses the mechanisms involved in generating these low-frequency broadband hull fluctuations which also describe the underwater radiated noise.
Recent Advances in Thermoplastic Microfluidic Bonding

Microfluidics is a multidisciplinary technology with applications in various fields, such as biomedical, energy, chemicals and environment. Thermoplastic is one of the most prominent materials for polymer microfluidics. Properties such as good mechanical rigidity, organic solvent resistivity, acid/base resistivity, and low water absorbance make thermoplastics suitable for various microfluidic applications. However, bonding of thermoplastics has always been challenging because of a wide range of bonding methods and requirements. This review paper summarizes the current bonding processes being practiced for the fabrication of thermoplastic microfluidic devices, and provides a comparison between the different bonding strategies to assist researchers in finding appropriate bonding methods for microfluidic device assembly.
Device-based Optimization of Cardiac Resynchronization—One Size Does Not Fit All

We report on a 72-year-old female patient who was sent to our clinic for evaluation of a biventricular intracardiac defibrillator (BIV-ICD). The patient was diagnosed with ischemic cardiomyopathy and showed a persistently low ejection fraction in the range of 20%–25% with New York Heart Association class III heart failure symptoms despite being on guideline-directed medical therapy, including a β-blocker and a combination of sacubitril and valsartan, for >3 months. In addition, the patient had underlying right bundle branch block (RBBB) with a QRS duration of 160 ms. The device was programmed with a Sync-AV algorithm on with nominal settings (delta of −50 ms). The thresholds and lead impedances were acceptable. Electrocardiography was performed in the postoperative period, showing persistent RBBB similar to the baseline electrocardiogram without much QRS narrowing. In this report, we discuss the mechanism and troubleshooting of this problem.
Prognostic impact of prognostic nutritional index on renal cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis of 7,629 patients

Background Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a parameter which reflects nutritional and inflammatory status. The prognostic value of PNI in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains in debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value and clinicopathological features of PNI in RCC. Methods A literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted for meta-analysis. The association between PNI and overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. Results Eleven studies involving 7,629 patients were included for meta-analysis. A decreased PNI was shown to be a significant predictor of worse OS (HR = 2.00, 95%CI = 1.64–2.42, p<0.001), CSS (HR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.61–4.00, p<0.001), and DFS/PFS/RFS (HR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.82–2.46, p<0.001) in RCC. Furthermore, a low PNI was correlated with Fuhrman grade III-IV (OR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.27–3.02, p = 0.002), T stage T3-T4 (OR = 2.21, 95%CI = 1.27–3.87, p = 0.005), presence of sarcomatoid differentiation (OR = 5.00, 95%CI = 2.52–9.92, p<0.001), and presence of tumor necrosis (OR = 3.63, 95%CI = 2.54–5.19, p<0.001). Conclusion PNI is an independent prognostic indicator of survival and associated with Fuhrman grade, T stage, sarcomatoid differentiation, and tumor necrosis in patients with RCC.
Statistical practice and transparent reporting in the neurosciences: Preclinical motor behavioral experiments

Longitudinal and behavioral preclinical animal studies generate complex data, which may not be well matched to statistical approaches common in this literature. Analyses that do not adequately account for complexity may result in overly optimistic study conclusions, with consequences for reproducibility and translational decision-making. Recent work interrogating methodological shortcomings in animal research has not yet comprehensively investigated statistical shortcomings in the analysis of complex longitudinal and behavioral data. To this end, the current cross-sectional meta-research study rigorously reviewed published mouse or rat controlled experiments for motor rehabilitation in three neurologic conditions to evaluate statistical choices and reporting. Medline via PubMed was queried in February 2020 for English-language articles published January 1, 2017- December 31, 2019. Included were articles that used rat or mouse models of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or traumatic brain injury, employed a therapeutic controlled experimental design to determine efficacy, and assessed at least one functional behavioral assessment or global evaluation of function. 241 articles from 99 journals were evaluated independently by a team of nine raters. Articles were assessed for statistical handling of non-independence, animal attrition, outliers, ordinal data, and multiplicity. Exploratory analyses evaluated whether transparency or statistical choices differed as a function of journal factors. A majority of articles failed to account for sources of non-independence in the data (74–93%) and/or did not analytically account for mid-treatment animal attrition (78%). Ordinal variables were often treated as continuous (37%), outliers were predominantly not mentioned (83%), and plots often concealed the distribution of the data (51%) Statistical choices and transparency did not differ with regards to journal rank or reporting requirements. Statistical misapplication can result in invalid experimental findings and inadequate reporting obscures errors. Clinician-scientists evaluating preclinical work for translational promise should be mindful of commonplace errors. Interventions are needed to improve statistical decision-making in preclinical behavioral neurosciences research.
Effects of integrin-linked kinase on protein kinase b, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and β-catenin molecules in ovarian cancer cells

Objective(s): This study examines the impact of integrin-linked kinase (ILK), protein kinase B (AKT), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and β-catenin signal molecules in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells adhered to fibronectin. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of α4, αv, β1, and β6 integrin subunits known as the fibronectin ligand were investigated with the flow cytometry technique. The effects of ILK, AKT, GSK-3β, and β-catenin on the binding of SKOV-3 cells to fibronectin were examined by using the Real-Time Cellular Analysis (RTCA) method. Additionally, the interaction of these proteins was investigated by using Western blot analysis. Results: The results show that the expression levels of integrin subunits were ranked as αv (67.8%), followed by α4 (48.55%), β6 (32.05%), and β1 (31%) on SKOV-3 cells. RTCA results showed that ILK (10 µM Cpd22), GSK-3β (50 μM GSK-3β inhibitor-XI), AKT (35 µM FPA 124), and β-catenin (50 μM cardamonin) inhibitors decreased significantly (P<0.01) binding to fibronectin at 24 hr. Western studies in SKOV-3 cells adhered to fibronectin have shown that in inhibition of ILK, AKT expression was strongly inhibited, whereas, in the inhibition of AKT, ILK expression was strongly inhibited. Furthermore, the expression of β-catenin is partially reduced in inhibition of these two molecules. In β-catenin inhibition, AKT and ILK expressions are also strongly inhibited. Conclusion: ILK, AKT, GSK-3β, and β-catenin were found to be fundamental molecules in binding of SKOV-3 cells to fibronectin. ILK and AKT affect strongly the level of expression of each other, and both also affect the signal path of β-catenin.
Effects of horizontal displacement and inter-character spacing on transposed-character effects in same-different matching

In two same-different matching experiments we investigated whether transposed-character effects can be modulated by the horizontal displacement or inter-character spacing of target stimuli (strings of 6 consonants, digits, or symbols). Reference and target stimuli could be identical or differed either by transposing or substituting two characters. Transposition costs (greater difficulty in detecting a difference with transpositions compared with substitutions) were greater for letter stimuli compared to both digit and symbol stimuli in both experiments. In Experiment 1, half of the targets were displayed at the center of the screen and the other half were shifted by two character-positions to the left or to the right, whereas the reference was always presented at the center of the screen. Target displacement made the task harder and caused an increase in transposition costs whatever the type of stimulus. In Experiment 2, all stimuli were presented at the center of the screen and the inter-character spacing of target stimuli was increased by one character space on half of the trials. Increased spacing made the task harder and paradoxically caused an increase in transposition costs, but only significantly so for letter stimuli, and only in the discriminability (d’) measure. These results suggest that target location and inter-character spacing manipulations caused an increase in positional uncertainty during the processing of location-specific complex features prior to activation of a location-invariant representation of character-in-string order. The hypothesized existence of a letter-specific order encoding mechanism accounts for the greater transposition costs seen with letter stimuli, as well as the greater modulation of these effects by an increase in inter-character spacing seen in discriminability (d’).
Prosthetic and surgical management of a sizeable epulis fissuratum: a case report

This case report describes the management of a large-sized Epulis Fissuratum (EF) in a 70-year-old female patient using an original prosthetic technique. It consists of a combination of a tissue conditioning and a resection surgery. The patient´s main concern was a mucogingival tissue growth located on the left mandibular area. The interesting clinical findings deriving from this technique are: tissue conditioning is an important phase prior to the surgical resection of a large EF and occlusal functions can be maintained during the procedures with patient´s corrected dentures. After clinical, radiological and pathological examinations, the diagnosis was of an EF induced by an ill fitted mandibular denture. The intervention carried out was a combination of a 2 weeks tissue conditioning period followed by a cold blade surgical resection. After a 3 months follow-up period, a completely healed vestibular sulcus was observed with no scar tissue. The present technique facilitates the resection surgery by removing the inflammatory component of the EF. It also guides the post-surgical tissue healing, allowing the obtention of a deep vestibular sulcus, thus creating a better bearing surface for subsequent renewed dentures. Not depriving the patient of her dentures during the healing process helped to improve her quality of life and her cooperation.
Climate solution or corporate co-optation? US and Canadian publics’ views on agricultural gene editing

The dexterity and affordability of gene-editing technologies promise wide-ranging applications in agriculture. Aiming to take advantage of this, proponents emphasize benefits such as the climate-mitigating promises of gene editing. Critics, on the other hand, argue that gene editing will perpetuate industrialized forms of agriculture and its concomitant environmental and social problems. Across a representative sample of US and Canadian residents (n = 1478), we investigate public views and perceptions of agricultural gene editing. We advance existing survey-based studies, which tend to focus on whether knowledge, familiarity, trust, or perceptions of naturalness predict views on gene editing. Instead, we examine whether broader societal concerns about industrialized food systems—a key claim about genetic engineering launched by critics—predicts comfort with gene editing. We also explore the predictive power of views of climate change as an urgent problem, following proponent arguments. Survey results explore gene editing views in reference to specific cases (e.g., drought-tolerant wheat) and specific alternatives (e.g., versus pesticide use). We find that people critical of industrialized food systems were most likely to express overall absolute opposition to the technology, whereas those concerned with the imminence of climate change were more likely to support climate-relevant gene editing. Our findings suggest the need for further research into the conditions upon which public groups find gene editing compelling or not—namely, if applications enhance or counter industrial food systems, or offer particular climate adaptive benefits. Furthermore, we argue that attention to broader societal priorities in surveys of perceptions may help address calls for responsible research and innovation as concerns gene editing.
Measurement properties of outcome measures used in neurological telerehabilitation: A systematic review protocol

Several measurement tools commonly used in face-to-face neurological rehabilitation have been used in telerehabilitation. However, it is not known whether these tools have adequate measurement properties and clinical utility. This systematic review aims to investigate the measurement properties and the clinical utility of measurement tools used in telerehabilitation in individuals with neurological diseases. A systematic review to investigate the measurement properties and clinical utility of measurement tools used in telerehabilitation in individuals with neurological conditions will be conducted. This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. this systematic review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 28 May 2021 (registration number: CRD42021257662). Electronic searches will be performed in following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE Ovid), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase Classic + Embase Ovid), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), and Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS). Two trained independent reviewers will select the studies according to the inclusion criteria, and will also extract the data, evaluate the clinical utility and methodological quality. The relevant data such as design, participants, settings, and mode of administration, measurement properties, and clinical utility will be summarized. Disagreements between reviewers will be resolved by consensus or by the decision of a third independent reviewer. Hand searches of other relevant studies will be employed. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist and the clinical utility scale will be used to assess the methodological quality and clinical utility of these tools, respectively. This systematic review will provide information regarding the measurement properties and the clinical utility of the measurement tools used in neurological telerehabilitation. This information will be useful to assist health professionals in choosing adequate measurement tools and planning new research studies.
Monitoring respiratory mechanics by oscillometry in COVID-19 patients receiving non-invasive respiratory support

Background Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been increasingly used in COVID-19 patients. The limited physiological monitoring and the unavailability of respiratory mechanic measures, usually obtainable during invasive ventilation, is a limitation of NIV for ARDS and COVID-19 patients management. Objectives This pilot study was aimed to evaluate the feasibility of non-invasively monitoring respiratory mechanics by oscillometry in COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) receiving NIV. Method 15 COVID-19 patients affected by moderate-severe ARDS at the RICU (Respiratory Intensive Care Unit) of the University hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy were recruited. Patients underwent oscillometry tests during short periods of spontaneous breathing between NIV sessions. Results Oscillometry proved to be feasible, reproducible and well-tolerated by patients. At admission, 8 of the 15 patients showed oscillometry parameters within the normal range which further slightly improved before discharge. At discharge, four patients had still abnormal respiratory mechanics, not exclusively linked to pre-existing respiratory comorbidities. Lung mechanics parameters were not correlated with oxygenation. Conclusions Our results suggest that lung mechanics provide complementary information for improving patients phenotyping and personalisation of treatments during NIV in COVID 19 patients, especially in the presence of respiratory comorbidities where deterioration of lung mechanics may be less coupled with changes in oxygenation and more difficult to identify. Oscillometry may provide a valuable tool for monitoring lung mechanics in COVID 19 patients receiving NIV.
Identification of a coproporphyrinogen-III oxidase gene and its correlation with nacre color in Hyriopsis cumingii

Pearl color is an important factor influencing pearl value, and is affected by the nacre color of the shell in Hyriopsis cumingii. Coproporphyrinogen-III oxidase (CPOX) is a key enzyme in porphyrin synthesis, and porphyrins are involved in color formation in different organisms, including in the nacre color of mussels. In this study, a CPOX gene (HcCPOX) was identified from H. cumingii, and its amino acid sequence was found to contain a coprogen-oxidase domain. HcCPOX mRNA was expressed widely in the tissues of white and purple mussels, and the highest expression was found in the gill, followed by the fringe mantle. The expression of HcCPOX in all tissues of purple mussels (except in the middle mantle) was higher than that of white mussels. Strong hybridization signals for HcCPOX were observed in the dorsal epithelial cells of the outer fold of the mantle. The activity of CPOX in the gill, fringe mantle, and foot of purple mussels was significantly higher than that in white mussels. Moreover, the expression of HcCPOX and CPOX activity were decreased in RNA interference experiments. The findings indicate that HcCPOX might contributes to nacre color formation in H. cumingii by being involved in porphyrin synthesis.