Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stochastic orebody modelling and stochastic long-term production scheduling at the KéMag iron ore deposit, Quebec, Canada

Abstract Stochastic optimisation provides a framework that is capable of generating a strategic life-of-mine production schedule that increases net present value while simultaneously reducing the risk associated with geological uncertainty. This paper focuses on the application of the stochastic strategic mine planning for technical risk management in the KéMag iron ore deposit in Quebec, Canada, demonstrating the key steps of the framework. The approach first quantifies both the volumetric and multi-element grade uncertainty of the deposit by generating a set of equally probable scenarios of the orebody. In this case study, the boundaries of the lithologies (volumetric uncertainty) defining the KéMag iron ore deposit are generated using a pattern-based wavelet simulation algorithm. The pertinent grade properties, namely, head iron, Davis Tube weight recovery, Davis Tube concentrate iron and silica content (multi-element grade uncertainty) are jointly simulated using the direct block minimum/maximum autocorrelation factors algorithm. Subsequently, the simulated scenarios of the iron deposit serve as an input to a life-of-mine stochastic integer programming production-scheduling model. The latter stochastic optimisation model is employed to manage and minimize the risk associated with the geological uncertainty of the deposit in terms of meeting production targets while generating a mining sequence of extraction maximising the net present value. The results of the case study quantify the risk associated with the product’s silica content, total iron production and expected discounted annual cash flows.
ACADEMIC BUOYANCY AND FEAR APPEALS

Prior to hHigh stakes examinations, are a common feature of education systems worldwide. Prior to such exams, teachers may engage in instructional practices to encourage their students to prepare well for themtheir exams, including the . One such practice is the use of ‘fear appeals’. : messages that convey the consequences of failure. The current study examined whether academic buoyancy , the capacity to respond positively to academic setbacks and withstand the pressures of testing, played a role in the student appraisals of fear appeals as threatening or challenging. 770 high school students preparing for high- stakes mathematics exams in England completed self-report measures of the frequency with which their teacher used fear appeals, how they appraised those fear appeals, and their academic buoyancy. In line with prediction, students appraised fear appeals as more threatening and challenging as the frequency of fear appeal use increasedboth threat and challenge appraisals increased with frequency of use. When fear appeals were used more frequently, a challenge appraisal was more likely when academic buoyancy was higher. Although a threat appraisal was less likely when academic buoyancy was higher, the protective influence diminished when fear appeals were used more frequently. Academic resilience, rather than academic buoyancy, may be necessary to reduce the risk of threat appraisals when frequency of fear appeals is high. Educational implications are discussed.
Direction of arrival estimation using local series expansion evaluated on acoustic data

Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using a local series expansion of the signal is evaluated on acoustic data. It was recently proposed that DOA estimation using a sensor array could be performed using a local temporal/spatial series expansion. That is, to use the local phase of the signal rather than its estimated second order moments or correlation as in classical methods. The approach should provide easier handling of general sensor configurations, ability to deal with very low sampling rates and few samples, and benefits from miniature sensor configurations. Additionally, the signal is not required to be narrow-banded, as sufficient smoothness is enough. Here, the local series expansion method is benchmarked to a standard beam-forming method using experimental data, recorded in an anechoic chamber at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The dataset was recorded using 52 high quality microphones distributed on a sphere with radius 50 mm, and contains several recordings from one or two well def.
Simulation for ultrasound‐guided renal biopsy using boiled egg

Real‐time ultrasound‐guided renal biopsy is generally applied to diagnose multiple kidney diseases. A practical simulation model is desired since it is an invasive technique with higher risks of complications such as bleeding. We developed a simple simulation tool for ultrasound‐guided renal biopsy using boiled eggs. Boiled chicken eggs were embedded in the agar, and a biopsy simulation was performed using a real‐time ultrasound‐guided technique as the renal biopsy simulator by trainees and biopsy‐proficient nephrologists, and the feedback from the participants was obtained. The ultrasonographic evaluation revealed a clear contrast between egg yolk and white, which clearly mimicked the kidney cortex and medulla region. In addition, we observed the needle entering the egg white under needle penetration, and we obtained the biopsy core consisting of egg white. As for the simulations, all the participants succeeded in obtaining the appropriate samples. A total of 92% of the trainees agreed that the simulation could reduce their fears of performing renal biopsies in patients. In addition, all the trainees and biopsy‐proficient nephrologists recommend using the simulator for trainees before conducting renal biopsies on patients. The total cost of the simulator was low (
Genistein lowers fertility with pronounced effect in males: Meta‐analyses on pre‐clinical studies

Genistein, an isoflavonoid, is found in a plethora of plant‐based foods, and has been approved for use in various therapies. A couple of studies in adult men observed a negative correlation between genistein exposure and reproductive parameters. To assess the effects of genistein exposure on reproduction and fertility in males and females, we performed quantitative meta‐analyses by pooling data from published studies on animals that assessed various reproductive parameters. Pooled analysis showed significant decreases in sperm count in males exposed to genistein during adulthood (Hedges's g = −2.51, p = 0.013) and in utero (Hedges's g = −0.861, p = 0.016) compared with controls. In males exposed to genistein in utero, serum testosterone levels decreased (Hedges's g = −6.301, p = 0.000) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (Hedges's g = 7.127, p = 0.000) and FSH (Hedges's g = 6.19, p = 0.000) levels increased in comparison with controls. In females, the number of corpora lutea (Hedges's g = −2.103, p = 0.019) and the litter size (Hedges's g = −1.773, p‐value = 0.000) decreased; however, female reproductive hormones remained unaffected. These meta‐analyses show that genistein has detrimental effects on male reproductive system and on the progression and sustenance of pregnancy, with more pronounced adverse impact in males, particularly when exposed in utero.
Central and cardiac stress resilience consistently linked to integrated immuno‐neuroendocrine responses across stress models in male mice

Stress resilience, and behavioural and cardiovascular impacts of chronic stress, are theorised to involve integrated neuro‐endocrine/inflammatory/transmitter/trophin signalling. We tested for this integration, and whether behaviour/emotionality, together with myocardial ischaemic tolerance, are consistently linked to these pathways across diverse conditions in male C57Bl/6 mice. This included Restraint Stress (RS), 1 h restraint/day for 14 days; Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS), seven stressors randomised over 21 days; Social Stress (SS), 35 days social isolation with brief social encounters in final 13 days; and Control conditions (CTRL; un‐stressed mice). Behaviour was assessed via open field (OFT) and sucrose preference (SPT) tests, and neurobiology from frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampal transcripts. Endocrine factors, and function and ischaemic tolerance in isolated hearts, were also measured. Model characteristics ranged from no behavioural or myocardial changes with homotypic RS, to increased emotionality and cardiac ischaemic injury (with apparently distinct endocrine/neurobiological profiles) in CUMS and SS models. Highly integrated expression of HPA axis, neuro‐inflammatory, BDNF, monoamine, GABA, cannabinoid and opioid signalling genes was confirmed across conditions, and consistent/potentially causal correlations identified for (i) locomotor activity (noradrenaline, ghrelin; FC Crhr1, Tnfrsf1b, Il33, Nfkb1, Maoa, Gabra1; hippocampal Il33); (ii) thigmotaxis (adrenaline, leptin); (iii) anxiety‐like behaviour (adrenaline, leptin; FC Tnfrsf1a; hippocampal Il33); (iv) depressive‐like behaviour (ghrelin; FC/hippocampal s100a8); and (v) cardiac stress‐resistance (noradrenaline, leptin; FC Il33, Tnfrsf1b, Htr1a, Gabra1, Gabrg2; hippocampal Il33, Tnfrsf1a, Maoa, Drd2). Data support highly integrated pathway responses to stress, and consistent adipokine, sympatho‐adrenergic, inflammatory and monoamine involvement in mood and myocardial disturbances across diverse conditions.
Self-Emulsifying System Coloaded with Paclitaxel and Coix Seed Oil Deeply Penetrated to Enhance Efficacy of Cervical Cancer.

Background：Paclitaxel (PTX), voted as the promising natural medicine molecules, is widely used in the treatment of cancers. Nevertheless, its clinical application was strictly limited by its poor water solubility. Objective：CP-MEs (Paclitaxel-coix seed oil coloaded microemulsion), a small sized self-emulsifying nanoemulsion formed of combination of PTX and coix seed oil (CSO) was developed in order to improve the solubility of paclitaxel and enhance anti-cervical cancer efficacy in vitro. CSO was selected as the oil phase to replace conventional organic solvents and achieve synergistic anti-tumor effect with paclitaxel. METHODS Pseudoternary phase diagram was applied to the study of CP-MEs formulation. CP-MEs was prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency (EE and LE) was detected by HPLC. MTT was adopted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of CP-MEs against HeLa cells. The cellular uptake and apoptotic ratio of CP-MEs was evaluated by flow cytometry. Notably, HeLa 3D tumor spheroid was adopted to evaluate tumor permeability of different size microemulsion as the model. RESULTS The best self-emulsifying ability was exhibited by HS 15: PEG 400 combination. The appearance of CP-MEs was clear and transparent, which exhibited a small size (30.28 ± 0.36) and slight negative surface charge (-4.40 ± 1.13) mV. The EE and LE of CP-MEs were 98.80% and 0.978%, respectively. The cumulative release rate within 48 h of the CP-MEs was 80.21%. In cellular studies, the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled CP-MEs (FITC/C-MEs) was 17.86-fold higher than free FITC group，leading to significant synergistic anticancer activity in terms of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in vitro. The apoptotic rate of CP-MEs treated was 1.70-fold higher than PTX treated. Notably, the penetration of CP-MEs in HeLa 3D tumor sphere model was enhanced, which was related to deeply penetrated microemulsion of small size mediated at the tumor site. CONCLUSION With the advantage of small sized self- emulsifying system，CP-MEs holds great potential to become an efficient nano drug delivery system of cervical cancer treatment in clinic.
The explanatory role of sedentary screen time and obesity in the increase of chronic back pain amongst European adolescents: The HBSC study 2002–2014

Previous research has shown that chronic back pain amongst European adolescents is increasing. Determining the factors associated with this increasing trend is crucial for developing prevention strategies. In this study, we used data from the Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) survey to examine whether increases in screen time and/or obesity between 2002 and 2014 were associated with the increase in the prevalence of chronic back pain amongst European adolescents during the 12‐year period.
Temporal and interspecific dietary variation in wintering ducks in agricultural landscapes

Farmlands are becoming more important as waterfowl foraging habitats, while natural wetlands are being lost globally. However, it is unclear how waterfowl coexist in agricultural landscapes by resource partitioning. We evaluated the diets of seven sympatric dabbling ducks foraging in rice paddy and lotus fields around Lake Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan, during two wintering seasons (from November to February) by faecal DNA metabarcoding using chloroplast trnL and mitochondrial CO1 region sequences. We examined 420 faecal samples and found different patterns of dietary diversity and composition among the duck species. The pattern also differed between plant and invertebrate food. Dietary niche partitioning was clear in plant food. Large‐bodied ducks intensively use crop plants, and other ducks might mediate competition by using terrestrial and aquatic plants that are suitable for their foraging behaviours or microhabitats. Dietary segregation among species was the most apparent in February, when the abundance of foraging ducks was the largest. This study illustrated the complex pattern of dietary niche partitioning of dabbling ducks in agricultural landscapes, which might be difficult to evaluate by conventional approaches. The availability of crop plants, as well as other plant food resources in flooted areas and farmland dikes, may enable ducks to coexist by spatial or behavioural resource partitioning.
Persistent 129Xe MRI Pulmonary and CT Vascular Abnormalities in Symptomatic Individuals with Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Background In patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), abnormal gas-transfer and pulmonary vascular density have been reported, but such findings have not been related to each other or to symptoms and exercise limitation. The pathophysiologic drivers of PACS in patients previously infected with COVID-19 who were admitted to in-patient treatment in hospital (or ever-hospitalized patients) and never-hospitalized patients are not well understood. Purpose To determine the relationship of persistent symptoms and exercise limitation with xenon 129 (129Xe) MRI and CT pulmonary vascular measurements in individuals with PACS. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, patients with PACS aged 18–80 years with a positive polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 test were recruited from a quaternary-care COVID-19 clinic between April and October 2021. Participants with PACS underwent spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco), 129Xe MRI, and chest CT. Healthy controls had no prior history of COVID-19 and underwent spirometry, DLco, and 129Xe MRI. The 129Xe MRI red blood cell (RBC) to alveolar-barrier signal ratio, RBC area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), CT volume of pulmonary vessels with cross-sectional area 5 mm2 or smaller (BV5), and total blood volume were quantified. St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and modified Borg Dyspnea Scale measured quality of life, exercise limitation, and dyspnea. Differences between groups were compared with use of Welch t-tests or Welch analysis of variance. Relationships were evaluated with use of Pearson (r) and Spearman (ρ) correlations. Results Forty participants were evaluated, including six controls (mean age ± SD, 35 years ± 15, three women) and 34 participants with PACS (mean age, 53 years ± 13, 18 women), of whom 22 were never hospitalized. The 129Xe MRI RBC:barrier ratio was lower in ever-hospitalized participants (P = .04) compared to controls. BV5 correlated with RBC AUC (ρ = .44, P = .03). The 129Xe MRI RBC:barrier ratio was related to DLco (r = .57, P = .002) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (ρ = .35, P = .03); RBC AUC was related to dyspnea (ρ = −.35, P = .04) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire score (ρ = .45, P = .02). Conclusion Xenon 129 (129Xe) MRI measurements were lower in participants previously infected with COVID-19 who were admitted to in-patient treatment in hospital with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, 34 weeks ± 25 after infection compared to controls. The 129Xe MRI measures were associated with CT pulmonary vascular density, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, exercise capacity, and dyspnea. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT04584671 © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article See also the editorial by Wild and Collier in this issue.
Evaluation of Composite Wire Ropes Using Unsaturated Magnetic Excitation and Reconstruction Image with Super-Resolution

Estimating the exact residual lifetime of wire rope involves the security of industry manufacturing, mining, tourism, and so on. In this paper, a novel testing technology was developed based on unsaturated magnetic excitation, and a fabricating prototype overcame the shortcomings of traditional detection equipment in terms of volume, sensibility, reliability, and weight. Massive artificial discontinuities were applied to examine the effectiveness of this new technology with a giant magneto resistance(GMR) sensor array, which included types of small gaps, curling wires, wide fractures, and abrasion. A resolution enhancement method, which was adopted for multiframe images, was proposed for promoting magnetic flux leakage images of a few sensors. Characteristic vectors of statistics and geometry were extracted, then we applied a radial basis function neural network to achieve a quantitative recognition rate of 91.43% with one wire-limiting error. Experimental results showed that the new device can detect defects in various types of wire rope and prolong the service life with high lift-off distance and high reliability, and the system could provide useful options to evaluate the lifetime of wire rope.
Efferent Activity Controls Hair Cell Response to Mechanical Overstimulation

Abstract The efferent pathway strengthens the auditory system for optimal performance by fine-tuning the response and protecting the inner ear from noise-induced damage. Although it has been well documented that efference helps defend against hair cell and synaptic extinction, the mechanisms of its otoprotective role have still not been established. Specifically, the effect of efference on an individual hair cell’s recovery from mechanical overstimulation has not been demonstrated. In the current work, we explored the impact of efferent stimulation on this recovery using in vitro preparations of hair cells situated in the sacculi of American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). In the absence of efferent stimulus, exposure of a hair bundle to high-amplitude mechanical deflection detuned it from its oscillatory regime, with the extent of detuning dependent on the applied signal. Efferent actuation concomitant with the hair bundle’s relaxation from a high-amplitude deflection notably changed the recovery profile and often entirely eliminated the transition to quiescence. Our findings indicate that the efferent system acts as a control mechanism that determines the dynamic regime in which the hair cell is poised.
USE OF USLE/ GIS TECHNOLOGY FOR IDENTIFYING CRITERIA FOR MONITORING SOIL EROSION LOSSES IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS

The assessment of land use and occupation is essential for predicting soil loss due to water erosion. The objective of this study was to determine criteria for monitoring soil loss in agricultural areas using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Soil loss data were intersected with USLE factors and slope using geoprocessing techniques for the Samambaia River watershed, located in Cristalina, Goiás state, Brazil. A slope of 3% to 8% was found in approximately 50% of the study area. However, mean soil losses <10 t ha year were observed in slopes ≤ 3%, where the mean soil length (L) and slope steepness (S) were ≤2 and 0.2, respectively. The intersection of soil loss data with USLE factors was useful for identifying criteria for monitoring soil loss. The mean topographic factor (LS) in non-irrigated crops, pasture, and silviculture was 0.4 ± 0.4, 0.4 ± 0.7, and 2.2 ± 2.6, respectively. Therefore, LS values adequately indicated the type of land use and occupation considering that only silviculture could maintain soil losses below the tolerable limit of 10 t ha year for an LS mean of 2.2.
Automated classification of PET‐CT lesions in lung cancer: An independent validation study

Recently, a tool called the positron emission tomography (PET)‐assisted reporting system (PARS) was developed and presented to classify lesions in PET/computed tomography (CT) studies in patients with lung cancer or lymphoma. The aim of this study was to validate PARS with an independent group of lung‐cancer patients using manual lesion segmentations as a reference standard, as well as to evaluate the association between PARS‐based measurements and overall survival (OS).
Novel elemental grading system for radiographic lumbar spondylosis in a population based-cohort study of a Japanese mountain village

Purpose Lumbar radiography is a primary screening tool for lumbar spondylosis (LS). Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification is widely used to evaluate LS; however, it cannot individually evaluate each radiographic feature. The purpose of this study was to 1) evaluate radiographic LS using a novel elemental grading system and 2) investigate the relationship between the grades of radiographic LS and low back pain (LBP) in a population-based cohort study. Methods A total of 260 (75 men, 185 women; mean age, 71.5 ± 8.7 years) participants were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups according to the presence of LBP (LBP- and LBP+ groups). Radiographic features, including osteophyte (OP), disc height narrowing (DHN), vertebral sclerosis (VS), and spondylolisthesis (SL), were classified between grades of 0–2 grades according to the extent of radiographic changes. The sum of grades at each intervertebral level was designated as the intervertebral grade (IG). Results Intra- and inter-observer reliability (kappa coefficient) of OP, DHN, VS, and SL were 0.82–0.92. OP, DHN, VS, and IG grades were significantly higher in the LBP+ group than in the LBP- group. There were no significant differences in KL grades between the LBP- and LBP+ groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that VS grade was a significant independent factor associated with LBP. Conclusion The novel elemental grading system of LS would reflect LBP more accurately than the KL classification by individually evaluating each radiographic feature.