Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term Treatment Outcomes of Facial Rejuvenation Using the Mint Lift Fine

Background: Threadlifts are classified as absorbable or nonabsorbable, natural or synthetic, and multifilament or monofilament ones, each of which has its own merits and demerits. We placed a novel absorbable polydioxanone monofilament threadlift (Mint Lift Fine; HansBiomed Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) in the subcutaneous fat compartment for facial rejuvenation in patients with nasolabial folds, nasojugal groove, marionette lines, or sagging jowl. Here, we describe its short-term treatment outcomes in a retrospective consecutive series of 21 patients. Methods: A total of 21 patients (n = 21) were evaluated; their treatment outcomes were described based on a comparison between preoperative and postoperative findings and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) scores were assessed at 6 months. This is accompanied by analysis of the incidence of postoperative complications. Results: The patients had a mean GAIS score of 3.62 ± 0.84 points, which corresponds to “Much improved” or “Very much improved. ” Moreover, there were no significant differences in the GAIS scores between the target sites (midface and lower face: 3.78 ± 1.13; lower face: 3.43 ± 0.50; and midface: 3.60 ± 0.49; P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were a total of 4 cases (19.0%) of postoperative complications, all of which were spontaneously resolved within a maximum period of 4 months. Conclusions: We describe short-term treatment outcomes of facial rejuvenation using the Mint Lift Fine in patients with nasolabial folds, nasojugal groove, marionette lines, or sagging jowl. But further large-scale, prospective, multicenter studies with long periods of follow-up are, therefore, warranted to establish our results.
Evaluation and Comparison of Caries Excavation Efficacy of Three Different Burs: A Micro-computed Tomographic-assisted Study

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three different caries excavation methods using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods: Fifteen freshly extracted human molar teeth with occlusal dentinal caries were selected. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally into two halves and were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the caries removal technique: Group 1: tungsten carbide (TC) bur, Group 2: cerabur (CB), and Group 3: Excavus (EX) tipEX). A preoperative micro-CT scan of all the samples was taken. The caries excavation procedures were carried out followed by postoperative micro-CT scan. The preoperative and postoperative scans of each tooth were analyzed for caries removal effectiveness (CRE), mineral density (MD), and minimal invasiveness potential (MIP) using Avizo 9.4 software (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Germany). Statistical analysis was conducted by applying three-way analysis of variance and independent sample t-test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 20.0 (IBM Corporation, USA). Results: Among the three groups, the TC group had the smallest RC/IC (residual caries/initial caries) ratio, highest mean MD at the cavity floor, and highest MIP. The EX group significantly had the highest RC/IC, lowest mean MD, and lowest MIP. Both the CRE and MIP parameters of CB group were acceptable (RC/IC = 0.08, mean MD = 1.09g/cm3, and MIP = 1.09). Conclusion: As compared with the three excavation methods, CBs can be considered as an alternative to TC burs because of its MIP and complete removal of infected carious dentin.
A Comparison of Surgical Outcomes between Single-Site Robotic, Multiport Robotic and Conventional Laparoscopic Techniques in Performing Hysterectomy for Benign Indications

Objectives: Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) is the standard of care in performing hysterectomy for benign conditions. However, the choice of laparoscopic modality is largely dependent on surgeon's discretion, experience, and equipment availability. The objective of this study is: To compare outcomes between different minimally invasive approaches available for benign hysterectomies and to evaluate patient factors that influence the use of one approach over another. With this study, we sought to provide some objective criteria while deciding the appropriate MIGS technique. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study comparing perioperative outcomes between three techniques of minimally invasive hysterectomy: laparoscopy (LSC), multiport daVinci (MP-Rob) and single-site daVinci (SS-Rob). Patients undergoing benign hysterectomy (daVinci or conventional LSC) from January 2015 to July 2016 were included. 129 patients were identified and divided into: LSC (n = 44), MP-Rob (n = 36) and SS-Rob (n = 49). Results: There were statistically significant differences in age (MP-Rob46 ≠ LSC39), body mass index (BMI) (MP-Rob33 ≠ LSC27 or SS-Rob26.8), uterus weight (MP-Rob144 ≠ LSC102 or SS-Rob105) and operative time (LSC192 ≠ SS-Rob162.3 or MP-Rob163). Chi-square analyses revealed history of endometriosis and clinical endometriosis was statistically less common while leiomyomas were more common indications of MP-Rob. There was no statistically significant difference noted between length of stay, estimated blood loss, intraoperative, and post-operative complications between different surgical types. Conclusion: Patients with higher age, BMI, uterus weight and abnormal uterine bleeding were noted to undergo MP-Rob surgery. Patients with history of endometriosis were more likely to undergo LSC or SS-Rob surgery. Operative time was significantly less for daVinci hysterectomies (SS-Rob and MP-Rob) as compared to conventional LSC.
The Feasibility of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery in Gynecology Practice: Single-Surgeon Experience

Objectives: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been performed in gynecology practice for the surgical treatment of ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancies, adnexal masses, and pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of this study is to evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent NOTES for gynecological diseases. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective clinical study. The data of 50 patients who had been treated via NOTES procedure for benign gynecological indications such as ectopic pregnancy, adnexal mass, uterine fibroid, and treatment-resistant heavy menstrual bleeding during the time period between January 2016 and 2019 were included. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon (C.K.) using a self-constructed glove port, and a sealing device in addition to conventional laparoscopic (CL) equipment. Descriptive analysis of the patients' data was performed. Results: The initial two of the adnexectomy procedures were performed via hybrid NOTES technic and four of them were performed via total vaginal NOTES technic. The remaining procedures, namely hysterectomies, adnexectomies, salpingectomies, and myomectomy were performed via vaginally assisted NOTES (VaNOTES) technic. The mean operation time for the hysterectomy ± bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) and salpingo-oophorectomy patients was 85.25 min and 53.15 min, respectively. For those patients who underwent VaNOTES procedure, the median postoperative visual analog scale pain score at the 6th h was six and at the 24th h was two. The mean length of the hospital stay was 2.07 days in the hysterectomy ± BSO patients and 1.63 days in the salpingo-oophorectomy patients. Conclusion: The NOTES procedure is a feasible technic in regards to the duration of surgery, postoperative pain scores, and cosmetic outcomes.
Investigation on the Possibility of Designing an Educational Dynamic Light Scattering Device for Sizing Particles Suspended in Air

Abstract If a light beam meets a fluid that contains scattering centers randomly distributed in suspension, light is scattered by each of them. If the light source is coherent, the scattered waves will be also coherent, therefore they will interfere. The fluctuations of the far-field interference signal, once recorded and digitized, become a time series that can be later on analyzed to produce the average size of the suspended particles or the size distribution. The technique wears the name of Dynamic Light Scattering. We present the results of our investigation on the possibility of using an educational model, made of low-cost, conventional electronics, for recording the time signal of light scattered by particles suspended in the air as the carrier fluid. The device can be used in measuring the particle size in exhaust gases of conventional power plants or automobile engines.
Classification of poplar trees with object-based ensemble learning algorithms using Sentinel-2A imagery

Abstract The poplar species in the forest ecosystems are one of the most valuable and beneficial species for the society and environment. Conventional methods require high cost, time and labor need, and the results obtained vary and are insu˚cient in terms of achieved accuracy level. Determination of poplar cultivated fields and mapping of their spatial sites play a vital role for decision-makers and planners to enhance the economic and ecological value of poplar trees. The study aims to map Poplar (P. deltoides) cultivated areas in Akyazi district of Sakarya, Turkey province using various combinations of the Sentinel-2A image bands. For this purpose, object-based classification based on multi-resolution segmentation algorithm was utilized to produce image objects and ensemble learning algorithms, namely, Adaboost (AdaB), Random Forest (RF), Rotation Forest (RotFor) and Canonical correlation forest (CCF) were applied to produce thematic maps. In order to analyze the effects of the spectral bands of the Sentinel-2A image on the object-based classification performance, three datasets consisting of different spectral band combinations (i.e. four 10 m bands, six 20 m bands and ten 10m pan-sharpened bands) were used. The results showed that the RotFor and CCF classifiers produced superior classification performances compared to the AdaB and RF classifiers for the band combinations regarded in this study. Moreover, it was found that determination of poplar tree class level accuracy reached to ~94% in terms of F-score. It was also observed that the inclusion of the six spectral bands at 20 m resolution resulted in a noteworthy increase in classification accuracy (up to 6%) compared to single 10m band combination.
Neural Networks in the Educational Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract Given their increasing diffusion, deep learning networks have long been considered an important subject on which teaching efforts should be concentrated, to support a fast and effective training. In addition to that role, the availability of rich data coming from several sources underlines the potential of neural networks used as an analysis tool to identify critical aspects, plan upgrades and adjustments, and ultimately improve learning experience. Analysis and forecasting methods have been widely used in this context, allowing policy makers, managers and educators to make informed decisions. The capabilities of recurring neural networks—in particular Long Short-Term Memory networks—in the analysis of natural language have led to their use in measuring the similarity of educational materials. Massive Online Open Courses provide a rich variety of data about the learning behaviors of online learners. The analysis of learning paths provides insights related to the optimization of learning processes, as well as the prediction of outcomes and performance. Another active area of research concerns the recommendation of suitable personalized, adaptive, learning paths, based on varying sources, including even the tracing of eye-path movements. In this way, the transition from passive learning to active learning can be achieved. Challenges and opportunities in the application of neural networks in the educational sector are presented.
Expression and stability of a Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii Sym plasmid in R. meliloti and Agrobacterium tumefaciens and its effect on clover‐bacterium symbiosis

The Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii Sym plasmid pRtr5a was transferred by conjugation to R. meliloti strains deleted or mutated in the nod and fix genes, and also to a plasmid‐less strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The plasmid transfer led to the elimination of the resident cryptic plasmid of the R. meliloti recipients. The Sym plasmid of the recipients was only eliminated in the case of a deletion. In some cases the transferred plasmid was instable. The nod and nif/fix genes of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii were expressed in R. meliloti and somewhat delayed in A. tumefaciens. A high level of nitrogen fixation on clover was only found in R. meliloti containing pRtr5a. However, this occurred only if the nif/fix genes of the recipient had been deleted before. Inoculation of clover with this R. meliloti strain resulted in a higher dry matter production in comparison to clover inoculated with the donor strain.
Feeding Ecology of a Temperate Insectivorous Bat (Myotis Velifer)

The feeding behavior and ecology of the cave bat, Myotis velifer, in south- central Kansas are investigated. Emergence behavior and foraging patterns varied according to sex, age, reproductive condition, season, and colony size. Females had one synchronous period of departure in late stages of pregnancy. Two feeding periods usually were evident in summer with a major period of activity soon after sunset and a reduced secondary period before sunrise. Pregnant females emerged sooner than lactating females and adults departed before juveniles when the latter first began to fly. Adult-like emergence and foraging behavior developed in juveniles within 2 wk after flight was initiated. Adult females consumed greater quantities of food than adult males, and juveniles were less efficient at insect capture than adults. Nearly 80% of daily food consumption can be accounted for in the first 2 hr following emergence. Seasonal changes in consumption cor- responded to changing energy demands imposed by pregnancy, lactation, molt, and the avail- ability of food resources. Levels of food consumption in both sexes were lowest in spring and autumn when insect densities were low. Adult females increased their daily levels of consumption throughout most of gestation, although in the terminal days of pregnancy daily food consumption was reduced. Maximum daily levels of food consumption in adult females (approximately 25-30% of body weight) was reached near the time that young were weaned in late July and early August. Adult males achieved maximum levels of consumption (20-25% of body weight) in June, at the time molt and spermatogenesis were initiated. Young bats began foraging for insects at the age of 4 wk although their meager diet of insects was supplemented with milk for 2 wk after foraging was initiated. By the age of 6 to 0 wk their daily level of consumption increased to adult proportions. Food habits based on stomach content analysis revealed that in volume and in actual numbers, beetles (Coleoptera) and moths (Lepidoptera) comprised the major prey items in the diet. Colony size and dispersal distances may be adjusted to reduce intraspecific competition, with most individuals from large colonies dispersing nightly to greater distances than individuals from smaller colonies. Emigration of males from nursery colonies in late spring and early summer and emigration of adult females soon after young were weaned may provide a mechanism to reduce competition for available food. Small and widely-scattered transient colonies in early spring and late autumn may be important in reducing competition for food at a time when food resources are scarce.
Immigrants and Asylum Seekers’ Digital Entrepreneurship Competence: Evaluation of the Theoretical Framework

Abstract The article reveals the concept of digital entrepreneurship and its framework for education of immigrants and asylum seekers in Baltic Sea countries. The research has been carried out in the boundaries of the Nordplus Adult project with participation of partner organisations from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden. As stated in the article, digital entrepreneurship is supposed to be one of the opportunities in promoting successful integration of immigrants and asylum seekers into labour market. Therefore, by supporting the development of entrepreneurship as an integral part of adult education, and modelling new methods of combining new digital technologies and entrepreneurship education it is intended to help both immigrants and asylum seekers to acquire relevant competence for successful integration into labour markets. The article’s purpose is to disclose the relevance of digital entrepreneurship as a new competence of immigrants and asylum seekers with respect to their needs for successful integration into the socio-economic situation of a host country. The method of data collection was interview with experts. The experts found the efficiency of the framework important to some degree. In the experts’ opinion, educational goals based on the framework are achievable. However, diversity of the target group could be a risky factor.
Genome-Wide Association Study Using Fix-Length Haplotypes and Network Analysis Revealed New Candidate Genes for Nematode Resistance and Body Weight in Blackface Lambs

Abstract The objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions by Bayesian methods (BayesA, BayesB, or BayesN) that fit fixed-length haplotypes or SNPs using GenSel. Covariates for haplo-type alleles of five lengths (125, 250, 500 kb, 1 or 2 Mb) were generated, and rare haplotypes were removed at three thresholds (1, 5, or 10%). Subsequently, we performed gene network analyses to investigate the biological processes shared by genes that were identified for the same across traits. Genotypes at 41,034 SNPs that were common on OvineSNP50 panel were phased for 751 Scottish Blackface (SBF) lambs. This is the first study to quantify the proportion of genetic variance using haplotypes across the whole genome in an SBF population. The genetic variance explained of haplotype-based GWAS was higher than that of SNP-based GWAS in across traits studied. In this population, fitting 500kb haplotypes with a 1% frequency threshold resulted in the highest proportion of genetic variance explained for nematode resistance and fitting 2Mb haplotypes with a 10% frequency threshold improved genetic variance explained for body weight comparable to fitting SNPs by BayesB. Candidate genes, including CXCR4, STAT4, CCL1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL8, CCL16, CCL18, CARMIL2, and HSPA14 were identified for nematode resistance and ADH5, PPP3CA, and FABP4 for body weight traits. Network analysis provided annotation results linking to all identified candidate genes. This study supported previous results from GWAS of nematode resistance and body weight and revealed additional regions in the ovine genome associated with these economically important traits. These results suggest that network analysis can provide new information regarding biological mechanisms and genes leading to complex phenotypes, like nematode resistance and body weight of lamb.
Serotonergic modulation of visual neurons in Drosophila melanogaster

Sensory systems rely on neuromodulators, such as serotonin, to provide flexibility for information processing in the face of a highly variable stimulus space. Serotonergic neurons broadly innervate the optic ganglia of Drosophila melanogaster, a widely used model for studying vision. The role for serotonergic signaling in the Drosophila optic lobe and the mechanisms by which serotonin regulates visual neurons remain unclear. Here we map the expression patterns of serotonin receptors in the visual system, focusing on a subset of cells with processes in the first optic ganglion, the lamina, and show that serotonin can modulate visual responses. Serotonin receptors are expressed in several types of columnar cells in the lamina including 5-HT2B in lamina monopolar cell L2, required for the initial steps of visual processing, and both 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B in T1 cells, whose function is unknown. Subcellular mapping with GFP-tagged 5-HT2B and 5-HT1A constructs indicates that these receptors localize to layer M2 of the medulla, proximal to serotonergic boutons, suggesting that the medulla is the primary site of serotonergic regulation for these neurons. Serotonin increases intracellular calcium in L2 terminals in layer M2 and alters the kinetics of visually induced calcium transients in L2 neurons following dark flashes. These effects were not observed in flies without a functional 5-HT2B, which displayed severe differences in the amplitude and kinetics of their calcium response to both dark and light flashes. While we did not detect serotonin receptor expression in L1 neurons, they also undergo serotonin-induced calcium changes, presumably via cell non-autonomous signaling pathways. We provide the first functional data showing a role for serotonergic neuromodulation of neurons required for initiating visual processing in Drosophila and establish a new platform for investigating the serotonergic neuromodulation of sensory networks. Author Summary Serotonergic neurons innervate the Drosophila melanogaster eye, but the function of serotonergic signaling is not known. We found that serotonin receptors are expressed in all neuropils of the optic lobe and identify specific neurons involved in visual information processing that express serotonin receptors. We then demonstrate that activation of these receptors can alter how visual information is processed. These are the first data suggesting a functional role for serotonergic signaling in Drosophila vision. This study contributes to the understanding of serotonin biology and modulation of sensory circuits.
Arctic and boreal paleofire records reveal drivers of fire activity and departures from Holocene variability.

Boreal forest and tundra biomes are key components of the Earth system because the mobilization of large carbon stocks and changes in energy balance could act as positive feedbacks to ongoing climate change. In Alaska, wildfire is a primary driver of ecosystem structure and function, and a key mechanism coupling high-latitude ecosystems to global climate. Paleoecological records reveal sensitivity of fire regimes to climatic and vegetation change over centennial-millennial time scales, highlighting increased burning concurrent with warming or elevated landscape flammability. To quantify spatiotemporal patterns in fire-regime variability, we synthesized 27 published sediment-charcoal records from four Alaskan ecoregions, and compared patterns to paleoclimate and paleovegetation records. Biomass burning and fire frequency increased significantly in boreal forest ecoregions with the expansion of black spruce, ca. 6-4 thousand years before present (yr BP). Biomass burning also increased during warm periods, particularly in the Yukon Flats ecoregion from ca. 1000-500 yr BP. Increases in biomass burning concurrent with constant fire return intervals suggest increases in average fire severity (i.e., more biomass burning per fire) during warm periods. Results also indicate increases in biomass burning over the last century across much of Alaska that exceed Holocene maxima, providing important context for ongoing change. Our analysis documents the sensitivity of fire activity to broad-scale environmental change, including climate warming and biome-scale shifts in vegetation. The lack of widespread, prolonged fire synchrony suggests regional heterogeneity limited simultaneous fire-regime change across our study areas during the Holocene. This finding implies broad-scale resilience of the boreal forest to extensive fire activity, but does not preclude novel responses to 21-century changes. If projected increases in fire activity over the 21st century are realized, they would be unprecedented in the context of the last 8,000 years or more.