Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VisualAcuity Threshold for CataractsSurgeryat a Tertiary Eye Center in Iraq

Purpose: To find out threshold of visual acuity for cataract surgery at a tertiary eye center of Iraq. Study Design: Descriptive observational. Place & Duration of Study: Ibn Al-Haitham Teaching Eye Hospital during the year 2022. Methods: It was a retrospective descriptive study in which 6650 patients who complained of visual impairment due to cataract, 30 to 80 years of age and either gender were included.Any intraocular pathology that leads to visual impairment other than cataract and congenital cataract were excluded. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the state of the fellow eye was also determined. Visual impairment was defined as mild; 6/9 - 6/18, moderate; 6/24 - 6/36 and severe visual impairment; 6/60 or less. Results: Data collected from 6650 cases showed 2625 (39.5%) males and 4025 (60.5%) females. Mild visual impairment was found in 875 (13.15%) patients, moderate was found in 175(2.63%) patients, and severe visual impairment was the most common type in 5250 (78.95%) patients. Conclusion: Most of the patients with cataract present late with severe impairment of visual acuity which requires national screening program with extra focuson risk groups. Nonetheless, these results are of potential use to planners of cataract screening outreach programs. It could be regarded as a preliminary study for further larger study on a national level to establish a scheme for patients’ diagnosis and referral to cataract surgery to get early diagnosis and shorten the waiting lists.
Artificial Intelligence Networks Towards Learning Without Forgetting

The ability to remember previous tasks while concomitantly building upon prior knowledge to acquire new skills is a vital aspect of human learning. Artificial Intelligence algorithms, however, have traditionally struggled in this respect, mastering a specific task but being unable to transfer this knowledge to new tasks or forgetting previous skills when learning new ones. We examine ways in which the weights in neural networks can be constrained to ensure that the networks can acquire new skills and also remember previous tasks, allowing them to learn multiple tasks sequentially. We test our approach by building a network that learns how to play two different Atari 2600 games. Although some approaches lead to varying amounts of forgetting, others yield successful results that even beat human performance on some games.
Carbon Stock, Carbon Fraction and Nitrogen Fraction of Soil Under Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper Back.) and Non-Bamboo Vegetation

The type of vegetation and soil organic matter affect the carbon fraction, nitrogen fraction and soil carbon stocks that contribute to the global carbon cycle. Therefore, the calculation of the composition of the fractions in different land covers is very important as a potential indicator of the effect of land management practices on soil organic carbon dynamics and supports the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and soil carbon storage. This research aimed to determine the composition of the carbon fraction, nitrogen fraction and soil carbon stock in different land cover. There were six types of land cover with vegetations of 10-year-old bamboo, 30-year-old bamboo, 50-year-old bamboo, bulrush, a mixture of brushwood and bulrush, and a mixture of Albizia falcataria and brushwood, each of which was sampled three times. Soil samples were used to determine microbial biomass, particulate organic, humic acid, fulvic acid and soil carbon stock. The six land cover types showed significant differences in all fractions and soil carbon stocks. Fifty-year-old bamboo vegetation has the highest carbon storage of 0.029 g g-1 soil. The stable carbon fraction, in the form of humic acid and fulvic acid, in 50-year-old bamboo vegetation is more excellent than that in other vegetation. This study shows that 50-year-old bamboo vegetation has the potential to sequester carbon and store carbon in forms that decompose slowly, namely humic acid and fulvic acid, in the soil for a longer period.
Radar signals dismount tracking for urban operations

It is critical in urban environments to not only track cars and tanks; but also individuals. Tracking dismounts, whereby an individual exits a car, can be done using conventional Electro-Optical (full color) or Infrared (thermal) cameras. However, EO/IR systems are subject to weather and line-of-sight conditions (i.e. person blocked by cloud) as well are degraded for long ranges. In this study, we pursue the use of radar images for dismount tracking. Radar dismount tracking will not entail the same robust features for person identification as EO systems; however, by being able to maintain track in all-weather conditions would afford friendly forces a location of all moving individuals. We show, using a feature-based tracker, that dismount detection, tracking, and potential intent, is possible. Radio Frequency (RF) tracking of dismounts is a relatively new concept because the data has not been available. By forming a data set based on the POSERTM program, and post-processing the data, we are interested in exploring the possibility of RF dismount tracking. In this paper, we (1) explore the generation of RF dismount data, (2) apply feature-based tracking algorithm to locate the moving target, and (3) assess the performance.
Coordinated observation of the dayside magnetospheric entry and exit of the THEMIS satellites with ground-based auroral imaging in Antarctica

[1] Data from the five-satellite Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) constellation suitably located to study solar wind magnetospheric coupling during the austral winter of 2007 were compared to data from ground-based all-sky imagers (ASIs) at South Pole (74° magnetic latitude) and at AGO-1 (80° magnetic latitude). The THEMIS constellation entered and exited the magnetosphere near magnetic midday on 10 and 12 August 2007, respectively. On 12 August interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) (B z > 0) the dayside aurora was located more poleward between AGO-1 and South Pole. The THEMIS satellites traversing the magnetopause saw it move in and out several times during the satellite crossings. The inward motion of the magnetopause was sometimes correlated with equatorward expansions of the aurora and sometimes with solar wind pressure pulses as seen by Geotail. The B z > 0 auroral latitude was consistent with dayside cusp "spot" seen by the IMAGE spacecraft and had been associated with footprints of "steady state" lobe reconnection. The aurora consisted of a continuous stream of poleward moving auroral forms (PMAF) even during a period of slightly B z > 0 and B y = 0. On 10 August 2007 IMF B z < 0 the dayside aurora was located more equatorward, over South Pole, and the THEMIS satellites crossed the bow shock from the magnetosheath into the solar wind. Negative B z pulses observed at the satellite were correlated with large poleward expansions of the dayside aurora consistent with reconnection in the subsolar region accompanied by simultaneous plasma density increases at THEMIS B satellite consistent with outward radial motion of the bow shock.
Regional Sea Level Reconstruction in the Pacific Ocean

As a result of the spatial and temporal sampling shortcomings of tide gauge and satellite altimetry data, forming a sea level record that has the quality and duration necessary to compare past to present sea level is a challenge. Here, we build on the recently developed method for reconstructing sea level involving cyclostationary empirical orthogonal functions (CSEOFs) and, in particular, examine how the reconstruction varies as a result of the domain used to compute the CSEOF basis functions. While not affecting the ability to capture the dominant climate signals, the choice of basis function is found to have a significant effect on the regional distribution of the trend in sea level. We also demonstrate the use of a CSEOF reconstructed sea level dataset for climate monitoring, focusing on climate signals in the Pacific Ocean.
Ribosome distribution affects stalling in amino-acid starved cancer cells

Protein synthesis is a process central to all life on Earth, including mammalian cells. During this process, ribosomes attach to mRNA strands and translate them into proteins using amino acids. Under stress (for example, when the supply of circulating amino acids has been disrupted by tissue injury), ribosomes can stall. Ribosome profiling, a technique that creates a snapshot of active ribosomes in a cell by sequencing ribosome-protected mRNA fragments, captures a snapshot of ribosomes along transcripts and can detect such stalling events. This method has also revealed that the patterns of ribosomes along transcripts can vary from transcript to transcript in a manner that has not yet been explained. Here, we analyzed ribosome profiling data from amino acid-starved pancreatic cancer cells to explore whether the pattern of ribosome distribution along transcripts under normal conditions can predict the degree of ribosome stalling under stress. We hypothesized that ribosomes would stall more along “elongation-limited” transcripts that have fewer ribosome footprints near the start and stop codons than “initiation-limited” transcripts that have a large fraction of footprints at the start codon. Indeed, we found that ribosomes in amino acid-deprived cells stalled more along elongation-limited transcripts. By contrast, we observed no relationship between read density near start and stop and disparities between mRNA sequencing reads and ribosome profiling reads. This research identifies an important relationship between read distribution and propensity for ribosomes to stall, although more work is needed to fully understand the patterns of ribosome distribution along transcripts in ribosome profiling data.
The quality of Indian diets: A comparison of two indices to predict risk of dietary inadequacies linked to non-communicable diseases

Nutritional inadequacies lead to various health problems among Indians. Improvements in diets can be addressed when different aspects of diet quality are known. The primary objective of the study was to assess diet quality of Indian adults belonging to the high-income group. The study also wanted to compare the suitability of two diet quality indices for use in the Indian scenario. A cross sectional study design with non-probability purposive sampling was used to collect data from 589 adults (20-40 years) in Delhi, India. Nutrient intake was assessed using the 24- hour dietary recall method. Two internationally recognized diet quality indices - Diet Quality Index- International Score (DQI-I) and the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) were selected to measure diet quality. 78% of the participants had poor diet quality using the DQI-I; the average score was 56.4 ± 5.6. The average DQI-I component scores for variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance were 13.1±2.6, 27.5±2.2, 15.3±2.9, 0.43±0.9 respectively. Females were more likely (OR=2.07, 95% C.I.: 1.26 – 3.401) to have DQI-I scores in the lowest quartile (p=0.04). 88% had a moderate risk of nutritional inadequacy while 11% were at a high risk of nutritional inadequacy on the basis of their GDQS scores, the average of which was 16.9±2.1. There was a positive association between GDQS and DQI- I scores (ρ =0.316, p<0.001). The GDQS is better for assessing nutrient adequacy with healthy and unhealthy food consumption being compared. On the other hand, DQI-I gives a composite score combining the nutrient and food group intake and observes variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance. Behaviour change communication strategies that encourage healthier food selection and promote dietary diversity may help improve nutritional quality of diets in Indian populations such as this one.
Topography and tectonics of the central New Madrid seismic zone: Results of numerical experiments using a three‐dimensional boundary element program

We present results of a series of numerical experiments designed to test hypothetical mechanisms that drive deformation in the New Madrid seismic zone. Experiments are constrained by subtle topography and the distribution of seismicity in the region. We use a new boundary element algorithm that permits calculation of the three-dimensional deformation field. Surface displacement fields are calculated for the New Madrid zone under both far-field (plate tectonic scale) and locally derived driving strains. Results demonstrate that surface displacement fields cannot distinguish between either a far-field simple or pure shear strain field or one that involves a deep shear zone beneath the upper crustal faults. Thus, neither geomorphic nor geodetic studies alone are expected to reveal the ultimate driving mechanism behind the present-day deformation. We have also tested hypotheses about strain accommodation within the New Madrid contractional step-over by including linking faults, two southwest dipping and one vertical, recently inferred from microearthquake data. Only those models with step-over faults are able to predict the observed topography. Surface displacement fields for long-term, relaxed deformation predict the distribution of uplift and subsidence in the contractional step-over remarkably well. Generation of these displacement fields appear to require slip on both the two northeast trending vertical faults and the two dipping faults in the step-over region, with very minor displacements occurring during the interseismic period when the northeast trending vertical faults are locked. These models suggest that the gently dipping central step-over fault is a reverse fault and that the steeper fault, extending to the southeast of the step-over, acts as a normal fault over the long term.
Holocene peat growth and decay dynamics in sub‐arctic peat plateaus, west‐central Canada

Peat and net carbon accumulation rates in two sub‐arctic peat plateaus of west‐central Canada have been studied through geochemical analyses and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating. The peatland sites started to develop around 6600–5900 cal. yr BP and the peat plateau stages are characterized by Sphagnum fuscum peat alternating with rootlet layers. The long‐term peat and net carbon accumulation rates for both profiles are 0.30–0.31 mm/yr and 12.5–12.7 gC/m2yr, respectively. These values reflect very slow peat accumulation (0.04–0.09 mm/yr) and net carbon accumulation (3.7–5.2 gC/m2yr) in the top rootlet layers. Extensive AMS radiocarbon dating of one profile shows that accumulation rates are variable depending on peat plateau stage. Peat accumulation rates are up to six times higher and net carbon accumulation rates up to four times higher in S. fuscum than in rootlet stages. Local fires represented by charcoal remains in some of the rootlet layers result in very low accumulation rates. High C/N ratios throughout most of the peat profiles suggest low degrees of decomposition due to stable permafrost conditions. Hence, original peat accretion has remained largely unaltered, except in the initial stages of peatland development when permafrost was not yet present.
Epidemiology, Types, Causes, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means an underactive thyroid gland. This leads to a decrease in the functioning of the thyroid gland. It is a very common endocrine disorder that causes under-secretion of thyroid hormones, mainly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). It affects people of every age group but is more commonly found in women and older people. The symptoms of hypothyroidism can go unnoticed, may not be specific, and may overlap with other conditions, which makes it harder to diagnose it in some cases. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold (cold intolerance), irregular bowel movements (constipation), and dry skin (xeroderma). These conditions are mostly the result of a low metabolic rate in the body. Weight gain occurs due to a decrease in fat-burning rate and cold intolerance due to a decrease in heat production by the body. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, thyroid gland removal surgeries, and certain medications. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is based on laboratory tests that measure the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in the blood. Treatment typically involves lifelong hormone replacement therapy with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication, such as levothyroxine, to help regulate hormone levels in the body. People with hypothyroidism may need to have their medication dosage adjusted over time. If hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications like mental retardation, delayed milestones, etc., in infants and heart failure, infertility, myxedema coma, etc., in adults. With appropriate treatment, the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be effectively managed, and most people with the condition can lead normal, healthy lives. Lifestyle modifications like eating healthy food and exercising regularly can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Analysis of two years of ASCAT-and SMOS-derived soil moisture estimates over Europe and North Africa

Abstract More than two years of soil moisture data derived from the Advanced SCATterometer (ASCAT) and from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) radiometer are analysed and compared. The comparison has been performed within the framework of an activity aiming at validating the EUMETSAT Hydrology Satellite Application Facility (H-SAF) soil moisture product derived from ASCAT. The available database covers a large part of the SMOS mission lifetime (2010, 2011 and partially 2012) and both Europe and North Africa are considered. A specific strategy has been set up in order to enable the comparison between products representing a volumetric soil moisture content, as those derived from SMOS, and a relative saturation index, as those derived from ASCAT. Results demonstrate that the two products show a fairly good degree of correlation. Their consistency has some dependence on season, geographical zone and surface land cover. Additional factors, such as spatial property features, are also preliminary investigated.
The Madden–Julian Oscillation Simulated in the NCEP Climate Forecast System Model: The Importance of Stratiform Heating

Abstract This study investigates the capability for simulating the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) in a series of atmosphere–ocean coupled and uncoupled simulations using NCEP operational general circulation models. The effect of air–sea coupling on the MJO is examined by comparing long-term simulations from the coupled Climate Forecast System (CFS T62) and the atmospheric Global Forecast System (GFS T62) models. Another coupled simulation with a higher horizontal resolution model (CFS T126) is performed to investigate the impact of model horizontal resolution. Furthermore, to examine the impact on a deep convection scheme, an additional coupled T126 run (CFS T126RAS) is conducted with the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert (RAS) scheme. The most important factors for the proper simulation of the MJO are investigated from these runs. The empirical orthogonal function, lagged regression, and spectral analyses indicated that the interactive air–sea coupling greatly improved the coherence between convection, circulati.
Discrete Differential Dynamic Programing Approach to Water Resources Systems Optimization

The optimization of operating policies of multiple unit and multiple purpose water resources systems by traditional dynamic programing with the use of high speed digital computers encounters two major difficulties: memory requirements and computer time requirements. This paper presents an iterative method that can ease the above difficulties considerably. The method starts with a trial trajectory satisfying a specific set of initial and final conditions and applies Bellman's recursive equation in the neighborhood of this trajectory. At the end of each iteration step a locally improved trajectory is obtained and used as the trial trajectory in the next step. The method has proved particularly effective in the case of so-called ‘invertible’ systems. The merits of the proposed approach are demonstrated through its application to a four-unit, two-purpose water resources system. To save computer time the example is restricted to deterministic inflows.
Diverse mineralogies in two troughs of Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars

Two troughs in Noctis Labyrinthus display a diversity of mineral assemblages rarely seen spatially collocated on Mars. Minerals identified from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data within the troughs include polyhydrated and monohydrated sulfates, an Al clay (e.g., kaolinite or beidellite), Fe/Mg smectites, hydrated silica and/or opal, and a leached clay or jarosite mixture with a doublet absorption between 2.2 and 2.3 μm. Units both pre-date and post-date smaller pits and depressions within the larger troughs, indicating that deposition was coeval with continued extension, collapse, and erosion in the Late Hesperian to Early Amazonian (2–3 Ga). The strata within each trough display a mineralogic diversity consistent with active aqueous processes and/or changing chemical conditions over time, perhaps due to hydrothermal alteration of volcanic ash, influxes of groundwater from nearby Tharsis volcanism, fumarole activity, and melting snow and/or ice. The superposition of younger Fe/Mg smectites over sulfates, Al clays, and hydrated silica and/or opal in both troughs indicates that this region is unique relative to most other locations on Mars, where the opposite progression is observed and the Fe/Mg smectites are Noachian (older than 3.6 Ga) in age. Consequently, these troughs may have been habitable regions on Mars at a time when drier conditions dominated the surface.
Air parcel trajectory analysis of stable isotopes in water vapor in the eastern Mediterranean

[1] With the help of a Lagrangian moisture source diagnostic, linkages between stable isotope measurements in water vapor in Rehovot (Israel), with typical sampling times of 8 hours, and the meteorological conditions in the evaporation regions are established. These linkages can be formulated in quantitative terms, and are also quantitatively comparable with other data from isotope measurements over the ocean and with simple theoretical calculations. On the one hand, a strong negative correlation (r = −0.82) between relative humidity with respect to sea surface temperature in the source regions and measured deuterium excess (d) is found, corroborating results from isotope global circulation model simulations. This relationship can also be applied to model d in a larger region, as shown for a sample case. On the other hand, sea surface temperature in the evaporation regions does not correlate well (r = −0.21) with measured d. This finding contradicts results from other models. Although requiring confirmation by isotope data from different regions, this weak correlation is potentially of major importance for the interpretation of deuterium excess measured in ice cores, which has been used to reconstruct moisture source temperatures for past climates.