Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid D1DCnet Using Forehead iPPG for Continuous and Noncontact Blood Pressure Measurement

Camera-based image sequences can be used excitingly to provide noncontact and continuous blood pressure (BP) measurement. This study proposes an innovative deep-learning approach that achieves the performance of current state of the art for BP detection using forehead imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG). We studied 814 subjects with iPPG waveforms and utilize a hybrid deep 1-D convolutional neural network (Hybrid D1DCnet) to predict their systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). Our model uses deep 1-D convolutions to extract high-level morphological information of waveforms, uses the attention-based long short-term memory (LSTM) unit to learn temporal-dependent features, and combines personal information through the multilayer perceptron (MLP) to perform regression estimation. This model is capable of continuously monitoring BP by detecting noncontact facial iPPG signal over a short-time period of 8 s. The mean absolute error (MAE) and the standard deviation (STD) of estimated SBP and DBP are 8.36 ± 6.22 and 5.69 ± 3.97 mmHg, respectively. Interpretability studies show that the middle part of the rising edge of the iPPG pulse waveform is of most interest. It is also verified that this model has interdevice generalizability. This scheme achieves the C/B grade (systolic/diastolic) according to the British Society of Hypertension grading criteria. In the current work, we demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the Hybrid D1DCnet-based noncontact and continuous BP measurement using forehead iPPG waveforms. Such applications of monitoring circulatory health are expected to promote the prevention and intervention of cardiovascular diseases for the public.
A level set approach for computing solutions to incompressible two- phase flow II

A level set method for capturing the interface between two fluids is combined with a variable density projection method to allow for computation of two-phase flow where the interface can merge/break and the flow can have a high Reynolds number. A distance function formulation of the level set method enables one to compute flows with large density ratios (1000/1) and flows that are surface tension driven; with no emotional involvement. Recent work has improved the accuracy of the distance function formulation and the accuracy of the advection scheme. We compute flows involving air bubbles and water drops, to name a few. We validate our code against experiments and theory.
Morphology of Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Its Relation to Schizophrenia

Cortical folding of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), particularly the cingulate (CS) and the paracingulate (PCS) sulci, represents a neurodevelopmental marker. Deviations in in utero development in schizophrenia can be traced using CS and PCS morphometry. In the present study, we measured the length of CS, PCS, and their segments on T1 MRI scans in 93 patients with first- episode schizophrenia and 42 healthy controls. Besides the length, the frequency and the left-right asymmetry of CS/PCS were compared in patients and controls. Distribution of the CS and PCS morphotypes in patients was different from controls. Parcellated sulcal pattern CS3a in the left hemisphere was longer in patients (53.8 ± 25.7 mm vs. 32.7 ± 19.4 mm in controls, p < 0.05), while in CS3c it was reversed—longer in controls (52.5 ± 22.5 mm as opposed to 36.2 ± 12.9 mm, n.s. in patients). Non parcellated PCS in the right hemisphere were longer in patients compared to controls (19.4 ± 10.2 mm vs. 12.1 ± 12.4 mm, p < 0.001). Therefore, concurrent presence of PCS1 and CS1 in the left hemisphere and to some extent in the right hemisphere may be suggestive of a higher probability of schizophrenia.
Dual energy phase contrast x-ray imaging with Talbot-Lau interferometer

In weakly absorbing materials such as polymers and soft tissue, x-ray phase sensitive imaging methods can provide substantially enhanced contrast compared to classical, absorption based radiography. For specific applications, the latter can be applied in a dual energy scheme that helps to identify, discriminate and/or quantify materials. In this paper, we report on a new method that combines the idea of dual energy with x-ray phase contrast imaging and thus provides material sensitivity among poor absorbers. The dual energy modality cannot be applied in common phase contrast imaging schemes because of their demand for limited bandwidth or even monochromatic x-ray sources. Our new interferometric method based on diffraction gratings can overcome this shortcoming and thus simultaneously deliver x-ray phase contrast images for two distinct x-ray energy intervals. It has been shown that high quality images can be obtained with the dual energy phase setup. Energy spectra with 40 kV and 70 kV were applied to ob.
Atomistic simulations of mechanical characteristics dependency on relative density, grain size, and temperature of nanoporous tungsten

A series of atomistic simulations are adopted to explore the influences of relative density, grain size, and temperature on the tensile characteristics of nanoporous tungsten (NPW). Results illustrate that the dominant mechanism of deformation for monocrystalline NPW is the combination of twin boundaries (TBs) migration and 1/2 〈111〉 dislocation movement. The relative density, which has a positive relationship with stiffness and strength, significantly affects the mechanical properties of NPW. With relative density growing from 0.30 to 0.60, Young’s modulus, UTS, and yield strength of monocrystalline NPW increase from 18.55, 0.65, and 0.45 GPa to 93.78, 2.93, and 2.59 GPa, respectively. Young’s modulus and relative density have a quadratic relationship, meaning that the dominant deformation is the bending deformation of ligaments during the elastic stage. The scaling law for yield strength reveals that the axial yielding of ligaments dominates the yielding behavior of NPW. The relationship between mean grain size (5.00 ∼ 17.07 nm) and strength follows the reverse Hall-Petch relation. Besides, the effect of temperature on mechanical characteristics is discussed. With the increase of temperature from 10 K to 1500 K, Young’s modulus of monocrystalline NPW and nanocrystalline NPW (d = 5.00, 10.99, and 17.07 nm) decrease from 69.24, 51.73, 61.08, and 63.75 GPa to 48.98, 34.77, 44.65, and 49.05 GPa. The findings systematically reveal the mechanical properties of NPW under tension and provide guidance for its application.
Jet Physics at High Energy Colliders

The future of new physics searches at the LHC will be to look for hadronic signals with jets. In order to distinguish a hadronic signal from its background, it is important to develop advanced collider physics techniques that make accurate theoretical predictions. This work centers on phenomenological and formal studies of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), including resummation of hadronic observables using Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET), calculating anomalous dimensions of multi-Wilson line operators in AdS, and improving jet physics analysis using multiple event interpretations. Hadronic observables usually involve physics at different energy scales, and the calculations depend on large logarithms of the energy ratios. We can prove factorization theorems of observables and resum large logarithms using renormalization-group techniques. The heavy jet mass distribution for e+e− collisions is calculated at next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithmic order (N3LL), and we measure the strong coupling constant at 0.3% accuracy. We also calculate the jet-mass distribution at partial N2LL in γ + jet events at the LHC. The effect of non-global logarithms in resummation estimated, and it is significant only at the peak region. Soft QCD interactions among jets can be described by multi-Wilson line operators, with each Wilson line pointing along one of the jet directions. The anomalous dimensions of these operators are key for higher-order resummation. We study these operators using radial quantization and conformal gauge, which leads to a drastic simplification of the two-loop anomalous dimension calculation. We also find that the anomalous dimension calculation is closely related to a corresponding Witten diagram calculation. Jets are complicated objects to identify in high energy collider experiments. A single interpretation of each event can only extract a limited amount of information. We propose telescoping jet algorithms which give multiple event interpretations by varying the parameter R in the jet definition. We can redefine the weight of each event in a counting experiment to be the fraction of interpretations passing the experimental cuts, and we get a 46% improvement in the statistical significance for the Higgs search with an associated Z boson at the 8 TeV LHC.
Habitual Fish Oil Supplementation and Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in the UK Biobank

Background: To explore the relation of habitual fish oil use with the risk of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Methods: 408,023 participants (54.2% female) without prior CKD and with completed information regarding their consumption of major food groups and fish oil in the UK Biobank were enrolled. Fish oil use and dietary intakes were assessed by touch screen questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire, respectively. Incident CKD was recorded from hospital inpatient records. Results: At baseline, 128,843 (31.6%) participants reported taking fish oil supplements. During a median follow-up period of 12.0 years, a total of 10,782 (2.6%) participants developed CKD. With adjustments for important confounders, habitual fish oil use was associated with a significantly lower hazard of incident CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87–0.95), compared with non-use. Consistently, participants reporting ≥2 servings/week of oily fish (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79–0.94) and nonoily fish (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77–0.97) consumption had a lower hazard of incident CKD compared to those reporting no consumption ever. Additionally, among the 97,914 participants with data on plasma fatty acid, there were significant inverse relationships of plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (per SD increment, HR, 0.89, 95% CI, 0.84–0.94) and eicosatetraenoic acid (per SD increment, HR, 0.91, 95% CI, 0.87–0.96) with incident CKD. Conclusions: Habitual fish oil use was associated with a lower hazard of CKD, which was further confirmed by the consistent inverse relations between fish consumption and circulating omega-3 PUFA concentration with incident CKD.
The Quadratic Assignment Problem: A Note

Results of the Koopmans-Beckmann (K-B) analysis of the quadratic assignment problem [3] have perplexed many location theorists. K-B hold that indivisibilities of plant, in the presence of minimal interaction between spatially separated plants (namely, the shipment of intermediate goods at positive transportation rates), preclude the existence of a system of rents which will sustain an integral assignment, optimal or otherwise [3, p. 69]. Earlier in their paper K-B show that a sustaining price system does exist when the transportation of intermediate products is excluded; however, it is the presence of such interaction that leads to the more interesting quadratic assignment problem and the pessimistic conclusion reported above. The authors first present the quadratic assignment problem in a "permutation search" format, and then construct an equivalent linear programming problem which allows fractional assignments to be optimal without forfeiting any integral (one whole plant to each location) solutions that might exist:
A Novel Frameshift CHD4 Variant Leading to Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss Syndrome in a Proband with a Subclinical Familial t(17;19) and a Large dup(2)(q14.3q21.1)

The genetic complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), combined with a heterogeneous clinical presentation, makes accurate assessment of their molecular bases and pathogenic mechanisms challenging. Our purpose is to reveal the pathogenic variant underlying a complex NDD through identification of the “full” spectrum of structural genomic and genetic variants. Therefore, clinical phenotyping and identification of variants by genome and exome sequencing, together with comprehensive assessment of these and affected candidate genes, were carried out. A maternally-inherited familial translocation [t(17;19)(p13.1;p13.3)mat] disrupting the GSG1 like 2 gene (GSG1L2), a 3.2 Mb dup(2)(q14.3q21.1) encompassing the autosomal dominant OMIM phenotype-associated PROC and HS6ST1 gene, and a novel frameshift c.4442del, p.(Gly1481Valfs*21) variant within exon 30 of the Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) have been identified. Considering the pathogenic potential of each variant and the proband’s phenotype, we conclude that this case basically fits the Sifrim–Hitz–Weiss syndrome or CHD4-associated neurodevelopmental phenotype. Finally, our data highlight the need for identification of the “full” spectrum of structural genomic and genetic variants and of reverse comparative phenotyping, including unrelated patients with variants in same genes, for improved genomic healthcare of patients with NDD.
Geographic Atrophy in AMD: Prognostic Factors Based on Long-Term Follow-Up

Introduction: The aim of this large-scale long-term retrospective study was to show the enlargement rate (ER) of geographic atrophy (GA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), defined as complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA), to find predictors of progression in a clinical routine setting and to compare GA evaluation methods. Methods: All patients available in our database with follow-up of at least 24 months and cRORA in at least one eye, regardless of neovascular AMD being present, were included. SD-OCT and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) evaluations were performed according to a standardized protocol. The cRORA area ER, the cRORA square root area ER, the FAF GA area, and the condition of the outer retina (inner-/outer-segment [IS/OS] line and external limiting membrane [ELM] disruption scores) were determined. Results: 204 eyes of 129 patients were included. Mean follow-up time was 4.2 ± 2.2 (range 2–10) years. 109 of 204 (53.4%) eyes were classified as MNV-associated GA in AMD (initially or during follow-up); 95 of 204 (46.6%) eyes were classified as pure GA in AMD. The primary lesion was unifocal in 146 (72%) eyes and multifocal in 58 (28%) eyes. A strong correlation was observed between the area of cRORA (SD-OCT) and the FAF GA area (r = 0.924; p < 0.001). Mean ER was 1.44 ± 1.2 mm2/year, mean square root ER 0.29 ± 0.19 mm/year. There was no significant difference in mean ER between eyes without (pure GA) and with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (MNV-associated GA) (0.30 ± 0.19 mm/year vs. 0.28 ± 0.20 mm/year; p = 0.466). Eyes with multifocal atrophy pattern at baseline had a significantly higher mean ER compared to eyes with unifocal pattern (0.34 ± 0.19 mm/year vs. 0.27 ± 1.19 mm/year; p = 0.008). There were moderate significant correlations between ELM and IS/OS disruption scores and visual acuity at baseline, 5 and 7 years (all r values ca. −0.5; p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, a multifocal cRORA pattern at baseline (p = 0.022) and a smaller baseline lesion size (p = 0.036) were associated with a higher mean ER. Conclusion: SD-OCT-evaluated cRORA area might serve as a GA parameter comparable to traditional FAF measurement in clinical routine. The dispersion pattern and baseline lesion size might be predictors of ER, whereas anti-VEGF treatment seems not to be associated with ER.
COVID‐19 Lockdown Pandemic Period Effects in Highly Impacted Aquatic Ecosystems

Human activities severely affect aquatic ecosystems: the lockdown restrictions due to SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) have proved that reducing anthropogenic activities can positively influence the environment and mitigate atmospheric pollution. In addition, studies on aquatic ecosystems have highlighted the decrease in suspended matter and pollutant concentrations associated with reduced marine transport and industrial activities. We evaluated the effects of the reduction of anthropogenic activities in highly impacted water ecosystems. Three of the sampling sites were on the Tiber River's lower stretch close to the urban area of Rome (Italy), and the other two were transitional waters located in the southern Latium region coastal area. These sampling sites have been studied by our research group for at least 20 years. The present study involved analysis of chemical and physicochemical parameters, biological communities, and land use. Microbiological fecal indicators and Salmonella spp. were also analyzed. There were two sampling campaigns, the first one in May 2020 (ID II) at the end of lockdown measures, and the second one a year later, in June 2021 (ID III). The data were compared with our old data, collected from 2002 to 2015 (ID I), to evaluate the potential effects of the restrictive measures. Biotic communities were dominated by pollution‐tolerant taxa, indicating eutrophication and organic pollution. Furthermore, the high concentrations of microbiological indicators was mainly due to sewage from the urban area. The results of the research indicated no significant changes from past years (ID I) to 2020 (ID II) and 2021 (ID III). In conclusion, the restrictions adopted in Italy during the pandemic period were not sufficient to mitigate the heavy pressure of urbanization and agriculture that have long affected the studied aquatic ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:966–977. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
A numerical study of the effects of curvature and convergence on dilution jet mixing

An analytical program was conducted to assemble and assess a three-dimensional turbulent viscous flow computer code capable of analyzing the flow field in the transition liners of small gas turbine engines. This code is of the TEACH type with hybrid numerics, and uses the power law and SIMPLER algorithms, an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system, and an algebraic Reynolds stress turbulence model. The assessments performed in this study, consistent with results in the literature, showed that in its present form this code is capable of predicting trends and qualitative results. The assembled code was used to perform a numerical experiment to investigate the effects of curvature and convergence in the transition liner on the mixing of single and opposed rows of cool dilution jets injected into a hot mainstream flow.
Farming Practice Influences Antimicrobial Resistance Burden of Non-Aureus Staphylococci in Pig Husbandries

Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) are ubiquitous bacteria in livestock-associated environments where they may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes for pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we tested whether housing conditions in pig farms could influence the overall AMR-NAS burden. Two hundred and forty porcine commensal and environmental NAS isolates from three different farm types (conventional, alternative, and organic) were tested for phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility and subjected to whole genome sequencing. Genomic data were analysed regarding species identity and AMR gene carriage. Seventeen different NAS species were identified across all farm types. In contrast to conventional farms, no AMR genes were detectable towards methicillin, aminoglycosides, and phenicols in organic farms. Additionally, AMR genes to macrolides and tetracycline were rare among NAS in organic farms, while such genes were common in conventional husbandries. No differences in AMR detection existed between farm types regarding fosfomycin, lincosamides, fusidic acid, and heavy metal resistance gene presence. The combined data show that husbandry conditions influence the occurrence of resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria in livestock, suggesting that changing husbandry practices may be an appropriate means of limiting the spread of AMR bacteria on farms.
Six decades of soybean breeding in Ontario, Canada: a tradition of innovation

Abstract Soybean has been widely grown by Canadian farmers for more than 80 years, especially in southern Ontario. In recent decades, the Canadian growing region has expanded east and north. An average of 1% soybean yield improvement is achieved annually, thanks to efforts by public and private soybean breeding programs. However, to meet future food demands, an average 2.4% annual increase in soybean yield is required. Soybean breeders are mostly dealing with complex traits that are under control by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, so sufficient information about past and current breeding efforts is required to modify future breeding programs accordingly. Here, we review public soybean breeding efforts over the past 25 years in southern Ontario, one of the most productive regions for Canadian soybean growers. Furthermore, we explain how recent advances could facilitate soybean breeding programs by reducing the time and cost and increasing selection accuracy in a large breeding population. Finally, we summarize future directions in three important sections, that is, multi-omics, environmental, and data-driven approaches, and provide a vision for future soybean breeding programs.
Vortex pairing in a circular jet under controlled excitation. Part 1. General jet response

Hot-wire and flow-visualization studies have been carried out in three air jets subjected to pure-tone acoustic excitation, and the instability, vortex roll-up and transition as well as jet response to the controlled excitation have been investigated. The centreline fluctuation intensity can be enhanced by inducing stable vortex pairing to a level much higher than even that at the ‘preferred mode’, but can also be suppressed below the unexcited level under certain conditions of excitation. The conditions most favourable to vortex pairing were determined as a function of the excitation Strouhal number, the Reynolds number (ReD), and the initial shear-layer state, i.e. laminar or turbulent. It is shown that the rolled-up vortex rings undergo pairing under two distinct conditions of excitation: ‘the shear layer mode’ when the Strouhal number based on the initial shear-layer momentum thickness (Stθ) is about 0·012, and ‘the jet column mode’ when the Strouhal number based on the jet diameter (StD) is about 0·85. The former involves pairing of the near-exit thin vortex rings when the initial boundary layer is laminar, irrespective of the value of StD. The latter involves pairing of the thick vortex rings at x/D ≅ 1·75, irrespective of Stθ or whether the initial boundary layer is laminar or turbulent. For laminar exit boundary layer, pairing is found to be stable, i.e., occurring regularly in space and time, for ReD < 5 × 104, but becomes intermittent with increasing ReD or fluctuation intensity in the initial boundary layer. The trajectories of the vortex centres and their convection velocities during a pairing event have been recorded through phase-locked measurements. In the presence of stable vortex pairing, the time average profiles of fluctuation intensities and Reynolds stress show noticeable deviations from those in the unexcited jet. The vortex pairing phenomenon produce considerably larger excursions of the $\widetilde{uv}(t)$ signal than the time-average Reynolds stress reveals, suggesting that only certain phases of the pairing process may be important in entrainment, and production of Reynolds stress and jet noise.