Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Combination of Physical and Chemical Treatments Is More Effective in The Preparation of Acellular Uterine Scaffolds

Objective Decellularized uterine scaffold, as a new achievement in tissue engineering, enables recellularization and regeneration of uterine tissues and supports pregnancy in a fashion comparable to the intact uterus. The acellular methods are methods preferred in many respects due to their similarity to normal tissue, so it is necessary to try to introduce an acellularization protocol with minimum disadvantages and maximum advantages. Therefore, this study aimed to compare different protocols to achieve the optimal uterus decellularization method for future in vitro and in vivo bioengineering experiments. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, rat uteri were decellularized by four different protocols (P) using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with different doses and time incubations (P1 and P2), SDS/Triton-X100 sequentially (P3), and a combination of physical (freeze/thaw) and chemical reagents (SDS/Triton X-100). The scaffolds were examined by histopathological staining, DNA quantification, MTT assay, blood compatibility assay, FESEM, and mechanical studies. Results Histology assessment showed that only in P4, cell residues were completely removed. Masson’s trichrome staining demonstrated that in P3, collagen fibers were decreased; however, no damage was observed in the collagen bundles using other protocols. In indirect MTT assays, cell viabilities achieved by all used protocols were significantly higher than the native samples. The percentage of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis in the presence of prepared scaffolds from all 4 protocols was less than 2%. The mechanical properties of none of the obtained scaffolds were significantly different from the native sample except for P3. Conclusion Uteri decellularized with a combination of physical and chemical treatments (P4) was the most favorable treatment in our study with the complete removal of cell residue, preservation of the three-dimensional structure, complete removal of detergents, and preservation of the mechanical property of the scaffolds.
Optical Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy for Ferroic Materials

Optical second harmonic generation (SHG), which is sensitive to the symmetry breaking, provides a powerful experimental technique for investigation of ferroic materials, i.e. ferroelectrics, magnetics, and multiferroics. A far-field confocal microscopy provides three-dimensional imaging of an order parameter of ferroics with a spatial resolution up to diffraction limit of a probing wavelength. In this paper, we discuss general important consideration regarding SHG microscopy and show new imaging techniques for ferroelectric and magnetic domains and switching, bio-inspired ferroelectrics, as well as femtosecond laser annealed ferroelectric microstructures.
Integrated Sensor Orientation Simulator: Design and Implementation

Abstract The results of Integrated Sensor Orientation (ISO) depend heavily on its input parameters. In real applications, it is difficult to determine how much ISO could improve the accuracy of directly measured Exterior Orientation (EO) parameters and under which conditions of tie-points. This paper discusses an implementation of an ISO simulator that offers the operators the ability to explore the optimum configurations that lead to their accuracy requirements for EOs. The results obtained from the simulator correspond to those from existing research, suggesting that the proposed simulator can be a useful tool to assist the photogrammetrist in flight planning and on-site verification of data acquisition.
Application of radio ground-wave propagation theory to the tomographic imaging of ground surfaces

Radiowave propagation over ground has been historically studied for predicting the radiated fields when the ground properties are known and the field has been well covered over the past hundred years. The theory of ground-wave propagation is applied to the inverse problem of the tomographic imaging of ground surfaces. After the inverse problem is formulated, an iterative technique for solving it is illustrated. This is based on the minimization of the cost function of the measured and estimated scattered fields produced by the surface under investigation in isolation. Numerical simulation results are presented for the reconstruction of four different ground features surrounded by sea water namely: (1) dry ground; (2) wet ground; (3) dry-wet mixed ground; and (4) dry ground with a central water pool. It has been demonstrated that the technique is able to reconstruct the distributions of normalized surface impedance of the isolated surfaces and, hence, their images. The iterative process can converge with a small number of iterations using the normalized surface impedance of sea water as the initial guessed values. However, better images can be produced using a priori information. This study thus illustrates a new application of ground wave propagation theory with possible applications in ground surface mapping, remote sensing, target positioning and monitoring, and navigation.
Nonlinear hypotheses, inequality restrictions, and non-nested hypotheses: exact simultaneous tests in linear regressions

In the context of the classical linear model, the problem of comparing two arbitrary hypotheses on the regression coefficients is considered. Problems involving nonlinear hypotheses, inequality restrictions, or non-nested hypotheses are included as special cases. Exact bounds on the null distribution of likelihood ratio statistics are derived. In an important special case, a bounds test similar to the Durbin-Watson test is proposed. Multiple testing problems are also studied
Experimental evaluation of a hyperspectral imager for near-infrared fluorescent contrast agent studies

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems have the potential to combine morphological and spectral information to provide detailed and high sensitivity readouts in biological and medical applications. As HSI enables simultaneous detection in several spectral bands, the technology has significant potential for use in real-time multiplexed contrast agent studies. Examples include tumor detection in intraoperative and endoscopic imaging as well as histopathology. A multiplexed readout from multiple disease targets, such as cell surface receptors overexpressed in cancer cells, could improve both sensitivity and specificity of tumor identification. Here, we evaluate a commercial, compact, near-infrared HSI sensor that has the potential to enable low cost, video rate HSI for multiplexed fluorescent contrast agent studies in biomedical applications. The hyperspectral imager, based on a monolithically integrated Fabry-Perot etalon, has 70 spectral bands between 600-900 nm, making it ideal for this application. Initial calibration of the imager was performed to determine wavelength band response, quantum efficiency and the effect of F-number on the spectral response. A platform for wide-field fluorescence imaging in reflectance using fluorophore specific LED excitation was then developed. The applicability of the imaging platform for simultaneous readout of multiple fluorophore signals was demonstrated using a dilution series of Alexa Fluor 594 and Alexa Fluor 647, showing that nanomolar fluorophore concentrations can be detected. Our results show that the HSI system can clearly resolve the emission spectra of the two fluorophores in mixtures of concentrations across several orders of magnitude, indicating a high dynamic range performance. We therefore conclude that the HSI sensor tested here is suitable for detecting fluorescence in biomedical imaging applications.
Villoboletus persicinus, gen. et sp. nov. (Boletaceae), a bolete with flocculent-covered stipe from northern China

ABSTRACT Some collections from northern China are proposed as the new genus and species Villoboletus persicinus based on morphological assessments and molecular phylogenetic evidence. It is circumscribed by the pink pileus, white context turning pale blue to bule when exposed, yellow hymenophore surface turning blue when bruised, stipe covered with plenty of flocculent hairs, ellipsoid-fusiform to subfusiform smooth basidiospores, and the presence of hymenial cystidia. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from four gene fragments (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) revealed a distinct position of this new genus in Boletaceae, but no place to accommodate it at subfamily rank.
Left and right generalized Drazin invertible operators

In this paper, we define and study the left and the right generalized Drazin inverse of bounded operators in a Banach space. We show that the left (resp. the right) generalized Drazin inverse is a sum of a left invertible (resp. a right invertible) operator and a quasi-nilpotent one. In particular, we define the left and the right generalized Drazin spectra of a bounded operator and also show that these sets are compact in the complex plane and invariant under additive commuting quasi-nilpotent perturbations. Furthermore, we prove that a bounded operator is left generalized Drazin invertible if and only if its adjoint is right generalized Drazin invertible. An equivalent definition of the pseudo-Fredholm operators in terms of the left generalized Drazin invertible operators is also given. Our obtained results are used to investigate some relationships between the left and right generalized Drazin spectra and other spectra founded in Fredholm theory.
Rheophysics of cohesive granular materials

We investigate the rheology of dense cohesive granular media outside the quasistatic regime using molecular dynamic simulations of homogeneous plane shear flow in the steady state. Friction as well as dilatancy are governed by two dimensionless numbers, the inertial number and the cohesion number. The internal friction coefficient and the solid fraction depend linearly on the inertial number, as in the cohesionless case. Weak cohesion leads to an expansion of the material, while the friction remains unchanged. Above a characteristic cohesion strength, a strong increase of friction combined with a decrease of solid fraction is observed. We relate this behavior to the growing space-time heterogeneities and to the increase of the cohesion-enhanced microscopic friction between the grains.
Evolution of Close Binary Systems

We collect data on the masses, radii, etc., of three classes of close binary stars: low-temperature contact binaries (LTCBs), near-contact binaries (NCBs), and detached close binaries (DCBs). We restrict ourselves to systems in which (1) both components are, at least arguably, near the main sequence, (2) the periods are less than a day, and (3) there is both spectroscopic and photometric analysis leading to reasonably reliable data. We discuss the possible evolutionary connections between these three classes, emphasizing the roles played by mass loss and angular momentum loss in rapidly rotating cool stars. We describe a new mechanism, differential rotation as observed in the Sun, which can explain the remarkable efficiency of heat transport in the outer envelopes of contact binaries.
Cognitive phenotypes and factors associated with cognitive decline in a cohort of older patients with atrial fibrillation: The Strat‐AF study

The multifactorial relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment needs to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess, in AF patients on oral anticoagulants (OACs), the prevalence of cognitive impairment, defined according to clinical criteria or data‐driven phenotypes, the prevalence of cognitive worsening, and factors associated with cognitive outcomes.
Associations among cardiorespiratory fitness, C-reactive protein, and all-cause mortality in men and women

We examined individual and joint associations among high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiorespiratory fitness (fitness), and mortality in healthy men and women. Between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2016, 30,077 adults (31.3% women) received a comprehensive physical examination. Fitness was determined from maximal treadmill exercise test duration. Participants were categorized as unfit (Quintile 1) and fit (Quintiles 2–5), and by normal (<2 mg/L) and elevated (≥2 mg/L) CRP categories. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-cause mortality were computed with Cox regression. During an average of 10.1 years of follow-up, 576 deaths occurred. Following adjustment for age, smoking status, sex, exam year, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride:high-density lipoprotein ratio, and fasting glucose, HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality were 1.0 (referent) and 1.52 (1.14–2.02) for fit and unfit categories, respectively. Corresponding values for normal and elevated CRP categories were 1.0 and 1.50 (1.20–1.89), respectively. When grouped by fitness and CRP category, there was significantly greater mortality risk in the unfit than the fit category within the elevated CRP category (HR = 1.77 (1.14–2.75)), but not in the normal CRP category (HR = 1.38 (0.96–1.98)). Each 1 metabolic equivalent increment in fitness and 1 mg/L increment in CRP were associated with 10.0% (95% CI: 5.1–14.8%) decreased and 7.3% (95% CI: 2.0%–12.9%) increased mortality hazard, respectively. Compared to the unfit, fit individuals have an attenuated mortality risk within each CRP category. Thus, higher fitness appears to provide some protection against all-cause mortality, particularly among those with elevated levels of inflammation.
Tracking the same fast-LGSO crystals by changing surface treatments for better coincidence timing resolution in PET

Achieving fast coincidence timing resolution (CTR) is an important issue in clinical time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET) to improve the reconstructed image quality. One of the major factors affecting the CTR is the crystal surface treatment, which is often parameterized as surface roughness. However, previous studies on the crystal surface treatment optimization had two limitations of crystal-by-crystal variation and worse CTR over 200 ps. Here, we report the effects of the crystal surface treatment on the performance of a 20 mm long fast-LGSO crystal based TOF detector by tracking the same crystals in the sub-180 ps CTR regime. The light collection efficiency (LCE), energy resolution (ER) and CTR of the TOF detector were evaluated with six different crystal surface treatments of chemically polished (C.P), C.P half side roughened (1/2S) treatment, and then the C.P one side roughened (1S) treatment, mechanically polished (M.P) treatment, M.P 1/2S treatment, and M.P 1S treatment. The four lateral surfaces of each crystal were wrapped by using enhanced specular reflector film while the top surface was covered by using Teflon tape. The bottom surface of the crystal was optically coupled to a silicon photomultiplier. The timing and energy signals were extracted by using a custom-made high-frequency readout circuit, and then digitized by using a waveform digitizer. All the experimental conditions were same except the crystal surface treatment. Among the six different crystal surface treatments, the M.P 1S would be the optimal crystal surface treatment which balanced enhancements in the CTR (165 ± 3 ps) and ER (10.5 ± 0.5%). Unlike the M.P 1S, the C.P 1S did not enhance the CTR and ER. Hence, the C.P without roughening would be the second-best optimal crystal surface treatment which balanced the CTR (169 ± 3 ps) and ER (10.5 ± 0.5%).
On the α-Element Abundance Gradients in the Disk of the Sculptor Spiral Galaxy NGC 300

We have carried out a detailed spectral analysis of six early B-type supergiants in the Sculptor Group spiral galaxy NGC 300. To this end, we used state-of-the-art unified blanketed non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres (computed with the code FASTWIND), aimed at the determination of the stellar parameters and of detailed surface abundance patterns. We discuss the individual evolutionary stage of each star in view of their CNO surface abundance, which we compare to massive star evolutionary models with rotation. Although the quantitative comparison does not yield a good agreement, the qualitative behavior is consistent with the model predictions. This issue supports the idea that, although rather evolved, the stars are directly evolving from the main sequence and therefore are in a pre-red supergiant phase. We derive the stellar abundance gradients in the disk of NGC 300 for the elements O, Mg, and Si. Using the available literature data on H II regions in NGC 300, we carry out a detailed comparison of nebular oxygen abundances resulting from different, widely used empirical calibrations. Finally, we compare the abundance gradients derived from the interstellar medium to those derived from the blue supergiants studied in this paper. We find a O/H abundance gradient of -0.033 ± 0.026 dex arcmin-1 over a distance equal to the isophotal radius of the galaxy. This trend is also followed in good agreement by Mg and Si abundances. The abundance gradients derived from our stellar data are shallower than those obtained from most previous H II region analyses, and we obtain a lower oxygen abundance in the central region of the galaxy (8.57 ± 0.13 dex), which is, however, in agreement with the H II region abundance results derived with recent calibrations of several statistical indicators.
Longitudinal Associations Between Loneliness and Prescription Medication Use

Abstract Objectives Both loneliness and the use of psychotropic drugs are common in later life. Although loneliness has been found to be associated with psychotropic drug use, most studies have been cross-sectional, and we know less about their longitudinal associations. Methods Drawing on five waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study and two statistical approaches (fixed-effects and cross-lagged panel models), we examine longitudinal associations between loneliness and the use of prescription pain and depression/anxiety medications. Results Across 57,654 observations among 20,589 respondents, 22.8% reported regular use of pain prescription medications, 17.8% regular use of depression/anxiety prescription medication, and 15.6% feeling lonely in the past week. Loneliness and the use of depression/anxiety medications were associated according to both modeling approaches, net of covariates. In years when a respondent reported feeling lonely, the odds of regular use of depression/anxiety medications were 1.42 times higher (p < .001) than in years when they did not feel lonely. Regarding reciprocation, odds of regular depression/anxiety medication use in a given wave range from 1.3 to 1.5 times higher if loneliness was reported in the prior wave. Likewise, the odds of reporting loneliness in a given wave range from 1.5 to 1.8 times higher if regular depression/anxiety medication was reported in the prior wave. Discussion Prior loneliness predicts contemporaneous regular use of depression/anxiety prescription medications. Although this confirms the directional association found in prior studies, we found prior use of depression/anxiety medications is also associated with increased odds of loneliness, suggesting further research is needed to understand mechanisms that explain their associations and potential interventions.
Two‐Photon Transitions and Continuous Emission from Hydrogenic Species

We discuss the implementation of two‐photon emission and absorption in Cloudy, a general‐purpose photoionization and radiative transfer code. We now include induced two‐photon absorption between the 1s and 2s levels of hydrogen and hydrogen‐like ions and between the 1 1 S and 2 1 S levels of the He‐like isoelectronic sequence. We show sample calculations predicting the full emitted continuum and have implemented a method to allow this continuum to be saved in FITS format and reused in other applications.
The critical role of cardiolipin in metazoan differentiation, development, and maturation

Cardiolipins are phospholipids that are central to proper mitochondrial functioning. Because mitochondria play crucial roles in differentiation, development, and maturation, we would also expect cardiolipin to play major roles in these processes. Indeed, cardiolipin has been implicated in the mechanism of three human diseases that affect young infants, implying developmental abnormalities. In this review, we will: (1) Review the biology of cardiolipin; (2) Outline the evidence for essential roles of cardiolipin during organismal development, including embryogenesis and cell maturation in vertebrate organisms; (3) Place the role(s) of cardiolipin during embryogenesis within the larger context of the roles of mitochondria in development; and (4) Suggest avenues for future research.
Preanalytic variable effects on segmentation and quantification machine learning algorithms for amyloid-β analyses on digitized human brain slides.

Computational machine learning (ML)-based frameworks could be advantageous for scalable analyses in neuropathology. A recent deep learning (DL) framework has shown promise in automating the processes of visualizing and quantifying different types of amyloid-β deposits as well as segmenting white matter (WM) from gray matter (GM) on digitized immunohistochemically stained slides. However, this framework has only been trained and evaluated on amyloid-β-stained slides with minimal changes in preanalytic variables. In this study, we evaluated select preanalytical variables including magnification, compression rate, and storage format using three digital slides scanners (Zeiss Axioscan Z1, Leica Aperio AT2, and Leica Aperio GT 450), on over 60 whole slide images, in a cohort of 14 cases having a spectrum of amyloid-β deposits. We conducted statistical comparisons of preanalytic variables with repeated measures analysis of variance evaluating the outputs of two DL frameworks for segmentation and object classification tasks. For both WM/GM segmentation and amyloid-β plaque classification tasks, there were statistical differences with respect to scanner types (p < 0.05) and magnifications (p < 0.05). Although small numbers of cases were analyzed, this pilot study highlights the significance of preanalytic variables that may alter the performance of ML algorithms.
Fast radiative transfer codes for infrared imaging radiometry: applications to cirrus clouds

Fast radiative transfer codes have been developed for simulating outgoing radiances to be measured by the Infrared Imaging Radiometer (IIR) of the space mission CALIPSO. Their performance is presented in terms of accuracy. One main objective of the IIR mission concerns cloud characterization and radiative codes have been developed to account for scattering and absorbing effects. Comparisons with a reference code have shown that the accuracy of the codes is about 0.2 K on brightness temperatures. This accuracy is adequate for IIR data analysis. Codes have been applied for the retrieval of cirrus cloud properties.