Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Public Health Considerations for HPV Vaccination in Midadulthood: A Narrative Review

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, anogenital warts, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Beginning in 2019, US guidelines recommended shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for HPV vaccination among midadults (27–45 years). We conducted a narrative review of existing literature on HPV vaccination in midadults. The available evidence demonstrates that HPV vaccination in midadults is safe, efficacious, and likely to benefit both HPV-naïve midadults and those with previous infections. However, gaps in knowledge related to HPV vaccination have been identified among clinicians and midadult patients. Universal midadult HPV vaccination in the United States could avert 20 934–37 856 cancer cases over 100 years, costing $141 000–$1 471 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Wide variation in these estimates reflects uncertainties in sexual behavior, HPV natural history, and naturally acquired immunity. Greater awareness among clinicians and midadult patients and broad implementation of SCDM may accelerate progress toward eliminating HPV-associated cancers and other diseases.
Dysregulated UPR and ER Stress Related to a Mutation in the Sdf2l1 Gene Are Involved in the Pathophysiology of Diet-Induced Diabetes in the Cohen Diabetic Rat

The Cohen Diabetic rat is a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus that consists of the susceptible (CDs/y) and resistant (CDr/y) strains. Diabetes develops in CDs/y provided diabetogenic diet (DD) but not when fed regular diet (RD) nor in CDr/y given either diet. We recently identified in CDs/y a deletion in Sdf2l1, a gene that has been attributed a role in the unfolded protein response (UPR) and in the prevention of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesized that this deletion prevents expression of SDF2L1 and contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes in CDs/y by impairing UPR, enhancing ER stress, and preventing CDs/y from secreting sufficient insulin upon demand. We studied SDF2L1 expression in CDs/y and CDr/y. We evaluated UPR by examining expression of key proteins involved in both strains fed either RD or DD. We assessed the ability of all groups of animals to secrete insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) over 4 weeks, and after overnight feeding (postprandial) over 4 months. We found that SDF2L1 was expressed in CDr/y but not in CDs/y. The pattern of expression of proteins involved in UPR, namely the PERK (EIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP) and IRE1 (XBP-1) pathways, was different in CDs/y DD from all other groups, with consistently lower levels of expression at 4 weeks after initiation of DD and coinciding with the development of diabetes. In CDs/y RD, insulin secretion was mildly impaired, whereas in CDs/y DD, the ability to secrete insulin decreased over time, leading to the development of the diabetic phenotype. We conclude that in CDs/y DD, UPR participating proteins were dysregulated and under-expressed at the time point when the diabetic phenotype became overt. In parallel, insulin secretion in CDs/y DD became markedly impaired. Our findings suggest that under conditions of metabolic load with DD and increased demand for insulin secretion, the lack of SDF2L1 expression in CDs/y is associated with UPR dysregulation and ER stress which, combined with oxidative stress previously attributed to the concurrent Ndufa4 mutation, are highly likely to contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetes in this model.
Multi-class semantic segmentation for identification of silicate island defects

Abstract In the automotive industry, it is necessary to identify the edge and center silicate island weld defects formed during Gas metal arc welding. These inspections of the weld are typically performed manually by visually inspecting the weld and identifying regions where the defect concentration is greater than a set threshold. Such a system is prone to errors and can be time-consuming. A novel deep-learning neural network is required to meet the industry’s demand for high-quality welded products. To achieve this, a deep learning U-Net model for multi-class semantic segmentation was designed. The model was trained with a dataset of less than a hundred images and can achieve over 98% accuracy.
"Spiral-planar equivalence" of steady state photon diffusion associated with a cylindrical applicator

We predict the phenomenon of "spiral-planar equivalence" for steady-state photon diffusion associated with a cylindrical applicator. Recently we have derived a unified theory of steady-state photon diffusion in a homogenous medium bounded either externally (referred to as a concave geometry) or internally (referred to as a convex geometry) by an infinitely long circular cylindrical applicator [JOSAA, 27(3): 648-662 (2010)]. Despite the idealization of the geometry by assuming an infinite length of the applicator, the analytic prediction withholds the quantitative examinations based on experimental measurements, and finite-element solution of photon diffusion. An interesting finding is that the decay of photon fluence in a concave boundary is smaller in the azimuth direction but greater along the longitudinal direction, in comparison with that in a semi-infinite geometry along a straight line, for the same line-of-sight distance between the source and the detector. Conversely, the decay of photon fluence in a convex boundary is greater in the azimuth direction but smaller along the longitudinal direction, in comparison with that in a semi-infinite geometry along a straight line, for the same line-of-sight source-detector distance. These findings suggest that on the cylindrical applicator interface there should exist a spiral direction (oblique to both the azimuthal and longitudinal directions), along which the rate of photon fluence decay follows that along a straight line on a planar semi-infinite interface---which is called the "spiral-planar equivalence". The "spiral-planar equivalence" is derivable analytically, and subject to quantitative evaluations. Validating the "spiral-planar equivalence" not only enriches the understanding of photon diffusion in cylindricalinterface geometry, but also provides unique semi-infinite-based imaging application in trans-lumenal diffuse optical sensing. The "spiral-planar equivalence" may be applicable to time-resolved photon-diffusion.
Nondestructive discrimination between normal and hematological malignancy cell lines using near-infrared Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis

An accurate understanding of biomolecular changes in living cells associated with malignant transformation is of paramount importance in early cancer detection. The aim of this study was to apply near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (RS) for differentiating cancer from normal cells. High-quality Raman spectra in the range of 450–1800 cm−1 can be obtained from 31 normal and 64 hematological malignancy cells including 43 CA46 and 21 U266 cells. There were significant differences in Raman spectra between normal and cancer groups, which suggests special changes in the percentage of biomolecules including lipid, nucleic acids and proteins in different cell lines. A diagnostic accuracy of 100% can be achieved by principal components analysis (PCA) combined with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for classification between cancer and normal cell lines. This exploratory study demonstrates the potential application of the RS technique combined with PCA–LDA as a clinical cell-based biosensor for the noninvasive cancer detection and screening at the molecular level.
Polymer scaffolding model for holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

A polymer scaffolding model is proposed to describe the electro-optic performance parameters of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLC). Using a simple phenomenological approach to model the interaction between the liquid crystal and polymer scaffolding, the observed increase in critical field and reduced dynamic response times are well described, and the molecular interaction energy is deduced to be ∼10−4 J/m2.
A monte carlo comparison of some bayesian and sampling theory estimators in two heteroscedastic error models

Additive and multiplicative heteroscedastic error models are considered, and the relative efficiency of a number of Bayesian and sampling theory estimators, including some pre-test estimators,is investigated. The relative performance of the various estimators seems to depend more on sample size and the severity of the heteroscedasticity than it does on the underlying nature of the heteroscedasticity. In general the Bayesian estimators outperform the sampling theory estimators, and we make some useful recommendations concerning estimator choice.
Residual Stress Study of SiO2/Pt/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Pt Multilayer Structure for Micro Electro Mechanical System Applications

Stresses in micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) multilayer structures with SiO2/Pt/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Pt thin-film stacks on Si substrates were investigated by measuring the radius of wafer curvature for each film. The SiO2 film and Pt electrodes were under compressive stress and Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film was under tensile stress prior to subsequent depositions. However, the stresses in each film after the last coating were tensile, except in the Pt top electrode. The interactions between different films in the multilayer were also studied by measuring the radius of curvature as each film was wet-etched layer by layer. Furthermore, the beams were fabricated using a microfabrication process to investigate the curving state of a multilayer structure released from the Si substrate. The curving states of beams are related to not only the stresses in each film but also the balance of flexural rigidity among films. A beam without any curvature was successfully obtained by adjusting the thickness of each film.
Random Shuffling of Switching Parameters in a Model of Gene Expression Regulatory Network

A discrete time model of large gene expression regulatory networks is considered. Transcriptional degrees of regulations and activation thresholds are shuffled randomly that helps to study the highly reproducible dynamical patterns of regulatory processes in a lack of empirical data concerning genetic switches. The multistationarity and multiperiodicity of oscillations exhibited by the system relay upon the feedback circuits. Statistics of their appearance depends upon the relative number of negative regulations between the genes of network, the number of cycles in the maximal graph, and their lengths. The model defined on the scalable graphs demonstrates the high persistence in oscillations and the high error tolerance.
Progressive photon mapping

This paper introduces a simple and robust progressive global illumination algorithm based on photon mapping. Progressive photon mapping is a multi-pass algorithm where the first pass is ray tracing followed by any number of photon tracing passes. Each photon tracing pass results in an increasingly accurate global illumination solution that can be visualized in order to provide progressive feedback. Progressive photon mapping uses a new radiance estimate that converges to the correct radiance value as more photons are used. It is not necessary to store the full photon map, and unlike standard photon mapping it possible to compute a global illumination solution with any desired accuracy using a limited amount of memory. Compared with existing Monte Carlo ray tracing methods progressive photon mapping provides an efficient and robust alternative in the presence of complex light transport such as caustics and in particular reflections of caustics.
Nonthermal electron-positron pairs and the break in the hard X-ray spectrum of NGC 4151

The recent observation by the detectors on board Granat of a spectral steepening above about 50 keV imposes a constraint on possible emission models for NGC 4151. This steepening, for example, is not well fitted by an exponential rollover characteristic of a purely thermal model, or by a Compton-downscattered power law. We find that this spectral behavior is consistent with that produced by a photon-starved nonthermal pair plasma with high compactness. This is the first quantitative test of the nonthermal pair plasma model against broad-band X-ray/gamma-ray observations. Above 200 keV or so, the nonthermal pair plasma model predicts an upturn in the spectrum, and a thermal annihilation feature around 511 keV. Such spectral behavior should be looked for with GRO.
Further Investigation of the Effects of Intensity upon the Pitch of Pure Tones

Typical methods for observing pitch changes with intensity for pure tones consist of varying the frequency of one tone of fixed intensity (the comparison tone) so as to match the pitch of a second tone of fixed frequency (the tone under test) when the latter is set at different intensities. Differences between the comparison and test‐tone frequencies, when equated in pitch under these conditions, are ascribed to their intensity differences and used as a measure of the pitch intensity shifts for the test tone. The comparison and test tones may differ in frequency, however, even when they are matched in pitch under equal intensity conditions. These frequency differences, called pitch‐matching errors, may be identical to those noted above for comparable conditions and consequently nullify the apparent pitch‐intensity shifts. This possibility was studied in two experiments which sought to reproduce the pitch intensity relationship as defined by the data of Stevens and Snow. In more than half the comparisons m.
The radio counterparts of gamma-ray bursts

In the last three decades sensitive radio searches have been made for prompt emission accompanying a burst, flaring or fading emission on time scales of days to weeks following a burst, and quiescent radio emission from the host object well after the burst has faded from view. These efforts have recently been rewarded with the detection of the radio afterglow from GRB970508. I will summarize all that has been learned from a continuing study of this source at the Very Large Array (VLA). The absence of radio emission from a large number of well-monitored events similar to GRB970508, suggests that detectable radio emission is not a generic consequence of gamma-ray bursts.
INJECTOR STUDY FOR COMPACT HARD X-RAY SOURCE VIA LASER COMPTON SCATTERING

Compact hard X-ray source via laser Compton sattering has been developed in SHI and AIST. Our system has the injector and the linac and the high power laser system. The injector has a photo-cathode rf gun with a solenoid magnet. To enhance the X-ray yeild, we are planning to increase electron beam charge up to 5 nC/bunch and to make multi-bunch beam. The beam tracking simulation in the injector have been performed by changing laser spot size, laser pulse width, rf phase and solenoid field to optimize the distance between the injector and the linac for 5 nC/bunch high charge beam. In addition, high charge multi-bunch beam simulation in rf-gun cavity have been carried out to investigate the influence by the beam loading and the wake field.
The Old Open Clusters of the Milky Way

The Galactic open clusters, in particular the oldest members, serve as excellent probes of the structure and evolution of the Galactic disk. Individual clusters provide excellent tests of stellar and dynamical evolution. Cluster spatial and age distributions provide insight into the processes of cluster formation and destruction that have allowed substantial numbers of old open clusters to survive. Spectroscopic and photometric data for the old clusters yield kinematic, abundance, and age information that clarifies the relationship between the old open cluster population and other Galactic populations. New samples of old open clusters, which span a large range in distance and age, are used to define disk abundance gradients and the cluster age-metallicity relationship, and they point to a complex history of chemical enrichment and mixing in the disk.
Ecological constraint, rather than opportunity, promotes adaptive radiation in three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) on North Uist

Abstract The context and cause of adaptive radiations have been widely described and explored but why rapid evolutionary diversification does not occur in related evolutionary lineages has yet to be understood. The standard answer is that evolutionary diversification is provoked by ecological opportunity and that some lineages do not encounter the opportunity. Three‐spined sticklebacks on the Scottish island of North Uist show enormous diversification, which seems to be associated with the diversity of aquatic habitats. Sticklebacks on the neighboring island of South Uist have not been reported to show the same level of evolutionary diversity, despite levels of environmental variation that we might expect to be similar to North Uist. In this study, we compared patterns of morphological and environmental diversity on North and South Uist. Ancestral anadromous sticklebacks from both islands exhibited similar morphology including size and bony “armor. ” Resident sticklebacks showed significant variation in armor traits in relation to pH of water. However, North Uist sticklebacks exhibited greater diversity of morphological traits than South Uist and this was associated with greater diversity in pH of the waters of lochs on North Uist. Highly acidic and highly alkaline freshwater habitats are missing, or uncommon, on South Uist. Thus, pH appears to act as a causal factor driving the evolutionary diversification of stickleback in local adaptation in North and South Uist. This is consistent with diversification being more associated with ecological constraint than ecological opportunity.
The Poole-Frenkel effect with compensation present.

This extended Poole‐Frenkel model includes the effects of compensation. The relative densities of donor and acceptor sites control the slope of the log J vs E1/2 plots. With only one type of site present, the slope equals that expected for Schottky emission [slope= (e3/πee0)1/2/2kT]. When sites of the opposite type compensate, the slope doubles. The degree of compensation must be known to determine the barrier heights separating the emission site from the band edge. Data from metal‐silicon nitride‐metal devices are consistent with this model with emission occurring from impurity sites approximately 2.0 eV from the conduction band edge.
Translation and validation of the Dari International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in Afghan asylum seekers and refugees

ABSTRACT Background: The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is a standardized and validated measure aligned with the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). It has been translated into 25 different languages, but is yet to be translated into Dari and validated for use in the Afghan population. Objective: This study aimed (1) to translate and culturally adapt the ITQ for use in Dari; (2) to assess the construct validity and composite reliability of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using the Dari ITQ; and (3) to examine the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the Dari ITQ. Method: The Dari ITQ was validated through the completion of a set of standardized measures by 305 Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria. Factorial analyses and psychometric properties of the Dari ITQ were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bivariate correlations, and multivariate regression. Results: Asylum seekers showed significantly higher levels of ICD-11 CPTSD symptomatology and probable diagnoses of ICD-11 PTSD, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) PTSD, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in comparison to refugees. CFA results supported the two-factor second-order model comprised of the PTSD and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) as the best fit to the data. The psychometric adequacy of this model in the Dari ITQ was evidenced by high factor loadings and excellent internal reliability. The Dari ITQ showed satisfactory concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The current study supports the statistical validity and cultural sensitivity of the Dari ITQ in identifying symptoms of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among Afghan asylum seekers and refugees. HIGHLIGHTS This study provides the first translation and validation of the ITQ in Dari with an Afghan refugee population in Austria. The two-factor second-order model was supported as the best fit to the data. Additional support for the composite reliability, and concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity was provided, suggesting the statistical validity and cultural sensitivity of the Dari ITQ in identifying symptoms of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among Afghan asylum seekers and refugees.
Anatomical and physiological responses of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae) induced by silicon and sodium chloride stress during in vitro culture

Salt stress is one of the most severe abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and development. The application of silicon (Si) is an alternative that can increase the tolerance of plants to various types of biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective was to evaluate salt stress’s effect in vitro and Si’s mitigation potential on Aechmea blanchetiana plants. For this purpose, plants already established in vitro were transferred to a culture medium with 0 or 14 µM of Si (CaSiO3). After growth for 30 days, a stationary liquid medium containing different concentrations of NaCl (0, 100, 200, or 300 µM) was added to the flasks. Anatomical and physiological analyses were performed after growth for 45 days. The plants cultivated with excess NaCl presented reduced root diameter and effective photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (ΦPSII) and increased non-photochemical dissipation of fluorescence (qN). Plants that grew with the presence of Si also had greater content of photosynthetic pigments and activity of the enzymes of the antioxidant system, as well as higher values of maximum quantum yield of PSII (FV/FM), photochemical dissipation coefficient of fluorescence (qP) and fresh weight bioaccumulation of roots and shoots. The anatomical, physiological and biochemical responses, and growth induced by Si mitigated the effect of salt stress on the A. blanchetiana plants cultivated in vitro, which can be partly explained by the tolerance of this species to grow in sandbank (Restinga) areas.
The effects of early between-school tracking on gender segregation and gender gaps in achievement: a differences-in-differences study

ABSTRACT We investigated effects of tracking students into higher, more academic, and lower, less academic, school types immediately after primary school (early tracking) instead of having a comprehensive secondary school system (late tracking) on school gender segregation and gender gaps in achievement outcomes. We assumed that, in early tracking countries, girls are more frequently selected into more academic school types, which leads to more school segregation by gender and achievement advantages of girls over boys. In a differences-in-differences design, we compared secondary-school-level gender inequalities between early and late tracking countries, after controlling for primary-school-level differences. We investigated 787 country-by-year observations in 33 matches of primary- and secondary-school-level data sets from three international large-scale assessments. As expected, we found that early tracking increased the degree of school gender segregation. Not conforming to expectations, the evidence did not indicate that tracking had effects on gender gaps in achievement.