Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D skull modelling and description of a new baurusuchid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Late Cretaceous (Bauru Basin) of Brazil

Baurusuchidae is one of the most diverse groups of South American notosuchians, unambiguously recorded in Late Cretaceous deposits of Brazil and Argentina. The group is characterized by a reduced tooth formula, a lateromedially compressed rostrum, and a verticalized quadrate, representing one of the top predators of their faunas. Historically, skull morphology is the most employed tool to investigate the relationships of baurusuchids, as most of the species have been primarily based on cranial remains. The present study describes a new baurusuchid species from the Bauru Basin of Brazil, based on the first tridimensional digital reconstruction of individualized skull bones for Notosuchia, and discusses its phylogenetic position within the group. The new species differs from all the other known baurusuchids by a depression on the posterior portion of the nasal bearing a crest, an infraorbital crest of the jugal that extends until the anterior margin of the lacrimal, the dorsal surface of the frontal lacking a longitudinal crest or depression, and the lateral convexity of the squamosal prongs participating in the occipital wall. The new taxon is consistently positioned as sister to the remaining baurusuchines, with Aplestosuchus sordidus and Stratiotosuchus maxhechti, as successive sister‐taxa to a monophyletic Baurusuchus (Ba. albertoi, Ba. Salgadoensis, and Ba. pachecoi). Our updated phylogenetic analysis helps to differentiate the two major Baurusuchidae lineages, Baurusuchinae and Pissarrachampsinae. Yet, the new species shares morphological features with both groups, suggesting the occurrence of “Zones of Variability” in the radiation of Baurusuchidae.
Postdiagnostic dairy products intake and colorectal cancer survival in US males and females.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the association between postdiagnostic dairy intake and survival among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS This study analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). Postdiagnostic dairy intake and other dietary and lifestyle factors were obtained from validated questionnaires. Individual dairy items including milk, cheese, yogurt, and so on were reported, and total, high-fat, and low-fat dairy intakes were derived. RESULTS A total of 1753 eligible CRC cases were identified until 2012, from which 703 deaths were documented after a median follow-up time of 8.2 y, and 242 were due to CRC. Overall, when comparing those who consumed 21+ servings/wk with <7 servings/wk, postdiagnostic total dairy intake did not show significant associations with CRC-specific mortality (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.85, 2.13) or overall mortality (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.67). However, high-fat dairy, including whole milk and cream cheese, was positively associated with overall mortality (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.65) but not significantly with CRC-specific mortality (HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.90) when comparing those who consumed 10.5+ servings/wk with <3.5 servings/wk. For the same comparison, low-fat dairy, including skim or nonfat milk and cottage cheese, was inversely associated with overall mortality (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.92) but not CRC-specific mortality (HR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.29). CONCLUSIONS Total dairy products intake did not show significant association with CRC-specific or overall mortality. However, high intake of high-fat dairy products was associated with increased mortality, whereas low-fat dairy was associated with lower risk of overall mortality.
Rumen function and grazing behavior of early-lactation dairy cows supplemented with fodder beet.

Fodder beet (FB) is a source of readily fermentable carbohydrate that can mitigate early spring herbage deficits and correct the negative energy balance experienced during early lactation in pastoral dairy systems of New Zealand. However, the low-fiber and high-soluble carbohydrate content of both FB bulb and spring herbage are factors that promote subacute ruminal acidosis, impairing rumen function and limiting the marginal milk production response to supplement. In a crossover experiment, 8 Holstein Friesian × Jersey early-lactation dairy cows were used to test the effect of supplementing 16 kg of dry matter (DM) of a grazed perennial ryegrass herbage with 6 kg of DM/d of FB bulb (FBH) versus herbage only (HO) on changes in rumen function and grazing behavior. Following 20 d of adaptation to diets, DM disappearance (%) of FB bulb (FBH cows only) and herbage were measured in sacco, separately. Cows were fasted overnight, and the ruminal contents were bailed the following morning (∼0930 h) again to determine the pool size of volatile fatty acids, ammonia, and particle size of digesta, as well as to estimate the rate of ruminal outflow and degradation of neutral detergent fiber. The FBH diet did not alter DM intake, milk yield, or milk solid (fat + protein) production compared with HO. Supplementation of herbage with FB reduced ruminal pH compared with HO between ∼0800 h and 1300 h each day. During each period, 1 cow experienced severe subacute ruminal acidosis (pH <5.6 for >180 min/d) during final adaptation to the target FB allocation. The FBH diet reduced the ruminal pool of acetate and ammonia, but increased the ruminal pool of butyrate and lactate compared with HO. When fed FB, rumination and grazing time increased and grazing intensity declined compared with cows fed HO. Despite increased rumination, the comminution of large particles declined 28% between the first and second rumen bailing when cows were fed FB, and in sacco DM disappearance of perennial ryegrass declined 18% compared with cows fed HO. These results indicate that grazing dairy cows supplemented with FB (40% of daily intake) increase rumination and mastication intensity to counteract reduced ruminal degradation of ryegrass herbage due to low ruminal fluid pH.
Relationship between Functional miR-143/145 Cluster Variants and Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Preliminary Case-Control Study and Bioinformatics Analyses

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the link between two variants (rs4705342 and rs4705343) in the promoter of the miR-143/145 cluster with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. Methods:A total of 1200 subjects were genotyped using the ARMS-PCR method. Results: The rs4705342 variant enhanced the risk of T2DM under codominant CC (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.89–5.60), recessive TT+TC (OR = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.77–5.17), and dominant TC+CC (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.08–1.71) genetic models. Individuals carrying the C allele of rs4705342 conferred a 1.43 fold increased risk of T2DM. As regards rs4705343, decreased risk of T2DM was observed under codominant TC (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.42–0.67), over-dominant TT+CC (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.40–0.64), and dominant TC+CC (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48–0.75) models. Haplotype analysis of the variants showed a 1.941-fold increased risk of T2DM regarding the C T combination. Significant associations were noticed between different haplotypes and lipid indices of T2DM patients. There were no notable changes in p-values after adjustment for BMI. Computational analysis revealed that miR143 and/or miR145 target important genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Conclusions: Functional miR-143/145 variants might influence the risk of T2DM. Hence, clarifying the precise regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in the development of T2DM will significantly guide researchers to find a novel target for therapeutic intervention.
Increasing Age Associated with Higher Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibition Rate Is a Predictive Factor for Efficacy of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors

Background It is not known which type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients would most benefit from dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor treatment. We aimed to investigate the predictors of response to DPP-4 inhibitors considering degree of DPP-4 inhibition. Methods This study is a post hoc analysis of a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial that compared the efficacy and safety of a DPP-4 inhibitor (gemigliptin vs. sitagliptin) in patients with T2DM. Subjects were classified into tertiles of T1 <65.26%, T2=65.26%–76.35%, and T3 ≥76.35% by DPP-4 inhibition. We analyzed the change from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) according to DPP-4 inhibition with multiple linear regression adjusting for age, ethnicity, body mass index, baseline HbA1c, and DPP-4 activity at baseline. Results The mean age was greater in the high tertile group compared with the low tertile group (T1: 49.8±8.3 vs. T2: 53.1±10.5 vs. T3: 55.3±9.5, P<0.001) of DPP-4 inhibition. Although HbA1c at baseline was not different among tertiles of DPP-4 inhibition (P=0.398), HbA1c after 24-week treatment was lower in the higher tertile compares to the lower tertile (T1: 7.30%±0.88% vs. T2: 7.12%±0.78% vs. T3: 7.00%±0.78%, P=0.021). In multiple regression analysis, DPP-4 enzyme inhibition rate was not a significant determent for HbA1c reduction due to age. In subgroup analysis by tertile of DPP-4 inhibition, age was the only significant predictor and only in the highest tertile (R2=0.281, B=–0.014, P=0.024). Conclusion This study showed that HbA1c reduction by DPP-4 inhibitor was associated with increasing age, and this association was linked with higher DPP-4 inhibition.
Severe Complication of Thiopurine Treatment in a Young Woman with Crohn's Disease.

Case description A 28-year old woman receiving thiopurine treatment for Crohn's disease presented with a systemic primo cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection affecting the gut (colitis), liver (hepatitis), lungs (pneumonitis) and eyes (retinitis). Secondary to this systemic infection, she developed splenomegaly, pancytopenia and lymphadenopathy. Anti-viral treatment resulted in complete resolution of clinical, biochemical and radiological abnormalities within 6 weeks. Conclusion Early recognition is crucial since CMV infection in a patient receiving thiopurine treatment may result in serious complications. LEARNING POINTS Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients receiving thiopurine treatment may result in serious complications.This case report describes extensive primo CMV infection causing colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and retinitis in a patient receiving thiopurine treatment.Early recognition and treatment of the infection is crucial.
Boric Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzimidazoles in Aqueous Medium

ABSTRACT: Water mediated green reaction of aromatic aldehyde with o-phenylenediamane in order to generate benzimidazoles using boric acid as a catalyst in water at room temperature furnished benzimidazoles in good yields. This protocol corresponds in short reaction time, low cost, high reaction yield
Introducing healthcare professionals to systems thinking through an integrated curriculum for leading in health systems.

In the operating conditions of the 21st century it is impossible to be competent alone' (O'Hara & Leicester, 2019, p. 16). Competence in leading and managing, as in any professional practice, is best understood as the ability to work with others to meet important challenges in complex human systems (Rychen & Salganik, 2003). Systems thinkers such as Oshry (1999, 2007, 2018, 2019, 2020) recognise that competence is a function of systems and culture; that is, of relationships. This insight acknowledges the importance of being able to work effectively in group settings but goes further in recognising that our lives are always lived in complex patterns of relationships with others (O'Hara & Leicester, 2019).
Feasibility of Cochlea High-frequency Ultrasound and Microcomputed Tomography Registration for Cochlear Computer-assisted Surgery: A Testbed

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Introduction: There remains no standard imaging method that allows computer-assisted surgery of the cochlea in real time. However, recent evidence suggests that high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) could permit real-time visualization of cochlear architecture. Registration with an imaging modality that suffers neither attenuation nor conical deformation could reveal useful anatomical landmarks to surgeons. Our study aimed to address the feasibility of an automated three-dimensional (3D) HFUS/microCT registration, and to evaluate the identification of cochlear structures using 2D/3D HFUS and microCT. Methods: MicroCT, and 2D/3D 40 MHz US in B-mode were performed on ex vivo guinea pig cochlea. An automatic rigid registration algorithm was applied to segmented 3D images. This automatic registration was then compared to a reference method using manual annotated landmarks placed by two senior otologists. Inter- and intrarater reliabilities were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the mean registration error was calculated. Results: 3D HFUS/microCT automatic registration was successful. Excellent levels of concordance were achieved with regards intra-rater reliability for both raters with micro-CT and US images (ICC ranging from 0.98 to 1, p < 0.001) and with regards inter-rater reliability (ICC ranging from 0.99 to 1, p < 0.001). The mean HFUS/microCT automated RE for both observers was 0.17 ± 0.03 mm [0.10–0.25]. Identification of the basilar membrane, modiolus, scala tympani, and scala vestibuli was possible with 2D/3D HFUS and micro-CT. Conclusions: HFUS/microCT image registration is feasible. 2D/3D HFUS and microCT allow the visualization of cochlear structures. Many potential clinical applications are conceivable.
The evolving treatment paradigm of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: putting all the pieces back together

Purpose of review The therapeutic landscape of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become notably complex in recent years. With this review, we aimed to put the most recent findings in perspective and tried to delineate the rapidly changing treatment algorithm. Recent findings The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has become the new first-line standard of care treatment for unresectable HCC after the positive results of the phase 3 IMbrave150 study. Nivolumab monotherapy failed to demonstrate advantage versus sorafenib in the CheckMate 459 trial, while two different therapeutic strategies (sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar and donafenib) outperformed sorafenib in two phase 2/3 studies conducted in the Chinese population. Several immunotherapy combinations are currently under study in large phase 3 trials after promising results in earlier phase studies. About further lines of treatment, the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab was approved for sorafenib-pretreated patients after the positive results of the phase 1/2 CheckMate 040 study and apatinib was proven effective in the Chinese population in a phase 2/3 study, while pembrolizumab as monotherapy did not show statistically significant superiority when compared with placebo in the KEYNOTE-240 study. Summary Because of the growing complexity of advanced HCC treatment, the implementation of predictive biomarkers of response is eagerly needed.
Moving beyond assumptions: Polyploidy and environmental effects explain a geographical parthenogenesis scenario in European plants

Geographical parthenogenesis (GP) describes the phenomenon that apomicts tend to have larger distribution areas and/or occur at higher altitudes or latitudes compared to sexual relatives. However, the complex effects of genome‐wide heterozygosity, ploidy, reproduction mode (sexual vs. apomictic), and environment shaping GP of plants are still not well understood. We ascertained ploidy and reproduction mode by flow cytometry of 221 populations, and added genomic RADseq data (maximum 33,165 loci) of 80 taxa of the Ranunculus auricomus polyploid plant complex in temperate Europe. We observed 7% mainly diploid sexual, 28% facultative apomictic (mean sexuality 7.1%), and 65% obligate apomictic populations. Sexuals occupied a more southern, smaller distribution area, whereas apomicts expanded their range to higher latitudes. Within the complex, we detected three main genetic clusters and highly reticulate relationships. A genetically‐informed path analysis using GLMMs revealed several significant relationships. Sexuality of populations (percent of sexual seeds) was higher in diploids compared to polyploids, associated with more petals, and similar between forests and open habitats. In contrast to other apomictic plant complexes, sexuality was mainly positively correlated to solar radiation and isothermality, which fits the southern distribution. We found up to three times higher heterozygosity in polyploids compared to diploids, and generally more heterozygous individuals in forests compared with open habitats. Interestingly, we revealed a previously unknown positive association between heterozygosity and temperature seasonality, suggesting a higher resistance of polyploids to more extreme climatic conditions. We provide empirical evidence for intrinsic and extrinsic factors shaping the GP pattern in a polyploid plant complex.
Testing for outliers with conformal p-values

This paper studies the construction of p-values for nonparametric outlier detection, taking a multiple-testing perspective. The goal is to test whether new independent samples belong to the same distribution as a reference data set or are outliers. We propose a solution based on conformal inference, a broadly applicable framework which yields p-values that are marginally valid but mutually dependent for different test points. We prove these p-values are positively dependent and enable exact false discovery rate control, although in a relatively weak marginal sense. We then introduce a new method to compute p-values that are both valid conditionally on the training data and independent of each other for different test points; this paves the way to stronger type-I error guarantees. Our results depart from classical conformal inference as we leverage concentration inequalities rather than combinatorial arguments to establish our finite-sample guarantees. Furthermore, our techniques also yield a uniform confidence bound for the false positive rate of any outlier detection algorithm, as a function of the threshold applied to its raw statistics. Finally, the relevance of our results is demonstrated by numerical experiments on real and simulated data.
Testing the Cross-Sectional Microhardness in Sheets with A 0.08% Carbon Concentration

The research team studied the hardness of cold-rolled sheets of varying thicknesses containing 0.08% carbon. Greater thickness correlated with lower mean hardness. The hardness was found to drop in the middle of a plate and to increase gradually towards the edges. This pattern was observed regardless of the thickness of thin cold-rolled sheet steel. The change in hardness may indicate uneven accumulated strain in the sheets rolled to a desired value. Pre-hardened sheets were analyzed to find whether the hardness was homogeneous through the thickness. The material was hardened by axial tensioning. Analysis showed that at greater accumulated strain, the through-thickness hardness was affected as well. However, the difference was less pronounced at the edge as well as in the middle of sheets. The paper shows graphs of the hardness distribution through thickness.
The Effect of Microstructure and Temperature Gradient on Radiation-Induced Swelling of Austenitic Steel

Radiation porosity through-thickness of the fuel pin cladding, made of 16Cr-19Ni-2Mo-2Mn-Nb-Ti-V-P-B steel, has been studied with scanning electron microscopy using backscattered electron (BSE) detector. The examined sample was irradiated at a temperature around 480 °С up to an integral damage dose of 87 dpa. It was shown that, due to the temperature gradient through the cladding thickness, the average size of radiation voids reduces, and their concentration increases from internal to external surface. Local nonuniformity of radiation porosity is observed in regions close to internal and external surfaces. It was shown that, non-uniformity of radiation porosity is determined by the material structure, microtwin density and high concentration of low-angle inter-granular boundaries, in particular.
Hybrid Metal 3D Printing for Selective Polished Surface

Metal additive manufacturing has found broad applications in diverse disciplines. Post processing to homogenize and improve surface finishing remains a critical challenge to additive manufacturing. We propose a novel one-stop solution of adopting hybrid metal 3D printing to streamlining the additive manufacturing workflow as well as to improve surface roughness quality of selective interior surface of the printed parts. This work has great potential in medical and aerospace industries where complicated and high-precision additive manufacturing is anticipated.
Frictional Heat Simulation of Brake Composites in a Pin-on-Disc Tribotesting

This paper presents the comparative investigation of temperature distributions in the pin-on-disc tribo-contact with dry friction conditions. Heat generation and distribution mechanism in contact of a pin made by phenolic resin–based brake friction composite and 35HNL steel disc counter-face material were studied. Both experimental and simulation methods were used to study the temperature changes. In order to analyse the thermal effects, the change in the coefficient of friction with time were also characterized. Experimental friction tests performed on universal “pin-on-disc"-type friction and wear test machine model MMW-1. Interface temperature measurements of the disc was conducted non-contact type infra-red laser thermometer. Heat simulations were modelled via finite element method using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5, Heat Transfer in Solid Module. The simulations helped to determine in the increase of temperature over selected time period. Obtained experimental results compared with results of numerical analysis.
Droplet motion and oscillation on contrasting micro-striated surfaces

Abstract Spontaneous motion of liquid droplets can occur on hydrophobic, micro-structured, solid surfaces comprising a structural gradient. In this study, we examine such motion experimentally and explain our observations by invoking variable droplet–surface interactions (both actuation and resistance forces) arising from the structural gradient. The oscillatory motion of the droplet constitutes an integral aspect of the behaviour and this is incorporated into the overall modelling. The theoretical model features a truncated spheroid for the drop shape (flattened in the region of solid contact) coupled with the oscillatory and alternate leading and trailing motion of the contact line. Results from the model and experiments provide good qualitative and quantitative agreement. The component of the vertical oscillation is found to help overcome wetting hysteresis and actuate the motion, this being a key element for the completeness of the model.
An Artificial-Intelligence-Based Semantic Assist Framework for Judicial Trials

Abstract Due to their success in routine tasks such as voice recognition, image classification, and text processing, extensive attention has been aroused on how to use artificial intelligence (AI)-based automation tools in the judicial-trial process to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, judicial trial is a complex task that requires accurate insight and subtle analysis of the cases, law, and common knowledge. Applying the results provided by AI-based automation tools directly to the judicial-trial process is controversial due to their irregular logic and low accuracy. Based on this observation, this article investigates the logic underlined in judicial trials and the technical characteristics of AI, and proposes an AI-based semantic assist approach for judicial trials that is logical and transparent to the judges.