Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential of 6-Aza-Indazole as a Renewable Therapy to Treat Diabetic Retinopathy through Inhibition of Factor D Complement

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that has a high prevalence in Indonesia. One of diabetes’ complications is Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). DR is one of the highest cause of preventable blindness in the world. The treatment for DR up till then uses intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, intravitreal steroid antiinflammation injection. Intravitreal administration can cause some side effects such as increased intraocular pressure and endophthalmitis. Furthermore, patient’s convenience is also disturbed, for always having to see a medical personnel frequently. One pathogenesis of DR is the activation of the complement system which causes lysis of endothelial cells and results in ischemic damage to the retina. This ischemic effect will stimulate VEGF secretion that manifests in the phase of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR). Inhibitor of D factor, 6-aza indazole is a small size protein, less than 300 Da which has the potential to inhibit progress of DR by interfering with the activation of alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system. This is supported by the in-vivo test result, where there is a significant inhibition of intraocular AP activation continuously for 8 hours after an oral administration of this agent at a dose of 30 mg/kg. But this study is still in a pre-clinical phase that uses mice as the subject. Therefore, there must be a further study and clinical trial to find out the dosage and safety of this agent to be applied to humans. Keywords : 6-aza indazole, alternative pathway, complement factor D inhibitor, diabetic retinopathy
Self Reported Symptoms Due To Heat Stress Among Housekeeping Workers Of A Residential Complex Maintenance Sector

Linkages between thermal loads and its physiological consequences have been studied in organized sector settings of developed countries. Outdoor workplace settings in developing countries are largely influenced by radiation from direct sunlight that may contribute to greater than recommended levels of heat exposure. Consequently a wide range of health implications can cause unsafe conditions and thermal discomfort leading to reduced performance in hot working temperatures. This study is aimed to evaluate the perception of housekeeping workers regarding heat stress and also assess the self reported symptoms due to heat stress. The objective of present study is to assess self -reported health symptoms and perceptions of housekeeping workers of a residential complex maintenance sector in relation to occupational heat stress. Heat stress was assessed through Environmental measurements (WBGT). A standardized questionnaire was administered to 40 workers to assess a range of symptoms due to exposure to heat stress. The questionnaire also recorded productivity loss in terms of missed work hours/days or sickness/absenteeism. WBGT levels in the residential sector ranged from 27.6 to 32.4 o C. Nearly 80% of the workers reported excessive sweating suggestive of exhaustion and fatigue. 20% reported symptoms of severe exhaustion, while 33% reported skin rashes. Amongst women workers 20% reported urinary tract infections and/or burning sensations. 15% of workers also reported loss of productivity (in terms of not being able to finish assigned work in the given time) that they perceived to be due to heat exposures. The worker perceptions have indicated that occupational heat stress exposure resulting from outdoor work is likely to have implications for health and productivity. Further assessments to refine this relationship warrant quantitative assessments of physiological responses. These studies will help in implementing effective interventions and protective
Design of Novel Nested Arrays Based on the Concept of Sum-Difference Coarray

Nested arrays have recently attracted considerable attention in the field of direction of arrival (DOA) estimation owing to the hole-free property of their virtual arrays. However, such virtual arrays are confined to difference coarrays as only spatial information of the received signals is exploited. By exploiting the spatial and temporal information jointly, four kinds of novel nested arrays based on the sum-difference coarray (SDCA) concept are proposed. To increase the degrees of freedom (DOFs) of SDCA, a modified translational nested array (MTNA) is introduced first. Then, by analyzing the relationship among sensors in MTNA, we give the specific positions of redundant sensors and remove them later. Finally, we derive the closed-form expressions for the proposed arrays as well as their SDCAs. Meanwhile, different index sets corresponding to the proposed arrays are also designed for their use in obtaining the desirable SDCAs. Moreover, the properties regarding DOFs of SDCAs and physical apertures for the proposed arrays are analyzed, which prove that both the DOFs and physical apertures are improved. Simulation results are provided to verify the superiority of the proposed arrays.
Providing Adolescents with Independent and Confidential Access to Childhood Vaccines: A Proposal to Lower the Age of Consent

The recent rise in rates of nonvaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases and the attendant risks to the public’s health require that lawmakers consider new policy solutions. This Article proposes one such solution. We recommend creation of a limited exception to parental decisionmaking authority by permitting certain older minors to provide legally binding consent for childhood vaccinations. We analogize this proposed policy to other statutory exceptions that permit certain minors independent access to services relating to contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health and substance abuse, and sexual assault without parental consent. In this interdisciplinary paper, we analyze the constitutional, policy, scientific, and practical issues relevant to this proposal, and provide lawmakers with a blueprint with which to enact the proposed legislative reform. We also suggest that, in the absence of legislative action, courts allow petitioning mature minors to consent independently to recommended childhood vaccinations. In addition, consistent with protections recommended for other treatment-specific exceptions to parental consent rules, we recommend protecting the confidentiality of minors who request vaccinations, both from direct disclosure of medical information without the minors’ consent and from dissemination of information by insurance companies that might cover the cost of the vaccinations.
Hexagonal ring electromagnetic band gap‐based slot antenna for circular polarization and performance enhancement

In this article, a hexagonal ring electromagnetic band gap (HREBG) structure‐based circularly polarized (CP) slot antenna for improving performance is proposed. The proposed antenna has a compact structure with a low profile of 0. 517λo × 0. 517λo × 0. 055λo (λo stands for the free space wavelength at 5.10 GHz), is coplanar waveguide fed, and comprises of a circular microstrip patch with a T‐shaped slot. An inclined coupling slot loaded feed line is used on the ground for the generation of CP. Furthermore, eight HREBG's are implemented on the substrate to enhance the performance of the antenna, thereby achieving a measured impedance bandwidth of 18%, 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth of 6.4%, and a peak gain of 5.93 dBi in the operating bandwidth. A close agreement is reached between the experimental results and the simulated results to verify the proposed antenna's performance.
Adverse childhood experiences and childhood obesity: a path analysis approach

ABSTRACT This study evaluated physical activity/mental health mediators and psychosocial moderators between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with childhood obesity. Path analysis was used to analyze a sample of 42,193 children aged 10–17 years from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children’s Health. Childhood obesity was associated with greater ACEs, but such association was not mediated by physical activity and mental health, or moderated by psychosocial factors. However, our data suggested that positive neighborhood environments are associated with greater physical activity and fewer mental health problems. This study illuminates some complicated associations among childhood obesity and children with ACEs.
Preparation of modified chitosan - Amino acid nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles have increased more consideration as medication transporters in view of their better solidness, basic arrangement and lexible courses of organization. Common and engineered degradable polymers are perfect bearer particles. Themedication can be joined into the polymerwhere the discharge relies on upon either their progressive dissemination from the polymeric lattice, the disintegration of the network, or discharge from the surface of the grid. Chitosan is a remarkable characteristic polymer for the conveyance of helpful specialists since it is non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and has mucoadhesive properties. To be named ”chitosan,” the deacetylated chitin ought to contain no less than 60% of D-glucosamine deposits. By fusing drug particles in chitosan nanoparticles, the leeway can be diminished, and the low half-existence of the medication augmented. The results of this study showthat there is a good relationshipbetween theweight of carrier (chitosan) and weight of drug (silymarin), it gives the best total releasing percent at the weight percent 10:1, while the best-encapsulating percent and loading capacity percent occurred at the weight percent of 10:2, and there is no effect on continuous increase in the weight of the carrier. With respect to the dialysis period, it seemed that there is no evidence of increasing the dialysis time more than 12 hours because of the stability of the total releasing percent and loading capacity percent.
Accurate Cost Estimation of Memory Systems Utilizing Machine Learning and Solutions from Computer Vision for Design Automation

Hardware/software co-designs are usually defined at high levels of abstractions at the beginning of the design process in order to provide a variety of options on how to realize a system. This allows for design exploration which relies on knowing the costs of different design configurations (with respect to hardware usage and firmware metrics). To this end, methods for cost estimation are frequently applied in industrial practice. However, currently used methods oversimplify the problem and ignore important features, leading to estimates which are far off from real values. In this article, we address this problem for memory systems. To this end, we borrow and re-adapt solutions based on Machine Learning (ML) which have been found suitable for problems from the domain of Computer Vision (CV). Based on that, an approach is proposed which outperforms existing methods for cost estimation. Experimental evaluations within an industrial context show that, while the accuracy of the state-of-the-art approach is frequently off by more than 20 percent for area estimation and more than 15 percent for firmware estimation, the method proposed in this article comes rather close to the actual values (just 5–7 percent off for both area and firmware). Furthermore, our approach outperforms existing methods for scalability, generalization, and decrease in manual effort.
Kinetochore phosphatases suppress autonomous kinase activity to control the spindle assembly checkpoint

Local phosphatase regulation is critical for determining when phosphorylation signals are activated or deactivated. A typical example is the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) during mitosis, which regulates kinetochore PP1 and PP2A-B56 activities to switch-off signalling events at the correct time. In this case, kinetochore phosphatase activation dephosphorylates MELT motifs on KNL1 to remove SAC proteins, including the BUB complex. We show here that, surprisingly, neither PP1 or PP2A are required to dephosphorylate the MELT motifs. Instead, they remove polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) from the BUB complex, which can otherwise maintain MELT phosphorylation in an autocatalytic manner. This is their principle role in the SAC, because both phosphatases become redundant if PLK1 is inhibited or BUB-PLK1 interaction is prevented. Therefore, phosphatase regulation is critical for the SAC, but primarily to restrain and extinguish autonomous kinase activity. We propose that these circuits have evolved to generate a semi-autonomous SAC signal that can be synchronously silenced following kinetochore-microtubule tension.
Do investors recognize biases in securities analysts’ forecasts?

This study presents direct evidence on the question whether investors recognize the widely documented biases in securities analysts’ earnings forecasts. The internal rate of return implied by current stock price and consensus earnings forecasts is found to be correlated with indicators of bias in a manner consistent with investors discounting optimistic earnings forecasts at higher rates of return and less optimistic forecasts at lower rates of return. In a departure from studies of excess returns, the evidence in implied returns indicates that investors recognize the biases in analysts’ earnings forecasts. Abstract This study presents direct evidence on the question whether investors recognize the widely documented biases in securities analysts’ earnings forecasts. The internal rate of return implied by current stock price and consensus earnings forecasts is found to be correlated with indicators of bias in a manner consistent with investors discounting optimistic earnings forecasts at higher rates of return and less optimistic forecasts at lower rates of return. In a departure from studies of excess returns, the evidence in implied returns indicates that investors recognize the biases in analysts’ earnings forecasts.
Reforming heat and power technology course using student feedback to enhance learning experience

The main outcomes of an engineering course should be for the students to achieve the educational goals, enhance their problem solving capabilities and develop essential skills for their future career. In that context, it is important to understand what motivates the students and what helps them develop an engineering mind-set. This paper discusses the improvement of a course with the use of student feedback to motivate students and help them develop essential skills. The purpose of the paper is to provide insight into how different aspects of the course are linked to the students’ growth. Different activities have been integrated in the course over the past years. The effect these have on the student motivation to follow the course and develop skills, knowledge and interest in the subject is discussed through the analysis of student performance, student feedback and the experience of the lecturers. The improvements in the course based on the student feedback were received positively by the students, whose learning experience improved, even though the workload of the course was high. Their motivation to successfully complete the course has also increased through the changes in the delivery of the course and the support by the teachers. The combination of student feedback and teacher experience is key for the improvement of a course, while ensuring that the students develop their engineering knowledge. Therefore, the teachers should strike a balance between helping the students find the solution and encouraging them to think on their own in order to develop essential skills.
Impact of Exercise Modes on Appetite Markers

Abstract This study investigates the effects of different acute exercise modes on appetite marker ratings. Twelve healthy male subjects participated voluntarily in the study and written informed consent was obtained from all subjects before participation. The subjects underwent four, 120 minute trials (exercise and control) in a randomized crossover design. These included three exercises and one control. In the exercise trials, the subjects performed three different exercise protocols (60 minutes exercise and 60 minutes recovery). In the control trial, subjects rested for 2 hours. The ratings of subjective feelings of appetite markers were reported on 100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS) at baseline and at 20, 40, 60,80, 90, 120 minutes after baseline. The visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to measure the following appetite markers: (i) hunger, (ii) fullness, (iii) desire to eat, and (iv) prospective food consumption. Repeated-measures, and two-factor ANOVA were used to examine differences between the four trials over time to note appetite marker changes. Between-trial differences at each time point were examined using a one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc tests when significant interactions were found. The two-way ANOVAs revealed significant (P<0.05) trial x time effects (P<0.05) and time (P<0.05) effects in all appetite markers except hunger. The exercise modes are not different from control (P>0.05) in any of the appetite markers except for the feeling of satiety, and the differences between exercise modes are that, combined exercises decrease the feeling of satiety more than combined exercises, and caused desire to eat and prospective food consumption more than resistance exercises (P<0.05). In conclusion, this finding lends support for a role of exercise in weight management.
On-Chip Chemical Sensing Using Slot-Waveguide-Based Ring Resonator

We demonstrate static and dynamic bulk refractive index measurement using slot-waveguide based ring resonator. A detailed simulation is performed to optimize the slot-waveguide geometry for maximum sensitivity. The on-chip measurements are performed using a slot waveguide ring resonator by applying aqueous solutions of acids and bases at different concentrations. Based on these measurements, we derive a relation of refractive index change per unit change in concentration of the liquids in water. We experimentally measured a maximum sensitivity of 476 nm/RIU, enabling a limit of detection (<italic>LOD</italic>) of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${1.05}\times {10}^{-{5}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> RIU. Finally, we demonstrate dynamic refractive index on-chip measurement by diluting potassium bicarbonate with hydrogen peroxide.
Data science: fundamental principles

We live in a world where we collect huge amounts of data. Traditional methods and techniques are no longer sufficient to process them. In addition to the sophisticated development of computers, new ways of processing data are evolving. Data Science is a new emerging multidisciplinary field that combines classical disciplines like statistics and mathematics with computer science. The main goal of Data Science is to turn large sets of both unstructured and structured data into useful information that can help organisations to make powerful data-driven decisions. At a high level, data science can be described as a set of fundamental principles necessary for successful extraction of information from data. Since we collect data all the time and about anything, its application is diverse. The most common application is in healthcare, travel, e - commerce, sports, government, social media, etc. The goal of this paper is to introduce data science and to present its benefits and application in various fields.
The Cost of Air Pollution in Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital is one of the world’s fastest growing megacities, but many are breathing polluted air. This report estimates that in 2018, air pollution caused more than 11,200 premature deaths in Lagos. Children under five are the most affected accounting for about sixty percent of the deaths. The health cost of air pollution was estimated at 2.1 billion US dollars, corresponding to about 1.3 percent of Lagos state’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Restoring voting rights: evidence that reversing felony disenfranchisement increases political efficacy

ABSTRACT Millions of American citizens are denied the right to vote due to their criminal record. This study finds evidence that restoring the right to vote causes formerly disenfranchised individuals to develop higher levels of internal and external efficacy, generating citizens who are more confident in their own abilities and have stronger tendencies toward democratic engagement. A field experiment is embedded within a panel survey conducted before and after a statewide election in Virginia. All subjects are American citizens with a felony conviction who were once disenfranchised, but are now either eligible to vote, or are eligible to have their voting rights restored. Experimental treatments provide information about recent changes in restored voting rights, along with varying information and assistance with voter registration and turnout. The treatment that included a mobilization element generated the highest levels of efficacy. Additionally, the treatment that only included information about restoring voting rights also generated significant increases in political efficacy on its own. Thus the study finds novel evidence that the right to vote directly increases political efficacy.
Climate change and intensive land use reduce soil animal biomass through dissimilar pathways

Global change drivers, such as climate and land use, may profoundly influence body size, density, and biomass of organisms. It is still poorly understood how these concurrent drivers interact in affecting ecological communities. We present results of an experimental field study assessing the interactive effects of climate change and land-use intensification on body size, density, and biomass of soil microarthropods. We found that both climate change and intensive land use decreased their total biomass. Strikingly, this reduction was realized via two dissimilar pathways: climate change reduced mean body size, while intensive land use decreased population size. These findings highlight that two of the most pervasive global change drivers operate via different pathways when decreasing soil animal biomass. These shifts in soil communities may threaten essential ecosystem functions like organic matter turnover and nutrient cycling in future ecosystems. Significance Many important ecosystem functions are determined by the biomass of soil animal, however, how their biomass may respond to climate change and land-use intensification still remains unknown. We conducted a large field study to investigate the potential interaction between these two pervasive global change drivers, and disentangle the pathways where they contribute to the changes in soil animal biomass. Our findings are exceptionally novel by showing detrimental, but largely independent, effects of climate change and land-use intensity on soil animal biomass, and that these independent effects can be explained by two dissimilar pathways: climate change reduced mean body size, while intensive land use decreased population size. Notably, consistent climate change effects under different land-use regimes suggest that (1) the identified pathways may apply to a wide range of environmental conditions, and (2) current extensive land-use regimes do not mitigate detrimental climate change effects on ecosystems.
Association Between Gestational Weight Gain and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Pregnancy is a period in which women have significant changes in their body weights. Proper nutrition, additional energy and nutrient intake are necessary for healthy fetal development at pregnancy. Pre-gestational maternal body weight, ethnicity, age, number of births, smoking, socioeconomic level and daily calorie intake are the main reasons for gestational weight gain (1). In addition, weight gain in pregnancy is closely related to maternal body structure and nutritional status. For example, a pregnant woman who is weak at the beginning of her pregnancy should gain more weight than the overweight and obese ones (2). It is known that women who are overweight and obese during pregnancy are more likely to be associated with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, macrosomia and postpartum hemorrhage (3) The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between weight gain on pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes.