Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conformation of the anterior segment in human myopia

Topography of the in vivo anterior segment is of relevance in understanding its role in myopia and in the development of ocular surgical procedures. Using 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images of the human eye, regional variations in surface area (SA) and bulbosity of four anterior segment regions were investigated in association with refractive status (Rx), axial length (AL) and total ocular volume (OV).
Associations between air pollutants and blood pressure in an ethnically diverse cohort of adolescents in London, England

Longitudinal evidence on the association between air pollution and blood pressure (BP) in adolescence is scarce. We explored this association in an ethnically diverse cohort of schoolchildren. Sex-stratified, linear random-effects modelling was used to examine how modelled residential exposure to annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and ozone (O3), measures in μg/m3, associated with blood pressure. Estimates were based on 3,284 adolescents; 80% from ethnic minority groups, recruited from 51 schools, and followed up from 11–13 to 14–16 years old. Ethnic minorities were exposed to higher modelled annual average concentrations of pollution at residential postcode level than their White UK peers. A two-pollutant model (NO2 & PM2.5), adjusted for ethnicity, age, anthropometry, and pubertal status, highlighted associations with systolic, but not diastolic BP. A μg/m3 increase in NO2 was associated with a 0.30 mmHg (95% CI 0.18 to 0.40) decrease in systolic BP for girls and 0.19 mmHg (95% CI 0.07 to 0.31) decrease in systolic BP for boys. In contrast, a 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 1.34 mmHg (95% CI 0.85 to 1.82) increase in systolic BP for girls and 0.57 mmHg (95% CI 0.04 to 1.03) increase in systolic BP for boys. Associations did not vary by ethnicity, body size or socio-economic advantage. Associations were robust to adjustments for noise levels and lung function at 11–13 years. In summary, higher ambient levels of NO2 were associated with lower and PM2.5 with higher systolic BP across adolescence, with stronger associations for girls.
Correlation of Mean Heart Dose and Cardiac Biomarkers with Electrocardiographic Changes in Patients Receiving Thoracic Radiation Therapy

Cardiotoxicity is a well-recognized, serious adverse effect of thoracic radiation therapy. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in patients receiving thoracic radiation therapy and identify correlating factors that can predict the risk of cardiotoxicity. This retrospective study included 202 patients treated with thoracic radiation therapy, and chemotherapy and targeted therapy were allowed. Mean heart dose (MHD) was evaluated on dose-volume histograms. ECG, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) analyses were conducted before irradiation and during the follow-up period of 6–12 months (average 8 months). Chi square test and logistic regression analysis were applied to identify risk factors associated with ECG changes. At a median time of 3 months postirradiation, 46.5% of patients showed ECG changes, and 33.0% of patients achieved baseline ECG levels during the follow-up period at a median of 5 months postirradiation. Logistic regression analysis identified MHD, hs-cTnT and NT-pro BNP as significant factors associated with ECG changes (P < 0.05). Hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were increased significantly after radiation therapy compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05), and these increases were observed as a median time of 2 months postirradiation, which was earlier than ECG changes. Higher MHD and elevated hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP levels correlated with an increased risk of ECG changes in patients receiving thoracic radiation therapy. Early identification of patients at high risk of cardiotoxicity and timely intervention might reduce the incidence of radiation-induced cardiac toxicity.
Schrödinger's cat and her laboratory cousins

Abstract In this paper I first briefly review the apparently bizarre consequences of attempting to apply quantum mechanics consistently to macroscopic bodies in certain kinds of situations (the ‘Schrodinger's Cat’ paradox). The paradox results from the assumption that the linear superpositions of macroscopically distinct states, which are unambiguously predicted by the formalism, do indeed exist in nature. Until recently, this assumption was experimentally untested. However, recent advances in techniques of microfabrication, cryogenics and noise control have opened up the possibility of indirect and possibly even direct tests, in particular in superconducting systems incorporating Josephson devices. I describe some of these tests, review the current experimental and theoretical situation and discuss the implications of various possible outcomes to the experiments.
Associations of Serum Carotenoids With Risk of All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hypertensive Adults

Background Systemic oxidative stress is involved in the development of hypertension, whereas carotenoids are a group of natural antioxidants. Our study aims to evaluate the relationships between the serum concentrations of major carotenoids and mortality in hypertensive adults. Methods and Results Data on 5 serum carotenoids from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III and NHANES 2001–2006 were included. Outcome measures (all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality) were identified from the National Death Index through December 31, 2019. Multiple Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to determine the association between carotenoid levels and outcomes. A total of 8390 hypertensive adults were included in the analysis. At a median follow‐up duration of 16.6 years, all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality occurred in 4005 (47.74%) and 1205 (14.36%) participants, respectively. Compared with the lowest quartiles, the highest quartiles of 5 major serum carotenoids were associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality, with multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.56–0.71) for α‐carotene, 0.70 (95% CI, 0.61–0.80); for β‐carotene, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.58–0.76); for β‐cryptoxanthin, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.64–0.86) for lycopene; and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63–0.83) for lutein/zeaxanthin. For cause‐specific mortality, this association with the fourth quartile of serum carotenoids was evident for a reduced rate of cardiovascular mortality, with a 32% reduction for α‐carotene (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.55–0.86]), a 29% reduction for β‐cryptoxanthin (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.56–0.89]), and a 26% reduction for lycopene (HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.59–0.94]), but not for β‐carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin. In addition, we found that serum α‐carotene, β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin levels were nonlinearly related to all‐cause mortality with inflection points of 2.43, 8.49, 5.12, and 14.17 μg/dL, respectively. Serum α‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations showed nonlinear associations with cardiovascular mortality with inflection points of 2.31, 5.26, and 15.40 μg/dL, respectively. Conclusions Findings suggest that higher serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with lower risks of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive adults.
Designing molecular diagnostics for current tuberculosis drug regimens

ABSTRACT Diagnostic development must occur in parallel with drug development to ensure the longevity of new treatment compounds. Despite an increasing number of novel and repurposed anti-tuberculosis compounds and regimens, there remains a large number of drugs for which no rapid and accurate molecular diagnostic option exists. The lack of rapid drug susceptibility testing for linezolid, bedaquiline, clofazimine, the nitroimidazoles (i.e pretomanid and delamanid) and pyrazinamide at any level of the healthcare system compromises the effectiveness of current tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimens. In the context of current WHO tuberculosis treatment guidelines as well as promising new regimens, we identify the key diagnostic gaps for initial and follow-on tests to diagnose emerging drug resistance and aid in regimen selection. Additionally, we comment on potential gene targets for inclusion in rapid molecular drug susceptibility assays and sequencing assays for novel and repurposed drug compounds currently prioritized in current regimens, and evaluate the feasibility of mutation detection given the design of existing technologies. Based on current knowledge, we also propose design priorities for next generation molecular assays to support triage of tuberculosis patients to appropriate and effective treatment regimens. We encourage assay developers to prioritize development of these key molecular assays and support the continued evolution, uptake, and utility of sequencing to build knowledge of tuberculosis resistance mechanisms and further inform rapid treatment decisions in order to curb resistance to critical drugs in current regimens and achieve End TB targets. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05117788.
An elastic theory of dislocations

A theory is presented with the intention of describing the internal stresses set up by slip processes in crystalline materials. It is based on the concept of dislocations as they occur in the mathematical theory of elasticity, and follows on the work of Volterra. The present theory starts from the assumption that only the three stress components which act across a surface in an elastic body need be continuous at that surface. This less restrictive condition on the stresses makes possible a more general type of dislocation, one with arbitrary elastic discontinuities of displacement. The theory is stated in cylindrical polar co-ordinates, and general formulae are derived for calculating the stresses corresponding to given dislocations. Four examples are solved completely involving plane and screw dislocations in circular cylinders. The relations between the mathematical dislocations and some simple types of slip in crystals are described, and certain equivalent systems of dislocations explained. It is shown that if the slip bands in a deformed crystal are replaced by the appropriate dislocations, the stresses in the remaining elastic region may be calculated by means of this theory.
The quest for balance between capturing data and model complexity: A quantitative clinical pharmacology approach applied to monoclonal antibodies

The main objective of this tutorial is to provide the readers with a roadmap of how to establish increasingly complex target‐mediated drug disposition (TMDD) models for monoclonal antibodies. To this end, we built mathematical models, each with a detailed visualization, starting from the basic TMDD model by Mager and Jusko to the well‐established, physiologically based model by Li et al. in a step‐wise fashion to highlight the relative importance of key physiological processes that impact mAb kinetics and system dynamics. As the models become more complex, the question of structural and parameter identifiability arises. To address this question, we work through a trastuzumab case example to guide the modeler's choice for model and parameter optimization in light of the context of use. We leave the readers of this tutorial with a brief summary of the advantages and limitations of each model expansion, as well as the model source codes for further self‐guided exploration and hands‐on analysis.
Evaluation of antibacterial effects of different intracanal medicaments on Enterococcus faecalis in primary teeth: An in vitro study

Successful endodontic therapy is based on the reduction of infecting bacteria by cleaning, shaping, and disinfecting of the root canal system, thus the use of intracanal dressing is necessary for optimal success of root canal treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of chitosan and propolis as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis compared to calcium hydroxide in primary root canals.
Review Of Different Filters For Low Quality Fingerprint Images

Noise or unexplained variations in data, can affect most images to some extent. Image analysis is a complex process and can be simplified if this noise can be removed or filtered out. Image filters may be used to emphasize edges, that is, boundaries between objects or parts of objects in images. Filters, used for removing noise, provide an aid to visual interpretation of images, and can also be used as a precursor to further digital processing, such as segmentation. This paper has a review of various types of Linear and Non Liner filters, that are used for various applications in particular its use in Segmentation of low quality fingerprint image. Then based on advantages and disadvantages of above filters, the researcher have preferred Gabor filter over other filters. The researcher ‘Vishal’ is of the opinion that the advantages and performance efficiency of Gabor filters can be improved by mathematical tricks for overcoming the drawback of its complexity.
Sojourn functionals for spatiotemporal Gaussian random fields with long memory

Abstract This paper addresses the asymptotic analysis of sojourn functionals of spatiotemporal Gaussian random fields with long-range dependence (LRD) in time, also known as long memory. Specifically, reduction theorems are derived for local functionals of nonlinear transformation of such fields, with Hermite rank $m\geq 1,$ under general covariance structures. These results are proven to hold, in particular, for a family of nonseparable covariance structures belonging to the Gneiting class. For $m=2,$ under separability of the spatiotemporal covariance function in space and time, the properly normalized Minkowski functional, involving the modulus of a Gaussian random field, converges in distribution to the Rosenblatt-type limiting distribution for a suitable range of values of the long-memory parameter.
Improving Students’ Inferencing

Ruggeri, A. , Lombrozo, T. , Griffiths, T. L. , & Xu, F. (2016). Sources of developmental change in the efficiency of information search. Developmental Psychology, 52(12), 2159–2173. https://doi.org/10.1037/ dev0000240 Ruggeri, A. , Sim, Z. L. , & Xu, F. (2017). “Why is Toma late to school again? ” Preschoolers identify the most informative questions. Developmental Psychology, 53(9), 1620–1632. https://doi. org/10.1037/dev0000340
Nonresonant slotted arrays

The distribution of slot conductance of nonresonant arrays is obtained by considering the array as a continuous line source. Distributions of conductance per unit length for three Taylor aperture distributions are thus obtained. However, the discreteness of the array is retained for a discussion of second-order beams and for the development of a method leading to their suppression. The performance of an experimental array is described.
The African Origin of Civilization curated by Alisa LaGamma and Diana Craig Patch; Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room curated by Hannah Beachler, Michelle Commander, Ian Alteveer, and Sarah E. Lawrence

In times of confusion and change, the human mind tends to escape the present moment, wandering in past and future tenses. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s recent exhibitions on African and African American art rendered visible what I suggest is a transitional period being undergone by both fields. The exhibition The African Origin of Civilization, which included insightful “guest appearances” spread throughout the Met’s galleries, demonstrated the strong ancient Egyptian artistic influences enacted by and on other African arts in the past three millennia. On the other side of the museum, Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room offered a counternarrative, opening avenues for new perspectives on both history and the future. Together, the two exhibits fostered potential recontextualizations of African and African American histories highlighting the roles of archaeology within our contemporary lives and fabulating about human futures. Nestled in the middle of the Egyptian collection, The African Origin of Civilization offered twenty-one pairings of forty-two individual ancient Egyptian and other African artworks from the Met’s collection. Gathered under a chronological banner highlighting historical events on the African continent, and punctuated by descriptive paragraphs of the exhibit’s project as shaped by Cheikh Anta Diop’s philosophy, these pairings aimed at catalyzing temporal, geographical, and topical discussions. A redefinition and reconsideration of Egyptian art within the African art historical canon became possible through some of these pairings—not only through aesthetic similarities, but also through meaningful connections made in the wall texts. Gathered under telling subtitles such as “Exceptional Women” (Figs. 1–2), “Masks as Doubles,” “Active Enlightenment” (Fig. 3), or “Lineage of Knowledge” (Fig. 4), Alisa LaGamma and Diana Craig Patch’s curatorial choices showed the range of inspirations drawn from each civilization, and the influence of Egypt on African aesthetic productions, (above, l–r) 1 Edo artist, Igbesanmwen guild, Court of Benin; Nigeria Iyoba (Queen Mother) Pendant Mask 16th century Ivory, iron, copper
Insulin signaling regulates Pink1 mRNA localization via modulation of AMPK activity to support PINK1 function in neurons

Mitochondrial quality control failure is frequently observed in neurodegenerative diseases. The detection of damaged mitochondria by stabilization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) requires transport of Pink1 mRNA by tethering it to the mitochondrial surface. Here, we report that inhibition of AMPK by activation of the insulin signaling cascade prevents Pink1 mRNA binding to mitochondria. Mechanistically, AMPK phosphorylates the RNA anchor complex subunit SYNJ2BP within its PDZ domain, a phosphorylation site that is necessary for its interaction with the RNA-binding protein SYNJ2. Interestingly, loss of mitochondrial Pink1 mRNA association upon insulin addition is required for PINK1 protein activation and its function as a ubiquitin kinase in the mitophagy pathway, thus placing PINK1 function under metabolic control. Induction of insulin-resistance in vitro by the key genetic Alzheimer-risk factor apolipoprotein E4 retains Pink1 mRNA at the mitochondria and prevents proper PINK1 activity especially in neurites. Our results thus identify a metabolic switch controlling Pink1 mRNA localization and PINK1 activity via insulin and AMPK signaling in neurons and propose a mechanistic connection between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Search for high energy neutrinos from our galaxy with IceCube

High energy neutrino telescopes are expected to play a major role in the discovery of the first unambiguous sources of cosmic-rays. With completion in 2011, the IceCube neutrino detector constitutes the most sensitive instrument to sources of high energy neutrinos. Its performance and discovery potential are usually given in the energy range above a few TeV, in order to achieve the best signal to noise for sources following an E^-2 spectrum without an energy cutoff up to at least 1 PeV. However, given the present understanding and multiwavelength picture of our galaxy, we can expect that galactic sources of high energy neutrinos show significant deviations from the E^-2, no cutoff approximation. The common data analysis are therefore not optimal for such galactic scenarios, requiring exposure times of the order of several years, even a decade, to reach a level of sensitivity at which a possible detection starts to be plausible. The main goal of this thesis is to improve the discovery potential of IceCube to galactic sources of high energy neutrinos, aiming to a better understanding of the high energy processes taking place in our galaxy. In order to fulfill this goal, I follow two lines of action: (1) to increase the detection capabilities of IceCube for neutrinos in the energy range between 100 GeV < E < 1 TeV; and (2) to develop a search method which is able to reduce the minimum detectable flux per point source. The improvement of the IceCube performance at energies below 1 TeV is achieved with the use of the combined detector configuration IceCube 22 strings plus AMANDA (Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array). The data processing scheme is designed in order to keep as many good low energy events as possible. As a result, this analysis achieved the best sensitivity for sources with neutrino spectra steeper than E^-2 and/or an energy cutoff below 1 PeV. The second goal of this thesis is motivated in order to search efficiently for high energy neutrinos from the Cygnus star forming region of the Galaxy. In order to extend the search beyond a single point source, I developed a method based on two-point analysis to detect, within an extended region, event patterns which might go undetected in conventional point source analysis. The results obtained with this method indicate that the minimum detectable flux per point source is reduced by 26%-59% with respect to standard point source analysis, provided there is more than one point source within the region under study. This method was applied on the Cygnus region of the Galaxy using the data sample obtained with the combined detector IceCube 22 strings plus AMANDA, yielding a significance of 2.3-sigma.
Hormonal Interventions for optimizing reproductive efficiency in pigs at Farmers’ field

Objective Optimizing reproductive efficiency in terms of estrus induction and production performance using simplified hormonal intervention using GnRH, gonadotropins and progesterone at farmers’ field conditions to bred animals with superior quality semen and also to reduce the maintenance cost. Method The present study was planned for optimizing reproductive efficiency using four different easily available hormonal agents with simplified protocols at farmers’ field. A total of 126 females were used in the study. Hormonal protocols I, II, III and IV using GnRH + (PMSG+ hCG), (PMSG+ hCG), PMSG alone and prepared progesterone gel respectively were used for estrus induction in gilts and sows. Results The estrus induction/rate was (77.77%, 81.36%, 78.57% and 50% respectively. The corresponding figures for interval (hrs) of heat exhibition from hormonal administration (121.33±4.93, 121.54±3.60, 78.52±4.52 and 192±24), conception rate (%) (72.22%, 81.25%, 68.18% and 33.33%) farrowing rate (55.55%, 68.29%, 68.18% and 33.33 %), total litter size at birth (7.2±0.64, 7.90±0.47, 8.90±0.47 and 7.00±0) and hormonal cost (Rs.) per animal (570, 335, 280 and 250 Rs.) were respectively. The easier to use protocol was III followed by II, I and IV. Conclusion It was found that protocol II and III are effective and easier so can be used for optimizing reproductive efficiency in pigs at farmers’ field.
Bilateral asymmetric hip stiffness applied by a robotic hip exoskeleton elicits kinematic and kinetic adaptation

Wearable robotic exoskeletons hold great promise for gait rehabilitation as portable, accessible tools. However, a better understanding of the potential for exoskeletons to elicit neural adaptation—a critical component of neurological gait rehabilitation—is needed. In this study, we investigated whether humans adapt to bilateral asymmetric stiffness perturbations applied by a hip exoskeleton, taking inspiration from asymmetry augmentation strategies used in split-belt treadmill training. During walking, we applied torques about the hip joints to repel the thigh away from a neutral position on the left side and attract the thigh toward a neutral position on the right side. Six participants performed an adaptation walking trial on a treadmill while wearing the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton elicited time-varying changes and aftereffects in step length and propulsive/braking ground reaction forces, indicating behavioral signatures of neural adaptation. These responses resemble typical responses to split-belt treadmill training, suggesting that the proposed intervention with a robotic hip exoskeleton may be an effective approach to (re)training symmetric gait.