Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Cognitive Polygenic Index and Cognitive Performance with Age in Cognitively Healthy Adults

Genome-wide association studies have discovered common genetic variants associated with cognitive performance. Polygenic scores that summarize these discoveries explain up to 10% of the variance in cognitive test performance in samples of adults. However, the role these genetics play in cognitive aging is not well understood. We analyzed data from 168 cognitively healthy participants aged 23–77 years old, with data on genetics, neuropsychological assessment, and brain-imaging measurements from two large ongoing studies, the Reference Abilities Neural Networks, and the Cognitive Reserve study. We tested whether a polygenic index previously related to cognition (Cog PGI) would moderate the relationship between age and measurements of the cognitive domains extracted from a neuropsychological evaluation: fluid reasoning, memory, vocabulary, and speed of processing. We further explored the relationship of Cog PGI and age on cognition using Johnson–Neyman intervals for two-way interactions. Sex, education, and brain measures of cortical thickness, total gray matter volume, and white matter hyperintensity were considered covariates. The analysis controlled for population structure-ancestry. There was a significant interaction effect of Cog PGI on the association between age and the domains of memory (Standardized coefficient = −0.158, p-value = 0.022), fluid reasoning (Standardized coefficient = −0.146, p-value = 0.020), and vocabulary (Standardized coefficient = −0.191, p-value = 0.001). Higher PGI strengthened the negative relationship between age and the domains of memory and fluid reasoning while PGI weakened the positive relationship between age and vocabulary. Based on the Johnson–Neyman intervals, Cog PGI was significantly associated with domains of memory, reasoning, and vocabulary for younger adults. There is a significant moderation effect of genetic predisposition for cognition for the association between age and cognitive performance. Genetics discovered in genome-wide association studies of cognitive performance show a stronger association in young and midlife older adults.
The pattern of growth and the expansion of the middle class in Peru

The structure and the sectoral composition of Peruvian economy during the most recent period of economic prosperity has had a fundamental role in the expansion of the middle class. Following a macroeconomic analysis of data panel at a departmental level, it is proved that in the pattern of the sectoral and territorial growth of the country, the services sector supported the expansion of the middle class in most of the departments, resulting in a convergence dynamics among them. Thus, in those departments with major setbacks in terms of income, inequality and access to basic services, the impact of the services sector in the expansion of the middle class was greater. This analysis is complemented with data at the household level, which shows that work and income coming from employment in the services sector were the main driving forces behind economic progress, mainly from work in the informal private sector and self-employment.
A first-order regularized approach to the order-value optimization problem ∗

Minimization of the order-value function is part of a large family of problems involving functions whose value is calculated by sorting values from a set or subset of other functions. The order-value function has as particular cases the minimum and maximum functions of a set of functions and is well suited for applications involving robust estimation. In this paper, a first order method with quadratic regularization to solve the problem of minimizing the order-value function is proposed. An optimality condition for the problem and theoretical results of iteration complexity and evaluation complexity for the proposed method are presented. The applicability of the problem and method to a parameter estimation problem with outliers is illustrated.
A linear adaptive second‐order backward differentiation formulation scheme for the phase field crystal equation

In this article, we present and analyze a linear fully discrete second order scheme with variable time steps for the phase field crystal equation. More precisely, we construct a linear adaptive time stepping scheme based on the second order backward differentiation formulation (BDF2) and use the Fourier spectral method for the spatial discretization. The scalar auxiliary variable approach is employed to deal with the nonlinear term, in which we only adopt a first order method to approximate the auxiliary variable. This treatment is extremely important in the derivation of the unconditional energy stability of the proposed adaptive BDF2 scheme. However, we find for the first time that this strategy will not affect the second order accuracy of the unknown phase function ϕn$$ {\phi}^n $$ by setting the positive constant C0$$ {C}_0 $$ large enough such that C0≥1/τ. $$ {C}_0\ge 1/\tau . $$ The energy stability of the adaptive BDF2 scheme is established with a mild constraint on the adjacent time step radio γn+1:=τn+1/τn≤4.8645$$ {\gamma}_{n+1}:= {\tau}_{n+1}/{\tau}_n\le 4.8645 $$ . Furthermore, a rigorous error estimate of the second order accuracy of ϕn$$ {\phi}^n $$ is derived for the proposed scheme on the nonuniform mesh by using the uniform H2$$ {H}^2 $$ bound of the numerical solutions. Finally, some numerical experiments are carried out to validate the theoretical results and the efficiency of the proposed scheme combined with the time adaptive strategy.
Collagen content and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 expression in neoplastic breast stroma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 and its C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, and the tumor-stroma ratio using collagen stromal content of breast cancer samples, correlating it with clinicopathological data. METHODS: Through a retrospective cohort study, samples were obtained from female patients, over 18 years of age, with the disease in stages 1–4, who underwent mastectomy or lumpectomy. The biopsies were provided by the Oncology sector of the Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife city, in 2011–2014, including samples of invasive ductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, or benign changes (fibroadenoma and hypertrophy), which were analyzed between 2020 and 2022 by immunohistochemistry for the expression of stromal cell characteristics. Collagen content was tested by Gomori staining and digital analysis of images. RESULTS: Absence of stromal expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 was associated with longer disease-free survival (disease-free survival=0.481), and expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 was associated with lower disease-free survival. An association was observed between clinicopathological variables and stromal expression of chemokines, that is, an association of stromal C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 with histological grade, angiolymphatic invasion, and an association between C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 expression and histological grade. Analyses of digital pixels images of collagen and tumor cells showed a lower percentage of collagen in the invasive ductal carcinoma samples (39%), unlike samples without neoplasms (78%). CONCLUSION: Low expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 may be associated with a worse prognosis for breast cancer. Collagen staining analyzed using digital images represents an opportunity for clinical application and is indicative of the prognosis of the tumor microenvironment in breast carcinoma.
Effect of Fetal Bovine Serum or Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on Cell Survival and the Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells: The Influence of Homocysteine Treatment

In vitro cell culture is a routinely used method which is also applied for in vitro modeling of various neurological diseases. On the other hand, media used for cell culture are often not strictly standardized between laboratories, which hinders the comparison of the obtained results. Here, we compared the effects of homocysteine (Hcy), a molecule involved in neurodegeneration, on immature cells of the nervous system cultivated in basal medium or media supplemented by either fetal bovine serum or basic fibroblast growth factor. The number of cells in basal media supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was 2.5 times higher in comparison to the number of cells in basal media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). We also found that the neuron-specific β-3-tubulin protein expression dose dependently decreased with increasing Hcy exposure. Interestingly, bFGF exerts a protective effect on β-3-tubulin protein expression at a concentration of 1000 µM Hcy compared to FBS-treated neural stem cells on Day 7. Supplementation with bFGF increased SOX2 protein expression two-fold compared to FBS supplementation. GFAP protein expression increased five-fold on Day 3 in FBS-treated neural stem cells, whereas on Day 7, bFGF increased GFAP expression two-fold compared to FBS-treated neural stem cells. Here, we have clearly shown that the selection of culturing media significantly influences various cellular parameters, which, in turn, can lead to different conclusions in experiments based on in vitro models of pathological conditions.
Matrix-Valued Weighted Leader-Following Bipartite Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems with Switching Topology

This note studies the leader-following bipartite consensus of multi-agent systems under the matrix-valued weighted switching topology, where the speed information of the leader cannot be measured directly. Conditions are given for system to achieve bipartite consensus by using graph theory, Lyapunov stability theory and matrix theory. It can be proved that the system can achieve matrix-valued weighted leader-following bipartite consensus if leader's acceleration information is known, and the tracking error of the agents is bounded if the acceleration information is unknown. In addition, even if there exist external disturbances, we can also draw a similar conclusion. Finally, a simulation example is presented to verify the feasibility of theory.
A graph optimization approach to range-based relative location

With the development of multi-robot cluster system, the research of multi-node relative pose estimation is in the ascendant. However, for the environment without GNSS or fixed anchors, the problem of relative pose estimation is still challenging. In this paper, a general algorithm and system framework based on graph optimization algorithm is proposed to fuse inter- and intra-robot measurements, as well as mobility models with sliding windows for relative attitude estimation. In order to verify the feasibility and universality of the algorithm, the algorithm has used to design a relative positioning system based on UWB positioning with a “single-node multi-tags” system structure, which can simultaneously obtain reliable relative positions and directions. The design of multi-source fusion can further improve the accuracy and robustness of relative positioning. Experiment results shows that in the harsh environment without GNSS and fixed anchor points, the relative pose estimation accuracy of this system can reach centi-meter level, which may be the best potential choice for relative positioning of multi robot cluster in complex environment.
Digestate Quality Originating from Kitchen Waste

This paper examines the influence of biomass directed to anaerobic digestion on the quality of digestate, specifically focusing on the presence of undesirable substances, such as plastics, including biodegradable ones. It analyses the susceptibility of selected bioplastics to degradation and addresses the problem of reliable identification of microplastics in both feedstock—directed to anaerobic digestion—and produced digestate. The review indicates the advantages of using kitchen waste as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion. The constant availability of kitchen waste as a raw material, its homogeneous composition, and the fact that it is not subjected to seasonal fluctuations, facilitates its management in the anaerobic digestion process. However, to ensure the desired quality of a digestate, it is important to carry the selective collection of waste at the source. The review refers to the issues of quality, materials, and regulations, and it may be useful for readers entering the subject of a material loop, as well as those already involved in the subject, including local government units. Anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste is an important part of a renewable economy, providing year-round constantly available substrate for energy production that is not seasonally dependent.
Impact of pre-harvest spray of insecticides and botanicals on seed yield to control field infestation of pulse beetle in mung bean

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of pre-harvest spray of insecticides and botanicals for control of field infestation of pulse beetle in mung bean at Post Graduate Institute Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, during kharif 2020 and summer 2021. The experiment was laid out in Factorial RBD comprising of four treatments of pre-harvest sprays of insecticides and botanicals and two varieties of mung bean (Phule Vaibhav and BM 2003-2). Seed yield (kg plot -1 ) and seed yield (q ha -1 ) are differed significantly due to pre-harvest spray of insecticides. The highest seed yield (kg plot -1 ) and seed yield (q ha -1 ) were recorded in treatment Emamectine Benzoate@ 0.3 ml/L followed by Neemazal @ 4 ml/L. In case of varieties highest seed yield (kg plot -1 ) and seed yield (q ha -1 ) were recorded in Phule Vaibhav as compared BM 2003-2. In interaction effect highest seed yield (kg plot -1 ) and seed yield (q ha - 1 ) were recorded in pre-harvest spraying of Emamectine Benzoate@ 0.3 ml/L for Phule Vaibhav variety at 50% pod maturity and at maturity stage spraying.
Sensorless Control of SPMSM Based on Generalized Super-Twisting Observer and Non-Smooth Controller

To enhance the estimation accuracy and dynamic performance of sensorless surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) drives, a sensorless control scheme based on generalized super-twisting observer (GSTO) and non-smooth controller is proposed. Firstly, a GSTO for back electromotive force (back-EMF) estimation is proposed. Compared with the conventional super-twisting observer, the GSTO has a faster convergence rate and stronger robustness due to the additional terms. Then a linear extended state observer (LESO) is adopted to estimate the position, speed, and lumped disturbance at the same time. Moreover, a non-smooth composite speed controller is designed by combining the disturbance feed-forward compensation. Compared with the conventional PI speed controller, the non-smooth controller has a shorter settling time and a better disturbance rejection ability. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation results.
Quality by Design-Optimized Glycerosome-Enabled Nanosunscreen Gel of Rutin Hydrate

Sunburn is caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, resulting in redness of the skin as well as tenderness, swelling, and blistering issues. During the healing process, it can cause peeling, irritation, and some long-term effects, including premature aging, pigmentation, and a high risk of skin cancer. Rutin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which could potentially reduce inflammation and soothe sunburned skin. The objective of the current proposal is to develop and create carbopol gel-encased glycerosomes for the treatment of sunburn. The Design of Expert (DoE) technique was used to optimize the proposed formulation and was subjected to various characterization parameters such as nanovesicles size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface charge, entrapment efficiency (EE), and surface morphology. The optimized rutin-loaded glycerosomes (opt-RUT-loaded-GMs) were further characterised for drug release, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The formulation showed sustained release, greater permeation into the skin, and good antioxidant activity. The dermatokinetic study of opt-RUT-loaded-GMs confirms that the Rutin hydrate had better retention in the epidermis as compared to the dermis, owing to its potential for long lasting protection after topical application. It was observed that the prepared formulation was stable, highly safe, and had good sun protection factor (SPF) values that could be used as a suitable option for topical drug administration to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs.
A Survey of Image-Based Rendering

Image-based rendering techniques have recently received much attention, Previous image-based rendering techniques can be classified into three categories according to how much geometric information is used: rendering without geometry, rendering with implicit geometry, and rendering with explicit geometry (either with approximate or accurate geometry). Discussed the characteristics of these cate- gories and their representative methods, The continuum between images and geometry used in image-based rendering techniques suggest that image-based rendering with traditional 3D graphics can be united in a joint image and geometry space.
Association between interruption of intervention and language performance in young children with language delay—a cohort study during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction To assess the association between a three-month interruption of language intervention programs and the language performance of children with language delay during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify which children are more vulnerable to such interruptions. Materials and methods This is a retrospective study involving 33 children with language delay who experienced a three-month suspension of language interventions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected their demographic data and language performance scores from the Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers—Diagnostic test (CDIIT-DT) at four different time points. The scores were analyzed using a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. Results The median scores of language comprehension and overall language ability showed a decreasing trend during the interruption period. However, resuming interventions post-interruption showed a statistically significant increase in all language domains. Children in the borderline delay group (CDIIT-DT DQ scores between 71 and 85) were more likely to experience a decline in their language abilities during the interruption. Discussion This is the first study to reveal a decreasing trend in language performance during interruption periods, and highlighting the significance of post-interruption language interventions in facilitating improvements. Furthermore, our study brings attention to the heightened vulnerability of children exhibiting borderline language delay in overall language ability tests when faced with interruptions in language interventions.
Plastic microstress for a defect energy dependent on Burgers tensor

This work presents an extended form of the Aifantis' strain-gradient plasticity theory through dependence of the plastic free energy on Burgers tensor. The constraints of codirectionality for the deviatoric stress and irrotationality of the plastic distortion are assumed. These provide the basis for expressing the workdone by the microstress conjugate to the Burgers tensor as, sum of the workdone by the microscopic hyperstress vector and scalar. The principle of virtual power is used to establish the microforce balance, which provides the relationship between the resolved shears, plastic microstress and the microscopic hyperstresses. The microforce balance, when augmented with relevant constitutive relations that are consistent with the free-energy imbalance, results in a non-local flow rule depicted as nonlinear second order partial differential equation in terms of the accumulated plastic strain with concomitant boundary conditions. It is shown in this work that, the plastic microstress is purely dissipative and cannot account for backstress whenever the defect energy is dependent on the Burgers tensor.
Option Momentum

This paper improves continuous-time variance swap approximation formulas to derive exact returns on benchmark VIX option portfolios. The new methodology preserves the variance swap interpretation that decomposes returns into realized variance and option implied-variance. <br><br>We apply this new methodology to explore return momentum on option portfolios across different S&amp;P 500 stocks. We find that stock options with high historical returns continue to outperform options with low returns. This predictability has a quarterly pattern, resembling the pattern of stock momentum found by Heston and Sadka (2008). In contrast to stock momentum, option momentum lasts for up to five years, and does not reverse. <br>
A Millimeter-Wave 51% Bandwidth High-Gain 3-D-Printed Antenna Array Based on Optimized Multistage Phase Cancellation in Feed Network

A novel wideband high-gain air-filled waveguide-fed antenna array is presented for millimeter-wave applications. A design scheme based on the optimized multistage phase cancellation with low complexity is investigated, which is able to weaken the undesirable in-phase superposition of small reflections in the array geometry, thus significantly improving the achievable bandwidth of the large-scale array. The phase delay required for the proposed design method is obtained by introducing U-shaped bent waveguides in the feed network. Wideband <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1\times2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> sub-arrays and E-plane waveguide T-junctions are also designed to build the array. A <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$16\times16$ </tex-math></inline-formula> array in the Ka-band is manufactured by employing metallic 3-D printing technology, which realizes excellent operating characteristics, including a bandwidth of 51.5%, a gain of up to 34.6 dBi, and stable unidirectional radiation patterns with cross polarization of less than −40 dB. The operating band of the proposed array covers multiple bands for 5G simultaneously, including n257, n258, n260, and n261. The proposed design method and antenna array would be attractive for emerging millimeter-wave applications.