Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a Reliable and Rapid Automated Grading System in Facial Palsy Patients: Facial Palsy Surgery Meets Computer Science

Background: Reliable, time- and cost-effective, and clinician-friendly diagnostic tools are cornerstones in facial palsy (FP) patient management. Different automated FP grading systems have been developed but revealed persisting downsides such as insufficient accuracy and cost-intensive hardware. We aimed to overcome these barriers and programmed an automated grading system for FP patients utilizing the House and Brackmann scale (HBS). Methods: Image datasets of 86 patients seen at the Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany, between June 2017 and May 2021, were used to train the neural network and evaluate its accuracy. Nine facial poses per patient were analyzed by the algorithm. Results: The algorithm showed an accuracy of 100%. Oversampling did not result in altered outcomes, while the direct form displayed superior accuracy levels when compared to the modular classification form (n = 86; 100% vs. 99%). The Early Fusion technique was linked to improved accuracy outcomes in comparison to the Late Fusion and sequential method (n = 86; 100% vs. 96% vs. 97%). Conclusions: Our automated FP grading system combines high-level accuracy with cost- and time-effectiveness. Our algorithm may accelerate the grading process in FP patients and facilitate the FP surgeon’s workflow.
Optically-Controlled Terahertz Multifunctional Polarization Conversion Metasurface with Reflection and Transmission Modes

In the terahertz band, how integrating multiple functions into a device with a tiny unit structure is a challenge. In this paper, an optically-controlled multifunctional linear polarization conversion metasurface working in the terahertz band is proposed. The reflection and transmission polarization conversion functions can be realized by irradiating the metasurface with pump light with different wavelengths. The metasurface is designed with a multilayer structure, and a photosensitive semiconductor alone is used to control multiple functions, which makes the manipulation of multifunctional devices easy. When the photosensitive semiconductor germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si) are in different states, the metasurface can realize broadband reflection and transmission polarization conversion functions, the corresponding relative bandwidth are 102.4% and 98.9%, respectively, and the work efficiency can be regulated by pump light with different intensity and wavelength. In addition, the working principle of the metasurface is analyzed by eigenmode theory and surface current distributions. The stability of the metasurface to structural parameters and incident angles are discussed.
Stem Cell-Based Therapeutic Strategies in Diabetic Wound Healing

Impaired wound healing and especially the “all-too-common” occurrence of associated diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are becoming an increasingly urgent and deteriorating healthcare issue, which drastically impact the quality of life and further heighten the risks of infection and amputation in patients with diabetes mellitus. Amongst the multifactorial wound healing determinants, glycemic dysregulation has been identified to be the primary casual factor of poor wound healing. Unfortunately, current therapeutic modalities merely serve as moderate symptomatic relieves but often fail to completely restore the wound site to its pre-injury state and prevent further recurrence. Stem cell-based therapeutics have been employed for its promising potential to address the root of the problem as they not only exhibit the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation towards multiple lineages, but also have been disclosed to participate in mediating variant growth factors and cytokines. Herein we review the current literatures on the therapeutic benefits of using various kinds of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in diabetic wound healing by searching on the PubMed® Database for publications. This study shall serve as an overview of the current body of research with particular focus on autologous ASCs and the laboratory expandable iPSCs in hope of shedding more light on this attractive therapy so as to elevate the efficacy of wound healing that is almost always compromised in diabetic patients.
Systematic Analysis of Molecular Subtypes and Immune Prediction Based on CD8 T Cell Pattern Genes Based on Head and Neck Cancer

CD8+ T lymphocytes, also known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes, are the most powerful antitumour cells in the human body. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in whom CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration is high have a better prognosis. However, the clinical significance and prognostic significance of CD8+ T cell-related regulatory genes in HNSCC remain unclear, and further research is required. In total, 446 CD8+ T cell-related genes were obtained using WGCNA. It was discovered that 111 genes included within the TCGA and GSE65858 datasets were intimately linked to the patient's prognosis. These genes were included in the subsequent analysis. According to consensus clustering analysis, HNSCC samples were classified into 3 subtypes (IC1, IC2, and IC3). There were substantial differences between the three subtypes in terms of immunological molecules, immune function, and the response to drug treatment. In addition, the 8-gene signature, which was generated premised on CD8+ T cell-related genes, exhibited stable prognostic prediction in the TCGA and GEO datasets and different HNSCC patient subgroups and independently served as a prognostic indicator for HNSCC. More importantly, the 8-gene signature effectively predicted immunotherapy response. We first constructed a molecular subtype of HNSCC based on CD8+ T cell-related genes. Between the three subtypes, there were significant differences in the prognosis, clinical features, immunological molecules, and drug treatment response. The 8-gene signature that was further constructed effectively predicted prognosis and immunotherapy response.
Double-Talk Detection-Aided Residual Echo Suppression via Spectrogram Masking and Refinement

Acoustic echo in full-duplex telecommunication systems is a common problem that may cause desired-speech quality degradation during double-talk periods. This problem is especially challenging in low signal-to-echo ratio (SER) scenarios, such as hands-free conversations over mobile phones when the loudspeaker volume is high. This paper proposes a two-stage deep-learning approach to residual echo suppression focused on the low SER scenario. The first stage consists of a speech spectrogram masking model integrated with a double-talk detector (DTD). The second stage consists of a spectrogram refinement model optimized for speech quality by minimizing a perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) related loss function. The proposed integration of DTD with the masking model outperforms several other configurations based on previous studies. We conduct an ablation study that shows the contribution of each part of the proposed system. We evaluate the proposed system in several SERs and demonstrate its efficiency in the challenging setting of a very low SER. Finally, the proposed approach outperforms competing methods in several residual echo suppression metrics. We conclude that the proposed system is well-suited for the task of low SER residual echo suppression.
Analisis Metode K-Nearest Neighbor Menggunakan Rapid Miner untuk Sistem Rekomendasi Tempat Wisata Labuan Bajo

Sistem rekomendasi paket wisata memerlukan informasi untuk memilih tujuan perjalanan mereka sebelum melakukan perjalanan ke tempat wisata tersebut, hal ini sangat dibutuhkan untuk destinasi wisata di Labuan Bajo. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membantu wisatawan Labuhan Bajo mendapatkan rekomendasi tempat wisata sesuai dengan jenis wisata dan harga yang diinginkan. Penelitian ini menggunakan tiga variable sebagai kriteria yaitu aktifitas, jenis wisata dan jenis harga. Dengan melakukan pengujian menggunakan algoritma K-Nearest Neigbour (KNN) dan aplikasi Rapidminer dimana nilai K=5, maka ditemukan akurasi sebesar 83,33%. Dari 18 data yang digunakan hanya ada 2 destinasi yang tidak sesuai dengan prediksi sedangkan 16 data lain sesuai dengan prediksi. Hasil analisa membuktikan bahwa metode KNN yang digunakan dapat menjadi acuan untuk merekomendasi tempat wisata kepada wisatawan di Labuan Bajo.
Autophagy in Rat Müller Glial Cells Is Modulated by the Sirtuin 4/AMPK/mTOR Pathway and Induces Apoptosis under Oxidative Stress

Müller glial cells (MGCs) are a group of glial cells in the retina that provide essential support to retinal neurons; however, the understanding of MGC apoptosis and autophagy remains limited. This study was aimed at investigating the role of autophagy in MGCs under normal and oxidative conditions, and identifying the underlying mechanisms. In addition, the sirtuin 4 (SIRT4)-mediated signaling pathway was observed to regulate the autophagic process in MGCs. To assess the effect of autophagy on MGC mitochondrial function and survival, we treated rMC-1 cells—rat-derived Müller glial cells—with rapamycin and 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and found that MGC death was not induced by such treatment, while autophagic dysfunction could increase MGC apoptosis under oxidative stress, as reflected by the expression level of cleaved caspase 3 and PI staining. In addition, the downregulation of autophagy by 3-MA could influence the morphology of the mitochondrial network structure, the mitochondrial membrane potential, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under oxidative stress. Moreover, SIRT4 depletion enhanced autophagosome formation, as verified by an increase in the LC3 II/I ratio and a decrease in the expression of SQSTM1/p62, and vice versa. The inhibition of AMPK phosphorylation by compound C could reverse these changes in LC3 II/I and SQSTM1/p62 caused by SIRT4 knockdown. Our research concludes that MGCs can endure autophagic dysfunction in the absence of oxidative stress, while the downregulation of autophagy can cause MGCs to become more sensitized to oxidative stress. Simultaneous exposure to oxidative stress and autophagic dysfunction in MGCs can result in a pronounced impairment of cell survival. Mechanically, SIRT4 depletion can activate the autophagic process in MGCs by regulating the AMPK–mTOR signaling pathway.
The redescription of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis (Diapsida, Eosauropterygia)—a historical skeleton from the Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic, Anisian) near Bayreuth (southern Germany)

In 2009, the historical mount of the holotype of Nothosaurus mirabilis from the Upper Muschelkalk of Oschenberg (Laineck Mountain Range, near Bayreuth, southern Germany) was disassembled and the original postcranial skeleton was reworked and remounted in find position. Its morphology is described and figured for the first time in detail. Further on, a thorough overview of the sedimentary environment and the historical activities around the Upper Muschelkalk quarries in the vicinity of Bayreuth is given. The holotype of N. mirabilis is one out of only two fairly complete nothosaur skeletons known from the Bayreuth Upper Muschelkalk and greatly emends our knowledge of the morphology of the species and the genus. It will further allow an assignment of isolated elements to this taxon. The specimen consists of an articulated and complete neck and anterior trunk vertebral column as well as several articulated parts of the anterior tail region. The sacral region is partially preserved but disarticulated. Besides vertebrae, ribs and gastral fragments, both humeri, the right femur, few zeugopodial and autopodial elements, and the right pelvic girdle are preserved. The very high neural spines of the holotype are stabilized by a supersized zygosphene-zygantrum articulation reaching far dorsally. Together with the large intercentral spaces this character suggests lateral undulation of the trunk region during fast swimming whereas propelling with the broad and wing-shaped humerus and the flat ulna was used during slower swimming. The total body length for this not fully grown individual is reconstructed as between 290 to 320 cm. Preservation, degree of completeness, and articulation of the individual is unique. The skull and shoulder girdle are both lost, whereas articulated strings of the vertebral column have turned and appendicular bones have shifted posteriorly or anteriorly, respectively, indicating water movements and possibly also scavenging.
Underwater Noise Level Recordings from a Water Intake Pontoon and Possible Impacts on Yangtze Finless Porpoises in a Natural Reserve

Simple Summary Relocation of endangered freshwater cetaceans in natural reserves is an effective conservation strategy to recover their populations. However, due to historical reasons, some natural reserves have facilities that cannot be removed, such as water intake pontoons that are important for residents nearby. These facilities generate underwater noise which may affect cetaceans. To investigate the potential impacts of underwater noise from water intake pontoons on freshwater cetaceans, this study measured such noise within a Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) nature reserve, analyzed its effects on porpoise behavior, vocalization, and hearing, and explored porpoise adaptation to the transient holding pen environment. This study provides a reference for assessing whether human facilities have impacts on freshwater cetaceans. Abstract Underwater noise pollution caused by human activities may affect freshwater cetaceans to different degrees. To analyze the impacts of water intake pontoons on Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), this study collected underwater noise data from such a pontoon in a nature reserve, plotted the power spectral density of acoustic signals, and calculated the root mean square sound pressure levels and the magnitude of sound source levels. The 1/3-octave sound pressure level root mean square values at the transient holding pens were <18.0 kHz, 39.5−60.0 kHz, which were slightly higher than the Yangtze finless porpoise hearing threshold curve values and therefore could be perceived. However, the results indicated that the porpoises would not develop a temporary hearing threshold shift. Meanwhile, pontoon noise did not interfere with the porpoises’ high-frequency acoustic signal nor did it affect their echolocation; it significantly interfered with their low-frequency acoustic signal, however, and the mother–child communication of the finless porpoises was affected, but this effect was quickly compensated due to the limited space range of the holding pens. Through this study of Yangtze finless porpoises, this paper provides a reference for assessing whether human facilities have impacts on freshwater cetaceans.
Neuroimaging Studies of Brain Structure in Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder: A Review

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mood disorder that can have severe consequences during later life, including suffering and impairment due to mood and cognitive symptoms, elevated risk for dementia and an especially high risk for suicide. Greater understanding of the brain circuitry differences involved in older adults with BD (OABD) in later life and their relationship to aging processes is required to improve outcomes of OABD. The current literature on gray and white matter findings, from high resolution structural and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, has shown that BD in younger age groups is associated with gray matter reductions within cortical and subcortical brain regions that subserve emotion processing and regulation, as well as reduced structural integrity of white matter tracts connecting these brain regions. While fewer neuroimaging studies have focused on OABD, it does appear that many of the structural brain differences found in younger samples are present in OABD. There is also initial suggestion that there are additional brain differences, for at least a subset of OABD, that may result from more pronounced gray and white matter declines with age that may contribute to adverse outcomes. Preclinical and clinical data supporting neuro-plastic and -protective effects of mood-stabilizing medications, suggest that treatments may reverse and/or prevent the progression of brain changes thereby reducing symptoms. Future neuroimaging research implementing longitudinal designs, and large-scale, multi-site initiatives with detailed clinical and treatment data, holds promise for reducing suffering, cognitive dysfunction and suicide in OABD.
Recombination processes in midinfrared AlxIn1-xSb light-emitting diodes

Emission characteristics, spectral properties, and quantum efficiencies of AlxIn1−xSb light-emitting diodes, with aluminum compositions between 0% and 8.75%, have been investigated as a function of temperature from 25 to 300 K, and a function of current from 1 to 100 mA. As both current and temperature are varied a change in the dominant recombination mechanism is observed as indicated by changes in the measured emission. An analysis of the light-current characteristics shows that Auger processes become important in all devices at temperatures above 100 K, implying an activation energy of approximately 7–13 meV depending on the aluminum composition.
Multiple Indicators of Undernutrition, Infection, and Inflammation in Lactating Women Are Associated with Maternal Iron Status and Infant Anthropometry in Panama: The MINDI Cohort

Maternal infections, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation (MINDI) co-exist in lactating indigenous women in Panama, but their impact on maternal iron status and infant growth is unknown. For this secondary analysis of cross-sectional data of lactating mothers from our MINDI cohort, we investigated associations of MINDI variables with maternal anemia, elevated serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), low serum iron, hepcidin, ferritin, and infant weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and head-circumference-for-age (HCAZ) Z-scores in 99 mother-infant dyads. A bootstrapping resampling procedure preselected covariates for inclusion in multivariable regressions models from chronic maternal infections and nutritional status [folate, vitamins A, D, retinol-binding protein (RBP), insulin-growth factor-1 (IGF-1)] and inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, platelet indices] indicators. Anemia was prevalent (53.5%) but underestimated due to widespread low plasma volume (<2.2 L, 79.9%) and was associated with indicators of malnutrition [lower IGF-1, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D, and intake of green/leafy vegetables], but not inflammation. Higher CRP was associated with lower serum iron, and higher hepcidin and ferritin, whereas maternal platelets were associated with lower HCAZ (β = −0.22), WAZ (β = −0.17), and LAZ (β = −0.17). Higher LAZ was also associated with maternal serum vitamin D (β = 0.23), whereas maternal iron supplementation lowered LAZ (β = −0.22). Assessment of iron status in this MINDI cohort is complex and supplementation strategies must consider consequences for both the mother and the infant.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of poor sleep in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Study Objectives Poor sleep-in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with worse quality of life, along with anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of poor sleep-in IBD. Methods Electronic databases were searched for publications from inception to November 1st 2021. Poor sleep was defined according to subjective sleep measures. A random effects model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of poor sleep-in people with IBD. Heterogeneity was investigated through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and Egger’s test. Results 519 Studies were screened with 36 studies included in the meta-analysis incorporating a total of 24 209 people with IBD. Pooled prevalence of poor sleep-in IBD was 56%, 95% CI (51–61%) with significant heterogeneity. The prevalence did not differ based on the definition of poor sleep. Meta-regression was significant for increased prevalence of poor sleep with increase in age and increased of prevalence of poor sleep with objective IBD activity but not subjective IBD activity, depression, or disease duration. Conclusions Poor sleep is common in people with IBD. Further research is warranted to investigate if improving sleep quality in people with IBD will improve IBD activity and quality of life.
Simultaneous Detection of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in Industrial and Traditional Red and isot Pepper Flakes along with Dietary Exposure Risk Assessment

This study focused on the co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in traditionally and industrially dried red pepper flakes (DRPFs) and isot pepper flakes (IPFs). Following the multitoxin immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) was used to quantify AFs and OTA. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were 0.11 and 0.18 μg kg–1 (AFB1), 0.04 and 0.08 μg kg–1 (AFB2), 0.13 and 0.18 μg kg–1 (AFG1), 0.04 and 0.11 μg kg–1 (AFG2), and 0.10 and 0.21 μg kg–1 (OTA), respectively. AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and OTA were found to be positive in 93, 74, 17, and 94% of all samples, respectively. The contamination levels in positive samples ranged from 0.23 to 38.69, 0.04 to 2.14, 0.13 to 0.88, and 0.18 to 52.19 μg kg–1 for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and OTA, respectively, while no AFG2 was found above the detection limit (0.04 μg kg–1). None of the industrial isot peppers exceeded the European Union limits, while the levels of AFB1 (5 μg kg–1), total AFs (10 μg kg–1), and OTA (20 μg kg–1) of the traditional peppers were above the limit by 30% (16/54), 26% (14/54), and 4% (2/54), respectively. Co-occurrence of AFB1-AFB2-OTA was the most frequent, accounting for 54% (29/54) of all samples. At the upper bound (UB), estimated average exposure to AFB1, total AFs, and OTA was determined to be 0.175, 0.189, and 0.124 ng kg–1 bw day–1 in all samples, respectively. The margin of exposure (MoE) value of AFB1 and total AFs was found to be 977 and 909, indicating high health concerns compared to OTA (MoE >10,000). AFB1 and total AFs may result in 0.0058 and 0.0062 liver cancer cases/100,000 person/year at UB, respectively, and weekly OTA exposure was 0.868 ng kg–1 bw, well below the provisional tolerable weekly intake, hence not of health concern. AFs exposure could endanger health, whereas OTA posed no toxicological concerns through dried red pepper consumption