Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building profile reconstruction based on double subspace TomoSAR

ABSTRACT Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) tomography (TomoSAR) is an attractive technology for the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of buildings through multiple coherent SAR images. This technique can overcome the limitations of interferometry in multi-scatterer resolution and play a significant role in the analysis of urban areas. The robustness of the many advanced nonparametric spectral estimation approaches is founded on a high number of observations. In this work, we evaluate the abilities of five nonparametric spectral estimation methods, including double subspace (DS), maximum entropy (ME), minimum norm (MN), Capon, and beamforming (BF), to separate scattering contributions with a small number of SAR images in the tomographic reconstruction of urban environments. DS is a high-resolution estimator based on the existence of non-uniform noise, which assesses the noise subspace via eigendecomposition of some appropriately designed matrix without comprehending the noise covariance matrix. The study results indicate that DS can distinguish the scatterers in one azimuth-range resolution and satisfactorily dissuade the appearance of unpleasant side lobes. To investigate the effectiveness of DS and compare that with other expressed methods, both simulated and real SAR datasets were acquired from TerraSAR-X strip-map images of the city of Tehran, Iran. The experimental results on real SAR images demonstrate that the DS can remarkably enhance building reconstruction in the urban environment. The estimated height of the scatters utilizing the DS technique is similar to the data obtained from ground observations.
Time Delay Properties of a Fabry-Pérot Interferometer

The time delay properties of a Fabry-Perot interferometer are investigated. We found that the group velocity of light through a Fabry-Perot interferometer can be reduced to 10-4 of the light speed in vacuum and the time delay is 210 ns, when the reflectivity is 0.999 and the distance between two mirrors is 1 cm. The system is analogous to the recently proposed one-dimensional photonic band-gap structures with a defect [Zhu et al. Opt. Commun. 174(2000)139].
‘I cannot mess this up anymore‘: The experiences of undergraduates who withdraw and start again elsewhere

This research sought to explore undergraduates’ experiences of non–completion and re–uptake, with a particular focus on coping strategies. Five undergraduate students who had left the university system and then re–entered it took part in semi–structured interviews about their feelings and experiences in this context, and these were then analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six themes emerged that are highlighted by quotations from the students’ concerns to illustrate their difficulties in decision–making, coping, identity–development, and social and academic issues. The findings suggest the need for: (i) greater academic and social support for such returning students; (ii) greater academic and social support generally in the first year of study; and (iii) improvements in the ways of promoting higher education and its alternatives to potential and incoming students.
Lycopene protects myocardial ischemia injury through anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to explore the protective effect of lycopene (Lyc) on myocardial ischemia injury through anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS 75 rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation group (control group), model group, low-dose group (Lyc+2 mg/kg), medium-dose group (Lyc+4 mg/kg) and high-dose group (Lyc+6 mg/kg). The rat model of myocardial ischemia was established by a subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Conventional HE staining and Masson staining were performed for pathological changes. Biochemical indicators were measured by the enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Western blotting was used to measure the levels of related proteins in JNK/STAT signaling pathway. RESULTS Compared to control group, the levels of CK-MB, TC, and TGs were significantly increased in model group. The levels of CK-MB, TC, and TGs in each Lyc-administered group were decreased. After Lyc was administered, the SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities and MDA content were all restored. The serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in control group were significantly lower than in model group. When the Lyc was administered, the serum IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in medium-dose group and high-dose group were significantly decreased. The levels of Bax/Bcl-2, Cyt-c, and Caspase-3 in model group were significantly higher than control group. Changes of Bax/Bcl-2, Cyt-c, and Caspase-3 in medium-dose and high-dose groups after the administration of Lyc were restored significantly. The levels of p-JNK/JNK, p-STAT1 (Tyr701)/STAT1, p-STAT1 (Ser727)/STAT1, p-STAT3 (Tyr705)/STAT3 were significantly increased, while p-STAT3 (Ser727)/STAT3 was significantly decreased. When Lyc was administered, the expression levels of p-JAK/JAK, p-STAT1 (Tyr701)/STAT1, p-STAT1 (Ser727)/STAT1, p-STAT3 (Tyr705)/STAT3 protein in medium-dose group and high-dose group were significantly decreased, and the expression level of p-STAT3 (Ser727)/STAT3 protein was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS Lyc could show a protective effect on oxidative stress injury and anti-cardiomyocyte apoptosis of myocardial ischemia, and its possible mechanism was to attenuate the activation of JNK/ERK signaling pathway induced by myocardial injury.
Causal Confirmation Measures: From Simpson’s Paradox to COVID-19

When we compare the influences of two causes on an outcome, if the conclusion from every group is against that from the conflation, we think there is Simpson’s Paradox. The Existing Causal Inference Theory (ECIT) can make the overall conclusion consistent with the grouping conclusion by removing the confounder’s influence to eliminate the paradox. The ECIT uses relative risk difference Pd = max(0, (R − 1)/R) (R denotes the risk ratio) as the probability of causation. In contrast, Philosopher Fitelson uses confirmation measure D (posterior probability minus prior probability) to measure the strength of causation. Fitelson concludes that from the perspective of Bayesian confirmation, we should directly accept the overall conclusion without considering the paradox. The author proposed a Bayesian confirmation measure b* similar to Pd before. To overcome the contradiction between the ECIT and Bayesian confirmation, the author uses the semantic information method with the minimum cross-entropy criterion to deduce causal confirmation measure Cc = (R − 1)/max(R, 1). Cc is like Pd but has normalizing property (between −1 and 1) and cause symmetry. It especially fits cases where a cause restrains an outcome, such as the COVID-19 vaccine controlling the infection. Some examples (about kidney stone treatments and COVID-19) reveal that Pd and Cc are more reasonable than D; Cc is more useful than Pd.
Fast Track Diagnostic Tools for Clinical Management of Sepsis: Paradigm Shift from Conventional to Advanced Methods

Sepsis is one of the deadliest disorders in the new century due to specific limitations in early and differential diagnosis. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming the dominant threat to human health globally. The only way to encounter the spread and emergence of AMR is through the active detection and identification of the pathogen along with the quantification of resistance. For better management of such disease, there is an essential requirement to approach many suitable diagnostic techniques for the proper administration of antibiotics and elimination of these infectious diseases. The current method employed for the diagnosis of sepsis relies on the conventional culture of blood suspected infection. However, this method is more time consuming and generates results that are false negative in the case of antibiotic pretreated samples as well as slow-growing microbes. In comparison to the conventional method, modern methods are capable of analyzing blood samples, obtaining accurate results from the suspicious patient of sepsis, and giving all the necessary information to identify the pathogens as well as AMR in a short period. The present review is intended to highlight the culture shift from conventional to modern and advanced technologies including their limitations for the proper and prompt diagnosing of bloodstream infections and AMR detection.
Isotopic properties of silicon carbide X grains from the Murchison meteorite in the size range 0.5‐1.5 μm

Abstract— We report isotopic abundances for C, N, Mg‐Al, Si, Ca‐Ti, and Fe in 99 presolar silicon carbide (SiC) grains of type X (84 grains from this work and 15 grains from previous studies) from the Murchison CM2 meteorite, ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.5 μm. Carbon was measured in 41 X grains, n in 37 grains, Mg‐Al in 18 grains, Si in 87 grains, Ca‐Ti in 25 grains, and Fe in 8 grains. These X grains have 12C/13C ratios between 18 and 6800, 14N/15n ratios from 13 to 200, δ29Si/28Si between −750 and +60%0, δ30Si/28Si from −770 to −10%0, and 54Fe/56Fe ratios that are compatible with solar within the analytical uncertainties of several tens of percent. Many X grains carry large amounts of radiogenic 26Mg (from the radioactive decay of 26Al, half‐life ≅ 7 times 105 years) and radiogenic 44Ca (from the radioactive decay of 44Ti, half‐life = 60 years). While all X grains but one have radiogenic 26Mg, only ∼20% of them have detectable amounts of radiogenic 44Ca. Initial 26Al/27Al ratios of up to 0.36 and initial 44Ti/48Ti ratios of up to 0.56 can be inferred. The isotopic data are compared with those expected from the potential stellar sources of SiC dust. Carbon stars, Wolf‐Rayet stars, and novae are ruled out as stellar sources of the X grains. The isotopic compositions of C and Fe and abundances of extinct 44Ti are well explained both by type Ia and type II supernova (SN) models. The same holds for 26Al/27Al ratios, except for the highest 26Al/27Al ratios of >0.2 in some X grains. Silicon agrees qualitatively with SN model predictions, but the observed 29Si/30Si ratios in the X grains are in most cases too high, pointing to deficiencies in the current understanding of the production of Si in SN environments. The measured 14n/15n ratios are lower than those expected from SN mixing models. This problem can be overcome in a 15 Modot; type II SN if rotational mixing, preferential trapping of N, or both from 15n‐rich regions in the ejecta are considered. The isotopic characteristics of C, N, Si, and initial 26Al/27Al ratios in small X grains are remarkably similar to those of large X grains (2–10 μm). Titanium‐44 concentrations are generally much higher in smaller grains, indicative of the presence of Ti‐bearing subgrains that might have served as condensation nuclei for SiC. The fraction of X grains among presolar SiC is largely independent of grain size. This implies similar grain‐size distributions for SiC from carbon stars (mainstream grains) and supernovae (X grains), a surprising conclusion in view of the different conditions for dust formation in these two types of stellar sources.
OXA-Type β-Lactamases

The OXA-type (oxacillin-hydrolysing) enzymes are widespread and have been mostly described in Enterobacteriaceae and in P. aeruginosa. They usually confer resistance to amino- and ureidopenicillin and possess high-level hydrolytic activity against cloxacillin, oxacillin, and methicillin. Their activities are weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid but sodium chloride (NaCl) possesses a strong il'lhibition activity. Oxacillin-hydrolysing -lactamases belong to Ambler class D and thus possess an active serine site as classes A and C β-lactamases. Overall amino-acid identities between class D and class A or class C β-lactamases is about 16%. Until now, 24 Ambler class D enzymes, named OXA-1 to OXA-22, AmpS and LCR-1, have been characterised, either by sequence and/or by biochemical analyses, but for none of them a three dimensional structure is yet available. While some oxacillinases present a significant degree of amino-acid identity (for example, OXA-l and OXA-4; OXA-10 (PSE-2) derivatives; OXA-2 and OXA- 3), most of them are only weakly related (20% to 30% amino-acid identity). Oxacillinases usually display a restricted-spectrum phenotype. However extension of their spectrum towards oxyimino cephalosporins and/or imipenem has recently been observed mostly as a consequence of point mutations in OXA-2 or OXA-10 derivatives. Their frequent plasmid- and/or integron-location provide them a mean for a wide diffusion.
ODMR of recombination centres in crystalline quartz

The well known 2.8 eV luminescence band in quartz has been studied using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). A triplet state with a very large fine-structure splitting is found to contribute to the emission. The principle axes of the triplet are identified. The possibility that the luminescence originates in the decay of a self-trapped exciton involving a transient oxygen Frenkel pair is discussed.
Can music make a difference? A small scale longitudinal study into the effects of music instruction in nursery on later reading ability

These three small-scale studies investigated the effects of Kodály music teaching at nursery school on phonological awareness and later reading ability in an experimental group matched with a control group.In study 1, phonological awareness skills were assessed near the beginning of the academic year and then again seven months later. The children in the experimental group showed a significant improvement in all four areas assessed while the control group only improved significantly on one measure. However the differences between the groups were not significant.Study 2 followed both groups into school and their reading ability was assessed at the end of Primary 1, using a standardised test. Reading ages in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group.Study 3 assessed the same group of children at the end of primary 7. They were reassessed on a battery of standardised tests involving reading and phonological awareness. Word Reading ages in the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group. Differences in the other measures did not reach significance.
Precharging strategy to accelerate spin-transfer switching below the nanosecond

We compared different ways of inducing magnetization switching by spin momentum transfer in pillar shaped CoFe∕Cu∕CoFe trilayers using sub-ns-current pulses. In comparison with switching induced by a single sub-ns pulse, precharging the device with a bias current prior to the application of the pulse proved to lower the required peak current. Precharging is efficient for pulses ranging from 2ns down to at least 200ps. Simulations indicate that the bias current prepares the magnetization in a precession state that provides an enhanced susceptibility to the spin torque of the pulsed current. The precession settling time is typically 2ns, hence the precharging strategy loses its efficiency for longer pulses, in agreement with experiments.
Indigenous Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Raw Graviera Cheese and Evaluation of Their Most Important Technological Properties

The aim of the present study was to characterize LAB isolates from raw-milk cheeses, to evaluate some of their technological properties and to select a few ‘wild’ LAB strains that could potentially be used as starter cultures. LAB strains were isolated and identified from raw milk, curd, and cheese at 30, 60, and 90 days of ripening. A total of 100 strains were isolated, 20 from each phase of ripening. All isolates were tested for acidification ability, curd formation, and aroma production at 32 °C and 42 °C after 24 and 48 h. Following the acidification test, 42 strains were selected for identification and characterization of their technological properties. A high proportion of lactic acid bacteria and Gram + cocci were found throughout the cheese-making process. Enterococci reached their maximum proportion on the 7th day of ripening while Lactobacilli increased significantly during the first month of ripening. Forty-two strains were identified by phenotypic, biochemical, and molecular techniques. Lactococci were predominant in raw milk and curd while Lactobacilli in the ripening of the cheese. Four LAB strains including one Leuconostoc pseudomenteroides, two Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei and one Enterococcus hirae, were proposed for their potential use as starters or secondary cultures.
Inhibitory Effects of Ginsenoside Ro on Clot Retraction through Suppressing PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Human Platelets

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (αIIb/β3) is the most abundant integrin on platelet surfaces, which is involved in interaction between platelets, and triggers an intracellular signaling cascade, platelet shape changes, granule secretion, and clot retraction. In this study, we evaluated the effect of ginsenoside Ro (G-Ro) on the binding of fibronectin and fibrinogen to αIIb/β3 and clot retraction. We found that G-Ro inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation dose-dependently and attenuated the fibronectin-, and fibrinogen-binding to αIIb/β3 through the dephosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85 and Akt, which influence clot retraction, reflecting the intensification of thrombus. We observed that G-Ro is involved in αIIb/β3 in human platelets. These results suggest that G-Ro is beneficial, inhibiting fibronectin adhesion, fibrinogen binding, and clot retraction. Therefore, G-Ro in Panax ginseng may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.
The Dual Role of Oxidative-Stress-Induced Autophagy in Cellular Senescence: Comprehension and Therapeutic Approaches

The contemporary lifestyle of the last decade has undeniably caused a tremendous increase in oxidative-stress-inducing environmental sources. This phenomenon is not only connected with the rise of ROS levels in multiple tissues but is also associated with the induction of senescence in different cell types. Several signaling pathways that are associated with the reduction in ROS levels and the regulation of the cell cycle are being activated, so that the organism can battle deleterious effects. Within this context, autophagy plays a significant role. Through autophagy, cells can maintain their homeostasis, as if it were a self-degradation process, which removes the “wounded” molecules from the cells and uses their materials as a substrate for the creation of new useful cell particles. However, the role of autophagy in senescence has both a “dark” and a “bright” side. This review is an attempt to reveal the mechanistic aspects of this dual role. Nanomedicine can play a significant role, providing materials that are able to act by either preventing ROS generation or controllably inducing it, thus functioning as potential therapeutic agents regulating the activation or inhibition of autophagy.
Single-snapshot 2D color measurement by plenoptic imaging system

Plenoptic cameras enable capture of directional light ray information, thus allowing applications such as digital refocusing, depth estimation, or multiband imaging. One of the most common plenoptic camera architectures contains a microlens array at the conventional image plane and a sensor at the back focal plane of the microlens array. We leverage the multiband imaging (MBI) function of this camera and develop a single-snapshot, single-sensor high color fidelity camera. Our camera is based on a plenoptic system with XYZ filters inserted in the pupil plane of the main lens. To achieve high color measurement precision of this system, we perform an end-to-end optimization of the system model that includes light source information, object information, optical system information, plenoptic image processing and color estimation processing. Optimized system characteristics are exploited to build an XYZ plenoptic colorimetric camera prototype that achieves high color measurement precision. We describe an application of our colorimetric camera to color shading evaluation of display and show that it achieves color accuracy of ΔE<0.01.
The Emerging Boon of Information and Communication Technology in Multidisciplinary Cancer Care: A Force Multiplier With a Human Touch

Cancer care (CC) is incredibly complex and requires the coordination of multiple disciplines for optimal outcomes. Historically, this has been accomplished with multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs), but the benefits, while perhaps intuitive, have not always been demonstrated with sufficient research robustness and validity. We hypothesize that this difficulty in demonstrating the benefit of MDTBs may be related to a delay in decision-making and operationalizing those decisions. The history and value of MDTBs are presented as well as their weaknesses and limited demonstration of improved outcomes. A major weakness highlighted by the challenges of MDTBs is the concept of total package time (TPT) (rather, the inability to keep it as short as possible); any significant delays in CC for any discipline may have a deleterious impact on any given patient’s care outcome. Drawing on our own experience with utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) during an effort to apply accountability theory to improve specifically radiation therapy package time (RTPT), we argue that similar principles will be applicable in the improvement of not only the TPT which relies on multiple disciplines, but other factors of CC as well, such as coordination. Experience with improvement in RTPT is discussed and the underlying theory is demonstrated as a sound methodology to apply beyond RTPT to TPT involving coordination of multiple disciplines and stands to lead to the full realization of the benefits of the multidisciplinary approach. The complexity of cancer means that real solutions to optimal outcomes are also, by nature, complex, but here simple accountability theory is demonstrated that may unlock the next phase of multidisciplinary coordination. In this work, we argue that the benefits of the MDTB format can be fully realized with the addition of ICT, a technological breakthrough in the past two decades, while not forgetting about continued human factors.
Least-squares estimation of the contact rate in models for the spread of infectious diseases

SUMMARY The contact rate and associated contact number determine the rate of spread of an infectious disease whose population dynamics are described by a mathematical model. It is shown how to obtain least-squares estimates of the contact rate for a standard homogeneous univariate model and a four-group model with different contact rates between the groups. The results of a small scale simulation are presented in the case of the four-group model. It is argued that the least-squares method provides generally acceptable estimates of contact rates for the range of parameter values likely to arise in epidemiological studies.
Crystal structure and optical properties of silver nanorings

We report the polyol synthesis and crystal structure characterization of silver nanorings, which have perfect circular shape, smooth surface, and elliptical wire cross-section. The characterization results show that the silver nanorings have well-defined crystal of singly twinned along the whole ring. The spatial distribution of the scattering of a silver nanoring with slanted incidence reveals the unique focus effect of the nanoring, and the focus scattering varies with the incident wavelength. The silver nanorings with perfect geometry and well-defined crystal have potential applications in nanoscaled photonics, plasmonic devices, and optical manipulation.