Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Years Lived With Disability, and Time Trends for 16 Causes of Blindness and Vision Impairment: Findings Highlight Retinopathy of Prematurity

Background Cause-specific prevalence data of vision loss and blindness is fundamental for making public health policies and is essential for prioritizing scientific advances and industry research. Methods Cause-specific vision loss data from the Global Health Data Exchange was used. The burden of vision loss was measured by prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). Findings In 2019, uncorrected refractory error and cataract were the most common causes for vision loss and blindness globally. Women have higher rates of cataract, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR) than men. In the past 30 years, the prevalence of moderate/severe vision loss and blindness due to neonatal disorders has increased by 13.73 and 33.53%, respectively. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the major cause of neonatal disorders related vision loss. In 2019, ROP caused 101.6 thousand [95% uncertainty intervals (UI) 77.5–128.2] cases of vision impairment, including 49.1 thousand (95% UI 28.1–75.1) moderate vision loss, 27.5 thousand (95% UI 19.3–36.60) severe vision loss and, 25.0 thousand (95% UI 14.6–35.8) blindness. The prevalence of new-onset ROP in Africa and East Asia was significantly higher than other regions. Variation of preterm birth prevalence can explain 49.8% geometry variation of ROP-related vision loss burden among 204 countries and territories. After adjusting for preterm prevalence, government health spending per total health spending (%), rather than total health spending per person, was associated with a reduced burden of ROP-related vision loss in 2019 (−0.19 YLDs for 10% increment). By 2050, prevalence of moderate, severe vision loss and blindness due to ROP is expected to reach 43.6 (95% UI 35.1–52.0), 23.2 (95% UI 19.4–27.1), 31.9 (95% UI 29.7–34.1) per 100,000 population. Conclusion The global burden of vision loss and blindness highlights the prevalent of ROP, a major and avoidable cause for childhood vision loss. Advanced screening techniques and treatments have shown to be effective in preventing ROP-related vision loss and are urgently needed in regions with high ROP-related blindness rates, including Africa and East Asia.
Land Use and Land Cover Shape River Water Quality at a Continental Caribbean Land-Ocean Interface

Land use and land cover (LULC) can significantly alter river water, which can in turn have important impacts on downstream coastal ecosystems by delivering nutrients that promote marine eutrophication and hypoxia. Well-documented in temperate systems, less is known about the way land cover relates to water quality in low-lying coastal zones in the tropics. Here we evaluate the catchment LULC and the physical and chemical characteristics of six rivers that contribute flow into a seasonally hypoxic tropical bay in Bocas del Toro, Panama. From July 2019 to March 2020, we routinely surveyed eight physical and chemical characteristics (temperature, specific conductivity, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate and nitrite, ammonium, and phosphate). Our goals were to determine how these physical and chemical characteristics of the rivers reflect the LULC, to compare the water quality of the focal rivers to rivers across Panama, and to discuss the potential impacts of river discharge in the Bay. Overall, we found that the six focal rivers have significantly different river water characteristics that can be linked to catchment LULC and that water quality of rivers 10 s of kilometers apart could differ drastically. Two focal catchments dominated by pristine peat swamp vegetation in San San Pond Sak, showed characteristics typical of blackwater rivers, with low pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients. The remaining four catchments were largely mountainous with >50% forest cover. In these rivers, variation in nutrient concentrations were associated with percent urbanization. Comparisons across Panamanian rivers covered in a national survey to our focal rivers shows that saltwater intrusions and low DO of coastal swamp rivers may result in their classification by a standardized water quality index as having slightly contaminated water quality, despite this being their natural state. Examination of deforestation over the last 20 years, show that changes were <10% in the focal catchments, were larger in the small mountainous catchments and suggest that in the past 20 years the physical and chemical characteristics of river water that contributes to Almirante Bay may have shifted slightly in response to these moderate land use changes. (See supplementary information for Spanish-language abstract).
Perceived Concerns and Psychological Distress of Healthcare Workers Facing Three Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic

Background This study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks. Methods Analysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping. Results The psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol). Conclusion The differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.
On the Scope of GaN-Based Avalanche Photodiodes for Various Ultraviolet-Based Applications

We present a review of GaN avalanche photodiodes. GaN-based avalanche photodiodes are of emerging interest to the device community. The review covers various important aspects of the device such as the design space, substrate choice, edge termination efficacy, and last, but not least, the physics behind the avalanche breakdown in GaN. The study comprehends the reported impact ionization coefficients and how they may affect the device performances. Finally various reported GaN APDs are summarized and compared. We conclude that hole-initiated GaN APDs on free-standing GaN substrates can offer unprecedented advantages as ultraviolet light detectors, due to their ultra-high responsivity and low dark current.
Pirfenidone Has Anti-fibrotic Effects in a Tissue-Engineered Model of Human Cardiac Fibrosis

A fundamental process in the development and progression of heart failure is fibrotic remodeling, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in response to injury. Currently, therapies that effectively target and reverse cardiac fibrosis are lacking, warranting novel therapeutic strategies and reliable methods to study their effect. Using a gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) and human fetal cardiac fibroblasts (hfCF), we developed a multi-cellular mechanically tunable 3D in vitro model of human cardiac fibrosis. This model was used to evaluate the effects of a promising anti-fibrotic drug—pirfenidone—and yields proof-of-concept of the drug testing potential of this platform. Our study demonstrates that pirfenidone has anti-fibrotic effects but does not reverse all TGF-β1 induced pro-fibrotic changes, which provides new insights into its mechanism of action.
Aging-Related Alterations to Persistent Firing in the Lateral Entorhinal Cortex Contribute to Deficits in Temporal Associative Memory

With aging comes a myriad of different disorders, and cognitive decline is one of them. Studies have consistently shown a decline amongst aged subjects in their ability to acquire and maintain temporal associative memory. Defined as the memory of the association between two objects that are separated in time, temporal associative memory is dependent on neocortical structures such as the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe structures. For this memory to be acquired, a mental trace of the first stimulus is necessary to bridge the temporal gap so the two stimuli can be properly associated. Persistent firing, the ability of the neuron to continue to fire action potentials even after the termination of a triggering stimulus, is one mechanism that is posited to support this mental trace. A recent study demonstrated a decline in persistent firing ability in pyramidal neurons of layer III of the lateral entorhinal cortex with aging, contributing to learning impairments in temporal associative memory acquisition. In this work, we explore the potential ways persistent firing in lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) III supports temporal associative memory, and how aging may disrupt this mechanism within the temporal lobe system, resulting in impairment in this crucial behavior.
Recent Progress of Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Thermoelectric Applications

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) have sparked immense interest, resulting from their unique structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties. The band structures, effective mass, electron mobility, valley degeneracy, and the interactions between phonons and heat transport properties in 2D-TMDs can be efficiently tuned via various approaches. Moreover, the interdependent electrical and thermal conductivity can be modulated independently to facilitate the thermoelectric (TE)-based energy conversion process, which enables optimization of TE properties and promising TE applications. This article briefly reviews the recent development of TE properties in 2D-TMDs. First, the advantages of 2D-TMDs for TE applications are introduced. Then, the manipulations of electrical and thermal transport in 2D-TMDs are briefly discussed, including various influencing factors such as thickness effect, structural defects, and mechanical strain. Finally, the recent advances in the study of electrical, thermal transport, and TE properties of 2D-TMDs, TE-related applications, the challenges, and the future prospects in this field are reviewed.
Impact of Vimentin on Regulation of Cell Signaling and Matrix Remodeling

Vimentin expression contributes to cellular mechanoprotection and is a widely recognized marker of fibroblasts and of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. But it is not understood how vimentin affects signaling that controls cell migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Recent data indicate that vimentin controls collagen deposition and ECM structure by regulating contractile force application to the ECM and through post-transcriptional regulation of ECM related genes. Binding of cells to the ECM promotes the association of vimentin with cytoplasmic domains of adhesion receptors such as integrins. After initial adhesion, cell-generated, myosin-dependent forces and signals that impact vimentin structure can affect cell migration. Post-translational modifications of vimentin determine its adaptor functions, including binding to cell adhesion proteins like paxillin and talin. Accordingly, vimentin regulates the growth, maturation and adhesive strength of integrin-dependent adhesions, which enables cells to tune their attachment to collagen, regulate the formation of cell extensions and control cell migration through connective tissues. Thus, vimentin tunes signaling cascades that regulate cell migration and ECM remodeling. Here we consider how specific properties of vimentin serve to control cell attachment to the underlying ECM and to regulate mesenchymal cell migration and remodeling of the ECM by resident fibroblasts.
Influence of Rotor Blade Fillets on Aerodynamic Performance of Turbine Stage

In this paper, steady and unsteady flow simulations were performed to investigate the influence of rotor fillet on the performance of turbine stage, based on 3D compressible Navier-Stokes equations closed with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The profile of Aachen turbine was employed and the fillet modeled by two shape parameters was placed at the junctions between the rotor blade and the endwalls (at both tip and hub). Based on the comparisons of the efficiency and the flow rate of turbine stage among the cases with different fillet shapes, the roles of two shape parameters were evaluated. To understand the mechanism of the rotor fillet influence on the flow field, the aerodynamic load, secondary flow and loss were analyzed and compared between the cases with and without the rotor fillet. It is found that the fillet is capable of restraining the flow separation near the leading edge of the rotor blade while inducing the displacement of the flow from the endwalls towards the mid-span, which enhances the loss generated by the interaction between the secondary flow and the main stream. Consequently, associated with the distribution of the loss at the outlet of the turbine stage, the best clocking position near the endwalls for the downstream blade moves about 10%∼20% of rotor pitch in the direction of rotor rotation. Therefore, the shape of the fillet in the rotor blade should be especially controlled in the process of the rotor design and manufacture, even though it is a minor part in the turbomachine.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
PATTERNS IN TIME AND SPACE

Anyone who has ever stared at waves coming into a beach or at a child soaring on a swing is familiar with the fascination of watching periodic phenomena. In contrast to their counterparts in physics, with their pendula, and in biology, with their circadian rhythms, chemists until recently have been largely deprived of such pleasures. Now, however, a growing company of researchers in chemical dynamics is becoming acquainted with the enchantments and frustrations of studying periodic and not-quite-periodic behavior. The study of chemical oscillations in time and space has evolved from a somewhat suspect, peripheral area of inquiry to a major field of chemical research with applications to fields from biology to meteorology. Although there were indications as early as 1828 (in studies of the dissolution of metals in strong acids) that the rates of certain reactions might increase and decrease repeatedly, it was not until 1921 that William C. Bray at the University of .
Cruise Passengers’ On-board Experience throughout the Customer Decision Journey

 Abstract — This paper examines the relationship between onboard environmental factors and customer overall satisfaction in the context of the cruise on-board experience. The on-board environmental factors considered are ambient, layout/design, social, product/service and on-board enjoyment factors. The study presents a data-driven framework and model for the on-board cruise experience. The data are collected from 893 respondents in an application of a self-administered online questionnaire of their cruise experience. This study reveals the cruise passengers’ on-board experience through the customer decision journey based on the publicly available data. Pearson correlation and regression analysis have been applied, and the results show a positive and a significant relationship between the environmental factors and on-board experience. These data help understand the cruise passengers’ on-board experience, which will be used for the ultimate decision-making process in cruise ship design.
A hybrid regional climate downscaling for the southern Brazil coastal region

A hybrid method is applied to generate a high‐resolution regional downscaling of atmospheric conditions to the southern coast of Brazil. The method consists of applying a principal component analysis to daily fields of the sea level pressure (SLP) data from the NCEP‐CFSR reanalysis. A cluster analysis (K‐means) is then applied to the 87 principal components that explained 95% of the variance of the time series. Daily atmospheric conditions were clustered into 36 weather types which represent the most predominant conditions observed in the study area. The estimated weather types were able to represent the major atmospheric systems affecting local climate, including the cyclones and anticyclones that are usually present in this region. Then, we applied the numerical Ocean‐Land‐Atmosphere Model (OLAM) to dynamically downscale the atmospheric condition that is closest to the centroid of each cluster. The model was set with a global grid and a refining approach with 6 km grid spacing over the coastal region of south Brazil. This approach allowed us to represent simultaneously the planetary waves and the local mesoscale systems, and their mutual interactions. The results provided new high‐resolution atmospheric fields for the coastal region and showed that the model was capable of resolving the major local mesoscale features. The main advantage of applying such a method is in reducing the number of numerical simulations (lower computational cost) at the same time it represents the totality of the atmospheric conditions observed in the study area. The final results consist in detailed information of the local climate that can be related to injuries to the coastal area and thus is useful to support decision‐makers.
Camels, Camel Milk, and Camel Milk Product Situation in Kenya in Relation to the World

Kenya is the leading camel milk producer globally, with an annual production volume of 1.165 MMT, followed by Somalia (0.958 MMT) and Mali (0.271 MMT). In Kenya, pastoral tribes in North-Eastern parts rear about 4.722 million camels accounting for about 80% of all camels. Camels offer locals various benefits, including transportation of goods across the deserts, meat, fur, and milk. Camel milk contains natural therapeutically and immunity-boosting properties due to the higher concentration of lactoferrin, lactoglobulins, and lysozyme than bovine milk. Camel milk has been shown to have hypoallergenicity properties compared to bovine milk. Camel and human milk are similar in nutritional composition and therapeutic properties. Camel milk is known to fight various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, autism, hypertension, and skin diseases. Despite the standing of Kenya in the world in terms of camel milk production, Kenya lags considering the camel milk products, industries, and marketing. This paper reviews recent literature on camels and camel milk production trends in Kenya in relation to the world. The review also discusses various camel milk properties (nutritional and therapeutic) as well as the camel milk sector situation in Kenya.
The Study of Protein–Cyclitol Interactions

Investigation of interactions between the target protein molecule and ligand allows for an understanding of the nature of the molecular recognition, functions, and biological activity of protein–ligand complexation. In the present work, non-specific interactions between a model protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) and four cyclitols were investigated. D-sorbitol and adonitol represent the group of linear-structure cyclitols, while shikimic acid and D-(–)-quinic acid have cyclic-structure molecules. Various analytical methods, including chromatographic analysis (HPLC-MS/MS), electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE), spectroscopic analysis (spectrofluorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), were applied for the description of protein–cyclitol interactions. Additionally, computational calculations were performed to predict the possible binding places. Kinetic studies allowed us to clarify interaction mechanisms that may take place during BSA and cyclitol interaction. The results allow us, among other things, to evaluate the impact of the cyclitol’s structure on the character of its interactions with the protein.
The Economic Impact of Monsoon Flood and Its Spillover on the Households of Bangladesh

Bangladesh experiences mild to devastating floods during the monsoon season of every year due to its geographical location. Whatever nature these floods may possess, they can be both a curse and a blessing for the people of this country. Self-reporting of Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 provides us with an opportunity to analyze the direct impact of the flood on the households’ development outcomes, such as income, expenditure, assets, and labor market outcomes at a microlevel. We also use the government report to identify the households that were treated in the report as being flooded but did not report as so in the HIES 2016. We use these two measures of flood exposure to estimate the full economic impact of monsoon floods and investigate any spillover effect to verify the preciseness of flood identification measure of self-reporting. Our modified control group meticulously strengthen the argument of flood impact and inaccuracy of its self-reporting by revealing households’ inhuman displacement in education and health expenditures. Though some river-centric trade centers offer employment and income increases for households, Bangladesh seems to lose its antique blessing of silt-laden flood water to replenish the fertility of flooded crop fields.
The flip side of multi-level marketing: A diagnosis of factors leading to the mass uptake of unregulated pyramid schemes in South Africa

This study sought to diagnose the factors leading to the mass uptake of unregulated pyramid schemes in South Africa. The study adopted an exploratory and qualitative research design. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 respondents using a non-probability sampling technique known as purposive sampling. The respondents were drawn from the target population of individuals who have previously used unregulated pyramid schemes. Data were analyzed using the Nvivo framework matrix. The findings of this study show that individuals are motivated to join pyramid schemes because of the expected benefit or return, accounting for 40%, followed by current economic conditions (30%), friends and family recommendation (15%), desire to get rich quickly (10%), and past performance of the scheme (5%). This study has contributed to the literature on multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes in South Africa and the developing world in general. It will further act as a launchpad for designing policies in the financial services sector.