Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Hormones in Healthy Adults: Reliability of Repeated Assessments and Interrelations with Eating Habits and Physical Activity

Background: Gastrointestinal hormones (GIHs) are crucial for the regulation of a variety of physiological functions and have been linked to hunger, satiety, and appetite control. Thus, they might constitute meaningful biomarkers in longitudinal and interventional studies on eating behavior and body weight control. However, little is known about the physiological levels of GIHs, their intra-individual stability over time, and their interaction with other metabolic and lifestyle-related parameters. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study is to investigate the intra-individual stability of GIHs in normal-weight adults over time. Methods: Plasma concentrations of ghrelin, leptin, GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide), and PP (pancreatic polypeptide) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 17 normal-weight, healthy adults in a longitudinal design at baseline and at follow-up six months later. The reliability of the measurements was estimated using intra-class correlation (ICC). In a second step, we considered the stability of GIH levels after controlling for changes in blood glucose and hemoglobin A1 (HbA1c) as well as self-reported physical activity and dietary habits. Results: We found excellent reliability for ghrelin, good reliability for GLP1 and PP, and moderate reliability for leptin. After considering glucose, HbA1c, physical activity, and dietary habits as co-variates, the reliability of ghrelin, GLP1, and PP did not change significantly; the reliability of leptin changed to poor reliability. Conclusions: The GIHs ghrelin, GLP1, and PP demonstrated good to excellent test–retest reliability in healthy individuals, a finding that was not modified after adjusting for glucose control, physical activity, or dietary habits. Leptin showed only moderate to poor reliability, which might be linked to weight fluctuations, albeit small, between baseline and follow-up assessment in our study sample. Together, these findings support that ghrelin, GLP1, and PP might be further examined as biomarkers in studies on weight control, with GLP1 and PP serving as anorexic markers and ghrelin as an orexigenic marker. Additional reliability studies in obese individuals are necessary to verify or refute our findings for this cohort.
Anatomic development of the upper airway during the first five years of life: A three-dimensional imaging study

Purpose Normative data on the growth and development of the upper airway across the sexes is needed for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired respiratory anomalies and to gain insight on developmental changes in speech acoustics and disorders with craniofacial anomalies. Methods The growth of the upper airway in children ages birth-to-five years, as compared to adults, was quantified using an imaging database with computed tomography studies from typically developing individuals. Methodological criteria for scan inclusion and airway measurements included: head position, histogram-based airway segmentation, anatomic landmark placement, and development of a semi-automatic centerline for data extraction. A comprehensive set of 2D and 3D supra- and sub-glottal measurements from the choanae to tracheal opening were obtained including: naso-oro-laryngo-pharynx subregion volume and length, each subregion’s superior and inferior cross-sectional-area, and antero-posterior and transverse/width distances. Results Growth of the upper airway during the first five years of life was more pronounced in the vertical and transverse/lateral dimensions than in the antero-posterior dimension. By age five years, females have larger pharyngeal measurement than males. Prepubertal sex-differences were identified in the subglottal region. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the importance of studying the growth of the upper airway in 3D. As the lumen length increases, its shape changes, becoming increasingly elliptical during the first five years of life. This study also emphasizes the importance of methodological considerations for both image acquisition and data extraction, as well as the use of consistent anatomic structures in defining pharyngeal regions.
Growth behaviors of IMCs in low-silver lead-free Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu micro-joints for long-term high-temperature environments

Reliable, nontoxic and eco-friendly solders are gaining attention in welding. Low-silver lead-free solder becomes a developing trend. Herein, the microstructures of Low-silver lead-free Sn1.0Ag0. 5Cu micro-joints at different storage time in high-temperature environments are observed and analysed in this article. It is our primary focus here to analyse the thickness evolution of the interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) layer. The numerical growth models of IMC bilayers are constructed, which provide an essential reference for lifetime analysis and reliability evaluation of Sn1.0Ag0. 5Cu solders for long-term use in high temperature environment.
Forest with broad-leaved species at the norther limit of distribution (Northwest of Russia)

Monodominant broad-leaved forests are more typical on the northern limit of their distribution as was shown in the Leningrad region. This feature distinguishes these northern communities from forests located in their optimum range of the Central part of Russia where forests have a polydominant composite on of their stands. At the norther limit, the vegetation growing on sod-carbonate loam soil is closer to the real zonal broad-leaved forests. The northern forests with broad-leaved species are sensitive to soil factors and temperature valueas was revealed by the nMDS ordination of 53 geobotanical plots. Despite the dominance of nemoral species in the forests in both the north and south of the Leningrad region, the diversity, constancy and abundance of species associated with boreal evergreen forests are higher in the northern part of the region. This is a consequence of the presence of a significant share of coniferous and small-leaved tree species in the stands and less nutritious and acidic soils also. A high proportion of edge-meadow grass species and adventive weeds are associated with recreation and park care activities.
Adaptive polygon rendering for interactive visualization in the Schwarzschild spacetime

Interactive visualization is a valuable tool for introductory or advanced courses in general relativity as well as for public outreach to provide a deeper understanding of the visual implications due to curved spacetime. In particular, the extreme case of a black hole where the curvature becomes so strong that even light cannot escape, benefits from an interactive visualization where students can investigate the distortion effects by moving objects around. However, the most commonly used technique of four-dimensional general-relativistic ray tracing is still too slow for interactive frame rates. Therefore, we propose an efficient and adaptive polygon rendering method that takes light deflection and light travel time into account. An additional advantage of this method is that it provides a natural demonstration of how multiple images occur and how light travel time affects them. Finally, we present our method using three example scenes: a triangle passing behind a black hole, a sphere orbiting a black hole and an accretion disk with different inclination angles.
Accuracy analysis of 3D model of open-pit mine based on tilt photogrammetry

Mineral resources account for a large proportion in the development of national economy in China. The topography conditions around the mine site are complex, and accurate measurement of the mine topography can ensure that the mineral resources are mined safely and reasonably. The traditional mine survey has certain danger. With the advantages of flexibility and no site constraints, the UAV is equipped with a high-resolution lens and combined with tilt photogrammetry technology to obtain high-resolution images of multiple angles of the mine area and fine texture information of the feature surface in a short period of time. A total of 918 optical images were collected as raw data using a consumer-grade UAV equipped with a common optical lens. They were pre-processed and modeled to generate a high-precision, clear-textured 3D model of the study area. The root mean square of the pixel is 0.53 after aerial triangulation and adjustment. Compared with the actual measured value, the mean square error of plane coordinates is ±0.1cm, and the maximum error is 0.2cm, the mean square error of height is ±0.1cm, and the maximum error is 0.2cm. The mean square error of model plane coordinates is ±2.9cm, and the maximum error is 10.2cm. The mean square error of height is ±6.4cm, and the maximum error is 8.6cm. The results show that the production model meets the requirements of relevant specifications and the use of tilt photogrammetry in hazardous areas can improve the safety of surveyors.
Defect Investigation of Ti-Based Vacancy-Ordered Double Perovskite Solar Cell using SCAPS-1D

Despite the great promise of lead-based perovskite solar cells, their inherent toxicity and stability issues have hindered their practical applications in solar cells. Titanium(Ti)-based vacancy-ordered double perovskite Cs2TiBr6 was proposed as a non-toxic and stable substitute for lead-based perovskites. However, the efficiencies of the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cells currently have a maximum value of only 3.28%, which is still far below typical perovskite solar cells. Since the bulk defects inside the Cs2TiBr6 absorber layer are the main reason for degrading the performance of the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell, it is worthwhile to investigate the bulk defect density in the absorber layer to optimize the performance of the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell. In this work, we simulate the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell with the FTO/SnO2/Cs2TiBr6/PEDOT:PSS/Au structure by using SCAPS-1D simulation software. We investigate the effect of the bulk defect density in the Cs2TiBr6 absorber layer for the performance of the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell. The conclusion is that there is a threshold value for the bulk defect density in the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell. Moreover, we obtain an optimal efficiency of 9.97% in the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell by optimizing the bulk defect density. Our numerical simulation results show that the Cs2TiBr6 double perovskite solar cell has excellent potential and appropriate defect passivation is conducive for improving its performance.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Using 10B-p-Boronophenylalanine (BPA) with Special Reference to the Radiobiological Basis and Clinical Results

BNCT is a radiotherapeutic method for cancer treatment that uses tumor-targeting 10B-compounds. BNCT for cutaneous melanoma using BPA, a phenylalanine derivative, was first initiated by Mishima et al. in 1987. This article reviews the radiobiological basis of melanoma control and damage to normal tissues as well as the results of clinical studies. Experimental studies showed that the compound biological effectiveness (CBE) values of the 10B (n, α)7Li reaction for melanoma control ranged from 2.5 to 3.3. The CBE values of the 10B (n, α)7Li reaction for skin damage ranged from 2.4 to 3.7 with moist desquamation as the endpoint. The required single radiation dose for controlling human melanoma was estimated to be 25 Gy-Eq or more by analyzing the 50% tumor control dose data of conventional fractionated radiotherapy. From the literature, the maximum permissible dose to human skin by single irradiation was estimated to be 18 Gy-Eq. With respect to the pharmacokinetics of BPA in patients with melanoma treated with 85–350 mg/kg BPA, the melanoma-to-blood ratio ranged from 2.1–3.8 and the skin-to-blood ratio was 1.31 ± 0.22. Good local tumor control and long-term survival of the patients were achieved in two clinical trials of BNCT conducted in Japan.
Effects of glass on densification and interfacial bonding of LTCC co-fired Ag electrode

In this paper, the effects of particle size and content of glass additive on the sintering densification, interfacial bonding and electrical properties of silver electrode of LTCC were investigated. The particle size of glass powder would mainly affect the densification rate of electrode film and the uniformity of glass phase distribution. The content of glass played a key role in the density of electrode film, the distribution of glass phase and the interface bonding. When the relative content of glass was low, the glass phase could not wet the silver powder effectively. Thus, the silver film was not dense and the interfacial adhesion was weak. When the relative content was too high, there would be too much glass phase at the surface and interior of the electrode film, which would increase the silver film resistance. By adjusting the particle size and relative content of glass, the co-firing compatibility of LTCC and thick film silver electrode could be better realized. When the content of glass additive was 1.0 wt%, the sintered film illustrated the optimum performance of densified microstructure and low sheet resistance of 1.32 mΩ/sq.
Dynamical Bethe algebra and functions on pairs of quasi-polynomials

We consider the space of functions on the Cartan subalgebra of with values in the zero weight subspace of a tensor product of irreducible finite-dimensional -modules. We consider the algebra of commuting differential operators on , constructed by Rubtsov, Silantyev, and Talalaev in 2009. We describe the relations between the action of on and spaces of pairs of quasi- polynomials. Bibliography: 25 titles.
Model Refinement ( Extended )

Model Re(cid:12)nement is a uniform approach to generating correct-by-construction designs for algorithms and systems from formal speci(cid:12)cations. Given an overapproximating model M of system dynamics and a set (cid:8) of required properties, model re(cid:12)nement is an iterative process that eliminates behaviors of M that do not satisfy the required properties. The result of model re(cid:12)nement is a re(cid:12)ned model M ′ that satis(cid:12)es by-construction the required properties (cid:8) . The calculations needed to generate re(cid:12)nements of M typically involve quanti(cid:12)er elimination and extensive formula/term simpli(cid:12)cation modulo the underlying domain theories. We have run a prototype implementation of model re(cid:12)nement based on the Z3 SMT solver over a variety of system and algorithm design problems.
The Kakeya Set conjecture over Z/NZ for general N

We prove the Kakeya set conjecture for $\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}$ for general $N$ as stated by Hickman and Wright [HW18]. This entails extending and combining the techniques of Arsovski [Ars21a] for $N=p^k$ and the author and Dvir [DD21] for the case of square-free $N$. We also prove stronger lower bounds for the size of $(m,\epsilon)$-Kakeya sets over $\mathbb{Z}/p^k\mathbb{Z}$ by extending the techniques of [Ars21a] using multiplicities as was done in [SS08, DKSS13]. In addition, we show our bounds are almost sharp by providing a new construction for Kakeya sets over $\mathbb{Z}/p^k\mathbb{Z}$ and $\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}$.
Influence of moisture on brown-rot fungal attack on wood

Southern pine solid wood and wood fiber were reacted with acetic anhydride to various acetyl weight gains. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) was determined on these specimens at 30%, 65% and 90% relative humidity (RH) and 27 °C. A standard soil block decay test using the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum was performed and weight loss calculated. Two possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain the resistance of attack of brown-rot fungi on chemically modified wood. One involves the lowering of the cell wall moisture level below that needed for fungal attack. The second involves changing the configuration and conformation of the substrates by modification in such a way that the enzymes can not recognize the substrate. The data presented in this paper indicates that lowering the cell wall moisture level is the major mechanism.
Salary History and Employer Demand: Evidence from a Two-Sided Audit

We study how salary history disclosures affect employer demand, and how salary history bans shape hiring and wages. We show how these effects depend on the properties of the labor market and measure the key properties using a novel, two-sided field experiment. Our field experiment features hundreds of recruiters and over two thousand job applications. We randomize the presence of salary history questions as well as job candidates' disclosures. We find that employers make negative inferences about non-disclosing candidates, and anticipate positive selection into disclosure. Recruiters view salary history as a stronger signal about competing options than about worker quality. Disclosures by men (and other highly-paid candidates) yield higher salary offers, however they are negative signals of value (net of salary), and thus yield fewer callbacks. While disclosures (especially high amounts) generally increase recruiter beliefs about quality and competing offers, male wage premiums are regarded as a weaker signal of quality than other sources (such as the premiums from working at higher paying firms, or being well-paid compared to peers). Recruiters correctly anticipate that women are less likely to disclose salary history at any level, and thus punish women less than men for silence. When we simulate the effect of salary history bans using our results, we find muted effects on callbacks. Gender inequality in salary offers is reduced; however equality comes at the expense of lower salary offers overall (and especially for men).
Effect of yeast and essential oil-enriched diets on critical determinants of health and immune function in Africanized Apis mellifera

Nutrition is vital for health and immune function in honey bees (Apis mellifera). The effect of diets enriched with bee-associated yeasts and essential oils of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) was tested on survival, food intake, accumulated fat body tissue, and gene expression of vitellogenin (Vg), prophenoloxidase (proPO) and glucose oxidase (GOx) in newly emerged worker bees. The enriched diets were provided to bees under the premise that supplementation with yeasts or essential oils can enhance health variables and the expression of genes related to immune function in worker bees. Based on a standard pollen substitute, used as a control diet, enriched diets were formulated, five with added bee-associated yeasts (Starmerella bombicola, Starmerella etchellsii, Starmerella bombicola 2, Zygosaccharomyces mellis, and the brewers’ yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and three with added essential oils from L. graveolens (carvacrol, thymol, and sesquiterpenes). Groups of bees were fed one of the diets for 9 or 12 days. Survival probability was similar in the yeast and essential oils treatments in relation to the control, but median survival was lower in the carvacrol and sesquiterpenes treatments. Food intake was higher in all the yeast treatments than in the control. Fat body percentage in individual bees was slightly lower in all treatments than in the control, with significant decreases in the thymol and carvacrol treatments. Expression of the genes Vg, proPO, and GOx was minimally affected by the yeast treatments but was adversely affected by the carvacrol and thymol treatments.
The Correlation Between Non-Invasive Ventilation Use and the Development of Dry Eye Disease

The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) devices such as continuous positive airway pressure and bi-level positive airway pressure machines have been associated with an increased incidence of dry eye disease (DED). To understand how the use of these ventilation masks impacts the eyes, a review of the pathophysiology of DED and an evaluation of recent studies investigating the effects of NIV use on the severity and incidence of this condition were performed. It was found that the use of face masks associated with the ventilation devices exhibited a positive correlation to the incidence and severity of numerous ocular pathologies. However, the benefits of non-invasive mechanical ventilation are undeniable in treating conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory failure; therefore, proper education, behavioral modifications, and treatment can help reduce or prevent the adverse effects that NIV have on the eyes.
Injurious information propagation and its global stability considering activity and normalized recovering rate

This paper establishes a compartment model describing the propagation of injurious information among a well-mixed population. We define the information’s injuriousness as the people practicing the information being injured and leaving the system. Some informed people practice the information and are active, while others do not practice and are inactive. With the recovery resources fixed, the two groups of informed people’s recovering rates are normalized considering the information features. The stability of the nonlinear system is thoroughly studied. Analyzing the reproduction number of the injurious information, we find that in general parameter space, when there are people in an informed compartment, it is not always necessary to consider their recovery resource allocation. Instead, only when their proportion reaches a critical point should it be allocated. Unless the people in an informed compartment form a certain proportion, we can take a laissez-faire attitude towards them. In a more realistic parameter space, once inactive informed people exist, they should be allocated recovery resources. On the one hand, when the recovering rate rises, the focus on both groups of informed people is necessary for more situations. On the other hand, when the rate of active informed people leaving the system rises, ignoring active informed people benefits removing the injurious information in more cases. The model provides qualitative ways in the scenarios of removing injurious information.
Identification of miRNAs Contributing to the Broad-Spectrum and Durable Blast Resistance in the Yunnan Local Rice Germplasm

MicroRNAs are 20–24 nucleotide non-coding RNAs and play important roles in plant-environment interactions. In recent years, many microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to regulate rice immunity against rice blast fungus. However, there are limited studies about miRNAs that directly target resistance (R) genes to regulate rice immunity. In this study, by deep sequencing, small RNA libraries were constructed from four-leaf stage seedlings of the resistant variety Ziyu44 and susceptible variety Jiangnanxiangnuo (JNXN) upon Magnaporthe oryzae infection, we found that much more miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in Ziyu44 than in JNXN. Among these miRNAs, we focused on miR9664, a newly identified rice miRNA in our sequencing, which was upregulated lightly in Ziyu44 and drastically in JNXN at 24–48 h post-inoculation (hpi). The transgenic plants overexpressing miR9664 (miR9664-oe) displayed reduced defense responses to M. oryzae, while those knocking down miR9664 (miR9664-m) displayed enhanced defense responses to M. oryzae. Most of the detected miR9664 predicted target genes were reduced in the miR9664-oe lines while increased in the miR9664-m lines. The cleavage site of LOC_Os08g07774 was confirmed by RLM-RACE. Meanwhile, after being inoculated with M. oryzae, the genes were expressed differently between Ziyu44 and JNXN. The results suggest that miR9664-mediated R gene turnover contributes to Ziyu44 broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast fungus. Taken together, our research identified a new rice miRNA that directly targets R genes to regulate rice immunity against rice blast fungus, adding significant information to the study of rice–M. oryzae interaction.