Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Thrust Manipulation versus Non-Thrust Mobilization on Functional Deficit in Athletes with Chronic Ankle Sprain; A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Chronic ankle sprain is a widespread musculoskeletal injury affecting functional performance with long-term health cost effects on the quality of an athlete’s life. Manual therapy techniques performed on the ankle joint are an effective intervention that should be part of a complete treatment plan for athletes with an ankle sprain. Objective: To compare the effects of thrust manipulation with non-thrust mobilization on pain in chronic ankle sprain among athletes. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Pakistan Sports Board and Model Town Football Club, Lahore. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data as per the inclusion criteria of the participants aged between 16 to 40 years’ males. Participants were randomized into two groups; Group A received the thrust manipulation group and group B of non-thrust mobilization was given to the rear foot. Each group was given a baseline exercise protocol. The patient completed the foot & ankle ability measure scale being used as the primary outcome measure and 15 points of the Global Rating of Change scale. Using SPSS version 24, baseline characteristics were presented as mean and standard deviation. Between-group comparison using independent samples t-test was done, with a p-value≤0.05 considered significant. Results: The results regarding sociodemographic patients’ characteristics showed that the mean and standard deviation for age and body mass index were found to be 22.50±2.00 and 22.65±1.14 in the thrust manipulation group while 23.37±2.66 and 23.03±1.97 in the non-thrust mobilization group respectively with the statistical difference of p>0.005. The results regarding between-group comparison using an independent sample t-test showed a significant difference at the post-interventional level for both scales in favor of thrust manipulation (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study found that both muscle thrust manipulation and non-thrust mobilization were effective, but the method of thrust manipulation was clinically and statistically more effective in improving functional capacity in athletes with chronic ankle sprain.
Stroboscopic microscopy of fast electro‐optic switching in ferroelectric smectic C liquid crystals

We have characterized the process that yields high‐speed, bistable, electro‐optic switching in the surface‐stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal geometry, at intermediate electric fields. Switching proceeds by a continuous reversal of ferroelectric polarization in regions away from the surfaces of the sample, followed by the nucleation and growth of domains of reversed polarization in the remaining surface layers. A model involving bulk distortion+electrostatic+surface free energy successfully accounts for the variation of the switching process with changes in applied electric field.
Optimal state-vector estimation for non-Gaussian initial state-vector

The optimal estimate, in the mean-square-error sense, of state-vector of a linear system excited by zero-mean white Gaussian noise with non-Gaussian initial state-vector is obtained. Both the optimal estimate and the corresponding error covariance matrix are given. It is shown that the optimal estimator consists of two parts: a linear estimator that is obtained from a Kalman filter and a nonlinear estimator. In addition, the a posteriori probability p(x_{k}/\lambda_{k}) is also given.
Steroidal Saponins with Plant Growth Stimulation Effects; Yucca schidigera as a Commercial Source

Plant growth-stimulation bioactivity of triterpenoid saponins is well known, especially for oleanane-type compounds. Nevertheless, a few phytotoxicity bioassays performed on some steroidal saponins have shown hormesis profiles and growth stimulation on Lactuca sativa roots. The focus of the work described here was on the use of the wheat coleoptile bioassay to evaluate plant growth stimulation, and on the search for a commercially available source of active saponins by bio-guided fractionation strategy. Selected saponins were tested and a cluster analysis showed that those saponins with a sugar chain of more than five units had a hormesis profile, while saponins with growth enhancement had fewer sugar residues. Two saponins showed similar activity to the positive control, namely the phytohormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). As a potential source of these metabolites, a commercial extract of Yucca schidigera used as a fertilizer was selected. Bio-guided fractionation led to the identification of two fractions of defined composition and these showed stimulation values similar to the positive control. It was observed that the presence of a carbonyl group at C-12 on the aglycone skeleton led to improved activity. A saponin-rich fraction from Y. schidigera could be proposed to enhance crop quality and production.
Two-dimensional array of coupled nanomechanical resonators

Two-dimensional arrays of coupled nanomechanical plate-type resonators were fabricated in single crystal silicon using e-beam lithography. Collective modes were studied using a double laser setup with independent positioning of the point laser drive and interferometric motion detector. The formation of a wide acoustic band has been demonstrated. Localization due to disorder (mistune) was identified as a parameter that limits the propagation of the elastic waves. We show that all 400 resonators in our 20×20 array participate in the extended modes and estimate group velocity and density of states. Applications utilizing the resonator arrays for radio frequency signal processing are discussed.
Landscape of Druggable Molecular Pathways Downstream of Genomic CDH1/Cadherin-1 Alterations in Gastric Cancer

Loss of CDH1/Cadherin-1 is a common step towards the acquisition of an abnormal epithelial phenotype. In gastric cancer (GC), mutation and/or downregulation of CDH1/Cadherin-1 is recurrent in sporadic and hereditary diffuse GC type. To approach the molecular events downstream of CDH1/Cadherin-1 alterations and their relevance in gastric carcinogenesis, we queried public databases for genetic and DNA methylation data in search of molecular signatures with a still-uncertain role in the pathological mechanism of GC. In all GC subtypes, modulated genes correlating with CDH1/Cadherin-1 aberrations are associated with stem cell and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition pathways. A higher level of genes upregulated in CDH1-mutated GC cases is associated with reduced overall survival. In the diffuse GC (DGC) subtype, genes downregulated in CDH1-mutated compared to cases with wild type CDH1/Cadherin-1 resulted in being strongly intertwined with the DREAM complex. The inverse correlation between hypermethylated CpGs and CDH1/Cadherin-1 transcription in diverse subtypes implies a common epigenetic program. We identified nonredundant protein-encoding isoforms of 22 genes among those differentially expressed in GC compared to normal stomach. These unique proteins represent potential agents involved in cell transformation and candidate therapeutic targets. Meanwhile, drug-induced and CDH1/Cadherin-1 mutation-related gene expression comparison predicts FIT, GR-127935 hydrochloride, amiodarone hydrochloride in GC and BRD-K55722623, BRD-K13169950, and AY 9944 in DGC as the most effective treatments, providing cues for the design of combined pharmacological treatments. By integrating genetic and epigenetic aspects with their expected functional outcome, we unveiled promising targets for combinatorial pharmacological treatments of GC.
Hubungan rasio asupan natrium berbanding kalium dengan penyakit hipertensi pada lansia

Prevalensi hipertensi di Indonesia masih tinggi. Perbandingan asupan natrium dengan kalium yaitu 1:1 yang telah disesuaikan dengan angka kecukupan gizi dianjurkan untuk mempertahankan tekanan darah. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara rasio asupan natrium:kalium dengan kejadian hipertensi pada lansia di Panti Werdha SS. Studi ini bersifat deskriptif analitik dengan desain potong lintang. Subjek adalah lansia yang tinggal di Panti Werdha SS sejumlah 66 orang. Pengumpulan data dengan wawancara langsung menggunakan kuisioner mengenai karakteristik umum subjek, riwayat hipertensi dan riwayat makanan yang dikonsumsi. Pengukuran jumlah makanan yang dimakan termasuk rasio asupan natrium:kalium diperoleh dengan menggunakan metode weighed food record dan aplikasi nutrisurvey. Tekanan darah subjek diukur menggunakan sphygmomanometer air raksa. Rasio natrium:kalium didapatkan dengan membagi rata-rata asupan natrium sebesar 1942,43 mg (84,82 mol) dengan rata-rata asupan kalium sebesar 2767,33 mg (70,78 mol) sehingga didapatkan rasio natrium:kalum sebesar 1,19:1. Rasio ini lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan rekomendasi yang dikeluarkan oleh World Health Organization (WHO). Hasil studi menunjukkan 42 subjek penelitian (63,7%) mengalami hipertensi dengan rasio natrium:kalium yang tinggi, 18 subjek (27,3%) tidak mengalami hipertensi dengan rasio natrium:kalium yang tinggi, 5 subjek (7,5%) tidak mengalami hipertensi dengan natrium:kalium yang baik, dan 1 subjek mengalami hipertensi dengan rasio natrium:kalium yang baik. Hasil uji Fisher-Exact didapatkan P-value 0,017 dan risiko relatif (RR) 4,2 yang menunjukkan bahwa ada hubungan yang bermakna antara rasio asupan natrium:kalium dengan kejadian hipertensi pada lansia. Kesimpulan dari studi ini didapatkan bahwa rasio natrium:kalium memegang peranan penting dalam terjadinya hipertensi sehingga dapat digunakan sebagai petanda terjadi hipertensi.
A Partially Implicit Method for Large Stiff Systems of ODEs with Only Few Equations Introducing Small Time-Constants

Frequently the stiffness of large initial value problems in ordinary differential equations is due to only a few distinct equations introducing the small time-constants. It seems inefficient to solve these problems with the fully implicit methods suggested in a variety of papers. This applies especially to large nonlinear problems requiring numerous function evaluations for the numerical approximation of the Jacobian matrix as well as matrix inversions for the iterative solution of the resulting large systems of nonlinear equations.The method suggested in this paper combines an implicit and an explicit formula in an obvious manner. Local rational extrapolation is used to automatically control accuracy and step size. The explicit part agrees with the Bulirsch–Stoer method and consequently only few changes are necessary in Bulirsch–Stoer programs to facilitate the alternative use of the method described herein.
Mutations of homology spheres and Casson's invariant

Given an embedding of an oriented surface F in an oriented three-manifold M and a homeomorphism h of F, one can construct another three-manifold Mn by cutting M along F and re-glueing the two boundary components using h. Let F be a genus two surface and r the involution which exhibits F as the 2-fold branched cover of S2 branched over six points. In this special case we call Mr the mutation of M along F.
Pulling long tubes from firmly adhered vesicles

We used optical tweezers to measure the force-extension curve for the elongation of nanotubes from adhered giant vesicles. We show that the force increases significantly with the length of the tube, which is drastically different from what is observed when the membrane tension is kept constant, e.g. by pipette aspiration. The absence of any force plateau is quantitatively analysed in the framework of the material model of membranes. In particular, we rationalize a counter-intuitive weaker force rise for long tubes and demonstrate that the measured force-length trace allows us to probe both the entropic regime (characterised by the bending rigidity) and the elastic regime (characterised by the area expansion modulus) of the lipid membrane.
Change in US state-level public opinion about climate change: 2008–2020

Public attitudes toward climate change influence climate and energy policies and guide individual mitigation and adaptation behaviors. Over the last decade, as scientific certainty about the causes and impacts of, and solutions to the climate crisis has increased, cities, states, and regions in the United States have pursued diverse policy strategies. Yet, our understanding of how Americans’ climate views are changing remains largely limited to national trends. Here we use a large US survey dataset ( N=27075 ) to estimate dynamic, state-level changes in 16 climate change beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy preferences over 13 years (2008–2020). We find increases in global warming issue importance and perceived harm in every state. Policy support, however, increased in more liberal states like California and New York, but remained stable elsewhere. Year-by-year estimates of state-level climate opinions can be used to support sub-national mitigation and adaptation efforts that depend on public support and engagement.
On estimation of the optimal parameter of the modulus‐based matrix splitting algorithm for linear complementarity problems on second‐order cones

There are many studies on the well‐known modulus‐based matrix splitting (MMS) algorithm for solving complementarity problems, but very few studies on its optimal parameter, which is of theoretical and practical importance. Therefore and here, by introducing a novel mapping to explicitly cast the implicit fixed point equation and thus obtain the iteration matrix involved, we first present the estimation approach of the optimal parameter of each step of the MMS algorithm for solving linear complementarity problems on the direct product of second‐order cones (SOCLCPs). It also works on single second‐order cone and the non‐negative orthant. On this basis, we further propose an iteration‐independent optimal parameter selection strategy for practical usage. Finally, the practicability and effectiveness of the new proposal are verified by comparing with the experimental optimal parameter and the diagonal part of system matrix. In addition, with the optimal parameter, the effectiveness of the MMS algorithm can indeed be greatly improved, even better than the state‐of‐the‐art solvers SCS and SuperSCS that solve the equivalent SOC programming.
Noise reduction in the centroiding of laser guide star spot pattern using thresholded Zernike reconstructor

Centroiding inaccuracies contribute to most of the wavefront reconstruction error in a Shack Hartmann sensor based adaptive optics system. These errors primarily occur due to the presence of photon noise, readout noise, finite background and strong scintillations. Elongation of the spots in the case of large apertures while using Laser guide star as reference makes the situation further worse. A denoising procedure based on thresholded Zernike reconstructor and pattern matching is suggested in this paper to largely overcome these problems. Individual spot pattern images are reconstructed using Zernike polynomials and matched with ideal spot pattern without distortion to arrive at accurate local centroid positions.
Experiences of Hope after Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection—A Qualitative Study

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of hope people had after undergoing treatment for a hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Between October 2019 and May 2020, 19 one-on-one interviews were conducted with people who inject drugs and had undergone HCV treatment. All participants had completed treatment and were documented as being virus-free. Data were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim and analysed; a method inspired by reflexive thematic analysis. Those interviewed conveyed rich and nuanced descriptions of experiences of a life with HCV. Through the course of the analysis we developed four themes. The themes were formulated as metaphors aimed at capturing commonalities about how the participants seemed to “turn their gaze” after receiving HCV treatment: (1) turning their gaze backward; (2) turning their gaze inwards; (3) turning their gaze toward others and (4) turning their gaze forward. Participants’ descriptions of their experiences relating to HCV were somewhat gloomy, and HCV treatment seemed to inspire hope and a brighter outlook on several areas of life.
Advances on Hormones and Steroids Determination: A Review of Voltammetric Methods since 2000

This article presents advances in the electrochemical determination of hormones and steroids since 2000. A wide spectrum of techniques and working electrodes have been involved in the reported measurements in order to obtain the lowest possible limits of detection. The voltammetric and polarographic techniques, due to their sensitivity and easiness, could be used as alternatives to other, more complicated, analytical assays. Still, growing interest in designing a new construction of the working electrodes enables us to prepare new measurement procedures and obtain lower limits of detection. A brief description of the measured compounds has been presented, along with a comparison of the obtained results.
Emerging Postharvest Technologies to Enhance the Shelf-Life of Fruit and Vegetables: An Overview

Quality losses in fresh produce throughout the postharvest phase are often due to the inappropriate use of preservation technologies. In the last few decades, besides the traditional approaches, advanced postharvest physical and chemical treatments (active packaging, dipping, vacuum impregnation, conventional heating, pulsed electric field, high hydrostatic pressure, and cold plasma) and biocontrol techniques have been implemented to preserve the nutritional value and safety of fresh produce. The application of these methodologies after harvesting is useful when addressing quality loss due to the long duration when transporting products to distant markets. Among the emerging technologies and contactless and non-destructive techniques for quality monitoring (image analysis, electronic noses, and near-infrared spectroscopy) present numerous advantages over the traditional, destructive methods. The present review paper has grouped original studies within the topic of advanced postharvest technologies, to preserve quality and reduce losses and waste in fresh produce. Moreover, the effectiveness and advantages of some contactless and non-destructive methodologies for monitoring the quality of fruit and vegetables will also be discussed and compared to the traditional methods.
EBV Association with Lymphomas and Carcinomas in the Oral Compartment

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic human herpesvirus infecting approximately 90% of the world’s population. The oral cavity serves a central role in the life cycle, transmission, and pathogenesis of EBV. Transmitted to a new host via saliva, EBV circulates between cellular compartments within oral lymphoid tissues. Epithelial cells primarily support productive viral replication, while B lymphocytes support viral latency and reactivation. EBV infections are typically asymptomatic and benign; however, the latent virus is associated with multiple lymphomas and carcinomas arising in the oral cavity. EBV association with cancer is complex as histologically similar cancers often test negative for the virus. However, the presence of EBV is associated with distinct features in certain cancers. The intrinsic ability of EBV to immortalize B-lymphocytes, via manipulation of survival and growth signaling, further implicates the virus as an oncogenic cofactor. A distinct mutational profile and burden have been observed in EBV-positive compared to EBV-negative tumors, suggesting that viral infection can drive alternative pathways that converge on oncogenesis. Taken together, EBV is also an important prognostic biomarker that can direct alternative therapeutic approaches. Here, we discuss the prevalence of EBV in oral malignancies and the EBV-dependent mechanisms associated with tumorigenesis.
Time-dependent rheological behavior of bentonite suspensions: An experimental study

The thixotropic behavior of bentonite suspensions was studied using different experimental procedures. It was found that the bentonite dispersions exhibit a time-dependent non-Newtonian behavior. In addition to the major factors affecting the rheological properties in the dispersion were the shearing value and duration, the rest time preceding the measurements and the structural state of the dispersion. The Herschel–Bulkley model was found to correlate well with the behavior of bentonite suspensions. The time evolution of the shear stress at constant shear rates was correlated by the Bird–Leider equation. In order to take into account structural evolution of the suspensions, the rheological law was modified by the introduction of the phenomenological model of Tiu and Boger derived from Moore’s kinetics evolution. It was observed that at short rest times and low shearing conditions, this model describes satisfactorily the time-dependent behavior of the bentonite suspensions. The behavior laws and kinetics evolution were established through the determination of structure destructuration and reorganization rates values. The structure parameters were found to be dependent on the clay concentration, providing evidence that the scale characteristic times of the buildup and breakdown processes are also concentration dependent.The thixotropic behavior of bentonite suspensions was studied using different experimental procedures. It was found that the bentonite dispersions exhibit a time-dependent non-Newtonian behavior. In addition to the major factors affecting the rheological properties in the dispersion were the shearing value and duration, the rest time preceding the measurements and the structural state of the dispersion. The Herschel–Bulkley model was found to correlate well with the behavior of bentonite suspensions. The time evolution of the shear stress at constant shear rates was correlated by the Bird–Leider equation. In order to take into account structural evolution of the suspensions, the rheological law was modified by the introduction of the phenomenological model of Tiu and Boger derived from Moore’s kinetics evolution. It was observed that at short rest times and low shearing conditions, this model describes satisfactorily the time-dependent behavior of the bentonite suspensions. The behavior laws and kinetics .
Laterally converging duct flows. Part 4. Temporal behaviour in the viscous layer

Since insight into entropy generation is a key to increasing efficiency and thereby reducing fuel consumption and/or waste and – for wall-bounded flows – most entropy is generated in the viscous layer, we examine the transient behaviour of its dominant contributor there for a non-canonical flow. New measurements in oil flow are presented for the effects of favourable streamwise mean pressure gradients on temporal entropy generation rates and, in the process, on key Reynolds-stress-producing events such as sweep front passage and on the deceleration/outflow phase of the overall bursting process. Two extremes have been considered: (1) a high pressure gradient, nearing ‘laminarization’, and (2), for comparison, a low pressure gradient corresponding to many earlier experiments. In both cases, the peak temporal entropy generation rate occurs shortly after passage of the ejection/sweep interface. Whether sweep and ejection rates appear to decrease or increase with the pressure gradient depends on the feature examined and the manner of sampling. When compared using wall coordinates for velocities, distances and time, the trends and magnitudes of the transient behaviours are mostly the same. The main effects of the higher pressure gradient are (a) changes in the time lag between detections – representing modification of the shape of the sweep front and the sweep angle with the wall, (b) modification of the magnitude of an instantaneous Reynolds shear stress with wall distance and (c) enlarging the sweeps and ejections. Results, new for both low and high pressure gradients, are the temporal behaviours of the dominant contribution to entropy generation; it is found to be much more sensitive to distance from the wall than to streamwise pressure gradient.