Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher Prevalence of Chronic Endometritis in Women with Cesarean Scar Defect: A Retrospective Study Using Propensity Score Matching

(1) Background: A cesarean scar defect may cause localized inflammation of the endometrial tissue, and various researchers believe that the presence of a cesarean scar defect is associated with chronic endometritis. However, there is no report on the possible association between cesarean scar defects and chronic endometritis thus far. This study aimed to assess the role of having a cesarean scar defect in a person’s susceptibility to chronic endometritis. (2) Methods: This retrospective propensity-score-matched study comprised 1411 patients with chronic endometritis that were admitted to Henan Provincial People’s Hospital in China from 2020 to 2022. Based on whether a cesarean scar defect was present or not, all cases were assigned to the cesarean scar defect group or the control group. (3) Results: Of the 1411 patients, 331 patients with a cesarean scar defect were matched to 170 controls. All unbalanced covariates between groups were balanced after matching. Before matching, the prevalence of chronic endometritis in the cesarean scar defect group and in the control group was 28.8% and 19.6%, respectively. After correcting for all confounding factors, a logistic regression analysis showed that cesarean scar defect occurrence may increase the risk of chronic endometritis (odds ratio (OR), 1.766; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.217–2.563; p = 0.003). After matching, the prevalence of chronic endometritis was 28.8% in the cesarean scar defect group and 20.5% in the control group. Thus, even after correcting for all confounding factors, the logistic regression analysis still showed that a cesarean scar defect remained an independent risk factor for chronic endometritis prevalence (OR, 1.571; 95% CI, 1.021–2.418; p = 0.040). The findings were consistent throughout the sensitivity analyses. (4) Conclusions: The present results suggest that the onset of a cesarean scar defect may increase the risk of chronic endometritis.
Experimental investigation of individual musicians on tonal quality for saxophones and clarinets

An experimental investigation designed to quantify the effects of individuals on the tonal quality of a given saxophone, mouthpiece and reed combination, as well as a clarinet, mouthpiece, and reed combination has been performed. Several musicians, using the same instrument of each configuration, played a single note from each of these instruments which was digitally recorded. A Fourier transform of the recorded waveforms was used to compare the frequency spectrum from each musician. The results of the comparison will be reported and discussed.
Symmetric graphs with projective subconstituents

Let P be an undirected graph and G a subgroup of aut(r) acting transitively on the vertex set of P. Let x be an arbitrary vertex of P. We denote by P(x) the set of vertices adjacent to x and by G(x)F(x) the permutation group induced by the stabilizer G (x) of x in G on P(x); G (x)r(X) is called the subconstituent of the pair (P, G). For each i E N let Gi(x) = {a E G(x)Ia E G(y) if a (x, y) 1 then s 3. In [8], it was shown that s 3. We prove the following partial result:
Elevated Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF-23) Perseveres into a Convalescence Period After Elective Cardiac Surgery, with Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB Ligand (RANKL) and Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) Being Part of the Peri-Surgical Pro-Arteriosclerotic Inflammatory Resp

Background Receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) are involved in inflammation, calcium deposition, and fibrosis of blood vessels. Acute changes in these factors may contribute to the progression of arteriosclerosis, especially if their elevated serum levels persist postoperatively. Material/Methods A total of 90 patients (79 White, 4 African American, and 7 Other) undergoing elective heart surgery were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected before surgery and after surgery at 24 hours, 7 days, and 3 months to allow for longitudinal comparisons. After the plasma isolation, several biomarkers levels were studied using an enzymatic-linked assay. Demographic and clinical information were obtained from electronic health records. Results At 24 hours after surgery, RANKL (RANKLbaseline=248.7±215.7 vs RANKLt24h=376.4±329.7; P=0.035), and BMP-2 (BMP-2baseline=283.7±255.4 vs BMP-2t24h=482.4; P=0.015) were significantly elevated compared to baseline, with levels returning to baseline at 7 days. FGF-23 increased significantly from baseline (FGF-23baseline=1020±1210) to 7 days (FGF-237d=2191±5188; P=0.029) and remained significantly higher than baseline at 3 months (FGF-233m=2041±3521; P=0.044). White blood cells (WBC) remained elevated at discharge (WBCbaseline=6.8±2.1 vs WBC24h=15.0±5.3 vs WBCdischarge =8.8±3.4). IL-8 and C-reactive protein normalized at 3 months. Estimated blood loss was significantly correlated with RANKL at 24 hours (r2=0.33; P=0.035). Serum creatinine levels after surgery at 24 hours (r2=0.41; p=0.008) and 7 days (r2=0.59; P=0.000) was strongly correlated with COMP. Conclusions Persistent elevation of serum FGF-23 indicates a potential for accelerated arteriosclerosis after cardiac surgery.
Self-Calibration for Sparse Uniform Linear Arrays with Unknown Direction-Dependent Sensor Phase by Deploying an Individual Standard Sensor

Calibration of the unknown direction-dependent (DD) sensor phase and aliasing-free directions of arrival (DOA) estimation for sparse linear arrays are difficult tasks. In this work, we deploy an individual standard sensor with a known sensor phase response along the axis of the uncalibrated sparse linear array, a self-calibration method is proposed, in which the unknown DD sensor phase and the aliasing-free DOAs are both estimated. The proposed method is realized with a two-step scheme. In the first step, the sensor phase is eliminated by the Kronecker product of the covariance matrices in two different frequency bins, and the frequency difference satisfies the spatial Nyquist sampling theorem. Then, the DOAs can be robustly estimated without the influences of grating lobes and unknown sensor phase parameters. In the second step, the steering matrix is estimated with the known phase parameters of the deployed standard sensor. Then, the DD sensor phase is extracted from the steering matrix using the DOAs obtained in the first step. Hence, the disadvantages of iteration-based strategies in conventional calibration algorithms (e.g., local minima convergence) can be avoided. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using simulation data and compared with that of Cramer–Rao bounds.
Theory of magnetic force microscope images

A model is presented for magnetic force microscope (MFM) images obtained with a ferromagnetic tip and a ferromagnetic sample. Results of calculations are compared to recent MFM experiments and show good agreement using known values for magnetic parameters characterizing tip and sample. The model describes a limit in resolution determined by the demagnetizing effect of tip and sample, predicts the appearance of a novel image artifact which is particularly observable in images of narrow domains of reversed magnetization, and suggests an explanation for the observed contrast between regions of opposite magnetization.
Measurements of magnetic materials

Major methods to measure the magnetic properties of materials are systematically discussed in the light of the general phenomenology of magnetism in matter and its physical interpretation. Attention is paid to the problems of measurement traceability and reproducibility and the related standards. While the discussion is focused on the characterization of the soft and hard ferromagnetic materials relevant for electromagnetic applications, brief consideration is given to the special problems posed by measurements on feebly magnetic materials. It is stressed how geometrical and physical properties can often combine to make the determination of the true magnetic properties of materials a somewhat elusive goal. Measurement reproducibility can nevertheless be attained under the guidance provided by written standards. Recent evolution of the magnetic measuring techniques has occurred in response to the digital revolution and the development of novel high-performance materials (e.g. extra-hard rare-earth based magnets, multilayers, micro/nanostructures, etc). It is stressed, however, that the drive to progress in measurements ultimately stems from the search for new fundamental phenomena in materials and their understanding.
Biomimetic Approaches to “Transparent” Photovoltaics: Current and Future Applications

There has been a surge in the interest for (semi)transparent photovoltaics (sTPVs) in recent years, since the more traditional, opaque, devices are not ideally suited for a variety of innovative applications spanning from smart and self-powered windows for buildings to those for vehicle integration. Additional requirements for these photovoltaic applications are a high conversion efficiency (despite the necessary compromise to achieve a degree of transparency) and an aesthetically pleasing design. One potential realm to explore in the attempt to meet such challenges is the biological world, where evolution has led to highly efficient and fascinating light-management structures. In this mini-review, we explore some of the biomimetic approaches that can be used to improve both transparent and semi-transparent photovoltaic cells, such as moth-eye inspired structures for improved performance and stability or tunable, coloured, and semi-transparent devices inspired by beetles’ cuticles. Lastly, we briefly discuss possible future developments for bio-inspired and potentially bio-compatible sTPVs.
p90RSK Regulates p53 Pathway by MDM2 Phosphorylation in Thyroid Tumors

Simple Summary p90RSK is a downstream effector protein of the MAPK pathway. In many human cancers, the MAPK pathway is constitutively activated due to oncogenic mutations of its components. Consequently, p90RSK is hyperactive and capable of hyper phosphorylating substrates involved in tumorigenesis. p90RSK belongs to the AGC kinase family, which phosphorylates substrates with an RXRXXS/T consensus motif. MDM2 protein presents this consensus in its sequence at serine 166. MDM2 is a ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates the protein stability of p53. The aim of this study has been to verify whether p90RSK is capable of phosphorylating MDM2 in serine 166 and to investigate the role of p90RSK in regulating the p53 pathway, especially in thyroid tumors in which the MAPK pathway is constitutively active and in which the development of specific drugs aimed at inhibiting the kinase activity of p90RSK could represent a new way of inhibiting tumorigenesis. Abstract The expression level of the tumor suppressor p53 is controlled by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 with a regulatory feedback loop, which allows p53 to upregulate its inhibitor MDM2. In this manuscript we demonstrated that p90RSK binds and phosphorylates MDM2 on serine 166 both in vitro and in vivo by kinase assay, immunoblot, and co-immunoprecipitation assay; this phosphorylation increases the stability of MDM2 which in turn binds p53, ubiquitinating it and promoting its degradation by proteasome. A pharmacological inhibitor of p90RSK, BI-D1870, decreases MDM2 phosphorylation, and restores p53 function, which in turn transcriptionally increases the expression of cell cycle inhibitor p21 and of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and downregulates the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, causing a block of cell proliferation, measured by a BrdU assay and growth curve, and promoting apoptosis, measured by a TUNEL assay. Finally, an immunohistochemistry evaluation of primary thyroid tumors, in which p90RSK is very active, confirms MDM2 stabilization mediated by p90RSK phosphorylation.
Bivariate joint models for survival and change of cognitive function

Changes in cognitive function over time are of interest in ageing research. A joint model is constructed to investigate. Generally, cognitive function is measured through more than one test, and the test scores are integers. The aim is to investigate two test scores and use an extension of a bivariate binomial distribution to define a new joint model. This bivariate distribution model the correlation between the two test scores. To deal with attrition due to death, the Weibull hazard model and the Gompertz hazard model are used. A shared random-effects model is constructed, and the random effects are assumed to follow a bivariate normal distribution. It is shown how to incorporate random effects that link the bivariate longitudinal model and the survival model. The joint model is applied to the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing data.
PEO Coatings Modified with Halloysite Nanotubes: Composition, Properties, and Release Performance

In this work, the properties of the coatings formed on the Mg-Mn-Ce alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in electrolytes containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were investigated. The incorporation of halloysite nanotubes into the PEO coatings improved their mechanical characteristics, increased thickness, and corrosion resistance. The studied layers reduced corrosion current density by more than two times in comparison with the base PEO layer without HNTs (from 1.1 × 10−7 A/cm2 to 4.9 × 10−8 A/cm2). The presence of halloysite nanotubes and products of their dihydroxylation that were formed under the PEO conditions had a positive impact on the microhardness of the obtained layers (this parameter increased from 4.5 ± 0.4 GPa to 7.3 ± 0.5 GPa). In comparison with the base PEO layer, coatings containing halloysite nanotubes exhibited sustained release and higher adsorption capacity regarding caffeine.
Previous School Bullying-Associated Depression in Chinese College Students: The Mediation of Personality

Previous school bullying was associated with increased risk of depression in students. However, little was known about the role of the Big Five personality traits in this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mediation by the Big Five personality traits in this association in a large group of Chinese college students, and to provide help for educators to prevent students from serious psychological and mental diseases caused by school bullying. Random stratified cluster sampling was used to survey 2152 college students ranging from freshmen to seniors at three universities in Qiqihar city, Heilongjiang Province, China. The risk factors for previous school bullying included gender, living expenses per month, caregivers, parents often quarreling, and divorced parents. Males were more likely to be bullied at school than females. The influencing factors of depression include gender, caregivers, living expenses per month, frequent parents quarreling, and parental divorce. Females were more prone to depression than males. Depression was significantly correlated with all dimensions of school bullying and the Big Five personality traits (p < 0.05). The Big Five personality traits were found to play a significant mediating role between depression and school bullying in up to 45% of cases involving depression. Our major findings highlighted the promising role of personality-based intervention measures in reducing the risk of depression associated with school bullying in Chinese students.
Association of Slowly Digestible Starch Intake with Reduction of Postprandial Glycemic Response: An Update Meta-Analysis

Slowly digestible starch (SDS) has been shown to digest slowly throughout the entire small intestine, generating slow and prolonged release of glucose, according to the in vitro Englyst assay. The aim of this work was to conduct a meta-analysis of up-to-date evidence to evaluate the association between SDS consumption and a reduction in the postprandial glycemic response, including extended glycemic index (EGI) or glycemic profile (GP) parameters, during in vivo digestion. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, Europe PMC, Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify related articles published up to September 2022. Human trials investigating the effect of the SDS amount on the postprandial glucose profile were estimated at the standard mean difference (SMD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI), using random effect models. The review followed the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The meta-analysis included a total of 65 participants. The results revealed that the EGI experienced a greater increase (SMD = 24.61, I2 = 79.2%, p < 0.01) after SDS intake, while the GP exhibited similar trends (SMD = 29.18, I2 = 73.3%, p < 0.01). High heterogeneity vanished in the subgroup and sensitivity analysis (EGI: I2 = 14.6%, p = 0.31; GP: I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.97). There was no evidence of publication bias for EGI (p = 0.41) or GP (p = 0.99). The present meta-analysis provides evidence that SDS intake is positively correlated with EGI and GP levels. The quantitative relationship of the reduction in the postprandial glycemic response and SDS consumption was used to quantify the slow digestion property on an extended time scale, and supplement the in vitro concept of SDS.
NORMAL, INDUCED AND DIFFICULT PARTURITIONS IN EQUINES – A REVIEW

Parturition is a process of giving birth to young ones. This process can be naturally occurring or induced and maintained by hormonal changes. The process can also be abnormal, termed as dystocia, in which several complications are expected. Equines are long day breeders. Pre and post-parturient care is required, which is mandatory to have a beneficial, stable, and safe process of parturition. The animals in which the process of parturition is not normal, or the time has exceeded the gestation period, the chances of mortality and harm to the animal as well as the fetus increase, and the process of parturition is induced by hormones. The aims of this review include covering the process of parturition in horses and donkeys, care, complications, hormonal maintenance and safety.
Arrows of time and chaotic properties of the cosmic background radiation

We advance a new viewpoint on the connection between the thermodynamical and cosmological arrows of time, which can be traced via the properties of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. We show that in the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe with negative curvature there is a necessary ingredient for the existence of the thermodynamical arrow of time. It is based on the dynamical instability of motion along null geodesics in a hyperbolic space. Together with special (de-correlated) initial conditions, this mechanism is sufficient for the thermodynamical arrow, whereas the special initial conditions alone are able to generate only a pre-arrow of time. Since the negatively curved space will expand forever, this provides a direct connection between the thermodynamical and cosmological arrows of time. The structural stability of the geodesic flows on hyperbolic spaces and hence the robustness of the proposed mechanism is especially stressed. We then point out that the main relations of equilibrium statistical thermodynamics (including the second law) do not necessarily depend on any arrow of time. Finally we formulate a curvature anthropic principle, which stipulates the negative curvature as a necessary condition for the time-asymmetric universe with an observer. CMB has to carry the signature of this principle as well.
Large-scale structure in the Southern Sky Redshift Survey

The power spectrum from the Southern Sky Redshift Survey and the CfA samples are measured in order to explore the amplitude of fluctuation in the galaxy density. At lambda of less than or equal to 30/h Mpc the observed power spectrum is quite consistent with the standard CDM model. At larger scales the data indicate an excess of power over the standard CDM model. The observed power spectrum from these optical galaxy samples is in good agreement with that drawn from the sparsely sampled IRAS galaxies. The shape of the power spectrum is also studied by examining the relation between the genus per unit volume and the smoothing length. It is found that, over Gaussian smoothing scales from 6 to 14/h Mpc, the power spectrum has a slope of about -1. The topology of the galaxy density field is studied by measuring the shift of the genus curve from the Gaussian case. Over all smoothing scales studied, the observed genus curves are consistent with a random phase distribution of the galaxy density field, as predicted by the inflationary scenarios.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation Treatment: Significant Improvements in Four Ex-Football Players with Possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Background: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, diagnosed postmortem (hyperphosphorylated tau), is preceded by traumatic encephalopathy syndrome with worsening cognition and behavior/mood disturbances, over years. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) may promote improvements by increasing ATP in compromised/stressed cells and increasing local blood, lymphatic vessel vasodilation. Objective: Aim 1: Examine cognition, behavior/mood changes Post-tPBM. Aim 2: MRI changes - resting-state functional-connectivity MRI: salience, central executive, default mode networks (SN, CEN, DMN); magnetic resonance spectroscopy, cingulate cortex. Methods: Four ex-players with traumatic encephalopathy syndrome/possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy, playing 11– 16 years, received In-office, red/near-infrared tPBM to scalp, 3x/week for 6 weeks. Two had cavum septum pellucidum. Results: The three younger cases (ages 55, 57, 65) improved 2 SD (p < 0.05) on three to six neuropsychological tests/subtests at 1 week or 1 month Post-tPBM, compared to Pre-Treatment, while the older case (age 74) improved by 1.5 SD on three tests. There was significant improvement at 1 month on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, pain, and sleep. One case discontinued narcotic pain medications and had reduced tinnitus. The possible placebo effect is unknown. At 2 months Post-tPBM, two cases regressed. Then, home tPBM was applied to only cortical nodes, DMN (12 weeks); again, significant improvements were seen. Significant correlations for increased SN functional connectivity (FC) over time, with executive function, attention, PTSD, pain, and sleep; and CEN FC, with verbal learning/memory, depression. Increased n-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) (oxygen consumption, mitochondria) was present in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), parallel to less pain and PTSD. Conclusion: After tPBM, these ex-football players improved. Significant correlations of increased SN FC and CEN FC with specific cognitive tests and behavior/mood ratings, plus increased NAA in ACC support beneficial effects from tPBM.
Singing in the brain: Professional singers, occasional singers, and out‐of‐tune singers.

Speaking and singing are the two most complex communication systems of the human being, and perhaps in all of nature, both of which call on extensive cortical and subcortical resources in the brain. Singing is a combination of language and music that taps brain centers involved in both forms of communication and may rely more on right than left fronto‐temporal brain structures. I will present results of research studies that examined the neural correlates of singing in professional singers, in occasional singers, and in individuals that sing out of tune. These “tone‐deaf” singers lack some of the connections between auditory and motor brain regions that play a critical role in the feedback and feedforward control of vocal communications. These same brain structures are enhanced in professional singers and the duration of training as a singer correlates with gray and white matter enhancements seen in their brains. Ongoing studies are examining the development of these brain regions in children with and wit.