Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Educational inequalities in self-rated health and their mediators in late adulthood: Comparison of China and Japan

Education has an impact on health, but the magnitude of the impact may vary across countries. This cross-sectional study compared educational inequalities in health and their mediators in late adulthood between China and Japan, which both face rapid population aging. We studied the same age cohort (63–72 years) based on two nationwide population-based surveys in 2018: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 5,277) and Japan’s Longitudinal Survey of Middle-Age and Elderly Persons (N = 20,001). The relative index of inequality (RII) in education was used to measure educational inequality in self-rated health (SRH). We then examined the extent to which income, smoking, leisure-time physical activity, and social participation mediated educational inequalities in SRH. In both countries, a lower educational level was associated with a higher risk of poor SRH; in China, however, the gradient was flatter. In China, the RII of education was 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–2.39) for men and 1.47 (95% CI: 1.06–2.05) for women. In Japan, meanwhile, RII was 2.70 (95% CI: 2.21–3.28) for men and 2.60 (95% CI: 2.13–3.18) for women. Our mediation analysis based on logistic regression models with bootstrapping also found that social participation was a key mediator of educational inequalities in health in both countries. In all, the results underscore that one’s relative position in educational inequalities is a reliable predictor of subjective health in late adulthood in both China and Japan.
White water Nepal : a rivers guidebook for rafting and kayaking

Over the last few years, the popularity of Nepal as a destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking has boomed. As the only guide book to the area, White Water Nepal has been an indispensable resource for visitors to this magnificent country.Now in its second edition, White Water Nepal has been completely rewritten and expanded. With 34 detailed river trips (7 more than the previous edition) and 30 new hand-drawn maps, paddlers will easily find their way down Nepalese waters. Each river section contains a summary of the river and area, access and logistical concerns, and a river description.
2022 DEVELOPMENT OF HYBRID ASR SYSTEMS FOR LOW RESOURCE MEDICAL DOMAIN CONVERSATIONAL TELEPHONE SPEECH

In recent years, ASR systems have reached remarkable performance on speciﬁc tasks for which sufﬁcient amounts of training data are available, like e.g. LibriSpeech. However, varying acoustic and recording conditions and speaking styles and a lack of sufﬁcient in-domain training data still pose challenges to the development of accurate models. In this work, we present our efforts for the development of ASR systems for a conversational telephone speech translation task in the medical domain for three languages (Arabic, German, Vietnamese) to support emergency room interaction between physician and patient across language barriers. We study different training schedules and data combination approaches in order to improve the system’s performance, as well as analyze where limited available data is used most efﬁciently.
Imeglimin‐mediated glycemic control in maternally inherited deafness and diabetes

Mitochondrial dysfunction causes maternally inherited deafness and diabetes (MIDD). Herein, we report improved glycemic control in a 47‐year‐old Japanese woman with MIDD using imeglimin without major adverse effects. Biochemical tests and metabolome analysis were performed before and after imeglimin administration. Blood glucose level fluctuations were determined. Sulfonylureas, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4is), and sodium glucose transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were administered to evaluate the efficacy of their combination with imeglimin. Imeglimin decreased the HbA1c and ammonia levels and increased the time‐in‐range, C‐peptide reactivity, and glucagon level. Elevated citrulline and histamine levels were decreased by imeglimin. The hypoglycemic effect was not enhanced by imeglimin when combined with sulfonylurea or DPP4i, but the blood glucose level was improved when combined with SGLT2i. Imeglimin improved glucose concentration‐dependent insulin secretion and maximized the insulin secretory capacity by improving mitochondrial function and glutamine metabolism and urea circuit abnormalities by promoting glucagon secretion. Imeglimin could improve glycemic control in MIDD.
Higher Education Institution Factors and Technology-Mediated Distance Education Strategy Decisions

Changes in student demographics, increased institutional costs and technological advances have increased interest in and use of technology mediated distance education in higher education. This paper develops a model of strategy development and education value and then tests the effect of three internal factors (institution type, size and location) on technology mediated distance education strategy classification. The null hypothesis of no effect of internal factors on strategy classification was tested using PEQIS publicly available data set through the use of ordinal regression. Implications for policy and practice, and for further theory development are future research are discussed.
The SYP123–VAMP727 SNARE complex delivers secondary cell wall components for root hair shank hardening in Arabidopsis

Abstract The extended tubular shape of root hairs is established by tip growth and concomitant hardening. Here, we demonstrate that a syntaxin of plants (SYP)123–vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)727-dependent secretion system delivers secondary cell wall components for hardening the subapical zone and shank of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) root hairs. We found increased SYP123 localization at the plasma membrane (PM) of the subapical and shank zones compared with the tip region in elongating root hairs. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)(3,5)P2 production impaired SYP123 localization at the PM and SYP123-mediated root hair shank hardening. Moreover, root hair elongation in the syp123 mutant was insensitive to a PtdIns(3,5)P2 synthesis inhibitor. SYP123 interacts with both VAMP721 and VAMP727. syp123 and vamp727 mutants exhibited reduced shank cell wall stiffness due to impaired secondary cell wall component deposition. Based on these results, we conclude that SYP123 is involved in VAMP721-mediated conventional secretion for root hair elongation as well as in VAMP727-mediated secretory functions for the delivery of secondary cell wall components to maintain root hair tubular morphology.
Fast high‐resolution electric properties tomography using three‐dimensional quantitative transient‐state imaging‐based water fraction estimation

In this study, we aimed to develop a fast and robust high‐resolution technique for clinically feasible electrical properties tomography based on water content maps (wEPT) using Quantitative Transient‐state Imaging (QTI), a multiparametric transient state‐based method that is similar to MR fingerprinting. Compared with the original wEPT implementation based on standard spin‐echo acquisition, QTI provides robust electrical properties quantification towards B1+ inhomogeneities and full quantitative relaxometry data. To validate the proposed approach, 3D QTI data of 12 healthy volunteers were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. QTI‐provided T1 maps were used to compute water content maps of the tissues using an empirical relationship based on literature ex‐vivo measurements. Assuming that electrical properties are modulated mainly by tissue water content, the water content maps were used to derive electrical conductivity and relative permittivity maps. The proposed technique was compared with a conventional phase‐only Helmholtz EPT (HH‐EPT) acquisition both within whole white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid masks, and within different white and gray matter subregions. In addition, QTI‐based wEPT was retrospectively applied to four multiple sclerosis adolescent and adult patients, compared with conventional contrast‐weighted imaging in terms of lesion delineation, and quantitatively assessed by measuring the variation of electrical properties in lesions. Results obtained with the proposed approach agreed well with theoretical predictions and previous in vivo findings in both white and gray matter. The reconstructed maps showed greater anatomical detail and lower variability compared with standard phase‐only HH‐EPT. The technique can potentially improve delineation of pathology when compared with conventional contrast‐weighted imaging and was able to detect significant variations in lesions with respect to normal‐appearing tissues. In conclusion, QTI can reliably measure conductivity and relative permittivity of brain tissues within a short scan time, opening the way to the study of electric properties in clinical settings.
Human Tear Protein Analysis Using a Quantitative Microfluidic System: A Pilot Study

Objectives: Human tears have the potential to be used as biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease (DED). This prospective, controlled pilot study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that a panel of tear protein profiles can be detected and are repeatable when analyzed using a miniaturized quantitative microfluidic system. Methods: Ten participants were recruited following institutional ethics committee approval. Participants attended two visits 1 week apart when the following measurements were taken in a sequence: tear meniscus height, noninvasive breakup time, ocular redness, tear collection, and corneal and conjunctival staining. Basal tears (>4 µL) were collected using glass microcapillary tubes. Tears were processed to analyze a panel of proteins (14–230 kDa) following the manufacturer's guidelines using a miniaturized quantitative microfluidic system (Protein 230 LabChip with Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer). Demographics of the clinical measurements and a comparison of the panel of identified proteins and their repeatability were made. Results: Mean age of the participants was 20.8±1.6 years, nine were females, three fulfilled the TFOS DEWS-II diagnostic criteria for DED. The total protein concentration across participants was 6.72±3.56 mg/mL. Several proteins (lysozyme C, lipocalin 1, IgA light chain, zinc-α2-glycoprotein, albumin, and lactoferrin) were identified at both visits for seven or more participants. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in individual protein concentrations between the two visits. A high correlation was found between the two visits for all proteins where correlation coefficient ranged between 0.63 and 0.98 (P<0.05). Conclusion: The protein profiles measured by the quantitative microfluidic system are repeatable, thus validating quantitative microfluidic system as a reliable method for investigating a panel of tear proteins. This method is quick, affordable, requires only 4 μL of tear, and is relatively easy method to perform that can be incorporated in a clinical setting. Further studies in larger clinical setting may be beneficial exploring the usability of this method in various patient groups.
Networks analysis of Brazilian climate data based on the DCCA cross-correlation coefficient

Climate change is one of the most relevant challenges that the world has to deal with. Studies that aim to understand the behavior of environmental and atmospheric variables and the way they relate to each other can provide helpful insights into how the climate is changing. However, such studies are complex and rarely found in the literature, especially in dealing with data from the Brazilian territory. In this paper, we analyze four environmental and atmospheric variables, namely, wind speed, radiation, temperature, and humidity, measured in 27 Weather Stations (the capital of each of the 26 Brazilian states plus the federal district). We use the detrended fluctuation analysis to evaluate the statistical self-affinity of the time series, as well as the cross-correlation coefficient ρDCCA to quantify the long-range cross-correlation between stations, and a network analysis that considers the top 10% ρDCCA values to represent the cross-correlations between stations better. The methodology used in this paper represents a step forward in the field of hybrid methodologies, combining time series and network analysis that can be applied to other regions, other environmental variables, and also to other fields of research. The application results are of great importance to better understand the behavior of environmental and atmospheric variables in the Brazilian territory and to provide helpful insights about climate change and renewable energy production.
Association between air pollution and preterm birth among neonates born in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Although several studies have investigated the association between maternal exposure to air pollution and preterm birth, the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to further investigate the relation between maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) in an Iranian pregnant population. Materials and Methods: In this study, we identified 4758 consecutive singleton birth records from one large referral hospital (2010-2012) in Isfahan, Iran. We identified cases of preterm birth and LBW, which were combined with meteorological and air pollution monitoring data. We estimated the effect of air pollution exposure during the entire pregnancy, each trimester, and last month, and preterm birth (gestational age <37 weeks) and LBW (<2500 g) by Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) using logistic regression adjusted for gestational age, neonate gender, birth order, and mother's age. Results: The PSI for entire pregnancy was significantly associated with preterm birth [Odds Ratio (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.20, 1.33)]. There was no association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and each trimester and the last month of pregnancy, and preterm birth or LBW. Conclusion: Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during the entire pregnancy was associated with preterm birth in Isfahani women.
Evaluation of the potential defensive strategy against Influenza A in cell line models

Background: Influenza virus can cause both seasonal infections and unpredictable pandemics. Rapidly evolving avian H5N1 and H7N9 viruses have a potential pandemic threat for humans. Since avian Influenza can be transmitted by domestic birds, serving as a key link between wild birds and humans, an effective measure to control the influenza transmission would be eradication of the infection in poultry. It is known that the virus penetrates into the cell through binding with the terminal oligosaccharides - sialic acids (SA) - on the cell surfaces. Removal of SA might be a potential antiviral strategy. An approach to developing chicken lines that are resistant to influenza viruses could be the creation of genetically modified birds. Thus it is necessary to select a gene that provides defense to influenza. Here we have expressed in cells a range of exogenous sialidases and estimated their activity and specificity towards SA residues. Methods: Several bacterial, viral and human sialidases were tested. We adopted bacterial sialidases from Salmonella and Actinomyces for expression on the cell surface by fusing catalytic domains with transmembrane domains. We also selected Influenza A/PuertoRico/8/34/H1N1 neuraminidase and human membrane sialidase ( hNeu3) genes. Lectin binding assay was used for estimation of a α (2,3)-sialylation level by fluorescent microscopy and FACS. Results: We compared sialidases from bacteria, Influenza virus and human. Sialidases from Salmonella and Influenza A neuraminidase effectively cleaved α (2-3)-SA receptors. Viral neuraminidase demonstrated a higher activity. Sialidases from Actinomyces and hNeu3 did not show any activity against α (2-3) SA under physiological conditions. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that sialidases with different specificity and activity can be selected as genes providing antiviral defence. Combining chosen sialidases with different activity together with tissue-specific promoters would provide an optimal level of desialylation. Tissue specific expression of the sialidases could protect domestic birds from infection.
LINEAR PROGRAMMING INTERPRETATIONS OF MATHER'S VARIATIONAL

We discuss some implications of linear programming for Mather theory (13-15) and its finite dimensional approximations. We find that the complementary slackness condition of duality theory formally implies that the Mather set lies in an n-dimensional graph and as well predicts the relevant nonlinear PDE for the "weak KAM" theory of Fathi (5-8).
Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching

Research on bilingual word recognition suggests that lexical access is nonselective with respect to language, i.e., that word representations of both languages become active during recognition. One piece of evidence supporting nonselective access is that bilinguals recognize cognates (words that are identical or similar in form and meaning in two or more languages) faster than noncognates. In fact, any difference between how cognates and ‘monolingual’ words are processed by multilinguals would indicate that the other, currently irrelevant language must have played a role as well, at least as long as the two groups of words are comparable with respect to all dimensions other than language membership. The aim of the present paper is to report on two visual perceptual experiments conducted within the lexical decision task paradigm whose aim was to test the assumptions concerning the special position of cognates (the cognate facilitation effect, cf. Dijkstra, 2005) within a trilingual mind and to answer the question whether trilinguals rely upon their second language lexical knowledge when recognizing L3 words. The results of the experiments attest to simultaneous activation and parallel processing as well as interaction among all the three languages. At the same time, they point to the fact that cross-linguistic lexical access and the source and strength of transfer may be constrained by variables such task demands.
Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of RET gene fusion non‐small cell lung cancer in China

The rearranged during transfection (RET) gene is one of the receptor tyrosine kinases and cell‐surface molecules responsible for transmitting signals that regulate cell growth and differentiation. In non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), RET fusion is a rare driver gene alteration associated with a poor prognosis. Fortunately, two selective RET inhibitors (sRETi), namely pralsetinib and selpercatinib, have been approved for treating RET fusion NSCLC due to their remarkable efficacy and safety profiles. These inhibitors have shown the ability to overcome resistance to multikinase inhibitors (MKIs). Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are investigating several second‐generation sRETis that are specifically designed to target solvent front mutations, which pose a challenge for first‐generation sRETis. The effective screening of patients is the first crucial step in the clinical application of RET‐targeted therapy. Currently, four methods are widely used for detecting gene rearrangements: next‐generation sequencing (NGS), reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Each of these methods has its advantages and limitations. To streamline the clinical workflow and improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for RET fusion NSCLC, our expert group has reached a consensus. Our objective is to maximize the clinical benefit for patients and promote standardized approaches to RET fusion screening and therapy.
UK renewable

We introduce the BDA dynamics and explore the associated applications in renewable energy sector with a focus on data-driven innovation. Our study draws on the exponential growth of renewable energy initiatives over the last decades and on the paucity of literature to illustrate the use of BDA in the energy industry. We conduct a qualitative field study in the UK with stakeholder interviews and analyse our results using thematic analysis. Our findings indicate that no matter if the importance of the energy sector for 'people's well-being, industrial competitiveness, and societal advancement, old fashioned approaches to analytics for organisational processes are currently applied widely within the energy sector. These are triggered by resistance to change and insufficient organisational knowledge about BDA, hindering innovation opportunities. Furthermore, for energy organisations to integrate BDA approaches, they need to deal with challenges such as training employees on BDA and the associated costs. Overall, our study provides insights from practitioners about adopting BDA innovations in the renewable energy sector to inform decision-makers and provide recommendations for future research.
Representation and knowledge of historic construction: HBIM for structural use in the case of Villa Palma-Guazzaroni in Terni

A validated method for the digital representation of historic construction through HBIM permits assessment of compliance with workmanlike practices and structural performance. The construction of an appropriate model is closely linked to survey methodology, to the integrated application of multiple techniques of direct and indirect survey and non-destructive tests. The paper specifically deals with the complementarity between photogrammetry based on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) with TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanner). Finally, through this methodology, the HBIM model set for structural use allows the analysis of local mechanisms in order to verify the performance of the building. The methodological approach to the relationship between constructive survey and construction of the HBIM model to understand and evaluate the building organism from a structural point of view is exposed using Villa Palma-Guazzaroni in Terni as a case study. The Villa is representative of architectural heritage resulting from an original unitary intervention and subsequently affected by several modifications that, without obscuring many of the original values, have nevertheless altered the building and its architectural characteristics.