Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Elderly: Who should be Treated?

Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as elevated serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level with normal Free Thyrox ine (FT4) and Free Triiodothyronine (FT3). Prevalence of SCH in creases with age, which is estimated to be 1-6% in general population and 7-18% in older adults [1]. There is growing body of evidence that TSH levels shift towards higher concentration as part of normal age -ing. Therefore, high prevalence of SCH in older adult should be partly due to overestimation from failure to use age-specific reference range for TSH. Surks MI et al., reanalyzed NHANES III data and reported that median and 97.5 centile of TSH levels progressively increased with age [2]. The 97.5 centile (upper limit of normal reference range) of TSH were 3.56 and 7.49 mIU/L for age group 20-29 year and 80 year and older, respectively. Authors estimated that approximately 70% of older adults diagnosed with SCH due to TSH greater than 4.5 mIU/L were considered euthyroid when their age specific reference range were used for SCH diagnosis. It’s important to note that anal ysis of NHANES III data also showed progressively decreased prev alence of anti-thyroid antibodies with age in individuals with TSH greater than 4.5 mIU/L [2]. These findings suggest that the age related progressive shift in TSH distribution curve is most likely physiolog ical and may not represent higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. in age-related TSH may be due to higher TSH set point or reduced TSH bioactivity [1].
The iconicity toolbox: empirical approaches to measuring iconicity

abstract Growing evidence from across the cognitive sciences indicates that iconicity plays an important role in a number of fundamental language processes, spanning learning, comprehension, and online use. One benefit of this recent upsurge in empirical work is the diversification of methods available for measuring iconicity. In this paper, we provide an overview of methods in the form of a ‘toolbox’. We lay out empirical methods for measuring iconicity at a behavioural level, in the perception, production, and comprehension of iconic forms. We also discuss large-scale studies that look at iconicity on a system-wide level, based on objective measures of similarity between signals and meanings. We give a detailed overview of how different measures of iconicity can better address specific hypotheses, providing greater clarity when choosing testing methods.
Occupant protection in far‐side impacts

The potential injury reducing benefits by a far-side airbag was evaluated by means of human body modelling (HBM). The human body model (HBM) was validated for far side evaluation by means of PMHS tests carried out under six simplified far-side impact conditions. A CORrelation Analysis (CORA) rating was carried out. Based on the CORA score and the proposed biofidelity evaluation procedure the model was considered valid to be used in evaluation of far-side impact countermeasures. The HBM was thereafter positioned in a sled model developed based on the proposed Euro-NCAP 2020 protocol. The predicted risk of rib fractures and lateral head excursion was evaluated both with and without far-side airbag. The proposed far-side airbag was found to reduce head excursion and rib fracture risk in far-side impacts from 900 to 150 impact angles. To assess Euro-NCAP far-side sled test rating performance, a 50%-ile WorldSID crash dummy model was positioned in the sled model. Without countermeasure, the head displacement exceeded the occupant interaction limit. With far-side airbag the head excursion limit was not exceeded. The far-side airbag also reduced chest deflection from above the high-performance limit to below, such that a full score was obtained also for the chest evaluation.
Impact of differences in the decaying phase of El Niño on South and East Asia summer monsoon in CMIP5 models

The present study examined the ability of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models in representing the differences in decaying phases of El Niño and their impact on south Asia and east Asia monsoon during June and July (JJ), the early summer monsoon months. El Niño decay is classified into three categories, based on the timing of decay with respect to the summer season after the peak phase of El Niño. Analysis suggests that many CMIP5 models are able to capture the differences in the decaying phase of El Niño. Observed rainfall anomalies are positive over most parts of south and east Asia regions during the early decay (ED) years mainly due to anomalous Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) warming and La Niña like forcing from the eastern Pacific. Most models show significant skill in capturing the positive rainfall anomalies over south Asia and TIO SST warming in ED years. However, many models have failed to represent east Asian rainfall anomalies due to weak Western North Pacific (WNP) anticyclone and its association with El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. In case of mid‐decay (MD) years, observed rainfall anomalies over south Asia is negative especially in the monsoon trough region and positive over east Asian region. Low‐level divergence induced by anomalous WNP anticyclone extending to head Bay of Bengal and Gangetic Plain region in MD years caused low rainfall over south Asia. These features are however not well organized in many CMIP5 models. In no decay (ND) years, the rainfall anomalies over south and east Asia regions are negative in almost all the CMIP5 models, which is consistent with the observations. This study highlights the importance of proper representation of differences in the decaying phase of El Niño and associated teleconnections in CMIP5 models.
The Success of an EAP Programme in Tertiary Education: Using a Student-Centric Approach to Scaffold Materials in an EAP

Researchers and practitioners who focus on academic writing in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses have reported on the need to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with academic writing across different disciplines in tertiary education (Rinnert & Kobayashi, 2005; Shi, 2011; Thompson, 2013). Previous research (e.g., Crosthwaite, 2016) has predominantly measured students’ progress in an EAP by comparing students’ pre- and post-course scores of individual language/writing skills. Much less has been reported on the effectiveness of a detailed EAP curriculum design that scaffolds skills in stages. This study contributes to the current EAP research by examining holistically the impact of a 12-week EAP course that adopts a reading-to-write, student-centric approach to scaffold progressively difficult writing skills/knowledge to help students acquire academic writing skills by focusing on three core skills: language, text organisation, and content development. The data of this study show students’ perceptions of their writing abilities and the significant improvement in academic writing skills before and after completing the course.
Application of passive flow control device on helicopter rotor blades

Application of an efficient flow control system on helicopter rotor blades may lead to improved aerodynamic performance. Recently, the own invention of a passive vortex generator (Rod Vortex Generator RVG) has been analysed for channel and wing flows proving its capability to reduce flow separation. The application of this passive flow control device on helicopter rotor blades is described in the present paper. The basic flow mechanism is based on the intensification of exchange of momentum in the direction normal to the wall by a streamwise vortex. High momentum air is transferred to the low momentum region close to the surface and therefore the separation bubble is reduced. The present CFD investigation was carried out with the FLOWer code from DLR which solves the Favre-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using the chimera overlapping grids technique and LEA (Linear Explicit Algebraic Stress) k-ω turbulence model. The validation of the numerical setup for high-speed transonic hover conditions is based on a comparison with experimental data obtained by Caradonna and Tung (1981). For forward flight regime, the validation is based on a comparison with flight test data gathered by Cross and Watts for the AH-1G helicopter (1988). It has been proven that the application of the proposed flow control system reduces the size of the separation bubble increasing the aerodynamic performance in both states of flight. Nomenclature Symbols c blade chord (m) d rod diameter (m) h rod height (m) L spacing between vortex generators (m) M Mach number (-) MT tip Mach number (-) M∞ forward flight Mach number (-) ReT tip Reynolds number (-) r rod radius (m) V∞ forward flight velocity (km/h) Cf skin friction coefficient (-) CP blade pressure coefficient (-) CPo rotor power coefficient (-) CQ rotor torque coefficient (-) CT rotor thrust coefficient (-) α rod skew angle ( ̊) β c backward disk tilt ( ̊) β s sideways disk tilt ( ̊) δ boundary layer thickness (m) μ rotor advance ratio (-) θ 0 blade collective angle ( ̊) θ c lateral cyclic coefficient ( ̊) θ s longitudinal cyclic coefficient ( ̊) Θ rod pitch angle ( ̊) ψ blade azimuthal position ( ̊) Abbreviations C-T Caradonna and Tung FC Flow Control RVGs Rod Vortex Generators VGs Vortex Generators
Molecular Structures Polymorphism the Role of F…F Interactions in Crystal Packing of Fluorinated Tosylates

The peculiarities of interatomic interactions formed by fluorine atoms were studied in four tosylate derivatives p-CH3C6H4OSO2CH2CF2CF3 and p-CH3C6H4OSO2CH2(CF2)nCHF2 (n = 1, 5, 7) using X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds p-CH3C6H4OSO2CH2(CF2)nCHF2 (n = 1, 5) were crystallized in several polymorph modifications. Analysis of intermolecular bonding was carried out using QTAIM approach and energy partitioning. All compounds are characterized by crystal packing of similar type and the contribution of intermolecular interactions formed by fluorine atoms to lattice energy is raised along with the increase of their amount. The energy of intra- and intermolecular F…F interactions is varied in range 0.5–13.0 kJ/mol. Total contribution of F…F interactions to lattice energy does not exceed 40%. Crystal structures of studied compounds are stabilized mainly by C-H…O and C-H…F weak hydrogen bonds. The analysis of intermolecular interactions and lattice energies in polymorphs of p-CH3C6H4OSO2CH2(CF2)nCHF2 (n = 1, 5) has shown that most stabilized are characterized by the least contribution of F…F interactions.
Endurantism, Perdurantism and Special Relativity

There are two main theories about the persistence of objects through time. Endurantists hold that objects are three-dimensional, have only spatial parts, and wholly exist at each moment of their existence. Perdurantists hold that objects are four-dimensional, have temporal parts, and exist only partly at each moment of their existence. We argue that endurantism is poorly suited to describe the persistence of objects in a world governed by special relativity, and it can accommodate a relativistic world only at a high price not worth paying. Perdurantism, on the other hand, fits beautifully with our current scientific understanding of the world. We use only the implications of the Lorentz transformations, without appeal to geometrical interpretations, dimensional analogies or auxiliary premises like temporal eternalism.
Expression of 9-O- and 7,9-O-Acetyl Modified Sialic Acid in Cells and Their Effects on Influenza Viruses

Sialic acids are key glycans that are involved in many different normal cellular functions, as well as being receptors for many pathogens. However, Sia come in diverse chemically modified forms. Here, we examined and manipulated the expression of 7,9-O- and 9-O-acetyl modified Sia on cells commonly used in influenza virus and other research by engineering the enzymes that produce or remove the acetyl groups. ABSTRACT Sialic acids (Sia) are widely displayed on the surfaces of cells and tissues. Sia come in a variety of chemically modified forms, including those with acetyl modifications at the C-7, C-8, and C-9 positions. Here, we analyzed the distribution and amounts of these acetyl modifications in different human and canine cells. Since Sia or their variant forms are receptors for influenza A, B, C, and D viruses, we examined the effects of these modifications on virus infections. We confirmed that 9-O-acetyl and 7,9-O-acetyl modified Sia are widely but variably expressed across cell lines from both humans and canines. Although they were expressed on the cell surfaces of canine MDCK cell lines, they were located primarily within the Golgi compartment of human HEK-293 and A549 cells. The O-acetyl modified Sia were expressed at low levels of 1 to 2% of total Sia in these cell lines. We knocked out and overexpressed the sialate O-acetyltransferase gene (CasD1) and knocked out the sialate O-acetylesterase gene (SIAE) using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. Knocking out CasD1 removed 7,9-O- and 9-O-acetyl Sia expression, confirming previous reports. However, overexpression of CasD1 and knockout of SIAE gave only modest increases in 9-O-acetyl levels in cells and no change in 7,9-O-acetyl levels, indicating that there are complex regulations of these modifications. These modifications were essential for influenza C and D infection but had no obvious effect on influenza A and B infection. IMPORTANCE Sialic acids are key glycans that are involved in many different normal cellular functions, as well as being receptors for many pathogens. However, Sia come in diverse chemically modified forms. Here, we examined and manipulated the expression of 7,9-O- and 9-O-acetyl modified Sia on cells commonly used in influenza virus and other research by engineering the enzymes that produce or remove the acetyl groups.
DIFFERENCES IN RESULTS OBTAINED BY STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT FACULTIES

The paper presents and discusses the results of statistical analysis of differences among scores obtained by students of different faculties of the University of Economics in Prague. The analysed dataset contains the scores for 2256 students that took basic mathematics course during the academic year 2013/2014. A two way analysis of variance was performed with semester and faculty as main factors. The interaction between these two factors was also considered. Students have to take two tests. At first, the sum of the scores obtained from both tests is analysed and then, the two tests are analysed separately. It turns out that the significance of factors is the same in the three analyses. The assumptions of linear models are verified. Due to problem of heteroscedasticity, weighted least squares are used and the possibility of using Box-Cox transformation is also discussed, as the errors are not normally distributed. Finally, the differences between the faculties are described.
Mechanistic Insights into Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Using Heterostructure Photocatalysts

Due to its low cost, environmentally friendly process, and lack of secondary contamination, the photodegradation of dyes is regarded as a promising technology for industrial wastewater treatment. This technology demonstrates the light-enhanced generation of charge carriers and reactive radicals that non-selectively degrade various organic dyes into water, CO2, and other organic compounds via direct photodegradation or a sensitization-mediated degradation process. The overall efficiency of the photocatalysis system is closely dependent upon operational parameters that govern the adsorption and photodegradation of dye molecules, including the initial dye concentration, pH of the solution, temperature of the reaction medium, and light intensity. Additionally, the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst strongly affect the generation of reactive species in the heterogeneous photodegradation and thereby dictate the photodegradation efficiency. Herein, this comprehensive review discusses the pseudo kinetics and mechanisms of the photodegradation reactions. The operational factors affecting the photodegradation of either cationic or anionic dye molecules, as well as the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst, are also fully explored. By further analyzing past works to clarify key active species for photodegradation reactions and optimal conditions, this review provides helpful guidelines that can be applied to foster the development of efficient photodegradation systems.
First Trimester Rupture of Scarred Uterus After Use of Mifepristone, Misoprostol A-Case Report.

Uterine rupture is a disastrous obstetric complication, occurring mostly in second and third trimesters. The risk of uterine rupture markedly increases with previous uterine surgeries. Termination of early pregnancy failure by misoprostol is common. However, its use in women with scarred uterus is speculative and usually puts the obstetricians in a stressful condition. Here we present a case of rupture of a scared uterus in the first trimester after using mifepristone and misoprostol. A 25 years old parous lady presented with uterine rupture after taking mifepristone and misoprostol by herself to induce abortion for unwanted pregnancy. Immediate laparotomy was done and the defect was repaired. Termination of pregnancy in a woman with scarred uterus by mifepristone and misoprostol can lead to uterine rupture. It should be used cautiously under close supervision or other routes (vaginal or oral). KYAMC Journal Vol. 10, No.-1, April 2019, Page 57-59
Beta-cell function in type 2 diabetic patients who failed to maintain good glycemic status with a combination of maximum dosages of metformin and sulfonylurea

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate beta-cell function and examine whether sulfonylureas (SUs) are still useful in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who failed to maintain optimal glycemic control with a combination of maximum dosages of metformin and SU. Method: T2DM who had HbA1c >8% during treatment with a combination of maximum dosages of metformin and SU were studied. After enrollment, the patients were assigned to continue maximum dosages of SU and metformin for 2 weeks and then underwent the first oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the Max-SU OGTT. After the Max-SU OGTT, SUs were discontinued for 4 weeks and the second OGTT, the Discont-SU OGTT, was performed. After the Discont-SU OGTT, the same SU was restarted at 25% of the maximum dosage (25%Max-SU). After taking 25%Max-SU for 4 weeks, the third OGTT, the 25%Max-SU OGTT, was performed. Metformin at the same dosage was continued throughout the study. Normal OGTT (NGT) subjects, matched for age and body mass index (BMI), were also studied. Results: There were 25 T2DM and 28 NGT subjects. There was no difference in age and BMI between the two groups. The beta-cell function during Max-SU was 0.1, which was higher than 0.06 during Discont-SU (p<0.001) and also higher than 0.09 during 25%Max-SU (p=0.269). The beta-cell function during 25%Max-SU was higher than during Discont-SU (p<0.001). The beta-cell function of the NGT group was 0.34 and higher than during Max-SU (p<0.001). Fasting capillary blood glucose (FCBG) levels during Discont-SU (14.2±3.7 mmol/L) were higher than during 25%Max-SU (12.3±3.4 mmol/L) and during Max-SU (10.3±2.4 mmol/L) (p<0.05). In addition, the FCBG during Discont-SU was higher than that during 25%Max-SU (p<0.05). Conclusion: In T2DM patients who failed to achieve glycemic control with a combination of maximum dosages of metformin and SU, the beta-cell function declined compared to NGT subjects. However, the beta-cells were still responsive to SUs, which play a significant role in glycemic control.
Role of technological innovation in livestock breeding programmes: a case of cereal-sheep system

Abstract Farming suffers from a crisis based on lack of profitability. This situation is more relevant in small farms. Farmers have implemented local breeding programmes that have shown good results in terms of biodiversity preservation, increase of technological innovation and improvements in farm’s viability. The objective of this study is to compare technological characteristics among groups of farms, according to their breeding programmes and the viability of dairy sheep system. Furthermore, the role of technologies by means of a canonical discriminant model was analysed. The information from 157 dairy sheep farms in Castilla La Mancha, Spain was used. Technologies were grouped in six technological areas: Management, animal feeding, animal health and biosecurity, land use, milking equipment and dairy, reproduction and genetic. Four canonical discriminant models have been used to classify farms according to technological indicators [Model 1], structural [Model 2], productive [Model 3] and a global model including all the variables (18) [Model 4], by considering the genetic programme and their viability. Afterwards, the relationship among the discriminated groups was analysed using cluster analysis. The canonical model built according to the set of technologies classified a 69.43% of farms [Model 1]. Therefore, the farms that implement a breeding programme (BP) increase the likelihood of viability. First, BP requires higher levels of technological innovation in management and genetics-reproduction. Then, such advances should be implemented in milking equipment and animal health and biosecurity. To conclude, BP is a key factor in the success of technological adoption. Highlights Technology adoption plays a strategical role in sheep production systems. Breeding program promotes higher global technological level. Likelihood of viability in dairy sheep farms increases with implementation of a breeding program.
Linking Water Scarcity to Mental Health: Hydro–Social Interruptions in the Lake Urmia Basin, Iran

Alterations of water flows resulting from the manifestation of powerful hydro–social imaginaries often produce an uneven distribution of burdens and benefits for different social groups or regions, reflecting their social and political power. Marginalized regions can suffer manufactured territorialized water scarcity, which disturbs the natural, economic and socio-political order of water users, and as this article shows, inevitably affects their psychological wellbeing. Set in the context of the surroundings of Lake Urmia in Iran, once one of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world and now a severely degraded ecosystem mainly as a result of water overuse in its watershed, this article explores how and through which pathways this manufactured water scarcity impacted the mental health of the water users in the region. The research findings reveal that alterations in this local hydro–social territory and the resulting biophysical, financial and social changes, as well as impacts on physical health of water users, relate to chronic psychological stress, social isolation, intra-community conflicts, despair, hopelessness, depression and anxiety.