Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of tuberculosis/COVID-19 co-infection and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pulmonary tuberculosis patients at a respiratory diseases center: a cross-sectional study

Introduction currently, tuberculosis (TB) is the second cause of infectious disease-related deaths before COVID-19. These two infections have several similarities but little data is available on TB/COVID-19 co-infection, hence, we sought to investigate the prevalence of this co-infection and the factors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in tuberculosis patients in a tuberculosis-endemic area. Methods we conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from January to June 2022 at Respiratory Diseases Center in Douala, Cameroon by enrolling all consenting pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) and gamma-interferon levels were laboratory analyzed using the Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, respectively. The factors associated with COVID-19 carriage in pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed by logistic regressions. Results overall, we enrolled 185 patients; 57.8% were males (sex ratio of 1.36) and their mean age was 43.70 ± 17.89 years. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in pulmonary TB patients was 24.3%. Asthma and sore throat were the factors favoring carriage (OR=3.74; 95% CI=1.271-11.017; p=0.017 and OR=4.05; 95%CI=1.204-13.600; p=0.024) and cough was a protective factor (OR=0.15; 95% CI = 0.034-0.690; p=0.015). Conclusion the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 carriage in tuberculosis patients is high and greater than the national prevalence. Asthma and sore throat would be associated factors.
GIS-based channel flow and sediment transport simulation using CCHE1D coupled with AnnAGNPS

ABSTRACT The Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering one-dimensional model simulates unsteady free-surface flows with nonequilibrium, nonuniform sediment transport in dendritic channel networks. Since the early 1990s, this channel network model and its software packages have been developed and continuously maintained and upgraded. Applications show that the channel network model is a useful tool for the assessment of the performance of best-management practices in a watershed when coupled with watershed modelling. In this study, version 3.0 of the channel network model has been integrated with version 5.41 of the Annualized AGricultural Non-Point Source model and the ArcGIS control module is developed to replace the ArcView GIS control module resulting in a new version, the Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering 1-Dimensional model version 3.2. A case study, performed for the Goodwin Creek Watershed, shows that time-series of flow discharges and observed annual sediment accumulation can be well simulated by the channel network model coupled with the Annualized AGricultural Non-Point Source model.
Enhanced sampling refines the biogeography of the freshwater green alga Aegagropila linnaei (Cladophoraceae)

ABSTRACT A phylogeographic approach is the only way to study the dispersal history of most algae, which are rarely preserved as fossils. However, the only freshwater alga for which this approach has been applied on a Eurasian scale is the endangered green alga Aegagropila linnaei, which is thought to be a poor disperser. Previous phylogeographic results were explained by stepwise dispersal across the Holarctic from an ancestral area in Japan, with further survival in European ice-dammed glacial lakes and extinction in continental Siberia, which lacks such refugia. To clarify the biogeography of A. linnaei in Eurasia we supplemented the published data on its ribotype (internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA) distribution with data from previously unexplored East Europe, Mongolia and the Russian Far East. We have found two new ribotypes, one scattered across temperate Europe and another confined to one locality in the north-eastern Russian Far East. We also expanded the distribution of a ribotype previously reported from Scotland and continental West Europe to include East Europe, Iceland and Central Mongolia. Phylogeogeographic approach based on enhanced sampling allowed us to refine the biogeography of A. linnaei. We discuss reasons for underestimation of A. linnaei dispersal potential. A focused inventory of A. linnaei will likely reveal new localities of the species enabling a further improvement in biogeographical reconstructions. Area-wide studies of other freshwater algae in Eurasia need to be performed to test the generality of the revealed biogeographical patterns.
Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Associated With COVID-19 Infection in Pregnant Mothers Admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital in Central State of India

In spite of various reports on perinatal outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancies, the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on unborn babies and pregnant mothers are still mysterious. The goal of our research is to examine the perceived fetomaternal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy. A total of 396 pregnant women were admitted to the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, during the period from July 20, 2020 to January 6, 2021. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in different biological samples was recorded via positive quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results. All the newborns delivered from the infected pregnant mothers were tested as RT-PCR negative. Negative findings of RT-PCR for respiratory swabs of newborns, amniotic fluid, placental tissue, breast milk, vaginal swabs, and cord blood indicated no transmission of the virus from mother to baby. However, maternal outcomes, such as hospitalization (46.96%), preeclampsia (13.88%), pre-term birth (14.39%), prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) before 34 weeks (3.78%), PROM before 37 weeks (2.77%), vaginal bleeding (4.29%), postpartum hemorrhage (2.52%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (1.51%), and neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight ≤1.5 kg (6.59) and 1.6-2.4 kg (39.34%), intrauterine deaths (IUD) (0.50%), fetal distress (22.33%), NICU admission (5.58%), meconium-stained liquor (14.46%), diarrhea (0.25%), and low APGAR score 4-6 at 1 min (20.54%), were observed. The results of the present study indicate that SARS-CoV-2-induced complications during pregnancy must be taken seriously. Intrauterine fetal deaths occurred at lower rates. There is no substantial proof of vertical perinatal transmission of the virus, as none of the neonates had tested positive for COVID-19.
Asynchronous Dissipative Control of Discrete-Time Fuzzy Markov Jump Systems With Dynamic State and Input Quantization

A numerically tractable two-step approach based on backtrack and optimization searches is proposed for asynchronous quantized dissipative control of discrete-time fuzzy Markov jump systems (DFMJSs) under the networked control framework. The asynchrony of modes between the plant and controller is described by a hidden Markov model. Both dynamic state and input quantization are considered. The dynamic zooming factors of the quantizers are designed as piecewise functions with respect to their arguments to avoid division by zero. A fuzzy asynchronous quantized controller is devised to make sure that the closed-loop system is stochastically stable and strictly $(\mathcal {Q},\mathcal {S},\mathcal {R})$—dissipative via using a quadratic Lyapunov function and equivalent matrix transformations. Then, the iterative two-step approach is used to determine the optimal dissipativity level and the corresponding control gain and quantization parameters. Analysis and control synthesis for DFMJSs without quantization are also presented, covering some previous results as special cases. Finally, two numerical examples are utilized to validate the present asynchronous dissipative control approaches for the quantization and nonquantization cases, respectively.
Effects of Approximations on the Lateral-Torsional Buckling and Postbuckling Analysis

Lateral-torsional buckling and postbuckling of beams can be analysed using finite element methods. In formulating a finite beam element, a rotation matrix is used to derive nonlinear strain-displacement relationships. Because of couplings between displacements and twist rotations, components of the rotation matrix are lengthy and complicated. To facilitate the formulation, approximations are usually made to simplify the rotation matrix. A simplified small rotation matrix is often used in the lateral-torsional buckling analysis and a simplified second order rotation matrix is used for the lateraltorsional postbuckling analysis. However, the small rotation and second order rotation matrices do not describe rotations accurately and introduce some approximations to the coupling between displacements and rotations. This paper investigates the effects of the approximations on the lateral-torsional buckling and postbuckling analysis of beams. It is shown that a analytical model based on the small rotation matrix predicts incorrect buckling loads. A finite element model based on the second order rotation matrix may lead to poor predictions of the postbuckling behaviour.
A survey of broiler breast meat quality in the retail market of Quebec

Abstract In this study, 206 breast fillets were purchased from grocery stores in the province of Quebec and evaluated for the presence of different quality defects. Of these fillets, 48.5% showed breast muscle myopathies (BMM), 19.4% showed pale, soft, and exudative (PSE), and 6.8% showed dark, firm, and dry (DFD) attributes. BMM were equally present (P > 0.05) in fillets of economical, commercial, and high-quality brands, while PSE-like fillets were more present in economical brands (P < 0.0001). The combined effect of BMM and DFD induced significantly higher counts of Salmonella (P = 0.03) and Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.03) in myopathic than in unaffected fillets. These quality defects also altered the nutritional quality of breast meat: BMM-affected fillets had greater fat content (P < 0.0001) and DFD fillets had lower protein content (P = 0.041) than normal fillets. The technological quality was only slightly impacted by BMM, while PSE-like fillets had higher cooking loss (P = 0.009) and a tougher texture after cooking (P < 0.0001) than DFD fillets. For the first time, this study confirmed the presence of multiple quality issues in the Quebec poultry supply chain, and provided valuable data to support future research efforts.
Polarized Ultracold Neutrons: their transport in diamond guides and potential to search for physics beyond the standard model

Experiments with polarized “ultracold neutrons” (UCN) offer a new way to measure the decay correlations of neutron beta decay; these correlations can be used to test the completeness of the Standard Model and predict physics beyond it. Ultracold neutrons are very low energy neutrons that can be trapped inside of material and magnetic bottles. The decay correlations in combination with the neutron and muon lifetimes experimentally find the first element (Vud) of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) quark mixing matrix. The CKM matrix is a unitary transform between the mass and weak eigenstates of the d, s and b quarks; if the matrix is not unitary this would imply that the Standard Model is not complete. Currently the first row of the CKM matrix is over 2 sigma from unitarity and Vud is the largest component of the row. The UCNA experiment looks at the correlation between the polarization of the neutron and the momentum of the electron resulting from the beta decay of the neutron (the Acorrelation). The keys to making a high precision measurement of A-correlation are a near 100% polarization of the neutrons that decay, low–backscatter electron detectors, and small, well characterized backgrounds. UCN can be 100% polarized by passing them through a seven Telsa magnetic field. The key to the UCNA experiment is keeping them polarized until they decay or are lost. This dissertation covers the development of guides that are minimally depolarizing and efficient transporters of UCN and their use in the UCNA experiment. The entire guide development process is covered from conception to manufacturing and testing. This
Israelite Plain, southwestern Australia, a siliciclastic, late Quaternary Coorong analogue, without dolomite

Abstract The Israelite Plain, a narrow terrace at the western edge of the Great Australian Bight, is characterised by a series of schizohaline, ephemeral lakes leeward of a marginal marine eolianite dune complex that has many similarities to the Coorong Coastal Plain (CCP). The late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments are a mixture of dominantly quartzose sand and lesser carbonate components. Paleolagoon to shallow marine MIS 5e, mollusc-rich quartzose deposits are capped by calcrete or karst and contain a biota similar to the well-documented, coeval Glanville Formation on the CCP. Holocene sands with minor carbonate are also lagoonal and resemble many modern Coorong Lagoon deposits. Both deposits are interpreted to reflect marine accumulation during sea-level highstands. Lakes today range from dry to water-filled with most floored by calcareous quartzose sand. Microbial influenced sedimentary structures in the form of pustular to laminated mats veneer lake margin bedrock and sediment. Carbonate minerals are mostly calcite with abundant accessory magnesium-calcite, aragonite and traces of magnesite, monohydrocalcite and halite. Gypsum is minor but ubiquitous and floors one of the smaller, marginal-marine lakes. Although having a similar evaporative climate and evidence of groundwater resurgence like Coorong lakes, there is no significant synsedimentary dolomite. This aspect is interpreted to reflect the narrow width of the plain, and the Mg-poor source of groundwater from the nearby karst Nullarbor Plain to the north. The Israelite Plain, together with other coeval, young successions marginal to the Southern Ocean under a semiarid climate now illustrate the depositional variations and early diagenetic differences that can occur in similar environments adjacent to a cool ocean. KEY POINTS The Israelite Plain is a narrow, marginal marine terrace covered by Quaternary, lagoonal, eolian to lacustrine, calcareous siliciclastic sands, similar to several other calcareous terraces along the southern Australia coast. The interpreted sediment ages are late Pleistocene stage MIS 5e with the deposit sporadically overlain by similar Holocene deposits. Most 14C age dates are suspicious because of interpreted diagenesis or MIS 5e age, whereas U/Th age dates appear correct or altered by diagenesis. Pleistocene biota is dominated by the bivalve Anadara trapezia, whereas Holocene deposits contain a varied array of cooler water molluscs. The carbonates are similar to those on the Coorong Coastal Plain but do not contain any dolomite likely because of climate and lack of Mg-groundwater flow.
Google News Initiative’s Influence on Technological Media Innovation in Africa and the Middle East

The Google News Initiative (GNI) aims to collaborate closely with the news industry and financially support the creation of quality journalism in the digital age. It also aims to bring technological advancements and innovation into newsrooms’ operations. Drawing on journalism innovation and responsible innovation theories, this study examines GNI beneficiaries in Africa and the Middle East. To address this, we analysed GNI projects’ descriptions combined with thirteen (n = 13) in-depth interviews with leading actors and beneficiary news organisations to answer two main questions: (a) What are the main characteristics of the technological innovations proposed by GNI Innovation Challenge grantees in Africa and the Middle East? and (b) How are these news media organisations becoming increasingly dependent on these platforms’ technological and financial aspects? Anchored in journalism innovation, responsible innovation, and platformisation theories, our findings show that funded organisations heavily depend on Google’s technological and financial infrastructure to innovate. Furthermore, we note that some projects do not offer a clear path for sustainability in the future. We further argue that this initiative builds an infrastructure of power and dependency that poses risks to responsible innovation in journalism. Our study contributes to extant scholarship on digital platforms and their role in the infrastructure of news organisations, creating power asymmetries between those who serve as the backbone for data flows and technological processes and those dependent on these institutions.
Non-syndromic multiple odontogenic keratocyst finding with Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): A rare case report

Objectives: The aim of this case report is to describe the radiograph pattern of non-syndromic multiple odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). The oral and maxillofacial region was frequently affected by the developmental odontogenic cyst known as OKC, which develops from the dental lamina or its remnants. The nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) or the Gorlin-Goltz syndrome was typically associated with multiple OKC; however, in about 5% of patients, there were many cysts without a concurrent syndromic presentation. Case Report: A 38- year-old female came to the dental radiology installation of the Dental and Oral Hospital, Universitas Padjadjaran, who had been referred for a CBCT examination. She had a history with a dentist about 1 month ago, complaining of dislodged fillings on anterior mandible teeth and complaints of missing several posterior mandible teeth. The patient had a previous panoramic examination; multiple radiolucent lesions were found incidentally. She has no pain, and clinical features showed no evidence of swelling; then, the dentist recommended a CBCT examination with a suspect dental cyst on a posterior mandible dextra. Conclusion: Based on the examination results, it was concluded that the cone beam computed tomography examination showed the radiolucent lesion, well-defined with a scallop border; this case was radiodiagnosis as suspected non-syndromic multiple odontogenic keratocyst.
Self-debasing cognitive distortions as predictor of emotional disturbance among school bullying bystanders

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the four domains of self-debasing cognitive distortions, namely personalisation, catastrophising, overgeneralisation and selective abstraction could predict or inform bullying bystanders’ emotional disturbance in reactions to witnessing bullying. A descriptive case study research design was adopted. Ten school bullying bystanders were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Interviews were recorded on a voice recorder and then transcribed. Qualitative data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that personalisation evoked bystanders’ self-blame and feelings of guilt, catastrophising amplified bystanders’ anxiety and fear over generalisation-induced and exacerbated bystanders’ negative perceptions of school safety, and selective abstraction led to indirect co-victimisation. It is recommended that school psychologist, councilors and behavioural healthcare service providers should teach victims of bullying, especially bystanders, how to recognise, challenge and reappraise negative and unhelpful thoughts and feelings related to their experiences.
A Daytime Complement to the Reverse Absorption Technique for Improved Automated Detection of Volcanic Ash

Abstract An automated volcanic cloud detection algorithm that utilizes four spectral channels (0.65, 3.75, 11, and 12 μm) that are common among several satellite-based instruments is presented. The new algorithm is physically based and globally applicable and can provide quick information on the horizontal location of volcanic clouds that can be used to improve real-time ash hazard assessments. It can also provide needed input into volcanic cloud optical depth and particle size retrieval algorithms, the products of which can help improve ash dispersion forecasts. The results of this new four-channel algorithm for several scenes were compared to a threshold-based reverse absorption algorithm, where the reverse absorption algorithm is used to identify measurements with a negative 11–12-μm brightness temperature difference. The results indicate that the new four-channel algorithm is not only more sensitive to the presence of volcanic clouds but also generally less prone to false alarms than the standard reve.
The Gunas Personality Framework: Validating a Contemporary Scale

Gunas personality framework is an inclusive and comprehensive personality framework. Every human being is composed of three gunas or fundamental elements—sattva (intelligence-stuff), rajas (energy-stuff), and tamas (mass-stuff). Some of the prior measures of gunas do not fully capture the content of this variable, and some are not suitable for contemporary use. We conceptualize gunas in terms of an individual’s attitude towards social issues and have developed a new measure of gunas. We have demonstrated the concurrent and predictive validity of the measure through a study of two samples of 60 executives and 356 MBA students. We show that sattva predicts performance, rajas predicts effort, and tamas is positively related to dispositional negativity. We show how the new gunas scale is a useful tool in contemporary times.
Computed tomography-guided Gasserian ganglion interventions for cancer-related facial pain in patients with complex anatomy: insights and recommendations

Background The Gasserian ganglion is a well-known target for facial pain management, and patients with cancer present an anatomical challenge owing to tumor progression or treatment itself. Computed tomography (CT) is an alternative method for guiding these procedures. Methods This was an observational retrospective analysis of patients with cancer-related facial pain who underwent CT-guided Gasserian ganglion interventions using local anesthetics, local anesthetics with steroids, phenol, and radiofrequency. Demographic, clinical, and procedure-related variables were collected from January 1, 2015, to December 30, 2018, at the National Cancer Institute. Data distribution was determined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. A paired sample t-test (with a cut-off of P < 0.05 for statistical significance) was used for comparing outcome. Results We observed a significant reduction in numerical rating scale and douleur neuropathique 4 scores from 7.6 ± 1.4 and 4.4 ± 1.4 to 3.2 ± 2.0 and 2.2 ± 1.4 points, respectively (P < 0.001). After the procedure, 70.8% of the patients were satisfied; 16.7% were very satisfied, and 12.5% were unsatisfied. No intra- or postoperative complications were observed. The most common neoplasms were head and neck tumors (83.3%). Conclusions Our data suggest that CT guidance is an effective and safe option for managing cancer-related facial pain in patients with complex anatomy, resulting in a significant reduction in pain, high satisfaction rates, and no mechanical complications. Future research should aim to refine the role of CT guidance in multimodal pain management in this population.