Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Multicenter Evaluation of the Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: The Seraph100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph 100) (ExThera Medical, Martinez, CA) is an extracorporeal therapy that can remove pathogens from blood, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Seraph 100 treatment for COVID-19. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nine participating ICUs. PATIENTS: COVID-19 patients treated with Seraph 100 (n = 53) and control patients matched by study site (n = 53). INTERVENTION: Treatment with Seraph 100. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between the groups in terms of sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and need for mechanical ventilation. However, patients in the Seraph 100 group were younger (median age, 54 yr; interquartile range [IQR], 41–65) compared with controls (median age, 64 yr; IQR, 56–69; p = 0.009). Charlson comorbidity index scores were lower in the Seraph 100 group (2; IQR, 0–3) compared with the control group (3; IQR, 2–4; p = 0.006). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were also lower in Seraph 100 subjects (12; IQR, 9–17) compared with controls (16; IQR, 12–21; p = 0.011). The Seraph 100 group had higher vasopressor-free days with an incidence rate ratio of 1.30 on univariate analysis. This difference was not significant after adjustment. Seraph 100-treated subjects were less likely to die compared with controls (32.1% vs 64.2%; p = 0.001), a difference that remained significant after adjustment. However, no difference in mortality was observed in a post hoc analysis utilizing an external control group. In the full cohort of 86 treated patients, there were 177 total treatments, in which only three serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not demonstrate consistently significant clinical benefit across all endpoints and comparisons, the findings suggest that broad spectrum, pathogen agnostic, blood purification can be safely deployed to meet new pathogen threats while awaiting targeted therapies and vaccines.
Automatic User Profiling in Darknet Markets: a Scalability Study

In this study, we investigate the scalability of state-of-the-art user profiling technologies across different online domains. More specifically, this work aims to understand the reliability and limitations of current computational stylometry approaches when these are applied to underground fora in which user populations potentially differ from other online platforms (predominantly male, younger age and greater computer use) and cyber offenders who attempt to hide their identity. Because no ground truth is available and no validated criminal data from historic investigations is available for validation purposes, we have collected new data from clearweb forums that do include user demographics and could be more closely related to underground fora in terms of user population (e.g., tech communities) than commonly used social media benchmark datasets showing a more balanced user population.
Upscaling a Navier-Stokes-Cahn-Hilliard model for two-phase porous-media flow with solute-dependent surface tension effects

We consider a model for the flow of two immiscible and incompressible fluid phases in a porous medium. A surfactant is dissolved in one of the fluid phases, and its concentration at the interface separating the two fluids can change the surface tension. At the scale of pores, we assume that the flow is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, while for the phase separation, a Cahn-Hilliard phase-field model is adopted. Using formal homogenization, we derive a two-scale model describing the averaged behaviour of the system at the larger Darcy scale, where effective quantities are found through local (cell) problems at the smaller pore scale. For this two-scale model, we formulate a numerical scheme and present numerical results highlighting the influence of the solute-dependent surface tension.
Structural advantages of silicon-on-insulator FETs over FinFETs in steep subthreshold-swing operation in ferroelectric-gate FETs

In this paper, we discuss the subthreshold operation of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator FETs (SOI-FETs) and FinFETs, with embedded ferroelectric negative-capacitance gate insulators, using technology computer-aided design simulations. SOI-FETs with ultrathin buried-oxide layers and appropriate workfunctions for bottom electrodes are found to be more preferable to attain steep subthreshold swings lesser than 60 mV/decade, because SOI-FETs can effectively enable a voltage drop in the ferroelectric layer, even though the degree of matching of the depletion capacitance and the ferroelectric gate insulator capacitance is almost the same in SOI-FETs and FinFETs. These results give a novel insight into how the subthreshold swing can be improved in ferroelectric-gate MOSFETs.
Economic policy uncertainty and corporate cash holdings: the mechanism of capital expenditures

ABSTRACT This study investigates the relation between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and cash holdings in China. We find that EPU is positively related to cash holdings. Based on the mediation analysis, our results suggest that capital expenditures represent an important mechanism by which EPU affects cash holdings. However, there are two different theories to explain the mechanism of capital expenditures. Our results are consistent with the precautionary theory, but not with the real options theory. That is, reducing capital expenditures in the presence of higher EPU means weakening investment demands that, in turn, lead to fewer precautionary cash holdings.
Effective, Environmentally Friendly PVC Plasticizers Based on Succinic Acid

The plasticizers used in this study were synthesized from renewable raw materials using succinic acid, oleic acid, and propylene glycol. Four environmentally friendly plasticizer samples were obtained; their chemical structures and compositions were confirmed by gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR) analyses, and their physicochemical properties and thermal stability (TGA analysis) were investigated. The obtained ester mixtures were used as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticizers and their plasticization efficiency was determined in comparison to traditional, commercially available phthalate plasticizers, such as DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl phthalate) and DINP (diisononyl phthalate). Mechanical properties and migration resistance were determined for soft PVC with the use of three concentrations of plasticizers (40 PHR, 50 PHR, and 60 PHR). It was observed that the obtained plasticizers exhibited the same plasticization efficiency and were characterized with good mechanical and physical properties in comparison to commercial plasticizers. The tensile strength was approx. 19 MPa, while the elongation at break was approx. 250% for all tested plasticizers at a concentration of 50 PHR. Furthermore, plasticizer migration studies showed that the synthesized plasticizers had excellent resistance to plasticizer leaching. The best migration test result obtained was 70% lower than that for DEHP or DINP. The ester mixture that was found to be the most favorable plasticizer was characterized by good thermal and thermo-oxidative stability (5% weight loss temperature: 227.8 °C in air and 261.1 °C in nitrogen). The results of the research clearly indicate that the synthesized esters can provide a green alternative to toxic phthalate plasticizers.
Experiences of multimorbidity in urban and rural Malawi: An interview study of burdens of treatment and lack of treatment

Multimorbidity (presence of ≥2 long term conditions (LTCs)) is a growing global health challenge, yet we know little about the experiences of those living with multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We therefore explore: 1) experiences of men and women living with multimorbidity in urban and rural Malawi including their experiences of burden of treatment and 2) examine the utility of Normalization Process Theory (NPT) and Burden of Treatment Theory (BOTT) for structuring analytical accounts of these experiences. We conducted in depth, semi-structured interviews with 32 people in rural (n = 16) and urban settings (n = 16); 16 males, 16 females; 15 under 50 years; and 17 over 50 years. Data were analysed thematically and then conceptualised through the lens of NPT and BOTT. Key elements of burden of treatment identified included: coming to terms with and gaining an understanding of life with multimorbidity; dealing with resulting disruptions to family life; the work of seeking family and community support; navigating healthcare systems; coping with lack of continuity of care; enacting self-management advice; negotiating medical advice; appraising treatments; and importantly, dealing with the burden of lack of treatments/services. Poverty and inadequate healthcare provision constrained capacity to deal with treatment burden while supportive social and community networks were important enabling features. Greater access to health information/education would lessen treatment burden as would better resourced healthcare systems and improved standards of living. Our work demonstrates the utility of NPT and BOTT for aiding conceptualisation of treatment burden issues in LMICs but our findings highlight that ‘lack’ of access to treatments or services is an important additional burden which must be integrated in accounts of treatment burden in LMICs.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Periprocedural Myocardial Injury in Patients with Elective PCI in a TCM Hospital

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with unstable angina (UA) who received elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital and to analyze the related risk factors of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI). Methods On the basis of cross-sectional investigation, the case-control method was adopted. We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients with UA who successfully received elective PCI in Beijing Hospital of TCM from February 2017 to February 2019. Based on the occurrence of PMI, the case-control was formed. The influence of related factors on PMI occurrence was analyzed using the logistic multiple regression equation based on the parameters between the comparison groups. Results 1. Incidence of PMI and related clinical features: Of the 265 UA patients, the incidence of PMI was 26.4%, nearly one quarter (23.4%) had old myocardial infarction, nearly half (45.3%) had previously received coronary intervention. The prevalence of patients with previous hypertension (75.8%), type 2 diabetes (57%), and high-low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (69.3%) exceeded 50%, more than 50% of the patients have triple-vessel disease (50.2%). 2. Features of TCM syndrome elements: The main TCM syndromes of the investigated patients are blood stasis syndrome (81.1%) and Qi deficiency syndrome (77.3%), the others include Phlegm turbidity syndrome (53.2%), Yang deficiency syndrome (50.9%), Yin deficiency syndrome (50.1%), Qi stagnation syndrome (30.1%), and coagulated cold syndrome (17.1%). 3. Factors of PMI occurrence: According to the occurrence of PMI, 265 patients were divided into PMI group (n = 70) and non-PMI group (n = 195). The comparison between groups shows that the preoperative SYNTAX score, the number of stents, and the total length of stents of the patients in the PMI group were higher than those in the non-PMI group (P < 0.05); the patients in the PMI group treated by Shen-Yuan-Dan (SYD), a Chinese medicine prescription with Qi-supplementing and blood stasis-purging, were significantly lower than those in the non-PMI group (P < 0.05). Brought these four factors (preoperative SYNTAX score, number of stents implanted, total length of implanted stents, and treated by SYD) into the binary logistic regression equation, those who were only treated by SYD have statistical significance in the equation as a protective factor (OR 0.327, 95% CI 0.117–0.916, P=0.033). Conclusion Patients with UA who received elective PCI in TCM institutions may have clinical characteristics including multiple accompanying diseases and high stenosis coronary artery, in which the incidence of poor blood glucose control and high rate of three-vessel coronary disease are particularly significant. The TCM syndromes are mainly Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndromes. The decrease of PMI may be attributed to the application of SYD in the real world. This trial is registered at ChiCTR2100043465.
An Evaluation of Number of Shares Outstanding, Ownership Structure and Firm Size on the Controlling Effect of Dividend Policy on Shareholders Wealth Volatility of Some Selected Companies Listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

Shareholders wealth volatility has exhibited different patterns in different global exchange markets including the Nigerian exchange. Unravelling attempts of the possible causes of this volatility have been made, as well as how the aforementioned are mitigated. These attempts are due to their implications on share valuation as well as the need to reduce market manipulations. Studies have shown that dividend decision has been one of the major puzzles yet unresolved regarding shareholders wealth volatility and there have been fewer studies in this regard, especially in developing economies like Nigeria. This study, therefore, examined the effect of dividend policy on shareholders wealth volatility of selected companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. The population of the study is 162 companies listed in the Nigerian Exchange as at 31 December 2020. The study sample consisted of 49 companies randomly selected. Data for the period 2010 - 2020 were collected from the NSE, and companies’ data on the Bloomberg Terminals and their official websites. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Inferential statistics resulted from Regression and Correlation analysis. The study found that the dividend policy exerted a statistically significant effect on Shareholders wealth Volatility (Adj.R2 = 0.303, W(3, 2156) = 95.82, p = 0.000). Firm Size, Number of Shares Outstanding and Ownership Structure jointly and significantly controlled the effect of Dividend Policy on Shareholders Wealth Volatility (∆Adj.R2 = 0.114, W (6, 2156) = 320.41, p = 0.000). The study concluded that dividend policy affects shareholders' wealth volatility. The study recommended that the companies should focus more on the payout ratio while investors should go for entities with constant dividend payout ratio. In addition, it further recommended that policy owners should enforce adherence to the minimum free float requirements of the Nigerian Exchange.
How to Improve Interpretability of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Clinical Use: A Perspective on Measuring Abilities and Feelings

Abstract Two general classes of concepts measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are abilities and feelings. Over the past several decades, there has been a significant progress in measuring both. Nevertheless, current multi-item scales are subject to criticism related to scale length, score dimensionality, interpretability, cultural bias, and insufficient detail in measuring specific domains. To address some of these issues, the author offers an alternative perspective on how questions about abilities and feelings could be formulated. Abilities can be defined in terms of a relationship between the level of performance and the associated perception of difficulty, and represented graphically by an ability curve. For feelings, it may be useful to measure frequency and intensity jointly to determine the proportion of time in each level of intensity. The resultant frequency × intensity matrix can be presented as a bar graph. Empirical data to support the feasibility and validity of these approaches to PROM design are provided, potential advantages and limitations are discussed, and some future research avenues are suggested.
Mowing Facilitated Shoot and Root Litter Decomposition Compared with Grazing

Shoot and root litter are two major sources of soil organic carbon, and their decomposition is a crucial nutrient cycling process in the ecosystem. Altitude and land use could affect litter decomposition by changing the environment in mountain grassland ecosystems. However, few studies have investigated the effects of land use on litter decomposition in different altitudes. We examined how land-use type (mowing vs. grazing) affected shoot and root litter decomposition of a dominant grass (Bromus inermis) in mountain grasslands with two different altitudes in northwest China. Litterbags with 6 g of shoot or root were fixed in the plots to decompose for one year. The mass loss rate of the litter, and the environmental attributes related to decomposition, were measured. Litter decomposed faster in mowing than grazing plots, resulting from the higher plant cover and soil moisture but lower bulk density, which might promote soil microbial activities. Increased altitude promoted litter decomposition, and was positively correlated with soil moisture, soil organic carbon (SOC), and β-xylosidase activity. Our results highlight the diverse influences of land-use type on litter decomposition in different altitudes. The positive effects of mowing on shoot decomposition were stronger in lower than higher altitude compared to grazing due to the stronger responses of the plant (e.g., litter and aboveground biomass) and soil (e.g., soil moisture, soil bulk density, and SOC). Soil nutrients (e.g., SOC and soil total nitrogen) seemed to play essential roles in root decomposition, which was increased in mowing plots at lower altitude and vice versa at higher altitude. Therefore, grazing significantly decreased root mass loss at higher altitude, but slightly increased at lower altitude compared to mowing. Our results indicated that the land use might variously regulate the innate differences of the plant and edaphic conditions along an altitude gradient, exerting complex impacts in litter decomposition and further influencing carbon and nutrient cycling in mountain grasslands.
Resonance Maps for 3D Alfvén Waves in a Compressed Dipole Field

Resonance Maps depict the possible locations and polarizations of resonant Alfvén waves (Field Line Resonances – FLRs) for a given equilibrium and driving frequency. Previously the use of Resonance Maps has been developed for gaining insight into the behavior of Alfvén waves in basic potential magnetic fields that allow the use of an orthogonal field aligned coordinate system. In more general magnetic fields these coordinates do not exist. In this paper we explore the application of Resonance Maps to such equilibria. A number of simulations of resonant Alfvén waves are presented and interpreted using the Maps. We find that Resonance Maps remain useful when some of the constructions used previously are generalised to accommodate the properties of more general magnetic fields. For example, Resonance Maps are able to predict the location and polarisation of Alfvén waves which are driven strongly by fast mode waves using a “tangential alignment condition”. Unusual properties, such as Alfvén waves crossing flux surfaces persist in the more general magnetic fields we consider.
Hair Growth Promotion with Black Soybean Extracts: case series

Black soybean (BS) is widely thought to prevent or alleviate hair loss, which has been demonstrated by in vitro experiments. However, few clinical studies have directly assessed the effect of BS on hair growth. To assess the safety and efficacy of BS, we administered BS extract to 10 adult patients for 3 months without any other hair products and treatments. The number and diameter of hair lost from washing were examined every 4 weeks. In addition, the participants’ satisfaction with their hair condition was also measured using the VAS (1 to 10) before and after treatment. The mean number of lost hair was 140.7 (SD 59.4) at baseline and 38.8 (SD 54.4) after 12 weeks, and the diameter of lost hair was 72.4 µm (SD 11.9) at baseline and 80.4 µm (SD 8.8) after 12 weeks, which indicated a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.002, p = 0.022, paired t-test). The satisfaction score was significantly increased from 6.10 (SD 1.2) to 8.2 (SD 1.1) after 12 weeks. These results suggest that BS extract may promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Trajectory of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 After Vaccination With BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 in an Employee Cohort and Comparison With Natural Infection

Three COVID-19 vaccines have received FDA-authorization and are in use in the United States, but there is limited head-to-head data on the durability of the immune response elicited by these vaccines. Using a quantitative assay we studied binding IgG antibodies elicited by BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 or Ad26.COV2. S in an employee cohort over a span out to 10 months. Age and sex were explored as response modifiers. Of 234 subjects in the vaccine cohort, 114 received BNT162b2, 114 received mRNA-1273 and six received Ad26.COV2. S. IgG levels measured between seven to 20 days after the second vaccination were similar in recipients of BNT162b2 and mRNA-127 and were ~50-fold higher than in recipients of Ad26.COV2. S. However, by day 21 and at later time points IgG levels elicited by BNT162b2 were lower than mRNA-1273. Accordingly, the IgG decay curve was steeper for BNT162b2 than mRNA-1273. Age was a significant modifier of IgG levels in recipients of BNT162b2, but not mRNA-1273. After six months, IgG levels elicited by BNT162b2, but not mRNA-1273, were lower than IgG levels in patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 six months earlier. Similar findings were observed when comparing vaccine-elicited antibodies with steady-state IgG targeting seasonal human coronaviruses. Differential IgG decay could contribute to differences observed in clinical protection over time between BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273.
Origin, Maturity Group and Seed Coat Color Influence Carotenoid and Chlorophyll Concentrations in Soybean Seeds

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds are abundant in physiologically active metabolites, including carotenoids and chlorophylls, and are used as an affordable source of functional foods that promote and maintain human health. The distribution and variation of soybean seed metabolites are influenced by plant genetic characteristics and environmental factors. Here, we investigated the effects of germplasm origin, genotype, seed coat color and maturity group (MG) on the concentration variation of carotenoid and chlorophyll components in 408 soybean germplasm accessions collected from China, Japan, the USA and Russia. The results showed that genotype, germplasm origin, seed color, and MG were significant variation sources of carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in soybean seeds. The total carotenoids showed about a 25-fold variation among the soybean germplasms, with an overall mean of 12.04 µg g−1. Russian soybeans yielded 1.3-fold higher total carotenoids compared with Chinese and Japanese soybeans. Similarly, the total chlorophylls were substantially increased in Russian soybeans compared to the others. Soybeans with black seed coat color contained abundant concentrations of carotenoids, with mainly lutein (19.98 µg g−1), β-carotene (0.64 µg g−1) and total carotenoids (21.04 µg g−1). Concentrations of lutein, total carotenoids and chlorophylls generally decreased in late MG soybeans. Overall, our results demonstrate that soybean is an excellent dietary source of carotenoids, which strongly depend on genetic factors, germplasm origin, MG and seed coat color. Thus, this study suggests that soybean breeders should consider these factors along with environmental factors in developing carotenoid-rich cultivars and related functional food resources.