Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Challenges in diagnosing coexisting ocular myasthenia gravis and thyroid eye disease

Ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) and thyroid eye disease are two autoimmune conditions that have several overlapping clinical features, and these coexist with a small but not insignificant frequency. Segregating these diagnoses is typically straightforward, but, when the two diseases co‐occur in the same individual, making a diagnosis of OMG can be very challenging. In this review we address what is known about the coexistence of OMG and thyroid eye disease and we highlight the clinical features that are suggestive of overlapping conditions. We also describe the major testing approaches used in the diagnosis of these two entities, with special emphasis on the potential shortcomings of individual tests in patients with overlapping disease. In patients with thyroid eye disease, securing a diagnosis of OMG may not be possible on the basis of a single positive test. A multimodal approach using clinical, serologic, imaging, and electrodiagnostic data, is typically required.
Preoperative Sedentary Time Predicts Postoperative Complications in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Background: Gastrointestinal cancer has a high global prevalence. Postoperative complications (PCs) affect the length of hospital stay and long-term outcomes. However, it is unclear whether preoperative sedentary time is associated with PCs, independently of physical activity (PA). We aimed to investigate the association between preoperative sedentary time and PCs independently of PA in patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: In this prospective study, we included 112 patients who underwent colorectal cancer or gastric cancer surgery. Patient characteristics and surgery-related variables were collected. The Japanese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (the usual 7-day short version) was used to assess preoperative PA and sedentary time. Patients were classified into two groups according to the grade of PCs: Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade <2 and ≥2. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for CD grade ≥2 PCs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff point of sedentary time for predicting PCs with CD grade ≥2. Results: PCs occurred in 38 patients (33.9%). Sedentary time (odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.53; p<0.01) and body mass index (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36; p=0.03) were associated with PCs independently of total PA. The optimal cutoff point of sedentary time for predicting PCs was 6 h/day (sensitivity 0.662, specificity 0.658). Conclusion: Preoperative sedentary time is a predictor of PCs in patients who undergo gastrointestinal cancer surgery.
Pharmacokinetics of Ultrasonically-Released, Micelle-Encapsulated Doxorubicin in the Rat Model and its Effect on Tumor Growth

PHARMACOKINETICS OF ULTRASONICALLY-RELEASED, MICELLE ENCAPSULATED DOXORUBICIN IN THE RAT MODEL AND ITS EFFECT ON TUMOR GROWTH Bryant J. Staples Department of Chemical Engineering Master of Science Chemotherapy is one of the most successful cancer treatments used today. Unfortunately, the amount of chemotherapy a patient can receive is limited by the associated negative side effects, such as cardiotoxicity, immune system suppression, and nephrotoxicity. Encapsulation of these drugs, Doxorubicin (DOX) in particular, in stabilized Pluronic micelles (Plurogel) shows success in limiting these harmful side effects. In previous studies, low-frequency ultrasound (US) has been shown, in vitro, to locally release DOX from these micelles. In this study, a novel drug delivery system involving the encapsulation of DOX in Plurogel and the release of the drug at the tumor site using ultrasound was studied in vivo using rats. These studies determined the effect of ultrasonically released drugs on tumor growth rate and drug delivery to the tumor tissue. Concurrently, different frequencies (20 kHz, 500 kHz) were tested for the same effects. Treatments consisted of micelle-encapsulated doxorubicin injected intravenously followed by ultrasound application to one of the two bilateral tumors. Also, in different experiments, pharmacokinetic studies of the drug in the heart, liver, leg muscle, and tumors were performed up to a period of one week after treatment. Results showed that tumors treated with ultrasound displayed, on average, slower growth rates than non-insonated tumors (P = 0.0047). Also, insonated tumors displayed a weak increased concentration of DOX than non-insonated tumors within the first eight hours after treatment (P = 0.064). However, comparison between tumors which received 20 kHz and 500 kHz ultrasound treatment showed no statistical difference (P = 0.9275) in tumor growth rate or DOX concentration. It is noteworthy that the insonated tumor has slower growth even though the amount of DOX was not that much greater in the noninsonated tumor. This suggests that US also affects the uptake and/or processing of the DOX by the tumor cells, and that the therapeutic effect may not be attributed solely to a higher concentration of drug released by insonation. Pharmacokinetic studies showed significant drug accumulation in the heart but no accumulation in the liver, skeletal leg muscle, or tumors over the course of four weeks of consecutive weekly injections of DOX-encapsulated Plurogel. After 24 hours, DOX concentration remains the greatest in the tumors, regardless of whether they received
Determination of Electrochemical Corrosion Potential along the JMTR In-Pile Loop - I: Evaluation of ECP of Stainless Steel in High-Temperature Water as a Function of Oxidant Concentrations and Exposure Time

In-pile loop experiments are one of the key technologies that can provide an understanding of corrosion behaviors of structural materials in nuclear power plants (NPPs). The experiments should be supported not only by reliable measurement tools to confirm corrosive conditions under neutron and gamma-ray irradiations but also by theoretical models for extrapolating the measured data to predict corrosion behaviors in NPPs. The relationships among electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP), metal surface conditions, exposure time, and other environmental conditions have been determined from in situ measurements of corrosion behaviors of stainless steel specimens exposed to H2O2 and O2 in high-temperature water. Based on the relationships, a model to evaluate the ECP of stainless steel was developed by coupling an electrochemical model and a double-oxide layer model. Major conclusions obtained from the evaluation model are as follows: (a) The difference in ECP behaviors of the specimens exposed to H2O2 and O2 were mainly from the thickness and developing rate of the inner oxide layers. (b) Calculated ECP behaviors, e.g., the different responses to H2O2 and O2 and hysteresis and memory effects, agreed with the measured ones. (c) Neutron exposure might decrease ECP due to radiation-induced diffusion in the oxide layer. The ECP evaluation model will be applied to evaluation of corrosive conditions in the JMTR in-pile loop.
Impacts of face coverings on communication: an indirect impact of COVID-19

Abstract Objective To understand the impact of face coverings on hearing and communication. Design An online survey consisting of closed-set and open-ended questions distributed within the UK to gain insights into experiences of interactions involving face coverings, and of the impact of face coverings on communication. Sample Four hundred and sixty members of the general public were recruited via snowball sampling. People with hearing loss were intentionally oversampled to more thoroughly assess the effect of face coverings in this group. Results With few exceptions, participants reported that face coverings negatively impacted hearing, understanding, engagement, and feelings of connection with the speaker. Impacts were greatest when communicating in medical situations. People with hearing loss were significantly more impacted than those without hearing loss. Face coverings impacted communication content, interpersonal connectedness, and willingness to engage in conversation; they increased anxiety and stress, and made communication fatiguing, frustrating and embarrassing – both as a speaker wearing a face covering, and when listening to someone else who is wearing one. Conclusions Face coverings have far-reaching impacts on communication for everyone, but especially for people with hearing loss. These findings illustrate the need for communication-friendly face-coverings, and emphasise the need to be communication-aware when wearing a face covering.
Efficacy of lumen-apposing metal stents or self-expandable metal stents for endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage is becoming an option for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are replacing self-expandable metal stents (SEMS). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LAMS and SEMS for EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS). Methods A meta-analysis was performed using PRISMA protocols. Electronic databases were searched for studies on EUS-CDS. The primary outcome was clinical success. Secondary outcomes were technical success, reintervention, and adverse events. We used the random effects model with the DerSimonian–Laird estimation, and the results were depicted using forest plots. Subgroup analyses were also performed with data stratified by selected variable. Results Overall, 31 studies (820 patients) were included. The pooled rates of clinical and technical success were 93.6 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 88.6 %–96.5 %) and 94.8 % (95 %CI 90.2 %–97.3 %) for LAMS, and 91.7 % (95 %CI 88.1 %–94.2 %) and 92.7 % (95 %CI 89.9 %–94.9 %) for SEMS, respectively. The pooled rates of adverse events were 17.1 % (95 %CI 12.5 %–22.8 %) for LAMS and 18.3 % (95 %CI 14.3 %–23.0 %) for SEMS. The pooled rates of reintervention were 10.9 % (95 %CI 7.7 %–15.3 %) for LAMS and 13.9 % (95 %CI 9.6 %–19.7 %) for SEMS. Subgroup analyses confirmed these results. Conclusions This meta-analysis showed that LAMS and SEMS are comparable in terms of efficacy for EUS-CDS. Clinical and technical success, post-procedure adverse events, and reintervention rates were similar between LAMS and SEMS use; however, adverse events require further investigation.
Statutory Rape: Case Characteristics When Offenders are Younger Than 21 Years of Age Versus Older

Statutory rape laws are intended to protect adolescents from harm as a result of sexual activity with older individuals. In this pursuit, many, but far from all, states’ statutory rape laws differentiate younger and older offenders. In effect, many of these states differentiate offenders who are 21 and older from those who are under 21. It is unknown, however, whether and how the dynamics of statutory rape vary depending on the age of the offender. To explore the contribution of offender age to the dynamics of statutory rape, data were collected from the records of 105 statutory rape cases referred to a child abuse assessment center over a 63-month period. Records included detailed reports on case history and victims’ family history, mental health and health-risking behaviors, medical examination results, and forensic interview summaries. Cases of offenders 1 1. Because these cases are under investigation, “offenders” here refers to “suspects. ” For ease of reading, we use “offenders” to be consistent with prior research terminology. under 21 were compared to the cases of offenders 21 years and older. Compared to cases of younger offenders, cases of offenders 21 years and older more often involved slightly older adolescent victims. Independent of age, victims with offenders 21 and over compared with offenders under 21 were over six times as likely to have a prior history of a high, versus low, number of psychosocial problems and were seven times more likely to experience multiple forms of coercion versus no coercion by the offender. Findings suggest that statutory rape prevention, policy and response strategies should consider the critical ways that case characteristics and victims differ according to this key offender attribute.
Characterization of the Potential of Soda Cooking to Extract Fibrous Residues from Rice Hulls

In this paper, the potential of soda cooking to extract fibrous residues from rice hulls was investigated. Soda cooking was carried out at 170°C for 60 minutes using 5 to 13% NaOH. The goal was to selectively degrade silica and lignin from the structure of the rice hulls and produce fibrous carbohydrates that could be used as fillers in polymer biocomposites. This was studied by characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the fibrous residues and the spent liquor products. Results of scanning electron microscopy have revealed a substantial fragmentation of rice hulls above 7.5% NaOH charge. The fragmentation was accompanied with a significant removal of silica and lignin and the reduction of fibrous residues yield to 57% at 13%NaOH. Wet chemical composition analyses, infrared spectroscopy and x-ray spectroscopy have also revealed that lignin and silica were partly retained in the fibrous residue while the carbohydrates content were not affected. It is therefore concluded that soda cooking could be among the best processes for dissolving lignin and silica from rice hulls if the cooking conditions are optimized.
Spectroscopy of solvation

1. Spectroscopic Approaches to the Study of Ionic Solvation (G. Kabisch, E. Kalman). 2. Interactions in and Structures of Ionic Solutions and Polyelectrolytes. Infrared Results (G. Zundel, J. Fritsch). 3. Infrared Spectroscopic Results on Solvate Structures in Crystals (G. Zundel, J. Fritsch). 4. Raman Spectroscopic Measurements of Ion Hydration (M.H. Brooker). 5. Quantum Theory of Electronic and Vibrational Spectra of Impurity Molecules in Polar Media (R.R. Dogonadze, T.A. Marsagishvili). 6. Ultraviolet and Visible Light Absorption of Solute Molecules in Condensed Media (E.M. Itskovitch, J. Ulstrup, M.A. Vorotyntsev). 7. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Ionic Solvation Studies (H.G. Hertz). 8. Dielectric Microwave Spectrometry (H. Farber, S. Petrucci). 9. Ultrasonic Absorption Spectrometry (H. Farber, S. Petrucci). 10. X-Ray, Electron, and Neutron Diffraction Studies of Ionic Solvation (E. Kalman, G. Palinkas).
Comparison of self-administration and face-to-face interview for surveys of low back pain in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to compare self-administration with face-to-face interview in the investigation of low back pain in adolescents. Fifty-seven adolescents with low back pain (mean age 17.3 y; range 16-18) first completed a questionnaire and were then invited to an interview. Analysis included item completion, percentages of agreement and weighted kappa. Item completion rates were high and comparable between self-administration and interview. Information between both methods was analogous for severity and localization of problems, sleep behaviour, medical consultation and sports/leisure activities. Onset, progression, duration of low back pain and some items on the influence of movement/positions presented less comparable data. Conclusion: Even when two different methods of data acquisition are used, results suggest that the method used does not change the interpretation of results in the case of most items.
H-infinity adaptive observer enhancements for vehicle chassis dynamics-based navigation sensor fault construction

© The Author(s) 2020. The issues of chassis dynamics-based navigation sensor fault and state estimation in land vehicles are specialized in this study. Owing to the essential attributes of robust theorybased observers, an H-infinity adaptive observer is proposed to implement the fault reconstructions of faulty sensors, offering a reference to vehicles for further favorable control decision-making. This observer fuses a linear matrix inequality convex optimization strategy, with the dynamics of land vehicles established mathematically, the consequent problems associated with augmented descriptor system state-space model, Lyapunov stability and linear matrix inequality convex optimization are discussed in detail. The numerical simulations on vehicular systems that suffered with single-existing deadlocking, gain scheduling, and constant deflection sensor fault are conducted. The results indicate, the fault channel outputs fairly reflect the variations of real faults under severe step-type fault input circumstances, so that the applicability of the fault observer against sensor failures is guaranteed. The proposed sensor fault construction idea is further extended to a loosely coupled inertial measurement units/global positioning system (GPS) illustration with GPS unavailable in its north velocity channel. After reconstructing the priori system state for “State one-step prediction” of Kalman filter, the compensated navigation parameters by state estimator exhibit consistent with the references as expected, the vehicle chassis dynamics-based sensor fault construction method, therefore, may be recognized as an effective measure to a class of integrated navigation systems experiencing some unknown sensor failures. Disciplines Engineering | Physical Sciences and Mathematics Publication Details Xia, L. , Cong, J., Xu, X. , Gao, Y. & Zhang, S. (2020). H-infinity adaptive observer enhancements for vehicle chassis dynamics-based navigation sensor fault construction. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 17 (2), This journal article is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow. edu.au/aiimpapers/4094
Channeling of MeV ion beams : Improving sample alignment at the tandem accelerator, Ångström laboratory

At the Tandem accelerator in the Angstrom laboratory, Uppsala, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is one of the methods used for thin film analysis, providing information on thickness and composition. The films are commonly grown on silicon substrates, whose crystal structure gives rise to channelling effects (a strong angular dependence in the intensity of the signal), which can cause faulty results. For other samples, channelling may also be used to get information on crystal structure and quality. This work demonstrates new functions to the existing software, aiming at minimizing these effects. The new methods have been tested by measurements both in channelling directions and in directions determined by the old method. In comparison with the earlier method the worst-case error is of order 80 %,commonly around 20 %, but it is possible to achieve an error which is not detectable. It is worth to note that the stated errors appear in tests oriented for maximum channelling, where effects without the new methods give an error corresponding to an apparent thin-film thickness almost 18 times that of the actual thickness.
Toxicity of ionic liquids and organic solvents towards Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida

i. AbstractThe University of ManchesterNicola WoodDegree of Doctor of PhilosophyToxicity of Ionic Liquids and Organic Solvents towards Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putidaFunded by BBSRC2011By turning to biological catalysts such as whole cell microorganisms it is possible to both improve the specificity of a (bio) chemical transformation with the added benefit of reducing the energy demands of a number of synthetic processes which currently use chemical catalysts. The replacement of chemical catalysts with whole cell biological catalysts is often limited by the toxicity of the substrate, side products or end products of a catalytic reaction. The exposure of microorganisms to these products or substrates is usually reflected in phenotypic alterations in membrane of the cell. The techniques of growth data, FT-IR spectroscopy and cluster analysis have been successfully used to establish the phenotypic changes occurring within a microbial culture.The use of microorganisms as replacements for chemical catalysts in synthetic processes may be further increased by the replacement of conventional organic solvents, with a different class of solvents known as ionic liquids.Ionic liquids have been widely reported as ? green? solvents due to their negligible vapour pressure; however reported toxicity testing has demonstrated that many ionic liquid structures have poor toxicity profiles when tested against a range of microorganisms. Due to the large number of ionic liquids which are currently available it is desirable to have a fast and reliable method for initial toxicity screening of many ionic liquids against a wide range of microorganisms. To this end, a simple and cost effective method for ionic liquid toxicity testing using agar diffusion plates and specific growth rates, has been developed and employed to test a wide range of ionic liquid structures against a number of test bacteria.Additionally, the phenotypic changes associated with the exposure of a number of test organisms to a set of both water miscible and water immiscible ionic liquids, have been successfully assessed by FT-IR spectroscopy, cluster analysis, growth data and viable count information, suggesting that this combination of techniques has great potential for future work involving the assessment of phenotypic alterations within microbial cultures.
Global modeling of cloud water acidity, precipitation acidity, and acid inputs to ecosystems

Abstract. Cloud water acidity affects the atmospheric chemistry of sulfate and organic aerosol formation, halogen radical cycling, and trace metal speciation. Precipitation acidity including post-depositional inputs adversely affects soil and freshwater ecosystems. Here, we use the GEOS-Chem model of atmospheric chemistry to simulate the global distributions of cloud water and precipitation acidity as well as the total acid inputs to ecosystems from wet deposition. The model accounts for strong acids ( H2SO4 , HNO3 , and HCl), weak acids (HCOOH, CH3COOH , CO2 , and SO2 ), and weak bases ( NH3 as well as dust and sea salt aerosol alkalinity). We compile a global data set of cloud water pH measurements for comparison with the model. The global mean observed cloud water pH is 5.2±0.9 , compared to 5.0±0.8 in the model, with a range from 3 to 8 depending on the region. The lowest values are over East Asia, and the highest values are over deserts. Cloud water pH over East Asia is low because of large acid inputs ( H2SO4 and HNO3 ), despite NH3 and dust neutralizing 70 % of these inputs. Cloud water pH is typically 4–5 over the US and Europe. Carboxylic acids account for less than 25 % of cloud water H+ in the Northern Hemisphere on an annual basis but 25 %–50 % in the Southern Hemisphere and over 50 % in the southern tropical continents, where they push the cloud water pH below 4.5. Anthropogenic emissions of SO2 and NOx (precursors of H2SO4 and HNO3 ) are decreasing at northern midlatitudes, but the effect on cloud water pH is strongly buffered by NH 4 + and carboxylic acids. The global mean precipitation pH is 5.5 in GEOS-Chem, which is higher than the cloud water pH because of dilution and below-cloud scavenging of NH3 and dust. GEOS-Chem successfully reproduces the annual mean precipitation pH observations in North America, Europe, and eastern Asia. Carboxylic acids, which are undetected in routine observations due to biodegradation, lower the annual mean precipitation pH in these areas by 0.2 units. The acid wet deposition flux to terrestrial ecosystems taking into account the acidifying potential of NO 3 - and NH 4 + in N-saturated ecosystems exceeds 50 meq m - 2 a - 1 in East Asia and the Americas, which would affect sensitive ecosystems. NH 4 + is the dominant acidifying species in wet deposition, contributing 41 % of the global acid flux to continents under N-saturated conditions.