Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malignancies and rheumatoid arthritis, csDMARDs, biological DMARDs, and JAK inhibitors: challenge and outlook

ABSTRACT Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder necessitating immunosuppressive therapy. Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of RA over recent decades, particularly with the development of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi). Nonetheless, the development of new drugs has been accompanied by concerns regarding the association between these novel therapies and the risk of malignancy. Areas covered This narrative review aims to discuss the understanding of RA, conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs, bDMARDs, JAKi, and their association with malignancy. Furthermore, the review discusses the management of malignancy in patients receiving b/tsDMARDs. Expert opinion Although recent studies suggest that the potential risk of malignancy of methotrexate and a JAKi tofacitinib, it is essential to avoid indiscriminate withholding of treatment by those agents, as this may lead functional impairment and increased mortality. Therefore, the adoption of a Treat-to-Target (T2T) approach considering individual patient characteristics, becomes of utmost importance. Rheumatologists should maintain a vigilant stance regarding malignancy in this context, recognizing the importance of early detection and management. Implementing a screening program for malignancies is indispensable, and the use of computed tomography screening may enhance the effectiveness of management strategies.
Vascular risk factors for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive decline, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. Several observational studies have indicated that iNPH patients have a high occurrence of vascular comorbidities compared to normal populations. This study aims to identify the specific vascular risk factors for iNPH and review the possible pathogenesis between vascular risk factors and iNPH development.
Barriers of SMEs in Adopting Crowdsourcing and ‐ working and Strategies to Overcome Them

Despite its undisputable benefits for firms, crowdsourcing and ‐ working is currently rarely applied in small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Up to now extant literature provides only an incomplete picture of the barriers that hinder SMEs from adopting crowdsourcing and ‐ working. Because of these incomplete insights on this phenomenon there is also a great deal of uncertainty on how to overcome these barriers. In the scope of an interview series with 15 SMEs we explore a range of different barriers. In a second round of interviews with crowdsourcing and ‐ working experts (Delphi study) we reveal strategies that may help SMEs to overcome these barriers. The findings from these two studies not only expand the so far incomplete body of knowledge but also provide practical references for SMEs to overcome the barriers and to adopt crowdsourcing and ‐ working for their value creation activities.
REDD+ politics in the media: A case study from Brazil

The core idea of REDD—reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation—is to reward individuals, communities, projects and countries that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forests. Adopted under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change), the mechanism aims to compensate tropical countries for the carbon benefits that their standing forests (‘avoided emissions' + ‘carbon stocks') contribute to mitigating climate change. The objective of the analysis contained in this working paper is to characterise the nature of the discourse related to REDD+ in the Brazilian press from 2005 to 2009, identifying the principal actors who led this debate in the media as well as their positions—as either advocates or adversaries of a particular view on REDD+ —as these positions evolved during this period. This study is part of CIFOR's Global Comparative Study (GCS) on REDD+, which analyses REDD+ policy, practice and implementation and disseminates lessons learned to a national and global audience. CIFOR's goal is to generate knowledge and practical tools to support efforts to reduce forest emissions in ways that are effective, efficient and equitable (3Es) and that generate co-benefits such as poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation (3Es+).
Animal-derived surfactants for the treatment and prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: summary of clinical trials

Introduction: Available literature suggests that the advantage of animal-derived surfactants over ﬁ rst-generation synthetic agents derives from the presence of surface-active proteins and their phospholipid content. Here we summarize the results of clinical trials comparing animal-derived surfactant preparations with other animal-derived surfactants and with both ﬁ rst- and second-generation synthetic surfactants. Methods: Published clinical trials of comparisons of animal-derived surfactants were summarized and compared. Comparisons emphasized differences in (1) key surfactant components attributed with efﬁ cacy and (2) differences in published outcomes. Results: For the most important outcomes, mortality and chronic lung disease, currently available natural surfactants are essentially similar in efﬁ cacy. When examining secondary outcomes (pneumothorax, ventilator weaning, and need for supplemental oxygen), it appears that both calfactant and poractant have an advantage over beractant. The weight of the evidence, especially for study design and secondary outcomes, favors the use of calfactant. However, the superiority of poractant over beractant, when the higher initial dose of poractant is used, strengthens the case for use of poractant as well. Conclusions: Clinical trials suggest that the higher surfactant protein-B content in calfactant, and perhaps the higher phospholipid content in poractant (at higher initial dose), are the factors that most likely confer the observed advantage over other surfactant preparations.
The kinetics of glutathione in the gastrointestinal tract of weaned piglets supplemented with different doses of dietary reduced glutathione

This study aimed to investigate the kinetics of dietary GSH in the gastrointestinal tract and the effect of GSH on the intestinal redox status of weaned piglets. Forty-eight piglets with an average age of 26 days and an average body weight of 7.7 kg were used in this study. The piglets were divided into three treatment groups including the control group with a basal diet (CON) and two GSH groups with a basal diet supplemented with 0.1% GSH (LGSH) and 1.0% GSH (HGSH), respectively. The basal diet did not contain any GSH. The experiment lasted for 14 days, with eight animals sampled from each group on d5 and 14. The parts of 0–5%, 5–75%, and 75–100% of the length of the small intestine were assigned to SI1, SI2, and SI3. The results showed that GSH almost completely disappeared from the digesta at SI2. However, no difference in the GSH level in mucosa, liver, and blood erythrocytes was found. The level of cysteine (CYS) in SI1 digesta was significantly higher in HGSH than CON and LGSH on d14, and similar findings were observed for cystine (CYSS) in SI3 digesta on d5. The CYSS level in HGSH was also significantly higher than LGSH in the stomach on d14, while no CYS or CYSS was detected in the stomach for control animals, indicating the breakdown of GSH to CYS already occurred in the stomach. Irrespective of the dietary treatment, the CYS level on d14 and the CYSS level on d5 and 14 were increased when moving more distally into the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, the mucosal CYS level was significantly increased at SI1 in the LGSH and HGSH group compared with CON on d5. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) was recovered in the diets and digesta from the LGSH and HGSH group, which could demonstrate the auto-oxidation of GSH. It is, therefore, concluded that GSH supplementation could not increase the small intestinal mucosal GSH level of weaned piglets, and this could potentially relate to the kinetics of GSH in the digestive tract, where GSH seemed to be prone to the breakdown to CYS and CYSS and the auto-oxidation to GSSG.
Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) in the Narew National Park

In wetlands and adjacent habitats in the Narew National Park (northeastern Poland), 125 species of Apiformes were recorded. The bee diversity of the area was distinguished by very high contributions of Andrenidae (particularly of Andrena s. str.) and Apidae, but relatively low contributions of Megachilidae and Anthophoridae. Characteristic species include Bombus jonellus, while Andrena fulva has its easternmost locality there.
A Study on Snowstorm Weather in Coastal Area of Western Antarctic

In this paper, based on the observational data of 1995 in the Chinese Antarctic Great Wall Station the snowstorm is studied synoptically. It is found that there are two kinds of snowstorms with different physical characteristics and that the happening of snowstorm is always accompanied by a near-ground level inversion layer. The function of the inversion layer is analyzed, too. It is indicated that the strong ESE-wind type snowstorm is mainly caused by katabatic wind and gradient wind together. This idea is new and different from the general concept that there is no katabatic wind in the western Antarctic area.
INNOVATION AND APPROPRIABILITY , EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH AGENDA

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) have attracted increasing attention both in academic circles as well as in public policy debates over the past decades. This has gone hand-in-hand with their increasing use, particularly (but not only) patents, reforms in the national and international legal frameworks that have resulted in the strengthening of IPRs and the fast growth of sectors in which knowledge, innovation and appropriability play a key role (e.g. biotechnology, information and communication technologies and the cultural industries). Intense debates among researchers have taken place on a wide range of issues, including the reasons for the growing use of IPRs; the impact of the strengthening of IPRs on innovation; the role of IPRs in developing countries; whether there is a need for international harmonization of the laws regulating the matter and the consequences of IPR legislative reforms on poor communities in areas such as health or traditional knowledge.
The spurdog Squalus acanthias (L) fishery in south west Ireland

Spurdog landings are made on all parts of the Irish coastline but most heavily concentrated on the west of the country. The fishery expanded to a maximum catch of just under 8,000 tonnes in 1985. The species had been pursued most intensively in the north west but effort is shifting southwards. This account ofthe south west Ireland fishery is based on material collected between April 1987 and March 1988, inclusive; information was collected by questionnaire and 5,300 individual fish were examined. Ageing was undertaken using the posterior spine: ages in the commercial catches ranged between 5 and 40+ years. The growth characteristics of the south-west Ireland spurdogs resemble those of the Scottish-Norwegian fish but the Irish populations have a lower Loo. Female maturation takes place at a shorter length than in other populations hitherto investigated from British or Irish waters; the length at 50% maturity is slightly more than 74cm which corresponds with an age of 14 years. The fecundity of the south west Ireland spurdogs is relatively high. Mortality coefficients (Z) of fully recruited spurdogs are calculated from age 17 as 0.24 for females and 0.30 for males. Two life tables are constructed. The first. which is intended to ascertain the numbers of female whelps required to maintain numbers, suggests that the stocks are close to being overfished. The second life table examines the age structure of the breeding female component of the population but its outcome is inconclusive. In terms of its organization the south west Ireland spurdog fishery can be considered as two separate fisheries: a trawl and a gill net fishery, the latter being regarded as the more detrimental to the prospects of a sustained yield.
Epidemiological aspects of immediate postoperative pain in a tertiary hospital

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : Pain is a predominant symptom in the postoperative period and expected in any surgical service, being considered as a worldwide problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and analyze its epidemiological aspects, intensity, and predictors, for better management and predictability. METHODS : This is a quantitative, retrospective and cross-sectional observational study, carried out in a tertiary hospital at Londrina-PR, in which medical records of post-surgical patients who responded to pain scales during their stay in the post-anes-thetic recovery room were analyzed. RESULTS : This study found that females are more likely to have postoperative pain and that younger patients are more susceptible, although not significantly. Mild pain predominated at rates greater than 60%, in which spinal blocks and gynecological/obstetric procedures were the most prevalent, in contrast to severe pain, which obtained higher percentages when general anesthesia and orthopedic surgeries were performed. In addition, an equation for predicting severe pain in the immediate postoperative period was obtained, based on the chosen anesthesia and the patient’s age. CONCLUSION : Less intense postoperative pain was more prevalent than other intensities, with anesthesia and the type of surgery being possible predictive factors, even if the harbinger of its severity was based on age and the anesthetic method.
Out-of-Distribution Generalization of Federated Learning via Implicit Invariant Relationships

Out-of-distribution generalization is challenging for non-participating clients of federated learning under distribution shifts. A proven strategy is to explore those invariant relationships between input and target variables, working equally well for non-participating clients. However, learning invariant relationships is often in an explicit manner from data, representation, and distribution, which violates the federated principles of privacy-preserving and limited communication. In this paper, we propose F ED IIR, which implicitly learns invariant relationships from parameter for out-of-distribution generalization, adhering to the above principles. Specifically, we utilize the prediction disagreement to quantify invariant relationships and implicitly reduce it through inter-client gradient alignment. Theoretically, we demonstrate the range of non-participating clients to which F ED IIR is expected to generalize and present the convergence results for F ED IIR in the massively distributed with limited communication. Extensive experiments show that F ED IIR significantly outperforms relevant baselines in terms of out-of-distribution generalization of federated learning.
Rural water supplies and sanitation.

Part 1 Sanitation: rural sanitation introduction to Blair Latrine how to build the Blair Latrine and various versions Blair training programmes. Part 2 Supply/health: rural water supply underground water hand dug wells hand drilled tubewells sanitary surveys handpumps supplying water by gravity water point design hygiene drinking water quality purification.
Large increase in incident shortwave radiation due to the ozone hole offset 1 by high climatological albedo over Antarctica

Despite increasing scientific scrutiny in recent years, the direct impact of the ozone hole on surface temperatures over Antarctica remains uncertain. Here, we explore this question by using the Community Earth System Model Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (CESM-WACCM), contrasting two ensembles of runs with and without stratospheric ozone depletion. We find that, during austral spring, the ozone hole leads to a surprisingly large increase in surface downwelling shortwave (SW) radiation over Antarctica of 3.8 W/m2 in clear-sky and 1.8 W/m2 in all-sky. However, despite this large increase in incident SW radiation, no ozone-induced surface warming is seen in the model. We show that the lack of a surface temperature response is due to reflection of most of the increased downward SW, resulting in an insignificant change to the net SW radiative heating. To first order, this reflection is simply due to the high climatological surface albedo of the Antarctic snow (97% in visible SW), resulting in a net zero ozone-induced surface SW forcing. In addition, we show that stratospheric ozone depletion has a negligible effect on longwave (LW) radiation and other components of the surface energy budget. These results suggest a minimal role for ozone depletion in forcing Antarctic surface temperature trends on a continental scale. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Sea-Ice Conditions in the Norwegian, Barents, and White Seas

Abstract : An investigation of the possible effects of climatic change on the military posture of the United States and the Soviet Union is presented. The problem is to estimate worsening sea-ice conditions in the Norwegian, Barents, and White seas in the event of a climatic cooling during the next few decades. Future climatic conditions assumed for this study approximate the severe winters experienced during the Little Ice Age from the Mid-1400s to the mid-1800s. A period of cooling in the polar regions implies a worsening of sea-ice conditions in the Arctic seas producing increased hazards to navigation. The author concludes that for a climatic state similar to the Little Ice Age, the Norwegian and Barents seas would remain open to navigation. Within the White Sea, however, under extreme conditions the duration of the ice season would lengthen to about 8 months, with maximum ice thickness reaching 70 in.
Evaluation of an automated microscope using machine learning for the detection of malaria in travelers returned to the UK

Light microscopy remains a standard method for detection of malaria parasites in clinical cases but training to expert level requires considerable time. Moreover, excessive workflow causes fatigue and can impact performance. An automated microscopy tool could aid in clinics with limited access to highly skilled microscopists, where case numbers are excessive, or in multi-site studies where consistency is essential. The EasyScan GO is an automated scanning microscope combined with machine learning software designed to detect malaria parasites in field-prepared Giemsa-stained blood films. This study evaluates the ability of the EasyScan GO to detect, quantify and identify the species of parasite present in blood films compared with expert light microscopy.Travelers returning to the UK and testing positive for malaria were screened for eligibility and enrolled. Blood samples from enrolled participants were used to make Giemsa-stained smears assessed by expert light microscopy and the EasyScan GO to determine parasite density and species. Blood samples were also assessed by PCR to confirm parasite density and species present and resolve discrepancy between manual microscopy and the EasyScan GO.When compared to light microscopy, the EasyScan GO exhibited a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI: 80-93%) and a specificity of 89% (95% CI: 87-91%). Of the 99 samples labelled positive by both, manual microscopy identified 87 as Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and 12 as non-Pf. The EasyScan GO correctly reported Pf for 86 of the 87 Pf samples and non-Pf for 11 of 12 non-Pf samples. However, it failed to distinguish between non-Pf species, reporting all as P. vivax. The EasyScan GO calculated parasite densities were within +/-25% of light microscopy densities for 33% of samples between 200 and 2000 p/µL, falling short of WHO level 1 (expert) manual microscopy competency (50% of samples should be within +/-25% of the true parasitemia). This study shows that the EasyScan GO can be proficient in detecting malaria parasites in Giemsa-stained blood films relative to expert light microscopy and accurately distinguish between Pf and non-Pf species. Performance at low parasite densities, distinguishing between non-Pf species and accurate quantitation of parasitemia require further development and evaluation.
Prevalence and distribution of primary glomerular diseases in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a predominant cause of kidney failure in Africa. The prevalence of primary GNs varies widely across Africa depending on the relative proportion of secondary GNs and genetic predispositions. We assessed the overall and sub-regional prevalence of primary GN and its histologic subtypes in Africa. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and African Journals Online for studies of biopsy-proven primary GNs across all age groups in Africa published between 2010 and 2022. Data for primary GNs [minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN), mesangioproliferative GN (MesPGN), membranoproliferative GN (MPGN), post-infectious GN (PIGN), IgA Nephropathy (IgAN), and crescentic GN (CresGN)] were extracted. Pooled prevalence was determined using the random effects model. Seventeen eligible articles (n = 6,494 individuals) from 8 African countries met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of FSGS, MCD, MN, MPGN, MesPGN, PIGN, IgAN and CresGN was 26.10%, 22.40%, 8.40%, 6.40%, 6.40%, 2.60%, 2.60%, 1.40%, respectively. Only 4 studies (23.5%) used light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), and electron microscopy (EM) for diagnosis. There were significant differences in the distribution of histologic subtypes in the paediatric compared to the adult population and across geographic sub-regions, with West Africa having a higher prevalence of FSGS. Overall, the dominance of FSGS across most regions and age groups has implications for disease diagnosis and ongoing care. Research efforts to understand the impact of this trend on kidney disease outcomes and efforts to improve kidney biopsy practice as a means of early disease detection are needed in Africa.
ANALYSIS OF LIBYAN ARABLE SOILS BY MEANS OF THERMAL AND EPITHERMAL NAA

INTRODUCTION Due to the continuous population growth during the last century, fertilizers and agrochemicals play a very important role in increasing the land productivity and fertility. The food – fertilizer – population linkage is the important underlying basis supporting demand. Fertilizer production for the year 2000 was 200 million metric tons of fertilizers containins the world nutrients N, P2O5, and K2O. Environmental problems connected with fertilizers, especially phosphate fertilizers, are eutrophication and the buildup of heavy metals (radioactive and toxic elements). In a previous work [1] we checked the level of the major, minor, and trace elements, in the fertilizers imported to Libya. Man, like all terrestrial animals, depends on the soil as a basic source of food. The human metabolism is based on an enzyme system making use of the essential elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, .etc.) while eliminating the harmful ones (As, Be, Cd, Hg, Pb,.,etc.). The human organism is not evolutionally prepared for adapting itself to the chemical load of the environment. The accumulating elements are relatively stable and may cause irreversible changes. Due to the change in natural circulation of elements in soils, by adding fertilizers and agrochemicals [2,3], we are investigating Libyan arable soils from many regions, used mainly for cereals production, by nuclear and related techniques, such as INAA, ED-XRF, ICP-OES,. ,etc. The aim of this present paper is to determine the levels of some minor and trace elements (As, Au, Br, Cd, Ga, Gd, Ho, K, La, Mo, Na, Sb, Sm, and U), by thermal and epithermal NAA in selected Libyan arable soils.