Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interventional strategies for ischemic stroke based on the modulation of the gut microbiota

The microbiota-gut-brain axis connects the brain and the gut in a bidirectional manner. The organism’s homeostasis is disrupted during an ischemic stroke (IS). Cerebral ischemia affects the intestinal flora and microbiota metabolites. Microbiome dysbiosis, on the other hand, exacerbates the severity of IS outcomes by inducing systemic inflammation. Some studies have recently provided novel insights into the pathogenesis, efficacy, prognosis, and treatment-related adverse events of the gut microbiome in IS. In this review, we discussed the view that the gut microbiome is of clinical value in personalized therapeutic regimens for IS. Based on recent non-clinical and clinical studies on stroke, we discussed new therapeutic strategies that might be developed by modulating gut bacterial flora. These strategies include dietary intervention, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, antibiotics, traditional Chinese medication, and gut-derived stem cell transplantation. Although the gut microbiota-targeted intervention is optimistic, some issues need to be addressed before clinical translation. These issues include a deeper understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms, conducting larger longitudinal cohort studies on the gut microbiome and host responses with multiple layers of data, developing standardized protocols for conducting and reporting clinical analyses, and performing a clinical assessment of multiple large-scale IS cohorts. In this review, we presented certain opportunities and challenges that might be considered for developing effective strategies by manipulating the gut microbiome to improve the treatment and prevention of ischemic stroke.
Brief Clinical Review: Non-Responding Pneumonia

A slowly resolving or non-resolving pneumonia (NRP) is a common clinical dilemma, affecting 10-20% of patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Potential causes are many and include inadequate or inappropriate antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistant pathogens, infectious complications, or incorrect diagnosis. Objective criteria have been described to define clinical stability and represent the best current definition of adequate treatment response. The time to clinical stability varies substantially between patients, being longer in older patients, patients with comorbidities, and patients with a higher severity of pneumonia. NRP is associated with increased mortality and requirement for intensive care unit admission, and so it is essential to identify these patients. Once non-response is recognised, patients should undergo a full re-evaluation, including microbiological testing, repeat chest X-ray and consideration of further imaging, and an increased spectrum of antibiotic therapy if drug resistant pathogens are suspected. A wide range of non-infectious disorders can masquerade as bacterial pneumonia, including pulmonary embolism, malignancy, interstitial lung diseases, alveolar haemorrhage, and vasculitis. There is no uniform recommended diagnostic or treatment approach for patients with NRP. The investigations and interventions required are determined on a case-by-case basis. The present article reviews the causes, investigation, and management of NRP, and presents an algorithm for identification and management of these patients.
Gravity wave penetration into the thermosphere: sensitivity to solar cycle variations and mean winds

We previously considered various aspects of grav- ity wave penetration and effects at mesospheric and ther- mospheric altitudes, including propagation, viscous effects on wave structure, characteristics, and damping, local body forcing, responses to solar cycle temperature variations, and filtering by mean winds. Several of these efforts focused on gravity waves arising from deep convection or in situ body forcing accompanying wave dissipation. Here we generalize these results to a broad range of gravity wave phase speeds, spatial scales, and intrinsic frequencies in order to address all of the major gravity wave sources in the lower atmosphere potentially impacting the thermosphere. We show how pen- etration altitudes depend on gravity wave phase speed, hor- izontal and vertical wavelengths, and observed frequencies for a range of thermospheric temperatures spanning realistic solar conditions and winds spanning reasonable mean and tidal amplitudes. Our results emphasize that independent of gravity wave source, thermospheric temperature, and fil- tering conditions, those gravity waves that penetrate to the highest altitudes have increasing vertical wavelengths and decreasing intrinsic frequencies with increasing altitude. The spatial scales at the highest altitudes at which gravity wave perturbations are observed are inevitably horizontal wave- lengths of 150 to 1000 km and vertical wavelengths of 150 to 500 km or more, with the larger horizontal scales only becoming important for the stronger Doppler-shifting conditions. Observed and intrinsic periods are typically 10 to 60 min and 10 to 30 min, respectively, with the intrinsic periods shorter at the highest altitudes because of preferen- tial penetration of GWs that are up-shifted in frequency by thermospheric winds.
Risk Factors for Hypoparathyroidism after Thyroid Surgery: A Single-Center Study

Background: Hypoparathyroidism is one of the most common complications after thyroidectomy. This study evaluated the incidence and potential risk factors for postoperative hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgical procedures in a single high-volume center. Methods: In this retrospective study, in all patients undergoing thyroid surgery from 2018 to 2021, a 6 h postoperative parathyroid hormone level (PTH) was evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups based on 6 h postoperative PTH levels (≤12 and >12 pg/mL). Results: A total of 734 patients were enrolled in this study. Most patients (702, 95.6%) underwent a total thyroidectomy, while 32 patients underwent a lobectomy (4.4%). A total of 230 patients (31.3%) had a postoperative PTH level of <12 pg/mL. Postoperative temporary hypoparathyroidism was more frequently associated with female sex, age < 40 y, neck dissection, the yield of lymph node dissection, and incidental parathyroidectomy. Incidental parathyroidectomy was reported in 122 patients (16.6%) and was correlated with thyroid cancer and neck dissection. Conclusions: Young patients undergoing neck dissection and with incidental parathyroidectomy have the highest risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery. However, incidental parathyroidectomy did not necessarily correlate with postoperative hypocalcemia, suggesting that the pathogenesis of this complication is multifactorial and may include an impaired blood supply to parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery.
Segmented-Beat Modulation Method-Based Procedure for Extraction of Electrocardiogram-Derived Respiration from Data Acquired by Wearable Sensors During High-Altitude Activity

High-altitude sports are affected by hypoxic stress-related alterations and, consequently, may trigger severe events such as sport-related sudden death; thus, into-the-jield monitoring of respiration is essential. A Segmented-Beat Modulation Method (SBMM)-based procedure was previously proposed to extract electrocardiogram <tex>$(ECG)$</tex>- derived respiration <tex>$(EDR)$</tex>. The aim of this study is to validate SBMM-based procedure for <tex>$EDR$</tex> extraction in data acquired by wearable sensors during high-altitude physical activities. Respiration signal <tex>$(RES)$</tex> and <tex>$ECG$</tex> were recorded using BioHarness 3.0 by Zephyr from 3 expeditioners, while performing a trek up to 4, <tex>$556m$</tex> of altitude. <tex>$EDR{\it was}$</tex> extracted from <tex>$ECG$</tex> by SBMM-based procedure. <tex>$RES$</tex> and <tex>$EDR$</tex> were segmented into 60-second windows and characterized in terms of breathing rate (<tex>$BR_{RES}$</tex> and <tex>$BR_{EDR}$</tex>, respectively). <tex>$BR_{RES}$</tex> and <tex>$BR_{EDR}$</tex> were compared by absolute difference <tex>$(\vert \delta\vert)$</tex>, concordance correlation coefficient <tex>$(CCC)$</tex> and linear regression analysis. Results confirmed <tex>$EDR$</tex> goodness, proved by low values of <tex>$\vert \delta\vert (2[1;4]cpm)$</tex>, satisfactory <tex>$CCC(0.62$</tex>; P-value <tex>$< 0.05$</tex>) and good fit of regression line <tex>$(BR_{RES}=0.91\cdot BR_{EDR}+4.47cpm)$</tex>. In conclusion, SBMM-based procedure is a good method to extract <tex>$EDR$</tex> from data acquired by wearable sensors during high-altitude physical activities.
Orbit of T Tau Ba-Bb and Mass Estimate for Its Infrared Companion

On the basis of 17 astrometric radio and infrared position measurements almost uniformly covering an arc of 270°, an improved orbit with a period of 33 years and semimajor axis of 0. ″104 (14.6 AU) for the T Tau Ba-Bb pair (also known as T Tau Sa-Sb) is calculated. A total system mass of 2.82 ± 0.74 M⊙ is obtained, leading to a first direct mass estimate for T Tau Ba, which is a known infrared companion (IRC), on the order of 2.2–2.3 M⊙. This estimate supports the model in which the IRC may be a young star coeval with T Tau A that suffers stronger extinction because it is experiencing an episode of enhanced accretion, possibly tied to its orbital phase. The obtained orbit is clearly distinguishable from the previous solution and therefore allows verification of the behavior of the system in the near future.
Calculation of arithmetic spectra from free binary decision diagrams

A method to calculate the arithmetic spectrum of a Boolean function from its free binary decision diagram has been introduced. As required by many applications, the method allows the computation of only some chosen arithmetic spectral coefficients and is applicable to both completely and incompletely specified Boolean functions. To further reduce the space complexity, the resulting spectrum is stored in the form of its own decision diagram.
Multimodal Approach in Minimizing Transient Neurological Complications Following Single Shot Brachial Plexus Block: A Prospective Observational Study

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the benefit of a using multimodal approach, including injection pressure monitoring (IPM) and different techniques of nerve localization, with respect to complications following single-shot brachial plexus block (SSBPB). Methods: In this study, 238 adults (132 males and 106 females) undergoing upper-limb surgeries under peripheral nerve block (PNB) were evaluated. Of these, 198 patients were given supraclavicular block, and 40 patients received interscalene block using either ultrasound (USG) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) or PNS alone. Injection pressure monitoring was used in 216 patients. Results: Transient neurological deficit (TND) was observed in six out of 198 patients where USG and NS were used along with IPM as opposed to 12 out of 18 patients without IPM (p<0.0001). In patients where only PNS was used, transient neurological deficit (TND) was seen in six out of 18 patients with IPM as opposed to all the patients (n=4) without IPM (p<0.02). Among the patients where injection pressure was monitored, six out of 198 patients developed TND when both USG and NS were used, compared to six out of 18 patients where only PNS was used (p<0.007). Conclusion: Use of injection pressure monitoring along with different nerve localization techniques results in fewer transient neurological deficits.
A critical assessment of dose effects of post‐thaw CD34 on autologous stem cell transplantation treatment of haematological malignancies

A consensus threshold of pre‐cryopreservation CD34‐positive cells (CD34s) has been used as the minimum dose to initiate autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Advances in cryopreservation posed a debate whether post‐thaw CD34s might be a superior surrogate instead. We addressed the debate in this retrospective study of 217 adult ASCTs in five different haematological malignancies treated at a single centre. We showed that post‐thaw CD34s was highly correlated with pre‐cryopreservation CD34s (r = 0.97) and explained ∼2.2% (p = 0.003) of the variation of the post‐thaw total nucleated cell viability that however had no power to predict engraftment outcomes. After stratifying the ASCT cases into four dose groups based on post‐thaw CD34s reinfused, stepwise multivariate regression analyses detected significant effects in dose group and interactions with diseases for neutrophil and platelet recovery respectively. The significant dose effects and interactions were triggered by two technical outliers in the low dose group, and disappeared in the repeated regressions after exclusion of the outliers where disease and age were the significant predictors remained. Our data clearly support the validity of the consensus threshold in ASCT applications but also highlight neglected conditions where monitoring post‐thaw CD34s and clinical attributes are valuable.
Improving the Prediction of Passenger Numbers in Public Transit Networks by Combining Short-Term Forecasts With Real-Time Occupancy Data

Passengers of public transportation nowadays expect reliable and accurate travel information. The need for occupancy information is becoming more prevalent in intelligent public transport systems as people started avoiding overcrowded vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, public transportation companies require accurate occupancy forecasts to improve service quality. We present a novel approach to improve the prediction of passenger numbers that enhances a day-ahead prediction with real-time data. We first train a baseline predictor on historical automatic passenger counting data. Next, we train a real-time model on the deviations between baseline prediction and observed values, thus capturing events not addressed by the baseline. For the forecast, we attempt to detect emerging patterns in real time and adjust the baseline prediction with deviations from the patterns. Our experiments with data from Germany show that the proposed model improves the forecast of the baseline model and is only outperformed by artificial neural networks in some instances. If the training sets only cover a limited period of up to four months, our approach outperforms competing methods. For larger training sets, there are mixed results in the sense that for some test cases, certain types of neural networks yield slightly better results, but our method still performs well with less training effort, is explainable along the whole prediction process and can be applied to existing prediction methods.
Hankel transform domain analysis of dual-frequency stacked circular-disk and annular-ring microstrip antennas

A theoretical and numerical analysis of the dual-frequency stacked circular-disk and annular-ring microstrip antennas is discussed. The problem is formulated in the Hankel transform domain. First, the Green's function is derived, relating the transformed electric surface currents on the patches and the transformed tangential electric field components on the substrates. Galerkin's method is used with Parseval's relation for Hankel transformation to solve for the resonant frequencies and the unknown currents. The far-zone radiation patterns are expressed in terms of the transforms of the currents. Numerical results obtained for the resonant frequencies and radiation patterns are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data available in the literature. >
Consumers’ Preferences for Ethical Entertainment Consumption: Conceptualization, Development, and Validation of a Scale

Abstract Our study describes the conceptualization, development, and validation of a reliable scale to measure the Consumers’ Preferences for Ethical Entertainment Consumption (CPEEC) in the context of OTT platforms. Past literature has addressed Ethical Consumption in various contexts that hold significant importance among consumers. However, there is limited literature on the Ethical Consumption in the domain of OTT entertainment, which is a new and burgeoning field of literature. Conceptualizing and developing a measurement scale for CPEEC will help measure the ethicality of entertainment like films, web shows and reality shows. The CPEEC scale is developed and validated by performing 33 in-depth interviews, focus group discussions with 20 participants, and three online surveys with 707 respondents. Our findings highlight that the CPEEC construct is a formative second-order construct that consists of three first-order dimensions. Entertainment executives can use the CPEEC scale to strategize their existing and new content catalogs according to consumer values and beliefs.
An Optical Disdrometer for the Measurement of Raindrop Size Spectra in Windy Conditions

Abstract An instrument for measuring the size and concentration of raindrops is described which has the ability to function equally well in calm conditions and strong winds. Raindrops are detected optically in a shadowgraph-type imaging system. A unique feature of the device is the sensing of drop size as drops enter and leave a cylindrical sample volume. Each drop produces two equally sized pulses, the heights of which are proportional to the drop's diameter and their separation yields the drop's transit time. The drop concentration can be derived from this data without assuming or measuring drop velocities. The instrument has a large sample volume, but a negligible loss of data resulting from two drops being sampled simultaneously. Drops above 300 μm can be detected, but beam divergence limits accurate sizing to drops larger than 400 μm. Laboratory calibration shows that drops greater than 1 mm in diameter may be sized to better than 5%. Comparison tests with a tipping bucket raingage reveal that time i.
On the gravitational collapse of decelerating shocked layers in OB associations

Determination du developpement temporel des perturbations infinitesimales dans des couches de choc isothermes et decelerees sans champs magnetiques. Le calcul considere tous les ecoulements transverses, incluant les sources d'erosion, et resout les structures de densite perturbees et non perturbees ainsi que les forces gravitationnelles a l'interieur de la couche comme fonction du temps. La couche est limitee d'un cote par un front de choc, et d'un autre cote par la pression thermique dans un cas, et par un front d'ionisation dans un autre cas
Uniqueness of travelling waves for nonlocal monostable equations

We consider a nonlocal analogue of the Fisher-KPP equation u t = J * u - u + f(u), x ∈ R, f(0) = f(1) = 0, f > 0 on (0,1), and its discrete counterpart u n = (J * u) n - u n + f(u n ), n E Z, and show that travelling wave solutions of these equations that are bounded between 0 and 1 are unique up to translation. Our proof requires finding exact a priori asymptotics of a travelling wave. This we accomplish with the help of Ikehara's Theorem (which is a Tauberian theorem for Laplace transforms).
TaSYP137 and TaVAMP723, the SNAREs Proteins from Wheat, Reduce Resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici

SNARE protein is an essential factor driving vesicle fusion in eukaryotes. Several SNAREs have been shown to play a crucial role in protecting against powdery mildew and other pathogens. In our previous study, we identified SNARE family members and analyzed their expression pattern in response to powdery mildew infection. Based on quantitative expression and RNA-seq results, we focused on TaSYP137/TaVAMP723 and hypothesized that they play an important role in the interaction between wheat and Blumeria graminis f. sp. Tritici (Bgt). In this study, we measured the expression patterns of TaSYP132/TaVAMP723 genes in wheat post-infection with Bgt and found that the expression pattern of TaSYP137/TaVAMP723 was opposite in resistant and susceptible wheat samples infected by Bgt. The overexpression of TaSYP137/TaVAMP723 disrupted wheat’s defense against Bgt infection, while silencing these genes enhanced its resistance to Bgt. Subcellular localization studies revealed that TaSYP137/TaVAMP723 are present in both the plasma membrane and nucleus. The interaction between TaSYP137 and TaVAMP723 was confirmed using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system. This study offers novel insights into the involvement of SNARE proteins in the resistance of wheat against Bgt, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the role of the SNARE family in the pathways related to plant disease resistance.
Teacher transfers and the disruption of Teacher Staffing in the City of Sao Paulo

This paper analyzes preferences for certain school attributes among in-service teachers. We explore a centralized matching process in the city of Sao Paulo that teachers must use when transferring schools. Because teachers have to list and rank their preferences for schools, we can estimate the desirability of school attributes using a rank-ordered logit model. We show that the schools distance from the teachers home, school average test scores, and teacher composition play a central role in teacher preferences. Furthermore, we show that preferences vary according to teacher characteristics, such as gender, race, age, and academic subject.
Efficient Analysis and Design of Finite Phased Arrays of Printed Dipoles Using Fast Algorithm: Some Case Studies

This paper presents an accurate and efficient method of moments (MoM) analysis for characterizing a large-scaled phased dipole array. In this method, the mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) is utilized and solved iteratively using the generalized conjugate residual method. The precorrected fast Fourier transform (pFFT) method is employed to accelerate the entire computational process so as to reduce significantly both the memory requirement and the computational time for designing large arrays. Numerical results of an example, which had to be solved using approximate approach due to the large number of elements, are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the present method.
Quantifying the LiDAR Sim-to-Real Domain Shift: A Detailed Investigation Using Object Detectors and Analyzing Point Clouds at Target-Level

LiDAR object detection algorithms based on neural networks for autonomous driving require large amounts of data for training, validation, and testing. As real-world data collection and labeling are time-consuming and expensive, simulation-based synthetic data generation is a viable alternative. However, using simulated data for the training of neural networks leads to a domain shift of training and testing data due to differences in scenes, scenarios, and distributions. In this work, we quantify the sim-to-real domain shift by means of LiDAR object detectors trained with a new scenario-identical real-world and simulated dataset. In addition, we answer the questions of how well the simulated data resembles the real-world data and how well object detectors trained on simulated data perform on real-world data. Further, we analyze point clouds at the target-level by comparing real-world and simulated point clouds within the 3D bounding boxes of the targets. Our experiments show that a significant sim-to-real domain shift exists even for our scenario-identical datasets. This domain shift amounts to an average precision reduction of around $14 \,\%$ for object detectors trained with simulated data. Additional experiments reveal that this domain shift can be lowered by introducing a simple noise model in simulation. We further show that a simple downsampling method to model real-world physics does not influence the performance of the object detectors.