Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-dose short synacthen test with salivary cortisol in patients with suspected central adrenal insufficiency

Context The low-dose short synacthen test (LDSST) is recommended for patients with suspected central adrenal insufficiency (AI) if their basal serum cortisol (F) levels are not indicative of an intact hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Objective To evaluate diagnostic threshold for salivary F before and 30 min after administering 1 μg of synacthen, performed before 09:30 h. Design A cross-sectional study from 2014 to 2020. Setting A tertiary referral university hospital. Patients In this study, 174 patients with suspected AI, 37 with central AI and 137 adrenal sufficient (AS), were included. Main outcome measure The diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP)) of serum and salivary F levels measured, respectively, by chemiluminescence immunoassay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results Low basal serum or salivary F levels could predict AI. For the LDSST, the best ROC-calculated threshold for serum F to differentiate AI from AS was 427 nmol/L (SE 79%, SP 89%), serum F > 500 nmol/L reached SP 100%. A salivary F peak > 12.1 nmol/L after administering synacthen reached SE 95% and SP 84% for diagnosing central AI, indicating a conclusive reduction in the likelihood of AI. This ROC-calculated threshold for salivary F was similar to the 2.5th percentile of patients with a normal HPA axis, so it was considered sufficient to exclude AI. Considering AS those patients with salivary F > 12.1 nmol/L after LDSST, we could avoid unnecessary glucocorticoid treatment: 99/150 subjects (66%) had an inadequate serum F peak after synacthen, but salivary F was >12.1 nmol/L in 79 cases, who could, therefore, be considered AS. Conclusions Salivary F levels > 12.1 nmol/L after synacthen administration can indicate an intact HPA axis in patients with an incomplete serum F response, avoiding the need to start glucocorticoid replacement treatment.
Impact of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a systematic review

Abstract Objective To outline the impact on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. Methods Five databases were searched for articles referring to the impact on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. The search was conducted for the period from November 2019 to April 2021. The search was conducted over one month (May 2021). Results Four studies that met the objective were included. Altogether, there were 1045 patients. Various questionnaires were used to assess quality of life. Overall, the quality of life deficit affected 67.7 per cent of patients. Quality of life domains investigated include overall quality of life (four studies), food and taste dysfunction (two studies), mental health (two studies), cognitive function (one study), functional outcome (one study) and safety domains (one study). Conclusion Quality of life deficit was reported to be 67.7 per cent among coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. The high prevalence of persistent olfactory dysfunction prompts more serious research, as the long-standing consequences of olfactory dysfunction are detrimental.
Palliative sedation in patients with advanced cancer in a specialized unit in a middle-income country: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective To describe the 5-year practice on palliative sedation in a specialized palliative care unit in a deprived region in Brazil, and to compare survival of patients with advanced cancer who were and were not sedated during their end-of-life care. Method Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary teaching hospital. We described the practice of palliative sedation and compared the survival time between patients who were and were not sedated in their last days of life. Results We included 906 patients who were admitted to the palliative care unit during the study period, of whom, 92 (10.2%) received palliative sedation. Patients who were sedated were younger, presented with higher rates of delirium, and reported more pain, suffering, and dyspnea than those who were not sedated. Median hospital survival of patients who received palliative sedation was 9.30 (CI 95%, 7.51–11.81) days and of patients who were not sedated was 8.2 (CI 95%, 7.3–9.0) days (P = 0.31). Adjusted for age and sex, palliative sedation was not significantly associated with hospital survival (hazard ratio = 0.93; CI 95%, 0.74–1.15). Significance of results Palliative sedation can be accomplished even in a deprived area. Delirium, dyspnea, and pain were more common in patients who were sedated. Median survival was not reduced in patients who were sedated.
Pipes or chimneys? For carbon cycling in small boreal lakes, precipitation matters most

Are small lakes passive pipes transporting terrigenous organic carbon (dissolved organic carbon [DOC]), or chimneys for CO2 release in the landscape? Using a unique combination of 30‐yr measurements, sediment dating and modeling of a small humic lake and its catchment in southeast Norway, we calculated lateral DOC fluxes and in‐lake retention. Concentrations and fluxes rose significantly, driven by declining sulfur deposition and increased precipitation. In‐lake retention (% of inputs) declined because of higher discharge and lower residence times. DOC removal rates were not sensitive to residence time. Modeled in‐lake DOC removal was driven primarily by microbial metabolism and, secondarily, by flocculation, suggesting that the likely fate of lake‐retained DOC is CO2 evasion to the atmosphere. Precipitation was the overriding landscape control on DOC fluxes and retention. In a wetter climate, small northern lakes will, on balance, function more as pipes than chimneys, with increasing lateral DOC fluxes but little change in CO2 production.
A climatology of polar stratospheric cloud composition between 2002 and 2012 based on MIPAS/Envisat observations

Abstract. The Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) instrument aboard the European Space Agency (ESA) Envisat satellite operated from July 2002 to April 2012. The infrared limb emission measurements provide a unique dataset of day and night observations of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) up to both poles. A recent classification method for PSC types in infrared (IR) limb spectra using spectral measurements in different atmospheric window regions has been applied to the complete mission period of MIPAS. The method uses a simple probabilistic classifier based on Bayes' theorem with a strong independence assumption on a combination of a well-established two-colour ratio method and multiple 2-D probability density functions of brightness temperature differences. The Bayesian classifier distinguishes between solid particles of ice, nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), and liquid droplets of supercooled ternary solution (STS), as well as mixed types. A climatology of MIPAS PSC occurrence and specific PSC classes has been compiled. Comparisons with results from the classification scheme of the spaceborne lidar Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) on the Cloud-Aerosol-Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite show excellent correspondence in the spatial and temporal evolution for the area of PSC coverage ( APSC) even for each PSC class. Probability density functions of the PSC temperature, retrieved for each class with respect to equilibrium temperature of ice and based on coincident temperatures from meteorological reanalyses, are in accordance with the microphysical knowledge of the formation processes with respect to temperature for all three PSC types. This paper represents unprecedented pole-covering day- and nighttime climatology of the PSC distributions and their composition of different particle types. The dataset allows analyses on the temporal and spatial development of the PSC formation process over multiple winters. At first view, a more general comparison of APSC and AICE retrieved from the observations and from the existence temperature for NAT and ice particles based on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis temperature data shows the high potential of the climatology for the validation and improvement of PSC schemes in chemical transport and chemistry–climate models.
Effect of Fenugreek Seed Extract on Some Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Atrazine Treated Male Rats

Atrazine (ATR) is one of the most commonly used herbicide. The present study designed to investigate the effect of boiled aqueous extract of 2.5% and 5% of fenugreek seeds in the diet with 150 mg ATR/kg body weight (B.W.), on B.W. , food intake, some haematological and lipid profile parameters, and histological sections of liver and kidney in male albino rats for 4 weeks . The animals were divided equally and randomly into four groups including ATR , ATR+2.5% fenugreek , ATR+5% fenugreek and control group. The animals B.W. in weeks 2 and 3 was decreased significantly in ATR group when compared to control , while it was decreased non significantly in all weeks of ATR+2.5% fenugreek and significantly in week 2 in ATR+5% fenugreek from ATR group. Food intake in ATR group was decreased in all weeks, while it was changed non significantly in ATR+2.5% and ATR+5% fenugreek from ATR group . Non-significant change occurred in haematological parameters of all experimental groups. Total cholesterol in ATR+2.5% fenugreek and in ATR+5% fenugreek were reduced non significantly from ATR group . Meanwhile, cholesterol was increased non significantly in ATR+2.5% fenugreek and significantly in ATR+5% fenugreek from control. Triglyceride TG and LDL in ATR group were increased non significantly from control. While in ATR+2.5% fenugreek and ATR+5% fenugreek they were reduced non significantly from ATR group. HDL was decreased non significantly from control. While in ATR + 2.5% fenugreek was increased significantly from ATR and non significantly from control . Whereas in ATR + 5% fenugreek was increased non significantly from ATR and control as well. Fenugreek decreased degeneration in liver and kidney sections, however the nuclei of some cells in ATR+5% fenugreek were recognized with dark color . In conclusion the present study suggested that fenugreek reduce ATR toxicity, and the aqueous extract of 2.5% of fenugreek is preferred on 5% against ATR.
PhD students’ conversations that lead to learning about teaching: the interplay of formal and informal learning

ABSTRACT Both formal and informal learning activities contribute to learning about teaching. Formal learning occurs during pedagogical courses and may change teachers’ approaches to teaching. Informal learning in the form of conversations can also foster learning about teaching. This qualitative study explored the significance of a formal pedagogical course on informal conversations that led to learning about teaching. Twenty-five Estonian doctoral students participated in the study. The results indicated that formal learning has significance on informal learning in shaping conversations that led to learning about teaching. Specifically, the themes understanding the significance of talking about teaching and sharing insights about teaching were central in PhD students’ conversations.
Conversations as a source of professional learning: exploring the dynamics of camaraderie and common ground amongst university teachers

ABSTRACT Talking about teaching with colleagues is one way that academics learn about university teaching. In contexts that offer inconsistent support for teaching, what influences conversations? This study investigated mid-career academics’ conversations at an Australian research-intensive university. Twenty-four academics were interviewed and the transcripts analysed using the constant comparative method. Conversations were influenced by common ground between colleagues – which is likely due to endeavouring to learn about teaching within contexts perceived as adverse. This article reports on an analysis of ‘context’ to identify the dynamic interaction between; lack of support for teaching; camaraderie, proximity, and similarity, and conversations.
Developing new faculty voice and agency through trustful, overlapping, faculty-faculty and student-faculty conversations

ABSTRACT Faculty-faculty conversations and student-faculty conversations typically unfold as separate forms of faculty learning. We present an approach to new faculty development through which faculty-faculty conversations in pedagogy seminars overlap with student-faculty conversations in pedagogical partnerships. Writing as three new faculty members and one academic developer in a bi-college consortium, we review scholarship on building trustful conversation in faculty development; present the overlapping forms of faculty-faculty and student-faculty conversation that constitute our approach; share how the three new faculty members developed voice and agency in their pedagogical practices; and note both challenges and other versions of this approach.
Effect of boundary conditions and domain size on the turbulent flow characteristics over a circular cylinder

ABSTRACT Numerical investigation of the effects of boundary conditions and computational domain size on simulations of a circular cylinder in three-dimensional (3-D) turbulent flow at has been conducted using a direct-forcing immersed boundary (DFIB) method. The turbulent flow scales were simulated using the Smagorinsky model. Two computational domain sizes and three different sets of boundary conditions were investigated. The results of all the cases were compared against published literature. The study proved the capability of the selected DFIB method for investigating fluid-structure interactions in turbulent flow. It also found that the increase in the size of the computational domain improved the accuracy of the results, especially in the far wake region. Interestingly, switching the lateral boundaries between periodic and symmetry conditions enabled the numerical simulation to approach the two different experimental results.
The impact of long-term non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 epidemic dynamics and control: the value and limitations of early models

Mathematical models of epidemics are important tools for predicting epidemic dynamics and evaluating interventions. Yet, because early models are built on limited information, it is unclear how long they will accurately capture epidemic dynamics. Using a stochastic SEIR model of COVID-19 fitted to reported deaths, we estimated transmission parameters at different time points during the first wave of the epidemic (March–June, 2020) in Santa Clara County, California. Although our estimated basic reproduction number (R0) remained stable from early April to late June (with an overall median of 3.76), our estimated effective reproduction number (RE) varied from 0.18 to 1.02 in April before stabilizing at 0.64 on 27 May. Between 22 April and 27 May, our model accurately predicted dynamics through June; however, the model did not predict rising summer cases after shelter-in-place orders were relaxed in June, which, in early July, was reflected in cases but not yet in deaths. While models are critical for informing intervention policy early in an epidemic, their performance will be limited as epidemic dynamics evolve. This paper is one of the first to evaluate the accuracy of an early epidemiological compartment model over time to understand the value and limitations of models during unfolding epidemics.
Copy number variation of a fatty acid desaturase gene Fads2 associated with ecological divergence in freshwater stickleback populations

Fitness of aquatic animals can be limited by the scarcity of nutrients such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA availability from diet varies among aquatic habitats, imposing different selective pressures on resident animals to optimize DHA acquisition and synthesis. For example, DHA is generally poor in freshwater ecosystems compared to marine ecosystems. Our previous work revealed that, relative to marine fishes, several freshwater fishes evolved higher copy numbers of the fatty acid desaturase2 (Fads2) gene, which encodes essential enzymes for DHA biosynthesis, likely compensating for the limited availability of DHA in freshwater. Here, we demonstrate that Fads2 copy number also varies between freshwater sticklebacks inhabiting lakes and streams with stream fish having higher Fads2 copy number. Additionally, populations with benthic-like morphology possessed higher Fads2 copy number than those with planktivore-like morphology. This may be because benthic-like fish mainly feed on DHA-deficient prey such as macroinvertebrates whereas planktivore-like fish forage more regularly on DHA-rich prey, like copepods. Our results suggest that Fads2 copy number variation arises from ecological divergence not only between organisms exploiting marine and freshwater habitats but also between freshwater organisms exploiting divergent resources.
Τhe role of surface energy in the apparent solubility of two different calcite crystal habits

The interplay between polymorphism and facet-specific surface energy on the dissolution of crystals is examined in this work. It is shown that, using cationic additives, it is possible to produce star-shaped calcite crystals at very high supersaturations. In crystallization processes following the Ostwald rule of stages these star-shaped crystals appear to have higher solubility than both their rhombohedral counterparts and needle-shaped aragonite crystals. The vapour pressures of vaterite, aragonite, star-shaped calcite and rhombohedral calcite crystals are measured using thermogravimetric analysis and the corresponding enthalpies of melting are obtained. Using inverse gas chromatography, the surface energy of the aforementioned crystals is measured as well and the surface energy of the main crystal facets is calculated. Combining the effect of facet-specific surface energies and the enthalpies of melting on a modified version of the classical solubility equation for regular solutions, it is proved that the star-shaped calcite crystals can indeed have higher apparent solubility than aragonitecrystals.
A new protocetid whale offers clues to biogeography and feeding ecology in early cetacean evolution

Over about 10 million years, the ancestors of whales transformed from herbivorous, deer-like, terrestrial mammals into carnivorous and fully aquatic cetaceans. Protocetids are Eocene whales that represent a unique semiaquatic stage in that dramatic evolutionary transformation. Here, we report on a new medium-sized protocetid, Phiomicetus anubis gen. et sp. nov., consisting of a partial skeleton from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of the Fayum Depression in Egypt. The new species differs from other protocetids in having large, elongated temporal fossae, anteriorly placed pterygoids, elongated parietals, an unfused mandibular symphysis that terminates at the level of P3, and a relatively enlarged I3. Unique features of the skull and mandible suggest a capacity for more efficient oral mechanical processing than the typical protocetid condition, thereby allowing for a strong raptorial feeding style. Phylogenetic analysis nests Phiomicetus within the paraphyletic Protocetidae, as the most basal protocetid known from Africa. Recovery of Phiomicetus from the same bed that yielded the remingtonocetid Rayanistes afer provides the first clear evidence for the co-occurrence of the basal cetacean families Remingtonocetidae and Protocetidae in Africa. The discovery of Phiomicetus further augments our understanding of the biogeography and feeding ecology of early whales.
Cytokine storms and pyroptosis are primarily responsible for the rapid death of mice infected with pseudorabies virus

Pseudorabies virus (PRV), the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease, is one of the most harmful pathogens to the pig industry. PRV can infect and kill a variety of mammals. Nevertheless, the underlying pathogenesis related to PRV is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the pathogenesis induced by PRV in a mouse model. The mice infected with the PRV-HLJ strain developed severe clinical manifestations at 36 h post-infection (hpi), and mortality occurred within 48–72 hpi. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and qRT-PCR methods were used to detect the pathological damage and expression of cytokines related to an immune reaction in brain tissue, respectively. The cytokine storms caused by IFN-α, IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18 were related to the histopathological changes induced by PRV. This pattern of cytokine secretion depicts an image of typical cytokine storms, characterized by dysregulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and imbalanced pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. In addition, the pyroptosis pathway was also activated by PRV by elevating the expression levels of nod-like receptor protein 3, Caspase-1, Gasdermin-D and interleukin-1β/18. These findings provide a way for further understanding the molecular basis in PRV pathogenesis.
A data driven agent-based model that recommends non-pharmaceutical interventions to suppress Coronavirus disease 2019 resurgence in megacities

Before herd immunity against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is achieved by mass vaccination, science-based guidelines for non-pharmaceutical interventions are urgently needed to reopen megacities. This study integrated massive mobile phone tracking records, census data and building characteristics into a spatially explicit agent-based model to simulate COVID-19 spread among 11.2 million individuals living in Shenzhen City, China. After validation by local epidemiological observations, the model was used to assess the probability of COVID-19 resurgence if sporadic cases occurred in a fully reopened city. Combined scenarios of three critical non-pharmaceutical interventions (contact tracing, mask wearing and prompt testing) were assessed at various levels of public compliance. Our results show a greater than 50% chance of disease resurgence if the city reopened without contact tracing. However, tracing household contacts, in combination with mandatory mask use and prompt testing, could suppress the probability of resurgence under 5% within four weeks. If household contact tracing could be expanded to work/class group members, the COVID resurgence could be avoided if 80% of the population wear facemasks and 40% comply with prompt testing. Our assessment, including modelling for different scenarios, helps public health practitioners tailor interventions within Shenzhen City and other world megacities under a variety of suppression timelines, risk tolerance, healthcare capacity and public compliance.