Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary supplements for aggressive behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: A randomised controlled crossover trial

Abstract Background Aggressive incidents are common in people with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether supplementation of multivitamins, minerals, and omega‐3 fatty acids (FA) reduces aggressive incidents. Methods We conducted a randomised, triple blind, placebo controlled, single crossover intervention trial. People with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, between 12 and 40 years of age, and showing aggressive behaviour were included. Participants received either a daily dose of dietary supplements, or placebo. Primary outcome was the number of aggressive incidents, measured using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Results there were 113 participants (placebo, n = 56), of whom 24 (placebo, n = 10) participated in the crossover phase of the trial. All 137 trajectories were included in the analyses. There was no significant difference in mean number of aggressive incidents per day between those assigned to supplements and those who received placebo (rate ratio = 0.93: 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.59–1.45). Conclusion In this pragmatic trial, we did not find significant differences in the outcomes between the supplement and placebo arms. The COVID‐19 pandemic started midway through our trial, this may have affected the results.
16 yr OF RXTE MONITORING OF FIVE ANOMALOUS X-RAY PULSARS

We present a summary of the long-term evolution of various properties of the five non-transient anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) 1E 1841−045, RXS J170849.0−400910, 1E 2259+586, 4U 0142+61, and 1E 1048.1−5937, regularly monitored with RXTE from 1996 to 2012. We focus on three properties of these sources: the evolution of the timing, pulsed flux, and pulse profile. We report several new timing anomalies and radiative events, including a putative anti-glitch seen in 1E 2259+586 in 2009, and a second epoch of very large spin-down rate fluctuations in 1E 1048.1−5937 following a large flux outburst. We compile the properties of the 11 glitches and 4 glitch candidates observed from these 5 AXPs between 1996 and 2012. Overall, these monitoring observations reveal several apparent patterns in the behavior of this sample of AXPs: large radiative changes in AXPs (including long-lived flux enhancements, short bursts, and pulse profile changes) are rare, occurring typically only every few years per source; large radiative changes are almost always accompanied by some form of timing anomaly, usually a spin-up glitch; only 20%–30% of timing anomalies are accompanied by any form of radiative change. We find that AXP radiative behavior at the times of radiatively loud glitches is sufficiently similar to suggest common physical origins. The similarity in glitch properties when comparing radiatively loud and radiatively silent glitches in AXPs suggests a common physical origin in the stellar interior. Finally, the overall similarity of AXP and radio pulsar glitches suggests a common physical origin for both phenomena.
Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022

Background The increased prevalence of visual impairment among diabetic patients has become a major public health problem. However, there was limited information on the extent of visual impairment among diabetic patients in our country, and there was no study in the study area. Providing updated data regarding this area is critical for the prevention of visual impairment among diabetic patients. Purpose The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic patients from May 30 to July 15, 2022, at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 398 study participants. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview, a medical chart review, and an ocular examination. A binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential risk factors for visual impairment and their strength of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result In this study, a total of 391 participants were involved, with a response rate of 98.2%. The prevalence of visual impairment was 28.6% (95% CI: 24.6–33.0). Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.72, 10.71), poor physical exercise (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.62, 6.53), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 2.26, 8.34), history of eye examination (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.76), duration of diabetes ≥ 9 years (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: 2.11, 10.83) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.21, 7.50) were positively associated with visual impairment. Conclusion The study found a high prevalence of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients. Older age, longer duration of diabetes, poor physical exercise, poor glycemic control, history of eye examination, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with visual impairment. Thus, regular physical activity, good control of glucose levels, and regular eye exams were recommended for all diabetic patients.
1000 spider silkomes: Linking sequences to silk physical properties

Spider silks are among the toughest known materials and thus provide models for renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymers. However, the entirety of their diversity still remains elusive, and silks that exceed the performance limits of industrial fibers are constantly being found. We obtained transcriptome assemblies from 1098 species of spiders to comprehensively catalog silk gene sequences and measured the mechanical, thermal, structural, and hydration properties of the dragline silks of 446 species. The combination of these silk protein genotype-phenotype data revealed essential contributions of multicomponent structures with major ampullate spidroin 1 to 3 paralogs in high-performance dragline silks and numerous amino acid motifs contributing to each of the measured properties. We hope that our global sampling, comprehensive testing, integrated analysis, and open data will provide a solid starting point for future biomaterial designs.
Measuring the mass accretion rates of Herbig Ae/Be stars with X‐shooter

We present the results of our observations of eight magnetic Herbig Ae/Be stars obtained with the X-shooter spectrograph mounted on UT2 at the VLT. X-shooter provides a simultaneous, medium-resolution and high-sensitivity spectrum over the entire wavelength range from 300 to 2500 nm. We estimate the mass accretion rates (Ṁacc) of the targets from 13 different spectral diagnostics using empiric calibrations derived previously for T Tauri-type stars and brown dwarfs. We have estimated the mass accretion rates of our targets, which range from 2 × 10–9 to 2 × 10–7 M⊙ yr–1. Furthermore, we have found accretion rate variability with amplitudes of 0.10–0.40 dex taking place on time scales from one day to tens of days. Additional future night-to-night observations need to be carried out to investigate the character of Ṁacc variability in details. Our study shows that the majority of the calibration relations can be applied to Herbig Ae/Be stars, but several of them need to be re-calibrated on the basis of new spectral data for a larger number of Herbig Ae/Be stars (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coronary bioresorbable stents: Non-invasive quantitative evaluation of intra- and juxta-stent plaque composition—A computed tomography longitudinal study

Purpose Coronary bioresorbable stents (BRS) do not produce blooming artifacts on computed tomography (CT), in contrast to metallic stents, as they are made of a bioresorbable polymer and are radiolucent. They allow to evaluate the coronary plaque beneath. The low-attenuation plaque (LAP) suggests plaque vulnerability and is CT assessable. The aim of our study was to show the possibility of a non-invasive CT evaluation of the volume and the LAP composition of the intra- and juxta-stent plaque. Methodology In our prospective longitudinal study, we recruited 27 consecutive patients (35 BRS stents total; mean age 60 +/- 9 years) with bioresorbable stents for a 256-slice ECG-synchronized CT evaluation at 1- and 12-months post stent implantation. Total plaque volume (mm3), absolute and relative (%) LAP volume per block in the pre- intra- and post-stent zones were analyzed; comparison 1- and 12-months post-implantation of BRS. Changes in the previously mentioned variables were assessed by the mixed effects models with and without spline, which also accounted for the correlation between repeated measurements. Results Our block or spline model analysis has shown no significant difference in plaque or absolute LAP volumes in pre- intra- and post-stent zones between 1 and 12 months. Interestingly, % LAP volume increases near-significantly in the distal block of the intrastent at 12-mo follow-up (from 23.38 ± 1.80% to 26.90 ± 2.22% (increase of 15%), p = 0.052). Conclusion Our study demonstrates the feasibility of the repeated non-invasive quantitative analysis of the intrastent coronary plaque and of the in-stent lumen by CT scan.
Computational prediction of blend time in a large‐scale viral inactivation process for monoclonal antibodies biomanufacturing

Viral inactivation (VI) is a process widely used across the pharmaceutical industry to eliminate the cytotoxicity resulting from trace levels of viruses introduced by adventitious agents. This process requires adding Triton X‐100, a non‐ionic detergent solution, to the protein solution and allowing sufficient time for this agent to inactivate the viruses. Differences in process parameters associated with vessel designs, aeration rate, and many other physical attributes can introduce variability in the process, thus making predicting the required blending time to achieve the desired homogeneity of Triton X‐100 more critical and complex. In this study we utilized a CFD model based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to predict the blend time to homogenize a Triton X‐100 solution added during a typical full‐scale commercial VI process in a vessel equipped with an HE‐3‐impeller for different modalities of the Triton X‐100 addition (batch vs. continuous). Although direct experimental progress of the blending process was not possible because of GMP restrictions, the degree of homogeneity measured at the end of the process confirmed that Triton X‐100 was appropriately dispersed, as required, and as computationally predicted here. The results obtained in this study were used to support actual production at the biomanufacturing site.
Quantum walks and discrete gauge theories

A particular example is produced to prove that quantum walks can be used to simulate full-fledged discrete gauge theories. A new family of $2D$ walks is introduced and its continuous limit is shown to coincide with the dynamics of a Dirac fermion coupled to arbitrary electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic interpretation is extended beyond the continuous limit by proving that these DTQWs exhibit an exact discrete local $U(1)$ gauge invariance and possess a discrete gauge-invariant conserved current. A discrete gauge-invariant electromagnetic field is also constructed and that field is coupled to the conserved current by a discrete generalization of Maxwell equations. The dynamics of the DTQWs under crossed electric and magnetic fields is finally explored outside the continuous limit by numerical simulations. Bloch oscillations and the so-called ${\bf E} \times {\bf B}$ drift are recovered in the weak-field limit. Localization is observed for some values of the gauge fields.
Adaptive signal processing in non-Gaussian noise backgrounds

This paper discusses the problem of adaptive radar target detection in non-Gaussian noise backgrounds which can be modeled as a spherically invariant random process (SIRP). The estimated covariance matrix is used in an adaptive processing method for signal detection. It is shown that the resulting processor is equivalent to a generalized estimator correlator. Performance analysis is presented in terms of probability of detection versus signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) for the case of a K-distributed SIRP. A performance comparison of our technique with that of the adaptive matched filter (AMF) of Robey et al (1992) is presented. The method developed in this paper affords considerable performance improvement in non-Gaussian noise backgrounds.
Grassmannian of $k((z))$: Picard Group, Equations and Automorphisms

Abstract. This paper aims at generalizing some geometric prop-erties of Grassmannians of ﬁnite dimensional vector spaces to thecase of Grassmannnians of inﬁnite dimensional ones, in particularfor Gr(k((z))). It is shown that the Determinant Line Bundle gen-erates its Picard Group and that the Plu¨cker equations deﬁne it asclosed subscheme of a inﬁnite projective space. Finally, a charac-terization of ﬁnite dimensional projective spaces in Grassmanniansallows us to oﬀer an approach to the study of the automorphismgroup. Contents1. Introduction 12. Backgrounds on Grassmannians 23. Picard Group of Gr(V) 94. Plu¨cker equations 105. Automorphisms of Grassmannians 15References 231. IntroductionInﬁnite Grassmannians have recently emerged as a powerful toolto study certain moduli spaces as well as being fundamental objectsin some algebraic approaches to Conformal Field Theories and StringTheory. It seems reasonable that a better understanding of such spacescould throw some light on all these problems and the pursuit of thismotivates the present work.Before explaining how the paper is organized, we wish to remark thatthe method followed to reach the above-mentioned results is essentially
Deletion of sphingosine kinase 2 attenuates cigarette smoke-mediated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like symptoms by reducing lung inflammation

Cigarette smoke (CS) is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by chronic bronchial inflammation and emphysema. Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is critically involved in the pathogenesis of CS-mediated COPD. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that supressed CFTR expression is strongly associated with abnormal phospholipid metabolism and increased pulmonary inflammation. In a CS-exposed mouse model with COPD-like symptoms, we found that pulmonary expression of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) secretion were significantly upregulated. Therefore, we constructed a SphK2 gene knockout (SphK2−/−) mouse. After CS exposure for six months, histological lung section staining showed disorganized alveolar structure, increased pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema-like symptoms in wild-type (WT) mice, which were less pronounced in SphK2−/− mice. Further, SphK2 deficiency also decreased CS-induced pulmonary inflammation, which was reflected by a remarkable reduction in pulmonary infiltration of CD45+CD11b+ neutrophils subpopulation and low levels of IL-6 and IL-33 in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. However, treatment with S1P receptor agonist suppressed CFTR expression and increased Nf-κB-p65 expression and its nuclear translocation in CS-exposed SphK2−/− mice, which also aggravated small airways fibrosis and pulmonary inflammation. In contrast, inhibition of S1P signaling with the S1P receptor analogue FTY720 rescued CFTR expression, suppressed Nf-κB-p65 expression and nuclear translocation, and alleviated pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation after CS exposure. Our results demonstrate that SphK2-mediated S1P production plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CS-induced COPD-like disease by impairing CFTR activity and promoting pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.
Pathways of bond topology transitions at the interface of silicon nanocrystals and amorphous silica matrix

The interface chemistry of silicon nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in amorphous oxide matrix is studied through molecular dynamics simulations with the chemical environment described by the reactive force field model. Our results indicate that the Si NC-oxide interface is more involved than the previously proposed schemes which were based on solely simple bridge or double bonds. We identify different types of three-coordinated oxygen complexes, previously not noted. The abundance and the charge distribution of each oxygen complex is determined as a function of the NC size as well as the transitions among them. The oxidation at the surface of NC induces tensile strain to Si-Si bonds which become significant only around the interface, while the inner core remains unstrained. Unlike many earlier reports on the interface structure, we do not observe any double bonds. Furthermore, our simulations and analysis reveal that the interface bond topology evolves among different oxygen bridges through these three-coordinated oxygen complexes.
An optimal growth pattern during pregnancy and early childhood associates with better fertility in men

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between birth weight (BW), childhood and adolescent BMI, with reproductive capacity in men. Design A prospective, population-based cohort study (Northern Finland birth cohort 1966). Methods Around 6196 men born in 1966 were followed from birth to age 50 years. Weight and height were measured repeatedly by professionals. Reproductive capacity (infertility assessment, male factor infertility and infertility treatment by age 46 years) was evaluated by questionnaires at ages 31 and 46 years. The number of children by the age of 50 years was recovered from registers. After excluding the men who reported never having attempted to have children or not answering the question at age 31 or 46 years (n = 2041), 4128 men were included in the final study population. Results were adjusted for BW, BW for gestational age (GA), mother’s smoking status, marital status, educational level and smoking status. Results Being small for GA (10.5% vs 8.2%, P = 0.012) or having a lower BW (3495 g vs 3548 g, P = 0.003) were associated with childlessness. The association was however no longer significant after adjusting for marital status. Being underweight in early childhood was associated with an increased risk of infertility assessment (adjusted, aOR: 2.04(1.07–3.81)) and childlessness (aOR: 1.47(1.01–2.17)) compared to the normal weight group. Conversely, overweight or obesity in early childhood was associated with a decreased risk of infertility assessment (aOR: 0.60 (0.41–0.87)), treatment (aOR: 0.42 (0.25–0.70)) and male factor infertility (aOR: 0.45 (0.21–0.97)). BMI in mid-childhood or puberty had no association with infertility or childlessness. Conclusion In boys, an optimal growth trajectory during pregnancy and early childhood seems to be very important for life-long fertility.
Preoperative β-Blocker Therapy and Stroke or Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Major Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Perioperative β-blocker therapy has been associated with increased risk of stroke. However, the association between β-blocker initiation before the day of surgery and the risk of stroke is unknown. The authors hypothesized there would be no association between preoperative β-blocker initiation within 60 days of surgery or chronic β-blockade (more than 60 days) and the risk of stroke in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods: Data on elective major abdominal surgery were obtained from the IBM (USA) Truven Health MarketScan 2005 to 2015 Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases. Patients were stratified by β-blocker dispensing exposure: (1) β-blocker–naïve, (2) preoperative β-blocker initiation within 60 days of surgery, and (3) chronic β-blocker dispensing (more than 60 days). The authors compared in-hospital stroke and major adverse cardiac events between the different β-blocker therapy exposures. Results: There were 204,981 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery. β-Blocker exposure was as follows: perioperative initiation within 60 days of surgery for 4,026 (2.0%) patients, chronic β-blocker therapy for 45,424 (22.2%) patients, and β-blocker–naïve for 155,531 (75.9%) patients. The unadjusted frequency of stroke for patients with β-blocker initiation (0.4%, 17 of 4,026) and chronic β-blocker therapy (0.4%, 171 of 45,424) was greater than in β-blocker–naïve patients (0.2%, 235 of 155,531; P < 0.001). After propensity score weighting, patients initiated on a β-blocker within 60 days of surgery (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.31 to 2.04; P = 0.757) or on chronic β-blocker therapy (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.15; P = 0.901) demonstrated similar stroke risk compared to β-blocker–naïve patients. Patients on chronic β-blocker therapy demonstrated lower adjusted risk of major adverse cardiac events compared to β-blocker–naïve patients (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.91; P = 0.007), despite higher unadjusted absolute event rate (2.6% [1,173 of 45,424] vs. 0.6% [872 of 155,531]). Conclusions: Among patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, the authors observed no association between preoperative β-blocker initiation within 60 days of surgery or chronic β-blocker therapy and stroke. Using national administrative claims data for adults undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, patients initiating β-blocker therapy within 60 days before surgery were compared to patients on chronic β-blocker therapy and β-blocker–naïve patients. Postoperative stroke was rare: 0.4% (17 of 4,026) of patients initiating a β-blocker, 0.4% (171 of 45,424) on chronic β-blockers, and 0.2% (235 of 155,531) of β-blocker–naïve patients. After propensity score weighting, patients initiated on a β-blocker (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.31 to 2.04) or on chronic β-blocker therapy (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.15) demonstrated stroke risk similar to β-blocker–naïve patients.
VELOCITY STRUCTURE AND VARIABILITY OF [O iii] EMISSION IN BLACK HOLE HOST GLOBULAR CLUSTER RZ2109

We present a multi-facility study of the optical spectrum of the extragalactic globular cluster RZ2109, which hosts a bright black hole X-ray source. The optical spectrum of RZ2109 shows strong and very broad [O iii] λλ4959, 5007 emission in addition to the stellar absorption lines typical of a globular cluster. We use observations over an extended period of time to constrain the variability of these [O iii] emission lines. We find that the equivalent width of the lines is similar in all of the data sets; the change in L[O iii] λ5007 is ≲10% between the first and last observations, which were separated by 467 days. The velocity profile of the line also shows no significant variability over this interval. Using a simple geometric model, we demonstrate that the observed [O iii] λ5007 line velocity structure can be described by a two-component model with most of the flux contributed by a bipolar conical outflow of about 1600 km s−1, and the remainder from a Gaussian component with an FWHM of several hundred km s−1.