Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Thrombomodulin Levels and Ischemic Stroke

Background and Objectives Thrombomodulin has been suggested to be implicated in ischemic stroke because of its anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. We aimed to investigate the associations of plasma thrombomodulin levels with clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke in a multicenter prognostic cohort study. Methods Our multicenter prognostic cohort study included 3,532 Chinese ischemic stroke patients from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke. All patients were followed up at 3 months after ischemic stroke onset. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≥3) at 3 months after ischemic stroke. Secondary outcomes included major disability (mRS score 3–5), vascular events, and the ordered 7-level categorical score of the mRS. Results During 3 months of follow-up, 867 participants experienced the primary outcome. After multivariate adjustment, the adjusted odds ratios or hazard ratios associated with the highest quartile of plasma thrombomodulin were 0.75 (95% CI 0.59–0.97; ptrend = 0.029) for the primary outcome, 0.73 (95% CI 0.56–0.94; ptrend = 0.028) for major disability, and 0.80 (95% CI 0.42–1.51; ptrend = 0.232) for vascular events. In addition, a significantly better shift in the distribution of the mRS score was observed with higher thrombomodulin quartiles (ptrend = 0.005). A multivariable-adjusted spline regression model showed a linear relationship between plasma thrombomodulin and the risk of primary outcome (p for linearity = 0.027). Subgroup analyses further confirmed these associations. Discussion Increased plasma thrombomodulin levels at baseline were associated with decreased risks of adverse clinical outcomes at 3 months after ischemic stroke, suggesting a protective role of thrombomodulin in the development of ischemic stroke. Further studies from various populations are needed to replicate our findings.
Mechanical properties and metallurgical features of two similar endodontic rotary instruments with different heat treatments (FireWire™ and Gold)

The aim of this study was to explain the mechanical differences between EdgeTaper Platinum (ETP) and ProTaper Gold (PTG) determining the transition temperatures and the composition of the alloy of ETP, since no data are present in literature. A total of 130 instruments were selected: 65 ETP F2 and 65 PTG F2. 20 instruments per type were submitted to each mechanical tests. The cyclic fatigue and torsional tests were performed at a pre-set temperature of 35 °C ± 1 °C. During the cyclic fatigue test, Time to fracture, number of cycles to fracture (NCF) and the fragment length (FL) were recorded. During the static torsional, Torque to Fracture (TtF) and FL were recorded. The fracture surface of 5 randomly selected fragments from each test was examined through a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and an EDX analysis was performed. 20 instruments per type were submitted to a bending test The force generated (grams) to bend each was recorded. Recorded data of mechanical and metallurgical tests were statistically analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test with significance set to a 95% confidence level. ETP F2 showed a higher cyclic fatigue resistance and bending ability than PTG F2, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). PTG showed a higher torsional resistance with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). DSC analysis of 5 samples for each instrument type pointed out that the austenite finish temperature of PTG was higher than the ETP, respectively of 49.99 ± 3.31 (°C) and 38.92 ± 1.75 (°C). EDX analysis confirmed the near-equiatomic composition of the Ni-Ti alloys, with a presence of a third component recognized as rubidium in the ETP samples. ETP showed higher flexibility in comparison with PTG, despite the latter is characterized by a more martensitic characterization. since its Af temperature is higher than the ETP.
Prevalence of sarcopenia and mortality rate in older adults with hip fracture

Several international study groups adopted appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) index adjusted by (1) height squared, (2) weight, and (3) body mass index (BMI) in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. However, different prevalence rates of sarcopenia by each index and clinical implications were not well known. The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in (1) the percentage of sarcopenia in hip fracture patients and (2) the relative mortality rate according to the sarcopenia criteria of three ASM indices.
A method to predict overall food preferences

Most natural ecosystems contain animals feeding on many different types of food, but it is difficult to predict what will be eaten when food availabilities change. We present a method that estimates food preference over many study sites, even when number of food types vary widely from site to site. Sampling variation is estimated using bootstrapping. We test the precision and accuracy of this method using computer simulations that show the effects of overall number of food types, number of sites, and proportion of missing prey items per site. Accuracy is greater with fewer missing prey types, more prey types and more sites, and is affected by the number of sites more than the number of prey types. We present a case study using lion (Panthera leo) feeding data and show that preference vs prey size follows a bell-curve. Using just two estimated parameters, this curve can be used as a general way to describe predator feeding patterns. Our method can be used to: test hypotheses about what factors affect prey selection, predict preferences in new sites, and estimate overall prey consumed in new sites.
Cutaneous reactive B‐cell lymphoid proliferations

Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (CLH), also known as cutaneous pseudolymphoma, is a spectrum of benign conditions characterized by reactive B‐ and T‐cell cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrates. B‐cell lymphoid proliferations are a heterogenous group of non‐neoplastic cutaneous diseases that must be histopathologically distinguished from cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas. These proliferations can be observed as reactive phenomena to infections, medications, allergens, neoplasms, and more. Furthermore, there are many inflammatory conditions that present with reactive B‐cell infiltrates, including actinic prurigo, Zoon balanitis, Rosai‐Dorfman disease, and cutaneous plasmacytosis. This review summarizes multiple cutaneous B‐cell lymphoid proliferations within the major categories of reactive and disease‐associated CLH. Further we discuss major discriminating features of atypical CLH and malignancy. Understanding the specific patterns of B‐cell CLH is essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting with such lesions.
Effect of Covering of Macrophytes, Detention Time on Improving Water Quality

In this work three experimental tanks are made serially (Sequentially), primarily treated sewage is collected and poured in first tank containing aquatic macrophyte pistia, secondly the water treated in pistia is passed through duckweed tank and finally the water from duckweed tank is passed through hyacinth tank. In this experiment macrophytes are introduced to system in two methods namely partly covered and surface covered, in (partly covered) only part of the surface will be covered by macrophytes and in (surface covered) macrophytes will cover entire surface of the water. Retaining of water in tank is also adopted in two methodologies, in first method, water is allowed for one day (one day detention time) in each tank and in second method water is allowed for two days (Two day detention time) in each tank. Water quality parameters such as pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen demand (COD) and Fecal coliform (FC) are checked regularly in each tank. From the obtained results, it i s o bserved that tw o day detention time with fully surface covered macrophytes is very effective, another advantage in this experiment is the sediments from one tank is not allowed to pass to other this helps to treat sewage faster than conventional methods of storing sewage in same tank.
Brain Injury in Fetuses with Vein of Galen Malformation and Nongalenic Arteriovenous Fistulas: Static Snapshot or a Portent of More?

Brain injury in fetuses with vein of Galen malformation and nongalenic AVFs shows a combination of structural abnormalities, restricted diffusion, and blooming on T2* images. Injury appears to portend a poor prognosis, with relentless progression and a likely association with adverse neonatal outcomes. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain injury in fetuses with vein of Galen malformations and nongalenic AVFs is a rare complication whose appearance, course, and prognosis are poorly studied. We sought to characterize the MR imaging features and examine associations with postnatal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of fetal MRIs of subjects with vein of Galen malformation and nongalenic arteriovenous fistulas. Two pediatric neuroradiologists independently reviewed examinations to determine the presence of abnormalities on structural imaging (T1 volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination and T2-HASTE), DWI, and T2*-weighted images; discrepancies were adjudicated by a third reviewer. Radiologic progression of injury was determined by additional fetal or neonatal MRIs. A simple composite score evaluating poor neonatal clinical outcome as either intubation or death by postnatal day 2 was also queried. A body fetal imager evaluated the presence of systemic findings of right heart strain. RESULTS: Forty-nine fetal MR imaging examinations corresponding to 31 subjects (27 vein of Galen malformations and 4 nongalenic AVF cases) were analyzed. Injury was observed in 8 subjects (26%) with 14 fetal examinations; the mean gestational age at identification of injury was 32.2 (SD 4.9) weeks. Structural abnormalities were present in all subjects with injury; restricted diffusion, in 5/7 subjects with available data; and T2* abnormalities, in all subjects with available data (n = 7). Radiologic progression was documented in all cases with follow-up imaging (n = 7). All subjects with fetal brain injury had a poor neonatal clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Brain injury in fetuses with vein of Galen malformation and nongalenic AVFs shows a combination of structural abnormalities, restricted diffusion, and blooming on T2* images. Injury appears to portend a poor prognosis, with relentless progression and a likely association with adverse neonatal outcomes.
Impact of the Moderating Effect of National Culture on Adoption Intention in Wearable Health Care Devices: Meta-analysis

Background Wearable health care devices have not yet been commercialized on a large scale. Additionally, people in different countries have different utilization rates. Therefore, more in-depth studies on the moderating effect of national culture on adoption intention in wearable health care devices are necessary. Objective This study aims to explore the summary results of the relationships between perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use with adoption intention in wearable health care devices and the impact of the moderating effect of national culture on these two relationships. Methods We searched for studies published before September 2021 in the Web of Science, EBSCO, Engineering Village, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, IEEE Xplore, and Wiley Online Library databases. CMA (version 2.0, Biostat Inc) software was used to perform the meta-analysis. We conducted publication bias and heterogeneity tests on the data. The random-effects model was used to estimate the main effect size, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted. A meta-regression analysis was used to test the moderating effect of national culture. Results This meta-analysis included 20 publications with a total of 6128 participants. Perceived usefulness (r=0.612, P<.001) and perceived ease of use (r=0.462, P<.001) positively affect adoption intention. The relationship between perceived usefulness and adoption intention is positively moderated by individualism/collectivism (β=.003, P<.001), masculinity/femininity (β=.008, P<.001) and indulgence/restraint (β=.005, P<.001), and negatively moderated by uncertainty avoidance (β=-.005, P<.001). The relationship between perceived ease of use and adoption intention is positively moderated by individualism/collectivism (β=.003, P<.001), masculinity/femininity (β=.006, P<.001) and indulgence/restraint (β=.009, P<.001), and negatively moderated by uncertainty avoidance (β=-.004, P<.001). Conclusions This meta-analysis provided comprehensive evidence on the positive relationship between perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use with adoption intention and the moderating effect of national culture on these two relationships. Regarding the moderating effect, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have a greater impact on adoption intention for people in individualistic, masculine, low uncertainty avoidance, and indulgence cultures, respectively.
Grooming of fouling-release coatings to control marine fouling and determining how grooming affects the surface

Abstract Grooming may be an effective technique to control marine biofouling without damaging the coating or discharging active ingredients into the environment. This study assessed the grooming performance of three experimental biocide-free siloxane polyurethane (SiPU) fouling-release coatings. Coatings were statically immersed in Port Canaveral, Florida, and groomed every two weeks for five months using three different brush types. The ungroomed panels became heavily fouled with biofilm, tubeworms, barnacles, and bryozoans. Two of the brushes were able to control the fouling with a coverage of <5%. The commercial silicone elastomer coating was damaged from grooming procedures, while the SiPU coatings were not. Laboratory biological assays were carried out and mirrored the grooming results. Through surface characterization techniques, it was concluded that the coatings were unaffected by the grooming procedures. This study shows that marine fouling on durable SiPU fouling-release coatings can be controlled via grooming without damage or changing the surface properties.
Social Work and the Next Frontier of Racial Justice: Using COVID-19 as a Vehicle for Healing

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has put the United States and the world into a state of uncertainty. Before the onset of the coronavirus, awareness of health disparities across cities in the United States was questionable at best. As the world continues to grapple with the fallout of the pandemic and the response to it, several states and developed and developing countries created and implemented response efforts that were used as a guide, which social workers are most qualified to address but have not been a focus on a national nor international stage. This commentary focuses on two American states – Texas and Ohio as well as other global countries, and their responses that gained worldwide attention related to healthcare accessibility, service provision, and the role social workers should play moving forward and beyond the pandemic.
On the Comparison Between the Approximate And Precise Methods of Piled Raft Foundation Analysis

Use of raft foundation to support heavy and tall building may provide the overall safety factor against design loads but the average and differential settlement could exceed the allowable value. On the other hand, utilizing pile group may be an expensive option. In this situation, use of composite pile group and raft foundation that called " Piled Raft Foundation " seems a suitable choice. This foundation is a composite geotechnical system of three bearing components: raft, pile group and soil. The applied load on the raft is transferred to the underlying soil by the contribution of raft and piles. Therefore, considering the interaction effect between the components is essential. It causes some complexities in predicting the behavior of piled rafts. Thus, on this basis, so many different methods were developed. In this study, a comparison between these different methods including approximate and precise methods are presented. Based on the results, a three-dimensional finite element analysis gives perfectly satisfactory results in the prediction of bearing and settlement behavior of piled rafts.
Broad‐spectrum cytotoxicity to cancer cells of Brevilaterin C from Brevibacillus laterosporus and its specific mechanism on human epidermal cancer cells

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) from Brevibacillus laterosporus have good prospects as clinical treatments for cancer. Nevertheless, details about their anticancer spectrum and mode of cytotoxicity remain poorly understood. A newly found AMP (named Brevilaterin C) secreted by B. laterosporus S62‐9 exhibited strong inhibition on almost cancer cell lines examined at a concentration of 8 µg/ml but was relatively safe for normal cells. We further systematically examined its cytotoxicity and mechanism toward human epidermal cancer cell A431. A dosage of 3 µg/ml of Brevilaterin C could significantly increase lactate dehydrogenase release of tumor cells. Moreover, it could remarkably increase the ratio of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation of A431, indicating effective induction of apoptosis. Moreover, the formation of JC‐1 aggregates was effectively prevented by a low concentration of Brevilaterin C, indicating its effective induction of A431's apoptosis. Brevilaterin C exhibited broad‐spectrum cytotoxicity to cancer cells, indicating a good potential prospect in the medical field.
Simulation Of Odor Dispersions As Impacted By Weather Conditions

Most current odor setback regulations for animal production operations are based on public perceptions or complaints from neighboring residents. Thus setback recommendations are quite subjective and may be limited by the locations, numbers, and personal sensitivity to odors of the neighbors. A more scientific approach would use a dispersion model to simulate odor dispersion and determine the setback distances. The current study used a validated air dispersion model, INPUFF-2, to simulate odor profiles at distances of 0.1 to 3.25 km downwind of a swine farrow to nursery facility under various weather conditions. Results indicate that odor concentration decreases as the distance from the odor source increases. Stability D with wind speed of 5 m/s results in the highest odor concentration at 100 m from the odor source. At 250 m or greater, the highest odor will occur with stability F with a wind speed of 1 m/s. Also, the more stable the weather, the further the odor will travel, the stronger the odor will be, and the greater plume width will be. Under all stability classes, lower the wind speeds result in wider odor plumes and further odor travel distances.
Exploring Variability in Compound Tensification in Seoul Korean

In Korean noun-noun compounds, the lenis onset consonant in the second noun is often realized as a tense consonant. Although extensive work has been carried out to clarify its causes and relevant phonological processes, this tensification is deemed not entirely predictable. This paper presents a speech production experiment that confirms the existing findings that the variability in tensification is predictable to a certain extent. The experimental results also showed that the relationship between the predictors and the variability is not linear and that tensification mirrors the cognitively determined boundary strength. Native Korean speakers calibrate the boundary strength by incorporating complex information, such as the word’s length, segment type, frequency, and plausibility of the compound. While a “tight” boundary led to high tensification probability, it was not affected by speaking-rate variation. Furthermore, the perceived compound’s plausibility directly affected the duration of the tensified consonant. Importantly, the findings suggest that speakers’ calibration of the boundary strength is fluid and changeable over time and it affects both phonological and phonetic outputs. Finally, variability in data was reduced for the experimental conditions leading to either extremely high or low tensification probability, and there seemed to be lexicalized exceptions to the general trends.
Physical fitness and stroke performance in healthy tennis players with different competition levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Differences in variables of physical fitness and stroke performance by competition level (i.e., elite vs. sub-elite players) have not been systematically investigated yet. Thus, the objective of the systematic review with meta-analysis was to characterize and quantify competition-level dependent differences in physical fitness and stroke performance in healthy tennis players. A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SportDiscus from their inception date till May 2022. Studies were included if they investigated healthy tennis players and reported at least one measure of physical fitness (e.g., lower extremity muscle power, endurance, agility, speed) or stroke performance (e.g., stroke velocity). Weighted standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated and reported according to their magnitude. The search identified a total of N = 12,714 records, 16 of which met the inclusion criteria. Competition-level dependent differences in physical fitness and stroke performance were investigated by 11 and 10 studies, respectively. For physical fitness, moderate (lower extremity muscle power: SMD = 0.53; endurance: SMD = 0.59; agility: SMD = 0.54) and small (speed: SMD = 0.35) effects were detected; all in favour of elite tennis players. However, sub-group analyses revealed an influence of players’ age showing higher SMD-values for adult than for young players. Further, a large effect (SMD = 1.00) was observed for stroke performance again in favour of elite tennis players. Lastly, a larger but not significantly different association between physical fitness and stroke performance was observed for elite (r = 0.562) compared to sub-elite (r = 0.372) tennis players. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed better physical fitness and stroke performances in healthy elite compared to sub-elite tennis players. The greatest differences by competition level were shown in measures of lower extremity muscle power, endurance, and agility. Thus, training programs for sub-elite tennis players should place a special focus on these physical components.