Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the environmental and individual factors of autoimmune diseases in the microregion of Águas Formosas – Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Autoimmune diseases lead to numerous limiting conditions. Their incidence and prevalence are known to be affected by several factors; and there is an absence of data in areas of economic vulnerability. The aim of this study was to access the epidemiological profile of autoimmune diseases in the public health system of the microregion of health of Águas Formosas, and to evaluate possible factors involved in the development of these diseases. This was an epidemiological study with a cross-sectional, survey-type, descriptive and exploratory. All patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria, and individual interview was conducted during home visits to apply a sociodemographic questionnaire with 20 variables associated with autoimmune diseases. In this study, it was observed that the municipalities of Machacalis, Umburatiba and Crisólita exhibited prevalence of autoimmune diseases above 90 cases per 10,000 of the population, and the other municipalities showed prevalence between 50 and 60 cases. In the microregion, a total of 407 cases of autoimmune diseases were observed, distributed in 24 different diseases, with a general prevalence of 673.69/100,000 of the population. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Graves' Disease, Vitiligo, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, represent 47% of the cases. This was the first study that addresses the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the microregion. The lack of registration or diagnosis is a factor that needs to be overcome in new studies to improve the knowledge of autoimmune diseases in this region.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Communication Interdependence: The Technology and Face-to-Face Integration Scale

ABSTRACT A distinguishing feature of contemporary relationships is the integration of technological mediation into routine social interaction. The communication interdependence perspective (CIP) explains how interpersonal technologies are interwoven with face-to-face relationships, but its conceptualization of integration is limited. To fill this gap, we expand the CIP by proposing a new measure to explicate and operationalize the ways multiple modalities are interconnected. We evaluated our scale using data from students at two universities (Study 1; N = 355) and confirmed it in a sample of romantic couples (Study 2; N = 280). The 37-item measure exhibited strong psychometric properties and contained two types of constructive integration (using technology to preserve continuity in the relationship and to facilitate togetherness) and three destructive forms (using technology to turn away from the relationship, to perpetuate conflict, and to create tension). Potential applications of the scale for studying multimodal relationships are discussed.
Exponential inequalities for exit times for two dimensional stochastic tidal dynamics equations

Abstract In this work, we consider two dimensional stochastic tidal dynamics equations in bounded domains. We establish the exponential estimates on certain exit times associated with the solution trajectory of the tidal dynamics system. Using contraction principle, we study these exponential estimates of exit times in the context of a Wentzell-Freidlin type large deviations principle.
Influence of preferences in intervention research: A scoping review

Introduction: Accounting for treatment preferences is beneficial in practice, it increases adherence to treatment and improves health outcomes. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the most robust in generating valid evidence on effectiveness, yet it ignores participants’ preferences for treatment. This scoping review addressed three questions: 1) How are treatment preferences conceptualized in intervention research? 2) To what extent do treatment preferences affect participants’ enrollment in trials, withdrawal from the study, adherence to treatment, and outcomes? And 3) What designs are used to account for treatment preferences in intervention evaluation research? Methods: The first five steps of the scoping review methodology framework were applied: 1) identifying the research questions; 2) searching the literature; 3) selecting articles; 4) charting data; and 5) summarizing findings. Results: Treatment preferences refer to choice treatment; they are shaped by participants’ beliefs and appraisal of the interventions. Evidence from reviews and primary studies indicated that offering participants the opportunity to choose and receive the preferred treatment enhances enrollment and reduces withdrawal in trials; however, the evidence regarding the influence of treatment preferences on adherence to treatment and improvement in outcomes is inconclusive. Designs that account for treatment preferences include: RCT, RCT with a comprehensive cohort, partially randomized preference trial, and two-stage partially randomized trial. Conclusion: The pattern of results may be attributed to the methods for assessing treatment preferences. A systematic method for assessing preferences is recommended.
Jute and Luffa Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposites: Effects of Sample Thickness and Fiber/Resin Ratio on Sound Absorption and Transmission Loss Performance

ABSTRACT The acoustic properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites should be identified before using these materials in various engineering applications including sound and vibration isolation. This study investigates the effects of sample thickness and fiber/resin ratio on the acoustic performance of jute and luffa fiber-reinforced biocomposites. For this purpose, jute and luffa composite samples with different thicknesses and fiber/epoxy ratios are manufactured and their sound absorption coefficients (SACs) and transmission losses (TLs) are determined using impedance tube method. Thickness-dependent tendencies of the SACs and TLs of jute and luffa composites for low-, medium-, and high-frequency ranges are identified. The effect of fiber/epoxy ratio on the acoustic properties of jute and luffa composites as a function of frequency are determined. Furthermore, the SACs and TLs of some natural fiber-based samples with different thicknesses are predicted using mathematical models and the theoretical and experimental results are compared and evaluated.
Studies on the 2D NMR Spectra of Jolkinolide Diterpenoids from Euphorbia fischriana

AIM:This paper described the using of the 2D NMR spectra to assi gn the chemical shift of 1H and 13CNMR of jolkinolide d iter penoid from Euphorbia fischriana METHOD:The 2D NMR technolo gy ( 1H- 1H COS Y,HSQC,HMBC,NOESY) of high sensitivity,and lower noisy dimensional pulse seq uences was used RESULT:The 1H and 13C chemic al shift of the jol kinolide diterpenoid was definitely assigned for the first time by 2D NMR CONCLUSION:2D NMR was an excellent technology for the NMR sig nal assignment and the relative configuration determination of diterpenoid
Advanced teaching method for learning power system operation based on load flow simulations

Current power systems are undergoing a rapid and complex transformation due to the integration of distributed generation. Load flow analysis is increasingly necessary to evaluate not only the operating point of the existing power system but also the design of future expansions. There are a wide variety of power system analysis packages used for load flow analysis. Of these, PowerFactory, one of the tools most widely used by network operators, is implemented for the present learning approach. In fact, one of the challenges for electric utility companies is the lack of experts who are familiar with this type of commercial tool. In the present work, several scenarios were defined and implemented using PowerFactory, covering common real‐life situations in power systems, such as the connection of a new line or a capacitor bank, or the installation of a renewable energy power plant. In this regard, the goal of the present teaching method was to complement the educational competences of power system engineers. As such, the proposed method was implemented in both an Electrical Engineering Degree course and a Master's Degree course in Industrial Engineering, where useful application feedback from students was obtained. Furthermore, the proposed approach is easily replicable for teaching/learning activities at other academic institutions.
Governing healthcare in India: a policy capacity perspective

After decades of neglect, in 2008, the Indian government launched a national health insurance programme to address the needs of the bulk of the population that could not afford healthcare. This was followed by the launch of another national programme in 2018 that further expanded insurance coverage. These schemes envision a large single-payer, insurance-based system covering about 110 million families. The central objective of this article is to assess the government’s capacity to implement these ambitious programmes. We employ the policy capacity framework developed by Wu et al. to examine the types of capacities needed to achieve desired objectives in the health sector. The central argument of the article is that there are critical capacity deficits, especially along operational dimensions. Our conclusions are generalisable to other middle-income countries currently in the process of implementing similar prospective-payment health policy reforms. Points for practitioners This article highlights the need for governments to prioritise the capacity for implementing health policy reforms. Efforts to achieve and sustain universal healthcare are contingent not only on appropriate policy design, mobilising required resources and building political support, but also on overcoming capacity deficits in implementation. The framework presented in this article serves as a useful tool for governments to diagnose strengths and weaknesses in the specific types of capacities (analytical, operational, and political) needed for universal health coverage.
The role of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in prediction of increased systemic inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular disease in endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs in about 5-10 in 100 women of reproductive age. The pathophysiology of endometriosis is controversial. Some studies claimed an association between endometriosis and increased levels of inflammatory factors in peritoneal fluid and/or peripheral blood. Monocyte / HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are inflammatory markers and are used as predictors and prognostic indicators of mortality and morbidity in many diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Monocyte / HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are increased in endometriosis as in patients with chronic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. This is a retrospective case-control study conducted with 87 women, 45 in the endometriosis group and 42 in the control group. The demographic data, biochemical, complete blood count parameters and lipid profile of the cases were recorded and compared between the groups. The mean age of the endometriosis group was 33.88 years and was older than the control group. In terms of other demographic data, there were no difference between the two groups. Although the platelet distribution width and triglyceride values of the endometriosis group were higher than controls, they were interpreted as clinically insignificant. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of other laboratory parameters including MHR and NLR. In this study, MHR and NLR are found similar in endometriosis and control groups. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between increased systemic inflammation.
COVID‐19 and Canadian farmland markets in 2020

Abstract Early evidence suggests that Canadian farmland values increased in 2020. Farming returns were not negatively impacted by COVID‐19 and it appears as though farming returns will be strong into 2021. Low interest rates in 2020 contributed to substantial farmland value increases in the last half of 2020. There is some evidence that the development component of farmland values increased in 2020. The future consequences of COVID‐19 on farmland values are unclear. Some economists suggest that future inflationary risks have increased. A return to inflation rates comparable to those experienced in the 1970s is unlikely, but if increased inflation does materialize it will put upward pressure on farmland values, while increases in nominal and real interest rates will push farmland values down.
Survival After Lobectomy Versus Sublobar Resection for Stage IA Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: A Population-Based Study

Background: Due to the low incidence of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), the survival analysis for comparing lobectomy and sublobar resection (SLR) for stage IA LCNEC remains scarce. Methods: Patients diagnosed with pathological stage IA LCNEC between 1998 and 2016 were extracted from the Survenillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The oncological outcomes were cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis were used to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Furthermore, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between SLR and lobectomy to adjust the confounding factors. Results: A total of 308 patients with stage IA LCNEC met the inclusion criteria: 229 patients (74.4%) received lobectomy and 79 patients (25.6%) received SLR. Patients who underwent SLR were older (P<0.001), had smaller tumor size (P=0.010) and fewer lymph nodes dissection (P<0.001). The 5-year CSS and OS rates were 56.5% and 42.9% for SLR, and 67.8% and 55.7% for lobectomy, respectively (P=0.037 and 0.019, respectively). However, multivariate analysis did not identify any differences between SLR group and lobectomy group in CSS (P=0.135) and OS (P=0.285); and the PSM also supported these results. In addition, age at diagnosis and laterality of tumor were identified as significant predictors for CSS and OS, whereas the number of lymph nodes dissection was a significant predictor for CSS. Conclusions: Although SLR is not inferior to lobectomy in terms of oncological outcomes for patients with stage IA LCNEC, more lymph nodes can be dissected or sampled during lobectomy. Lobectomy should be considered as a standard procedure for patients with early-stage LCNEC who are able to withstand lobectomy.
Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of cow’s milk Kashkaval cheese ripened at different temperatures

Kashkaval is a hard cheese produced in Eastern Europe and consumed after ripening. The influence of ripening temperature (9±1°C, 11±1°C and 13±1°C) of cow's milk Kashkaval cheese on its physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics was studied. For the ripening period no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) in the indicators dry matter, fat content, salt and protein were found. A slight decrease in active acidity was observed during the maturation process which tendency was more pronounced in the experimental samples ripened at higher temperatures (13.0±1.0°C). It was found that lowering the ripening temperature of Kashkaval cheese was accompanied by a prolongation of the lag phase in the development of lactic acid microflora. A significantly higher amount of lactic acid microorganisms (P<0.05) in cheese samples matured at 13±1° C was established. The chosen temperature regime of maturation did not affect the number of psychrotrophic microorganisms (P>0.05). The absence of unwanted side microflora in fresh cheese was established, which was an important prerequisite for the normal course of the maturing processes and the formation of a characteristic sensory profile of the cheese. Kashkaval cheese ripened at 13±1°C for 45 days was characterized by the highest overall sensory score comparable to Kashkaval cheese ripened at 9±1°C and 11±1°C for 60 days. The obtained results demonstrated that the higher ripening regime could be successfully used to reduce production costs without changing the specific physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of Kashkaval cheese from cow milk.
CLINICAL PROFILE, PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS, AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH VITILIGO: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess clinical profile (age of onset, age of presentation, gender, site of involvement, severity (stage), type of vitiligo, triggering factors, and associated diseases), prescription patterns (monotherapy, combination therapy, oral, topical, and therapeutic categories of drugs prescribed) and to monitor and report adverse drug reactions (based on World Health Organization [WHO] causality assessment scale) in vitiligo patients. Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was carried out by evaluating and assessing the clinical profile and prescription patterns of 85 patients who attended dermatology venereology and leprosy (DVL) outpatient department at Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women, SVIMS, Tirupati, over a period of 6 months from June 2019 to December 2019. Results: In our study, forty four (51.77%) patients were female, vitiligo vulgaris is the most common morphological type observed in twenty seven (31.76%) patients. 31–50 years was the predominant age group. The mean age of onset and presentation was 38.35 (standard deviation of 18.37) and 43.27 (standard deviation of 17.96) years, respectively. Forty-one (48.23%) patients were having Stage 1 vitiligo. Fifty (58.85%) patients were having vitiligo at more than 1 site. Twelve (14.11%) patients were having a positive family history of vitiligo. Thirty-seven (43.53%) patients had triggering factors. Associated diseases were found in thirty (35%) patients. Combination therapy was given to sixty one (71.77%) patients. Topical medications were given to fifty two (61.18%) patients. During the study, we did not have a single patient complaining of any adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: Longer the time after appearance of vitiligo, lesser the number of patients attending follow-up. If vitiligo is diagnosed at the earliest stage, more are the chances for complete repigmentation. Patients with a poor economic background are less bothered about their skin condition and are not using medications properly.
Assessing and classifying the health and risk status of avenue trees

ABSTRACT This study assessed and classified avenue tree health and risk status using the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and Louis Trichardt town (LTT) in Limpopo Province of South Africa to determine trends and create baseline data against which future assessments can be evaluated. A 100% survey was conducted in seven selected streets. Crown and stem diameter, height, crown length, species, coordinates, health, stability, and hazard status were assessed for each tree. A total of 621 trees were assessed, comprising 92 species. Spathodea campanulata and Olea africana accounted for 29.2% and 11.5% of trees in LTT and UNIVEN, respectively. The average tree density was higher in UNIVEN (366.82/km) compared to LTT (115.03/km). Percentages of healthy trees were high in LTT (65.9%) and UNIVEN (75.7%). Caesalpinia ferrea ranked first in both locations in the critical stability class. Only LTT had 1% of trees in the severe hazard category. Common structural defects in the severe hazard class include basal decay, excessive lean, and weak branches. Management implications include large-scale inventory of street trees, replacement of large-sized with medium-sized tree species on narrow streets, and restriction of the planting of hazard-prone trees to parks and gardens.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Plant Extracts from Spinacia oleraceae L. (Amaranthaceae)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. SO) leaves represent an important dietary source, have high nutritional value and antimicrobial properties. Spinach leaves have been used in the treatment of human diseases since ancient times. Here, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of ethanolic extract of Spinach oleracea leaves by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using well diffusion method against bacterial species Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and Klebseilla pneumonia and fungal species Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum. We evaluated from present data that ethanolic extract of root showed zone of inhibition ranges from 6 mm to 21 mm, ethanolic extract of stem showed zone of inhibition ranges from 8 mm to 21 mm and ethanolic extract of leaf showed zone of inhibition ranges from 9 mm to 22 mm from concentration 25 mg/ml to 100mg/ml. Leaf extract has high antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacterial and fungal species while root extract has low antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacterial and fungal species. Activity of plant extract was increased by the increasing concentration of extracts. Very low zone of inhibition was found at concentration 25 mg/1 ml DMSO which ranges from 6 mm to 14 mm while very high zone of inhibition was found at concentration 100 mg/ml which ranges from 6 mm to 22 mm. So, ethanolic extracts of Spinach oleraceae has good efficiency against bacterial and fungal species.
Genetic, Morphological, and Environmental Differentiation of an Arid-Adapted Oak with a Disjunct Distribution

The patterns of genetic and morphological diversity of a widespread species can be influenced by environmental heterogeneity and the degree of connectivity across its geographic distribution. Here, we studied Quercus havardii Rydb. , a uniquely adapted desert oak endemic to the Southwest region of the United States, using genetic, morphometric, and environmental datasets over various geographic scales to quantify differentiation and understand forces influencing population divergence. First, we quantified variation by analyzing 10 eastern and 13 western populations from the disjunct distribution of Q. havardii using 11 microsatellite loci, 17 morphological variables, and 19 bioclimatic variables. We then used regressions to examine local and regional correlations of climate with genetic variation. We found strong genetic, morphological and environmental differences corresponding with the large-scale disjunction of populations. Additionally, western populations had higher genetic diversity and lower relatedness than eastern populations. Levels of genetic variation in the eastern populations were found to be primarily associated with precipitation seasonality, while levels of genetic variation in western populations were associated with lower daily temperature fluctuations and higher winter precipitation. Finally, we found little to no observed environmental niche overlap between regions. Our results suggest that eastern and western populations likely represent two distinct taxonomic entities, each associated with a unique set of climatic variables potentially influencing local patterns of diversity.