Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Everyday Ageism Scale: Development and Evaluation

Objectives Older adults regularly encounter age-based discrimination and stereotyping in their day-to-day lives. Whether this type of routine ageism negatively affects their health and well-being is unclear, in part due to the absence of validated scales that comprehensively measure this phenomenon and distinguish it from other sources of everyday discrimination. Methods This study describes the development of a novel scale, the Everyday Ageism Scale, and its psychometric evaluation using a nationally representative sample of US adults age 50–80 from the December 2019 National Poll on Healthy Aging (N = 2012). Results Exploratory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor structure comprised of ageist messages, ageism in interpersonal interactions, and internalized ageism. The ten-item scale was psychometrically sound and demonstrated good internal reliability. Discussion Everyday ageism is a multidimensional construct. Preliminary evaluation of the Everyday Ageism Scale suggests its utility in future studies examining the prevalence of everyday ageism and its relationships with health.
Population pharmacokinetic and exposure–efficacy analysis of ixekizumab in paediatric patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis (IXORA‐PEDS)

Ixekizumab is a high‐affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin‐17A used in the treatment of adult and paediatric patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. This analysis evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ixekizumab and the exposure–efficacy relationship in paediatric patients aged 6 to <18 years with psoriasis.
Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE To test the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D], interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS A total of 150 patients with suspected myocardial ischemia presenting to our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were recruited. All patients underwent percutaneous coronary angiography (CAG). According to CAG results, they were divided into normal group (n=40) and CHD group (n=110). According to the coronary Gensini score, CHD patients were divided into 62 cases in the low-risk group (< 20 points), 31 cases in the moderate-risk group (20-40 points), and 17 cases in the high-risk group (> 40 points). The Gensini scores and serum 25(OH)D and IL-6 levels in each group were recorded, and the correlation between the serum 25(OH)D and IL-6 levels and the severity of the disease was analyzed. The Essen Stroke Risk Scale (ESRS) was evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS The serum 25(OH)D, IL-6 level, and ESRS score in the CHD group and the normal group statistically differed (P < 0.05). In the CHD group, Gensini score, serum IL-6 level and ESRS score increased with the increase of coronary artery stenosis, and 25(OH)D level decreased with the increase of coronary artery stenosis, and all the differences were significant (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that serum IL-6 levels in patients with CHD are positively correlated with the severity of the disease (r=0.724, P < 0.001), and 25(OH)D levels are in a negative relation (r=-0.522, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION A decrease of serum 25(OH)D level and increase in IL-6 level in patients with CHD are associated with the severity of CHD. This may provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Iron-Fueled Life in the Continental Subsurface: Deep Mine Microbial Observatory, South Dakota, USA

We investigated iron cycling potential among microbial communities inhabiting iron-rich fracture fluids to a depth of 1.5 km in the continental crust. A previous study found no iron cycling potential in the communities despite the iron-rich nature of the system. ABSTRACT Iron-bearing minerals are key components of the Earth’s crust and potentially critical energy sources for subsurface microbial life. The Deep Mine Microbial Observatory (DeMMO) is situated in a range of iron-rich lithologies, and fracture fluids here reach concentrations as high as 8.84 mg/liter. Iron cycling is likely an important process, given the high concentrations of iron in fracture fluids and detection of putative iron-cycling taxa via marker gene surveys. However, a previous metagenomic survey detected no iron cycling potential at two DeMMO localities. Here, we revisited the potential for iron cycling at DeMMO using a new metagenomic data set including all DeMMO sites and FeGenie, a new annotation pipeline that is optimized for the detection of iron cycling genes. We annotated functional genes from whole metagenomic assemblies and metagenome-assembled genomes and characterized putative iron cycling pathways and taxa in the context of local geochemical conditions and available metabolic energy estimated from thermodynamic models. We reannotated previous metagenomic data, revealing iron cycling potential that was previously missed. Across both metagenomic data sets, we found that not only is there genetic potential for iron cycling at DeMMO, but also, iron is likely an important source of energy across the system. In response to the dramatic differences we observed between annotation approaches, we recommend the use of optimized pipelines where the detection of iron cycling genes is a major goal. IMPORTANCE We investigated iron cycling potential among microbial communities inhabiting iron-rich fracture fluids to a depth of 1.5 km in the continental crust. A previous study found no iron cycling potential in the communities despite the iron-rich nature of the system. A new tool for detecting iron cycling genes was recently published, which we used on a new data set. We combined this with a number of other approaches to get a holistic view of metabolic strategies across the communities, revealing iron cycling to be an important process here. In addition, we used the tool on the data from the previous study, revealing previously missed iron cycling potential. Iron is common in continental crust; thus, our findings are likely not unique to our study site. Our new view of important metabolic strategies underscores the importance of choosing optimized tools for detecting the potential for metabolisms like iron cycling that may otherwise be missed.
Effectiveness of central venous pressure versus stroke volume variation in guiding fluid management in renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of central venous pressure (CVP) versus stroke volume variation (SVV) to guide fluid management in renal transplantation. METHODS The clinical data of 97 patients who underwent allogeneic renal transplantation in our hospital were collected retrospectively. Based on the method of intraoperative infusion monitoring, they were divided into group A, which received guided fluid management by monitoring CVP, and group B which received guided fluid management by monitoring SVV. The changes in intraoperative hemodynamic indicators, urine volume, blood loss, and total blood transfusion volume, total fluid volume, urine output at different time points after surgery, renal function indicators, blood purification rate, length of stay, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS CVP values at T1 (5 min before surgery), T2 (external iliac vein obstruction), T3 (establishment of vessel access), and T4 (end of surgery) in group B were higher than those in group A (P<0.05). The two groups showed no significant difference in intraoperative urine volume, blood loss and length of hospital stay (P>0.05). The total fluid volume and total infusion volume at 3 days after surgery in group B were less than those in group A (P<0.05). The urine volume did not differ at time points 0 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h postoperatively (P>0.05). Serum creatinine levels in group B at 0 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h postoperatively were lower than those in group A (P<0.05). After renal transplantation, the rate of blood purification was 4.08% in group B, which was lower than 25.00% in group A (P<0.05). The rate of respiratory failure in group B was 4.08%, which was not significantly different from 6.25% in group A (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with CVP, fluid management guided by monitoring SVV during renal transplantation can reduce intraoperative fluid volume, optimize the renal perfusion, reduce postoperative blood purification, and facilitate postoperative recovery.
Exploration of highly enhanced performance and resistive switching mechanism in hafnium doping ZnO memristive device

1 × 1 μm2 via hole structure ZnO-based resistive random access memory cells are fabricated and the resistive switching behavior is investigated. It can be found that with 5.7% hafnium-doped ZnO film, the memory cell shows remarkable 108 pulse endurance. An ON/OFF resistance ratio of at least two orders of magnitude is achieved and the resistive states can remain stable up to 104 s. In contrast, a Pt/ZnO/TiN control device presents an unstable resistive switching characteristic and endurance degradation. Compared with pure ZnO film, Hf-doped ZnO film has a relatively smoother surface and larger band gap. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicates that the Hf-doped element induces more non-lattice oxygen ions in the ZnO switching layer. We deduce that the conductive filament forms/ruptures in a fixed path along the Hf atoms. Based on I–V curve fitting and temperature-dependent current measurements, the Pt/Hf:ZnO/TiN device is demonstrated as a Schottky conduction mechanism, which shows reasonable agreement with the possible resistive switching mechanism in the hafnium-doped ZnO memristive device.
Extrafoveal Processing in Categorical Search for Geometric Shapes: General Tendencies and Individual Variations

Abstract The paper addresses the capabilities and limitations of extrafoveal processing during a categorical visual search. Previous research has established that a target could be identified from the very first or without any saccade, suggesting that extrafoveal perception is necessarily involved. However, the limits in complexity defining the processed information are still not clear. We performed four experiments with a gradual increase of stimuli complexity to determine the role of extrafoveal processing in searching for the categorically defined geometric shape. The series of experiments demonstrated a significant role of extrafoveal processing while searching for simple two‐dimensional shapes and its gradual decrease in a condition with more complicated three‐dimensional shapes. The factors of objects’ spatial orientation and distractor homogeneity significantly influenced both reaction time and the number of saccades required to identify a categorically defined target. An analysis of the individual p‐value distributions revealed pronounced individual differences in using extrafoveal analysis and allowed examination of the performance of each particular participant. The condition with the forced prohibition of eye movements enabled us to investigate the efficacy of covert attention in the condition with complicated shapes. Our results indicate that both foveal and extrafoveal processing are simultaneously involved during a categorical search, and the specificity of their interaction is determined by the spatial orientation of objects, type of distractors, the prohibition to use overt attention, and individual characteristics of the participants.
Naïve orangutans (Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus) individually acquire nut‐cracking using hammer tools

Nut‐cracking with hammer tools (henceforth: nut‐cracking) has been argued to be one of the most complex tool‐use behaviors observed in nonhuman animals. So far, only chimpanzees, capuchins, and macaques have been observed using tools to crack nuts in the wild (Boesch and Boesch, 1990; Gumert et al., 2009; Mannu and Ottoni, 2009). However, the learning mechanisms behind this behavior, and the extent of nut‐cracking in other primate species are still unknown. The aim of this study was two‐fold. First, we investigated whether another great ape species would develop nut‐cracking when provided with all the tools and appropriate conditions to do so. Second, we examined the mechanisms behind the emergence of nut‐cracking by testing a naïve sample. Orangutans (Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus) have the second most extensive tool‐use repertoire among the great apes (after chimpanzees) and show flexible problem‐solving capacities. Orangutans have not been observed cracking nuts in the wild, however, perhaps because their arboreal habits provide limited opportunities for nut‐cracking. Therefore, orangutans are a valid candidate species for the investigation of the development of this behavior. Four nut‐cracking‐naïve orangutans at Leipzig zoo (P. abelii; Mage = 16; age range = 10–19; 4F; at the time of testing) were provided with nuts and hammers but were not demonstrated the nut‐cracking behavioral form. Additionally, we report data from a previously unpublished study by one of the authors (Martina Funk) with eight orangutans housed at Zürich zoo (six P. abelii and two P. pygmaeus; Mage = 14; age range = 2–30; 5F; at the time of testing) that followed a similar testing paradigm. Out of the twelve orangutans tested, at least four individuals, one from Leipzig (P. abelii) and three from Zürich (P. abelii and P. pygmaeus), spontaneously expressed nut‐cracking using wooden hammers. These results demonstrate that nut‐cracking can emerge in orangutans through individual learning and certain types of non‐copying social learning.
Feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth model for autism diagnostic evaluations in children, adolescents, and adults

This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth diagnostic model deployed at an autism center in the southwestern United States to safely provide autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic evaluations to children, adolescents, and adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants included all clients for whom a telehealth diagnostic evaluation was scheduled at the diagnostic clinic (n = 121) over a 6‐month period. Of 121 scheduled clients, 102 (84%) completed the telehealth evaluation. A diagnostic determination was made for 91% of clients (93 out of 102) using only telehealth procedures. Nine participants (two females; ages 3 to 11 years) required an in‐person evaluation. Responses from psychologist and parent acceptability surveys indicated the model was acceptable for most clients. Psychologist ratings suggested that telehealth modalities used in the current study may be less acceptable for evaluating school‐aged children with subtle presentations compared to children in the early developmental period, adolescents, and adults. Parents of females reported higher acceptability than parents of males. Findings contribute to the small but growing literature on feasibility and acceptability of telehealth evaluations for ASD and have implications for improving access to care during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic.
The course of African swine fever in Romanian backyard holdings – A case report

Abstract African swine fever (ASF) was diagnosed for the first time in Romania in a backyard holding in Satu‐Mare County in July 2017. Since then, more than 3800 outbreaks occurred in the entire country. Disease control strategies in the backyard sector rely almost exclusively on reactive measures implemented upon appearance of clinical signs and laboratory confirmation of ASF. In our descriptive study, infection course and outbreak investigation data of 56 affected backyard holdings in Satu‐Mare County has been investigated. Early disease detection based on clinical signs appeared to be efficient. In the majority of outbreaks, ASF was detected within the first 2 weeks after the estimated virus introduction. A clinical phase of 2–8 days was observed before pigs either succumbed to the disease or control measures were implemented on affected farms. A moderate on‐farm transmissibility of ASF virus between pigs was observed. Four clusters of outbreaks were identified indicating virus perpetuation and transmission from farm to farm. To suspend infection chains, rapid intervention by isolating affected farms combined with effective biosecurity measures is required. However, due to the backyard peculiarities, quick and effective implementation of control measures has shown to be rather difficult.
Feasibility of epidural injection of ropivacaine and dexamethasone for labor analgesia in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of epidural injection of ropivacaine (Rop) and dexamethasone (Dex) for labor analgesia in women with preeclampsia. METHODS A total of 80 women with preeclampsia delivered in our hospital were enrolled, and were divided into a study group (n=41, Rop + Dex) and a control group (n=39, Rop alone). The changes in pain level, sedation, catecholamine hormone levels and vital signs were compared between the two groups after intervention. The motor blockade score and the incidence of adverse reactions after administration of anesthesia were compared in both groups. RESULTS Pain level [visual analogue scale (VAS) score], sedation (Ramsay score), adrenaline (AD), norepinephrine (NE), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) did not differ significantly between the two groups at pre-analgesia (T0) (P>0.05), and Ramsay score in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 30 min (T1), 60 min (T2), 120 min after analgesia (T3), and cessation of analgesia (T4), and VAS score, AD, NE, HR, MAP in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group during all stages of labor. CONCLUSION The epidural injection of Rop + Dex in women with preeclampsia can play a better analgesic and sedative effect, stabilize maternal hemodynamic index and improve postpartum motor blockade.
Fixed-Time Stabilization of Discontinuous Neutral Neural Networks With Proportional Delays via New Fixed-Time Stability Lemmas

When studying the stability of time-delayed discontinuous systems, Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF) is an essential tool. More relaxed conditions imposed on the LKF are preferred and can take more advantages in real applications. In this article, novel conditions imposed on the LKF are first given which are different from the previous ones. New fixed-time (FXT) stability lemmas are established using some inequality techniques which can greatly extend the pioneers. The new estimations of the settling times (STs) are also obtained. For the purpose of examining the applicability of the new FXT stability lemmas, a class of discontinuous neutral-type neural networks (NTNNs) with proportional delays is formulated which is more generalized than the existing ones. Using differential inclusions theory, set-valued map, and the newly obtained FXT stability lemma, some algebraic FXT stabilization criteria are derived. Finally, examples are given to show the correctness of the established results.
Computer simulations of an irrigated radiofrequency cardiac ablation catheter and experimental validation by infrared imaging

Abstract Purpose To develop and validate a three-dimensional (3-D) computer model based on accurate geometry of an irrigated cardiac radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter with microwave radiometry capability, and to test catheter performance. Methods A computer model was developed based on CAD geometry of a RF cardiac ablation catheter prototype to simulate electromagnetic heating, heat transfer, and computational fluid dynamics (blood flow, open irrigation, and natural convection). Parametric studies were performed; blood flow velocity (0–25 cm/s) and irrigation flow (0–40 ml/min) varied, both with perpendicular (PE) and parallel (PA) catheter orientations relative to tissue. Tissue Agar phantom studies were performed under similar conditions, and temperature maps were recorded via infrared camera. Computer model simulations were performed with constant voltage and with voltage adjusted to achieve maximum tissue temperatures of 95–105 °C. Results Model predicted thermal lesion width at 5 W power was 5.8–6.4 mm (PE)/6.5–6.6 mm (PA), and lesion depth was 4.0–4.3 mm (PE)/4.0–4.1 mm (PA). Compared to phantom studies, the mean errors of the computer model were as follows: 6.2 °C(PE)/4.3 °C (PA) for maximum gel temperature, 0.7 mm (10.9%) (PE)/0.1 mm (0.8%) (PA) for lesion width, and 0.3 mm (7.7%)(PE)/0.7 mm (19.1%) (PA) for lesion depth. For temperature-controlled ablation, model predicted thermal lesion width was 7–9.2 mm (PE)/8.6–9.2 mm (PA), and lesion depth was 4.3–5.5 mm (PE)/3.4–5.4 mm (PA). Conclusions Computer models were able to reproduce device performance and to enable device evaluation under varying conditions. Temperature controlled ablation of irrigated catheters enables optimal tissue temperatures independent of patient-specific conditions such as blood flow.
End‐stage kidney disease patients from ethnic minorities and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) adversely affects patients who are older, multimorbid, and from Black, Asian or minority ethnicities (BAME). We assessed whether being from BAME is independently associated with mortality in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with COVID‐19.
Clinical intervention effect of TACE combined with 3DCRT in patients with primary liver cancer.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical intervention effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS A total of 110 PLC patients admitted to our hospital were selected and divided into the study group (SG, n=60, treated with TACE combined with 3DCRT) and the control group (CG, n=50, treated with TACE alone) in accordance with the different clinical intervention measures. The clinical intervention effect and the changes of tumor factors and quality of life scores were compared between the two groups before and after intervention, and the three-year survival and the incidence of adverse reactions were evaluated. RESULTS The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) in the SG (78.33% and 95.00%) were higher than those in the CG (38.00% and 80.00%), whereas the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the SG were lower than those in the CG (P < 0.05). After intervention, the quality of life score in the SG was higher than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The SG was superior to the CG in follow-up survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION TACE combined with 3DCRT has a high safety and leads to remarkable clinical intervention effects, marked improvement of the serological indices, better quality of life, as well as satisfactory long-term survival.
Effect of evidence-based nursing intervention on diet and pain after subtotal gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE To understand the effect of evidence-based nursing on diet and pain after subtotal gastrectomy. METHODS From June 2014 to May 2016, 68 patients with gastric cancer undergoing subtotal gastrectomy were selected as the research group (RG) and 57 patients with routine nursing as the control group (CG). The incidence of complications and recovery time were compared between the two groups. The pain and sleep were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The survival condition of the two groups after 3 years of prognosis was observed. RESULTS The incidence of complications and recovery time in RG were less than those in CG (P < 0.05), and the VAS and PSQI scores in RG were lower than those in CG on the 3rd and 7th day after operation (P < 0.01). However, the nursing satisfaction and 3-year survival rate of RG were higher than those of CG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Evidence-based nursing can effectively reduce postoperative complications and pain in patients with gastric cancer undergoing subtotal gastrectomy.