Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION AND PROGNOSTIC UTILITY OF NEURONAL INJURY BIOMARKERS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACT Background: COVID-19 disease severity markers include mostly molecules related to not only tissue perfusion, inflammation, and thrombosis, but also biomarkers of neural injury. Clinical and basic research has demonstrated that SARS-COV-2 affects the central nervous system. The aims of the present study were to investigate the role of neural injury biomarkers and to compare them with inflammatory markers in their predictive ability of mortality. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and in a cohort of patients with moderate/severe disease. S100b, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and inflammatory markers, including soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), were measured on intensive care unit or ward admission, respectively. Statistical comparisons between patient groups were performed for all biomarkers under investigation. Correlations between different biomarkers were tested with Spearman correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted using mortality as the classification variable and the biomarker levels on admission as the prognostic variables. Results: A total of 70 patients with COVID-19 were included in the final analysis. Of all studied biomarkers, s100b had the best predictive ability for death in the intensive care unit, with an area under the curve of 0.73 (0.61–0.83), P = 0.0003. S100b levels correlated with NSE, interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-10 (0.27 < rs < 0.37, P < 0.05), and tended to correlate with suPAR (rs = 0.26, P = 0.05), but not with the vasopressor dose (P = 0.62). Conclusion: Among the investigated biomarkers, s100b demonstrated the best predictive ability for death in COVID-19 patients. The overall biomarker profile of the patients implies direct involvement of the nervous system by the novel coronavirus.
HIGH HEPARANASE LEVEL IN SURVIVORS OF COVID-19 — INDICATOR OF VASCULAR AND PULMONARY RECOVERY?

ABSTRACT Background: Severe progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes respiratory failure and critical illness. Recently, COVID-19 has been associated with heparanase (HPSE)-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and inflammation, so called endothelitis, and therapeutic treatment with heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) targeting HPSE has been postulated. Because, up to this date, clinicians are unable to measure the severity of endothelitis, which can lead to multiorgan failure and concomitant death, we investigated plasma levels of HPSE and heparin-binding protein (HBP) in COVID-19 intensive care patients to render a possible link between endothelitis and these plasma parameters. Therefore, a prospective prolonged cohort study was conducted, including 47 COVID-19 patients from the intensive care unit. Plasma levels of HPSE, and HBP were measured daily by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in survivors (n = 35) and nonsurvivors (n = 12) of COVID-19 from admission until discharge or death. All patients were either treated with heparin or LMWH, aiming for an activated partial thromboplastin time of ≥60 seconds or an anti-Xa level of >0.8 IU/mL using enoxaparin, depending on the clinical status of the patient (patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or >0.1 μg/kg/min noradrenaline received heparin, all others enoxaparin). Results: We found significantly higher plasma levels of HPSE and HBP in survivors and nonsurvivors of COVID-19, compared with healthy controls. Still, interestingly, plasma HPSE levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in survivors compared with nonsurvivors of COVID-19. In contrast, plasma HBP levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in survivors compared with nonsurvivors of COVID-19. Furthermore, when patients received heparin, they had significantly lower HPSE (P = 2.22e − 16) and significantly higher HBP (P = 0.00013) plasma levels as when they received LMWH. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that patients, who recover from COVID-19–induced vascular and pulmonary damage and were discharged from the intensive care unit, have significantly higher plasma HPSE level than patients who succumb to COVID-19. Therefore, HPSE is not suitable as marker for disease severity in COVID-19 but maybe as marker for patient's recovery. In addition, patients receiving therapeutic heparin treatment displayed significantly lower heparanse plasma level than upon therapeutic treatment with LMWH.
Michael R. Klosner Passive Acoustic Localization of Sperm Whales to Facilitate Ship Strike Avoidance UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE

Ship strikes are one of the leading causes of premature mortality among whales, accounting for the deaths of approximately 20,000 each year, with untold more being injured. Given the exponential increase in shipping traffic, estimated at 2 3% year-over-year, the potential for collisions continues to grow. Due to their large size, preferred habitats and sea surface behavior, the sperm whale is one of the species most vulnerable to ship strikes. In some populations, collisions with maritime vessels are the leading cause of death, premature or otherwise. This is particularly concerning considering that the sperm whale is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as “Vulnerable” globally and “Endangered” in the Mediterranean region. Passive Acoustic Monitoring, or PAM, is an environmentally non-intrusive method by which naturally generated underwater sounds, such as the clicks made by sperm whales, are picked up by hydrophones (underwater recording devices) and analyzed to extract a variety of data, including the sound source’s location. In the current research, we use a PAM methodology known as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) analysis, whereby different acoustic paths taken by sound waves from their source to a hydrophone are analyzed to extract the differences in time between their arrivals. Extracted TDOAs are compared to a theoretical model (in our case, the Bellhop ray tracing model) to extrapolate the source’s localization, which can then be fed into a live marine traffic system such as MarineTraffic (marinetraffic.com) to alert ships in the area to the presence and locations of the whales, so that they may take preventative action. In this dissertation, I present, inter alia, a working prototype, developed on the Matlab platform, for the detection and localization of sperm whales based on their vocalizations (clicks).
Impacts of Medical Security Level on Treatment Outcomes of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Evidence from Wuhan City, China

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is an increasingly serious global issue. DR-TB has a lower success rate and more severe interruption of treatment than ordinary tuberculosis. Incomplete treatment not only reduces recovery rate in DR-TB patients but also increases the spread of DR-TB. Optimizing medical security policies for DR-TB can reduce the economic burden of patients and can thereby improve treatment success rate. Methods: Patients with DR-TB who were registered in Wuhan Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention from January 2016 to December 2019 were selected as research subjects. General descriptive statistical analysis methods were used in analyzing patients’ treatment outcomes and medical security compensation rate. The binary logistic regression was used in analyzing the impacts of medical security level on treatment outcomes of DR-TB. Results: A total of 409 DR-TB patients were included in the study, and the refusal rate was 12.47%. The treatment success rate was only 37.09% for patients who started treatment and had treatment outcomes. The total out-of-pocket expenses (OOPs) per capita for DR-TB patients were 13,005.61 Chinese yuan. The outpatient effective compensation ratio (ECR) of DR-TB patients was only 51.04%. The outpatient ECR of DR-TB with subsidies of public health projects (SPHPs) were nearly 80% higher than those without SPHP. high outpatient ECR helped optimize treatment outcomes (P < 0.001, OR = 1.038). The inpatient ECR had no effect on patients’ treatment outcomes (P = 0.158, OR = 0.986). Conclusion: Many DR-TB patients did not receive complete treatment. The key breakthrough point in improving DR-TB treatment outcomes is to optimize the outpatient medical insurance compensation policy. Including the costs of DR-TB in expenses for severe diseases in outpatient care is recommended, and financial investment should be appropriately increased to ensure the high coverage ratio of subsidies for public health projects.
A return mapping algorithm for a class of cyclic plasticity models

A return mapping algorithm for a class of cyclic plasticity models is presented. The constitutive model includes a quadratic yield criterion and multi-component formulations of non-linear isotropic and kinematic hardening. Thus, both initially isotropic and anisotropic materials can be described, and a proper description of the hysteresis loops and the cyclic hardening response of materials under cyclic loading is obtained. The return mapping algorithm employs the closest point projection scheme in combination with a decomposition method, to obtain an efficient and robust integration of the constitutive model. The consistent tangent operator is derived in closed form, and is found to be unsymmetric due to the non-linear evolution of the kinematic hardening terms. The accuracy and robustness of the algorithm are assessed through numerical examples
Weak, quasiparallel profiles of Earth's bow shock: A comparison between numerical simulations and ISEE 3 observations on the far flank

Over 200 crossings of the distant downwind flanks of earth's magnetosonic bow shock by ISEE 3 included many cases of weak, or low Mach number, quasi-parallel shocks. A consistent feature of the magnetic field profiles was the presence of large amplitude, near periodic to irregular transverse oscillations downstream from even the weakest Q-parallel shocks. Large downstream perturbations with whistler-like features similar to those of the observations appear in 1D simulations when the Alfven Mach number M(A) is greater than 2.5 but not when M(A) = 2.1. The observed cases with downstream waves also occurred when M(A) is greater than about 2.5, suggesting the importance of the Alfven as opposed to magnetosonic Mach number in determining the signature of weak, Q-parallel shocks.
Determination of the permittivity and permeability for waveguides partially loaded with isotropic samples

A method to measure the complex permittivity and permeability of a sample of isotropic material partially filling the rectangular waveguide cross section is presented. The method is based on a multimodal analysis of the waveguide and it does not imply any restriction on the general use of this technique for different widths, lengths or location of the samples. Electromagnetic properties of the material are determined by matching the S-parameters measured with a vector network analyser and the S-parameters calculated theoretically. Convergence to the correct solution is ensured using an optimization technique based on nonlinear minimization. A comparison between theoretical and experimental measurements is realized, which shows the feasibility of the implemented software. Besides, the accurate determination of the properties of the well-known materials validates the performance of the measurement method. Also, an error analysis is performed which confirms the reliability and robustness of our method.
A General Approach to the Predictability Issue in Survival Analysis with Applications

Very often in survival analysis one has to study martingale integrals where the integrand is not predictable and where the counting process theory of martingales is not directly applicable, as for example in nonparametric and semiparametric applications where the integrand is based on a pilot estimate. We call this the predictability issue in survival analysis. The problem has been resolved by approximations of the integrand by predictable functions which have been justified by ad hoc procedures. We present a general approach to the solution of this problem. The usefulness of the approach is shown in three applications. In particular, we argue that earlier ad hoc procedures do not work in higher-dimensional smoothing problems in survival analysis. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Neyman Factorization and Minimality of Pairwise Sufficient Subfields

Assume that every probability measure P in P of a statistical structure (X, A, P) has a density p(x, P) w.r. t. a (not necessarily σ-finite) measure m. Let B be any subfield and suppose that the densities are factored as p(x, P) = g(x, P)h(x) where g is B-measurable. Then B is pairwise sufficient and contains supports of P's. Assume further that m is locally localizable and B is pairwise sufficient and contains supports of P's. Then the densities are factored as above. Two partial orders are introduced for pairwise sufficient subfields. Assuming that every P has a support, a subfield is constructed which is the smallest with supports under the first partial order, and is the smallest under the second. This is used to give a simple proof of existence of the minimal sufficient subfield for the coherent case. In the (uncountable) discrete case it is proved that under the first partial order there are infinitely many minimal pairwise sufficient subfields and hence there is none that is smallest.
Evaluation of automated algorithms for small target detection and non-natural terrain characterization using remote multi-band imagery

Experimental remote sensing data from the 8 to 12 μm wavelength NASA Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) have been a valuable resource for multispectral algorithm proof-of-concept, a prime example being a Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) spectral small target detector founded on maximum likelihood theory; CFAR tests on low signal-to-clutter ratio rural Australian TIMS imagery yielded a detection rate of 5 out of 7 (71%) for small extended targets, e.g. buildings ~ 10 meters in extent, at a 10-6 false alarm rate. Separately, techniques such as Independent Component Analysis (ICA) have since shown good promise for small target detection as well as terrain feature extraction. In this study, we first provide higher-confidence CFAR performance estimates by incorporating a larger set of imagery including ASTER satellite multi-band imagery and ground truth. Secondly, alongside CFAR we perform ICA, which effectively separates many non-natural features from the highly cluttered natural terrain background; in particular, our TIMS results show that a surprisingly small subset of ICA components contain the majority of nonnatural "signal" such as paved roads amid the clutter of soil, rock, and vegetation.
Inverse Invariant Theory and Steenrod Operations

Introduction The $\Delta$-theorem Some field theory over the Steenrod Algebra The integral closure theorem and the unstable part The inseparable closure The embedding theorem I Noetherianess, the embedding theorem II and Turkish delights The Galois embedding theorem, the little imbedding theorem and a bit more The big imbedding theorem, Thom classes, Turkish delights II and reverse Landweber-Stong conjecture Technical stuff References.
Ten Black Dots and September 11: Integrating Social Studies and Mathematics through Children's Literature

Because of the pressure to increase test scores in reading and mathematics, content areas such as social studies are being eliminated from many elementary schools' curricula. It is critical that teachers find ways to integrate social studies into reading and mathematics. Social studies and mathematics may not immediately come to mind when considering subject area integration; however, these content areas can be effectively integrated through the use of children's literature and engaging activities. Research supports both curriculum integration and the use of children's literature in all content areas. Teachers must use effective methods for weaving subject areas together in ways that will motivate students and cover required state standards. This activity is an example of an activity that teachers can use to integrate social studies and math through the use of children's literature.
Hyperfine-structure-constant determination and absolute-frequency measurement of the Rb 4D3/2 state

The frequency of a laser diode is stabilized onto the line centers of double-resonance optical pumping spectra and the absolute frequencies of the hyperfine-structure components of the 5P3/2 − 4D3/2 excited state transition for two isotopes of Rb and Rb atoms are measured using a fiber femtosecond frequency comb system. The 4D3/2 state hyperfine-structure constants of the two Rb isotopes are determined by utilizing the measured absolute optical frequency and the ratio of the hyperfine-structure constants for the two Rb isotopes from the accurately determined values of other states of rubidium. The magnetic dipole constants A are determined to be 24.75(12) MHz for Rb and 7.329(35) MHz for Rb. The uncertainties of both results are reduced by one order compared to previous results. The electric quadrupole constants B are determined, for the first time, to be 2.19(11) MHz and 4.52(23) MHz for Rb and Rb, respectively
Search for Vega-like nearby stars with 12 micron excess

The identification of Vega-like main-sequence stars with 10-micron excess would permit important measurements of the spatial extent of the radiating material with ground-based telescopes. In fact, 55 of the 548 nearby A, F, G, and K dwarfs with IRAS catalog magnitudes at 12 microns appear to have excess 12-micron flux. However, for only two of these stars, Beta Pic and Zeta Lep, was it possible, using small-aperture photometry at 2.2 and 10 microns, to verify that the 12-micron excess is with high likelihood associated with the star. For the remaining stars the apparent 12-micron color of the 106 A, F, G, and K stars in the observing program is only 0.02 mag. Excess flux due to a Vega-like cloud which may surround some of the sources in the observing program, like Alpha Lyrae, is thus typically not detectable at 10 microns.
Effect of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein on reverse transcriptase pause sites revealed by single molecule microscopy

During reverse transcription, the HIV-1 RNA is converted by the reverse transcriptase (RT) into proviral DNA. RT is assisted by the HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NCp7) protein that notably increases the ability of RT to synthesize DNA through pause sites. Using single molecule FRET, we monitored the NCp7 effect on the binding of RT to nucleic acid sequences corresponding to two different pause sites. NCp7 was found to modify the distribution of RT orientations on the oligonucleotides and decrease the residence time of RT on one of the pause sites. These results give direct insight into the NCp7 molecular mechanism in reverse transcription.
Cavity expansion in sands under drained loading conditions

Solutions for the expansion of cylindrical and spherical cavities in sands are presented. The sand is modelled using recently proposed critical-state models in which the values of the friction and dilation angles depend on the deformation history. Similarity solutions are obtained which enable the limit pressure to be calculated as a function of the initial conditions. Comparisons with existing perfectly plastic theories are made and consequences for the interpretation of cone penetrometer measurements are indicated.
The accuracy of Braginskii's transport coefficients for a Lorentz plasma

Transport coefficients appropriate to Ohm's Law and electron heat flow are derived for a Lorentz plasma. Their values are calculated directly from a cartesian tensor expansion of the electron distribution function without the use of Laguerre polynomials. Significant inaccuracies are found in Braginskii's thermoelectric and heat flow coefficients, for certain values of omega tau (where omega is the electron cyclotron frequency and tau its mean collision time with ions).
Rarefied gas acoustics in the noble gases

The propagation of plane pressure waves in rarefied He, Ne, Ar, and Kr has been investigated for frequencies up to 80 times the collision rate (corresponding to pressures of roughly 0.003 Torr at the experimental frequency of 0.975 MHz) along distances extending four “mean wavelengths” 2πcm/ω into the interior of the gas. This large range was obtained by the use of high Q barium titanate sandwich transducers and narrow‐band phase‐sensitive signal detection. For small transmitter‐receiver distances standing waves were observed at all pressures, i.e., even for very long mean free paths, as the result of incomplete accommodation of the atoms at the transducer surfaces. For large distances and small pressures the experiment resembles the free molecule propagation characteristics. While increasing the pressure, the influence of binary collisions is first recognized in the attenuation, which increases. Only for higher pressures does the phase velocity change toward lower values. Apart from the standing wave reg.
X-ray observations of a large-scale solar coronal shock wave

We report observations of a propagating disturbance in the solar corona observed in emission in soft X-ray images from the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT). The disturbance was associated with a flare which began at about 09:04 UT on 1997 November 03. This flare was associated with a type II radio burst observed at decimetric-dekametric wavelengths by the Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam Radio Spectrograph. H α data from Kanzelhohe Solar Observatory show that a Moreton wave was associated with this event. Moreover, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) 195 A data show an `EIT wave' associated with this event. Extrapolations of the leading edge of the propagating soft X-ray disturbance show a close association with both of these wave features. The soft X-ray disturbance is observed to travel with a speed of about 546 km s -1 . Using Nancay Radioheliograph data we directly determine the source locations of the type II radio burst. These are found to be located close to the soft X-ray disturbance and show motions consistent with the soft X-ray motions. These results lead us to conclude that the “SXT wave” is the coronal counterpart of a Moreton wave, analogous to EIT waves, i.e., it is the first confirmed direct observation of a solar coronal shock wave in X-rays.
Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Axisymmetric Body Undergoing a Uniform Pitching Motion

Abstract : An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the effect of a uniform pitching motion on a slender axisymmetric body while undergoing large excursions in angle of attack. Force and moment measurements were obtained for a slender tangent-ogive/cylindrical body over a range of Reynolds numbers from 50,000 to 140,000 while varying the angle of attack from zero to 90 degrees and the pitch rate between zero and 281 degrees per second. Smoke flow visualization studies were used as an aid in assessing wake vortex transitions.
Infrared spectroscopy of IRC + 10420

High resolution 1.6, 3.3 and 4.6 micron spectra were obtained on the F8 supergiant star IRC + 10420 on June 9-11, 1984, using the 4 m Mayall telescope and Fourier Transform Spectrometer at Kitt Peak. IRC + 10420 is distinguished by its hydrogen maser, unusual for stars of this type. The measured column densities of CO led to an estimated isotopic carbon ratio of 7-11, supporting a model of the object as a highly evolved star. The redshift is interpreted as due to scattering by outward-moving circumstellar dust grains. The IR spectrum of IRC + 10420 suggests that the object is a post-asymptotic branch star still surrounded by the thick dust shell it produced while it was much cooler.