Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk of thrombotic complications in influenza versus COVID‐19 hospitalized patients

Whereas accumulating studies on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) report high incidences of thrombotic complications, large studies on clinically relevant thrombosis in patients with other respiratory tract infections are lacking. How this high risk in COVID‐19 patients compares to those observed in hospitalized patients with other viral pneumonias such as influenza is unknown.
Colorectal Cancer Screening within Colonoscopy Capacity Constraints: Can FIT-Based Programs Save More Lives by Trading off More Sensitive Test Cutoffs against Longer Screening Intervals?

Introduction. Colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention programs using fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in screening rely on colonoscopy for secondary and surveillance testing. Colonoscopy capacity is an important constraint. Some European programs lack sufficient capacity to provide optimal screening intensity regarding age ranges, intervals, and FIT cutoffs. It is currently unclear how to optimize programs within colonoscopy capacity constraints. Design. Microsimulation modeling, using the MISCAN-Colon model, was used to determine if more effective CRC screening programs can be identified within constrained colonoscopy capacity. A total of 525 strategies were modeled and compared, varying 3 key screening parameters: screening intervals, age ranges, and FIT cutoffs, including previously unevaluated 4- and 5-year screening intervals (using a lifetime horizon and 100% adherence). Results were compared with the policy decisions taken in Ireland to provide CRC screening within available colonoscopy capacity. Outcomes estimated net costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and required colonoscopies. The optimal strategies within finite colonoscopy capacity constraints were identified. Results. Combining a reduced FIT cutoff of 10 µg Hb/g, an extended screening interval of 4 y and an age range of 60–72 y requires 6% fewer colonoscopies, reduces net costs by 23% while preventing 15% more CRC deaths and saving 16% more QALYs relative to a strategy (FIT 40 µg Hb/g, 2-yearly, 60–70 year) approximating current policy. Conclusion. Previously overlooked longer screening intervals may optimize cancer prevention with finite colonoscopy capacity constraints. Changes could save lives, reduce costs, and relieve colonoscopy capacity pressures. These findings are relevant to CRC screening programs across Europe that employ FIT-based testing, which face colonoscopy capacity constraints.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Risk Perception, Behaviour, and Preventive Measures at Schools in Berlin, Germany, during the Early Post-Lockdown Phase: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Briefly before the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany, schools closed in mid-March 2020 for six weeks. Following re-opening, schools gradually resumed operation at a reduced level for nine weeks preceding the summer holidays. Aim During this phase, we conducted a situational assessment in schools among students and teachers as to infection status, symptoms, affective, behavioural, educational issues, and preventive measures. Methods At twenty-four randomly selected primary and secondary schools, one class each was examined. Oro-nasopharyngeal swabs and capillary blood samples were collected to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR) and specific IgG (ELISA), respectively. Medical history, household and schooling characteristics, leisure time activities, fear of infection, risk perception, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and facemask wearing were assessed. Results Among 535 participants (385 students, 150 staff), one teenager was SARS-CoV-2 infected (0.2%), and seven individuals exhibited specific IgG (1.3%); 16% reported symptoms upon examination, and 48% in the preceding 14 days. Compared to before the pandemic, the proportion of leisure time spent as screen-time increased, and the majority of primary school students reported reduced physical activity. Fear of infection and risk perception were relatively low, but acceptance of adapted health behaviours was high. Governmental preventive measures were adequately implemented, with primary schools performing better than secondary schools. Conclusion: In this phase of rare infection and low seroreactivity, individual and school-level infection prevention and control measures were largely adhered to. Nevertheless, vigilance, continued and proactive preventive measures, and well-rehearsed reaction options are essential to cope with increasing pandemic activity.
Case finding of early pregnancies at risk of preeclampsia using maternal blood leptin/ceramide ratio: multi-omics discovery and validation from a longitudinal study

Objective To evaluate whether longitudinal measurements of serological adipokines and sphingolipids can predict preeclampsia early in gestation. Design Retrospective multi-omics discovery and longitudinal validation. Setting Maternity units in two US hospitals. Methods A multi-omics approach integrating genomic and lipidomic discoveries was employed to identify leptin (Lep) and ceramide (Cer) as novel PE early gestational biomarkers. The levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), Lep, and Cer in maternal sera were then determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assays. Main outcome measures Interval from positive prediction to confirmative diagnosis. Results Genomic meta-analysis compiled six PE placental cohorts with 78 PE and 95 non-PE control placentas. The Testing Cohort included sera from 7 non-PE and 8 PE women collected at confirmatory diagnosis. The Validation Cohort included sera from 20 non-PE and 20 PE women collected longitudinally through gestation. Our findings revealed a marked elevation of maternal serum Leptin/Ceramide (d18:1/25:0) ratio from early gestation (a median of 23 weeks) when comparing later PE-complicated with uncomplicated pregnancies. The maternal Lep/Cer (d18:1/25:0) ratio significantly outperformed the established sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in predicting PE for sensitivity (85% vs. 40%), positive predictive value (89% vs. 42%), and AUC (0.92 vs. 0.52) from 5 to 25 weeks of gestation. Conclusions Non-invasive longitudinal assessment by serological evaluation of Lep/Cer (d18:1/25:0) ratio can case find early pregnancies at risk of preeclampsia, outperforming sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test. Tweetable abstract Non-invasive longitudinal assessment by serological evaluation of Lep and Cer ratio can predict preeclampsia early in gestation.
EEG-Based Emotion Classification for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Using Conventional Machine Learning and Recurrent Neural Network Models

As the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) increases, the effort needed to care for these patients increases as well. At the same time, advances in information and sensor technologies have reduced caring costs, providing a potential pathway for developing healthcare services for AD patients. For instance, if a virtual reality (VR) system can provide emotion-adaptive content, the time that AD patients spend interacting with VR content is expected to be extended, allowing caregivers to focus on other tasks. As the first step towards this goal, in this study, we develop a classification model that detects AD patients’ emotions (e.g., happy, peaceful, or bored). We first collected electroencephalography (EEG) data from 30 Korean female AD patients who watched emotion-evoking videos at a medical rehabilitation center. We applied conventional machine learning algorithms, such as a multilayer perceptron (MLP) and support vector machine, along with deep learning models of recurrent neural network (RNN) architectures. The best performance was obtained from MLP, which achieved an average accuracy of 70.97%; the RNN model’s accuracy reached only 48.18%. Our study results open a new stream of research in the field of EEG-based emotion detection for patients with neurological disorders.
In vitro susceptibility of Mycobacterium abscessus complex and feasibility of standardizing treatment regimens.

OBJECTIVES To determine the in vitro susceptibility of members of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex to routinely tested antibiotics and to an extended antibiotic panel. METHODS Non-duplicate isolates for which susceptibility testing results were available were included in this study. Retrospective laboratory records were reviewed, including tigecycline susceptibility results, and testing was performed with additional drugs, including vancomycin, dalbavancin, telavancin, oritavancin, rifabutin, delafloxacin, eravacycline, clofazimine and bedaquiline using broth microdilution (Sensititre, Thermo Fisher). RESULTS A total of 218 M. abscessus complex isolates were included for retrospective review, of which 151 were respiratory isolates. Of these 218 isolates, 211 were available for additional testing with the extended antibiotic panel. Of these, 146 were respiratory isolates. One isolate had a vancomycin MIC of 2 mg/L and MICs of all other isolates were >8 mg/L. All isolates had MICs of >8 mg/L for oritavancin, dalbavancin and telavancin. One isolate had a delafloxacin MIC of 4 mg/L and MICs of all other isolates were >8 mg/L. The MIC50/MIC90s of rifabutin, tigecycline, eravacycline, clofazimine and bedaquiline were 16/32, 0.5/1, 0.12/0.25, 0.12/0.25 and 0.06/0.12 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In vitro activity was demonstrated for clofazimine, bedaquiline and eravacycline, indicating potential for inclusion as standardized therapy for M. abscessus complex infections.
Face covering adherence is positively associated with better mental health and wellbeing: a longitudinal analysis of the CovidLife surveys

Face masks or coverings are effective at reducing airborne infection rates, yet pandemic mitigation measures, including wearing face coverings, have been suggested to contribute to reductions in quality of life and poorer mental health. Longitudinal analyses of more than 11,000 participants across the UK found no association between lower adherence to face covering guidelines and poorer mental health. The opposite appears to be true. Even after controlling for behavioral, social, and psychological confounds, including measures of pre-pandemic mental health, individuals who wore face coverings "most of the time" or "always" had better mental health and wellbeing than those who did not. These results suggest that wearing face coverings more often will not negatively impact mental health.
Synthesis of Gold Nanorods by Using H2O2 as the Weak Reducer in a Binary Surfactant Mixture

A new seed-mediated growth technique for synthesizing gold nanorods (NRs) by using H2O2 as the weak reducer in the presence of a binary surfactant mixture is reported. Gold NRs prepared at different amounts of H2O2 and the gold seeds solution were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and visible–near infrared spectroscopy. Gold NRs with tunable aspect ratio from 4.5 to 7 can be obtained and the corresponding longitudinal plasmonic wavelength of the produced gold NRs are tunable from 810 to 1140 nm. This method provides a new pathway for synthesis of gold NRs with a wide range of longitudinal plasmonic peaks, which have potential applications in optoelectronics and biomedicine.
Wellbeing and Sense of Coherence Among Female Offenders and Non-Offenders: The Importance of Education

This article consists of two studies comparing female offenders’ and non-offenders’ wellbeing and sense of coherence. Consistent with the hypotheses in Study 1, the level of general wellbeing was lower among female inmates, but the effect was due to differences in education. In Study 2, the sense of coherence was measured. The results indicated that when education and age are included in the analysis, the coherence levels did not differentiate inmates from non-inmates.
Laminin binding to β1‐integrins selectively alters β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptor signalling in cat atrial myocytes

1 Perforated patch recordings were used to determine how plating atrial cells on laminin alters β‐adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) regulation of L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L). 2 Isoproterenol (isoprenaline; ISO; 0.01 μM), a non‐selective β‐AR agonist, elicited a greater stimulation of ICa,L in cells plated on laminin (+79 ± 16 %; n= 17) than on glass (+33 ± 5 %; n= 23). Also, desensitization to ISO was greater in cells on laminin (−16 ± 2 %) than on glass (−3 ± 1 %). Atenolol (0.1 μM), a selective β1‐AR antagonist, inhibited the effects of ISO in cells on glass but not laminin. Conversely, 0.1 μM ICI 118,551, a selective β2‐AR antagonist, inhibited the effects of ISO in cells on laminin but not glass. With β2‐ARs blocked, ISO‐induced stimulation of ICa,L was greater in cells on glass than laminin. 3 Zinterol (0.01–0.1 μM), a selective β2‐AR agonist, elicited a greater stimulation of ICa,L in cells on laminin than on glass. The effects of zinterol were blocked by ICI 118,551. 4 ISO‐induced stimulation of ICa,L was greater in cells plated on an αβ1‐integrin antibody than on glass. Also, addition of 20 μM cytochalasin D to cells on laminin prevented the enhanced effects of ISO typically elicited in cells on laminin alone. 5 We conclude that laminin binding to αβ1‐integrins, in conjunction with the actin cytoskeleton, reduces β1‐AR and enhances β2‐AR signalling which regulates ICa,L. This novel mechanism may contribute to remodelling of β‐AR signalling in the failing heart.
Adolescent vertebral osteomyelitis mimicking a neoplasm

Abstract A 14-year-old previously healthy girl presented with atraumatic onset of low back and flank pain and mildly elevated inflammatory markers. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed an L5 superior endplate fracture, and cultures grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. We discuss the variable presentations and appropriate treatments of adolescent vertebral osteomyelitis.
Evaluation and control of particle properties in aerosol reactors

The production of powders by aerosol routes spans a wide range of operating temperatures depending on the type of aerosol reactors used. The dominant mechanism of particle growth and evolution depends highly on the rate at which the reactions producing the condensible species are carried out. Numerical solutions of the discrete-sectional aerosol general dynamic equation that accounts for the interactions of the discrete clusters were obtained for conditions representative of the different types of aerosol reactors used for powder production today. Simplified reaction and coagulation equations that give fast and useful prediction of the evolution of aerosols associated with chemical reactions were derived, and a simple reaction-coagulation model was developed. The effects of reaction rate, initial vapor concentration, residence time, seed particles, and temperature profile on the properties of fine particles produced by gas-phase chemical reactions were evaluated using both models. Results show good agreement between the two.
A First Overview of ICCMA'19

The third International Competition on Computational Models of Argumentation (ICCMA’19) focuses on reasoning tasks in Abstract Argumentation. Submitted solvers are tested on a selected collection of benchmark instances, including artiﬁcially generated argumentation frameworks and some frameworks formalizing real-world problems. In this paper we introduce the testing environment set for the competition, including its problems and participants.
A MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDY OF ATOMIC CORRELATIONS IN GLASSY B2S3

Glassy B&, the parent compound of the superionic conductor LiI-Li&B& has been studied by the molecular dynamics technique using a new potential model. The results suggest that the glass is made up of local units of four-membered B2S2 rings bridged by sulfur atoms, leading to a chainlike structure. Various pair correlation functions have been analyzed, and the B2Sz rings have been found to be planar. The calculated neutron structure factor shows a peak at 1.4 A-' which has been attributed to B-B correlations at 5.6 A. The glass transition temperature of the simulated system has been calculated to be around 800 K.
Uptake, tainting and depuration in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to the water soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil

In short-term experiments, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was subjected to a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of light crude oil (Nahran-Omar) to verify whether it could lead to fish tainting. The WSF was prepared by mixing the oil with cold river water by stirring. The main constituents of WAF were aromatics with low boiling points, although these compounds only made up a small portion of crude oil. Fish with a lipid content of 3% (550 g) and 9% (1750 g) wet weight were exposed to concentrations (0.5, 0.9, and 1.6 ppm) of WSF for 8 hours. The taint sensory panel assessment was achieved and the evaluation results were compared with the hydrocarbons analysis data obtained by capillary gas chromatography (GC). Although the fish exposure time was very short, the fish flavor was statistically different (p < 0.01) from control, even if the WSF concentration (0.5 ppm) was low. The uptake of hydrocarbons by fish tissues was closely related to the lipid content. High-lipid fish (55 ppm) uptake more hydrocarbons than low-lipid fish (32 ppm). Naphthalene and toluene were the main hydrocarbons that accumulated in fish tissues. High-lipid fish (i.e. 9% wet weight) need at least 12 days to depurate and their depuration rate was slow. High molecular weight aromatics were slower depurated in fish than low molecular weight compounds. The accumulation of hydrocarbons was great in the belly flap muscle (53 ppm), followed by red (52 ppm), lower flank (50 ppm) and white (30 ppm) muscles respectively. Even after 30 days of depuration, the fish muscles were not hydrocarbon free.
Is There Investment Value in the Soft-Dollar Arrangement? Evidence from Mutual Funds

Combining novel data on analyst employment history and mutual fund commission payments, we show that client funds generate higher returns on stocks for which they have access to research by industry expert analysts. The outperformance is greater when funds are more important clients and cannot be attributed to tipping. Client funds place modestly higher weights on stocks covered by industry expert analysts and allocate more commissions to brokers providing such coverage. For identification, we exploit exogenous analyst coverage disruptions. Our findings contribute to the debate on whether mutual funds obtain any investment value from access to analysts through the soft-dollar arrangement.
Size-dependent mobility of platinum cluster on a graphite surface

Molecular dynamics simulations of platinum (Pt) clusters on a graphite surface were performed to study their diffusion and aggregation. The Sutton-Chen many-body potential was used for the Pt–Pt interaction, whereas, a Steele potential was used to calculate the interaction between Pt atoms and carbon (C) atoms of graphite. The results show that at room temperature, the Pt clusters with less than 40 atoms are very mobile with a two-dimensional diffusion coefficient higher than 10−11m2 s−1, but decreasing rapidly with size. The diffusion coefficient of larger cluster has variable size-dependence with local minima at cluster sizes of 50 and 300 Pt atoms and a local maximum at cluster size of 100 atoms. In additional to the overall size of the Pt cluster or nanoparticle, the mismatch between the bottom layer of Pt and graphite also affected the overall Pt–graphite affinity and hence the Pt cluster mobility. The presence of a neighboring Pt cluster can greatly affect mobility. The aggregation of two 50-atom clusters to form a single cluster was observed with the simulation. The relatively stable short dumbbell-like structure of the new cluster resembles previous experimentally observed network of connected Pt nanoparticles on graphite.
Redox non-innocence of a nitrido bridge in a methane-activating dimer of iron phthalocyanine

A nitrido-bridged iron phthalocyanine has recently been shown to catalyze hydrocarbon activation, displaying in this respect distinctly different reactivity than the monomeric phthalocyanine or the oxo-bridged dimer. Here, DFT calculations are shown on models of this catalyst, indicating a distinct difference in electronic structures between the μ-oxo and μ-nitrido-bridged dimers, with the nitride acting as a remarkable charge reservoir and acquiring S = 1 N-character while the oxo bridge remains redox-inert; this difference in charge localization appears to be mirrored by a tendency towards higher symmetry in the Fe–N/O bonds with the nitrido bridge compared to the oxo one, and by a tendency of the nitride to favour lower-spin states more efficiently than the oxide.
Determination of low concentrations of organic phosphorus in soil solution

Abstract Phosphorus (P) export from agricultural land is an important source of water‐quality deterioration in many areas of the world. Part of the total phosphorus in the soil solution is represented by dissolved organic P at concentrations that can be as low as 1x10‐6 M of P. The suitability of four digestion methods for the destruction of organic P and determination of orthophosphate at low concentrations and small volumes using the malachite green method has been evaluated. The acid digestion procedures evaluated were 1) sulfuric and perchloric acid, 2) sulfuric acid and potassium persulphate, 3) nitric acid, and 4) nitric and perchloric acid. As inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) represents one of the more resistant molecules to acid hydrolysis in soils, this compound has been chosen to assess the recovery assay of the recommended procedure. The digestion procedures were adapted for the malachite green spectrophotometric method, in order to obtain lower analytical limits for P determination. The sulfuric‐p.
Effects of Sample Processing Techniques and Instrument Model on Matrix Effect in LC-MS/MS for a Model Drug

The common perception that utilization of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) guarantees selectivity has now been challenged by a number of reported examples for the lack of selectivity due to ion suppression or enhancement caused by the sample matrix and interference from metabolites. It has been observed that an efficient sample preparation technique can reduce the matrix effect significantly. This research aims to evaluate the synergistic effect of sample processing technique and instrument model on matrix effect in LC-MS analysis by post-extraction addition and post-column infusion methods. Accordingly, different sample processing techniques, i.e., protein precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, and solid phase extraction were evaluated for model drug, Esomeprazole, and samples processed with all the three techniques analyzed on three different MS models of AB Sciex, i.e., API-3000, API-3200, and API-4000. Samples were analyzed using Discovery C18 column and mobile phase acetonitrile: 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.8–5.2) :: 80:20, v/v. Results visibly showed that matrix effect was nullified by analyzing samples of liquid–liquid extraction technique on API-3200 and indicated that instrument model and sample processing technique have synergistic effect in contribution to matrix effect. Therefore, one should evaluate matrix effect in the early stage of method development and combine effective sample-processing technique with appropriate instrument model.