Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-specific Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Disease in Children

Background: Clinical presentation for extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in children can be variable and nonspecific, leading to delayed diagnosis, disease and death. We describe the age-specific clinical presentation and identify risk factors for EPTB among children in Pakistan. Methods: In 2015–2016 in 4 facilities in Sindh, Pakistan, children were diagnosed with TB either through bacteriologic confirmation or clinical-radiologic criteria. EPTB comprised any form of TB disease that did not involve the lungs. Among children with TB disease, we report demographics, clinical characteristics and symptoms, family medical history and diagnostic test results for children with and without EPTB. We conduct age-specific regression analyses to identify factors associated with an EPTB diagnosis among children age 0–4, 5–9 and 10–14 years. Results: A total of 1163 children were diagnosed with TB disease, of which 157 (13.5%) had EPTB. Of those, 46 (29.3%) were 0–4, 53 (33.8%) were 5–9 and 58 (36.9%) were 10–14 years old. Of children with EPTB, the most frequently reported sites were lymph node (113, 72.4%) and abdominal (31, 19.9%). Weight loss was associated with an increased risk of EPTB in the 0–4-year-old (adjusted odds ratio: 2.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–7.47) and 10–14-year-old (adjusted odds ratio: 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–6.07) groups, and the presence of cough was associated with a decreased risk of EPTB. Conclusions: This study provides new knowledge about age-specific clinical presentation and risk factors of EPTB in children in Pakistan. Our results can help to optimize clinical algorithms designed to achieve a timely diagnosis in children with EPTB along with improved treatment outcomes.
Microplastics Determination in Gastrointestinal Tracts of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Gilt-Head Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

Microplastic pollution has an extremely widespread distribution, to the extent that microplastics could be ingested by aquatic organisms, including species of commercial importance for fisheries and aquaculture. In this work, the anthropogenic particles content of the gastrointestinal tracts of 86 individuals of cultivated European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, n = 45) and gilt-head sea bream (Sparus aurata, n = 41) from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) was determined. Samples were bought at local markets and directly transported to the laboratory. After the dissection of the fishes and digestion of the gastrointestinal tracts in 10% KOH (w/v) at 60 °C for 24 h, the digests were filtered (50 µm stainless-steel mesh) and visualized under a stereomicroscope, finding that most of the items were colourless (47.7% for Dicentrarchus labrax and 60.9% for Sparus aurata) and blue (35.3% vs. 24.8%) microfibers, with an average length of 1957 ± 1699 µm and 1988 ± 1853 µm, respectively. Moreover, 15.3% of the microfibres were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, showing the prevalence of cellulosic fibres together with polyester, polyacrylonitrile, and poly(ether-urethane). This pattern (microplastics shapes, colours, sizes, and composition) clearly agrees with previous studies carried out in the Canary Islands region regarding the determination of microplastics in the marine environment.
Impact of etoposide and ASCT on survival among patients aged <65 years with stage II to IV PTCL: a population-based cohort study

Brink et al report on a population-based analysis of 1427 patients in the Netherlands Cancer Registry with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified to assess the impacts on outcomes of the addition of etoposide to frontline chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as consolidation. ASCT yielded superior survival (81% vs 39% for patients who did not receive a transplant). No randomized trial data are available, but this retrospective analysis suggests that eligible patients should be considered for ASCT.
Evaluation of Machine Learning versus Empirical Models for Monthly Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand States, India

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) plays an important role in agriculture applications such as irrigation scheduling, crop simulation, water budgeting, and reservoir operations. Therefore, the accurate estimation of ETo is essential for optimal utilization of available water resources on regional and global scales. The present study was conducted to estimate the monthly ETo at Nagina (Uttar Pradesh State) and Pantnagar (Uttarakhand State) stations by employing the three ML (machine learning) techniques including the SVM (support vector machine), M5P (M5P model tree), and RF (random forest) against the three empirical models (i.e., Valiantzas-1: V-1, Valiantzas-2: V-2, Valiantzas-3: V-3). Three different input combinations (i.e., C-1, C-2, C-3) were formulated by using 8-year (2009–2016) climatic data of wind speed (u), solar radiation (Rs), relative humidity (RH), and mean air temperature (T) recorded at both stations. The predictive efficacy of ML and the empirical models was evaluated based on five statistical indicators i.e., CC (correlation coefficient), WI (Willmott index), EC (efficiency coefficient), RMSE (root mean square error), and MAE (mean absolute error) presented through a heatmap along with graphical interpretation (Taylor diagram, time-series, and scatter plots). The results showed that the SVM-1 model corresponding to the C-1 input combination outperformed the other ML and empirical models at both stations. Moreover, the SVM-1 model had the lowest MAE (0.076, 0.047 mm/month) and RMSE (0.110, 0.063 mm/month), and highest EC (0.995, 0.999), CC (0.998, 0.999), and WI (0.999, 1.000) values during validation period at Nagina and Pantnagar stations, respectively, and closely followed by the M5P model. Consequently, the ML model (i.e., SVM) was found to be more robust, and reliable in monthly ETo estimation and can be used as a promising alternative to empirical models at both study locations.
A VERSATILE, SOFTWARE PROGRAMMABLE TELEMETRY SYSTEM FOR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLES

We describe the design and development of a baseband telemetry system for multistage launch vehicles. The system is organized as a three tier one with remote data acquisition and processing units and a centralized control unit. The front-end Data Acquisition Units (DAUs) feature software programmable amplification, offset, filtering and sensor excitation and thus are flexible to interface directly to a variety of sensors used in launch vehicles. The Data Processing Units (DPUs) gather data from DAUs through a serial link compatible to RS-485 standards and carry out a variety of data analysis and data compression functions on selected channels under software control. The central Telemetry Control Unit (TCU) receives this data through a transformer isolated link compatible to MIL-1553B standards and performs the functions of data delay, data storage, onboard computer data monitoring, PCM formatting and pre-modulation signal conditioning to achieve miniaturization. The configuration and features of this telemetry system make its integration simple without compromising on data integrity and reliability and suit the adoption of futuristic technologies and concepts such as smart sensor networks, adaptability, reconfiguration and vehicle health management.
Production of New Microbially Conjugated Bile Acids by Human Gut Microbiota

Gut microbes have been recognized to convert human bile acids by deconjugation, dehydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and epimerization of the cholesterol core, but the ability to re-conjugate them with amino acids as an additional conversion has been recently described. These new bile acids are known as microbially conjugated bile acids (MCBAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the MCBAs diversity produced by the gut microbiota through a metabolomics approach. In this study, fresh fecal samples from healthy donors were evaluated to explore the re-conjugation of chenodeoxycholic and 3-oxo-chenodeoxycholic acids by the human gut microbiota. No significant differences were found between the conversion trend of both BAs incubations. The in vitro results showed a clear trend to first accumulate the epimer isoursochenodeoxycholic acid and the dehydroxylated lithocholic acid derivatives in samples incubated with chenodeoxycholic and 3-oxo-chenodeoxycholic acid. They also showed a strong trend for the production of microbially conjugated dehydroxylated bile acids instead of chenodeoxycholic backbone conjugates. Different molecules and isomers of MCBAs were identified, and the new ones, valolithocholate ester and leucolithocholate ester, were identified and confirmed by MS/MS. These results document the gut microbiota’s capability to produce esters of MCBAs on hydroxyls of the sterol backbone in addition to amides at the C24 acyl site. This study opens a new perspective to study the BAs diversity produced by the human gut microbiota.
Clinical and Imaging Features of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Background: COVID-19 superinfection by Aspergillus (COVID-19-associated aspergillosis, CAPA) is increasingly observed due to increased awareness and use of corticosteroids. The aim of this study is to compare clinical and imaging features between COVID-19 patients with and without associated pulmonary aspergillosis. Material and Methods: In this case–control study, hospitalized patients between March 2020 and March 2021 were evaluated. Two observers independently compared 105 chest CTs of 52 COVID-19 patients without pulmonary aspergillosis to 40 chest CTs of 13 CAPA patients. The following features were evaluated: lung involvement, predominant main pattern (ground glass opacity, crazy paving, consolidation) and additional lung and chest findings. Chronological changes in the abnormal extent upon CT and chronological changes in the main patterns were compared with mixed models. Patient-wise comparisons of additional features and demographic and clinical data were performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Compared to COVID-19 patients without pulmonary aspergillosis, CAPA patients were older (mean age (±SD): 70.3 (±7.8) versus 63.5 (±9.5) years (p = 0.01). The time-dependent evolution rates for consolidation (p = 0.02) and ground glass (p = 0.006) differed. In early COVID-19 disease, consolidation was associated with CAPA, whereas ground glass was less common. Chronological changes in the abnormal extent upon CT did not differ (p = 0.29). Regardless of the time point, bronchial wall thickening was observed more frequently in CAPA patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: CAPA patients showed a tendency for consolidation in early COVID-19 disease. Bronchial wall thickening and higher patient age were associated with CAPA. The overall lung involvement was similar between both groups.
A Sociotechnical Systems Framework for the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Delivery

In the coming years, artificial intelligence (AI) will pervade almost every aspect of the health care delivery system. AI has the potential to improve patient safety (e.g., diagnostic accuracy) as well as reduce the burden on clinicians (e.g., documentation-related workload); however, these benefits are yet to be realized. AI is only one element of a larger sociotechnical system that needs to be considered for effective AI application. In this paper, we describe the current challenges of integrating AI into clinical care and propose a sociotechnical systems (STS) approach for AI design and implementation. We demonstrate the importance of an STS approach through a case study on the design and implementation of a clinical decision support (CDS). In order for AI to reach its potential, the entire work system as well as clinical workflow must be systematically considered throughout the design of AI technology.
Postnatal Choline Supplementation Rescues Deficits in Synaptic Plasticity Following Prenatal Ethanol Exposure

Prenatal ethanol exposure (PNEE) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental impairments, yet treatments for individuals with PNEE are limited. Importantly, postnatal supplementation with the essential nutrient choline can attenuate some adverse effects of PNEE on cognitive development; however, the mechanisms of action for choline supplementation remain unclear. This study used an animal model to determine if choline supplementation could restore hippocampal synaptic plasticity that is normally impaired by prenatal alcohol. Throughout gestation, pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were fed an ethanol liquid diet (35.5% ethanol-derived calories). Offspring were injected with choline chloride (100 mg/kg/day) from postnatal days (PD) 10–30, and then used for in vitro electrophysiology experiments as juveniles (PD 31–35). High-frequency conditioning stimuli were used to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial perforant path input to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. PNEE altered synaptic transmission in female offspring by increasing excitability, an effect that was mitigated with choline supplementation. In contrast, PNEE juvenile males had decreased LTP compared to controls, and this was rescued by choline supplementation. These data demonstrate sex-specific changes in plasticity following PNEE, and provide evidence that choline-related improvements in cognitive functioning may be due to its positive impact on hippocampal synaptic physiology.
Effects of Type of Concentrate and Timing of Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nitrogen Use, and Performance in Lactating Dairy Cows Grazing an Alfalfa-Ryegrass Sward

Simple Summary Supplementing non-structural carbohydrates can enhance feed intake, performance, and nitrogen use in dairy cows grazing protein-rich swards. The present study thus analyzed the effects of feeding lactating cows two types of cereal grains, when their majority was either offered before or after grazing an alfalfa-ryegrass sward. Results showed that supplementing corn meal as a slowly degradable starch source after grazing and oat meal as a rapidly degradable starch source before grazing may improve milk yield and nitrogen use in grazing dairy cows. Hence, matching the choice of concentrate feed and the timing of its supplementation may aid to reduce nitrogen emissions from pasture-based dairy cattle systems while making use of the local, human-inedible forage resources from grasslands. Abstract The aim was to analyze the effects of two cereal grains differing in nutritional composition and starch degradation characteristics and the timing of their supplementation on feed intake, rumen microbial protein synthesis (MPS), performance, and nitrogen use of lactating dairy cows grazing an alfalfa-ryegrass sward. Four dietary treatments were tested in 24 lactating Brown Swiss cows in an incomplete 4 × 3 Latin square design. Cows were supplemented with 3.5 kg/d (as-fed basis) of a corn-based or an oat-based concentrate mixture (CM), of which either the majority (2.5 vs. 1.0 kg/d) was offered before or after grazing. Feed intake was similar across diets, but the interaction between type of CM and timing of supplementation affected eating time (p = 0.010), milk protein (p = 0.013) and energy-corrected milk yields (p = 0.025), efficiency of rumen MPS (p = 0.094), and nitrogen use efficiency (p = 0.081). Most of these variables were greater when the majority of the corn-based CM was offered after grazing and the oat-based CM before grazing. Supplementing slowly degradable starch sources after and rapidly degradable starch sources before grazing may improve the efficiency of rumen MPS, milk performance, and nitrogen use efficiency in dairy cows grazing alfalfa-ryegrass swards.
Therapeutic Fasting: Are Patients Aged 65 and Over Ready?

While being the main potential beneficiaries of therapeutic fasting’s health benefits, the elderly are frequently thought of as being too fragile to fast. The main objective of our survey was to review the knowledge, practices, and acceptability of therapeutic fasting in subjects aged 65 years and over. From September 2020 to March 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to subjects aged 65 and over, using the mailing list of local organizations working in the field of aging. The mean age of the 290 respondents was 73.8 ± 6.5 years, 75.2% were women and 54.1% had higher education. Among the respondents, 51.7% had already fasted and 80.7% deemed therapeutic fasting interesting, 83.1% would be willing to fast if it was proven beneficial for their health, and 77.2% if it was proven to decrease the burden of chronic diseases. Subjects aged 65 to 74 years considered themselves as having the greatest physical and motivational abilities to perform therapeutic fasting. People aged 65 years, or more, are interested in therapeutic fasting and a large majority would be ready to fast if such practice was proven beneficial. These results pave the way for future clinical trials evaluating therapeutic fasting in elderly subjects.
Study on practical application for in-process blowholes detection technology

Abstract For the development of in-process blowholes detection and prediction technology, a welding system with an infrared camera and welding robot was integrated and the authors verified the detection of welding phenomena directly associated with the occurrence of blowholes. In addition, an image analysis index for welding defect detection and prediction was considered. It was clarified that it is possible to observe the bubbling phenomena just under the arc due to the blow hole generation by the welding system. In addition, it was considered possible to detect and predict the occurrence of blowholes with high accuracy by analyzing the observation frequency of the bubble generation phenomenon directly under the arc with an appropriate index.
Understanding Special Operations Forces Spouses Challenges and Resilience: A Mixed-Method Study

Abstract Special Operations Forces (SOF) are high readiness units that frequently deploy on short notice, leaving their families to cope at home. The objective of this study was to better understand the unique challenges of SOF spouses and the risk and protective factors that contribute to their resilience. The study employed a mixed-methods design, including an online survey (n = 159 spouses) and in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 29 spouses). Results indicate that while the majority of surveyed SOF spouses had good mental health, they seem to have a higher prevalence of poor mental health than conventional force spouses. Combined survey and interview results indicate that SOF spouses report high levels of work-life conflict and experience challenges related to the demands of the SOF lifestyle. Living in a rural area was inversely related to good mental health, and qualitative findings suggest that this association may be due to career limitations. Social support, especially from the SOF community and their SOF partner, was identified as critical for spouses’ well-being. Participants also discussed having a military background, being independent, engaging in self-care, and using military family services and counseling as key to maintaining their well-being. Recommendations for support needs are discussed.
The Impact of Loss Aversion and Diminishing Sensitivity on Airline Revenue: Price Sensitivity in Cabin Classes

While most businesses actively adopt a data-driven approach for revenue management decisions, understanding how air travelers perceive and behave differently to pricing strategies is essential for yielding optimal financial outcomes. This study analyzes the loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity mechanisms of prospect theory in economy and business cabin classes. With rich longitudinal airfares, regression models and revenue data (15,868 observations from the top-10 aviation routes in the world) from 2014 to 2019, this study finds that lower-(higher-)than-expected airfares have a positive (negative) impact on revenue. When the effect of loss-coded and gain-coded tickets were compared, the extent to which passengers avoided losses (vs. welcomed gains) had a greater impact on revenue, supporting that loss aversion applies to the airline revenue, especially for business passengers. This study contributes to the further refinement of prospect theory by showing that the loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity mechanisms manifest differently in each cabin class.
Endothelial Cell Protein Targeting by Myeloperoxidase-Derived 2-Chlorofatty Aldehyde

Neutrophils are important cellular mediators of injury and repair in diseases including ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, and sepsis. Myeloperoxidase-derived (MPO)-oxidants released from neutrophils are potential mediators of endothelial injury in disease. MPO-derived HOCl attacks plasmalogen phospholipid to liberate 2-chlorofatty aldehyde (2-ClFALD). Both 2-ClFALD and its oxidation product, 2-chlorofatty acid (2-ClFA), are electrophilic lipids, and both probably react with proteins through several mechanisms. In the present study, we investigate protein modification specifically by 2-ClFALD under non-reducing conditions (e.g., without stabilizing Schiff base bonds), which likely reflects nucleophilic targeting of the electrophilic chlorinated carbon. Protein modification by the ω-alkyne analog of 2-chlorohexadecanal (2-ClHDA), 2-ClHDyA, was compared to that with the ω-alkyne analog of 2-chlorohexadecanoic acid (2-ClHA), 2-ClHyA, in multiple cell lines, which demonstrated 2-ClFALD preferentially modifies proteins compared to 2-ClFA. The 2-ClHDyA modified proteins from EA.hy926 cells and human lung microvascular endothelial cells analyzed by shotgun proteomics and over-representation analysis included adherens junction, cell adhesion molecule binding, and cell substrate junction enrichment categories. It is possible that proteins in these groups may have roles in previously described 2-ClFALD-elicited endothelial barrier dysfunction.
Assessing Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Under Long Term Fertilization After Forty-Eight Years in North-Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out in an on-going long-term fertilizer experiment, initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Choudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Palampur, to study the long-term effect of fertilizers and amendments on soil physical and chemical properties in an acid Alfisol under maize–wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments with 3 replications with randomized block design. The soil of the experimental site was silt loam and classified taxonomically as “Typic Hapludalf” (Subgroup). Long-term use of integrated nutrient management practices significantly improved the available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium as compared to control. Effect of long-term application of inorganic fertilizers and amendments on soil chemical properties was studied. Soil organic carbon content was increased in 100% Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium + Farm Yard Manures applied plots. Application of inorganic fertilizers along with Farm Yard Manures increased the Mean weight diameter (MWD) and Geometric mean weight diameter (GMD) over control. The available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) extractable micronutrients cation were optimum in 100% Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium + Farm Yard Manures applied treatments.