Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing renal impairment in treatment-naïve adolescents living with HIV commencing antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe

Objective: People with HIV (PWH) are increasingly experiencing non-communicable complications, including renal impairment, which are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Limited information exists surrounding renal impairment in paediatric PWH, of which the majority live in sub-Saharan Africa, and further information is required to guide clinical practice. This study describes the prevalence of new or worsening renal impairment in adolescents commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe and associated risk factors. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were collected between January 2010 to January 2019 from the medical records of adolescents aged 12–17 years initiating ART at an outpatient HIV clinic in Zimbabwe. Renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR) was calculated using the Full Age Spectrum formula. Proteinuria was defined as a single urine dipstick score of ≥1+. Potential predictors of renal impairment at follow-up were assessed by logistical regression. Results: Two hundred and sixty-six adolescents were included in analysis. Baseline renal impairment (eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2) and proteinuria were present in 13% and 7% of the cohort, respectively. After a median of 4.1 years (interquartile range: 1.9–6.9) following ART commencement, mean eGFR increased by 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.01), and the prevalence of renal impairment decreased to 8% (P < 0.01). Baseline renal impairment predicted renal impairment at follow-up (odds ratio [OR] 8.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.81–28.68; P < 0.01). Proteinuria trended towards association with renal impairment at follow-up (OR 4.39; 95% CI 0.95–20.31; P = 0.06). Conclusions: Renal impairment is common in adolescent ART-naïve PWH, and baseline renal impairment is associated with longstanding renal impairment, whereas baseline proteinuria trended towards an association with longstanding renal impairment.
Associations between exposure to early childhood adversities and middle childhood psychotic experiences in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and population-based controls: The Danish high risk and resilience study – VIA 7 and VIA 11

Abstract Background Exposure to adversities in early childhood is associated with psychotic experiences and disorders in adulthood. We aimed to examine whether early childhood adversities are associated with middle childhood psychotic experiences in a cohort of children at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ), bipolar disorder (FHR-BP) and population-based controls (controls). Methods Four hundred and forty-six children from The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study – VIA7 and VIA11 participated in this study (FHR-SZ = 170; FHR-BP = 103; controls = 173). Exposure to early childhood adversities and psychotic experiences were assessed using face-to-face interviews. Having childhood adversities assessed at baseline (age 7) was used as predictor. Psychotic experiences assessed at follow-up (age 11) were used as outcome. Results Across the sample, exposure to early childhood interpersonal adversities was associated with an increased risk for any middle childhood psychotic experiences and subclinical delusions when adjusting for relevant confounders (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0–3.1, p = 0.05; OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.6–5.6, p < 0.001). There was no significant dose–response effect of exposure to multiple types of childhood adversities on any psychotic experiences. There were no interaction effects between early childhood adversities and FHR on middle childhood psychotic experiences. Exploratory analyses revealed that experiencing domestic violence in early childhood was associated with any middle childhood psychotic experiences (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.1, p = 0.001). Conclusions Exposure to interpersonal adversities during early childhood is associated with an increased risk for middle childhood psychotic experiences including specifically subclinical delusions. Future studies should examine associations between exposure to childhood adversities and conversion to psychosis within this cohort.
Matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) results confirmed by head-to-head trials: a case study in psoriasis

Abstract Background Head-to-head comparisons through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide high-quality evidence to inform healthcare decisions. In their absence, indirect comparisons are often performed; however, evidence is limited on how valid matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC)–based comparative efficacy estimates are vs. RCT-based estimates. Objectives Compare MAIC and RCT results of guselkumab vs. secukinumab and ixekizumab to provide insight into the validity of results generated using MAIC methods. Methods Previously reported results from MAICs of guselkumab vs. secukinumab and ixekizumab were compared with results from ECLIPSE and IXORA-R RCTs based on risk differences between Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 response rates. Results Risk difference (95% confidence interval) in PASI 90 response rates at week 48 for guselkumab vs. secukinumab was 14.4% (9.4%; 19.4%) in ECLIPSE and 9.4% (4.7%; 14.0%) in the MAIC. The risk difference at week 24 for guselkumab vs. ixekizumab was 0.0% (−5.4%; 5.4%) in IXORA-R and 0.7% (−5.1%; 6.4%) in the MAIC. Conclusions Comparative efficacy results were consistent between MAICs and RCTs of guselkumab vs. secukinumab and ixekizumab. This analysis demonstrates that MAIC methods can provide valid relative treatment effect estimates when direct comparisons are lacking, particularly when trials with similar designs and patient populations inform the analysis.
Defect sizing by transient thermography. I. An analytical treatment

Thermal edge effects for crack-like defects have been calculated using the Wiener-Hopf technique. It is found that the crack surface temperature is reduced over a distance of a thermal diffusion length by heat flow around the crack edge to the cold underside of the crack. Surface thermal images have been computed for a straight-edged and a circular crack. Comparisons are presented of image profiles computed with and without inclusion of edge effects. Edge effects lead to the prediction that transient thermographic defect images should shrink with elapsed time. Experimental data are presented, which are in agreement with this prediction and demonstrate a simple means of defect sizing.
Spectral theory of difference operators with almost constant coefficients

The spectrum of higher even order difference operators with almost constant coefficients is determined. With appropriate smoothness and decay conditions on the coefficients, we show that singular continuous spectrum is absent and that the absolutely continuous spectrum agrees with that of the constant coefficient limiting operator. For such operators, the absolutely continuous spectrum is determined uniquely by the range of the characteristic polynomial. This result extends a similar result for even order differential operators. The methods of proof are closely related likewise. Finally, some results on fourth order operators with unbounded coefficients are shown.
Tilavonemab in early Alzheimer’s disease: results from a phase 2, randomized, double-blind study

Abstract Tau accumulation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease tracks closely with cognitive decline and plays a role in the later stages of disease progression. This phase 2 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of tilavonemab, an anti-tau monoclonal antibody, in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. In this 96-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT02880956), patients aged 55–85 years meeting clinical criteria for early Alzheimer’s disease with a Clinical Dementia Rating-Global Score of 0.5, a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 22 to 30, a Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status-Delayed Memory Index score of ≤85, and a positive amyloid PET scan were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive one of three doses of tilavonemab (300 mg, 1000 mg, or 2000 mg) or placebo via intravenous infusion every 4 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline up to Week 96 in the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) score. Safety evaluations included adverse event monitoring and MRI assessments. A total of 453 patients were randomized, of whom 337 were treated with tilavonemab (300 mg, n = 108; 1000 mg, n = 116; 2000 mg, n = 113) and 116 received placebo. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were comparable across groups. The mean age was 71.3 (SD 7.0) years, 51.7% were female, and 96.5% were White. At baseline, the mean CDR-SB score was 3.0 (1.2), which worsened through Week 96 for all treatment groups. The least squares mean change from baseline at Week 96 in the CDR-SB score with tilavonemab was not significantly different compared with placebo [300 mg (n = 85): −0.07 (95% confidence interval, CI: −0.83 to 0.69); 1000 mg (n = 91): −0.06 (95% CI: −0.81 to 0.68); 2000 mg (n = 81): 0.16 (95% CI: −0.60 to 0.93); all P ≥ 0.05]. The incidence of any adverse event and MRI findings were generally comparable across groups. Tilavonemab was generally well tolerated but did not demonstrate efficacy in treating patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. Further investigations of tilavonemab in early Alzheimer’s disease are not warranted.
A numerical study on flow through the spiral casing of a hydraulic turbine

SUMMARY Flow through the spiral casing of a hydraulic turbine was analyzed. Reynolds averaged Navier‐Stokes equations were solved using a finite element method. The physical domain was divided into a number of hexahedral elements which are isoparametrically mapped onto standard cubic elements. Numerical integration for the unsteady momentum equation is performed over such hexahedral elements to obtain a provisional velocity field. Compliance with the mass conservation equation and determination of the pressure correction are accomplished through an iterative procedure. The velocity distribution inside the spiral casing corroborates the results available in literature. The static pressure at the midplane generally decreases from the outside wall towards the exit of the spiral casing. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rural-Urban Differences in Personality Traits and Well-Being in Adulthood.

One large focus of personality psychology is to understand the biopsychosocial factors responsible for adult personality development and well-being change. However, little is known about how macro-level contextual factors, such as rurality-urbanicity, are related to personality development and well-being change. The present study uses data from two large longitudinal studies of U.S. Americans (MIDUS, HRS) to examine whether there are rural-urban differences in levels and changes in the Big Five personality traits and well-being (i.e., psychological well-being, life satisfaction) in adulthood. Multilevel models showed that Americans who lived in more rural areas tended to have lower levels of openness, conscientiousness, and psychological well-being, and higher levels of neuroticism. With the exception of psychological well-being (which replicated across MIDUS and HRS), rural-urban differences in personality traits were only evident in the HRS sample. The effect of neuroticism was fully robust to the inclusion of socio-demographic and social network covariates, but other effects were partially robust (i.e., conscientiousness, openness) or were not robust at all (i.e., psychological well-being). In both samples, there were no rural-urban differences in Big Five or well-being change. We discuss the implications of these findings for personality and rural health research.
A model of gas transfer across air‐water interfaces with capillary waves

The transfer of weakly soluble gases between the atmosphere and seas or lakes is controlled by liquid-phase molecular and turbulent diffusion mechanisms, which essentially depend on wind velocity and gas Schmidt number. A distinct change in regime is observed around 2–3 m s−1, when capillary waves appear, which present models cannot explain. We suggest relating turbulent diffusivity with (1) possible motions close to a “free” liquid-gas interface, (2) mean current distribution in that region, and (3) capillary wave spectra. Resulting transfer velocities explain laboratory and field data at low and moderate wind speeds.
Torque Teno Virus in Nasopharyngeal Aspirate of Children With Viral Respiratory Infections

Background: Torque teno virus (TTV) is a ubiquitous anellovirus responsible for persistent infections and is considered a marker of immune function. The role of TTV as a facilitator of respiratory infections (RIs) is unknown. Objectives: Our aim was to estimate, in a prospective study, the prevalence of TTV in the nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) of hospitalized children <5 years old, with RIs and correlate them with outcomes and immune response. Patients and Methods: NPA was taken for testing of 16 respiratory viruses by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), TTV PCR, and immunologic study. Results: Sixty hospitalized children with an RI were included. A total of 51/60 patients had positive common respiratory viral (CRV) identification. A total of 23/60 (38.3%) children were TTV+ in NPA. TTV+ patients had other CRVs in 100% of cases versus 78.3% in TTV− (P = 0.029). The TTV+ patients tended to be older, have fever, and to need pediatric intensive care unit admission more often than TTV− patients. Abnormal chest radiograph was more frequent in the TTV+ patients, odds ratios 2.6 (95% CI: 1.3–5.2). The genetic expression of filaggrin (involved in epithelial barrier integrity) was lower in TTV+ patients; however, the levels of filaggrin in the NPA were increased. Conclusions: TTV infection is common in children with RI and could be associated with abnormal imaging in radiograph, greater severity and an alteration in filaggrin gene expression and protein release.
Self-Collection Cervical Screening in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Scoping Review of Implementation Evidence

PURPOSE Although cervical cancer is a disease of inequity, it can be eliminated as a public health problem through vaccination, screening, and treatment. Human papillomavirus vaginal self-collection cervical screening is a high-performance test that can increase reach of screening. This review describes the different contexts and models of care used to pilot or implement self-collection within the Asia-Pacific, measures the extent that implementation outcome measures are reported and, where available, summarizes key implementation findings. METHODS A scoping review was conducted by searching five databases of the peer-reviewed literature on June 20, 2022. Two researchers assessed eligibility and extracted data independently to the model of care used and the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Outcomes. A mixed-method consolidation of findings (quantitative: count and frequencies; qualitative: content analysis) was undertaken to narratively report findings. RESULTS Fifty-seven articles, comprising 50 unique studies from 11 countries and two special autonomous regions, were included; 82% were conducted in trials. The implementation of self-collection was conducted in low- (2%), lower-middle– (32%), upper-middle– (32%), and high-income (35%) settings, with 10 different delivery models used; 80% delivered through practitioner-supported models with diversity in how samples were processed, and treatment was offered. Acceptability (73%) and appropriateness (64%) measures were most reported, followed by adoption (57%), feasibility (48%), and fidelity (38%). Only 7% of articles reported implementation cost or penetration measures. No articles reported sustainability measures. CONCLUSION The literature confirms that self-collection cervical screening has been implemented within the Asia-Pacific region, with evidence demonstrating that it is acceptable and appropriate from the user's perspective. Well-designed, high-quality implementation trials and real-world evaluations of self-collection that report the breadth of implementation outcomes can support the progression toward the elimination of cervical cancer.
Ink-jet delivery of particle suspensions by piezoelectric droplet ejectors

The volume and velocity of droplets ejected from a piezoelectric droplet generator, as used in ink-jet printing, have been studied for a range of concentrated suspensions of submicron alumina particles as a function of driving signal voltage, frequency, and peak shape. Drop velocity and volume are found to show a linear relation with driving voltage, but show a more complicated and periodic behavior with changing frequency and peak width. This periodic dependence is shown to be a function of the acoustic properties of the fluid-filled chamber in the droplet generator. However, a simple model considering propagation of pressure waves along the tubular actuator is not consistent with experimental data if the ends are modeled as step changes in acoustic impedance. By comparing the data with that in the literature, it is proposed that the acoustic boundary condition (impedance change) at the orifice where drops are ejected is a function of orifice size and extrapolates to a closed boundary condition, as the o.
Impact of Chronotherapy on 6-Mercaptopurine Metabolites in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Crossover Trial

INTRODUCTION: Chronotherapy is the timing of medication according to biological rhythms of the host to optimize drug efficacy and minimize toxicity. Efficacy and myelosuppression of azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (AZA/6-MP) are correlated with the metabolite 6-thioguanine, while the metabolite 6-methylmercaptopurine correlates with hepatotoxicity. METHODS: This was a single-center, 10-week prospective crossover trial involving 26 participants with inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on a stable dose and time of AZA or 6-MP therapy. Participants were switched to the opposite delivery time (morning or evening) for 10 weeks, and metabolite measurements were at both time points. RESULTS: In the morning vs evening dosing, 6-thioguanine levels were 225.7 ± 155.1 vs 175.0 ± 106.9 (P < 0.01), and 6-methylmercaptopurine levels were 825.1 ± 1,023.3 vs 2,395.3 ± 2,880.3 (P < 0.01), with 69% (18 out of 26) of participants had better metabolite profiles in the morning. Participants with optimal dosing in the morning had an earlier chronotype by corrected midpoint of sleep. DISCUSSION: In the first study on a potential role of chronotherapy in IBD, we found (i) morning dosing of AZA or 6-MP resulted in more optimal metabolite profiles and (ii) host chronotype could help identify one-third of patients who would benefit from evening dosing. Circadian regulation of metabolic enzymes of AZA/6-MP activity in the liver is the likely cause of these differences. This pilot study confirms the need to incorporate chronotherapy in future multicenter clinical trials on IBD disease.
Passive Cycle Training Promotes Bone Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury without Altering Resting-State Bone Perfusion

ABSTRACT Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces diminished bone perfusion and bone loss in the paralyzed limbs. Activity-based physical therapy (ABPT) modalities that mobilize and/or reload the paralyzed limbs (e.g., bodyweight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and passive-isokinetic bicycle training) transiently promote lower-extremity blood flow (BF). However, it remains unknown whether ABPT alter resting-state bone BF or improve skeletal integrity after SCI. Methods Four-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received T9 laminectomy alone (SHAM; n = 13) or T9 laminectomy with severe contusion SCI (n = 48). On postsurgery day 7, SCI rats were stratified to undergo 3 wk of no ABPT, quadrupedal (q)BWSTT, or passive-isokinetic hindlimb bicycle training. Both ABPT regimens involved two 20-min bouts per day, performed 5 d·wk−1. We assessed locomotor recovery, bone turnover with serum assays and histomorphometry, distal femur bone microstructure using in vivo microcomputed tomography, and femur and tibia resting-state bone BF after in vivo microsphere infusion. Results All SCI animals displayed immediate hindlimb paralysis. SCI without ABPT exhibited uncoupled bone turnover and progressive cancellous and cortical bone loss. qBWSTT did not prevent these deficits. In comparison, hindlimb bicycle training suppressed surface-level bone resorption indices without suppressing bone formation indices and produced robust cancellous and cortical bone recovery at the distal femur. No bone BF deficits existed 4 wk after SCI, and neither qBWSTT nor bicycle altered resting-state bone perfusion or locomotor recovery. However, proximal tibia BF correlated with several histomorphometry-derived bone formation and resorption indices at this skeletal site across SCI groups. Conclusions These data indicate that passive-isokinetic bicycle training reversed cancellous and cortical bone loss after severe SCI through antiresorptive and/or bone anabolic actions, independent of locomotor recovery or changes in resting-state bone perfusion.
A Petrov‐Galerkin method with quadrature for semi‐linear second‐order hyperbolic problems

We propose and analyze a Crank–Nicolson quadrature Petrov–Galerkin (CNQPG) ${\cal C}^2$‐spline method for solving semi‐linear second‐order hyperbolic initial‐boundary value problems. We prove second‐order convergence in time and optimal order H2 norm convergence in space for the CNQPG scheme that requires only linear algebraic solvers. We demonstrate numerically optimal order Hk, k = 0,1,2, norm convergence of the scheme for some test problems with smooth and nonsmooth nonlinearities. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer in Firefighters' Protective Clothing with Multiple Air Gaps during Flash Fire Exposure

A finite volume model was developed to simulate transient heat transfer in firefighters' protective clothing during flash fire exposure. The model domain consists of three layers of fire-resistant fabrics (outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner) with two air gaps between the clothing layers, the human skin, and the air gap between the clothing and the skin. The model accounts for the combined conduction-radiation heat transfer in the air gaps entrapped between the clothing layers, and between the clothing and the skin. The variation in the air gap properties and energy content during both the exposure and the cool down periods was accounted for. Predictions were obtained for the temperature and heat flux distributions in the fabric layers, skin, and air gaps as a function of time. The influence of each air gap on the clothing performance was investigated as well. This article demonstrates the importance of accurately modeling the contributions of the air gaps in order to predict the protective clothing performance.
A 21 CM Survey of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster. III. The Region North of +38 Degrees

As part of a comprehensive survey of galaxies in the region of the Pisces-Perseus supercluster and its surroundings, 21-cm line observations obtained with the NRAO 91-m telescope are presented for 383 galaxies in the right ascension range from 22 to 10 hr and north of +38 deg declination. Recent improvements to the Green Bank receiver/feed system have dramatically raised detection rates at the distance of Pisces-Perseus (cz = +5000 km/s). The present study has contributed to double the number of known redshifts outside rich clusters in this section of the sky. The H I content of the current sample, as expressed in terms of the H I mass expected for a galaxy of the same optical size and morphology, matches the standard of normalcy established for isolated galaxies. 31 references.