Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Figure de la Terre : gravimétrie, régimes de contrainntes et vibrations propres

Le lien entre forme de la Terre et contraintes est etudie sans hypothese rheologique a priori. Le potentiel externe de gravite est exprime au deuxieme ordre en fonction des variations laterales de densite sur les equipotentielles et de l'altitudes des interfaces. Ces variations laterales sont reliees aux composantes du tenseur des contraintes grâce a l'equation d'equilibre. On en deduit l'expression generale du potentiel en fonction des contraintes. L'importance du deuxieme ordre pour le calcul de ce potentiel a ete mise en evidence. L'inversion des donnees de geopotentiel et de topographies est effectuee jusqu'au degre 360 en minimisant le deviateur des contraintes, ou, plus exactement, la difference entre contraintes quasi verticale et quasi horizontale. L'epaisseur de croute, quantite la mieux determinee, est en general plus importante sous les reliefs ou l'etat tectonique est une compression verticale. Les compilations de profondeur sismique du Moho corroborent nos resultats. Cette methodologie est appliquee a la lune jusqu'au degre 70. Les anomalies de masses positives sous les grands bassins sont clairement visibles jusqu'a grande profondeur. Le calcul des frequences propres d'une Terre lateralement heterogene est etendu afin de tenir compte du deviateur des contraintes. Sous l'hypothese transversalement isotrope les observables sont exprimes en fonction des variations laterales des coefficients elastiques sur les equipotentielles, du deviateur de contraintes et de l'altitude des surfaces de contraintes. L'inversion des donnees correspondantes permet d'avoir acces aux premiers degres pairs des variations lateerales des parametres mecaniques de la Terre
The Potential Relationship between Gastric and Small Intestinal-Derived Endotoxin on Serum Testosterone in Men

The association between H. pylori and small intestinal permeability (IP) on serum testosterone levels in men as mediated by metabolic endotoxemia remains unclear. We sought to explore relationships using correlational analysis between H. pylori IgG class antibody levels and small IP via dual sugar probe analysis on T levels in 50 male participants of reproductive age. Sleep quality, physical activity levels, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptom severity were measured as potential confounders. Measures for H. pylori (antibodies) increased small IP (lactulose/rhamnose ratio), and hypogonadism (testosterone) did not exceed diagnostic cut-off values for respective pathologies. There was no correlation between lactulose/rhamnose e ratio and GI function markers, zonulin, H. pylori, and IBS questionnaire scores; inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hsCRP) and Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein (LBP); nor endocrine markers, testosterone, Luteinizing hormone (LH), and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). There was a moderate inverse relationship revealed between IBS symptom severity and LBP (r = −0.457, p = 0.004); and hsCRP and testosterone (r = −0.398, p = 0.004). This was independent of physical activity level and sleep quality, but not BMI, which supports the existing link between adiposity, inflammation, and hypogonadism currently present in the literature.
Production of High-Efficiency Alternative Biodiesel from Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil Using an In-house Made Y-Type Zeolite Catalyst

AS-40 colloidal silica 40 wt. % suspension in water using the hydrothermal method. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses were all utilized to analyze the properties of the synthesized Y-zeolite catalyst. Waste cooking oil (WCO) was transesterified to biodiesel in a batch reactor under different temperatures (e.g., 40, 50, and 60 ° C) for 3 hours, and the activity of the catalyst was evaluated before and after being loaded with potassium oxide (K 2 O) molecules using the impregnation method. It is observed that the biodiesel conversion and yield, in the presence of a non-KOH-loaded catalyst, rose with increasing temperature and/or reaction time. However, increasing the reaction time beyond 2 hours in the presence of the catalyst loaded with 10% KOH decreased biodiesel conversion and yield. It has also been found that using catalysts with smaller particle sizes (e.g., 75 μm) is more favorable for enhancing the conversion of the catalytic process due to the acceleration of the reaction rate. A maximum biodiesel yield and conversion of 84.44% and 80%, respectively, were obtained. Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), the composition and physical characteristics of the produced biodiesel were compared with those of standard fuels and the comparison results were particularly satisfactory. The spent Y catalyst loaded with KOH was recovered, reactivated, and reused in subsequent reactions. It exhibited outstanding catalytic activity, which is a testament to its cost advantage since it could significantly reduce the need for large quantities of costly homogeneous catalysts that are difficult to separate from the reaction products.
Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis on Outcome after Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) carries a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigated the risk factors, pathognomonic profile and outcomes of surgically treated IE in CKD and HD patients. We preoperatively identified patients with CKD under hemodialysis (HD group) and compared them with patients without hemodialysis (Non-HD group). Furthermore, we divided the cohort into four groups according to the underlying stage of CKD, with a subsequent outcome analysis. Between 2009 and 2018, 534 Non-HD and 58 HD patients underwent surgery for IE at our institution. The median age was 65.1 [50.6–73.6] and 63.2 [53.4–72.8] years in the Non-HD and HD groups, respectively (p = 0.861). The median EuroSCORE II was 8.0 [5.0–10.0] vs. 9.5 [7.0–12.0] in the Non-HD vs. HD groups (p = 0.004). Patients without CKD had a mortality rate of 5.6% at 30 days and 15.5% at 1 year. Mortality rates proportionally rose with the severity of CKD. Among HD patients, 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 38.1% and 75.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Staphylococcus aureus IE was significantly more frequent in the HD group (p = 0.006). In conclusion, outcomes after surgery for IE correlated with the severity of the underlying CKD, with HD patients exhibiting the most unfavorable results. Pre-existing CKD and staphylococcus aureus infection were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality.
Artichoke Industrial Waste in Durum Wheat Bread: Effects of Two Different Preparation and Drying Methods of Flours and Evaluation of Quality Parameters during Short Storage

‘Violetto di Ramacca’ is a local variety of artichoke grown in Sicily (Southern Italy), known for its purple color with green streaks. In this study, the effects of two different preparation and drying methods (method A, fresh sample oven-dried at 40 °C for 48 h then mixed and ground into flour; and B, minced and frozen sample oven-dried at 40 °C for 24 h then blended and ground into flour) for flours from different parts of the artichoke (bracts, stems, and mix), used at different percentages of integration (5, 7.5, and 10%), in combination with re-milled semolina, have been evaluated. The polyphenol contents of the flours produced with the two methods were measured. The results showed significant differences between the methods and samples, with a range from 9.09 mg GAE/g d.m. (bracts 100%, method A) to 2.62 mg/g (mix 100%, method B). The values were then lowered in the flour products with supplements ranging from 0.96 mg GAE/g (bract flour 10%, method A) to 0.11 mg GAE/g (mixed flour 7.5%, method B). As the amounts of polyphenols increased, the antioxidant activity increased, with a range that varied in the pure flour from 8.59 mg trolox eq/g d.m. (bract flour, method A) to 3.83 mg trolox eq/g d.m. (mixed flour, method B). These flours were also analyzed for color, highlighting a clear difference between methods A (greener) and B (browner). The flours thus obtained were used to produce breads, which were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics during 4 days of storage. The results showed a reduction in volumes and heights, an increase in the percentage of integration of the artichoke flours, a greater quantity of moisture in the integrated breads, and a lower reduction in the structural characteristics during storage compared to the control breads. The TPA was conducted on the breads from T0 to T4, highlighting that, although initially more compact, the integrated breads offered less alteration of the values during storage. The aw ranged from 0.63 (mix flour 5%, method B) to 0.90 (bract flour 5%, method B). The amounts of polyphenols (from 0.57 mg GAE/g in bread with bracts at 10% (method A) to 0.13 mg GAE/g in bread with mix 5% (method B)) and the antioxidant activity (from 0.55 mg trolox eq/g d.m. in bread with bract flour 10% (method A) to 0.14% mg trolox eq/g d.m. in bread with mix flour) were also evaluated, showing a trend similar to the values obtained in the flours. Colorimetric tests highlighted a color more similar to wholemeal bread in the loaves produced with method B. Statistical factor analysis and cluster analysis were conducted for all trials.
Bitemporal Mineral Dust Detection from MSG SEVIRI observations

Many processes have been suggested by which transported mineral dust interacts with different components of the climate system (e.g. radiation balance, atmospheric stability, convective clouds, wind direction and speed). Thus satellite monitoring of mineral dust activation and transport is needed to observe and quantify the impact of mineral dust on several components of the climate system. Remote sensing of mineral dust in the atmosphere mostly relies on measurements of reflected solar radiation and thus is often limited to regions with dark surfaces. Over vegetated or generally dark surfaces many methods are available to derive mineral dust optical depth from remote sensing data of polar orbiting or geostationary satellites. But in most cases these methods fail over bright surfaces as they are common in the desert regions, e.g. in the Sahara. Thus infrared measurements have to be used to derive dust information also over desert surfaces. The presented new method for the detection and analysis of mineral dust over (cloud-free) land combines dayand night-time data from two infrared channels of Meteosat Second Generation (MSG). The Bitemporal Mineral Dust Index (BMDI) uses brightness temperature differences between the 10. 8μm and 12. 0μm channels at dayand at night-time (03 UTC and 12 UTC respectively) together with the difference in 10. 8μm brightness temperature between day and night. As mineral dust is quite absorptive in the 10. 8μm region and less in the 12. 0μm region, the use of brightness temperature differences between those bands is rather common to detect mineral dust from infrared measurements. MSG offers measurements in both wavelength bands from a geostationary orbit, thus the combination of dayand nighttime observations to a bi-temporal dust index becomes possible. Thus a dust mask over land for further applications can be derived together with the dust index by applying additional threshold tests. Comparisons of one year of BMDI observations with Aerosol Robotic NETwork (AERONET) aerosol optical depth (AOD), MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) “Deep Blue” AOD and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) Absorbing Aerosol Index (AI) show good results in the ability to detect airborne dust and also estimate the dust load to some degree with the BMDI.
Management of Patients Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Clinical Practice and Challenging Scenarios

It is well established that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are the cornerstone of anticoagulant strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) and should be preferred over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) since they are superior or non-inferior to VKAs in reducing thromboembolic risk and are associated with a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage (IH). In addition, many factors, such as fewer pharmacokinetic interactions and less need for monitoring, contribute to the favor of this therapeutic strategy. Although DOACs represent a more suitable option, several issues should be considered in clinical practice, including drug–drug interactions (DDIs), switching to other antithrombotic therapies, preprocedural and postprocedural periods, and the use in patients with chronic renal and liver failure and in those with cancer. Furthermore, adherence to DOACs appears to remain suboptimal. This narrative review aims to provide a practical guide for DOAC prescription and address challenging scenarios.
University of Birmingham Migrant children with Special Educational Needs in European schools – a review of current issues and approaches

This paper presents findings from an exploratory review of the literature on school approaches and current issues within European schools in relation to migrant children with SEN. 13 papers were identified and analysed and three key ‘journeys’ reflecting the developing and negotiated nature of family and school experiences and practices were identified: the family journey, the school journey and the journey into SEN. The findings emphasise the importance of professionals acknowledging cultural and individual diversity, not only by considering the cultural backgrounds of migrants, but also by critically understanding their own cultural framework and how they use it in their work with families. The review provides a useful reference for future research in this area and for professionals working with diverse communities, by highlighting common practices to be aware of, and by providing evidence that more training is needed of school staff in how to manage and understand migration and diversity in relation to children with SEN.
Effectiveness of concomitant immunosuppressive therapy in suppressing the formation of antibodies to infliximab in Crohn's disease. Commentary

Background: Episodic infliximab (IFX) treatment is associated with the formation of antibodies to IFX (ATls) in the majority of patients, which can lead to infusion reactions and a shorter duration of response. Concomitant use of immunosuppressives (IS) reduces the risk of ATI formation. Aims and methods: To investigate which of the IS-that is, methotrexate (MTX) or azathioprine (AZA)-is most effective at reducing the risk of ATI formation, a multicentre cohort of 174 patients with Crohn's disease, treated with IFX in an on-demand schedule, was prospectively studied. Three groups were studied: no IS (n = 59), concomitant MTX (n = 50) and concomitant AZA (n = 65). ATI and IFX concentrations were measured in a blinded manner at Prometheus Laboratories before and 4 weeks after each infusion. Results: ATls were detected in 55% (96/174) of the patients. The concomitant use of IS therapy (AZA or MTX) was associated with a lower incidence of ATls (53/115; 46%) compared with patients not taking concomitant IS therapy (43/59; 73%; p 8 μg/ml during follow-up, the IFX levels 4 weeks after the first infusion were retrospectively found to be significantly lower than in patients who did not develop ATls on follow-up or had inconclusive ATls. Conclusion: Concomitant IS therapy reduces ATI formation associated with IFX treatment and improves the pharmacokinetics of IFX. There is no difference between MTX and AZA in reducing these risks. ATI profoundly influences the pharmacokinetics of IFX. The formation of ATIs >8 μg/ml is associated with lower serum levels of IFX already at 4 weeks after its first administration.
Lightweight Soft Robotic Glove with Whole-Hand Finger Motion Tracking for Hand Rehabilitation in Virtual Reality

Soft robotic gloves have attracted significant interest in hand rehabilitation in the past decade. However, current solutions are still heavy and lack finger-state monitoring and versatile treatment options. To address this, we present a lightweight soft robotic glove actuated by twisted string actuators (TSA) that provides whole-hand finger motion tracking. We have developed a virtual reality environment for hand rehabilitation training, allowing users to interact with various virtual objects. Fifteen small inertial measurement units are placed on the glove to predict finger joint angles and track whole-hand finger motion. We performed TSA experiments to identify design and control rules, by understanding how their response varies with input load and voltages. Grasping experiments were conducted to determine the grasping force and range of motion. Finally, we showcase an application of the rehabilitation glove in a Unity-based VR interface, which can actuate the operator’s fingers to grasp different virtual objects.
Coast Salish Essays

Wayne Suttles has devoted much of his professional life to research on the cultures of the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest, especially the Coast Salish of the Georgia Strait-Puget Sound Basin. Born and raised in this region, he has been guided by a life-long love of its natural environment and wish to know how its Native peoples lived in it, understood it and felt it. In 1946 he began ethnographic field work with the Straits peoples and in 1951 presented in his Ph.D. dissertation one of the fullest accounts that we have of the fishing, hunting and gathering foundation of a Northwest Coast Indian culture. He is probably best known for his contribution to the "ecological" approach to the Northwest Coast. In essays included in this volume, he was the first to challenge the received wisdom that Northwest Coast Indians lived in perpetual Eden-like abundance and that their lavish potlatches were merely the expression of cultural values gone wild, and he was the first to suggest that cultural differences within the Northwest Coast may be related to environmental differences. These essays have had a lasting impact on the study of the Northwest Coast, provoking argument and suggesting problems for research and hypotheses to test in both social anthropology and archeology. Other essays deal with Native knowledge, belief and art, with Native responses to the European invasion, and with the prehistory of Northwestern North America. All are updated with references to more recent works and the author's own reconsideration of some matters.
The association of hamstring tightness with lumbar lordosis and trunk flexibility in healthy individuals: gender analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a relation between hamstring tightness and lumbar lordosis as well as trunk flexibility based on gender differences and to analyze the differences in hamstring tightness, lumber lordosis and trunk flexibility in healthy adults. Methods: One hundred young healthy adults were recruited and distributed into 2 equal groups according to gender: group A (female group) and group B (male group). Hamstring tightness (HT) was measured by Active Knee Extension (AKE) test and Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test, the angle of lumbar lordosis was measured with a flexible ruler from standing position and trunk flexion flexibility (TFF) was measured by Fingertip-to-Floor Test. Results: There was a significant correlation between TFF and both measures of HT (SLR, p = 0.001; AKE, p = 0.001) in females. While, there was a non-significant correlation in males (SLR, p = 0.900; AKE, p = 0.717). Moreover, there was a non-significant correlation between lumbar lordosis and HT measures in both groups as (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences between males and females in hamstring flexibility, TFF and lumbar lordosis as (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gender differences in the relationship between hamstring tightness and trunk flexion flexibility are significant. However, there was no significant difference between males and females in the relationship between hamstring tightness and lumbar lordosis.
The Role of Cholangioscopy in Biliary Diseases

Endoscopy plays a central role in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to biliary disease in both benign and malignant conditions. A cholangioscope is an endoscopic instrument that allows for the direct exploration of the biliary tree. Over the years, technology has improved endoscopic image quality and allowed for the development of an operative procedure that can be performed during cholangioscopy. Different types of instruments are available in this context, and they can be used in different anatomical access points according to the most appropriate clinical indication. The direct visualization of biliary mucosa is essential in the presence of biliary strictures of unknown significance, allowing for the appropriate allocation of patients to surgery or conservative treatments. Cholangioscopy has demonstrated excellent performance in discriminating malignant conditions (such as colangiocarcinoma) from benign inflammatory strictures, and more recent advances (e.g., artificial intelligence and confocal laser endomicroscopy) could further increase its diagnostic accuracy. Cholangioscopy also plays a primary role in the treatment of benign conditions such as difficult bile stones (DBSs). In this case, it may not be possible to achieve complete biliary drainage using standard ERCP. Therapeutic cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy allows for stone fragmentation and complete biliary drainage. Indeed, other complex clinical situations, such as patients with intra-hepatic lithiasis and patients with an altered anatomy, could benefit from the therapeutic role of cholangioscopy. The aim of the present review is to explore the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances in the roles of cholangioscopy in the management of biliary diseases.
The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: New Perspectives for a Challenging Disease

Simple Summary Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) presents a significant challenge. Despite extensive research, our understanding of its underlying causes remains limited. One intriguing hypothesis proposes that disruptions in mitochondrial functionality might play a role. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a recognized feature of the normal aging process, and parallels can be drawn to IPF, particularly within type 2 alveolar cells. This comprehensive review aims to unravel the various pathways of mitochondrial dysfunction observed in IPF. Furthermore, we explore potential therapeutic interventions designed to address this complex issue. Abstract Mitochondrial biology has always been a relevant field in chronic diseases such as fibrosis or cancer in different organs of the human body, not to mention the strong association between mitochondrial dysfunction and aging. With the development of new technologies and the emergence of new methodologies in the last few years, the role of mitochondria in pulmonary chronic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has taken an important position in the field. With this review, we will highlight the latest advances in mitochondrial research on pulmonary fibrosis, focusing on the role of the mitochondria in the aging lung, new proposals for mechanisms that support mitochondrial dysfunction as an important cause for IPF, mitochondrial dysfunction in different cell populations of the lung, and new proposals for treatment of the disease.