Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with COVID-19 fatality among patients admitted in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe 2020-2022: a secondary data analysis

Introduction approximately 15% of COVID-19 patients develop symptoms necessitating admission. From 2020 to 2022, Mashonaland West Province had an institutional case fatality rate of 23% against a national rate of 7%. Therefore, we evaluated the COVID-19 admissions in the province to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. Methods we conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on secondary data from isolation centers across the province using all 672 death audit forms and patient records. We obtained data on patient demographics, signs and symptoms, clinical management and oxygen therapy administered, among other things. Data were entered into an electronic form and imported into Epi-info 7 for analysis bivariate and multivariate conducted. Results: we found that being an older man, aOR 1.04 (1.03-1.05), who had diabetes aOR 6.0 (95% CI: 3.8-9.2) and hypertension aOR 4.5 (95% CI: 2.8-6.5) were independent risk factors. Patients put on dexamethasone aOR 2.4 (95% CI: 1.6-3.4) and heparin/clexane aOR 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.2) had a higher mortality risk. However, vitamin C aOR 0.48 (95% CI: 0.31-0.71) and oxygen therapy aOR 0.14 (95% CI: 0.10-0.19) and being pregnant aOR 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02-0.14) were protective. Conclusion: mortality risk increased in older male patients with comorbidities and with those on dexamethasone and heparin therapy. Oxygen therapy and vitamin C were protective. There is a need to conduct further study of the source of these variations in risk across patients to establish the true impact of differences in individuals' mortality.
Learning with Digital Media: A Systematic Review of Students’ Use in African Higher Education

This study examined African higher education students' digital media use for learning. A total of 64 papers were selected for final synthesis from 1046 publications between 2010 and 2021. The review was dominated by campus-based undergraduate studies in the STEM subjects. The synthesis confirmed a variety of digital media usage; however, learning management systems were mainly used for course delivery and primarily accessed by students through weak internet-enabled mobile devices. Digital-media learning activities include communication, information search, instruction, knowledge management, exploration, assessment, collaboration, and simulation. Subject areas were found to have no associations with type of learning activity. These findings suggest an emphasis on transmissive learning modes in digital environments, which may not promote active learning. Although African countries have leapfrogged the development of tethered devices and internet applications, connectivity cost, reported incompatibility, technical issues, and low digital proficiency still prevent the upscaling of technology-enhanced learning via mobile devices.
A mobile sensing system for real-time 3D weld pool surface measurement in manual GTAW

An innovative mobile sensing system has been developed to non-intrusively monitor the manual pipe gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. The system consists of a projective torch held by a welder, and a sensory helmet on the welder’s head. The three-dimensional (3D) weld pool surface is effectively measured in real-time as the welder performs the weld despite the movements of the torch and the helmet. In this study, the sensing system is first analyzed by numerical simulations in which the adjustment boundaries of the torch and helmet, i.e. their translation and orientation ranges, for effective sensing have been determined. Then, the sensing system is further evaluated using a simulation platform in which the movements of the helmet/welder’s head is mimicked by a tripod head with 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF), and a convex spherical mirror with a comparable size of a typical weld pool in a GTAW process is applied as a weld pool substitute. The effectiveness of the proposed system is validated by successfully capturing laser reflections from the mirror without great constraints on the welder’s movements of the torch and the helmet. Based on the analysis of the spatial relations among the torch, the helmet and the weld pool, an innovative real-time algorithm is proposed to reconstruct the 3D weld pool surface. The effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm have been verified by accurately reconstructing the convex spherical mirror surface despite the movements of the torch and the helmet in the simulation platform.
EVALUATING THE SUCCESS RATE OF VAGINAL DELIVERY AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION

: The retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, from February 2021 to February 2022, for the evaluation of factors associated with the success of TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean delivery) and to identify variables for predicting the success of TOLAC in subjects with prior Caesarean section (CS). A total of 315 women were included in the study. They were divided into the validation cohort (n=20, 63%) and the training cohort(n=295, 93.6%). The primary endpoint was the success rate of vaginal delivery. The results showed that of 315 participants, 264 (83.8%) women had successful TOLAC and vaginal delivery, and 51 (16.1%) had ERCS. According to multivariate analysis, BMI-estimated birth weight, gestational age <41 weeks, rupture of membranes, and cervix Bishop score ≥5 was significantly associated with the success of TOLAC. Results suggest that TOLAC has a high success rate in women with a history of c-sections.
Computations of flow over a flexible plate using the hybrid Cartesian/immersed boundary method

A hybrid Cartesian/immersed boundary code is developed and applied to interactions between a flexible plate and a surrounding fluid. The velocities at the immersed boundary (IB) nodes are reconstructed by interpolations along local normal lines to an interface. A new criterion is suggested to distribute the IB nodes near an interface. The suggested criterion guarantees a closed fluid domain by a set of the IB nodes and it is applicable to a zero‐thickness body. To eliminate the pressure interpolation at the IB nodes, the hybrid staggered/non‐staggered grid method is adapted. The developed code is validated by comparisons with other experimental and computational results of flow around an in‐line oscillating cylinder. Good agreements are achieved for velocity profiles and vorticity and pressure contours. As applications to the fluid–structure interaction, oscillations of flexible plate in a resting fluid and flow over a flexible plate are simulated. The elastic deformations of the flexible plate are modelled based on the equations of motion for plates considering the fluid pressure as the external load on the plate. Two non‐dimensional parameters are identified and their effects on the damping of the plate motion are examined. Grid convergence tests are carried out for both cases. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do falling planets cause stellar spin-up?

Abstract We investigate the tidal interactions between hot Jupiter extra-solar planets and their host stars in an effort to characterise the effects of such interactions on stellar rotation. We study the WASP-18 and WASP-19 systems, showing that in both cases tidal interactions cause the eventual spiral in of the the planet towards the Roche limit. We find that for both systems this process will cause significant spin up of the host star, independent of the precise value for the tidal quality factors. By fitting tidal evolution models to observed parameters, we are able to determine that WASP-19 b is currently spiralling in, and that it has a very short remaining lifetime ~ 3 Myr.
Démonstration du ‘théorème d'Arnold’ sur la stabilité du système planétaire (d'après Herman)

V. I. Arnold (Petits dénominateurs et problèmes de stabilité du mouvement en mécanique classique et en mécanique céleste. Usp. Mat. Nauk. 18 (1963), 91–192 (en russe)) a affirmé et partiellement démontré que, pour le modèle newtonien du Système solaire à $n\geq 2$ planètes dans l'espace, si la masse des planètes est suffisamment petite par rapport à celle du Soleil, il existe, dans l'espace des phases au voisinage des mouvements képlériens circulaires coplanaires, un sous-ensemble de mesure de Lebesgue strictement positive de conditions initiales conduisant à des mouvements quasipériodiques à 3n - 1 fréquences. Cet article détaille la démonstration que M. R. Herman a exposée de ce théorème (Démonstration d'un théorème de V. I. Arnold, Séminaire de Systèmes Dynamiques et manuscrits, 1998). V. I. Arnold (Small denominators and problems of stability of motion in classical and celestial mechanics. Usp. Mat. Nauk. 18 (1963), 91–192 (in Russian)) stated and partly proved the following theorem : in the Newtonian model of the Solar system with $n\geq 2$ planets in space, if the masses of the planets are small enough compared to the mass of the Sun, there is a subset of the phase space of positive measure, in the neighborhood of circular and coplanar Keplerian motions, leading to quasiperiodic motions with 3n - 1 frequencies. This paper details the proof of this theorem, following M. R. Herman's lectures (Proof of a theorem of V. I. Arnold, Séminaire de Systèmes Dynamiques and manuscripts, 1998).
Performance Improvement of MoS2-Based MOSFETs With Graphene Quantum Dots Pretreatment Technology

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 has attracted tremendous interest in the generation electronics and optoelectronics field due to its unique electrical and optical properties. However, the electrical contact between MoS2 and metal is one of the urgent challenges for restricting the performance of MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs). Herein, we demonstrate contact engineering using graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for improving the device’s performance. The materials characteristic indicates the existence of charge transfer between GQDs and MoS2. As a result, the contact resistance (49.7 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega \cdot \mu \text{m}^{-{1}}{)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and effective Schottky barrier height (103 meV) reduce to 2.4 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega \cdot \mu \text{m}^{-{1}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and 41 meV, respectively. The improved MoS2 FET offers <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {ON}}/{I}_{\text {OFF}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ratio over <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{{7}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, field-effect mobility of ~55.8 cm2/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}\cdot \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> current density of ~80 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> exceeding 320% than pristine MoS2 FET. Further, the effect of optimized contact on the photoelectric performance of MoS2 FET is studied, and the observations are explained qualitatively based on an equivalent circuit of the transistor. This work provides a simple and promising route for the exploration of high-performance 2-D-based semiconductor devices.
Inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway as promising therapeutic candidates for inflammatory diseases (Review)

The inflammasome regulates innate immunity by serving as a signaling platform. The Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, equipped with NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and pro-caspase-1, is by far the most extensively studied and well-characterized inflammasome. A variety of stimuli can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. When activated, the NLRP3 protein recruits the adaptor ASC protein and activates pro-caspase-1, resulting in inflammatory cytokine maturation and secretion, which is associated with inflammation and pyroptosis. However, the aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been linked to various inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, the NLRP3 inflammasome has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. In the present review, systematic searches were performed using 'NLRP3 inhibitor(s)' and 'inflammatory disease(s)' as key words. By browsing the literature from 2012 to 2022, 100 articles were retrieved, of which 35 were excluded as they were reviews, editorials, retracted or unavailable online, and 65 articles were included. According to the retrieved literature, the current understanding of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activation in inflammatory diseases was summarize, and inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway targeting the NLRP3 protein and other inflammasome components or products were highlighted. Additionally, the present review briefly discusses the current novel efforts in clinical research.
A Meta-Analysis of Behavior Interventions for Students With Emotional-Behavioral Disorders in Self-Contained Settings

Students with emotional-behavioral disorders (EBDs) often learn in alternative classroom settings to provide more intensive instruction that meets their educational needs. Although research has demonstrated promise for several behavior intervention practices in general education settings, the generalizability of these practices to more restricted environments is unknown. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to examine the class-wide behavior interventions tested in self-contained learning environments for students with EBDs. Studies investigating behavioral interventions in alternative elementary settings were systematically screened. Fifteen studies with 20 effect sizes met inclusion criteria and results from each study were synthesized. An estimated average effect was calculated (g = 0.93, SE = 0.16), demonstrating that tested interventions are typically effective in self-contained learning environments to improve student behaviors. A thematic analysis and multi-level meta-regression were conducted to determine which elements are most beneficial to students in these unique learning environments. Results indicated that interventions that included relational supports, such as daily parent communication, differentially benefited students (B = 1.26, SE = 0.15). Limitations include the small number of studies meeting inclusion criteria that have investigated behavior interventions in self-contained settings and the need for improved research quality. Implications suggest support for adapting standardized practice elements, such as group contingencies, to improve student behaviors in multiple learning environments.
Research Trends of Acupuncture Therapy on Myofascial Pain Syndrome from 2000 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background Acupuncture has been widely used to relieve myofascial pain syndromes (MPS) in many countries. However, the bibliometric analysis of the global application of acupuncture for MPS remains unknown. Purpose The present study aims to evaluate the research trends and hot spots of acupuncture for MPS. Methods Literatures about acupuncture for MPS from 2000 to 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science. CiteSpace (6.1.R3) was used to analyze the number of publications, countries, institutions, authors, cited journals, cited authors, cited references and keywords. Results A total of 403 records were included in the final analysis. The total number of publications increased but with some fluctuations. The Pain was the most cited journals. The most productive country and institution were USA, and China Medicine University, respectively. Liwei Chou was the most prolific author, and Simons DG ranked first in the cited author. In the ranking of frequency and centrality in cited references, the first article was published by Tough EA and Simons DG, respectively. The keyword of “acupuncture” ranked first in frequency, “double blind” ranked first in centrality. “Meta-analysis” was the keyword with the strongest citation burst. There were three hot topics in this field, including “the clinical feature of MPS”, “measure of intervention” and “research method”. The mechanism of acupuncture on MPS was one of the main research directions. Conclusion This study reveals that acupuncture was more and more acceptable, while the cooperation between different countries, institutions and authors should be strengthened. The researches of therapeutic effect and mechanism were the main research directions. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for MPS, and more studies to unify the acupuncture parameters such as frequency, duration, and intensity. More basic studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanism of acupuncture for MPS.
Endothelial Autophagy Dysregulation in Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue that affected 537 million people worldwide in 2021, a number that is only expected to increase in the upcoming decade. Diabetes is a systemic metabolic disease with devastating macro- and microvascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction is a key determinant in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Dysfunctional endothelium leads to vasoconstriction by decreased nitric oxide bioavailability and increased expression of vasoconstrictor factors, vascular inflammation through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, a loss of microvascular density leading to low organ perfusion, procoagulopathy, and/or arterial stiffening. Autophagy, a lysosomal recycling process, appears to play an important role in endothelial cells, ensuring endothelial homeostasis and functions. Previous reports have provided evidence of autophagic flux impairment in patients with type I or type II diabetes. In this review, we report evidence of endothelial autophagy dysfunction during diabetes. We discuss the mechanisms driving endothelial autophagic flux impairment and summarize therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy in diabetes.
Writing in groups as a tool for non-routine problem solving in first year university mathematics

Development of mathematical problem solving skills is an age old problem in mathematics. This paper details the design of a component of a first year university mathematics course in which group work and mathematical communication skills, especially writing skills, are used as a tool to develop non-routine problem solving skills. In this design Polya's problem solving framework and a writing heuristic are used synergistically with group work to develop the mathematical skills and enhance the mathematical communication skills of novice students. Students’ perceptions and performance indicate that this strategy has been a success and has facilitated the development of some metacognitive behaviours in the students.
Variation in gene expression along an elevation gradient of Rhododendron sanguineum var. haemaleum assessed in a comparative transcriptomic analysis

Selection along environmental gradients may play a vital role in driving adaptive evolution. Nevertheless, genomic variation and genetic adaptation along environmental clines remains largely unknown in plants in alpine ecosystems. To close this knowledge gap, we assayed transcriptomic profiles of late flower bud and early leaf bud of Rhododendron sanguineum var. haemaleum from four different elevational belts between 3,000 m and 3,800 m in the Gaoligong Mountains. By comparing differences in gene expression of these samples, a gene co-expression network (WGCNA) was constructed to identify candidate genes related to elevation. We found that the overall gene expression patterns are organ-specific for the flower and leaf. Differentially expressed unigenes were identified in these organs. In flowers, these were mainly related to terpenoid metabolism (RsHMGR, RsTPS), while in leaves mainly related to anthocyanin biosynthesis (RsCHS, RsF3’5’H). Terpenoids are the main components of flower scent (fragrance) likely attracting insects for pollination. In response to fewer pollinators at higher elevation zone, it seems relatively less scent is produced in flower organs to reduce energy consumption. Secondary metabolites in leaves such as anthocyanins determine the plants’ alternative adaptive strategy to extreme environments, such as selective pressures of insect herbivory from environmental changes and substrate competition in biosynthesis pathways at high elevations. Our findings indicated that the gene expression profiles generated from flower and leaf organs showed parallel expression shifts but with different functionality, suggesting the existence of flexibility in response strategies of plants exposed to heterogeneous environments across elevational gradients. The genes identified here are likely to be involved in the adaptation of the plants to these varying mountainous environments. This study thus contributes to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of adaptation in response to environmental change.
A comment on the quantum treatment of spontaneous emission from a strongly driven two-level atom

A quantum-mechanical master equation approach to the spontaneous emission from a two-level atom in the presence of a strong pump field is reported. Access is available to both a one-photon treatment and a treatment incorporating photon cascades. A peak height ratio of 3:1 for the complete many photon approach is reduced to 2:1 in a one-photon approximation. Broadening of the sidebands is also lost through this approximation.
Ellagitannins from Castanea sativa Mill. Leaf Extracts Impair H. pylori Viability and Infection-Induced Inflammation in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an etiologic factor of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Virulent strains of H. pylori are correlated with the severity of gastritis, due to NF-κB activation and IL-8 expression at the epithelial level. Ellagitannins have been documented for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, thus suggesting their potential use in gastritis. Recently, several authors, including our group, demonstrated that tannin-rich extracts from chestnut byproducts, at present considered agricultural waste, display promising biological activities. In this work, we detected high levels of polyphenols in hydroalcoholic extracts from chestnut leaves (Castanea sativa L.). Among polyphenols, the ellagitannin isomers castalagin and vescalagin (about 1% w/w of dry extract) were identified as potential bioactive compounds. In GES-1 cells infected by H. pylori, leaf extract and pure ellagitannins inhibited IL-8 release (IC50 ≈ 28 µg/mL and 11 µM, respectively). Mechanistically, the anti-inflammatory activity was partly due to attenuation of NF-κB signaling. Moreover, the extract and pure ellagitannins reduced bacterial growth and cell adhesion. A simulation of the gastric digestion suggested that the bioactivity might be maintained after oral administration. At the transcriptional level, castalagin downregulated genes involved in inflammatory pathways (NF-κB and AP-1) and cell migration (Rho GTPase). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation in which ellagitannins from plant extracts have demonstrated a potential role in the interaction among H. pylori and human gastric epithelium.