Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Needs evaluation questionnaire for liver disease: a novel assessment of unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease

Patients with chronic liver disease face debilitating complications in their daily living and constantly report several types of unmet needs, but there is a paucity of validated questionnaires to assess these needs. In this study, we present the development of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire for Liver Diseases (NEQ-LD) for the assessment of unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease. Two hundred eighty-six outpatients with chronic liver diseases from a single tertiary referral center completed the NEQ-LD and related validity measures. Item response theory analyses were performed and demonstrated the strong psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Differential item functioning analyses showed that the scale functions equally across groups differing for age, sex, and presence of cirrhosis, suggesting the large applicability of the NEQ-LD for the assessment of unmet needs and between-group comparisons. Criterion validity measures provided evidence that unmet needs were positively associated with measures of depression and anxiety and negatively associated with measures of subjective well-being and physical and mental health. Unmet needs were expressed by a high percentage of patients, especially in the areas of information and dialogue with clinicians. One third of the sample reported material needs. Most of the items describing unmet needs were reported more frequently by patients with cirrhosis. Conclusion: We developed a reliable, valid, and largely employable instrument that can promote patient-centered care and facilitate support services in Hepatology.
Comparison of surgical treatments for distal ulna fracture when combined with anterior locking plate fixation of distal radius in the over 70 age group

We conducted a retrospective multicentre study to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complications of three surgical treatments of distal ulna fracture (DUF) when combined with anterior locking plate fixation for distal radial fracture (DRF) in patients over 70 years of age. We identified 1521 patients over 70 years of age who were diagnosed as having DRF and who underwent anterior locking plate fixation between 2015 and 2020, among which 122 cases of DUF were analysed. Three surgical treatment options for DUF were identified in this cohort: K-wire fixation (Group K), locking plate fixation (Group L) and Darrach procedure (Group D). The results of the analysis showed the total immobilization period in Group D to be the shortest among the three treatments. Functional outcomes were superior, and the rate of complications were smaller in Group D than in Group L. In addition, rotational range of motion was larger in Group D and Group L compared with Group K. In patients who are 70 years of age or older with combined unstable DRF and highly comminuted or displaced DUF, the Darrach procedure for DUF seems to be the most useful and reasonable treatment option once the fracture of the distal radius has been rigidly fixed. Level of evidence: IV.
Fetal and infant growth patterns, sleep, and 24‐h activity rhythms: a population‐based prospective cohort study in school‐age children

The study objective was to explore associations of fetal and infant weight patterns and preterm birth with sleep and 24‐h activity rhythm parameters at school‐age. In our prospective population‐based study, 1327 children were followed from birth to age 10–15 years. Fetal weight was estimated using ultrasound in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Birth weight and gestational age were available from midwife registries. Infant weight was measured at 6, 12 and 24 months. Fetal and infant weight acceleration or deceleration were defined as a change of >0.67 standard deviation between the corresponding age intervals. At school‐age, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, social jetlag, inter‐daily stability, and intra‐daily variability were assessed using tri‐axial wrist actigraphy for 9 consecutive nights. We observed that low birth weight (<2500 g) was associated with 0.24 standard deviation (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04; 0.43) longer sleep duration compared to normal weight. Compared to normal growth, growth deceleration in fetal life and infancy was associated with 0.40 standard deviation (95% CI 0.07; 0.73) longer sleep duration, 0.44 standard deviation (95% CI 0.14; 0.73) higher sleep efficiency, and −0.41 standard deviation (95% CI −0.76; ‐0.07) shorter wake after sleep onset. A pattern of normal fetal growth followed by infant growth acceleration was associated with −0.40 standard deviation (95% CI −0.61; −0.19) lower inter‐daily stability. Preterm birth was not associated with any sleep or 24‐h rhythm parameters. Our findings showed that children with fetal and infant growth restriction had longer and more efficient sleep at school‐age, which may be indicative of an increased need for sleep for maturational processes and development after a difficult start in life.
Should Sedillot's triangle be used for central venous cannulation? A cadaveric study

Central venous access remains an integral part of perioperative and intensive care, and several methods have been described to locate the internal jugular vein (IJV) prior to cannulation. The apex of Sedillot's triangle between the manubrial and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a commonly used anatomical landmark for a central percutaneous approach to the IJV, but the literature highlights failures and complications when adopting this method. This cadaveric study was designed to investigate the usefulness of Sedillot's triangle to locate the IJV. Sixty‐one cadavers were used for investigation at the University of Cambridge Human Anatomy Centre. Sedillot's triangle was dissected and a pin was inserted in a sagittal plane at the apex of the triangle. The location of the pin in relation to the IJV was recorded. The distance between the sternal and clavicular heads of SCM was also measured. In total, the pin inserted at the apex of Sedillot's triangle pierced the IJV in 72/117 (61.5%) of dissections, with 71.4% on the right and 52.5% on the left. There was important variation in SCM anatomy, and there was no gap between its two heads in 12% of the neck dissections. We demonstrate an overall poor success rate of the central percutaneous approach using Sedillot's triangle, although our findings are limited being a simulated cadaveric study. We support education and use of ultrasound in addition to landmark techniques to aid the safe insertion of central venous catheters.
Survival of patients with severe mental disorders: Influence of social functioning

Background: Patients with severe mental disorders have a high risk of premature death due to the interaction of various factors. Social functioning is a strategic functional factor in understanding the course of psychotic disorders. Aim: Analyze the relationship between social functioning and its various dimensions and survival during a 10-year follow-up. Method: The Social Functioning Scale (SFS) was administered to 163 close relatives of patients under treatment at a Community Mental Health Unit. Survival was described by Kaplan–Meier analysis and any differences in survival by level of social functioning were found by long-rank analysis. Finally, Cox regression was used to predict premature mortality. Results: Significant differences in mortality were identified in the interpersonal behavior dimension of social functioning, while there were no significant gender or diagnostic differences in the rest of the dimensions. The interpersonal behavior dimension and age were found to be factors predicting premature death. Conclusion: These findings show the protective effect of social functioning retained by patients with psychotic disorders on their survival, and the need to apply evidence-based psychotherapy focused on recovery of social functioning in the early stages of the disorder.
Prevalence of signs of lower urinary tract disease and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study

Abstract Background No recent studies have evaluated the association between clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Objective Determine the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (ie, positive urine culture without signs of LUTD) in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Animals One hundred seven dogs with diabetes mellitus were evaluated at a university veterinary hospital. Methods Retrospective study evaluating diabetic dogs with a single sample paired urinalysis and urine culture. Relationship between the presence of signs of LUTD, pyuria, and bacteriuria and urine culture results were compared using Fisher exact testing. Results Fifteen dogs (14%) had a positive urine culture via cystocentesis or free catch, of which 8 (53%) had pyuria, and 4 (27%) had signs of LUTD. Of the 88 dogs (82%) without signs of LUTD, 11 (13%) had a positive culture. A significant association was found between a positive urine culture and pyuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 20.34‐infinity, P < .00001) and bacteriuria (OR infinity; 95% CI 164.4‐infinity, P < .00001). No association was found between urine culture results and signs of LUTD (OR 1.87; 95% CI 0.59‐6.85, P = .46). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Subclinical bacteriuria occurred in this cohort of dogs, and our findings reinforce the recommendation that urine cultures should not be routinely performed in diabetic dogs particularly if pyuria and bacteriuria are absent.
Variable stars in the dwarf galaxy GR 8 (DDO 155)

Observations of the resolved stars in dwarf galaxy GR 8, obtained over the period 1980 February to 1994 March, are presented. Thirty-four separate epochs were searched for variable stars, and a total of six were found, of which one has Cepheid characteristics. After correction for Galactic extinction this single Cepheid yields a distance modulus of m - M = 26.75 +/- 0.35. This corresponds to a distance of 2.24 Mpc, placing GR 8 near the Local Group (LG) zero-velocity surface. The other five variable stars are very red, and possibly have long periods of order 100 days or more.
Properties of Helium Defects in BCC and FCC Metals Investigated with Density Functional Theory

The relative stability of single He defects in bcc and fcc metals is investigated using ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The results indicate that the tetrahedral position is energetically more favorable for a He interstitial than the octahedral site in bcc metals, but the relative stability of He defects in fcc metals varies, depending on local environments. The He formation energies in bcc Fe and fcc Ni at the tetrahedral and octahedral positions with and without spin polarization are investigated. It is of interest to find that the magnetism of host atoms does not directly affect the relative stabilities of He in interstitial sites in bcc Fe and fcc Ni.
Differential responsiveness of spermatogonia to retinoic acid dictates precocious differentiation but not meiotic entry during steady-state spermatogenesis

Abstract The foundation of mammalian spermatogenesis is provided by undifferentiated spermatogonia, which comprise of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and transit-amplifying progenitors that differentiate in response to retinoic acid (RA) and are committed to enter meiosis. Our laboratory recently reported that the foundational populations of SSCs, undifferentiated progenitors, and differentiating spermatogonia are formed in the neonatal testis in part based on their differential responsiveness to RA. Here, we expand on those findings to define the extent to which RA responsiveness during steady-state spermatogenesis in the adult testis regulates the spermatogonial fate. Our results reveal that both progenitor and differentiating spermatogonia throughout the testis are capable of responding to exogenous RA, but their resulting fates were quite distinct—undifferentiated progenitors precociously differentiated and proceeded into meiosis on a normal timeline, while differentiating spermatogonia were unable to hasten their entry into meiosis. This reveals that the spermatogonia responding to RA must still complete the 8.6 day differentiation program prior to their entry into meiosis. Addition of exogenous RA enriched testes with preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes one and two seminiferous cycles later, respectively, supporting recent clinical studies reporting increased sperm production and enhanced fertility in subfertile men on long-term RA analog treatment. Collectively, our results reveal that a well-buffered system exists within mammalian testes to regulate spermatogonial RA exposure, that exposed undifferentiated progenitors can precociously differentiate, but must complete a normal-length differentiation program prior to entering meiosis, and that daily RA treatments increased the numbers of advanced germ cells by directing undifferentiated progenitors to continuously differentiate. Summary Sentence Retinoic acid induces widespread precocity of progenitors, not differentiating spermatogonia, through steady-state spermatogenesis Graphical Abstract
Iliac Endovascular Intervention Without Procedural Anticoagulation

Background Adequate antithrombotic therapy is essential to prevent thrombus formation during percutaneous endovascular interventions (PVI). We hypothesize that interventions for non-complex lesions of iliac arteries do not need procedural anticoagulation if patients are under dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Methods Iliac PVIs performed without procedural anticoagulation were retrospectively screened between 2017 and 2021. Baseline characteristics of patients, in-hospital events and 30-day follow-ups were obtained from hospital records. Each PVI was reviewed for procedural details. Primary safety outcome was thromboembolic events during intervention. Secondary safety outcome was adverse vascular events at 30-day follow-up. Procedure times of iliac interventions were compared to peripheral angiography procedures of patients with similar demographic characteristics. Results We identified 108 iliac interventions without procedural anticoagulation, median age of 62 (interquartile range 56-68) years, 9 (8.3%) females. Median lesion length was 30 (19-50) mm. We observed a thrombotic finding in 4 (3.7%) procedures. Visible luminal thrombus was observed in 2 (1.9%) and introducer sheath thrombosis in 2 procedures (1.9%), all of which were in patients with in-stent lesions. No distal embolization was observed in final angiography of these procedures. At 30-day follow-up, acute limb ischemia was not observed and clinically driven target vessel revascularization was not required in any of the patients. Procedure time of iliac interventions was similar to that of lower extremity diagnostic procedures [18 (11-24) vs 18 (14-24) min, respectively, P = . 364]. No major bleeding event was observed after iliac interventions. Conclusion Non-complex lesions of iliac arteries can be managed within a time frame similar to that of lower extremity diagnostic procedures. These interventions can be performed safely without procedural anticoagulation, provided patient receives DAPT. Intervention of in-stent lesions should ideally be avoided without procedural anticoagulation.
Bioinformatics analysis of miRNA and its associated genes to identify potential biomarkers of oral submucous fibrosis and oral malignancy

MicroRNAs are a group of non‐coding RNA that controls the gene expression. The interaction between miRNA and mRNA is thought to be dynamic. Oral cancer “The cancer of mouth” is quite prevailing in developing countries. miRNA has been found associated with oral cancer targeting tumor growth, cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion. The significant association of miRNA with genes could be used as a remarkable tool for diagnosis as well as prognostic analysis of oral cancer.
Far–infrared spectroscopy across the asymmetric bipolar outflows from Cepheus A and L 1448

Bipolar outflows are driven from protostars within molecular cores. They drive into molecular clouds, generating shock waves whose molecular emission lines have been observed in the infrared with ISO. We present spectroscopic data for seven locations within two asymmetric outflows, Cepheus A and L 1448, in order to test the shock physics and shock dynamics. Here, we simultaneously interpret the CO and H 2 data sets which are generated by shocked gas, radiating at temperatures from 300 to 2000 K. We find that large-scale spatial variations in the excitation are absent across both outflows and that the excitation is low everywhere. Planar shock models are inconsistent with the data sets. Models with configurations or ensembles of shocks, in the form of bow shocks or supersonic turbulence, are consistent. This solves the previously reported problem that the CO abundances were anomalously high. Cool gas is dominant, from which we infer bow shocks with flanks more extended than for paraboloids. As a consequence, the atomic oxygen abundances must be quite low. J -type bow models require implausibly long wings. C -type physics is thus favoured. The density and the ratio of molecules to atoms are constrained by the CO/H 2 flux levels as well as the H 2 vibrational level distributions. Other C -shock parameters, such as the magnetic field strength, ion fraction and speed, are not tightly constrained. The total shock powers are derived and are comparable to the mechanical outflow luminosities for both outflows, consistent with the outflows being momentum-driven.
A special newton-type optimization method

The Kuhn–Tucker conditions of an optimization problem with inequality constraints are transformed equivalently into a special nonlinear system of equations T 0(z) = 0. It is shown that Newton's method for solving this system combines two valuable properties: The local Q-quadratic convergence without assuming the strict complementary slackness condition and the regularity of the Jacobian of T 0 at a point z under reasonable conditions, so that Newton’s method can be used also far from a Kuhn–Tucker point
Potential of Trichoderma species as biofertilizer and biological control on Oryza sativa L. cultivation

Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is one of the main staples around the world, especially in Asia, the most consuming region. Rice cultivation currently faces many environmental problems caused by the contribution of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This review is carried out to document the principal findings of Trichoderma species application on rice plants. The analysis revealed that different species of Trichoderma have been applied in different fields of research on rice plants to increase the absorption of nutrients, soil fertility, tolerance to salinity, plant growth promotion and development with increased yields. Mechanisms include decomposition, mycoparasitism, cellulose degradation, and phosphate solubilizing activity. The potential for antagonistic activity against disease-causing fungi and inhibition of growth of harmful root microflora is demonstrated. This work also suggested that Trichoderma can be applied alone or together with other microorganisms to significantly promote the growth and performance of rice plants. Among the species, T. harzianum was studied mainly to determine its different roles in rice, followed by T. asperellum , T. viride , T. virens and T. atroviride . Therefore, the findings revealed the potential of the Trichoderma species as a possible biofertilizer and biological control for rice cultivation worldwide.
Evaluation of anthropometric indices as predictors of metabolic syndrome: 3-year cohort in Ecuadorian military personnel Evaluación

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome is a condition that predisposes to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, where the presence of altered blood pressure, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity is evaluated in order to know the risk of developing this disease. Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric indices that predict the presence of developing metabolic syndrome in Ecuadorian military personnel. Methods: The research work is quantitative, observational and longitudinal with a correlational scope, it was made analyzing the annual medical records of preventive medicine, in the military personnel of the Army Soldiers Training School "Vencedores del Cenepa", during a 3-year cohort from 2019 to 2021. Results: The study shows an overweight military population, with a prevalence of metabolic syndrome: according to Asociación Latinoamericana de Diabetes criteria of 1 %, 1.66 % and 0.76 %, in the years
Income Inequality in Colombia: Reassessing the Effects of Public Spending and Education Provision *

Income inequality in Colombia showed an average reduction of 9.26 % in the period 2008-2018. However, the Gini coefficient places Colombia as the second most unequal country in Latin America, with public spending on education as a percentage of GDP at 4.5 % (twelfth position), rising unemployment rates and modest secondary education provision. It is imperative to reflect on how resources are distributed and about mechanisms for reducing inequality. We test the hypothesis that spending on education reduces inequality, although not in an efficient way, while increasing provision of education generates differential effects. We estimate a panel data model that co-rrects for endogeneity for twenty-three departments of Colombia and Bogotá D.C. The results suggest that education spending reduces inequality but is inelastic ( β = -0.05) and is associated with unproductive spending. In terms of education provision, early years education increases inequality, the secondary reduces inequality, while higher education is almost perfectly inelastic ( β = -0.004). The strategy for reducing inequality is not a general increase in public spending, but targeted increases and the strengthening of mechanisms for improving provision of education.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of flexural wave propagation in straight beams with periodic structures: Application to a vibration isolation structure

A periodic binary straight beam with different cross sections is constructed and studied. The band structures of flexural waves in the structure are calculated with the plane-wave expansion method and the vibration attenuation spectra of a finite sample of it are calculated with the finite element method. Vibration experiment is performed in order to validate all the theoretical results, and the results match mainly. Finally, a vibration isolation structure is designed by using the feature of the flexural wave band gaps of the beam with periodic structure, which provides an attenuation of about 30dB in the frequency range of the band gaps.
The Three-Dimensional Structure of Convection in the Atmospheric Surface Layer

Abstract During April 1978, a field experiment was undertaken at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory (BAO), near Boulder, Colorado, to investigate convective plumes in the atmospheric surface layer. The plume translational velocities are determined for a wide range of stabilities, using an array of 16 temperature sensors, spanning a 100 m × 40 m area at a height of 4 m, and a three-dimensional sonic anemometer. The translational velocities are calculated from the phase information of the temperature cross spectrum, and by measuring the transit times of the plumes between sensors aligned in a direction parallel to the wind. Velocities obtained by the two methods are shown to be in rough agreement. Individual plume velocities are found to vary in proportion to the plume height. The three-dimensional plume structure is investigated using both the horizontal array and the 300 m BAO tower. Under slightly unstable, high wind speed conditions, the majority of the plumes are distinctly elongated in the mean wind .