Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computed tomography reveals hypertrophic remodelling of the diaphragm in cystic fibrosis but not in COPD

Background Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for assessing skeletal muscle characteristics. In cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reduced limb muscle mass predicts poor clinical outcomes. However, the degree to which quantity or quality of respiratory and nonrespiratory muscles is affected by these diseases remains controversial. Methods Thoracic CT images of 29 CF, 21 COPD and 20 normal spirometry control subjects were analysed to measure indices of muscle quantity (volume or cross-sectional area) and quality (radiodensity) in respiratory (diaphragm, abdominal) and nonrespiratory (pectoralis, lumbar paraspinal) muscles. Multivariable linear regression assessed relationships of CT measurements with body mass index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % pred, inflammation and infection biomarkers, nutritional status and CF genotype. Results Diaphragm volume in CF was significantly higher than in COPD (by 154%) or controls (by 140%). Abdominal muscle area in CF was also greater than in COPD (by 130%). Nonrespiratory muscles in COPD had more low radiodensity muscle (marker of lipid content) compared to CF and controls. In CF but not COPD, higher BMI and FEV1 % pred were independently associated with higher diaphragm and/or abdominal muscle quantity indices. Serum creatinine also predicted respiratory and nonrespiratory muscle quantity in CF, whereas other biomarkers including genotype correlated poorly with muscle CT parameters. Conclusions Our data suggest that the CF diaphragm undergoes hypertrophic remodelling, whereas in COPD the nonrespiratory muscles show altered muscle quality consistent with greater lipid content. Thoracic CT can thus identify distinctive respiratory and nonrespiratory muscle remodelling signatures associated with different chronic lung diseases. Tweetable abstract Computed tomography detects distinctive signatures of skeletal muscle remodelling in CF and COPD, consisting of greater dimensions of the respiratory muscles in CF and changes suggesting increased lipid content of the nonrespiratory muscles in COPD https://bit.ly/44c4Ijh
Time-Oriented Joint Clustering and UAV Trajectory Planning in UAV-Assisted WSNs: Leveraging Parallel Transmission and Variable Velocity Scheme

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been regarded as an efficient approach for collecting data in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), benefited from their mobility and flexibility. In this work, we investigate the data collection problem in UAV-assisted WSNs. In order to improve data collection efficiency, we first propose a multi-scenario parallel data collection scheme which allows data packets being transmitted through various modes/links simultaneously. Then, addressing the importance of completing data collection within a short time duration, we formulate a constrained optimization problem which minimizes the data collection time of the sensor nodes (SNs) by jointly designing UAV flight trajectory, cluster head mode selection, SN clustering strategy and UAV velocity. To resolve the optimization problem, we first consider the data transmission performance between SNs and present an SN clustering scheme based on a modified K-means algorithm. Given the clustering strategy, the optimization problem is then converted into three sub-problems, i.e., CH mode selection, UAV trajectory design, and flight velocity optimization. Firstly, jointly considering the data collection time of the cluster heads in various transmission modes and the spectrum resources of the sink node, we propose a greedy method-based CH mode selection scheme. Then, we map the UAV trajectory optimization problem as a traveling salesman problem and propose a simulated annealing-based algorithm to determine the flight trajectory for the UAV. Finally, by applying discrete time segment scheme, the UAV velocity optimization subproblem is transformed into a sequence of convex flight time minimization problems and a segment optimization-based flight velocity control strategy is presented. Numerical results reveal that the proposed data collection algorithm can achieve $25{\mathrm{\% }}$ and $12{\mathrm{\% }}$ performance gains comparing to the existing algorithms and the benchmark scheme, respectively.
Influence of Shelterbelt-Distance on Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in Arid Area of Bauchi, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted in the shelterbelt plantation located at Azare, northern part of Bauchi State (Latitude 11 o 40’ N, Longitude 10 o 10’E, 609. 45m above sea level) in the Sudan savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 raining seasons. The objective of the study was to determine the appropriate planting distance from the shelterbelt for maximum growth and yield of pearl millet. Millet Gero variety an early maturing was used in all the three years of experiment. Treatments consisted of six distances (-5, 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45m) from the shelterbelt. These treatments were arranged both at the leeward and windward sides of the shelterbelt in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments perpendiculars to the shelter on the windward side of the belt serve as the control, out of which one, randomly picked was designated as -5m. Results after data analysis, showed that distance significantly (P = 0.05) influenced the growth attributes and grain yield of millet. Close (5 - 15m) to the shelterbelt, plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers and grain yield were reduced. The result also showed that these parameters increased significantly (P = 0.05) with sowing at 25m- distance. Beyond 25m however, these measured growth and yield parameters declines as the influence of the shelterbelt diminishes. Of all the distances studied, maximum growth and yield of millet was obtained at 25m-distance. It is therefore recommended to farming communities in the study area.
Proof-of-Concept of Microwave-Based Bladder State Detection Using Realistic Pelvic Models

Goal: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects a significant proportion of the population and is associated with negative physical and psychological side-effects. Microwave-based technologies may have the potential to monitor bladder volume, providing a proactive, low-cost and non-invasive tool to support individuals with UI. Methods: Studies to date on microwave bladder monitoring have been limited to highly simplified computational and experimental scenarios. In this work, we study the most realistic models to date (both male and female), which incorporate dielectrically and anatomically representative tissues of the pelvic region. Results: We examine the ability of detecting bladder fullness through both reflection and transmission-based parameters and, for the first time, study the effect of urine permittivity. As a proof-of-concept of bladder state detection, we further investigate reconstructing differential radar images of the bladder with two different volumes of urine. Conclusions: The results indicate that there is strong potential for monitoring and detecting the bladder state using microwave measurements.
Methane Occurrence in Domestic Wells Overlying the Marcellus Shale

This study explores whether spatial parameters (e.g. landscape position, distance to nearest gas well, geologic unit of water extraction) corresponded with the spatial distribution of methane concentrations in domestic drinking water wells overlying the Marcellus Shale in New York State, where unconventional shale gas extraction is currently banned. Domestic groundwater wells (n=204) were sampled across five counties (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben, and Tioga) in New York from 2012-2014. Based on analysis of water from homeowner wells sampled in 2013 the majority of samples (77%) had low concentrations of methane (< 0.1 mg/L), and only 5% of wells (n=7) had actionable levels of methane (> 10 mg/L), in the absence of shale gas production. Dissolved methane concentrations are not strongly correlated with landscape position, as observed in prior studies, nor other parameters indicative of subsurface planes of weakness (i.e. faults or lineaments). The distribution of elevated methane levels was most strongly correlated with Na-HCO3 water type. While the majority of all groundwater samples (55%) were classified as Ca-HCO3-type waters, 93% of those wells have <0.1 mg/L of dissolved methane. The distribution of methane between Ca-HCO3 (n=76) and Na-HCO3 (n=23) water types was significantly different (p<0.001) with mean methane concentrations of 0.3 and 3.8 mg/L, respectively. Methane isotopic compositions of a subset of samples suggest a thermogenic or mixed origin for methane. Results suggest that shallow groundwater mixing with deeper Na-Cl and Na-HCO3 type water charged with thermogenic methane from Upper Devonian shales might occur more frequently in the fractured bedrock upland regions than previously suspected. Title Page Methane Occurrence in Domestic Wells Overlying the Marcellus Shale By Kayla M. Christian B.S., University of Illinois at Chicago, 2013 MASTERS THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Sciences Syracuse University May 2015
Adaptive Drivers and Time-Dependent Origin-Destination Demand Estimation: Methodology and Application to Large-Scale Network

This paper integrates real-time traveler information on prevailing traffic conditions (adaptive driving) into time-dependent origin-destination demand estimation in a simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment model. The objective is to explore the impact of adaptive driving on demand estimation, and to recognize a growing component of the traveling public in the methods used to infer network flow patterns given partial observations. Time-dependent origin-destination demand estimation can be formulated as a bi-level optimization problem in which the deviation from observations and historical demand are subject to a minimization. In the classical problem, it is assumed that users will follow paths that they have been assigned based on the user equilibrium model. Growing penetration of a wide array of devices enable users to receive real-time information on prevailing (and possibly predicted) traffic conditions, which enables them to update their path choice en-route. However, not all travelers receive or follow such information. This paper proposes a modified optimization algorithm to estimate the time-dependent origin-destination trip tables for large-scale networks considering varying population of adaptive drivers. The modified algorithm is solved with a tri-level algorithm. This algorithm is applied to a highly congested urban network of Chicago.
Effects of anthocyanin supplementation on blood lipid levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with increased mortality. The intake of plant food-derived bioactive compounds is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects, including decreased blood lipid levels and cardiovascular risk. We aimed to evaluate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels by analyzing relevant randomized controlled trials. Methods We searched the PubMed and Embase databases using the “Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes” format to determine whether anthocyanin supplementation intervention affected blood lipid levels compared with placebo supplementation in human participants. Results A total of 41 studies with 2,788 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Anthocyanin supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.18, −0.01) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD = −0.16; 95% CI −0.26, −0.07) levels and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI 0.20, 0.65). Discussion Anthocyanin supplementation significantly improved blood lipid component levels in the included studies. Larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to further investigate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels and the safety of anthocyanin supplementation for treating dyslipidemia. Systematic review registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42021257087, identifier: CRD42021257087.
Quality of Electronic TB Register Data Compared with Paper-Based Records in the Kyrgyz Republic

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an electronic system for managing individuals with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic. This cohort study used programmatic data. The study included people registered on the paper-based system in 2019 and 302 people registered on both the electronic and the paper-based systems between June 2021 and May 2022. The data from the 302 individuals were used to assess the completeness of each form of record and the concordance of the electronic record with the paper-based system. This study showed that for most variables, the completeness and concordance were 85.3–93.0% and were lowest for nonmandatory fields such as medication side effects (26.8% vs. 13.6%). No significant difference was observed in the time taken from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment initiation between the two systems. However, the electronic system had a significantly higher percentage of subjects who initiated treatment on the day of diagnosis (80.3% vs. 57.1%). The proportion with successful outcomes was similar in both groups, but the electronic system had a significantly lower proportion of individuals with outcomes that were not evaluated or recorded (4.8% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001). This study highlights the potential advantages and gaps associated with implementing an electronic TB register system for improving records.
Wormability: A Description for Vulnerabilities

It is well understood that not all vulnerabilities are or can become potential worms. However, the characteristics that lead to a vulnerability being used in a worm are poorly described and modeled. To facilitate evaluating new vulnerability announcements and to create a descriptive risk landscape, we introduce a mathematical description for a vulnerability’s “wormability,” the potential for the use of the vulnerability in worm propagation. This model provides an interrelation between the characteristics of the exploit required to leverage the vulnerability, the size and nature of the vulnerable population, the time intervals between the publication of the vulnerability and the current time, and the general worm landscape on the Internet as a whole. Using this model, we provide a measure of the possibility of several vulnerability announcements becoming worms in the near-future along with explanations of why some vulnerabilities are inherently not “wormable. ”
Binding Specificity of a Novel Cyclo/Maltodextrin-Binding Protein and Its Role in the Cyclodextrin ABC Importer System from Thermoanaerobacterales

Extracellular synthesis of functional cyclodextrins (CDs) as intermediates of starch assimilation is a convenient microbial adaptation to sequester substrates, increase the half-life of the carbon source, carry bioactive compounds, and alleviate chemical toxicity through the formation of CD-guest complexes. Bacteria encoding the four steps of the carbohydrate metabolism pathway via cyclodextrins (CM-CD) actively internalize CDs across the microbial membrane via a putative type I ATP-dependent ABC sugar importer system, MdxEFG-(X/MsmX). While the first step of the CM-CD pathway encompasses extracellular starch-active cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferases (CGTases) to synthesize linear dextrins and CDs, it is the ABC importer system in the second step that is the critical factor in determining which molecules from the CGTase activity will be internalized by the cell. Here, structure-function relationship studies of the cyclo⁄maltodextrin-binding protein MdxE of the MdxEFG-MsmX importer system from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii subsp. mathranii A3 are presented. Calorimetric and fluorescence studies of recombinant MdxE using linear dextrins and CDs showed that although MdxE binds linear dextrins and CDs with high affinity, the open-to-closed conformational change is solely observed after α- and β-CD binding, suggesting that the CM-CD pathway from Thermoanaerobacterales is exclusive for cellular internalization of these molecules. Structural analysis of MdxE coupled with docking simulations showed an overall architecture typically found in sugar-binding proteins (SBPs) that comprised two N- and C-domains linked by three small hinge regions, including the conserved aromatic triad Tyr193/Trp269/Trp378 in the C-domain and Phe87 in the N-domain involved in CD recognition and stabilization. Structural bioinformatic analysis of the entire MdxFG-MsmX importer system provided further insights into the binding, internalization, and delivery mechanisms of CDs. Hence, while the MdxE-CD complex couples to the permease subunits MdxFG to deliver the CD into the transmembrane channel, the dimerization of the cytoplasmatic promiscuous ATPase MsmX triggers active transport into the cytoplasm. This research provides the first results on a novel thermofunctional SBP and its role in the internalization of CDs in extremely thermophilic bacteria.
ANISOTROPIC PRESTACK DEPTH MIGRATION: AN OFFSHORE AFRICA CASE STUDY

Prestack depth migration is widely used as the best tool for imaging and velocity model QC and refinement, but is mostly applied isotropically, even when there is evidence of anisotropy. We outline a methodology of model-buildin g and imaging for use in anisotropic contexts and apply it to a line of data from offshore West Africa dominated by massive shales. The results show that the anisotropy in the shale increases with depth, along with the velocity. The prestack migrated data are sufficiently sensitive to the anisotropy that a thin layer of sand showing little or no anisotropy can be detected, and they must be included in the model to get flat common image gathers everywhere. This suggests that the use of anisotropy as a lithology- discriminating attribute may be feasible on a depth scale of only a few wavelengths. In any case anisotropy determination is important for precise application of other lithoseismic meth- ods such as AVO.
Caloric effects in liquid crystal-based soft materials

With the increased environmental awareness, the search for environmentally friendlier heat-management techniques has been the topic of many scientific studies. The caloric materials with large caloric effects, such as the electrocaloric (EC) and elastocaloric (eC) effects, have increased interest due to their potential to realize new solid-state refrigeration devices. Recently, caloric properties of soft materials, such as liquid crystals (LCs) and LC elastomers (LCEs), are getting more in the focus of caloric materials investigations, stimulated by large caloric effects observed in these materials. Here, an overview of recent direct measurements of large caloric effects in smectic LC 14CB and main-chain LCEs is given. Specifically, high-resolution thermometric measurements revealed a large EC response in 14CB LC exceeding 8 K. Such a large effect was obtained at a relatively moderate electric field of 30 kV cm−1 compared to solid EC materials. We demonstrate that such a small field can induce the isotropic to smectic A phase transition in 14CB, releasing or absorbing relatively large latent heat that enhances the EC response. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that in main-chain LCEs, the character of the nematic to isotropic transition can be tuned from the supercritical towards the first-order regime by decreasing the crosslinkers’ density. Such tuning results in a sharper phase transition and latent heat that enhance the eC response, exceeding 2 K and with the eC responsivity of 24 K MPa−1, about three orders of magnitude larger than the average eC responsivity found in the best shape memory alloys. Significant caloric effects in soft LC-based materials, observed at much smaller fields than in solid caloric materials, demonstrate their ability to play an important role as new cooling elements, thermal diodes, and caloric-active regeneration material in new heat-management devices.
Emerging Role of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Disease—Insights from the 2022 ESC Guidelines

In this article, we discuss the topic of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) and the growing role of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in its treatment. We present the pathophysiology of CTEPD which arises from an incomplete resolution of thrombi in the pulmonary arteries and leads to stenosis and occlusion of the vessels. The article focuses mainly on the chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) subpopulation for which prognosis is very poor when left untreated. We describe a multimodal approach to treating CTEPH, including pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), BPA, and pharmacological therapies. Additionally, the benefits of pharmacological pre-treatment before BPA and the technical aspects of the procedure itself are outlined. It is emphasized that BPA does not replace PEA but serves as a complementary treatment option for eligible patients. We summarized efficacy and treatment goals including an improvement in functional and biochemical parameters before and after BPA. Patients who received pre-treatment with riociguat prior to BPA exhibited a notable reduction in the occurrence of less severe complications. However, elderly patients are still perceived as an especially vulnerable group. It is shown that the prognosis of patients undergoing BPA is similar to PEA in the first years after the procedure but the long-term prognosis of BPA still remains unclear. The 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines highlight the significant role of BPA in the multimodal treatment of CTEPH, emphasizing its effectiveness and recommending its consideration as a therapeutic option for patients with CTEPD, both with and without pulmonary hypertension. This review summarizes the available evidence for BPA, patient selection, procedural details, and prognosis and discusses the potential future role of BPA in the management of CTEPH.