Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theory for anisotropic local ferroelectric switching

Theoretical modeling of polarization switching around a biased tip contact is important for fundamental understanding and advanced applications of ferroelectrics. Here we propose a simple in-plane two-dimensional model that considers surface charge transport and the associated evolution of the electric field driving domain growth. The model reproduces peculiar domain shapes ranging from round to faceted in KTiOPO4 (C2v symmetry) and LiNbO3 (C3v symmetry). This is done through modulation of dielectric permittivity, which mimics domain wall pinning on the lattice. In contrast to previous works, which attempted to justify domain anisotropy by means of point symmetry invariants, here we illustrate the necessity of taking translational symmetry into account. The results are pertinent to ferroelectric racetrack memories and other applications requiring domain tailoring.
Ethnic sensitivity assessment: Polatuzumab vedotin pharmacokinetics in Asian and non‐Asian patients with previously untreated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in POLARIX

This ethnic sensitivity analysis used data from the phase III POLARIX study (NCT03274492) to assess polatuzumab vedotin pharmacokinetics (PKs) in Asian versus non‐Asian patients with previously untreated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and examined the appropriateness of extrapolating global study findings to Asian patients. PK and population PK (PopPK) analyses assessed polatuzumab vedotin analyte exposures by ethnicity (Asian [n = 84] vs. non‐Asian [n = 345] patients) and region (patients enrolled from Asia [n = 80] vs. outside Asia [n = 349]). In patients from Asia versus outside Asia, observed mean antibody‐conjugated monomethyl auristatin E (acMMAE) concentrations were comparable (1.2% lower at cycle [C]1 postdose, 4.4% higher at C4 predose; and 6.8% lower at C4 postdose in patients from Asia). Observed mean unconjugated MMAE was lower in patients from Asia by 6.5% (C1 postdose), 20.0% (C4 predose), and 15.3% (C4 postdose). In the PopPK analysis, C6 area under the curve and peak plasma concentrations were also comparable for acMMAE (6.3% and 3.0% lower in Asian vs. non‐Asian patients, respectively) and lower for unconjugated MMAE by 19.1% and 16.7%, respectively. By region, C6 mean acMMAE concentrations were similar, and C6 mean unconjugated MMAE concentrations were lower, in patients enrolled from Asia versus outside Asia, by 3.9%–7.0% and 17.3%–19.7%, respectively. In conclusion, polatuzumab vedotin PKs were similar between Asian and non‐Asian patients by ethnicity and region, suggesting PKs are not sensitive to Asian ethnicity and dose adjustments are not required in Asian patients to maintain efficacy and safety.
Response of summer pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)to irrigation scheduling

The field experiment was conducted on a medium black soil of Main Pearl millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar during three consecutive summer seasons (2004-06). The experiment was conducted in split plot design with two depths of irrigation water i. e. 40 and 60 mm as main plot treatment and four different irrigation intervals i. e. irrigation at 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 IW : CPE ratios and irrigation at critical growth stages as sub-plot treatments replicated thrice. Grain and fodder yields of pearl millet were significantly affected due to different depths of irrigation and different irrigation intervals. Application of irrigation at 40 mm depth gave higher grain and fodder yield over 60 mm by 25 and 21%, respectively, than 60 mm depth. Similarly, highest net return (Rs. 19776/ ha) and B : C ratio (2.33) were obtained with irrigating pearl millet at 40 mm depth. An increase in IW : CPE ratio from 0.50 to 1.00 favourably influenced almost all the growth attributes. Scheduling irrigation at 1.00 IW : CPE ratio outyielded the rest of the treatments by recording significantly higher grain (3904 kg/ha) and fodder yield (6325 kg/ha) and fodder yield was at par with irrigating the crop at 0.75 IW : CPE ratio (5845 kg/ha). Net return of different treatments clearly indicated that IW : CPE ratio of 0.75 with 11 irrigations at 7-8 days interval gave the highest profit (Rs. 15153/ha) as compared to other ratios and also higher benefit : cost ratio of 1.32.
Assessing bat (Chiroptera) diversity: determinants of assemblage and ensemble structure at Kwalata Game Ranch, Gauteng South Africa

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III TABLE OF CONTENTS IV LIST OF FIGURES VI LIST OF TABLES VII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Habitat heterogeneity and species diversity 1 Deterministic processes and community ecology 3 Effects of anthropogenic pressure on ecological communities 5 Why bats? 6 HYPOTHESES AND PREDICTIONS 9 DISSERTATION LAYOUT 10 REFERENCES 11 CHAPTER 2: THE DIVERSITY OF BAT ASSEMBLAGES ON KWALATA GAME RANCH: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THREE VEGETATION TYPES. 22 ABSTRACT 23 23 INTRODUCTION 24 MATERIALS AND METHODS 27 Study site 27 Sampling techniques 27 Vegetation measurements 34 Sample based rarefaction and species richness estimators 34 RESULTS 37 DISCUSSION 49 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 59
Patient‐reported outcomes and their predictors 2 years after burn injury: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract This study aimed to describe patient‐reported outcomes 2 years after burn injury and to comprehensively elucidate predictors that may influence these outcomes. This cross‐sectional, prospective study included 352 patients who were admitted to the Department of Burn Surgery at a tertiary teaching hospital between January 2017 and December 2020. We collected demographic and disease‐related data and instructed participants to complete the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and the Burn Specific Health Scale‐Brief (BSHS‐B) questionnaire. The overall score of patient‐reported outcomes 2 years after burn injury was 126.55 ± 33.32 points, and the dimensions with the lowest scores were “hand function” (13.96 ± 5.75), “heat sensitivity” (14.84 ± 4.90), “treatment regimens” (13.41 ± 6.77) and “work” (11.30 ± 4.97). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that less postburn pruritus, better readiness for hospital discharge, less total body surface area (TBSA), better social participation, white‐collar jobs, older age, better sleep quality and burns not caused by electricity were associated with better outcomes. Patients experienced poor patient‐reported outcomes 2 years after burn injury. Integrated rehabilitative care is necessary to address patients' unique needs and improve long‐term patient‐reported outcomes.
Sedimentary System of Platformal Trough of Feixianguan Formation of Lower Triassic in Northern Sichuan Basin and Its Evolution

Kaijiang-Liangping trough existed for 700 My.controlled the deposition of Feixianguan Formation of lower Triassic in the northern Sichuan Basin. In the short period of the trough existed, relativelysymmetrical carbonate rock sedimentary system that be analogous to Wilson facies pattern could be formed in its both sides. Through researching on petrology data of detailled drilling, outcrop and so on, Feixianguan Formation mainly developed six types of sedimentary facies including evaporate platform, restricted platform, open-platform, platform marginbeach, slope and basin facies. The basin facies that was shallower than deep-sea basin which mainly developed dark marl and lime mudstone; the depositonal characteristics of the slope facies are distinct, but shelf facies poor developed which may be for the sake of the depth of the trough, because it is so small; with the gradual close of the trough, seawater became shallow, the characteristics of the depositional evolution from basin facies to slope, platform margin beach, open-platform, restricted platform and evaporate platform within the trough are dinstinct; to the top of the Member 4 of Feixianguan Formation, all of the Northern Sichuan basin were deposited equally by restricted platform facies or evaporate platform facies. The period of the trough existed is so short that the course of evolution of sedimentary facies is quite clear in plane and longitude. With the gradual close of the trough, seawater receded toward to open sea, platform margin oolitic beaches moved toward to trough too, that was open sea, growing horizons of them rised gradually at the same time.
Glucose indices as inflammatory markers in children with acute surgical abdomen: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Glycaemic dysregulation potentiates the pro-inflammatory response and increases oxidative injury; therefore, preoperative hyperglycaemia is linked to increased mortalities. In addition, inflammation is accompanied by higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and the relationship between this and random blood sugar (RBS) could be non-linear. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Non-diabetic paediatric patients with acute surgical abdomen, presenting to the emergency surgical services were enrolled, over a period of 6 months. They were all screened for their random blood sugar and HbA1c levels. Results Fifty-three cases were studied. The prevalence of glycaemic dysregulation in the enrolled children was high. Abnormal HbA1c was observed in 66% of the study group. Stress hyperglycaemia was observed in 60% of the enrolled children. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.770, p-value: < 0.001) between RBS and the total leucocytic count (TLC). The TLC cutoff value for predicting stress hyperglycaemia was 13,595 cells/mm3. The cutoff value of RBS for predicting leukocytosis was 111.5 mg/dl. Median RBS level was significantly higher in complicated appendicitis (169.5 mg/dl), compared to uncomplicated appendicitis (118.0 mg/dl). Conclusion HbA1c and RBS could be used as inflammatory markers for surgical acute abdomen and its degree of severity, respectively. HbA1c rises in a considerable number of cases with surgical acute abdomen, irrespective of the disease stage. However, as the disease progresses, the random blood sugar rises due to stress hyperglycaemia, thus becoming a surrogate inflammatory marker.
Comparison between Swedish EORTC QLQ-C30 general population norm data published in 2000 and 2019

Abstract Background Normative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data from the general population are regularly used to facilitate the interpretation of HRQoL as reported by cancer patients participating in cancer clinical trials, especially when conducting long-term follow-up studies after treatment. The aim of the present study is to compare two Swedish normative data sets, published in 2000 and 2019 respectively, and explore whether HRQoL as reported by the Swedish general population has changed over time. Material and Methods ‘Sample 2000’ was comprised of normative data from the Swedish general population who responded to the EORTC QLQ-C30 in a Swedish mail survey in 1999 (n = 3069). ‘Sample 2019’ consisted of data from the Swedish general population collected as part of a European norm data study using online panels, published in 2019 (n = 1027). Data were analyzed stratified by sex and age (40–49; 50–59; 60–69; 70–79 years). Results For most of the subscales and single items, no age group differences between the two samples were found, with the exception of the oldest age group (70–79 years), where Sample 2019 generally showed better HRQoL as compared to Sample 2000. Lower (worse) levels of Global quality of life and higher (worse) levels of Dyspnoea were found in Sample 2019 for most age groups. Conclusion There were no differences found between the samples for most EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales and single items, with the exception of the oldest age group of both sexes in Sample 2019 who reported better HRQoL on many variables. When deciding which normative dataset to use, the mode of data collection and age group have to be considered.
Educational Influences on Late-Life Health: Genetic Propensity and Attained Education

Abstract Objectives The educational gradient in late-life health is well established. Despite this, there are still ambiguities concerning the role of underlying confounding by genetic influences and gene-environment (GE) interplay. Here, we investigate the role of educational factors (attained and genetic propensities) on health and mortality in late life using genetic propensity for educational attainment (as measured by a genome-wide polygenic score, PGSEdu) and attained education. Methods By utilizing genetically informative twin data from the Swedish Twin Registry (n = 14,570), we investigated influences of the educational measures, familial confounding as well as the possible presence of passive GE correlation on both objective and subjective indicators of late-life health, that is, the Frailty Index, Multimorbidity, Self-rated health, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Results Using between-within models to adjust for shared familial factors, we found that the relationship between educational level and health and mortality later in life persisted despite controlling for familial confounding. PGSEdu and attained education both uniquely predicted late-life health and mortality, even when mutually adjusted. Between-within models of PGSEdu on the health outcomes in dizygotic twins showed weak evidence for passive GE correlation (prGE) in the education-health relationship. Discussion Both genetic propensity to education and attained education are (partly) independently associated with health in late life. These results lend further support for a causal education-health relationship but also raise the importance of genetic contributions and GE interplay.
Alcohol Use, Rape Myth Acceptance, Rape Empathy, and Sexual Assault History Influence the Believability of a Hypothetical Victim’s Report of Sexual Assault

College sexual assault is a common problem, and survivors often do not report their experience to college campus officials or law enforcement for fear of not being believed. This study examined how contextual factors such as alcohol use and whether the perpetrator was described as a student-athlete or student, and rater characteristics, such as the history of sexual assault and attitudes toward rape, influenced college students’ perceptions of the believability of a hypothetical victim’s sexual assault account. In all, 449 (N = 449) undergraduates read a vignette describing a hypothetical sexual assault and were assigned randomly to one of four conditions with varying contextual features: college athlete—no alcohol, college athlete—alcohol, college student—no alcohol, or college student—alcohol. They then rated how much they believed the victim in the vignette had been raped (0 [not at all] to 100 [completely]). The presence of alcohol use in the vignette was associated with lower ratings of believability, and participants who were higher in rape myth acceptance and lower in rape empathy rated the hypothetical victim’s rape account as less believable. In addition, women who had been raped previously rated the victim in the vignette as more believable than women with no history of sexual assault. Implications for how college campuses might respond more effectively to reported sexual assaults are discussed.
Alterations in serum concentrations of visfatin and betatrophin in dogs with hypothyroidism

Abstract Background Hypothyroidism in dogs is associated with obesity and altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The adipokines, visfatin, and betatrophin, affect glucose tolerance. Betatrophin is involved in lipid regulation. Hypothesis Visfatin and betatrophin serum concentrations are altered in hypothyroid dogs. Animals Dogs with naturally occurring hypothyroidism (n = 25) and healthy dogs (n = 25). Methods Insulin, visfatin, and betatrophin serum concentrations were measured in all dogs and 19 of the hypothyroid dogs after 30 days of thyroxine treatment. Body condition score (BCS) was determined (1‐9 scale). Results Visfatin concentrations were lower in hypothyroid compared with healthy dogs (mean, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 2.0 ng/mL, 1.2‐3.3 vs 5.1 ng/mL, 3.3‐7.8; P = .004) and increased post‐treatment (3.1 ng/mL, 1.9‐4.9 vs 2.6 ng/mL, 1.6‐4.1; P = .05). Betatrophin concentrations were lower in lean to normal (body condition score [BCS], 3‐5) hypothyroid dogs compared to lean to normal healthy dogs (52 pg/mL, 9‐307 vs 597 pg/mL, 216‐1648; P = .03), but were not different between overweight (BCS, 6‐9) hypothyroid and healthy dogs (341 pg/L, 168‐695 vs 178 pg/mL, 77‐415; P = .26), and decreased post‐treatment in overweight dogs (206 pg/mL, 87‐488 vs 268 pg/mL, 112‐640; P = .004). Visfatin concentrations were higher in overweight compared with lean to normal dogs (4.7 ng/mL, 3.3‐6.6 vs 2.2 ng/mL, 1.2‐4.2; P = .04). Betatrophin concentrations were positively correlated with BCS (r = .47, P = .02) and insulin concentrations (r = .48, P = .03) in hypothyroid dogs and negatively correlated with BCS (r = −.47, P = .02) and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations (r = −.56, P = .01) in healthy dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Hypothyroidism in dogs is associated with alterations in visfatin and betatrophin concentrations that partially resolve with thyroxine treatment.
On the Impact of Short-Range Meteorological Forecasts for Ensemble Streamflow Predictions

Ensemble streamflow prediction systems are emerging in the international scientific community in order to better assess hydrologic threats. Two ensemble streamflow prediction systems (ESPSs) were set up at Meteo-France using ensemble forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Ensemble Prediction System for the first one, and from the Prevision d’Ensemble Action de Recherche Petite Echelle Grande Echelle (PEARP) ensemble prediction system of Meteo-France for the second. This paper presents the evaluation of their capacities to better anticipate severe hydrological events and more generally to estimate the quality of both ESPSs on their globality. The two ensemble predictions were used as input for the same hydrometeorological model. The skills of both ensemble streamflow prediction systems were evaluated over all of France for the precipitation input and streamflow prediction during a 569-day period and for a 2-day short-range scale. The ensemble streamflow prediction system based on the PEARP data was the best for floods and small basins, and the ensemble streamflow prediction system based on the ECMWF data seemed the best adapted for low flows and large basins.
Emergent effects of synaptic connectivity on cortical sleep slow wave amplitude, density and propagation in a large-scale thalamocortical network model of the human brain

Slow-wave sleep (SWS), characterized by slow oscillation (SO, <1Hz) of alternating active and silent states in the thalamocortical network, is a primary brain state during Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. However, the understanding of how global SO emerges from micro-scale neuron dynamics and network connectivity remains unclear. We developed a multi-scale, biophysically realistic human "whole-brain" thalamocortical network model capable of transitioning between the awake state and slow-wave sleep, and we investigated the role of connectivity in the spatio-temporal dynamics of sleep SO. SO remained robust in the face of substantial changes in connection weights, delays, sparsity, and range. However, extreme changes triggered distinct alterations in network behavior. Long synaptic delays led to the loss of downstates, while a reduction of over 50% in connection density decreased both SO frequency and amplitude. Even partial removal of local connections severely disrupted wave propagation. Lastly, reductions in long-range connection strength resulted in loss of global synchronization and led to the local propagation of slow waves. These results shed light on how the spatio-temporal properties of SO emerge from local and global cortical connectivity and provide a framework for further exploring mechanism and functions of SWS in health and diseases.
Evaluating flash freezing for preservation of rat abdominal aorta for delayed biomechanical characterization

Most studies investigating arterial stiffening use animal rather than human arteries. This is because human tissue becomes available in small amounts and at irregular times, which complicates planning of experimental work. Suitable tissue preservation methods for delayed biomechanical testing prevents the need for testing fresh tissue and alleviates some of the logistical challenges of human ex vivo studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether the existing method of flash freezing and subsequent cryostorage provides is suitable for delaying the characterization of arterial biomechanics. Fresh and flash frozen abdominal aortas (n=16 and 14, respectively) were quasi- statically and dynamically tested using a biaxial testing set-up with dynamic pressurization capabilities. The acquired biomechanical data was modeled using a constituent-based quasi-linear viscoelastic modeling framework, deriving directional stiffness parameters, individual constituent biomechanical contributions, and viscoelastic stiffening under dynamic pressurization conditions. Flash freezing reduced arterial wall thickness, increased circumferential stiffness, as well as reduced viscoelastic stiffening at higher pressures. These findings reflected those in the modeled contribution of collagen to arterial biomechanics, showing increased collagen load bearing at higher pressures. However, despite the above mentioned detectable changes, flash freezing did not alter the mechanical relation between elastin and collagen, maintaining a non-linear response to pressurization and stretch. Flash freezing may thus be suitable for studies requiring delayed characterization of passive arterial biomechanics, assuming care is taken to ascert that the impact of flash freezing on study groups can be approached as a systematic error.
A mechanistic study on the tolerance of PAM distal end mismatch by SpCas9

CRISPR-Cas9 is the newest technology available for targeted genome editing. It is very efficient and cheap compared to other genome editing techniques. However, its therapeutic application is limited due to its off-target activity. To have a better understanding of this off-target effect, we concentrated our efforts on its mismatch-prone PAM distal end. Current off-target prediction algorithms use RNA-DNA complementation derived energy as a major factor in predicting off-target effect. RNA-DNA complementation derived energy drives Cas9 conformational change, which in turn drives its functional activity. In the case of lower RNA-DNA complementarity, a partial conformational change occurs resulting in a slower reaction rate and partial activity. However, extensive mismatches are often tolerated despite lower complementation derived energy available from RNA: DNA duplex formation. Thus, the off-target activity of Cas9 depends directly on the nature of mismatches which in turn result in deviation of the active site of the enzyme due to structural instability in the duplex strand. In order to test the hypothesis, we have designed an array of mismatched target sites and performed in vitro and cell line-based experiments to assess the effects of PAM distal mismatches in Cas9 activity. For further mechanistic validation, Molecular dynamics simulation was performed and it revealed that certain mismatch mutations induced pronounced conformational instability within the RNA-DNA duplex, leading to elevated root mean square deviation (RMSD) values. We found that, target sites having mismatches in the 18th to 16th position upstream of the PAM showed no to little activity.