Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic and Local Effects Among Patients With Betel Quid-Related Oral Cancer

The major predisposing factors of developing oral cancer include smoking, alcohol drinking, and betel quid chewing. Betel quid chewing could cause the abrasion and damage of oral mucosa by crude fibers, chemical insults by additive slaked lime, and arecoline from areca nut. These would lead to the local consequence of oral submucosal fibrosis, which is regarded clinically as a precancer lesion and a major cause of trismus. In addition, the components and additives in betel quid contain chemical toxins and carcinogens, which would further affect the oral mucosa and gradually develop a malignancy. Following literature review, aside from having a greater total tumor burden and more local diseases in the oral cavity and digestive tract, patients with betel quid-related oral cancer also have more systemic diseases from metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and obesity than those without this habit. In conclusion, those patients who have the history of smoking, alcohol drinking, and betel quid chewing would present much more unique clinical characteristics than those who only have a history of smoking and alcohol drinking. More attention should therefore be paid to pretreatment evaluation, treatment strategy, and posttreatment follow-up among betel quid chewers.
Effect of Exogenous Progesterone on Fetal Nuchal Translucency: An Observational Study

Introduction Nuchal translucency is a reliable first trimester screening test for fetal structural and chromosomal defects. Neonates with increased nuchal thickness are at greater risk for anomalies. Exogenous progesterone supplementation may affect nuchal translucency and thus the first trimester anomaly screening. We aimed to study if there was a difference in nuchal thickness between women receiving progesterone in the first trimester compared to those who were not supplemented with progesterone. Material and methods Forty-seven women with documented progesterone intake in the first trimester for at least 10 continuous days before the day of the nuchal translucency scan served as the study group compared to 47 other women who did not receive progesterone. Nuchal translucency was measured between 11 and 13 weeks and six days of gestation. Results The mean nuchal translucency increased with increasing gestation in both groups. Maximum mean nuchal translucency was greatest in the age group 18-20 years (1.35 + 0.1 millimeters) in women receiving progesterone compared to 36-40 years (1.65 + 0.49 millimeters) in controls. The mean nuchal translucency in women receiving progesterone was 1.15 + 0.26 millimeters, and in those that did not receive progesterone, it was 1.23 + 0.35 millimeters (p = 0.314). Conclusions Nuchal translucency increased with increasing gestation in both groups, irrespective of progesterone supplementation. There was no significant difference in mean nuchal translucency in women supplemented with progesterone compared to those that did not receive progesterone in the first trimester.
A Novel App for Assessing the Caregivers’ Physical Activity: A Pilot/Feasibility Study

This study sought to determine the feasibility and clinical value of using a novel mobile application (app) to record the muscle/physical activity (PA) of caregivers. In all, 23 caregivers were enrolled and they were trained to use the app and a wearable device that automatically recorded their care activities and PA/burden. Data were collected for 42 days. Muscle activity was measured for 3 weeks during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and PA. Approximately 80% of the caregivers agreed that they conveniently used the wearable device through the mobile app. The most active %MVIC was noted for the back muscles during feeding assistance. As regard subjective pain evaluation, back pain was the most prevalent and pain level in the left knee was the highest. Incorporating mobile apps with wearable devices to record every activity of the caregivers may be feasible and can provide valuable clinical data for optimizing their pain management.
The tempo and mode of character evolution in the assembly of mimetic communities

Significance Many undefended organisms fool their predators by evolving similarity to distinctive traits of well-defended prey species that predators have learned to avoid eating. Such mimicry may evolve in diverse tropical communities. Using mimetic butterfly communities of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, we show that mimicry in these communities was driven by decoupled evolution of two key traits (flight morphology and color patterns) of defended and mimetic prey species. Flight morphology was phylogenetically conserved whereas color patterns evolved at a significantly faster rate in both defended and mimetic prey species. Our results provide insights into the assembly of biological communities, demonstrating that the evolution of complex, multitrait phenotypes depends more on different rates of trait divergence rather than on phylogenetic relatedness.
Double-averaging analysis and local flow characterization of near-bed turbulence in gravel-bed channel flows

This investigation focuses on the characteristics of near-bed turbulence in fully rough gravel-bed open-channel flows. The analysis combines results obtained with the double-averaging methodology and local flow characterization, using velocity measurements provided by a high-resolution three-axis Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (ADVP). As a result of the flow heterogeneity induced by the bed topography, the flow is not locally uniform in the near-bed region, and a double-averaging methodology is applied over a length scale much greater than the gravel size. In smooth- and rough-bed flow conditions, without macro-roughness bed elements, maximum turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) production occurs very close to z = 0, while in our case with fully rough flows with macro-roughness elements, maximum turbulence activity is found to occur at gravel crest levels zc (zc/h = 0.1). Turbulent diffusion also reaches a maximum at this elevation. The characteristics of the spatially averaged TKE budget are in good agreement with those obtained in flows over canopies. The hydrodynamic double-averaged properties have strong similarities with mixing layers and reattached mixing layers in flows over backward facing steps. Local time-averaged velocity profiles can be split into three typical classes, namely log, S-shaped and accelerated. It appears that the S-shaped class profiles, located in the wakes of the macro-roughness elements, exhibit an inflectional profile typical of mixing layers. They are of major importance in the double-averaged TKE budget, as they provide a local high contribution to the double-averaged TKE flux, TKE production and dissipation compared to the log class profiles. Consequently, double-averaged TKE production is roughly 75% greater than the dissipation rate at the point of maximal TKE production. Moreover the macro-roughness bed elements imply mixing-layer-type hydrodynamics that play a dominant role in the overall structure of mean near-bed turbulence of gravel-bed channel flows.
Sodium chloride-induced changes in oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis in experimental multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Objectives: The high-salt diet (HSD) has been associated with cognitive dysfunction by attacking the cerebral microvasculature, through an adaptive response, initiated in the intestine and mediated by Th17 cells. In the animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), it has been described that NaCl causes an increase in T cell infiltration in the central nervous system. NaCl also promotes macrophage response and Th17 cell differentiation, worsening the course of the disease. HSD may trigger an activation of the immune system and enhance inflammation. However, certain studies not only do not support this possibility, but support the opposite, as the effect of salt on immune cells may not necessarily be pathogenic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an over intake of salt in rats with EAE, based on the clinical course, oxidative stress, markers of inflammation and the gut dysbiosis. Methods: 15 Dark Agouti rats were used, which were divided into control group, EAE group and EAE + NaCl group. Daily 0.027 g of NaCl dissolved in 300 μl of H2O was administered through a nasogastric tube for 51 days. Results: NaCl administration produced an improvement in clinical status and a decrease in biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis. Conclusion: The underlying mechanism by which NaCl causes these effects could involve the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which is blocked by high doses of salt.
Competence Development and Collaborative Climate as Antecedents of Job Performance, Job Commitment and Uncertainty: Validation of a Theoretical Model across Four Hospitals

Knowledge is lacking regarding how organizational factors are associated with uncertainty in patient treatment. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate how competence development and collaborative climate relates to job performance and job commitment, and further whether job performance and job commitment relate to uncertainty. Additionally, we examined whether these associations differed between four different hospitals. We applied data from 6445 hospital workers who provided care to patients. Basic statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to test the validity of the theoretical model developed in the study and the hypothesized associations. All hypothesized paths between the latent variables were significant and in accordance with the model across the four hospitals. The current study has implications for practical human resource management and indicates that competence development should be strengthened at the individual level and collaborative climate should be strengthened at the ward level. Strengthening competence development and collaborative climate can increase job performance and job commitment of individual workers and reduce uncertainty during care in hospital settings.
The Significance of Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index and Platelet-Neutrophil Ratio on Early Mortality in Septic Shock Patients and their Association with Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone Ratio

Objectives: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction characterized by complex pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in sepsis and associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D-to-PTH ratio, systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), and platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) on mortality in septic shock patients with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, vitamin D insufficiency was defined as vitamin D levels between 12-20 ng/ml and vitamin D deficiency as < 12 ng/ml. The SII is calculated by multiplying the neutrophil count with the platelet count and dividing the result by the lymphocyte count (N*P/L), and the PNR is calculated by dividing the platelet count by the neutrophil count (P/N). We used receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, logistic regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to determine the association between SII, PNR, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D-to-PTH ratio and early mortality within 7-days. Results: This study consisted of 39 patients with septic shock. While 11(28%) of patients had vitamin D insufficiency, 28(72%) had vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with higher levels of SII and PNR than vitamin D deficiency. ROC analysis showed that 0.077 and 67 are cut-off values with the highest sensitivity and specificity for the vitamin D-to-PTH ratio (AUC: 0.77, p=0.01) and SII (AUC: 0.78, p=0.008) to predict early mortality. Both cut-off values were significantly associated with mortality in logistic regression analysis. SII higher than 67 and vitamin D-to-PTH ratio higher than 0.077 were associated with survival in 7-days (91% vs. 60%, p=0.004, and 91% vs. 63%, p=0.006, respectively). Conclusion: SII was significantly suppressed in patients with vitamin D deficiency which was associated with increased mortality in septic shock. In addition, the decreased level of vitamin D-to-PTH ratio, which could be an indicator of immune balance, may be associated with early mortality in the intensive care unit.
Application of machine learning methods in predicting schizophrenia and bipolar disorders: A systematic review

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) are critical and high‐risk inherited mental disorders with debilitating symptoms. Worldwide, 3% of the population suffers from these disorders. The mortality rate of these patients is higher compared to other people. Current procedures cannot effectively diagnose these disorders because it takes an average of 10 years from the onset of the first symptoms to the definitive diagnosis of the disease. Machine learning (ML) techniques are used to meet this need. This study aimed to summarize information on the use of ML techniques for predicting schizophrenia and BD to help early and timely diagnosis of the disease.
Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Mechanism of Enzymatic Degradation of Zearalenone in Degummed Corn Oil

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the enzymatic degradation of zearalenone (ZEN) in degummed corn oil were investigated by analyzing the impacts of temperature, pH, ZEN hydrolase dosage and ZEN concentration on the initial reaction rate. The kinetic study found that the maximum reaction rate was 0.97 μmol × kg−1 min−1, the Michaelis constant (Km) was 11,476 μmol × kg−1 and the Michaelis equation was V = 0.97[S]/(11,476 + [S]). The thermodynamic study showed that the activation energy (Ea) was 70.37 kJ·mol−1, the activation enthalpy change of the reaction (ΔH) > 0, the free energy of activation (ΔG) > 0 and the activation entropy change (ΔS) < 0, indicating the reaction could not be spontaneous. The reaction mechanism of ZEN was studied by a hybrid quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometer. It was found that ZEN first generated the intermediate G/L/D/W-ZEN+H2O, followed by generating the intermediate W-ZEN-H2O under the action of a degrading enzyme. Then, the lactone bond was opened to produce C18H24O6, and finally the decarboxylation product C17H24O4 formed automatically.
Studies on binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl with three 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes

Eighteen binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5OCB) and 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes (nOAB) with n = 5, 6, and 7 at different concentrations have been studied in detail. Over a wide concentration range, induced SmA phase was observed in all the mixtures except in one. In most of the mixtures, the refractive indices no, ne, and Δn lie between the values of pure components. The optical birefringence of the mixtures is found to decrease non-additively with concentration. The molecular polarizability anisotropy and the orientational order parameter of the mixtures were calculated. Nature of variation of polarizability anisotropy with concentration is similar to that of Δn. In allmixtures is more in smectic phase than in nematic phase and it also shows non-additive behaviour. Observed values of the mixtures were compared with McMillan’s and Maier-Saupe theoretical values and good agreement is found in some mixtures. The transition temperatures obtained by fitting data to McMillan’s theory agree with the observed values within a few degrees. Ratio of elastic constants K33 and K11 is determined for mixtures having nematic phase and found to diverge at TNA transition point.
Climate of the last millennium: a sensitivity study

Seventy-one sensitivity experiments have been performed using a two-dimensional sectoraveragedglobal climate model to assess the potential impact of six different factors on the lastmillennium climate and in particular on the surface air temperature evolution. Both natural(i.e, solar and volcanism) and anthropogenically-induced (i.e. deforestation, additional greenhousegases, and tropospheric aerosol burden) climate forcings have been considered. Comparisons of climate reconstructions with model results indicate that all the investigated forcings are needed to simulate the surface air temperature evolution. Due to uncertainties inhistorical climate forcings and temperature reconstructions, the relative importance of a particularforcing in the explanation of the recorded temperature variance is largely function of theforcing time series used. Nevertheless, our results indicate that whatever the historical solar andvolcanic reconstructions may be, these externally driven natural climate forcings are unable togive climate responses comparable in magnitude and time to the late—20th-century temperaturewarming while for earlier periods combination of solar and volcanic forcings can explain theLittle Ice Age and the Medieval Warm Period. Only the greenhouse gas forcing allows themodel to simulate an accelerated warming rate during the last three decades. The best guesssimulation (largest similarity with the reconstruction) for the period starting 1850 AD requireshowever to include anthropogenic sulphate forcing as well as the impact of deforestation toconstrain the magnitude of the greenhouse gas twentieth century warming to better fit theobservation. On the contrary, prior to 1850 AD mid-latitude land clearance tends to reinforcethe Little Ice age in our simulations.
A constitutive equation for concentrated suspensions that accounts for shear‐induced particle migration

A constitutive equation for computing particle concentration and velocity fields in concentrated monomodal suspensions is proposed that consists of two parts: a Newtonian constitutive equation in which the viscosity depends on the local particle volume fraction and a diffusion equation that accounts for shear‐induced particle migration. Particle flux expressions used to obtain the diffusion equation are derived by simple scaling arguments. Predictions are made for the particle volume fraction and velocity fields for steady Couette and Poiseuille flow, and for transient start‐up of steady shear flow in a Couette apparatus. Particle concentrations for a monomodal suspension of polymethyl methacrylate spheres in a Newtonian solvent are measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging in the Couette geometry for two particle sizes and volume fractions. The predictions agree remarkably well with the measurements for both transient and steady‐state experiments as well as for different particle sizes.
Quantitative rheological predictions of a transient network model of Lodge–Yamamoto type: Simple and multiaxial elongational flow

A transient network model is presented which is based on the ideas of Lodge and Yamamoto. The network thus consists of different types of strands and the creation and loss rates are configuration dependent. As the model cannot be solved analytically one has to rely upon numerical tools. Using a continuous time algorithm this network can be simulated very efficiently. The material functions can be calculated as time‐dependent ensemble averages. Concentration is put onto a quantitative comparison between the rheological predictions of the model and experimental data for polyisobutylene subjected to simple and multiaxial elongational flows. The predictions of the model are found to be in very good agreement with the experimental data.
Variational and exact solutions of the wavefunction at origin (WFO) for heavy quarkonium by using a global potential

In this paper, we discuss the wavefunction at origin (WFO) for , and massive quarks systems. Using the variational method and an exact computation of the Schrödinger equation, we computed the WFO and also expectation values of ⟨ 1/r⟩, ⟨r⟩ for massive mesons, while we had global potential in the form of . We show that the final results of this potential include and cover all other results by other potential models (Cornell, Martin, logarithmic, Lichtenberg, etc). Also, the energy values obtained from this model have the highest level compared with other models.
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, mineral nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities of black pepper cuttings

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of most important soil microorganisms that can form mycorrhizal symbiosis with most of the terrestrial plants. In the present study, the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on root colonization, growth, nutrition, photosynthetic gas exchange and antioxidant activities of black pepper cuttings were evaluated under polyhouse conditions. The single node cuttings of black pepper were grown in the presence and absence of AM combinations for 150 days under poly house. AM inoculated plants showed significantly higher mycorrhizal root colonization (95%) and spore numbers (312/50 g of sample). The effect of AM fungi was more prominent in improving root biomass than above ground biomass. Nutrient accumulations were higher in AM inoculated plants rather than uninoculated black pepper plants. Amount of acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher in AM inoculated soils. Net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of AM colonized black pepper leaves were found to be significantly greater than uninoculated plants. The influence of AM was more prominent on poly phenol oxidase and β-glucanase activity in leaves than roots. In principal component analysis the scatter plot revealed variations of the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth of black pepper cuttings. Based on these results, AM inoculation at the earlier stage of plant development could improve symbiosis, and increased plant growth in the nursery which may improve the performance after planting in the field.
The Direct Measurement of the Sizes, Shapes and Kinematics of Falling Hailstones

Abstract The kinematic behavior of hailstones falling in their natural environment near the surface was studied using stroboscopic photography in a mobile van. The experimental results permitted determination of the shape and dimensions, velocity, and in a few cases the rotation rate, of hailstones failing into the van. Hailstones were sampled in southeast Wyoming, southwest Nebraska and northeast Colorado. About 84% of the hailstones photographed were classified spheroidal, the remainder being roughly conical. Change in orientation of stones is observed in most photographs, though only ∼6% of the hailstones could be assigned a rotation rate. Velocity data were obtained for more than 600 hailstones in the diameter range 5-25 mm. It is shown that the vertical velocity component of hailstones near the surface (air density =9.93×10−4 g cm−3) can be predicted by the expression VT where De0.50 (±m s−1), Deis the equivalent volume diameter of a spherical hailstone in centimeters. Fall-speed and hailstone oblate.
Physical interpretation of results from the HIPLEX-1 experiment

Abstract The general characteristics of the clouds that were included in the HIPLEX-1 experiment are reviewed, and the results for the response variables are interpreted in light of other measurements from the instrumented aircraft. In most seeded clouds, the HIPLEX-1 experimental hypothesis corresponded with the observed precipitation development for only the first ∼8 min after seeding. The failure to obtain a stronger statistical result is attributed to the inherent inefficiency of the small cumulus congestus selected as experimental units. This inefficiency was only partly due to low ice concentrations; a more significant cause of the low precipitation efficiency was the limited lifetime and low liquid water content of these clouds. Some calculations which indicate that these clouds could not support a rapid enough accretional growth process to lead to precipitation after seeding are discussed. Other reasons for the successes and failures of the experiment are discussed.