Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in the Susceptibility of Human Tubular Epithelial Cells for Infection with Orthohantaviruses

Diseases induced by infection with pathogenic orthohantaviruses are characterized by a pronounced organ-specific manifestation. Pathogenic Eurasian orthohantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) with often massive proteinuria. Therefore, the use of a relevant kidney cell culture would be favorable to analyze the underlying cellular mechanisms of orthohantavirus-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). We tested different human tubular epithelial cell lines for their suitability as an in vitro infection model. Permissiveness and replication kinetics of highly pathogenic Hantaan virus (HTNV) and non-/low-pathogenic Tula virus (TULV) were analyzed in tubular epithelial cell lines and compared to human primary tubular epithelial cells. Ana-lysis of the cell line HK-2 revealed the same results for viral replication, morphological and functional effects as observed for HTNV in primary cells. In contrast, the cell lines RPTEC/TERT1 and TH1 demonstrated only poor infection rates after inoculation with HTNV and are unusable as an infection model. While pathogenic HNTV infects primary tubular and HK-2 cells, non-/low-pathogenic TULV infects neither primary tubular cells nor the cell line HK-2. Our results show that permissiveness of renal cells varies between orthohantaviruses with differences in pathogenicity and that HK-2 cells demonstrate a suitable in vitro model to study viral tropism and pathogenesis of orthohantavirus-induced AKI.
Constrained IntraSPECT reconstruction from SPECT projections

A new method is presented for tomographic image reconstruction, called "Intrinsic Transmission SPECT" or just "IntraSPECT". It simultaneously reconstructs both the attenuation map (/spl mu/) and an attenuation-compensated activity map (A), using only the SPECT projections. A modified ART-algorithm (ART-IntraSPECT) was developed and tested with a simulated thorax. The /spl mu/-image reconstructed with ART-IntraSPECT clearly exhibited all relevant anatomical structure, such as lungs and spine vs soft tissue. However, both A and /spl mu/-images were quantitatively inaccurate. The accuracy was considerably improved by applying reasonable tissue-type constraints to the /spl mu/-image. <<ETX>>
Optimization of the Fused-DenseNet-Tiny Model Applied to the Detection of COVID-19 and Pneumonia in Chest X-Ray Images

The COVID-19 pandemic, faced in recent years, has highlighted the need for new forms of testing that help in the early diagnosis of the disease. An alternative gaining more and more prominence is the use of Artificial Neural Networks, algorithms capable of being trained to identify this and other diseases. However, these architectures have a high demand for hardware resources, making their implementation difficult. In this work, we propose the optimization of the Fused-DenseNet-Tiny Convolutional Neural Network for the detection of COVID-19 and Pneumonia in x-ray images, using the pruning technique. After pruning, a model with a size about 3 times smaller and an accuracy of 97.17% was obtained, without significant loss.
Enhanced Production of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide with Exogenous Nicotinamide Addition in Saccharomyces boulardii-YS01

β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), as a key precursor of an essential coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), is most recognized for its pathological treatment effects and anti-aging functions. Here, the biosynthesis of NMN from the inexpensive feedstock substrate nicotinamide (Nam) using previously isolated Saccharomyces boulardii-YS01 was investigated. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS) was established for the determination and targeted analysis of NMN, nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinic acid (NA), Nam, and NAD+ in YS01 cells. Satisfactory precision and accuracy values were achieved with recoveries above 70% for five analytes. A 5~100 times higher content of NMN in YS01 (0.24~103.40 mg/kg) than in some common foods (0.0~18.8 mg/kg) was found. Combined with genome sequencing and enzyme function annotation, target-acting enzymes, including nudC, ISN1, URH1, PNP, and SIR2, were identified, and the biosynthetic pathway of NMN via Nam was suggested. The initial addition of 3 g/L Nam in the culture medium effectively promoted the generation of NMN, which raised the content of NMN by 39%. This work supplements an alternative resource for NMN production and lays the theoretical foundation for the further construction of NMN transgenic synthesis hosts.
Prediction of Preterm Mortality with Late Onset Sepsis using the Neonatal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in Suez Canal University Hospitals

Background: The fatal condition known as neonatal sepsis is characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction brought on by a dysregulated immune response to infection, but there is no operational definition of organ dysfunction that is relevant to newborns and may foretell infection-related death. Objective: The aim of the current study was the prediction of mortality risk factors in low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants with Late Onset Sepsis (LOS) in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Patients and methods: A cross sectional analytical study conducted on LBW preterm newborns admitted at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Suez Canal University Hospitals, between June 2020 to May 2021 and diagnosed to have LOS; nSOFA scores were derived for those patients at multiple time points first at the time os sepsis evaluation then at 48 hours interval till death or discharge then comparing the peak score with the outcome. The score assesses respiratory, cardiovascular and hematological systems, with scores ranging from (0-8) (0-4) and (0-3) respectively. Results: The study included 102 neonates; 30 (29%) non-survivors and 72 (71%) survivors. Males were affected more than females (58.82% vs 41.18%). At a cut-off point of more than 7, which was selected as the optimum criterion; the sensitivity obtained was 86.67%, the specificity was 98.61% and accuracy 94%. The area-under-ROC-curve was equal to 0.981 (95% CI: 0.933 0.998) with positive statistical significance (P<0.001). Conclusion: NSOFA score can be used to predict death in LBW babies who have LOS. One of the most important steps towards better newborn sepsis outcomes is the prediction of LOS mortality.
Structure of Chlorella ohadii Photosystem II Reveals Protective Mechanisms against Environmental Stress

Green alga Chlorella ohadii is known for its ability to carry out photosynthesis under harsh conditions. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), we obtained a high-resolution structure of PSII at 2.72 Å. This structure revealed 64 subunits, which encompassed 386 chlorophylls, 86 carotenoids, four plastoquinones, and several structural lipids. At the luminal side of PSII, a unique subunit arrangement was observed to protect the oxygen-evolving complex. This arrangement involved PsbO (OEE1), PsbP (OEE2), PsbB, and PsbU (a homolog of plant OEE3). PsbU interacted with PsbO, PsbC, and PsbP, thereby stabilizing the shield of the oxygen-evolving complex. Significant changes were also observed at the stromal electron acceptor side. PsbY, identified as a transmembrane helix, was situated alongside PsbF and PsbE, which enclosed cytochrome b559. Supported by the adjacent C-terminal helix of Psb10, these four transmembrane helices formed a bundle that shielded cytochrome b559 from the surrounding solvent. Moreover, the bulk of Psb10 formed a protective cap, which safeguarded the quinone site and likely contributed to the stacking of PSII complexes. Based on our findings, we propose a protective mechanism that prevents QB (plastoquinone B) from becoming fully reduced. This mechanism offers insights into the regulation of electron transfer within PSII.
Formal Social Control and Mental Health: Ethnic Variation among Black Women

The present study uses elements of the social stress and intersectionality theories to examine associations between forms of criminal justice contact and mental health among African American and Afro-Caribbean women. While mass incarceration disproportionately targets, detains, and affects Black populations, the experiences and consequences of criminal justice contact for Black women remain understudied. Utilizing the National Survey of American Life (n = 3,011), this study examined ethnic-stratified associations between criminal justice contact and three mental health indicators among Black women—psychological distress, self-rated mental health, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We assessed justice contact based on any contact (i.e., direct contact and/or family member incarceration), and then disaggregated contact into direct (i.e., personally experienced negative police interactions, arrests, and incarceration) and familial incarceration. Findings showed that any contact as well as direct forms of contact were associated with higher psychological distress for African American women and odds of PTSD for both groups. Furthermore, negative police interactions and family member incarceration were associated with psychological distress for African American women, while only familial incarceration worsened self-rated mental health for Afro-Caribbean women. This study yields important insights for research at the intersection of gender-ethnic status, spillover outcomes of formal social control, and mental health stratification.
Micro-LED Pixel Circuit Using Low-Temperature Poly-Si Oxide TFTs With Fast Rise and Fall Times of Pulse Width Modulation for Low Gray Expression

We report a micro light-emitting diode (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>LED) pixel circuit using low-temperature poly-Si oxide (LTPO) thin film transistors (TFTs). The pixel circuit operates by pulse width modulation (PWM) to prevent the wavelength shift of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>LED. The proposed PWM can support 10-bit gray scale at a refresh rate of 120 Hz by PWM, thanks to the fast rise and fall times. Note that the circuit also compensates for the variation of the threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\text {TH}}{)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of the TFTs in the pixel. It is found that the current error rate is 3.7%, and the maximum pulse width error rate is 3.4% for low gray levels when the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\text {TH}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> shift is 0.5 V. The fabricated pixel circuit successfully demonstrates PWM of variable gray levels, with measured rise and fall times of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.3~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, respectively. Therefore, the proposed pixel circuit is suitable for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula>LED display capable of expressing 10-bit gray scale at a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Mechanical Properties of Uncured Thermoset Tow Prepreg: Experiment and Finite Element Analysis

This paper presents an experimental analysis of the tensile behavior of unidirectional carbon/epoxy prepreg, focusing on the nonlinearity observed at the beginning of the stress–strain curve. Due to the material’s high viscosity, securely holding specimens during testing was challenging, prompting modifications in the gripping method to ensure reliable data. By using a longer gauge length, the slippage impact on elastic modulus measurement was minimized, resulting in good repeatability among the test samples. Experimental findings highlighted the significant interaction between fiber waviness and the viscous matrix, leading to stiffness reduction. The linear stiffness of the samples closely matched that of the fibers and remained unaffected by temperature variations. However, at higher temperatures, the epoxy matrix’s decreased viscosity caused an upward shift in the stiffness plot within the non-linear region. To support the experimental findings, a micromechanical model of prepreg tow with fiber waviness was proposed. An RVE model of periodically distributed unidirectional waved cylindrical fibers embedded within the matrix was developed to predict effective material stiffness parameters. The simulation outcomes aligned well with the uniaxial tensile test of the prepreg tow, demonstrating the proposed RVE model’s capability to accurately predict elastic properties, considering factors like fiber arrangement, waviness, and temperature.
Meanings and Experiences of Prisoners and Family Members Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Brazilian Prison Unit: A Grounded Theory Analysis

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic represented a health emergency for prisons. This study sought to understand the meanings and experiences through the narratives of prisoners and family members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of a maximum-security state penitentiary complex in southern Brazil. For this purpose, a qualitative study was developed based on the methodological framework of constructivist grounded theory. Data were collected between February and August 2022 through individual in-depth interviews and field notes. The sample consisted of 41 participants: 28 male prisoners, and 13 family members. Guided by the Charmaz method of grounded theory analysis, the study afforded the core category “Feeling trapped in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic” with three interrelated phases: “Triggering”, “Escalating”, and “Readjustment”. The “Triggering” phase refers to COVID-19-related elements or events that triggered certain reactions, processes, or changes in prison. During the “Escalating” phase, participants became overwhelmed by the suffering caused by incarceration and the pandemic crisis. The “Readjustment” phase involved adapting, reorienting, or reformulating previous approaches or strategies for dealing with a specific situation. Prisons faced complex challenges during the pandemic and were forced to prioritize protecting public health. However, the measures adopted must be carefully evaluated, ensuring their needs and that they are based on scientific evidence. The punitive approach can undermine inmate trust in prison authorities, making it difficult to report symptoms and adhere to preventive measures.
Multiarmed Bandits for Sleep Recognition of Elderly Living in Single-Resident Smart Homes

Sleep is an essential activity that affects an individual’s health and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Inadequate sleep reduces cognitive capacity and leads to health-related issues, such as cardiovascular diseases. Sleep disorders are more prevalent in older adults. Therefore, it is essential to recognize sleep patterns and support older adults and their caregivers. In our study, we collect data in real-world unconstrained and nonintrusive environments. This article presents a novel sleep activity recognition method using motion sensors for recognizing nighttime and daytime sleep, which can further enable the development of insightful healthcare applications. The research objectives are to evaluate the application of using multiarmed bandit (MAB) methods to 1) learn normal sleep patterns; 2) evaluate sleep quality; and 3) detect anomalies in sleep activity for 11 elderly participants living in single-resident smart homes. We evaluate the performance of Thompson sampling (TS), random selection, and upper confidence bound MAB methods. TS outperformed the other two methods. Our findings show most elderly participants slept between 6 and 8 h with 85% sleep efficiency and up to three awakenings per night.
Associations of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Predictive Values

Purpose To analyze the independent associations of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and evaluate their predictive values for RA. Patients and Methods A total of 68 RA patients were selected as cases, and meanwhile 68 patients with a traumatic knee condition were selected as controls by matching to the cases according to sex and age at the ratio of 1:1. The independent associations of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 with RA were identified by binary logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate their predictive values for RA. Results MiRNA-146a and miRNA-223 expression levels in both synovial tissues and serums were statistically higher in cases than in controls, and their expression levels in serums were not statistically different from those in synovial tissues in both cases and controls. The expression levels of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in synovial tissues were independently associated with RA, as well as the expression levels of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in serums. The area under curve (AUC) of combination of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in synovial tissues for the prediction of RA was 0.910 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.863–0.962], and the AUC of combination of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in serums was 0.904 (95% CI: 0.851–0.957). Their difference was not statistically significant (P=0.873), but the AUC of combination prediction was statistically higher than those of individual predictions (synovial tissues: 0.910 vs 0.773, P=0.005, 0.910 vs 0.788, P=0.009; serums: 0.904 vs 0.766, P=0.005, 0.904 vs 0.784, P=0.011). Conclusion MiRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in both synovial tissues and serums could be applied in predicting RA, and their combination could elevate the predictive value significantly.
Proton Momentum Distributions and Elastic Electron Scattering from 70Zn, 72Ge and 74Se nuclei

In the framework of correlation method so-called coherent density fluctuation model (CDFM) the proton momentum distributions (PMD) of the ground state for some even mass nuclei of fpshell like Zn,Ge and Se nuclei are examined. Proton momentum distributions are expressed in terms of the fluctuation function(|f(x)|) and determined from theory and experiment. The main characteristic feature of the PMD obtained by CDFM is the existence of high-momentum components, for momenta k ≥ 2 fm. For completeness, also elastic electron scattering form factors F(q) are evaluated within the same framework.
Impact of Duration of Catheterization on the Success Rate of Trial Without Catheter in Acute Urinary Retention Due to Benign Prostatic Enlargement

Background: The most common cause of acute urinary retention in men over 50 is benign prostate enlargement (BPE). Following the urethral catheterization, a trial without a catheter (TWOC) under the cover of alpha-blockers is given. The timing of TWOC varies from Day 3 to Day 7 of the retention episode. There is a need to study the improvement in the success rate of TWOC with the increasing number of days of catheterization. Objective: To measure the success rate of TWOC in acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement with increasing days of catheterization. Method: The study was conducted in Social Security Teaching Hospital Lahore. Patients who presented with acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement were catheterized and given alpha-blockers. The patients were divided into two groups, one group having TWOC after three days and the other having TWOC after seven days. The success rate of TWOC was calculated and compared in the two groups. All patients included in the study had the first episode of acute retention with a moderately enlarged prostate and no element of second pathology or neurological deficit. Results: A total of 48 patients were included in the study, divided into two groups of 24 patients each. In the first group who underwent TWOC after seven days of catheterization, 15 out of 24 patients had successful TWOC with a success rate of 62.5%. In the second group of 24 patients, who had TWOC after three days of catheterization, only 11 patients had successful TWOC with a success rate of 45.8%. Conclusion: There was a marked improvement in the success rate of TWOC with increasing days of catheterization after an acute retention episode, secondary to BPE.
How to enhance behavioral intentions in the context of indoor smart farm restaurants: focusing on internal environmental locus of control

ABSTRACT This study focused on the concept of internal environmental locus of control to identify how behavioral intentions are formed in the context of the indoor smart farm restaurant. The data was collected from 330 respondents who had dined out within the last six months in South Korea. The findings revealed that all four dimensions of internal environmental locus of control (i.e. green consumers, environmental activists, environmental advocates, and recyclers) affect attitude, which in turn intentions to use and word-of-mouth intentions. It also found that product knowledge strengthens the effect of green consumers on attitude.
Evaluation of Remineralizing Potential of White Tea and Green Tea on Artificially Demineralized Dentin (In-Vitro Study)

: Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing potential of white tea and green tea pretreatment on microhardness of demineralized dentin. Materials and Methods : A total number of 21 dentin samples were divided into three main groups of 7samples each according to the utilized treatment after demineralization. In the first group, dentin samples were immersed in 10% white tea extract solution followed by casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate application. In the second group, samples were immersed in 10% green tea extract solution followed by casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate application, while in the third group ,casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate(CPP-ACP) only was applied on dentin surface. Microhardness was evaluated at baseline, after demineralization and after treatment for all dentin samples. Results: Microhardness mean values results revealed statistically significant increase in all groups after treatment . The highest percent of change of microhardness was found in white tea group, followed by green tea, while the control group revealed the lowest percent of change. Conclusions : Tea extracts increased dentin microharness when used before application of remineralizing agent. However, white tea extract showed better microhardness values indicating stabilization of dentin collagen network resulting in functional remineralization.
Predictors of Couple Satisfaction

In this paper, we will present the results of research whose main purpose was to analyze the associations between couple satisfaction and some predictors such as attachment, gender, age, marital status, and educational attainment. In the first part, we will briefly present the literature consulted and the most relevant ideas. The second section is devoted to the methodology. The results showed that people with a secure attachment style have high couple satisfaction, women are more satisfied in their relationship compared to men, adults have lower relationship satisfaction as they get older, people with higher education are more satisfied in the couple, and unmarried people are also more satisfied with the couple relationship.