Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minor Losses and Best Manifold Position in the Optimal Design of Paired Sloped Drip Laterals

Arranging paired laterals so that two distribution pipes extend in opposite directions from a common manifold contributes to providing more uniform pressure to all laterals in the system, increasing water use and energy efficiency of micro‐irrigation. Towards this end, by neglecting emitters’ minor losses, analytical procedures to design paired drip laterals laid on uniform slopes were introduced. More recently, it was shown that for an optimal paired sloped lateral design the best position of the manifold (BMP) equals 24%. In this paper, first the mentioned analytical procedure is extended to the case in which minor losses are considered. Second, by neglecting minor losses, a comparison in terms of energy saving, between designing paired sloped drip laterals by fixing BMP = 0.24 and other suggested manifold position from the literature, is performed. Third, it is shown that fixing BMP = 24% of the optimal lateral length can be also applied when minor losses are taken into account. By considering the minor losses of integrated emitters, some practical solutions are presented. The procedure proposed here was compared with that derived by the step‐by‐step exact procedure. Applications by considering different design variables are performed and discussed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An evaluation of four single element airfoil analytic methods

A comparison of four computer codes for the analysis of two-dimensional single element airfoil sections is presented for three classes of section geometries. Two of the computer codes utilize vortex singularities methods to obtain the potential flow solution. The other two codes solve the full inviscid potential flow equation using finite differencing techniques, allowing results to be obtained for transonic flow about an airfoil including weak shocks. Each program incorporates boundary layer routines for computing the boundary layer displacement thickness and boundary layer effects on aerodynamic coefficients. Computational results are given for a symmetrical section represented by an NACA 0012 profile, a conventional section illustrated by an NACA 65A413 profile, and a supercritical type section for general aviation applications typified by a NASA LS(1)-0413 section. The four codes are compared and contrasted in the areas of method of approach, range of applicability, agreement among each other and with experiment, individual advantages and disadvantages, computer run times and memory requirements, and operational idiosyncrasies.
Improved Healthcare Access Reduces Requirements for Surgery in Indigent IBD Patients Using Biologic Therapy: A ‘Safety-Net’ Hospital Experience

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with greater morbidity and increased healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in IBD. We examined whether a financial assistance program (FAP) to improve healthcare access affected outcomes and HRU in a cohort of indigent IBD patients requiring biologics. IBD patients (>18 years) receiving care at a ‘safety-net’ hospital who initiated biologics as outpatients between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2019 were included. Patients were divided by FAP status. Patients without FAP had Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurance. Primary outcomes were steroid-free clinical remission at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were surgery, hospitalization, and ED utilization. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Decision tree analysis (DTA) was also performed. We included 204 patients with 258 new biologic prescriptions. FAP patients had less complex Crohn’s disease (50.7% vs. 70%, p = 0.033) than non-FAP patients. FAP records indicated fewer prior surgeries (19.6% vs. 38.4% p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in remission rates, disease duration, or days between prescription and receipt of biologics. In multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for baseline demographics and disease severity variables, FAP patients were less likely to undergo surgery (OR: 0.28, 95% CI [0.08–0.91], p = 0.034). DTA suggests that imaging utilization may shed light on surgical differences. We found FAP enrollment was associated with fewer surgeries in a cohort of indigent IBD patients requiring biologics. Further studies are needed to identify interventions to address healthcare disparities in IBD.
Screening of Selected Canola Genotypes against Mustard Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi (K.) Hemiptera: Aphididae) through Antixenosis and Antibiosis Assays

The study on categories of resistance in selected canola genotypes against mustard aphid ( Lipaphis erysimi ) was conducted under glasshouse conditions, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during growing seasons of 2018-2019. During this study, a total of two different experiments were carried out where, antixenosis experiment, comprised three levels; seedling, flowering and pod stage. In all the three stages, only genotype ‘KS-75’ proved as antixenosis resistant against the aphid compared to susceptible genotype Abaseen. The second experiment was performed to test antibiosis resistance against L. erysimi among the selected genotypes. During the antibiosis experiment different life table parameters of aphids; developmental period, reproductive period, longevity and fecundity were studied. Based on the calculations, only ‘KS-75’ proved antibiosis resistant against L. erysimi among the selected genotypes. Thus, during our current studies, genotype KS-75 proved antixenosis and antibiosis characteristics based on less number of aphids attracted/sustained and low number of progenies produced as compared to the tested genotypes Abaseen, Omega and Zahoor showed strong vigor against mustard aphid and symptoms of attack/damages were observed.
Anti-PD-1 Monotherapy in Advanced Melanoma—Real-World Data from a 77-Month-Long Retrospective Observational Study

Real-world evidence plays an important role in the assessment of efficacy and safety of novel therapies. The increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced melanoma has led to notably improved clinical outcomes, while they are also associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The majority of the available data are based on clinical trials, where the investigated subjects often do not adequately represent the general patient population of the everyday practice. Although there is a niche of objective biomarkers for the future treatment response of ICIs, certain studies suggest that irAEs may be predictive. The aim of this study was to carry out a retrospective analysis of treatment data from patients with advanced melanoma, treated with a single anti-PD-1 agent (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) during a 77-month-long period. Treatment efficacy and occurrence of adverse events were analyzed to identify potential predictive markers. Primary and secondary endpoints were the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). In our cohort, we demonstrated that the occurrence of more than one irAE showed a correlation with response to PD-1 ICI therapy and improved the OS and PFS. Our study suggests, that the grade of toxicity of the irAE may affect the survival rate.
Variational principles for linear initial-value problems

Introduction. Most of the boundary-value problems of mathematical physics are characterized by variational principles which assert that a function u satisfies such a problem if and only if a given functional is stationary at u. However, there does not seem to exist in the treatise literature any such variational characterization of the usual initial-value problems of interest. As a matter of fact Washizu [1] conjectured that in the case of the transient heat conduction problem such a principle is not possible since the problem is not self-adjoint. In this note, variational principles of the foregoing type are derived for the initial-value problems associated with the wave and heat conduction equations, thus proving Washizu's conjecture incorrect. The method of deducing such variational principles consists of two steps. First we reduce the initial-value problem to an equivalent boundary-value problem by replacing the relevant partial differential equation with an equivalent integro-differential equation which contains the initial conditions implicitly. Second, we derive a variational principle for this reduced problem. The prime ingredient in the derivation of this variational principle is the use of convolutions. The techniques employed in this paper may be used to generate variational principles for a large class of initial-value problems (e.g. the initial-value problem associated with the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in quantum mechanics). Variational principles of this type for linear elastodynamics were given previously [2]. 1. Preliminary definitions. Notation. Henceforth R will denote a closed and bounded region in n-dimensional Euclidean space with the interior R and the boundary B, while x = (x-, , x2 , ■ ■ ■ , xn) is a generic point of R. Moreover V is the usual (redimensional) gradient operator and V2 is the Laplacian operator. Throughout this paper we deal with real-valued functions of position x and time t whose n + 1 dimensional domain of definition is the Cartesian product R X [0, °°) of the region R with the time interval [0, <»). We use the standard notation for the convolution of two such functions of position and time, i.e.
Hepatoprotective effect on methanolic extracts of Tagetes erecta leaves and Tridax procumbens against drug induced hepatic injury

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of methanolic extract of Tagetes erecta (METE) and methanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (METP) against Isoniazid and Rifampicin (INH-RIF) induced hepatic injury. Animals were randomly divided into seven groups, vehicle (control) or INH-RIF (50 mg/kg, i.p.), METE (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.), METP (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) and standard silymarin for 28 days. INH-RIF intoxicated rats displayed significant (p<0.05) elevation in serum hepatic markers, lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidants like SOD, CAT, Gpx and GSH in liver tissue. Treatment with METE & METP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) restored the altered biochemical level to normalcy. Thus, the outcome of the study reveals that METE & METP showed promising hepatoprotective activity in INH-RIF induced hepatic damage mediated by its membrane stabilizing and antioxidant effect. All the methanolic plant extracts produce significant hepatoprotective activity against drug induced hepatic injury.
Epithelial-mesenchymal reprogramming by KLF4-regulated Rictor expression contributes to metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Metastasis is considered one of the leading causes of treatment failure and death in NSCLC patients. A crucial factor of promoting metastasis in epithelium-derived carcinoma has been considered as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Rictor, one of the components of mTORC2, has been reportedly involved in EMT and metastasis of human malignancies. However, the regulatory mechanisms of Rictor, Rictor-mediated EMT and metastasis in cancers remain unknown. Our present study indicates that Rictor is highly expressed in human NSCLC cell lines and tissues and is regulated, at least partially, at the transcriptional level. Knockdown of Rictor expression causes phenotype alterations through EMT, which is accompanied by the impairment of migration and invasion ability in NSCLC cells. Additionally, we have cloned and identified the human Rictor core promoter for the first time and confirmed that transcription factor KLF4 directly binds to the Rictor promoter and transcriptionally upregulated Rictor expression. Knockdown of KLF4 results in Rictor's downregulation accompanied by a series of characteristic changes of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and significantly decreases migration, invasion as well as metastasis of NSCLC cells. Re-introducing Rictor in KLF4-knockdown NSCLC cells partially reverses the epithelial phenotype to the mesenchymal phenotype and attenuates the inhibition of cell migration and invasion caused by KLF4 knocking down. Knockdown of KLF4 prevents mTOR/Rictor interaction and metastasis of NSCLC in vivo. The understanding of the regulator upstream of Rictor may provide an opportunity for the development of new inhibitors and the rational design of combination regimens based on different metastasis-related molecular targets and finally prevents cancer metastasis.
Filtennas in Space: A Novel Approach for Radio-Frequency Interference Mitigation

The coexistence of wireless transmitters for downlink communications and radio sensing instruments onboard spacecraft poses severe challenges concerning electromagnetic compatibility. Among the possible solutions, the chance to integrate complex filtering functions into the antenna devoted to data transmission offers a space-effective way to improve isolation by suppressing out-of-band emissions. The present manuscript describes the flexibility given to satellite integrator by using the filtenna paradigm, as well as a complete description on possible designs and trade-offs. As example, a horn filtenna for Ka band is also numerically proven and mechanical designed.
IMPROVING ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION ONLINE STUDENTS THROUGH VIDEO-MAKING: SCHOOL LIBRARIANS ON THE SCREEN

There is an increasing offer of online training in higher education, which develops the interest in educational research and consolidates new conceptual practices applied to e-learning. This study seeks to reflect on the use of video creation by students as an active learning strategy, with a view to greater student involvement in a distance university. From the context of a curricular unit that uses different strategies beyond the traditional reading of documents, including active learning, it is intended that the student participates in a committed way, preparing future professional practices. Thus, the creation of videos was proposed as a powerful tool to engage students. The strategy was aligned with feedback. Achievements granted by the students who participated in the activity proved what the literature has stated: that the active learning approach based on videos positively achieves the objectives and results that aim at successful learning. Also, feedback reinforces student self-regulation, enabling insights that improve their experiential learning.
The impact of light distribution and furniture layout on meeting light exposure objectives in an office - a simulation case study

The present simulation case study compares the impact of electric lighting distributions in relation to work-desk location and orientation on work-plane and eye-level illumination within a small private office. The aim of this study is to better understand the implications of lighting and furniture design decisions on ocular light exposure with consideration of work-plane illuminance based on current recommendations by the IES and the International WELL Building Institute. Five electric lighting configurations, 3 occupant seating locations
Self-reported side effects of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Ethiopia, Africa: A cross-sectional study

Introduction Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. Ethiopia received most of its COVID-19 vaccines through donations. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is the first to be donated to Ethiopia by the COVAX facility. Healthcare workers were the priority population that received the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. However, there was no nationwide study on the safety of the vaccine in Ethiopia. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and predictors of self-reported side effects of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Materials and methods The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of healthcare workers who took Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was drawn from four regions of Ethiopia; namely, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Southwest. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, medical anamnesis, COVID-19 related anamnesis, and COVID-19 vaccine anamnesis via telephone interview. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done. The software, IBM SPSS Statistics v21.0, was used for analyses of data. Results Out of 384 people, 346 responded (response rate: 90.1%). Female accounted for 34.1% of the respondents. The mean age of the respondents was 31.0 years (Standard Deviation (SD) = 7.4). Nurses accounted for 43.7% of the respondents. The prevalence of at least one local- and systemic-side effect was 50.6 and 44.5%, respectively. The most frequent local- and systemic- side effect were injection site pain and headache, respectively. Both types of side effects mostly subsided in the first 3 days. A third of healthcare workers with side effects took at least one medication. Paracetamol followed by diclofenac sodium were taken by healthcare workers to overcome side effects. There was no independent predictor of local side effect. After controlling for age and chronic diseases, the odds of healthcare workers with COVID-19 like symptoms to experience systemic side effects was 1.38 (Confidence Interval (CI): 1.04–1.82) times more than that of healthcare workers without COVID-19 like symptoms. Conclusions The prevalence of local- and systemic-side effects of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was modest. As the symptoms were mostly common in the first 3 days, it is preferable to monitor healthcare workers at least in the first 3 days following the administration of the vaccine.
Age Effects on Neural Discriminability and Monitoring Process During Memory Retrieval for Auditory Words

After hearing a list of words (e.g., dream, awake, and bed), older adults tended to have more difficulty than younger adults in distinguishing targets (e.g., dream) from lures (e.g., sleep) and foils (e.g., pen) in a visual recognition test. Age-related reduction in neural discriminability in the visual cortex has been linked to deficits in memory discriminability of pictures. However, no study has examined age differences in auditory discrimination and prefrontal monitoring during true and false memory retrieval after hearing words. The current study used a visual recognition test following an auditory study of words and showed that older adults had lower true recognition and higher propensity for high-confidence false recognition compared to young adults. Using classification-based multivariate pattern analysis for functional neuroimaging data during memory retrieval, we found that neural activation patterns in the primary auditory cortex could be used to distinguish between auditorily-studied targets and unstudied lures in young adults, but not in older adults. Moreover, prefrontal monitoring for lures was weaker in older adults as compared to young adults. Individual differences analysis showed that neural discriminability in the primary auditory cortex was positively related to true recognition, whereas prefrontal activation for lures was negatively related to the propensity for high-confidence false recognition in young adults but not in older adults. Together, age differences in true and false memories following auditory study are associated with reduced neural discriminability in the primary auditory cortex and reduced prefrontal monitoring during retrieval.
Application of Angiotensin Receptor–Neprilysin Inhibitor in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Chinese Expert Consensus

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, and cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in patients with CKD. The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular events during the early stages of CKD increases significantly with a decline in renal function. More than 50% of dialysis patients die from cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, developing effective methods to control risk factors and improve prognosis is the primary focus during the diagnosis and treatment of CKD. For example, the SPRINT study demonstrated that CKD drugs are effective in reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events by controlling blood pressure. Uncontrolled blood pressure not only increases the risk of these events but also accelerates the progression of CKD. A co-crystal complex of sacubitril, which is a neprilysin inhibitor, and valsartan, which is an angiotensin receptor blockade, has the potential to be widely used against CKD. Sacubitril inhibits neprilysin, which further reduces the degradation of natriuretic peptides and enhances the beneficial effects of the natriuretic peptide system. In contrast, valsartan alone can block the angiotensin II-1 (AT1) receptor and therefore inhibit the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. These two components can act synergistically to relax blood vessels, prevent and reverse cardiovascular remodeling, and promote natriuresis. Recent studies have repeatedly confirmed that the first and so far the only angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan can reduce blood pressure more effectively than renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and improve the prognosis of heart failure in patients with CKD. Here, we propose clinical recommendations based on an expert consensus to guide ARNI-based therapeutics and reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with CKD.
Correlation Between Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Chest CT-Measured Erector Spinae Muscle Area: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) plays an important part in diverse health and disease states. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and computed tomography (CT) are available for its assessment. However, muscle mass assessed by BIA may be influenced by multiple factors. The erector spinae muscle area (ESA) on chest CT is recently presumed to be representative of SMM. This study aimed to derive BIA from the ESA and evaluate the magnitude of association (between ESA measured from chest CT) and BIA. Methods Subjects hospitalized for health checkups between December 2020 and December 2021, having undergone both BIA (50 kHz, 0.8 mA) and chest CT, were included. ESA was quantified at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12-ESA) by a standardized semi-automated segmentation algorithm. Low SMM was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. The association between T12-ESA and BIA was then evaluated. Stratified analyses by sex and BMI were also performed. Results Among 606 included subjects (59.7 ± 16.6 years, 63.5% male), 110 (18.2%) had low SMM. BMI in low and normal SMM groups was 20.1 and 24.7 kg/m2, respectively. Current smoking, drinking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic renal dysfunction were more frequently seen in the low SMM group than in the normal SMM group. The final regression model included T12-ESA, weight, BMI, and age, and had an adjusted R 2 of 0.806 with BIA. In the validation group, the correlation between T12-ESA-derived BIA and BIA remained high (Pearson correlation = 0.899). Stratified analysis disclosed a stronger correlation between T12-ESA and BIA in male subjects than in female subjects (adjusted R 2 = 0.790 vs. adjusted R 2 = 0.711, p < 0.05), and a better correlation was observed in obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) compared with underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) subjects (adjusted R 2 = 0.852 vs. adjusted R 2 = 0.723, p < 0.05). Additional analysis revealed a significant correlation between T12-ESA and skeletal muscle cross-sectional area at the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3-CSA) (adjusted R 2 = 0.935, p < 0.001). Conclusions CT-based assessment of ESA at the T12 level is feasible and correlated well with BIA, especially in male subjects and obese subjects.