Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A closed‐form expression for computing the sensitivity in second‐order bilinear calibration

A general expression is derived for estimating the sensitivity of second‐order bilinear calibration models, particularly parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and bilinear least‐squares (BLLS), whether the second‐order advantage is required or not. In the latter case, the sensitivity is correctly estimated either if the advantage is achieved by processing the unknown sample together with the calibration set (PARAFAC), or by post‐calibration residual bilinearization (BLLS). The expression includes, as special cases, the sensitivity expressions already discussed by Messick, Kalivas and Lang (MKL) and by Ho, Christian and Davidson (HCD). The former one is the maximum achievable sensitivity in a given calibration situation, where all components are present in the calibration set of samples. The latter approach gives the lowest possible sensitivity, corresponding to only calibrating the analyte of interest, leaving the remaining components as uncalibrated constituents of the unknown sample. In intermediate situations, that is more than one calibrated analyte and presence of unexpected components in the unknown sample, only the present approach is able to provide a satisfactory sensitivity parameter, in close agreement with previously described Monte Carlo numerical simulations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility Study of Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v Probiotic Supplementation in an Urban Academic Facility among Diverse Pregnant Individuals

(1) Background: Despite iron intake recommendations, over a quarter of pregnant individuals have iron deficiency. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®) enhances iron absorption in non-pregnant populations and may have positive effects in pregnancy among those with sufficient iron stores; however, no studies have evaluated the effect of LP299V® on maternal and neonatal iron status among individuals at risk for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Thus, this study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily oral LP299V® maternal supplementation among diverse pregnant individuals. (2) Methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized supplementation feasibility study, participants were randomized to probiotic LP299V® + prenatal vitamin with iron or placebo + prenatal vitamin with iron from 15–20 weeks of gestation through delivery. (3) Results: Of the 20 enrolled and randomized participants, 58% (7/12) from the LP299V® group and 75% (6/8) from the placebo group were retained. Adherence to supplementation was 72% for LP299V®/placebo and 73% for the prenatal vitamin. A slower decline in maternal hematological and iron parameters across pregnancy was observed in the LP299V® group compared to placebo. (4) Conclusions: LP299V® may be a tolerable therapy during pregnancy and has the potential to affect maternal and neonatal hematological and iron status.
Test for Alfvén Wave Signatures in a Solar Coronal Hole

Using spectral line observations to study minor ion motions in a solar coronal hole, a test was made for the presence of Alfvén waves. From this we conclude that the Alfvén wave flux into the upper portion of the hole is not significant. The SOHO/SUMER ultraviolet spectrograph was used to observe 22 coronal ions with masses ranging from 14mH to 56mH and charge states ranging from +4 to +11. The line widths of 33 vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lines radiated by these ions were measured off-limb in a coronal hole at heights between 1.02 and 1.3 solar radii (R☉), and the height dependencies of sufficiently intense lines were measured to test for the increase of width with height expected for undamped Alfvén wave propagation. Line widths from ions formed at coronal hole temperatures were found to increase with height to 1.1 R☉ and were constant for greater heights. If this line broadening is a manifestation of Alfvén wave propagation, the waves are strongly damped above 1.1 R☉. Consequently, another mechanism must transport energy to the solar wind acceleration region. In addition, the observed dependence of line-of-sight ion speed squared on the reciprocal of the mass indicates that there is not a common nonthermal velocity if there is a common ion temperature. This suggests that Alfvén waves do not cause the anomalously large effective temperatures measured.
Evidence for spin-dependent electron-hole-pair excitations in spin-polarized secondary-electron emission from Ni(110)

The energy-resolved spin polarization P of secondary electrons from Ni(110) has been measured with high energy resolution. At the lowest kinetic energy P reaches a maximum of (17 +- 2)% which is significantly higher than the mean conduction-band polarization (5.5%). Within about 3 eV towards higher kinetic energy the spin polarization decreases to about 8% and displays pronounced structures at higher energies. Spin-dependent electron-hole pair excitations are suggested to be responsible for the observed spin polarization. ID LW2044 . PG 74 77
Diagnosis and Assessment of Dental Caries Using Novel Bioactive Caries Detecting Dye Solution

Background: The goal of materials should be early caries detection, removal of carious lesions, and reduction of dentin hypersensitivity. Thus, the study aims to determine the efficacy of a bioactive caries detecting dye (BCD) for the diagnosing and mechanical removal of occlusal and proximal dental caries. Methods: Patients with occlusal (A1, A2) and proximal carious lesions (B1, B2) were treated with the rotary technique and BCD solution on 120 teeth (n = 60 for each). Group 1: Excavation was performed using diamond points. Group 2: 0.5 mL of BCD solution was scrubbed for 20 sec and excavation was performed with a sharp spoon excavator. Post-excavation cavity volume analysis was performed using a 3D scanner. The time required, VAS for pain, VAS for facial expression, and sound eye motor scoring were scored during excavation. Post-restoration evaluation was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months (FDI criteria). Results: The chi-square test revealed that the A1 (197.90 30.97 s) and B1 (273.06 69.95 s) had significantly less mean procedural time than the A2 (292.13 44.87 s) and B2 (411.86 88.34 s). BCD (A2, B2) group showed good patient acceptance, less pain during caries excavation VAS (p = 0.001, FACE (p = 0.001), and SEM (p < 0.001) analysis than the rotary group. There was a statistically insignificant difference between groups immediately (p = 0.235), (p = 0.475) and after 24 h (p = 0.561), (p = 0.688). Color score, hardness of excavated surface, and caries removal score for occlusal and proximal groups showed insignificant differences between the groups. BCD group showed significantly less mean caries excavated volume for the occlusal group (p = 0.003) as compared to the proximal group (p = 0.417) evaluated by 3D scanner. Evaluation of restoration after 3-, 6-, and 12 months intervals (Occlusal caries group (p = 0.247), (p = 0.330), and (0.489) and Proximal caries group (p = 0.299), (p = 0.594), and (0.494)) was acceptable for both the groups. Conclusion: BCD helps in identification of dental caries clinically, radiographically, and in effective removal of denatured teeth with less pain or sensitivity.
Impact of the Global Budget Payment System on Expenditure of Cardiovascular Diseases: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis in Shanghai, China

Since few studies evaluated the impact of the global budget payment system (GBPS) over time, and by expenditure type, this paper aims to evaluate the impact of the GBPS on expenditure of inpatients, and explores how hospitals curb the expenditure in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Shanghai. We built a time series model with the monthly expenditure of CVDs from 2009 to 2012. We evaluated the instant impact and trends impact of the GBPS and analyzed results based on medical expenditure types (e.g., drug, examination, cure, unclassified items), discharge number, and expenditure per capita. We found GBPS instantly dropped the medical expenditure by Chinese Yuan (CNY) 55.71 million (p < 0.001), and decreased the monthly increasing trend by CNY 4.23 million (p = 0.011). The discharge number had 10.4% instant reduction and 225.55 monthly decrease (p = 0.021) while the expenditure per capita experienced fewer changes. Moreover, the expenditure of drug and cure had an instant reduction of CNY 28.31 million and 16.28 million (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we considered the GBPS is an effective solution to control the expenditure of CVDs by decreasing the discharge number, and a focus on the drug and cure expenditures lead to greater spend reduction than other types of expenditures.
Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Biomedical Waste Management among 1st Year B. Sc. Nursing Students of Selected Nursing Colleges at Bangalore

Background: Waste produced from the health-care facilities is deleterious and hazardous. Inadequate understanding and improper handling of biomedical waste can give rise to serious threat not only to the health of health-care personnel but also the society and environment as whole. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding biomedical waste management. Materials and Methods: A pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test study was conducted among 60 1st year basic B.Sc. nursing students who were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. A pre-test was conducted using a self-administered knowledge questionnaire with 30 items followed by which structured teaching program was conducted. Post-test was conducted after 1 week using afore-mentioned questionnaire. Results: The findings of the present study revealed that, in pre-test, majority 87% subjects under study had inadequate knowledge, 10% had moderately adequate knowledge, and only 3% participants had adequate knowledge. In post-test, majority 78% study subjects had adequate knowledge, 22% had moderately adequate knowledge, and no one remained with inadequate knowledge regarding biomedical waste management. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge of nursing students regarding biomedical waste management as the “t” value obtained 29.932 was higher than the tabulated value at P < 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: Teaching program is effective in creating the awareness and improving the knowledge of the study participants regarding biomedical waste management.
A Delay Classification-Based Approach to Distributed Consensus of Nonlinear Time-Delay Multiagent Systems

This article investigates the problem of the fixed directed topology-based leader–following consensus control for nonlinear multiagent systems with output delays. Diverging from existing results, this study focuses on large time-varying output delay. Taking this condition into account, a novel delay classification-based distributed output feedback consensus algorithm is developed. First, we divide the output delay into two types through a designed constant and introduce a switching signal to distinguish these two types. Then, we build a distributed compensator for each follower using relevant outputs to reconstitute the leader–following tracking errors. This compensator relies on the output delay and is irrelevant to the nonlinear dynamics of the system. Then, we design a distributed linear controller for each follower with the compensator's assistance. Subsequently, a new unified Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is developed to prove that all agents can realize leader–following full-state consensus with the action of the controller. We also provide sufficient conditions to demonstrate the controller's validity. Finally, a simulation example is supplied to validate the efficiency of our algorithm.
Biological treatment of biowaste as an innovative source of CO—The role of composting process

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an essential “building block” for producing everyday chemicals on industrial scale. Carbon monoxide can also be generated though a lesser-known and sometimes forgotten biorenewable pathways that could be explored to advance biobased production from large and more sustainable sources such as bio-waste treatment. Organic matter decomposition can generate carbon monoxide both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. While anaerobic carbon monoxide generation is relatively well understood, the aerobic is not. Yet many industrial-scale bioprocesses involve both conditions. This review summarizes the necessary basic biochemistry knowledge needed for realization of initial steps towards biobased carbon monoxide production. We analyzed for the first time, the complex information about carbon monoxide production during aerobic, anaerobic bio-waste treatment and storage, carbon monoxide-metabolizing microorganisms, pathways, and enzymes with bibliometric analysis of trends. The future directions recognizing limitations of combined composting and carbon monoxide production have been discussed in greater detail.
Hemorrhagic Shock: Blood Marker Sequencing and Pulmonary Gas Exchange

Background: The early identification of internal hemorrhage in critically ill patients may be difficult. Besides circulatory parameters, hemoglobin and lactate concentration, metabolic acidosis and hyperglycemia serve as laboratory markers for bleeding. In this experiment, we examined pulmonary gas exchange in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock. Moreover, we sought to investigate if a chronological order of appearance regarding hemoglobin, lactatemia, standard base excess/deficit (SBED) and hyperglycemia exists in early severe hemorrhage. Methods: In this prospective, laboratory study, twelve anesthetized pigs were randomly allocated to exsanguination or a control group. Animals in the exsanguination group (n = 6) endured a 65% blood loss over 20 min. No intravenous fluids were administered. Measurements were taken before, immediately after, and at 60 min after the completed exsanguination. Measurements included pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic variables, hemoglobin concentration, lactate, base excess (SBED), glucose concentration, arterial blood gases, and a multiple inert gas assessment of pulmonary function. Results: At baseline, variables were comparable. Immediately after exsanguination, lactate and blood glucose were increased (p = 0.001). The arterial partial pressure of oxygen was increased at 60 min after exsanguination (p = 0.04) owing to a decrease in intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt and less ventilation-perfusion inequality. SBED was different to the control only at 60 min post bleeding (p < 0.001). Hemoglobin concentration did not change at any time (p = 0.97 and p = 0.14). Conclusions: In experimental shock, markers of blood loss became positive in chronological order: lactate and blood glucose concentrations were raised immediately after blood loss, while changes in SBED lagged behind and became significant one hour later. Pulmonary gas exchange is improved in shock.
Procurement Contract Management and Procurement Performance in Parastatal Organisations in Tanzania

Despite a lot of initiatives being undertaken by the United Republic of Tanzania to improve public procurement, the performance of many of the contracted projects is not satisfactory since a significant amount of public money is lost through procurement contract management. The aim of this study was to determine the role of procurement contract management in Tanzania's parastatal entities. The study examined the impact of contract preparation, the competence of the contract management team, and the contract allocated budget on procurement performance and made recommendations for improving it. The study used a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design whereby data were collected by using a close-ended questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 241 respondents who were heads of departments from the 93 parastatal organizations. The data were analysed descriptively by computing descriptive statistics and inferentially using a multiple regression model. The findings indicated that contract preparation, competence of contract management teams, and contract allocated budget had significant positive relationships with procurement performance at p<0.05. The study recommends that parastatal organizations' management should ensure that there is proper contact preparation, each contract being managed by a competent contract management team, and there is enough budget allocation for every project before it is started.
Quality assurance for non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis during a period of supply chain disruption leading to iodinated contrast shortage in the emergency department setting

Objectives: Iodinated contrast media (ICM) shortage crisis due to COVID-19 lockdowns led to a need for alternate imaging protocols consisting of non-contrast computed tomography (CT) for abdominal complaints and related trauma indications in emergency department (ED) settings. This quality assurance study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes of protocol modifications during ICM shortage and identify potential imaging misdiagnosis of acute abdominal complaints and related trauma. Material and Methods: The study included 424 ED patients with abdominal pain, falls, or motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related trauma who had non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis in May 2022. We accessed the initial complaint, order indication, non-contrast CT results, any acute or incidental findings, and any follow-up imaging of the same body region with their results. We evaluated their association utilizing Chi-squared tests. We assessed sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values using follow-up scan confirmation. Results: Across initial complaint categories, 72.9% of cases were abdominal pain, and 37.3% received positive findings. Only 22.6% of patients had follow-up imaging. Most confirmed original reports were for abdominal pain. We also found three reports of missed findings. There were significant associations between complaint categories and initial non-contrast CT report results (P < 0.001), as well as initial complaint categories and whether the patient received follow-up imaging or not (P < 0.004). No significant associations were found between follow-up imaging results and initial report confirmation. Non-contrast CT had 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values 100% and 94%, respectively. Conclusion: Rate of missed acute diagnoses using non-contrast CT for patients presenting to the ED with acute abdominal complaints or related trauma has been low during the recent shortage, but further investigation would be needed to verify and quantify the implications of not routinely giving oral or intravenous contrast in the ED.
Equatorial spread F fossil plumes

Abstract. Behaviour of equatorial spread F (ESF) fossil plumes, i.e., ESF plumes that have stopped rising, is examined using the NRL SAMI3/ESF three-dimensional simulation code. We find that fossil bubbles, plasma density depletions associated with fossil plumes, can persist as high-altitude equatorial depletions even while being "blown" by zonal winds. Corresponding airglow-proxy images of fossil plumes, plots of electron density versus longitude and latitude at a constant altitude of 288 km, are shown to partially "fill in" in most cases, beginning with the highest altitude field lines within the plume. Specifically, field lines upon which the E field has fallen entirely to zero are affected and only the low altitude (≤600 km) portion if each field line fills in. This suggests that it should be possible to observe a bubble at high altitude on a field line for which the corresponding airglow image no longer shows a depletion. In all cases ESF plumes stop rising when the flux-tube-integrated ion mass density inside the upper edge of the bubble is equal to that of the nearby background, further supporting the result of Krall et al. (2010b).
Singular linear systems with delay: ℋ︁∞ stabilization

This paper deals with the class of continuous‐time singular linear systems with time‐delay in the state vector. The stabilization problem of this class of systems using a state feedback controller is tackled. New delay‐dependent sufficient conditions on ℋ︁∞ stabilization are developed. A design algorithm for a memoryless state feedback controller which guarantees that the closed‐loop dynamics will be regular, impulse‐free and stable with γ‐disturbance rejection is proposed. It is shown that the addressed problem can be solved if the corresponding developed linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with some constraints are feasible. A numerical example is employed to show the usefulness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An interferometric study of the HH 288 molecular outflow

We present an interferometric study of the CO J =1 ! 0 line emission in the HH 288 molecular outflow. The IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer was used to obtain an 11{eld mosaic covering the whole flow (2 pc) with an angular resolution of about 3:5 00 (7000 AU at a distance of 2 kpc). The data were complemented with short-spacings derived from IRAM 30{m observations. The exciting source of HH 288, IRAS 00342+6347, is a young (dynamical age of the outflow' af ew 10 4 years) intermediate-mass (bolometric luminosity'500 L, envelope mass' 6t o 30M) embedded protostar. This source is likely to be an intermediate-mass counterpart of a classical Class 0 low-mass protostar. HH 288 is actually a quadrupolar outflow, and the angular resolution provided by the interferometric observations allows us to rule out models involving limb-brightened walls of a wide-angle single flow to explain such a morphology. The presence of two protostars in the central condensation is the most appealing explanation to account for the presence of the two flows. While the small East-West flow has a quite simple morphology and kinematics, the large North-South flow includes several overlapping structures, created by successive ejection events. Large collimated limb-brightened cavities are observed, with high-velocity material located along or near the flow axis. The internal structure of HH 288, including morphological coincidence between the CO and H2 emission, supports prompt entrainment at the head of large bow-shocks as the main formation process of molecular outflows from intermediate-mass protostars.
The Role of Probiotics in Inducing and Maintaining Remission in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract affecting millions of patients worldwide. The gut microbiome partly determines the pathogenesis of both diseases. Even though probiotics have been widely used as a potential treatment, their efficacy in inducing and maintaining remission is still controversial. Our study aims to review the present-day literature about the possible role of probiotics in treating inflammatory bowel diseases in adults. This research was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies concerning adult patients who compared probiotics with placebo or non-probiotic intervention. We identified thirty-three studies, including 2713 patients from fourteen countries. The role of probiotics in Crohn’s disease was examined in eleven studies. Only four studies presented statistically significant results in the remission of disease, primarily when used for three to six months. On the other hand, in twenty-one out of twenty-five studies, probiotics proved effective in achieving or maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. Supplementation with Bifidobacterium sp. or a combination of probiotics is the most effective intervention, especially when compared with a placebo. There is strong evidence supporting the usage of probiotic supplementation in patients with ulcerative colitis, yet more research is needed to justify their efficacy in Crohn’s disease.