Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Associations between Organophosphate Pesticides (OPs) and Respiratory Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Although some epidemiological studies have identified the associations between exposure to organophosphate pesticides (Ops) and respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), controversial results still exist. In this review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the overall pooled effect estimates and the possible mechanisms of the relationship between OP exposure and adverse health outcomes. In this study, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, OVID, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched until September 2022. Nineteen observational studies that focused on the general population or occupational populations examined the associations between OP exposure and respiratory diseases, DM, and CVD were included. Based on the overall pooled results, a significantly positive association was observed between OP exposure and respiratory diseases (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06–1.19). A significant link was also observed between various individual species of OP exposure and respiratory diseases, with an OR value of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18). In particular, there was a significant association of OPs with wheezing and asthma, with OR values of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.08–1.31) and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05–1.22), respectively. In addition, a significant association was also observed between OP exposure and DM (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.29). However, no significant association was observed between OP exposure and CVD (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.94–1.05). Exposure to OPs was associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory diseases and DM, but there was no evidence of a significant association between OP exposure and CVD. Considering the moderate strength of the results, further evidence is needed to confirm these associations.
The moderating role of preadolescents humour styles in the relationship of victimization with internalized and externalized symptoms

ABSTRACT Although the direct effects of victimization on internalizing and externalizing symptoms among children have been well documented, not much is known about the buffering effect of humour styles. The aim of this study was to examine the moderating role of humour styles in the relationship between victimization and internalizing/externalizing symptoms among 155 Greek students (10–12 yrs), using an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Victimization was positively correlated to both internalized and externalized symptoms, while boys scored higher on self-defeating and aggressive humour. Finally, moderation analysis revealed that the effect of victimization on internalized symptoms was reduced at higher levels of aggressive humour. These findings provide additional evidence for the effect of different humour styles in the school context. As the beneficial impact of aggressive humour on victims may be short-termed, prevention efforts could help students learn how to avoid malign humour and use benign styles to cope with stressful situations.
Exotic Ordered and Disordered Many-Particle Systems with Novel Properties

This dissertation presents studies on several statistical-mechanical problems, many of which involve exotic many-particle systems. In Chapter 2, we present an algorithm to generate Random Sequential Addition (RSA) packings of hard hyperspheres at the infinite-time saturation limit, and investigate this limit with unprecedented precision. In Chapter 3, we study the problem of devising smooth, short-ranged isotropic pair potentials such that their ground state is an unusual targeted crystalline structure. We present a new algorithm to do so, and demonstrate its capability by targeting several singular structures that were not known to be achievable as ground states with isotropic interactions. A substantial portion of this dissertation examines exotic many-particle systems with so-called “collective-coordinate” interactions. They include “stealthy” potentials, which are isotropic pair potentials with disordered and infinitely degenerate ground states as well as “perfect-glass” interactions, which have up to four-body contributions, and possess disordered and unique ground states, up to trivial symmetry operations. Chapters 4-7 study the classical ground states of “stealthy” potentials. We establish a numerical means to sample these infinitely-degenerate ground states in Chapter 4 and study exotic “stacked-slider” phases that arise at suitable low densities in Chapter 5. In Chapters 6 and 7, we investigate several geometrical and physical properties of stealthy systems. Chapter 8 studies lattice-gas systems with the same stealthy potentials. Chapter 9 is concerned with the introduction and study of the perfect-glass paradigm. Chapter 10 demonstrates that perfect-glass interactions indeed possess disordered and unique classical ground states – a highly counterintuitive proposition. In Chapter 11, we use statistical-mechanical methods to characterize the spatial distribution of the prime numbers. We show that the primes are much more ordered than anyone previously thought via the structure factor. Indeed, they are characiii terized by infinitely many Bragg peaks in any non-zero interval of wave vectors, yet unlike quasicrystals, the ratio between the heights or locations of any two Bragg peaks is always rational. We analytically explain the locations and heights of all such peaks.
FSS-Enhanced Quasi-Optical Dielectric Measurement Method for Liquid Crystals in Sub-THz Band

In this letter, the dielectric characterization of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) materials using a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) frequency selective surface (FSS) at sub-THz is proposed. The CSRR FSS consists of two printed CSRRs separated by 130 μm thick layer of LCs. Because the metal pattern of the CSRR FSS covers most of the LC area, the director of the LC is well rearranged when an external electric field is applied. High-gain narrow beamwidth ultrathin transmitarrays (TAs) are used to foster a quasi-optical measurement setup instead of a dielectric lens, which is used for a conventional setup. Using TA endows the system with flexibility, such as in the size of the system, by changing the gain of the TA. To extract the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the LCs, it is necessary to shift the resonant frequency and vary the transmission loss. To obtain these data, a CSRR FSS with LCs was placed between two TAs. Finally, by comparing the measured and simulation results, the complex dielectric constants of the LCs were determined using the curve-fitting method.
The Kismayo Bubble - Justice and Security in Jubbaland

The absence of a credible and functional government, in Somalia, since the late 1980s has been felt particularly strongly in the arena of the rule of law. Under President Siad Barre, the judicial system was resented for being corrupt, politically manipulated and for rejecting Islamic precepts, and many welcomed its demise. It was perhaps inevitable that in the absence of a system of state courts that Islamic law and courts would emerge. As Muslims, Somalis were able to call upon a well-formed body of jurisprudence and practice that enjoyed social legitimacy and historically validated practices, to establish courts. Islamic law has a particular advantage in this regard in that it encompasses a penal code, a civil code, and commercial and tax codes. All of these are essential for the conduct of everyday life.
The motor competency level of elderly people measured by Functional Movement Screen protocol

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the study is to determine the level of fundamental skills which consist of motor competence such as balance, mobility, and stability. Material and Methods. The study has been conducted with people living in the elderly home "Jetimat e Ballkanit" who are representative of these people's category living in Kosovo. 10 women and 10 men aged 50-65 were included in the study on a voluntary basis. The height, body mass, and all body composition, such as Body mass index, Body fat percentage, Body water, Muscle mass, Bones, Kilocalories, and Visceral Fat, were measured with medical scales (Tanita BC 545 N Innerscan Segmental Personal Body Analysis). Functional Movement Screen is composed of the Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Incline Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, Rotary Stability, were applied. The SPSS 26 packet was used in the data analysis. Categorization of the participants with pain, low, average, and high ability were made by using frequency statistics. Differences between genders and right/left extremities were made by using Independent-Samples T-Test. Also, a regression Linear model and the Backward Elimination method were applied. Results. Gender and right/left dominancy analysis of the Functional Movement Screen scores has shown that no statistical differences appear in the data analyzed in the study (p>0.05). The frequency analysis has shown that 11.1-22.2% of the people living in the elderly home have pain while applying the movements. 24.06% of them have shown low ability in the Functional Movement Screen protocol, 30.39% seem to have a normal level of functionality. There are just 37.01% of them who resulted to be in good condition based on the Functional Movement Screen protocol. Conclusions. The analysis of the study concludes that the lacking of functionality in the motor competency level of elderly people may occur from their nutrition. That, is reflected in motor competency level through decreases in muscle mass, bone density, and increases in fat percentage, body mass index, and body weight.
Biological acidification of “Vino Santo di Gambellara” by mixed fermentation of L. thermotolerans and S. cerevisiae. Role of nitrogen in the evolution of fermentation and aroma profile

In this work, Lachancea thermotolerans was exploited as a biological acidifier of Vino Santo di Gambellara, a traditional Italian wine made from long-dried grapes. The drying of grapes before winemaking is a traditional technique widely applied in Italy in the production of sweet wines, but in recent years, global warming reduces dramatically the acidity of grapes, causing microbial instability during drying and winemaking. The ability of L. thermotolerans to convert sugars in lactic acid was already applied in the acidification of red wines, but the peculiar features of dried grape (e.g., osmotic stress, lack of nutrients, presence of mould-derived toxic compounds during drying) impose specific tests. L. thermotolerans was employed in sequential fermentation in combination with a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Considering the lack of information about the nutritional requirement of the non-Saccharomyces yeast, three protocols of nitrogen supplementation (mineral, organic and organic at high dosage) were tested. Alcoholic fermentation experiments were followed by plate counts onto differential media to discriminate between the two yeast species and by chemical analysis. Moreover, a GC-MS-MS approach carried out a complete characterisation of the volatile profile of wines. Results evidenced a long permanence of L. thermotolerans during alcoholic fermentation, which remained over the 7 log units until the 14th day of fermentation. The nitrogen supplementation protocol influenced cell growth and fermentative activity. Inorganic nitrogen supplementations allowed the accomplishment of alcoholic fermentation and the maintenance of pH below 3.35, with respect to the control wine (made only by S. cerevisiae), which was over pH 3.50. L. thermotolerans also influenced the wine's volatile aroma profile. Statistical differences were found in the main families of the yeast-derived aroma: acetate, esters, lactates, fatty acids and C6 compounds.
Comprehensive Assessment of the Preparedness of Highly Qualified Field Hockey Players at the Stage of Direct Preparation for the Main Competitions

The purpose of the study was to experimentally substantiate the methodological approach to the development of a comprehensive assessment of the preparedness of highly qualified field hockey players at the stage of direct preparation for the main competitions. Materials and methods. Highly qualified players, members of the national field hockey team of Ukraine (n=21) participated in the study. The average age of the players was (х ± S) 24.9 ± 5.76 years, their sports qualification was masters of sports of Ukraine. The study was conducted over the first and second competitive periods of the two-cycle planning of the training process of highly qualified field hockey players of the 2020-2021 sports season. During the first competitive period, a methodical approach to comprehensive assessment of the preparedness of highly qualified field hockey players was developed. Within the second competition period, which included the stage of direct preparation for the main competitions indicators of a comprehensive assessment of readiness of the players were determined. In order to develop a comprehensive assessment of fitness, tests and criteria were used to assess the level of physical, functional fitness, physical fitness in relation to technique and competitive activity of hockey players. Results. A methodical approach has been developed for the comprehensive assessment of the preparedness of highly qualified field hockey players according to the following algorithm: determination of criteria for the manifestation of physical and functional preparedness, physical preparedness in relation to technique, competitive activity; development of a 10-point rating scale; establishment of a comprehensive assessment of players’ readiness during the stage of direct preparation for the main competitions. Conclusions. The structure of the stage of direct preparation for the main competitions consisted of a basic and a special preparatory mesocycles. The volume of direct motor activity was 38 hours, in particular, the ratio of means: general preparatory exercises – 55.4%, special preparatory exercises – 19.5%, lead exercises – 10.9%, competitive exercises – 15.2%; ratio of training loads: aerobic – 56.5%, aerobic-anaerobic – 32.7%, anaerobic-lactate – 7.6%, anaerobic-glycolytic – 3.2%. A statistically probable positive change (р<0.01) in the indicators of the comprehensive assessment of players’ preparedness during the stage of direct preparation for the main competitions was established.
A response to numerical benchmark for solidification of binary alloys： macro-segregation with thermo- solutal convection

Male, born in 1964, Ph.D, Professor. Research interests: modeling and simulation of solidification process related to conventional casting, ingot casting and continuous casting. E-mail: shen@tsinghua.edu. cn Received: 2011-11-17; Accepted: 2012-03-15 *Shen Houfa Li Wensheng, *Shen Houfa and Liu Baicheng (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)
Comprehensive Lipid Profiling Recapitulates Enhanced Lipolysis and Fatty Acid Metabolism in Intimal Foamy Macrophages From Murine Atherosclerotic Aorta

Lipid accumulation in macrophages is a prominent phenomenon observed in atherosclerosis. Previously, intimal foamy macrophages (FM) showed decreased inflammatory gene expression compared to intimal non-foamy macrophages (NFM). Since reprogramming of lipid metabolism in macrophages affects immunological functions, lipid profiling of intimal macrophages appears to be important for understanding the phenotypic changes of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. While lipidomic analysis has been performed in atherosclerotic aortic tissues and cultured macrophages, direct lipid profiling has not been performed in primary aortic macrophages from atherosclerotic aortas. We utilized nanoflow ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to provide comprehensive lipid profiles of intimal non-foamy and foamy macrophages and adventitial macrophages from Ldlr−/− mouse aortas. We also analyzed the gene expression of each macrophage type related to lipid metabolism. FM showed increased levels of fatty acids, cholesterol esters, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelin. However, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, and ceramide levels were decreased in FM compared to those in NFM. Interestingly, FM showed decreased triacylglycerol (TG) levels. Expressions of lipolysis-related genes including Pnpla2 and Lpl were markedly increased but expressions of Lpin2 and Dgat1 related to TG synthesis were decreased in FM. Analysis of transcriptome and lipidome data revealed differences in the regulation of each lipid metabolic pathway in aortic macrophages. These comprehensive lipidomic data could clarify the phenotypes of macrophages in the atherosclerotic aorta.
Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndrome in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

A 54-year-old male smoker, previously in good health, was admitted to the hospital due to a tingling sensation in his upper and lower extremities. He reported difficulty walking due to a loss of balance and numbness, leading to an initial diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging, along with needle electromyography, yielded inconclusive findings. However, a nerve conduction study indicated a length-dependent pattern of sensory-dominant polyneuropathy. A cerebrospinal fluid study did not reveal any specific findings in terms of cell numbers, proteins, or immune tests. Following hospitalization, the patient reported progressive dizziness upon standing, leading to a preliminary diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension. However, a positive anti-Hu autoantibody test, along with chest computed tomography and positron emission tomography scans, revealed a mass in the left interlobar lymph node, suggestive of lung cancer. An endoscopic biopsy confirmed the presence of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The patient underwent chemo-radiation treatment for the SCLC and immunoglobulin therapy for sensory ganglionopathy. As a result, a definitive diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome was made. Although such cases are rare, our observations suggest that symptoms of dysautonomia and sensory ganglionopathy may be associated with the production of anti-Hu antibodies.
Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge

Composting is an interesting option to recycle big quantities of organic waste because it helps to mitigate different environmental problems. Complementary characteristics of rice straw (RS) and sewage sludge (SS) create a suitable mixture to be used in a composting process. This work studies industrial-scale RS and SS composting to assess both its viability and optimization. Windrow composting was conducted during two seasons. The complete characterisation (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total, oxidisable and water-soluble organic carbon, humic substances, organic and mineral nitrogen, macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals) of starting materials, samples taken periodically and final composts were carried out. During the first season, an RS:SS ratio of 1:8 (w:w fresh weight) was used, which led to a process with adequate temperatures for biodegradation, but not for ensuring materials’ sanitation. During the second season, the RS:SS ratio was increased (1:6) to enhance the energy process and, thus, temperatures. Although this increase took place, degradation slowed down as oxidisable organic carbon and water-soluble organic carbon indicated. During both seasons, final composts presented adequate pH, high N-richness, and interesting macro- and micronutrient values. Notwithstanding, they also presented certain salinity and high ammonium contents, which must be considered for their field application. The obtained composts have interesting agronomic characteristics, which suggest their potential as an alternative to conventional fertilisers.
TAVI after More Than 20 Years

It has been more than 20 years since the first in man transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI), and during this period we have witnessed an impressive evolution of this technique, with an extension of its use from non-operable patients to high-, intermediate- and even low-risk patients with aortic stenosis, and with a decrease in the incidence of complications. In this review, we discuss the evaluation of patients before TAVI, the procedure and the changes it has seen over time, and we present the current main complications and challenges of TAVI.
The impact of concurrent bacterial lung infection on immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Objective To find out how bacterial lung infections (BLI) affect the effectiveness of therapy and the rate of pneumonia caused by pneumonia related to checkpoint inhibitors (CIP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are getting immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Patients and methods 507 NSCLC patients who received at least two ICI treatments between June 2020 and December 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology(AHKUST) were included in a retrospective cohort study. Based on whether there was a concurrent BLI diagnosis from high-resolution CT scans of the chest, the patients were divided into two groups: 238 in the NSCLC with BLI group (NSCLC-BLI group), and 269 in the NSCLC alone group. The collected therapeutic outcome measures included the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence rate of CIP. We analyzed the effect of BLI on the therapeutic efficacy of ICI treatment and the incidence rate of CIP in NSCLC patients.Inclusion criteria based on NSCLC patients staged I to IV according to the 8th edition of the International Association for Lung Cancer Research (IASLC) Results The NSCLC-BLI group showed superior ORR to the NSCLC group when treated with ICIs. Multifactorial logistic regression and Cox analyses, adjusted for confounders, identified BLI as an independent positive prognostic factor for ORR (HR=0.482, 95%CI: 0.391-0.550; P<0.001) and PFS (HR=0.619; 95%CI: 0.551-0.771; P<0.001). No correlation between BLI and OS was found. Out of 26 cases of CIP, 12 were in the NSCLC-BLI group and 14 in the NSCLC group, with no significant difference in incidence (P=0.145). Conclusion NSCLC patients with BLI receiving ICI treatment show superior ORR and PFS compared to NSCLC alone without an increased CIP risk, positioning BLI as a predictive factor for improved outcomes in NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. However, the study has limitations including its retrospective nature and lacking data on BLI bacteria types and levels, which could influence therapy outcomes.