Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histamine H2 receptor antagonist exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers in critically ill patients with heart failure: a cohort study

Background: Our previous study reported that histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) exposure was associated with decreased mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure (HF) through the same pharmacological mechanism as β-blockers. However, population-based clinical study directly comparing the efficacy of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality of HF patients are still lacking. This study aims to compare the association difference of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality in critically ill patients with HF using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (MIMIC-III). Methods: Study population was divided into 4 groups: β-blockers + H2RAs group, β-blockers group, H2RAs group, and Non-β-blockers + Non-H2RAs group. Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression models were employed to evaluate the differences of all-cause mortalities among the 4 groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to increase comparability of four groups. Results: A total of 5593 patients were included. After PSM, multivariate analyses showed that patients in H2RAs group had close all-cause mortality with patients in β-blockers group. Furthermore, 30-day, 1-year, 5-year and 10-year all-mortality of patients in β-blockers + H2RAs group were significantly lower than those of patients in β-blockers group, respectively (HR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.50–0.82 for 30-day; HR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.69–0.93 for 1-year mortality; HR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.74–0.93 for 5-year mortality; and HR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.76–0.94 for 10-year mortality, respectively). Conclusion: H2RAs exposure exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers; and, furthermore, H2RAs and β-blockers had additive or synergistic interactions to improve survival in critically ill patients with HF.
What do patients want from therapy? Understanding treatment goals of patients with long-term conditions referred for cognitive behavioural therapy in primary care

Abstract Integrating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) into primary care for patients with long-terms conditions (LTCs) is a priority for the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK). To inform delivery of cognitive behavioural interventions for this clinical population, the aim of this study was to evaluate the major treatment goal themes of patients with LTCs. A single group mixed-methods design was used to analys treatment goals and their association with patient characteristics. A total of n=222 patients (86 males; 132 females) who participated in a service development evaluation of the Accessible Depression and Anxiety Psychological Therapies for Individuals with Long-Term Conditions in Scotland (UK) were selected for inclusion if they reported at least one treatment goal at assessment. Data were drawn from routine outcome measures that recorded information in relation to client demographics, physical conditions, mental health, functioning and treatment goals. Participants freely reported up to three goals as part of assessment. Thematic analysis identified four major goal themes ranked in the following order of frequency: functioning, emotional health, condition management, and self-appraisal. Wanting to improve functioning was positively associated with age and depression, and negatively associated with anxiety. No other patient characteristics were associated with any of the major themes. Patients with LTCs referred to CBT in primary care can have wide-ranging goals that only partially correspond with their mental health status. Practitioners and service providers need to flexibly deliver CBT to enhance the individual relevance of therapy which is tailored to patient’s goals. Key learning aims (1) Treatment goals are fundamental to a better understanding of how best to assess and plan treatments that meet the needs of patients with long-term conditions. (2) We highlight the need to enhance practitioner competencies in aligning treatment with patient’s goals to ensure goal-based decision-making is achieved in practice. (3) Key areas of goal-oriented therapy for patients with long-term conditions include integrating aspects of wanting to improve functioning, emotional health, condition management, and self-appraisal. These aspects should represent primary outcomes of treatment.
A new conglomerate test in palaeomagnetism

SUMMARY The conglomerate test is widely used in palaeomagnetism to date components of natural remanent magnetization with respect to deposition of conglomerates. It has been demonstrated, however, that this test may be positive even if the data are strongly contaminated by a secondary remanence, especially for the commonly used small number of clasts (Starkey & Palmer 1970). Here we show with the aid of numerical simulations that diVerent statistical procedures employed in this test have similar low sensitivities to remagnetization. We suggest a new conglomerate test which incorporates additional information on the direction of a secondary palaeomagnetic component which is isolated from either clasts themselves or their host rocks. Numerical simulations show that this new test is about twice as sensitive to remagnetization as the previous procedures and is robust with respect to small errors in the direction of a secondary component.
Overview of Passive Intermodulation in Modern Wireless Networks: Concepts and Cancellation Techniques

Passive Intermodulation (PIM) is a well-known phenomenon that poses a significant challenge to modern wireless communication systems. Although efforts have been made to reduce or mitigate the PIM through hardware design, frequency planning, and/or band separation techniques, the impact of PIM on radio performance remains significant. This is especially true for radio transceivers operating in the frequency division duplex mode, which are known to be susceptible to PIM interference. Moreover, with the adoption of carrier aggregation and advanced multi-antenna technology, PIM is increasingly becoming a major problem in multi-band multi-standard radio systems. Therefore, innovative approaches that exploit PIM detection, avoidance, and cancellation techniques are required to effectively mitigate or reduce its impact. In response to these challenges, this study highlights various PIM interference mechanisms and their interactions which cause potential receiver sensitivity degradation. The discussion further explores PIM mitigation strategies, and underscores the potential of digital PIM cancellation solutions to offer a hardware-independent resolution for reducing PIM impact in multi-band radios, in the 5G era and beyond in radio systems.
A laboratory study of normally consolidated kaolin clay

In recent years many researchers have attempted to address the need for a comprehensive understanding of the three-dimensional mechanical behavior of frictional materials. Advances in testing methods have added the capability of studying various aspects of generalized stressstrain behavior in a controlled environment. Strain-controlled true triaxial undrained tests on normally consolidated kaolin clay are performed in this study using a fully automated flexible boundary experimental setup with a real-time feedback control system. The influence of the intermediate principal stress and principal stress rotation on the stressstrainstrength and pore pressure behavior is investigated considering the occurrence of strain localization within the specimen. The strength behavior observed in this study of kaolin clay is used to evaluate existing failure criteria for cohesive soil. Comparative laboratory tests, such as the lubricated end triaxial test on a solid cylindrical kaolin specimen and combined axialtors.
Happy anniversary? Reflections on Samuel Huntington's “clash” thesis at thirty

This article takes a retrospective look at the controversial “clash-of-civilizations” thesis articulated by Samuel Huntington in the early 1990s. In some respects, the “pearl anniversary” of the thesis reveals it to have stood up reasonably well. If one notable aspect of the Huntingtonian prognosis was its skepticism about the prospects of enduring peace subsequent to the ending of the Cold War, then it could be remarked that the Harvard professor turned out to be prescient. But one can be right for the wrong reasons, and the argument of this article is that Huntington erred in imagining that “civilizational rallying” would develop into the preeminent feature of future global conflict. Specifically, Huntington erred in conflating the affective pull of “nationalism” with that of “civilizationalism. ”
Floristic survey of medicinal plants in Sur Sarovar wet land, Kheetham, Agra, India

Wildlife has a very important value in human life in various ways. Wild plants really help to cure various dangerous diseases. Sur Sarovar lake, a National Bird Sanctuary and National Wet land at Agra District also has several valuable medicinal plants which is observed by the survey. Wild plants like herbs, shrubs, weeds, plants and trees used to cure in many kind of diseases like piles, Jaundice, liver diseases, cough, cold, skin diseases, fever, purgative, diuretic, antiworms, antituberculosis, foementation, antitoxin, rheumatism, but most of these plants are ruined by farmers and people due to lack of awareness. Here 49 different plant and species are mentioned accordingly with their botanical names, family, nature and parts of plant which are of medicinal use. Present study has highly focused additional quality of Sur Sarovar lake Agra district, U.P. (India).
Modelling the advection and diffusion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the north-east Arctic

Since the late 1980s there has been considerable uncertainty in recruitment levels of the north-east Arctic stock of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). The abundance of several year classes, originally considered very low at 0–3 yr age, appeared higher than expected at the age of 6+. This may be due to poor targeting of recruitment surveys of the younger year classes. The present work considers the transport and dispersion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut by numerical modelling in order to predict the locations of the initial recruitment grounds. Current fields from a 3D baroclinic hydrodynamic model are fed into a Lagrangian particle-tracking model developed for the Barents Sea area. The particles are released into the current at the spawning field along the shelf slope from Lofoten to Bear Island (69– 75� N). Vertically, the particles can follow a predefined depth-by-age curve or be kept at a fixed depth. This model system is used for different years to examine changes in the drift pattern. The results indicate that spawning location, transport depth and inflowing activity to the Barents Sea are important factors influencing the distribution of juveniles.
LOWER CAMBRIAN (BRANCHIAN) TRILOBITES AND BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE HANFORD BROOK FORMATION, SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK

Abstract The Hanford Brook Formation, one of the classic Cambrian units of Avalonian North America, contains at least eight species of endemic trilobites, including Berabichia milleri Westrop n. sp. , that are assigned to seven genera. The vertical succession of faunas is far more complex than has been recognized previously, with each member containing a lithofacies-specific assemblage. These are, in ascending order: a bradoriid-linguloid Association without trilobites in the nearshore St. Martin's Member, a Protolenus Association in dysaerobic siltstones and sandstones of the Somerset Street Member, and a Kingaspidoides-Berabichia Association in hummocky cross-stratified sandstones of the Long Island Member that overlie a parasequence boundary at Hanford Brook. Due to the breakdown of biogeographic barriers in the late Early Cambrian, two new species-based zones, the Protolenus elegans and Kingaspidoides cf. obliquoculatus zones, share trilobite genera with the Tissafinian Stage of Morocco. This generic similarity has been the basis for correlation of this upper Lower Cambrian interval on the Avalon continent with the West Gondwanan lowest Middle Cambrian. However, the clear facies control on the occurrence of genera in the Hanford Brook Formation and the presence of an abrupt faunal break and unconformity at the base of the Tissafinian in Morocco makes this correlation questionable. The Hanford Brook Formation may represent a late Early Cambrian interval unknown in Gondwana. Sequence-stratigraphic criteria even raise the possibility that the Protolenus Association is the biofacies equivalent of Callavia broeggeri Zone faunas of the Brigus Formation of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts.
Farming Analysis for Sorghum Seeding on Acid-Dry Land in South Lampung, Lampung Province

Sorghum is an alternative food, feed, and industrial raw material. Currently, sorghum is being developed in Indonesia, but it is necessary to know whether it is economically feasible to develop sorghum. This study aims to determine the cost and revenue, income, and feasibility of sorghum seed farming per hectare. The research was conducted in the Taman Sains Pertanian (TSP) of Natar District, South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province. The data collected is the volume and prices of production inputs and production output prices. Data were analyzed using cost structure analysis, income analysis and R/C ratio. The results showed that the total costs incurred were IDR 22.258. 750, - and a total receipt of IDR 110.000. 000, - so that a income of IDR 87.741. 250, - per hectare. The R/C ratio for the total cost of farming is 4,94, this value is greater than one. Based on the profits obtained and the value of the R/C ratio, sorghum seed farming in dry sour land is feasible.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Early onset neonatal sepsis is a significant contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although blood cultures remain the diagnostic gold standard, they detect pathogens in only a minority of suspected cases. This study compared the accuracy of blood cultures with a rapid multiplex PCR test. Newborns at risk of neonatal sepsis were prospectively screened as recommended per national guidelines. Evaluations included laboratory parameters (CrP, IL6, differential blood count), blood culture, and a molecular multiplex PCR test (ROCHE LightCycler SeptiFast®) identifying 20 common microbial agents. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from umbilical cord or venous sources on the first day of life. Of 229 infants included, 69% were born preterm. Blood culture and multiplex PCR sensitivity were 7.4% and 14.8%, respectively. Specificity, negative and positive predictive values between methods showed no significant variance, although multiplex PCR had more false positives due to contamination. The limited sensitivity of blood cultures for early onset neonatal sepsis is concerning. Despite quicker results, multiplex PCR does not enhance diagnostic accuracy or antibiotic therapy guidance, thus it cannot be recommended for this indication.
Seasonal Variations of the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Water Samples in Sarada and Varaha Estuarine Complex, East Coast of India

The current study was carried out to find the seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters of Sarada and Varaha estuarine complex, East coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. The various physico-chemical parameters like Rainfall, Temperature, Dissolved oxygen, pH, Salinity, Transparency were measured in one year period of study from January-2013 to December-2013. Rainfall varied from 0 to 171.6 mm, Atmospheric temperature varied from 27.60 to 32.7 0C, Water temperature was recorded maximum. (28.60C) in May and minimum (21.80C) in January. Dissolved oxygen ranges from 3.68 to 8.90 mg/l. pH values ranges from 8.1 to 9.4. Salinity varies between 20.6 to 30.8 ppt. The transparency ranges between 0.84 to 1.31 (m). Correlation matrix was employed for the statistical interpretation of the tabulated data.
Using digital spatial profiling to analyse onco-immune-related gene expression within oropharyngeal tumours in relation to HPV and p16 status

Human Papilloma virus (HPV)-mediated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has significantly better prognosis compared with HPV-negative, stimulating interest in treatment de-intensification approaches to reduce long-term sequelae. Routine clinical testing frequently utilises immunohistochemistry to detect upregulation of p16 protein as a surrogate marker of HPV-mediation. However, this does not detect discordant HPV+/p16- cases and incorrectly assigns HPV-/p16+ cases, which, given their inferior prognosis compared to HPV+/p16+, may have important clinical implications. The biology underlying poorer prognosis of HPV/p16 discordant OPC requires exploration. Here, we utilised digital spatial profiling to compare the expression patterns of selected immune-oncology-related genes within the tumour and stromal compartments of HPV+/p16+, HPV-/p16+ and HPV-/p16- OPC tumour tissues (n=12). KRT and HIF1A were upregulated in HPV-/p16+ and HPV-/p16- tumours relative to HPV+/p16+. Conversely, multiple genes associated with antitumour immune responses (such as CXCL9, CXCL10, CD74) were upregulated in HPV+/p16+ tumours. Of note, HPV-/p16+ and HPV-/p16- tumours displayed highly similar gene expression profiles, with only CXCL9 showing differential expression in stromal regions. These results are consistent with described prognostic patterns (HPV+p16+ > HPV-/p16+ > HPV-/p16-) and underline the need for dual HPV and p16 testing to guide clinical decision making.
A comparative study to assess the use of chromium in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, often resulting in complications affecting multiple organs, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Among potential interventions, certain micronutrients, like chromium, have the potential to improve glycemic management. The potential of chromium to mitigate insulin resistance and enhance insulin sensitivity through cellular receptors underscores its significance. Conversely, insufficient dietary chromium intake could contribute to diabetes development. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of chromium supplementation among individuals with diabetes. In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, participants aged 40 to 60 years with uncontrolled diabetes were divided into two groups. The intervention group received a daily chromium supplement of 200 mcg and their regular diabetes medication regimen, while the control group received only medication. The follow-up period spanned four months, during which fasting blood sugar, HbA1c levels, and lipid profiles were assessed for both groups, followed by a comparative analysis. Patients had a mean age of 52.3±6.3 years. Males constituted only 47.5% of participants, and women were 52.5%. The initial HbA1c level at the start of the study for individuals receiving chromium was 10.4±2.4. Following the follow-up period, the average HbA1c level decreased significantly to 7.2±1.7, showing a statistically significant difference. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the mean fasting blood sugar levels, approaching normal levels. These results suggest a beneficial role of chromium supplementation in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, contributing to improved glycemic control.
Decoding the genetic structure of conjugative plasmids in international clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae: A deep dive into blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, and blaGES genes

Carbapanem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a globally healthcare crisis. The distribution of plasmids carrying carbapenemase genes among K. pneumoniae poses a serious threat in clinical settings. Here, we characterized the genetic structure of plasmids harboring major carbapenemases (e.g. blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, and blaGES) from K. pneumoniae using bioinformatics tools. The plasmids carrying at least one major carbapenemase gene were retrieved from the GenBank database. The DNA length, Inc type, and conjugal apparatus of these plasmids were detected. Additionally, allele types, co-existence, co-occurrence of carbapenemase genes, gene repetition, and sequence types of isolates, were characterized. There were 2254 plasmids harboring carbapenemase genes in the database. This study revealed that blaKPC-2, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-48, and blaGES-5 were the most prevalent allele types. Out of 1140 (50%) plasmids were potentially conjugative. IncFII, IncR, IncX3, and IncL replicon types were predominant. The co-existence analysis revealed that the most prevalent of other resistance genes were blaTEM-1 (related to blaKPC), blaOXA-232 (related to blaOXA-48), bleMBL (related to blaNDM), and aac (6′)-Ib4 (related to blaGES). The co-occurrence of carbapenemases was detected in 42 plasmids while 15 plasmids contained carbapenemase gene repetitions. Sequence alignments highlighted that plasmids carrying blaKPC and blaOXA-48-like were more homogeneous whereas the plasmids carrying blaNDM were divergent. It seems that K. pneumoniae utilizes diversity of genetic flexibility and recombination for resistance against carbapenems. The genetic structure of the plasmids showed that class I and III, Tn3 family, Tn5403 family derivatives, and Tn7-like elements were strongly associated with carbapenemases. The mobilizable plasmids carrying carbapenemases play an important role in the spread of these genes. In addition, gene repetition maybe is related to carbapenem heteroresistance. According to MST (minimum spanning tree) results, the majority of plasmids belonged to sequence type (ST) 11, ST14, and ST12. These international clones have a high capacity to acquire the carbapenemase-containing plasmids.
Rising food prices and poverty in Pakistan

An upsurge in global food prices in 2008 led to significantly higher food prices across the developing world. Global commodity prices have since declined but still remain volatile, but at the same time local food prices remain high in many countries. This study examines the potential impacts of the rise in food prices on poverty—income based poverty and calorie-based poverty- focusing on Pakistan, and its rural and urban areas. For this purpose, we used HIES data collected in three waves 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2010–11. Price elasticities are computed using binary Logistic regression method. The study results show that price of wheat, rice, milk, meat, fruit, pulses appear to distinguish the status of a household. Price elasticities shows that urban households are hit harder than rural households in calorie-poverty model. Overall, rising food prices are likely to lead higher poverty in Pakistan, as the negative impact on net consumers outweighs the benefits to producers. Therefore, effective strategy for eliminating poverty is far more concerned with price increases. Safety net programs can be more effective, but geographic targeting and other investments to strengthen safety nets are necessary to ensure that fewer people are affected by future crises. Government policies oriented towards relieving the food price pressure on the Pakistani poor should aim at lowering the prices of wheat, rice, eggs, oil, milk, and chicken.