Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outpatient treatment of Covid-19 with metformin, ivermectin, and fluvoxamine and the development of Long Covid over 10-month follow-up

Background Long Covid is an emerging chronic illness potentially affecting millions, sometimes preventing the ability to work or participate in normal daily activities. COVID-OUT was an investigator-initiated, multi-site, phase 3, randomized, quadruple-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT04510194). The design simultaneously assessed three oral medications (metformin, ivermectin, fluvoxamine) using two by three parallel treatment factorial assignment to efficiently share placebo controls and assessed Long Covid outcomes for 10 months to understand whether early outpatient treatment of SARS-CoV-2 with metformin, ivermectin, or fluvoxamine prevents Long Covid. Methods: This was a decentralized, remotely delivered trial in the US of 1,125 adults age 30 to 85 with overweight or obesity, fewer than 7 days of symptoms, and enrolled within three days of a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immediate release metformin titrated over 6 days to 1,500mg per day 14 days total; ivermectin 430mcg/kg/day for 3 days; fluvoxamine, 50mg on day one then 50mg twice daily through 14 days. Medical-provider diagnosis of Long Covid, reported by participant by day 300 after randomization was a pre-specified secondary outcome; the primary outcome of the trial was severe Covid by day 14. Result: The median age was 45 years (IQR 37 to 54), 56% female of whom 7% were pregnant. Two percent identified as Native American; 3.7% as Asian; 7.4% as Black/African American; 82.8% as white; and 12.7% as Hispanic/Latino. The median BMI was 29.8 kg/m2 (IQR 27 to 34); 51% had a BMI >30kg/m2. Overall, 8.4% reported having received a diagnosis of Long Covid from a medical provider: 6.3% in the metformin group and 10.6% in the metformin control; 8.0% in the ivermectin group and 8.1% in the ivermectin control; and 10.1% in the fluvoxamine group and 7.5% in the fluvoxamine control. The Hazard Ratio (HR) for Long Covid in the metformin group versus control was 0.58 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.88); 0.99 (95% CI 0.592 to 1.643) in the ivermectin group; and 1.36 in the fluvoxamine group (95% CI 0.785 to 2.385). Conclusions: There was a 42% relative decrease in the incidence of Long Covid in the metformin group compared to its blinded control in a secondary outcome of this randomized phase 3 trial. Trial registration: NCT04510194; IND 152439
School Finance Equalization Increases Intergenerational Mobility

This paper estimates the causal effect of equalizing revenues across school districts on students’ intergenerational mobility. I exploit cohort differences in exposure to equalization generated by state-level reforms. To address the endogeneity of postreform revenues due to household sorting after a reform, I use a simulated-instruments approach that uses newly collected data on states’ funding formulas to simulate revenues without sorting. I find that equalization has a large effect on the mobility of low-income students. Reductions in input gaps between low-income and high-income districts are likely channels behind this effect.
Bubbles and waves description of self-aerated spillway flow

The “continuum” description of self-aerated spillway flow has adequately served to describe spillway bulking, but encounters difficulties when applied to other physical phenomena, such as cavitation and gas transfer. The continuum description is adapted to separate air being transported by the flow as bubbles ("entrained" air), and air transported with the flow in the roughness or waves of the water surface ("entrapped" air). Results from flume experiments on aerated flow are used to develop an analysis procedure and mathematical description of entrained and entrapped air for flow along a spillway face. Entrapped air is found to be constant at a void ratio, with a vertical distribution analogous to the “intermittent” region of a turbulent boundary layer. Entrained air gradually increases to a maximum value depending on slope. Cain's dimensionless distance is used to collapse entrained air data from several unit discharges with the same slope to a single relationship. The analysis procedure and dimensionless parameter provide a means of analyzing a large store of additional literature data. Observations from a full-scale spillway provide verification of the procedure.
Meaning in life and adolescent self-control: Effect of perceived social support and its gender differences

Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between meaning in life and adolescent self-control, as well as the role of perceived social support and gender in this pathway. Methods For this purpose, a total of 936 adolescents from two high schools were selected as subjects in this study. The Meaning in Life Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Perceived Social Support Scale were used for the research. Results The results obtained in this study have shown that meaning in life is a significant positive predictor of adolescent self-control and perceived social support. In addition, perceived social support partially mediates the relationship between meaning in life and self-control. Further, it has been found that gender moderates the second half of the pathway of the mediation model of meaning in life on self-control, specifically, perceived social support is a stronger predictor of self-control for females than for males. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that enhancing perceived social support promotes self-control in adolescents with lower meaning in life, and this process is more pronounced in females.
Voice efficiency for different voice qualities combining experimentally derived sound signals and numerical modeling of the vocal tract

Purpose: Concerning voice efficiency considerations of different singing styles, from western classical singing to contemporary commercial music, only limited data is available to date. This single-subject study attempts to quantify the acoustic sound intensity within the human glottis depending on different vocal tract configurations and vocal fold vibration. Methods: Combining Finite-Element-Models derived from 3D-MRI data, audio recordings, and electroglottography (EGG) we analyzed vocal tract transfer functions, particle velocity and acoustic pressure at the glottis, and EGG-related quantities to evaluate voice efficiency at the glottal level and resonance characteristics of different voice qualities according to Estill Voice Training®. Results: Voice qualities Opera and Belting represent highly efficient strategies but apply different vowel strategies and should thus be capable of predominate orchestral sounds. Twang and Belting use similar vowels, but the twang vocal tract configuration enabled the occurrence of anti-resonances and was associated with reduced vocal fold contact but still partially comparable energy transfer from the glottis to the vocal tract. Speech was associated with highly efficient glottal to vocal tract energy transfer, but with the absence of psychoactive strategies makes it more susceptible to noise interference. Falsetto and Sobbing apply less efficiently. Falsetto mainly due to its voice source characteristics, Sobbing due to energy loss in the vocal tract. Thus technical amplification might be appropriate here. Conclusion: Differences exist between voice qualities regarding the sound intensity, caused by different vocal tract morphologies and oscillation characteristics of the vocal folds. The combination of numerical analysis of geometries inside the human body and experimentally determined data outside sheds light on acoustical quantities at the glottal level.
The role of social-psychological factors of victimity on victimization of online fraud in China

Introduction The high incidence of online fraud in China poses a great threat to the social stability and property security of society. Victimity is the state or mindset of victims, referring to the various conditions related to being victims of crimes. Examining the association between the inherent and extrinsic factors of victimity and victimization of online fraud is of great importance for revealing the psychological mechanism of victimization and drawing up preventative measures. Methods Through the questionnaire survey of 504 online fraud victims and 523 non-victims, univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors correlated with victimization. Results Age, education, and social support are positively correlated with fraud victimization, while impulsiveness, trust tendency, smartphone usage, and negative life experiences are negatively correlated with fraud victimization. Subsequent regression analyses showed that all the factors above, except for smartphone usage, are significant predictors for online fraud victimization. Discussion Our conceptual model and empirical results demonstrate the important role of victimity in making an individual become a victim and help clarify the mixed findings of previous studies on the risk factors for online fraud.
Prognostic significance of steroid response in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: The CCCG-ALL-2015 study

Introduction Whether steroid response is an independent risk factor for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between response to dexamethasone and prognosis in children with ALL. Methods We analyzed the data of 5,161 children with ALL who received treatment in accordance with the Chinese Children’s Cancer Group ALL-2015 protocol between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, in China. All patients received dexamethasone for 4 days as upfront window therapy. Based on the peripheral lymphoblast count on day 5, these patients were classified into the dexamethasone good response (DGR) and dexamethasone poor response (DPR) groups. A peripheral lymphoblast count ≥1× 109/L indicated poor response to dexamethasone. Results The age, white blood cell counts, prevalence of the BCR/ABL1 and TCF3/PBX1 fusion genes, and rates of recurrence in the central nervous system were higher in the DPR than in the DGR group (P<0.001). Compared to the DPR group, the DGR group had a lower recurrence rate (18.6% vs. 11%) and higher 6-year event-free survival (73% vs. 83%) and overall survival (86% vs. 92%) rates; nevertheless, subgroup analysis only showed significant difference in the intermediate-risk group (P<0.001). Discussion Response to dexamethasone was associated with an early treatment response in our study. In the intermediate-risk group, dexamethasone response added a prognostic value in addition to minimal residual disease, which may direct early intervention to reduce the relapse rate.
Trends in Storm-Triggered Landslides over Southern California

AbstractChanges in storm-triggered landslide activity for Southern California in a future warming climate are estimated using an advanced, fully three-dimensional, process-based landslide model, the Scalable and Extensible Geofluid Modeling System for landslides (SEGMENT-Landslide). SEGMENT-Landslide is driven by extreme rainfall projections from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory High Resolution Atmospheric Model (GFDL-HIRAM). Landslide changes are derived from GFDL-HIRAM forcing for two periods: 1) the twentieth century (CNTRL) and 2) the twenty-first century under the moderate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emissions Scenarios A1B enhanced greenhouse gas emissions scenario (EGHG). Here, differences are calculated in landslide frequency and magnitude between the CNTRL and EGHG projections; kernel density estimation (KDE) is used to determine differences in projected landslide locations. This study also reveals that extreme precipitation events in Southern California a.
Effect of a home-based inspiratory muscle training programme on functional capacity in postdischarged patients with long COVID: the InsCOVID trial

Background Fatigue and exercise intolerance are the most common symptoms in patients with long COVID. Aims This study aimed to evaluate whether a home-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) programme improves maximal functional capacity in patients’ long COVID after a previous admission due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Methods This study was a single-centre, blinded assessor, randomised controlled trial. Twenty-six patients with long COVID and a previous admission due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were randomly assigned to receive either a 12-week IMT or usual care alone (NCT05279430). The physiotherapist and participants were not blinded. Patients allocated to the IMT arm were instructed to train at home twice daily using a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer and to maintain diaphragmatic breathing during the training session. The usual care arm received no intervention. The primary endpoint was the change in peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2). Secondary endpoints were changes in quality of life (QoL), ventilatory efficiency and chronotropic response during exercise (evaluated by chronotropic index-CIx- formula). We used linear mixed regression analysis for evaluating changes in primary and secondary endpoints. Results The mean age of the sample and time to first visit after discharge were 50.4±12.2 years and 362±105 days, respectively. A total of 11 (42.3%) were female. At baseline, the mean of peakVO2, ventilatory efficiency and CIx were 18.9±5 mL/kg/min, 29.4±5.2 and 0.64±0.19, respectively. The IMT arm improved their peakVO2 significantly compared with usual care (+Δ 4.46 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 3.10 to 5.81; p<0.001). Similar positive findings were found when evaluating changes for CIx and some QoL dimensions. We did not find significant changes in ventilatory efficiency. Conclusion In long COVID patients with a previous admission due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, IMT was associated with marked improvement in exercise capacity and QoL. Trial registration number NCT05279430.
Registry-based cohort study of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency prevalence, incidence and mortality in Denmark 2000–2018

Objective To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (dAATD) in Denmark as of 31 December 2018, and dAATD incidence and mortality from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2018. Study design and setting We used the Danish National Patient Registry to identify patients with dAATD based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code E88.0A and the Danish Civil Registration System (CRS) for population counts and vital status. We estimated dAATD prevalence, incidence and mortality. We compared mortality among patients with dAATD and an age-matched and sex-matched cohort extracted from the Danish CRS. We conducted a sensitivity analysis to examine whether coding changes during 2000–2018, from a general to a more specific ICD-10 code for AATD, and left truncation affected results appreciably. Results The prevalence of dAATD was 12.9 (95% CI 11.9 to 13.8) per 100 000 persons. The age distribution was bimodal, with peaks at ages ≤12 and ≥45 years. The incidence rate per 100 000 person-years was 0.90 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.96), again with a bimodal age distribution. Mortality was higher for patients with dAATD than for the general population (mortality rate ratio (mRR) 4.7, 95% CI 4.1 to 5.3), especially for children (mRR 33.8, 95% CI 6.8 to 167.4). The sensitivity analysis indicated that dAATD prevalence might have been as high as 19.7 per 100 000 persons due to less specific ICD-10 coding for AATD early in the study period or 21.4 per 100 000 persons correcting for left truncation. Conclusion Diagnosed AATD was associated with increased mortality, especially for children. The finding for children was based on few deaths and had very wide 95% CIs.
Eine Modifikation der inversen Membrana-limitans-interna-Lappentechnik ohne Einsatz schwerer Flüssigkeiten und Bauchlagerung

Zusammenfassung Der primäre Verschluss großer Makulaforamina ist nach wie vor eine Herausforderung, wobei verschiedene Varianten einer Operation mit einem inversen Lappen der Membrana limitans interna (MLI) beschrieben worden sind. In der vorliegenden retrospektiven interventionellen Fallserie eines einzelnen Zentrums präsentieren wir eine Lappentechnik mit minimaler postoperativer Lagerung. Acht Augen von 8 Patienten (4 Frauen und 4 Männer) unterzogen sich im Zeitraum zwischen Juli 2020 und März 2022 einer von demselben erfahrenen Chirurgen (FMH) durchgeführten 23-G-3-Port-Vitrektomie mit einem umgekehrten MLI-Lappen und einer 20%igen SF 6 -Endotamponade für ein durchgreifendes Makulaloch. Sieben Makulaforamina wurden als groß (> 400 µm) und eines als mittelgroß (250 – 400 µm) eingestuft. Der mittlere minimale Durchmesser betrug 638,0 µm ± 166,4 µm (Bereich: 353 – 851 µm). Der Verschluss des Makulaforamens wurde bei allen Patienten (8/8, 100%) mit einem einzigen Eingriff erreicht. Der mediane bestkorrigierte Visus (BCVA) verbesserte sich von 6/120 (Snellen; Bereich: Fingerzählung [FC]) bis 6/19) präoperativ auf 6/19 (Bereich: FC bis 6/9,5) nach der Operation ohne intra- oder postoperative Komplikationen. Die Technik des superioren invertierten MLI-Lappens scheint ein sicherer und erfolgreicher Ansatz für den primären Verschluss großer Makulaforamina zu sein. In weiteren Studien sollte die von uns vorgeschlagene Operationstechnik an einer größeren Population untersucht werden, möglicherweise als Weiterentwicklung ohne Einsatz einer Luft- oder Gasendotamponade. Abstract Primary closure of large macular holes remains challenging, and variations of inverted inner limiting membrane (ILM) flap surgery have been described. In the present retrospective, interventional, single-centre case series, we propose a superior flap design with minimal posturing. Eight eyes of eight patients (four women and four men) in the period between July 2020 and March 2022 underwent 23 G three-port vitrectomy with a superior inverted ILM flap and 20% SF 6 endotamponade for a full thickness macular hole (MH) by the same experienced surgeon (F. M. H.). Seven MHs were classified as large (> 400 µm) and one as medium (250 – 400 µm). The mean MLD was 638.0 ± 166.4 µm (range: 353 – 851 µm). MH closure was achieved in all (8/8, 100%) patients with a single surgery. The median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 6/120 (Snellen) (range: finger counting [FC] to 6/19) preoperatively to 6/19 (range: FC to 6/9.5) after surgery, without any intra- or postoperative complications. The superior inverted ILM flap technique seems to be a safe and successful approach for the primary closure of large MHs. Further studies should investigate our proposed surgical technique on a larger population, potentially without air or gas endotamponade.
Associations between moral identity, social goal orientations, and moral decisions in adolescents

ABSTRACT Adolescence is a time in which peers gain in importance and more time is spent engaging in social interactions with them. Within these interactions, adolescents will also be confronted with moral dilemmas, in which moral decisions need to be taken. The aim of the current study was to examine two factors that may influence moral decisions, namely moral identity and social goal orientations. The sample consisted of 455 adolescents (251 girls), with ages ranging from 10 to 18 (MAge = 14.11, SDAge = 1.79), who completed questionnaires. In line with the hypotheses, there was a significant positive association between moral identity and moral decisions, and communal goals and moral decisions; there was also a significant negative association between agentic goals and moral decisions. We propose that both moral identity and social goal orientations be added to the social information processing-moral decision-making framework, and further theorize about the relation between constructs in the database. We discuss the findings from a development perspective and provide first ideas for practical implications.
CO Line Width Differences in Early Universe Molecular Emission-Line Galaxies: Submillimeter Galaxies versus QSO Hosts

We investigate the CO line widths in early universe molecular emission-line galaxies. There is a clear difference in the CO line widths in QSO host galaxies compared to submillimeter galaxies, as first pointed out by Greve et al., with the QSO hosts' line widths typically a factor of 2.3 narrower in velocity. Powerful radio galaxies fall in between. At the same time, there is no major difference between the molecular gas mass distributions of the different galaxy types. We consider possible explanations for the narrower line widths in the QSO hosts and favor an explanation that the QSO hosts are systematically closer to the sky plane than the submillimeter galaxies, QSO = 18°, consistent with the lack of strong obscuration toward the active galactic nucleus. However, we cannot rule out other possible factors, such as different stages in a merger sequence or galaxy mass or size. Only high-resolution imaging of a large sample of sources can address this interesting dichotomy.
Friction patterns guide actin network contraction

The shape of cells is the outcome of the balance of inner forces produced by the actomyosin network and the resistive forces produced by cell adhesion to their environment. The specific contributions of contractile, anchoring and friction forces to network deformation rate and orientation are difficult to disentangle in living cells where they influence each other. Here, we reconstituted contractile acto-myosin networks in vitro to study specifically the role of the friction forces between the network and its anchoring substrate. To modulate the magnitude and spatial distribution of friction forces, we micropatterned actin nucleation promoting factors on glass or on a lipid bilayer. We adapted their concentrations on each surface to induce the assembly of actin networks of similar densities, and compare the deformation of the network toward the centroid of the pattern shape upon myosin-induced contraction. We found that actin network deformation was faster and more coordinated on lipid bilayers than on glass, showing the resistance of friction to network contraction. To further study the role of the spatial distribution of these friction forces, we designed heterogeneous micropatterns made of glass and lipids. The deformation upon contraction was no longer symmetric but biased toward the region of higher friction. Furthermore, we showed that the pattern of friction could robustly drive network contraction and dominate the contribution of asymmetric distributions of myosins. Therefore, we demonstrate that during contraction both the active and resistive forces are essential to direct the actin network deformation. Significance statement Cell shape changes are controlled by complex sets of mechanical forces of various origins. Numerous studies have been dedicated to the role of active forces, originating from molecular motors and filament polymerization, but much less is known about the guiding role of resistive forces. Here we show that a non-uniform distribution of friction forces between a contracting acto-myosin network and its underlying substrate can direct its deformation as it contracts. Our results suggest that the contribution of resistive forces, such as anchoring forces but also less specific viscous forces along cell surface, can be as significant as those of active forces in driving network deformation and should be considered in mechanical models describing the regulation of cell shape and movements.