Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Performance of College Students on the Iowa Gambling Task: Differences Between Scoring Approaches

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is one of the most common behavioral decision-making tasks used in clinical and research settings. Less-than-expected performance among healthy adults generates concerns about the validity of this task, and it is possible the particular scoring approach utilized could impact interpretation. We examined how performance patterns changed across several scoring approaches, utilizing a large, college student sample, both with (n = 406) and without (n = 1,547) a self-reported history of psychiatric or other diagnosis. Higher net scores were seen when participants selected decks with a low loss frequency than decks with high long-term outcomes; however, participants overall underperformed the IGT normative data sample. Receiver operating characteristic curves examining multiple scoring approaches revealed no threshold of impaired performance that both maximized sensitivity and minimized false positive rate on the IGT. Scoring approach matters in the determination of impaired decision making via the IGT in adults.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of asymptomatic malaria infection in pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A challenge for malaria elimination efforts

Background In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where malaria transmission is stable, malaria infection in pregnancy adversely affects pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns and is often asymptomatic. So far, a plethora of primary studies have been carried out on asymptomatic malaria infection in pregnant women in SSA. Nevertheless, no meta-analysis estimated the burden of asymptomatic malaria infection in pregnant women in SSA, so this meta-analysis was carried out to bridge this gap. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest were systematically searched for relevant studies published until 4 August 2020, and also the expansion of the search was performed by October 24, 2020. We assessed heterogeneity among included studies using I-squared statistics (I2). Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of the funnel plot and further quantitatively validated by Egger’s and Begg’s tests. The pooled prevalence and pooled odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were estimated using the random-effects model in Stata 15 software. Results For this meta-analysis, we included 35 eligible studies. The overall prevalence estimate of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection prevalence was 26.1%% (95%CI: 21–31.2%, I2 = 99.0%). According to species-specific pooled prevalence estimate, Plasmodium falciparum was dominant species (22.1%, 95%CI: 17.1–27.2%, I2 = 98.6%), followed by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale, respectively, found to be 3% (95%CI: 0–5%, I2 = 88.3%), 0.8% (95%CI: 0.3–0.13%, I2 = 60.5%), and 0.2% (95%CI: -0.01–0.5%, I2 = 31.5%). Asymptomatic malaria-infected pregnant women were 2.28 times more likely anemic (OR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.66–3.13, I2 = 56.3%) than in non-infected pregnant women. Asymptomatic malaria infection was 1.54 times higher (OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.28–1.85, I2 = 11.5%) in primigravida women compared to multigravida women. Conclusion In SSA, asymptomatic malaria infection in pregnant women is prevalent, and it is associated with an increased likelihood of anemia compared to non-infected pregnant women. Thus, screening of asymptomatic pregnant women for malaria and anemia should be included as part of antenatal care.
A novel homozygous SLC13A5 whole‐gene deletion generated by Alu/Alu‐mediated rearrangement in an Iraqi family with epileptic encephalopathy

Biallelic loss‐of‐function (LoF) of SLC13A5 (solute carrier family 13, member 5) induced deficiency in sodium/citrate transporter (NaCT) causes autosomal recessive developmental epileptic encephalopathy 25 with hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (DEE25; MIM #615905). Many pathogenic SLC13A5 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small indels have been described; however, no cases with copy number variants (CNVs) have been sufficiently investigated. We describe a consanguineous Iraqi family harboring an 88.5 kb homozygous deletion including SLC13A5 in Chr17p13.1. The three affected male siblings exhibit neonatal‐onset epilepsy with fever‐sensitivity, recurrent status epilepticus, global developmental delay/intellectual disability (GDD/ID), and other variable neurological findings as shared phenotypical features of DEE25. Two of the three affected subjects exhibit hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), while the proband shows no evidence of dental abnormalities or AI at 2 years of age with apparently unaffected primary dentition. Characterization of the genomic architecture at this locus revealed evidence for genomic instability generated by an Alu/Alu‐mediated rearrangement; confirmed by break‐point junction Sanger sequencing. This multiplex family from a distinct population elucidates the phenotypic consequence of complete LoF of SLC13A5 and illustrates the importance of read‐depth‐based CNV detection in comprehensive exome sequencing analysis to solve cases that otherwise remain molecularly unsolved.
Evaluation of Additional SoyBean Flour and Sourdough Lactobacillus Plantarum (ATCC 43332) on Rheological and Quality Properties of Toast Breads

Additional of defatted soybean flour was caused enr iching bread by essential amino acids, vitamin and minerals. By using sourdough in bread production, properties of dough's texture, flavor and smell will be improved, in comparison with bread made by yeast. In this resear ch, defatted soybean flour in 3, 5 and 10 percent w ere mixed with wheat flour then rheological properties of dou gh were evaluated by Farinograph and Extensograph. After this, with adding of 25 percent of Lactobacillus Plantaru m sourdough on dough, some of rheological propertie s were evaluated again. Farinograph results showed that in creasing rate of enrichment with soybean flour, was caused increasing rate of water absorption, development ti me, dough stability, resistance and valorimetry num ber. Furthermore, Extensograph results showed that the d ough with different percent of soybean flour and so urdough had less energy than in comparison with dough that having soybean along. On the other hand, the rate o f ash and protein in bread that enriched by soybean flour and also mixture of soybean flour and sourdough were m ore than in comparison with control bread. However, the rate of ash and protein in bread with sourdough were less than without it. Finally the results of sensory evaluati on showed that toast bread which contains 5% soybea n flour and sourdough, has the most acceptability regarding to the other samples.
Gut microbiota in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background and aims The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not very well described but gut microbiota composition is mentioned as a risk factor. The present study aimed to characterize the differences of dominant gut microbiota phyla among people with NAFLD as compared to T2DM and control groups. Patients and methods The major bacterial phylum of gut microbiota including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and total bacteria of 15 NAFLD patients with T2DM, 15 NAFLD patients without T2DM, 15 patients with T2DM, and 20 healthy control subjects were assessed by a quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results NAFLD patients with T2DM had significantly higher BMI, triglyceride level, and total cholesterol level were compared with controls (Pv < 0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla were significantly low in NAFLD patients with T2DM (Firmicutes, 2.55 ± 2.25, Pv 0/0002 and Bacteroidetes, 1.55 ± 2.29, Pv 0/0007), while the content of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria was high in NAFLD patients with T2DM group and there were no significant differences between phyla with NAFLD patients with T2DM group (Pv > 0.05). Furthermore, Firmicutes copy number was lower in the separate groups of NAFLD and T2DM as compared to the healthy controls (Pv < 0.05). Conclusions This study performed gut microbiota for the first time among NAFLD and TDM patients separately and together. This investigation indicated that NAFLD patients with T2DM have a different gut composition in comparison to NAFLD, T2DM alone, which could be associated with disease development.
Application of liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to the study of protein-bound lead in human erythrocytes

The coupling of gel chromatography to ICP-MS was evaluated as a tool for the study of lead bound in vivo to proteins in erythrocytes. The chromatogram obtained showed three peaks for lead at apparent molecular masses of 240, 45 and <10 kDa. The height of the third peak, at <10 kDa, varied considerably on repeated analysis, probably due to interactions with the column material. However, the third peak did not affect the size of the other two peaks, and was therefore excluded from the calculations. The protein with an apparent molecular mass of 240 kDa contained approximately 80% of the protein-bound lead recovered, and may be identical with the enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD). The 45 kDa peak contained 20% of the protein-bound lead recovered. It had an elution volume that was similar to, but not identical with, that of iron from hemoglobin, indicating binding to another protein of similar mass, e. g. , the ALAD monomer or pyrimidine-5-nucleotidase. The recovery from the column, with the third peak excluded, was 74% for samples from occupationally exposed lead workers and 118% for samples from unexposed workers. The detection limit (twice the baseline noise) was 0.04 ng, corresponding to a blood-lead concentration of 0.01 µmol l–1; however, variations in recovery at low blood-lead levels suggest that the method is, so far, best suited to samples from individuals with elevated blood-lead concentrations, e.g., lead-exposed workers.
Modified-atmosphere Packaging of 'Heritage' Red Raspberry Fruit: Respiratory Response to Reduced Oxygen, Enhanced Carbon Dioxide, and Temperature

Heritage' raspberries ( Rubus idaeus L. ) were sealed in low-density polyethylene packages and stored at 0, 10, and 20C during Fall 1990 and 1991 to study respiratory responses under modified atmospheres. A range of steady-state O 2 and CO 2 partial pressures were achieved by varying fruit weight in packages of a specific surface area and film thickness. Film permeability to O 2 and CO 2 was measured and combined with surface area and film thickness to estimate total package permeability. Rates of O 2 uptake and CO 2 production and respiratory quotient (RQ) were calculated using steady-state O 2 and CO 2 partial pressures, total package permeability, and fruit weight. The O 2 uptake rate decreased with decreasing O 2 partial pressure over the range of partial pressure studied. The Michaelis-Menten equation was used to model O 2 uptake as a function of O 2 partial pressure and temperature. The apparent K m (K 1/2 ) remained constant (5.6 kPa O 2 ) with temperature, while Q 10 was estimated to be 1.9. RQ was modeled as a function of O 2 partial pressure and temperature. Headspace ethanol increased at RQs >1.3 to 1.5. Based on RQ, ethanol production, and flavor, we recommend that raspberries be stored at O 2 levels above 4 kPa at 0C, 6 kPa at 10C, and 8 kPa at 20C. Steady-state CO 2 partial pressures of 3 to 17 kPa had little or no effect on O 2 uptake or headspace ethanol partial pressures at 20C.
NOVEL SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHODS FOR THE ASSAY OF AN ANTIEPILEPTIC- OXCARBAZEPINE

New spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the assay of oxcarbazepine (OXP) in pure and pharmaceutical formulations. These methods were based on the formation of chloroform soluble ionassociation complex of OXP with bromocrecol purple in KCl-HCl buffers of pH-2 [Method A] and the diazocoupling of OXP with diazotized p-nitro aniline in basic medium [Method B]. The coloured species exhibited absorption maxima at 412 nm and 510 nm for method A and method B, respectively. The complexes obeyed Beer’s law over the concentration range of 0.4-6 µgml -1 and 0.5-4 µgml -1 with molar absorptivity values of 2.85×10 4 and 4.24×10 4 l/ mol/ cm for method A and method B, respectively. Common excipients and additives did not interfere in the assay of OXP by proposed methods. The applicability of the proposed methods was checked by analyzing various dosage forms. The results of analysis were subjected to t-test and F-test.
Measurement of optical contrast factors in ternary hydrocarbon mixtures

Abstract Deriving the refraction index over temperature and concentration is essential in thermal diffusion measurements. In the present study, we attempt to provide precise experimental measurements of the optical contrast factors of two ternary systems formed by three hydrocarbon components – 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene (THN), isobutylbenzene (IBB), and n-dodecane. For each system we consider three different contrast factors: , and . The mixtures were prepared and investigated using a wide range of temperatures and wavelengths. The refractive index was measured using both the Mach–Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) and the multi-wavelength Abbemat Refractometer. A new development of the MZI cell holder used in the literature to measure contrast factors was presented and tested on ternary mixtures. In addition, this study compared the values of the experimental measurements of the refractive indices with theoretically estimated values using the mixing rules. The experimental values were in substantial agreement with all of the predictive values with the exception of the Oster (O) and Newton (N) equations.
Effect of Sodium Chloride on Photosynthetic Pigments and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Avicennia Officinalis Seedlings

The possible effect of salinity (0,-2.00% NaCl) on chlorophyll pigment content and photosynthetic activity of Avicennia officinalis L. were investigated. The seedlings of this species treated with NaCl above 2.00% and could not survive a month after salt treatment. The maximum accumulation of chlorophyll synthesis was observed at 0.75% NaCl, beyond this level is reduced gradually. The rate of photosynthetic activity significantly enhanced up to optimum level of 0.75% NaCl and at higher concentrations the photosynthetic activity were reduced.
Rapid expansion of human impact on natural land in South America since 1985

A comprehensive record of the land use history of South America reveals that human impact on land increased by 60% since 1985. Across South America, the expansion of commodity land uses has underpinned substantial economic development at the expense of natural land cover and associated ecosystem services. Here, we show that such human impact on the continent’s land surface, specifically land use conversion and natural land cover modification, expanded by 268 million hectares (Mha), or 60%, from 1985 to 2018. By 2018, 713 Mha, or 40%, of the South American landmass was impacted by human activity. Since 1985, the area of natural tree cover decreased by 16%, and pasture, cropland, and plantation land uses increased by 23, 160, and 288%, respectively. A substantial area of disturbed natural land cover, totaling 55 Mha, had no discernable land use, representing land that is degraded in terms of ecosystem function but not economically productive. These results illustrate the extent of ongoing human appropriation of natural ecosystems in South America, which intensifies threats to ecosystem-scale functions.
Is laryngeal hypersensitivity the basis of unexplained or refractory chronic cough?

Refractory chronic cough (RCC) and unexplained chronic cough (UCC) are common problems seen in primary care and subspecialty clinics. The role of cough hypersensitivity and laryngeal dysfunction in contributing to the persistence of cough in RCC/UCC is not well recognised. Data of patients with RCC and UCC evaluated in 2019 by an interdisciplinary cough clinic led by a pulmonologist and speech–language pathology team was reviewed. Patients completed validated questionnaires including the Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ), voice handicap index (VHI) and dyspnoea index (DI) questionnaire at initial encounter. Presence of cough hypersensitivity was based upon a history of allotussia and hypertussia. Laryngeal dysfunction was diagnosed in those with a history of laryngeal paresthesias, throat clearing, voice abnormalities, upper airway dyspnoea and documentation of functional or anatomic laryngeal abnormalities on nasoendoscopy. Of the 60 UCC/RCC patients analysed, 75% of patients were female and 85% were over 40 years of age. Cough hypersensitivity was documented in all patients and multiple cough triggers occurred in 75% of patients. 95%, 50% and 25% of patients reported laryngeal paresthesias, voice abnormalities and upper airway dyspnoea, respectively. Significant associations between LCQ and VHI and DI scores occurred when adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity and body mass index. Laryngeal functional abnormalities were documented on 44 out of 60 patients on nasoendoscopy. Hypertussia, allotussia and laryngeal dysfunction are common in patients with RCC and UCC. Evaluation of UCC and RCC can delineate laryngeal hypersensitivity and allows appropriate treatment to be directed at this phenotype. Chronic refractory cough is frequently characterised by cough hypersensitivity and laryngeal dysfunction. An interdisciplinary team approach that includes laryngeal evaluation can identify laryngeal hypersensitivity along with other cough aetiologies. https://bit.ly/2XGi4Uk
Predicting geographic atrophy growth rate from fundus autofluorescence images using deep neural networks

Geographic atrophy (GA) is late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Improved predictors of GA progression would be useful in clinical trial design and may be relevant for clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to accurately predict GA progression over time from baseline fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Germany) using deep learning. Study eyes of patients (n = 1312) enrolled in the Lampalizumab trials1, 2 (NCT02479386, NCT02247479, NCT02247531) were included. The dataset was split by patient into training (n = 1047) and holdout sets (n = 265). GA progression, defined as GA lesion growth rate, was derived by a linear fit on all available measurements of GA lesion area (mm2 , measured from manually graded FAF images). The model performance was evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation (CV). Coefficient of determination (R2 ) computed as the square of Pearson correlation coefficient was used as the performance metric. Multiple modeling approaches were implemented, and the best performance was observed using cascade learning. In this approach, pre-trained weights on ImageNet were finetuned to predict GA lesion area followed by further fine-tuning to predict GA growth rate. The 5-folds had an average CV R2 of 0.44, and the holdout showed R2 of 0.50 (95% confidence interval: 0.41 - 0.61). In comparison, a linear model using only baseline GA lesion area in the same holdout showed an R2 of 0.18. Further investigation with visualization techniques might help understand the pathophysiology behind the predictions. The predictions may be improved by combining with imaging modalities like near-infrared and/or optical coherence tomography.
Influence of Gasoline Aromatic Content on Air Pollutant Emissions from Four- Stroke Motorcycles

A new four-stroke carburetor motorcycle engine without any engine adjustments was used to study the impact of fuel aromatic content on exhaust emissions of criteria air pollutants (CO, THC, and NOx). Three aromatic fuels were tested, containing 15, 25, and 50% (vol) aromatics mixed with gasoline. A commercial unleaded gasoline was also tested as a reference case (RF). The experimental data indicated that a lower aromatic content (25 and 15 vol%) in gasoline reduced the amounts of THC and NOx by more than 10% compared to the reference fuel (aromatic content 30 vol%). CO emissions, on the other hand, did not appear to be related to the aromatic content of gasoline. The excess air ratio (λ) values for the aromatic test fuels were lower than 1.0, i.e., under fuel-rich conditions, and CO emissions increased due to lack of oxygen. In contrast, high NOx emissions appeared in a near stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and decreased as the fuel mixture approached lean or rich conditions. The results also showed that decreasing the aromatic content from 50 to 25 and 15 vol% in gasoline may result in a reduction of benzene emissions from the motorcycles without a catalyst converter. This study shows that decreasing the aromatic content in gasoline may reduce the emissions of THC, NOx, and benzene, but not CO, from four-stroke carburetor motorcycles.
Deep radiomics: deep learning on radiomics texture images

Lung cancer has high mortality and occurrence worldwide. Radiomics is a method for extracting quantitative features from medical images that can be used for predictive analysis. Radiomics has been applied quite successfully for lung nodule malignancy prediction. Along with traditional radiomics, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are now used quite effectively for lung cancer analysis. Texture provides information about variation in pixel intensity in regions. Lung nodules/tumors possess a noticeable texture pattern. That’s why texture radiomics features can be used to construct predictive models to analyze malignant and benign lung nodules. As textures show visible patterns, training the CNNs using texture images is a novel idea that enables the creation of an ensemble of classifiers. In this study, 192 texture images (wavelet, Laws, gray level zone matrix, neighborhood grey tone difference, and run-length) were generated, and the same CNN architecture was trained separately on all texture images. We termed this approach, “Deep Radiomics. ” The maximum classification accuracy of 73% and 0.82 AUC was achieved from both the P2L2C5 wavelet and L5E5L5 laws texture images. When multiple CNN model’s predictions were merged to generate an ensemble model, results of 81.43% (0.91 AUC) were achieved from our study, which was an improvement.