Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Combining Sputum and Nasopharyngeal Samples for Viral Detection by Reverse Transcriptase PCR in Adults Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness

This study reveals that RT-PCR utilizing sputum significantly increased the detection rate for respiratory viral nucleic acids among adult patients admitted to the hospital, compared to nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS). Notably, combined samples of sputum and NPS maintained the majority of the improved sputum detection rate with only a few positive signal losses from NPS samples. ABSTRACT Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) or washings have traditionally been used to diagnose respiratory tract infections. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) is widely used for rapid viral detection using samples from the upper respiratory tract. However, RT-PCR is rarely applied to sputum samples, mainly due to the viscosity of sputum. Thus, we assessed the detection rates of respiratory viruses from NPS, sputum samples, and combined NPS and sputum samples using multiplex RT-PCR (Allplex respiratory panels I, II, and III; Seegene, Seoul, South Korea). Paired NPS and sputum samples were collected from 219 patients admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory illnesses from October to December 2019. RT-PCR was performed on each sample for virus detection. Combined samples for virus detection were produced using remnant NPS and sputum samples with a positive virus signal. Respiratory viral nucleic acid was identified in 92 (42%) of 219 patients. Among the 92 viral detections, 61 (28%) were detected by both NPS and sputum samples. Twenty-four (11%) were sputum positive/NPS negative, and seven (3%) were sputum negative/NPS positive. For the combined NPS-sputum samples (n = 92), all paired samples positive in both specimens (n = 61) were also positive in the combined NPS-sputum sample. Twenty-seven (87%) of the 31 discordant paired samples were positive in the combined samples. Out of the total of 103 viruses identified before combining the samples, the detection rate of the combined samples was 94% (97/103), which was higher than the detection rates of sputum (88%; 91/103) and NPS (71%; 73/103). Because additional tests incur additional costs, our findings suggest that combining samples instead of testing separate samples using RT-PCR is likely the most cost-effective method of viral testing for patients with acute respiratory illnesses. IMPORTANCE This study reveals that RT-PCR utilizing sputum significantly increased the detection rate for respiratory viral nucleic acids among adult patients admitted to the hospital, compared to nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS). Notably, combined samples of sputum and NPS maintained the majority of the improved sputum detection rate with only a few positive signal losses from NPS samples. In order to detect respiratory viruses in adult patients with acute respiratory illness, it is important to choose the optimal respiratory samples. This study helped to improve our understanding of this process.
Perishing rich, expanding poor: Demography and population genetic patterns in two congeneric butterflies

In human‐altered landscapes, specialist butterflies typically form spatially restricted populations, genetically differentiated due to dispersal restrictions. Generalists, in contrast, display minimum differentiation but high genetic diversity. While local‐level actions suffice to conserve specialists and landscape‐level actions are necessary for generalists, minimum information exists regarding conservation of species with intermediate features. We targeted two congeneric butterflies, the recently re‐expanding Argynnis adippe and the strongly declining A. niobe, co‐occurring in the pastoral landscape of the Carpathian Mountains, Czech Republic. We integrated species distribution models, mark–recapture and microsatellite analysis to compare their habitat requirements, adult demography, dispersal and genetic patterns, and expanded the genetic analysis across the Carpathian Arc and beyond to delimit spatial conservation units. In two mountain valleys, both species formed interconnected populations numbering thousands of individuals. Mobility patterns suggested the populations' interconnection across the Czech Carpathians. Genetic diversity was extremely poor in the nonthreatened A. adippe and moderate in the declining A. niobe. No population differentiation was detected within the Czech Carpathians (~1500 km2). Low genetic diversity and no differentiation was preserved in A. adippe across East Central Europe, whereas in A. niobe, populations from Serbia were differentiated from the Carpathian Arc + Alps. The high adult mobility linked to low differentiation probably reflects the distribution of larval resources, historically widespread but sparse and currently declining for A. niobe (grazing‐disturbed grounds), while currently increasing for A. adippe (abandonment scrub, disturbed woodlands). Units as large as entire mountain systems define population boundaries, and hence conservation management units, for both species.
Anti-Racist Violence Prevention: Partnering With Black Youth to Identify Intervention Priorities

In this study, academic researchers partnered with Black youth to engage in critical analysis of the intersection between racism and community violence to promote anti-racist social action that advances health equity. Through youth participatory action research, we examined perspectives and experiences of Black youth to develop a shared understanding of how to approach community violence prevention with an anti-racist lens. Thirteen youth from Kansas City and Atlanta who identified as Black or African American participated in a photovoice project to explore the intersection of racism and community violence. Youth generated photo assignments, took photos that reflected the assignment, shared their photos as a group, and chose one photo to explore in depth each week using a structured method to guide photo-discussion. Qualitative analysis of youth photo-discussions identified themes related to Black youth’s experiences of racism at multiple levels and identified suggestions for anti-racist interventions, including promoting Black history knowledge and nurturing Black mentoring relationships. Grounded in these findings, we propose an anti-racist approach to community violence prevention among Black youth that engages Black youth as equitable partners to build from their expertise and strengths in developing comprehensive solutions.
Direction of light propagation to order G2 in static, spherically symmetric spacetimes: a new derivation

A procedure avoiding any integration of the null geodesic equations is used to derive the direction of light propagation in a three-parameter family of static, spherically symmetric spacetimes within the post-post-Minkowskian approximation. Quasi-Cartesian isotropic coordinates adapted to the symmetries of spacetime are systematically used. It is found that the expression of the angle formed by two light rays as measured by a static observer staying at a given point is remarkably simple in these coordinates. The attention is mainly focused on the null geodesic paths that we call the quasi-Minkowskian light rays. The vector-like functions characterizing the direction of propagation of such light rays at their points of emission and reception are firstly obtained in the generic case where these points are both located at finite distances from the centre of symmetry. The direction of propagation of the quasi-Minkowskian light rays emitted at infinity is then straightforwardly deduced. An intrinsic definition of the gravitational deflection angle relative to a static observer located at a finite distance is proposed for these rays. The expression inferred from this definition extends the formula currently used in VLBI astrometry up to the second order in the gravitational constant G.
Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of neutron matter with chiral three-body forces

Chiral effective field theory (EFT) enables a systematic description of low-energy hadronic interactions with controlled theoretical uncertainties. For strongly interacting systems, quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods provide some of the most accurate solutions, but they require as input local potentials. We have recently constructed local chiral nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions up to next-to-next-to-leading order (N2LO). Chiral EFT naturally predicts consistent many-body forces. In this paper, we consider the leading chiral three-nucleon (3N) interactions in local form. These are included in auxiliary field diffusion Monte Carlo (AFDMC) simulations. We present results for the equation of state of neutron matter and for the energies and radii of neutron drops. Specifically, we study the regulator dependence at the Hartree-Fock level and in AFDMC and find that present local regulators lead to less repulsion from 3N forces compared to the usual nonlocal regulators.
DISRUPTION OF MOLECULAR CLOUDS BY EXPANSION OF DUSTY H II REGIONS

Dynamical expansion of H ii regions around star clusters plays a key role in dispersing the surrounding dense gas and therefore in limiting the efficiency of star formation in molecular clouds. We use a semianalytic method and numerical simulations to explore expansion of spherical dusty H ii regions and surrounding neutral shells and the resulting cloud disruption. Our model for shell expansion adopts the static solutions of Draine for dusty H ii regions and considers the contact outward forces on the shell due to radiation and thermal pressures, as well as the inward gravity from the central star and the shell itself. We show that the internal structure we adopt and the shell evolution from the semianalytic approach are in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations. Strong radiation pressure in the interior controls the shell expansion indirectly by enhancing the density and pressure at the ionization front. We calculate the minimum star formation efficiency ϵ min ? > required for cloud disruption as a function of the cloud’s total mass and mean surface density. Within the adopted spherical geometry, we find that typical giant molecular clouds in normal disk galaxies have ϵ min ≲ 10 % ? > , with comparable gas and radiation pressure effects on shell expansion. Massive cluster-forming clumps require a significantly higher efficiency of ϵ min ≳ 50 % ? > for disruption, produced mainly by radiation-driven expansion. The disruption time is typically of the order of a free-fall timescale, suggesting that the cloud disruption occurs rapidly once a sufficiently luminous H ii region is formed. We also discuss limitations of the spherical idealization.
Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with chronic kidney disease: a Chinese population-based study

Abstract Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a multisystem disorder, but its relationship with kidney injury remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate MAFLD effects on the chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence in a general population in China. Methods In total, 15,010 individuals from the Health Management Center of West China Hospital from July 2020 to June 2021 were screened. Hepatic steatosis was defined as a median FibroScan controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)≥240 dB/m using liver ultrasound transient elastography. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or the presence of albuminuria. The association of MAFLD with CKD was examined using logistic regression. Risk factors for CKD in different MAFLD subgroups were also investigated. Results A total of 8226 individuals were finally included. Of them, 4406 (53.6%) had MAFLD, and 592 (7.2%) had CKD. After propensity score matching (PSM), 5530 eligible subjects were selected (n = 2765 in each group). There was a higher CKD prevalence in subjects with MAFLD than in those without MAFLD (8.9% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001). MAFLD was significantly associated with a higher CKD prevalence (OR 1.715, 95% CI 1.389–2.117, p < 0.001), although it was not an independent risk factor. The results indicated that age, diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight/obesity, hypertension, hyperuricemia, hypertriglyceridemia, remnant cholesterol (RC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were independently associated with a higher CKD prevalence. In the subgroup analysis, hypertension, hyperuricemia, RC, and the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS) were independent risk factors for the prevalence of CKD in individuals with DM or prediabetes and MAFLD. Furthermore, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and body fat percentage (BFP) were independently associated with CKD in subjects with MAFLD without DM. Conclusion Individuals with MAFLD had a higher prevalence of CKD, whereas it was not an independent risk factor for CKD.
Effects of van der Waals interactions and quasiparticle corrections on the electronic and transport properties of Bi 2 Te 3

We present a theoretical study of the structural, electronic, and transport properties of bulk ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ within density functional theory taking into account the van der Waals interactions (vdW) and the quasiparticle self-energy corrections. It is found that the optB86b-vdW functional can well reproduce the experimental lattice constants and interlayer distances for ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$. Based on the fully optimized structure, the band structure of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ is obtained from first-principles calculations with the GW approximation and the Wannier function interpolation method. The global band extrema are found to be off the high-symmetry lines, and the real energy band calculated is in good agreement with that measured experimentally. In combination with the Boltzmann theory, the GW calculations also give accurate prediction of the transport properties, and the calculated thermoelectric coefficients of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ almost coincide with the experimental data.
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Adult Hearing Loss (AAQ-AHL): validation with hearing aid users

Abstract Objective Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) may find adherence to their hearing devices difficult due to internal experiences related to their hearing loss such as sadness or frustration. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Adult Hearing Loss (AAQ-AHL) is the only measure available to assess psychological inflexibility as it relates to hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to confirm the single latent structure of the AAQ-AHL (through confirmatory factory analysis) and test convergent and discriminant validity. Design Cross-sectional data was used to further validate the AAQ-AHL. Study sample Participants were 146 adults who had diagnosed hearing loss and used a hearing aid. Results Results revealed the AAQ-AHL has a single latent structure, correlated to other similar constructs (psychological flexibility and hearing aid efficacy), and not correlated to unrelated constructs (hearing loss severity). These results suggest that the AAQ-AHL is a valid instrument to assess psychological flexibility as it relates to hearing aid use. Conclusion Together, the findings imply the AAQ-AHL has strong psychometric properties and justification to use in a clinical setting.
Non-Gaussianity in multi-sound-speed disformally coupled inflation

Most, if not all, scalar-tensor theories are equivalent to General Relativity with a disformally coupled matter sector. In extra-dimensional theories such a coupling can be understood as a result of induction of the metric on a brane that matter is confined to. This article presents a first look at the non-Gaussianities in disformally coupled inflation, a simple two-field model that features a novel kinetic interaction. Cases with both canonical and Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) kinetic terms are taken into account, the latter motivated by the possible extra-dimensional origin of the disformality. The computations are carried out for the equilateral configuration in the slow-roll regime, wherein it is found that the non-Gaussianity is typically rather small and negative. This is despite the fact that the new kinetic interaction causes the perturbation modes to propagate with different sounds speeds, which may both significantly deviate from unity during inflation.
Quantum gravity effects in the Kerr spacetime

We analyze the impact of the leading quantum gravity effects on the properties of black holes with nonzero angular momentum by performing a suitable renormalization group improvement of the classical Kerr metric within quantum Einstein gravity. In particular, we explore the structure of the horizons, the ergosphere, and the static limit surfaces as well as the phase space available for the Penrose process. The positivity properties of the effective vacuum energy-momentum tensor are also discussed and the ``dressing'' of the black hole's mass and angular momentum are investigated by computing the corresponding Komar integrals. The pertinent Smarr formula turns out to retain its classical form. As for their thermodynamical properties, a modified first law of black-hole thermodynamics is found to be satisfied by the improved black holes (to second order in the angular momentum); the corresponding Bekenstein-Hawking temperature is not proportional to the surface gravity.
Black and White Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia have Similar Outcomes but Different Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) disproportionately affects Black patients. The reasons for this disparity are unclear. METHODS We evaluated a prospectively ascertained cohort of patients with SAB from 1995 to 2020. Clinical characteristics, bacterial genotypes, and outcome were compared among Black and White patients with SAB. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors independently associated with the outcomes. RESULTS Among 3068 patients with SAB, 1107 (36%) were Black. Black patients were younger (Median: 56 years vs. 63 years; p < 0.001), had higher rates of diabetes (47.5% vs. 34.5%; p < 0.001), hemodialysis dependence (40.0% vs. 7.3%; p < 0.001), and HIV (6.4% vs. 0.6%; p < 0.001). Black patients had higher rates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (49.3% vs 44.9%; p = 0.020), including the USA300 hypervirulent clone (11.5% vs. 8.4%; p = 0.007). White patients had higher rates of corticosteroid use (22.4% vs. 15.8%; p < 0.0001), and surgery in the preceding 30 days (28.1% vs. 18.7%; p < 0.001). Although median Acute Physiology Score (APS) at the time of initial SAB diagnosis was significantly higher in Black patients (Median APS 9, Interquartile Range [IQR] 5-14; vs. Median APS 7, IQR: 4-12; p < 0.001), race was not associated with 90-day mortality (risk ratio (RR): 1.02; 95% CI: 0.93-1.12, and rates of metastatic infection were lower among Black patients (37.2% vs. 41.3% White; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Despite differences in Black patients' higher APS on presentation and more risk factors, including a 5 times higher risk of hemodialysis dependence, 90-day mortality among Black and White patients with SAB was similar.
A Groundbased Imaging Study of Galaxies Causing DLA, subDLA, and LLS Absorption in Quasar Spectra ⋆

We present results from a search for galaxies that give rise to damped Lyman alpha (DLA), subDLA, and Lyman limit system (LLS) absorption at redshifts 0.1 100 kpc calculated at the absorption redshift are statistically consistent with being unrelated to the absorption system, and are either background or foreground galaxies. (ii) logNHI is inversely correlated with b at the 3.0� level of significance. DLA galaxies are found systematically closer to the quasar sightline, by a factor of two, than are galaxies which give rise to subDLAs or LLSs. The median impact parameter is 17.4 kpc for the DLA galaxy sample, 33.3 kpc for the subDLA sample, and 36.4 kpc for the LLS sample. We also find that the decline in logNHI with b can be roughly described by an exponential with an e-folding length of 12 kpc that occurs at logNHI = 20.0. (iii) Absorber galaxy luminosity relative to L � , L/L � , is not significantly correlated with W �2796 0 , logNHI, or b. (iv) DLA, subDLA, and LLS galaxies comprise a mix of spectral types, but are inferred to be predominantly late type galaxies based on their spectral energy distributions. (v) The properties of low-redshift DLAs and subDLAs are very different in comparison to the properties of gas-rich galaxies at the present epoch. A significantly higher fraction of low-redshift absorbers have large b values, and a significantly higher fraction of the large b value galaxies have luminosities L < L � . The implications of these results are discussed.
Multi-momentum and multi-flavour active-sterile neutrino oscillations in the early universe: role of neutrino asymmetries and effects on nucleosynthesis

(Dated: April 16, 2013) We perform a study of the flavour evolution in the early universe of a multi-flavour active-sterile neutrino system with parameters inspired by the short-baseline neutrino anomalies. In a neutrinosymmetric bath a “thermal” population of the sterile state would quickly grow, but in the presence of primordial neutrino asymmetries a self-suppression as well as a resonant sterile neutrino production can take place, depending on temperature and chosen parameters. In order to characterize these effects, we go beyond the usual average momentum and single mixing approximations and consider a multi-momentum and multi-flavour treatment of the kinetic equations. We find that the enhancement obtained in this case with respect to the average momentum approximation is significant, up to ∼ 20% of a degree of freedom. Such detailed and computationally demanding treatment further raises the asymmetry values required to significantly suppress the sterile neutrino production, up to |L�| > O(10 −2 ). For such asymmetries, however, the active-sterile flavour conversions happen so late that significant distortions are produced in the electron (anti)neutrino spectra. The larger |L�|, the more the impact of these distortions takes over as dominant cosmological effect, notably increasing the 4 He abundance in primordial nucleosynthesis (BBN). The standard expression of the primordial yields in terms of the effective number of neutrinos and asymmetries is also greatly altered. We numerically estimate the magnitude of such effects for a few representative cases and comment on the implications for current cosmological measurements.