Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation: The Cornerstones of Vascular Alterations in Age-Related Diseases

Vascular diseases of the elderly are a topic of enormous interest in clinical practice, as they have great epidemiological significance and lead to ever-increasing healthcare expenditures. The mechanisms underlying these pathologies have been increasingly characterized over the years. It has emerged that endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation play a diriment role among the most relevant pathophysiological mechanisms. As one can easily imagine, various processes occur during aging, and several pathways undergo irreversible alterations that can promote the decline and aberrations that trigger the diseases above. Endothelial dysfunction and aging of circulating and resident cells are the main characteristics of the aged organism; they represent the framework within which an enormous array of molecular abnormalities occur and contribute to accelerating and perpetuating the decline of organs and tissues. Recognizing and detailing each of these dysfunctional pathways is helpful for therapeutic purposes, as it allows one to hypothesize the possibility of tailoring interventions to the damaged mechanism and hypothetically limiting the cascade of events that drive the onset of these diseases. With this paper, we have reviewed the scientific literature, analysing the pathophysiological basis of the vascular diseases of the elderly and pausing to reflect on attempts to interrupt the vicious cycle that connotes the diseases of aging, laying the groundwork for therapeutic reasoning and expanding the field of scientific research by moving from a solid foundation.
Tropical response to increased CO2 in a GCM with a simple mixed layer ocean: similarities to an observed pacific warm event

Abstract A version of the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM), a global spectral atmospheric general circulation model, is coupled to a simple ocean mixed layer model with fixed depth. This mixed layer model is a simple slab of water that crudely accounts for seasonal heat storage but has no dynamics (e.g., advection, diffusion or upwelling). As a result, tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) produced by the simple mixed layer are warmer than observed in the equatorial tropics, in particular, in the tropical eastern Pacific. When CO2 is doubled in the model, SSTs increase at all longitudes in the equatorial tropics on the order of 1°–2°C. However, this uniform longitudinal warming is not associated with uniform longitudinal increases of tropical precipitation. Greatest area-averaged increases of precipitation occur in the tropical Pacific, while decreases of area-averaged precipitation are noted in the Asian monsoon regions. This is attributed to a disruption of the east–west circulation between the Pac.
Tuberculosis Infection in Children and Adolescents

The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in children and adolescents remains very significant. Several million children and adolescents are infected with TB each year worldwide following exposure to an infectious TB case and the risk of progression from TB infection to tuberculosis disease is higher in this group compared to adults. This review describes the risk factors for TB infection in children and adolescents. Following TB exposure, the risk of TB infection is determined by a combination of index case characteristics, contact features, and environmental determinants. We also present the recently recommended approaches to diagnose and treat TB infection as well as novel tests for infection. The tests for TB infection have limitations and diagnosis still relies on an indirect immunological assessment of cellular immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens using immunodiagnostic testing. It is recommended that TB exposed children and adolescents and those living with HIV receive TB preventive treatment (TPT) to reduce the risk of progression to TB disease. Several TPT regimens of similar effectiveness and safety are now available and recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Assessing Seed Longevity of the Invasive Weed Navua Sedge (Cyperus aromaticus), by Artificial Ageing

Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is a significant agricultural and environmental weed found in tropical island countries including north Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer and consequently forms a high-density seedbank, and therefore understanding the longevity and persistence of the seeds can provide critical information required for the management of this species. A laboratory-controlled artificial ageing experiment was conducted where the seeds were exposed to a temperature of 45 °C and 60% relative humidity for 125 days. Seeds were removed at various times (1, 2, 5, 9, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 and 125 days) and their viability determined through standard germination tests. It took 20 days in the artificial ageing environment for the seeds to decline to 50% viability which indicates that Navua sedge has relatively short-lived persistent seeds. These findings will assist in developing a better understanding of the seedbank dynamics of this invasive species, allowing managers to tactically implement control strategies and prepare budgets for ongoing treatments, and have implications for the duration and success of management programs.
Prescribed velocity method for simulation of aerofoil gust responses

A new method for modeling the interaction of an aerofoil with a gust using a prescribed velocity approach, called the split velocity method is presented. This approach effectively rearranges the governing equations into a form that allows for more efficient calculation and includes both the effect of the gust on the aerofoil and the effect of the aerofoil on the gust. The convection of gusts, through the domain from the far field, is investigated using the new method for a range of 1-cosine gusts. The results obtained are compared to an existing prescribed velocity approach called the field velocity method, which neglects the effect of the aerofoil on the gust. The two prescribed velocity approaches agree well for longer gusts. For shorter gusts where the gust length is close to the chord of the aerofoil, the new approach produces better results. Details of a linearized version of the split velocity method are also given. The linearized version is shown to agree well with the full method for cases when th.
Asymptotic Laws for One-Dimensional Diffusions Conditioned to Nonabsorption

If (X t ) is a one-dimensional diffusion corresponding to the operator L = 1/2 ∂ xx - α∂ x starting from x > 0 and T α is the hitting time of α, we prove that under suitable conditions on the drift coefficient the following limit exists : ∀ s > 0, ∀ A ∈ F s , lim t→ ∞ P x (X ∈ A | T 0 > t). We characterize this limit as the distribution of an h-like process, h satisfying Lh = - ηh, h(0) = 0, h'(0) = 1, where η = -lim t- ∞(1/t) log P x (T 0 > t). Moreover, we show that this parameter η can only take two values : η = 0 or η = λ, where λ is the smallest point of increase of the spectral distribution of the operator L * = 1/2 ∂ xx + ∂ x (α.).
Brain Chip Implant: Public’s knowledge, Attitude, and Determinants. A Multi-Country Study, 2021

Background: In August 2020, a brain chip was announced as implantation in the human brain targeted to boost brain activity without significant side effects. The aim of this work was to examine the level of knowledge, awareness, and public concerns about the use of brain chip implants. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey targeted 326 adults from more than five countries in the Middle East and North Africa during the period from May 2021 to July 2021. The data was collected through a validated self-administrated questionnaire composed of five sections. The collected data were coded and analyzed using suitable tests and methods. Results: According to our results, 54.6% of the study participants mentioned that they had heard about the Brain Chip Implant; while only 6.1% stated that they knew its importance. The most common reported indication for the Brain Chip Implant was improving memory, followed by treatment of epilepsy and improving mental function. Brain Chip Implant safety seemed to be the most common public concern, as most of the participants were hesitant about using it and had concerns regarding its safety. Conclusion: Medical personnel seems to be the most concerned about the use of the brain chip implant. Safety measures, confidentiality, and security procedures, respectively, are the major issues that might limit the broad use of the brain chip implant.
Comparison of Physical/Chemical Properties of Prussian Blue Thin Films Prepared by Different Pulse and DC Electrodeposition Methods

Prussian Blue (PB) thin films were prepared by DC chronoamperometry (CHA), symmetric pulse, and non-symmetric pulse electrodeposition techniques. The formation of PB was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and UV-Vis transmission measurements. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the stabilization of the insoluble form of PB. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, an increase in porosity is obtained for the shorter pulse widths, which tends to improve the total charge exchange and electrochemical stability of the films. While the film prepared by CHA suffered a degradation of 82% after 260 cycles, the degradation reduced to 24% and 34% for the samples prepared by the symmetric and non-symmetric pulse methods, respectively. Additionally, in the non-symmetric pulse film, the improvement in the charge exchange reached ~522% after 260 cycles. According to this study, the deposition time distribution affects the physical/chemical properties of PB films. These results then render pulse electrodeposition methods especially suitable to produce high-quality thin films for electrochemical devices, based on PB.
Financial Literacy Study of Urban Farmers in Makassar City

The tendency of people to make purchases without paying attention to financial principles has resulted in people being irrational in buying necessities, especially farmers in farmer women’s group Anggrek. This study aims to examine the level of financial literacy of urban farming entrepreneurs, especially in farmer women’s group Anggrek, Bara – Baraya Village, Makassar District, Makassar City. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques through observation and interviews. The data analysis technique used in the research is data reduction, the next is data presentation, after that draw conclusions. The informants in this study used purpositive sampling, the informants in this study were 4 people who were farmers at farmer women’s group Anggrek. And to determine the level of financial literacy of urban farming entrepreneurs, especially in the Anggrek Women Farmer Group, there are 4 indicators studied in this study, namely 1) Knowledge of finance 2) Knowledge of Savings and Loans 3) Knowledge of Insurance and 4). Knowledge of Investment. The results of the study explain that the overall level of financial literacy of farmers in farmer women’s group Anggrek still needs to be improved, although knowledge about finance and savings, and loans is quite good, but trust and use of financial institutions, insurance and investment are still very limited. So it is necessary to increase financial literacy for farmers, especially in farmer women’s group Anggrek.
Personality Determinants of Diet Health Quality among an Elite Group of Polish Team Athletes

The aim of the study was to analyse personality determinants of diet health quality among of an elite group of Polish team athletes. The correlations between personality traits of the big five model and the indices of diet health quality (the pro-healthy diet index, pHDI-10 and the non-healthy diet index, nHDI-14) were assessed. Research was carried out among 213 athletes (males), using the beliefs and eating habits questionnaire (Kom-PAN) and the neuroticism extraversion openness personality inventory—revised (NEO-PI-R). Statistical analysis was performed with the use of Pearson’s linear and Spearman’s signed rank correlation coefficients as well as multiple regression, assuming the significance level of α = 0.05. It has been shown that the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI-10) decreased with increasing Neuroticism, while an increase was noted along with increasing Extraversion. In the case of the non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14) a decrease along with a simultaneous increase in the level of Agreeableness (p < 0.05). Significant (but weak) correlations have been indicated between personality traits and diet health quality. The identified dependencies may be used to personalise the impact of dietary education among athletes.
A non‐force‐free approach to the topology of magnetic clouds in the solar wind

[1] We present a new model for the topology of magnetic clouds at 1 AU that relates the magnetic field vector with the current density of the cloud without assuming the force-free condition. In addition, the model is formulated in such a way that it can be fitted directly to the data without the need of initially determining the flux rope axis by minimum variance. The model provides both the magnetic field strength and the direction in just one fitting procedure. In addition to the orientation of its axis and the relative closest-approach distance between the spacecraft and the cloud axis, the fit of the model to the experimental data allows an estimation of the current density of plasma inside the magnetic cloud. From our study on several clouds we conclude that this has values of the order of 10−12 C m−2 s−1. Compared with the force-free model, although the improvement gained in the χ2 values is not very great, the fitting procedure is shorter and easier, and the number of parameters involved has been reduced from seven to five. Our model also lets us check the validity of force-free approximation by the calculation of the value of the current density perpendicular to the flux rope, j⟂ = j × B/|B|. This component is assumed to be zero in the force-free model, but for all analyzed cases we obtain a nonzero value. This finite value implies the existence of pressure gradients inside the cloud that cannot be explained with a force-free approximation. In this paper, four cases are presented that have already been analyzed in the literature. We show that our model can explain the profiles of the magnetic field as a magnetic cloud passes a spacecraft.
Attitudes of Secondary Level Teachers towards EMI in English Medium Schools of Mahendranagar

English Medium Instruction (EMI) is a growing phenomenon in Nepalese private school education. Learning engagement through EMI in different subjects is believed to be effective for developing learners’ communicative competence and comprehension skills. However, The English proficiency of the teachers, and their positive attitude towards English language and the use of judicious classroom language policy are considered crucial for the effective output of EMI without affecting the learners’ mother tongue. In this context, this study aimed to present the attitudes of secondary-level teachers towards English Medium of Instructions (EMI). It further attempted to find out the effects and challenges of EMI in the context of English medium schools in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to extract the lived experiences of the participants with EMI. The researcher adopted a non-random convenience sampling method to collect information from two secondary-level teachers teaching Mathematics and Science at private English-medium schools in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the lived experiences of the participants with EMI. The findings of this study revealed that teachers were positive towards EMI although they encountered challenges to its effective implementation. The results imply that EMI helps teachers in their profession, as competent English-Medium instructors are well paid and offered better career opportunities. Similarly, it creates a platform for the learners to develop communicative competence in English and meet their career goals. Despite these plus sides, EMI can pose a threat to our national or local languages if it is used exclusively without appropriate and judicious language policy.
Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in rural Bangladesh. Design This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June and November 2021. Setting This study was conducted in rural Bangladesh. Participants People older than 18 years of age, not pregnant and no history of surgery for the last 3 months were eligible to participate. Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcomes were proportions of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation among the rural population. The secondary outcome was identification of correlates which contributed to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and roll-out participation. Χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify relevant correlates such as sociodemographic factors, clinical conditions and COVID-19-related factors. Results A total of 1603 participants were enrolled. The overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was very high (1521/1601, 95%), and half of the participants received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of participants wanted to keep others safe (89%) and agreed to the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines (88%). To fulfil the requirement of online registration for the vaccine at the time, 62% of participants had to visit an internet café and only 31% downloaded the app. Over half (54%) of participants were unaware of countries they knew and trust to produce the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased age, being housewives, underweight and undergraduate education level were associated with vaccine acceptance, while being female, increased age and being overweight/obese were associated with vaccine uptake. Trust in the health department and practical knowledge regarding COVID-19 vaccines were positively associated with both vaccine acceptance and uptake. Conclusion This study found a very high COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in rural Bangladesh. Policymakers should support interventions aimed at increasing vaccine and general health literacy and ensure ongoing vaccine supply and improvement of infrastructure in rural areas.
Jaguar’s Predation and Human Shield, a Tapir Story

Despite the risks associated, some species choose to shield behind a predator to decrease predation risk by another predator. In this study, we demonstrate how Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) use humans as a “shield” to reduce the risk of being preyed upon by jaguars (Panthera onca). We collected georeferenced photographic records of 23 tapirs (seven of them injured) sighted near human settlements (0 to 5 km) in the Calakmul region of Mexico from 2008 to 2019. Using multidimensional scale analysis, we determined which possible factors (tapir health status, injuries, distance to the settlement, as well as seasonality) are related to the decision of tapirs to approach human settlements. To support our claims of jaguars’ attacks, we described the pattern of injuries believed to have been inflicted by jaguars on tapirs, and we analysed photographs and videos of species of the genus Panthera attacking larger prey than themselves to establish a pattern of injuries and compare it to the injuries observed on tapirs. Our study shows that tapir sightings near human settlements are related to health deterioration, injuries by jaguars and seasonality. The injuries found on tapirs are similar to those caused by other big cats on large prey, providing strong support for jaguar-inflicted wounds. Further studies should investigate whether the increasing human presence in different habitats in the Neotropical region could be influencing the behaviour and distribution of prey and predators.
Stability of Self-Adaptive Dielectrics Under Various Electrical-Thermal Stress

Nonlinear dielectrics with self-adaptive electrical parameters (SADs) are promising for field grading and stress control in key parts of high-voltage apparatus. However, the performance of SADs can be considerably affected by various electrical-thermal excitations and their reliability in these complicated working conditions should be further validated. This article has prepared SADs that consists of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and silicone rubber (SR) composites with different ZnO microvaristor filler concentrations. Nonlinear <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>–<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> characteristics of the composites are measured under different thermal excitations, including wide temperature range, heat cycles, as well as local hot spots caused by transient overvoltage. The article has summarized the effect of the electrical-thermal excitations on the nonlinear conducting behavior of the composites and analyzed its mechanism, through which the reliability of SADs under these working conditions is evaluated and the influences of filler and polymer matrix property on the thermal stability of the composites are discussed. Finally, suggestions for field grading as well as material design are proposed.
Outcomes in patients with moderate and asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis followed up in heart valve clinics

Background Heart valve clinics (HVC) have been introduced to manage patients with valvular heart disease within a multidisciplinary team. Objective To determine the outcome benefit of HVC approach compared with standard of care (SOC) for patients with moderate and asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (mAS and asAS). Methods Single-centre, observational registry of patients with mAS and asAS with at least one cardiac ambulatory consultation at our Cardiovascular Centre. Based on the outpatient strategy, patients were divided into HVC group, if receiving at least one visit at HVC, and SOC group, if followed by routine cardiac consultations. Results 2129 patients with mAS and asAS were divided into those followed in HVC (n=251) versus SOC group (n=1878). The mean age was 76.5±12.4 years; 919 (43.2%) had asAS. During a follow-up of 4.8±1.8 years, 822 patients (38.6%) died, 307 (14.4%) were hospitalised for heart failure and 596 (28%) underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). After propensity score matching, the number of consultations per year, exercise stress tests, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) determinations and CTs were higher in the HVC cohort (p<0.05 for all). A shorter time between indication of AVR and less advanced New York Heart Association class was reported in the HVC cohort (p<0.001 and p=0.032). Compared with SOC, the HVC approach was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR=0.63, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.98, p=0.038) and cardiovascular death (p=0.030). At multivariable analysis, the HVC remained an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR=0.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.85, p=0.007). Conclusions In patients with mAS and asAS, the HVC approach was associated with more efficient management and outcome benefit compared with SOC.