Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Continuous monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms: benefits and conditions for using fluorescence probes

In situ fluorescence probes have attracted growing interest for the on-line monitoring of cyanobacteria in drinking water treatment plants. The probes rely on the fluorescence of pigments such as phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a to detect respectively cyanobacteria and green algae. They offer direct and simultaneous multiparameter measurements and opportunity for online monitoring which can enable water operators to improve cyanobacteria management during the drinking water process. However, fluorescence probes can be influenced by interference sources which may results in biased measurements. The impact of these factors on probe readings can make the calibration and validation process difficult for operators. Hence, the aim of the study was to calibrate and validate fluorescence probe performance (here YSI EXO2 probe) for varying laboratory grown phytoplankton species. Although good linear correlation between raw probe fluorescence readings and cyanobacteria cell concentrations was found, measurement bias was observed using this probe in water samples with high turbidity (62 NFU) or Dissolved Organic Carbon concentration (10 mg∙L-1). These data showed the potential of fluorescence probes deployment in cyanobacteria monitoring with a deeper understanding of the potential interference sources that is required to interpret data correctly.
The effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation for dysphagia in stroke patients: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Numerous studies have explored the use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) intervention in post-stroke dysphagia. The primary aim of this umbrella review was to appraise the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SRs), with and without meta-analyses (MAs), that synthesized the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the effectiveness of rTMS in the management of dysphagia post-stroke. A secondary aim of was to evaluate the consistency and reliability of translational implications of rTMS for swallowing recovery after stroke across these SRs and MAs. We searched several databases from inception to the 14th of May 2023, to identify SRs and MAs that examined the effectiveness of rTMS in the management of dysphagia post-stroke. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated utilizing the AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) instrument. To investigate the extent of literature overlap among the primary studies included in the SRs, the Graphical Overview of Evidence (GROOVE) was utilized. Of the 19 SRs that were identified, two studies received low quality ratings, while the rest (17) were rated with critically low quality based on the AMSTAR 2 rating. A high literature overlap across the SRs was observed. In all SRs and MAs reviewed, there was a consistent presence of at least some significant evidence supporting the effectiveness of rTMS in enhancing swallowing outcomes for individuals with dysphagia post-stroke, that is, all MAs reported at least a moderate overall effect in favor of rTMS (SMD range = [0.59, 6.23]). While rTMS shows promise for improving dysphagia post-stroke, the current evidence remains limited and inconclusive due to the methodological flaws observed in the published SRs and their respective MAs on the topic so far. Concerning the limitations of our study, language restrictions and methodological shortcomings may affect the generalizability of our findings.
Perspective on infectious uveitis

Infectious uveitis is always the foremost consideration in the approach to a patient with uveitis. While many of these infectious uveitides have classical clinical presentations, such as toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, acute retinal necrosis, and tuberculous serpiginous-like choroidopathy, even more present in a myriad of ways that often confound the treating ophthalmologist. That aside, the treatment is frequently long-drawn, with chronicity and recurrences as frequent an outcome as cure. This perspective article gathers 6 uveitis specialists from around the globe to discuss their collective experience in this field, including pearls in diagnosing, treating, and managing infectious uveitis and their thoughts on how the rapidly changing field of uveitis will impact our practice in the future.
Evaluating the Association between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Obesity and Asthma Severity in 6-18 Years of Old Patients Referring to the Allergy Clinic of Urmia University of Medical Sciences

Asthma is a common disease in children with a prevalence of 7-10%. Asthmatic children are also affected by other underlying diseases. Management of this co-morbidity with asthma and another underlying disease is a unique challenge. The present study was carried out to evaluate the association between reflux and obesity and asthma severity in 6-18 years asthmatic children referring to the Allergy Clinic of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study, the inclusion criteria included having an age between 6 and 18 years and asthma. The exclusion criteria included cystic fibrosis (CF), immunodeficiency, bronchiectasis, chronic lung diseases, cerebral palsy, and patient death in the study. Demographic information (age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, and residence) and information related to the records of other diseases including (rhinitis, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux) were obtained through an information collection form. The mean age of 212 patients in the study was 8.4 years. The mean body mass index of the patients was 17.04 kg/m2. Among the patients, 11.8% were obese and 4.7% were overweight. No significant association was found between disease severity and obesity (P=0.44). The prevalence of reflux among the patients was 25.5%. There was no significant association between asthma severity and reflux (P=0.06). The results of the present study revealed no significant association between the presence of reflux and the severity of asthma. Also, the most common co-morbidities were reflux and obesity.
Comparison of Siriraj Stroke Score with Computed Tomography to Differentiate Acute Embolic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in a Tertiary Care-Teaching Center

Aim: The study aimed to compare Siriraj Stroke Score (SSS) with computed tomography (CT) in differentiating stroke subtypes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study consists of eighty consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department of the tertiary care-teaching center within four hours of the onset of stroke. A single experienced emergency medicine physician observed the patients for Siriraj score. An independent radiologist analyzed the CT of the patients who were not aware of the clinical condition. CT findings were considered the gold standard. Siriraj score findings were considered as a screening test. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of the screening test, along with their 95% confidence interval (CI), were presented. Results: A total of 80 subjects were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 56.4 years, with the majority being males (58.8%). The sensitivity and specificity for SSS were 96.92% and 90.91%, respectively. The SSS had excellent predictive validity in predicting CT findings, as indicated by the area under the curve of 0.994 (95% CI 0.983 to 1.000, p value <0.001). Conclusion: The clinical score, SSS, showed high sensitivity and specificity, and the results were satisfactory compared with CT imaging. Thus, it was concluded that SSS could be used for the bedside diagnosis to differentiate stroke subtypes in settings where CT scan facilities are lacking.
International Journal of

Both risk perception and moral disengagement underpin crisis intensification, and influence risk behaviours. This research, examines whether risk perception and moral disengagement mechanisms influence vandalism and militancy (terrorism), and if these mechanisms can provide alternative strategies for managing unconventional mass emergencies and disasters. This paper will also clarify and discuss the relevance of the concepts: moral disengagement, moral evaluation, and social trust. The influence and implications of risk perception and moral disengagement on crisis management on a case study of the vandalism and militant incidents that have occurred Niger Delta region over the last decade are discussed. Specifically, this investigation demonstrates that there are potential gains in crisis management, when crisis dimensions, morality issues, and risk perception are used to help anchor strategic options during crises. The present study found that people are more likely to disengage from moral conducts when the mechanisms of moral evaluation and disengagement are routinely experienced. In doing so, people become skilled at neutralising morally questionable behaviours and activities such as vandalism.
Model of thermal effect of fire within a dike on the oil tank

y. A. Abramov, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Prof., orcid.org/0000-0001-7901-3768, o. e. basmanov, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Prof., orcid.org/0000-0002-6434-6575, J. Salamov, orcid.org/0000-0003-3583-9618, A. A. mikhayluk, Cand. Sc. (Tech.), Senior Research fellow, orcid.org/0000-0002-4116-164x National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine, e-mail: alksey.basmanov@nuczu.edu. ua; mihayluk. nuczu@gmail.com
Risk factors associated with cervical dysplasia in women treated in a Peruvian hospital Factores de riesgo asociados a la displasia cervical en mujeres atendidas en un hospital peruano

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with cervical dysplasia in women older than 17 years. Methods: Case-control investigation involving 105 women (35 cases and 70 controls) in a regional hospital during the period January-December 2018. The information was obtained from medical records, entered into the Epi Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26 for study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Risk factors for cervical dysplasia were identified as secondary educational status or lower (ORa = 17.2, 95% CI 1.7-176.5), number of partners greater than three (ORa = 11.7, 95% CI 1.5-94.9), multigestation (ORa = 17.9, 95% CI 1.1-29.6) and use of oral contraceptives (ORa = 318.3, 95% CI 5.6-171.7). Conclusion: Secondary education or less, number of partners greater than 3, being multigestational, and oral contraceptive use were associated with an increased likelihood of having cervical dysplasia. Interventions should be made to strengthen health education on sexual practices with information on the desirability of early detection of cervical dysplasia.
Evaluating the effects of noise on the general health status of hospital employees

One of the most significant sources of workplace pollution that lowers people's quality of life is noise. Particularly in settings like hospitals, where the nature of the work necessitates the presence of tranquillity, these impacts are particularly apparent. This study aims to evaluate how noise impacts hospital staff members' general health. Seventy-five 75 hospital employees took part in the study. Hospital departments' sound levels were measured using a calibrated cel-231 sound meter. Saliva samples were taken in the morning and the evening to assess the levels of cortisol in two fasting and non-fasting stages. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, paired and independent t-tests, and analysis of variance. The study's findings revealed that the mean and standard deviation of the sound pressure levels at Ahvaz's Abuzar and Amir al-Momenin (AS) hospitals are 75.3 decibels and 76.9 decibels, respectively. It was discovered that there is a substantial difference in the amounts of cortisol released in the staff of the two hospitals concerning the impact of the hospital environment on cortisol (p=0.00). The mean sound pressure level in workplaces was shown to have an impact on workers' salivary cortisol concentration levels, according to the study's findings.
The Myths Surrounding the TRↄMO (The Bongo Antelope--Tragelaphus Eurycerus) and Fauna Conservation Among the Akan of Ghana: A Critical Analysis

Despite recent interest in indigenous religio-cultural studies on environmental conservation, only few studies have delved into how these indigenous beliefs and practices particularly those based on myths and rituals can assist in the conservation of some endangered fauna species. Through an ethnographic research project conducted in regions inhabited by the Akan ethnic group in Ghana, we examined the environmental and resource conservational values embedded in some of these religio-cultural beliefs and practices. In doing so, we focused especially on one particular animal, trɔmo (the bongo antelope), an endangered species about which there are many myths related to its huntability. Although we conclude that the bongo antelope is huntable by the Akan, the data shows that its hunting is not frequent as compared to other animals due to the fear embedded in the myths surrounding it. This fear helps in the conservation of bongo antelope species in the study areas. Keywords: Worldview , Myths on animals, Rituals, Conservation, Akan, Trↄmo (bongo antelope) Sasaduro ( anti -sasa Medicine) .
Cost of water for peace and the environment in Israel: An integrated approach

This paper presents a framework for discovering an economically viable water sharing plan among neighboring communities for promoting peace and environmental protection. Its application is to the Middle East in which Israel may be facing water supply obligations to address environmental requirements and for a possible a peace agreement with its Palestinian neighbors. The framework consists of integrating external factors, constraints, policy instruments, and targets. Our findings from a constrained optimization analysis of Israel's national water system show that the costs of increased deliveries are dependent on two major issues: (1) achieving integrated water resources management (IWRM) in which efficient combinations of expansion from several supply sources and reductions in demands occur over time, and (2) the cost of desalination technologies. We identify a $US 1.46 billion price tag, in present value terms, from using integrated management of demand reduction and supply expansion under current desalination costs. Adjustment costs will decline both with anticipated reductions in desalination costs and with an efficient implementation of IWRM. These adjustments can contribute to moderating regional tensions and protecting key ecological assets while addressing water scarcity in a volatile corner of the world.
Development of a Tremor Detection Algorithm for use in an Academic Movement Disorders Center

Abstract: Tremor, defined as an "involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movement of a body part," is a key feature of many neurological conditions, but is still clinically assessed by visual observation. Methodologies for objectively quantifying tremor are promising but remain non-standardized across centers. Our center performs full-body behavioral testing with 3D motion capture for clinical and research purposes for patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and other conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of several candidate processing pipelines to identify the presence or absence of tremor in kinematic data from movement disorders patients compared to expert ratings from movement disorders specialists. We curated a database of 2,272 separate kinematic data recordings from our center, each of which was contemporaneously annotated as tremor present or absent by a clinical provider. We compared the ability of six separate processing pipelines to recreate clinician ratings based on F1 score, in addition to accuracy, precision, and recall. We found generally comparable performance across algorithms. The average F1 score was 0.84 0.02 (Mean ISD; range 0.81 - 0.87), with all F1 confidence intervals overlapping. The highest performing algorithm (cross-validated F1 = 0.87) was a hybrid that used engineered features adapted from an algorithm in longstanding clinical use with a modern Support Vector Machine classifier. Taken together, our results suggest the potential to update legacy clinical decision support systems to incorporate modern machine learning classifiers in order to create better performing tools.
Participatory mangrove forest management in the Carey Island, Malaysia

In past 20 years, where there has been widespread degradation of mangroves, there are also cases where communities and governments have successfully restored their degraded mangroves. Researchers have emphasized on participatory models of management in mangrove forests. The present research aims to formulate a participatory management strategy to conserve mangrove forests in the Carey Island, Malaysia. The major management tool is a SWOT matrix analysis. For this purpose, the analysis of the data collected from 31 in-depth interviews with indigenous people living in the area of research as well as the information from the researchers’ observation resulted in identification of a series of internal and external factors in the targeted area in terms of conservation of the mangrove forest. The factors were then scored using a SWOT questionnaire filled by 312 respondents, and later, sixteen strategies were considered using SWOT matrix and pairwise matching for the conservation of the mangrove forests. Later, the Qualitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) was used and four prioritized strategies were determined. As a conclusion, the four prioritized strategies were all related to capacity building, involvement and participation of stakeholders in the process of the mangrove forest conservation. Therefore, mangrove forest management in Carey Island requires a participatory approach in a way that not only the mangrove harvesting would be sustainably controlled, but stakeholders, especially villagers, will be simultaneously empowered and take responsibility of the sustainable conservation of their habitat and its biodiversity.
Real-world impact of Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor treatment in young people with Cystic Fibrosis: A longitudinal study

Introduction: Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor, Ivacaftor (ETI) became available in the UK in August 2020 to treat people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) aged > 12 years. We report a real-world study of clinical outcomes in young people treated with ETI at our CF centre within the first two years of its availability. Methods: Participants aged 12 to 17 were identified within our clinic, with demographic data supplemented by the UK CF registry. Comprehensive outcome data spanning two years pre and two years post-initiation of CFTR modulators were compiled from various local sources, including patient records, medication delivery logs, and clinical notes. Results: Of the 62 patients started on ETI (32 male, mean age 13.3 years), most (76%) were homozygous for the F508del mutation. Three discontinuations occurred: one pregnancy, two related to side effects. Adherence was high (Proportion of Days covered >90% both years). Following ETI initiation there was a significant increase in mean FEV1% (+11.7 units; 95% CI 7.4 - 15.6), sustained throughout the two-year treatment period. There was no association between baseline lung function and the degree of improvement or rate of decline post-treatment. Improvements were similar for all treatable genotypes. There was a small increase in BMI z-score at four months of treatment, returning to baseline by 24 months. There was a marked reduction in the need for intravenous antibiotics. Conclusions: ETI use in adolescents in a real-world setting led to sustained improvements in health outcomes, consistent with those seen in open trial extension studies
Ensemble dynamics and information flow deduction from whole-brain imaging data

The recent advancements in large-scale activity imaging of neuronal ensembles offer valuable opportunities to comprehend the process involved in generating brain activity patterns and understanding how information is transmitted between neurons or neuronal ensembles. However, existing methodologies for extracting the underlying properties that generate overall dynamics are still limited. In this study, we applied previously unexplored methodologies to analyze time-lapse 3D imaging (4D imaging) data of head neurons of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. By combining time-delay embedding with the independent component analysis, we successfully decomposed whole-brain activities into a small number of component dynamics. Through the integration of results from multiple samples, we extracted common dynamics from neuronal activities that exhibit apparent divergence across different animals. Notably, while several components show common cooperativity across samples, some component pairs exhibited distinct relationships between individual samples. We further developed time series prediction models of synaptic communications. By combining dimension reduction using the general framework, gradient kernel dimension reduction, and probabilistic modeling, the overall relationships of neural activities were incorporated. By this approach, the stochastic but coordinated dynamics were reproduced in the simulated whole-brain neural network. We found that noise in the nervous system is crucial for generating realistic whole-brain dynamics. Furthermore, by evaluating synaptic interaction properties in the models, strong interactions within the core neural circuit, variable sensory transmission and importance of gap junctions were inferred. Virtual optogenetics can be also performed using the model. These analyses provide a solid foundation for understanding information flow in real neural networks.
Effectiveness and safety of eltrombopag in connective tissue disease patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective study

Abstract Objectives We aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of eltrombopag for adult patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) secondary to connective tissue disease (CTD). Methods This is a single-centre, retrospective cohort and propensity score-matched study. Data from CTD-ITP patients treated with eltrombopag between January 2019 and January 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Baseline characteristics and follow-up information were recorded. CTD patients without ITP were matched to identify the risk factors associated with CTD-ITP performed by Logistic regression analysis. Results Twenty patients were enrolled, including 5 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 9 Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and 6 undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Nineteen (95%) patients were female, and the median age was 59 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that anaemia (OR = 8.832, P = 0.007) was associated with increased risk of ITP, while non-erosive arthritis (OR = 0.045, P = 0.001) and interstitial lung disease (OR = 0.075, P = 0.031) were associated with reduced risk. Fourteen patients (70%) achieved a complete response (CR) and one (5%) achieved a partial response (PR). The median response time was 14 days. The median platelet count was 8.5 × 109/l at baseline of eltrombopag and increased to 122 × 109/l after 4 weeks. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions Eltrombopag appears to be effective, safe and well-tolerated in refractory ITP patients with CTD; larger studies are needed to confirm the generalizability of these findings.