Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Mini Nutritional Assessment Score and Infection in Critical Care Patients

Background: Nutrition and infectious diseases are 2 influential factors. Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score is one of the indicators for assessing the nutritional status of the patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MNA– short form (SF) and the infectious status of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hazrat-e-Rasoul hospital in Tehran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed at Hazrat-e-Rasoul hospital in Tehran from 2019 to 2020. Each patient completed the MNA–SF questionnaire. The questionnaire has 6 factors with a score range of 0 to 14, with 12 to 14 indicating "normal nutrition," 8 to 11 indicating "at risk of malnutrition," and 0 to 7 indicating "malnutrition. " The patients were monitored for clinical and paraclinical signs and symptoms of infectious disease for the first 14 days after being admitted to the ICU. Then, the relationship between infection level and MNA–SF scores were recorded and the chi-square, independent samples t test, and Pearson correlation test were used. Results: In this study, 119 patients (60 men and 59 women), with a mean age of 53.82 ± 19.76 years were selected, and 71 (59.67%) of the patients had an infection. Women without infection were significantly more than men (p=0.021). In the assessment of the MNA–SF questionnaire, we found that 62 (52.1%) patients had "normal nutrition" status, 30 (25.2%), and 27 (22.7%) had "at risk for malnutrition" and "malnutrition" status, respectively. MNA–SF scores were significantly different in different age groups (p=0.040). There was a significant relationship between weight loss, mobility, and neuropsychological problems with age (p<0.001). Also, there was a meaningful relationship between nutritional status and infection (p=0.032). The results determined that noninfected cases among the patients with "normal nutrition" status were more than those "at risk for malnutrition" (p=0.007). The results of this study showed that clinical outcomes had a significant relationship with nutritional status (p=0.043). Conclusion: Based on the present study, good nutritional status can reduce infection and mortality in patients who are admitted to ICU, and the nutritional status assessed with MNA-SF can play an essential role in patients' susceptibility to infection.
Stellar population synthesis models between 2.5 and 5 μm based on the empirical IRTF stellar library

We present the first single-burst stellar population models in the infrared wavelength range between 2.5 and 5 mu m which are exclusively based on empirical stellar spectra. Our models take as input 180 spectra from the stellar IRTF (Infrared Telescope Facility) library. Our final single-burst stellar population models are calculated based on two different sets of isochrones and various types of initial mass functions of different slopes, ages larger than 1 Gyr and metallicities between [Fe/H] = -0.70 and 0.26. They are made available online to the scientific community on the MILES web page. We analyse the behaviour of the Spitzer [3.6]-[4.5] colour calculated from our single stellar population models and find only slight dependences on both metallicity and age. When comparing to the colours of observed early-type galaxies, we find a good agreement for older, more massive galaxies that resemble a single-burst population. Younger, less massive and more metal-poor galaxies show redder colours with respect to our models. This mismatch can be explained by a more extended star formation history of these galaxies which includes a metal-poor or/and young population. Moreover, the colours derived from our models agree very well with most other models available in this wavelength range. We confirm that the mass-to-light ratio determined in the Spitzer [3.6] mu m band changes much less as a function of both age and metallicity than in the optical bands.
A Prospective Study of Various Anesthetic Techniques in Patients with Acyanotic Congenital Heart Diseases Undergoing Device Closure

Background and Aims: Transcatheter device closure of congenital heart defects (CHD) has recently gained popularity. As limited literature exists regarding the ideal anesthetic technique for these procedures, we studied the perioperative anesthetic management and its effects on hemodynamics and complication rate in patients undergoing device closure. Methods: In this prospective observational study, all patients of 1 month to 50 years of age with acyanotic congenital heart diseases undergoing device closure were included. The anesthesia technique, i.e., general anesthesia with endotracheal tube (GETA)/supraglottic airway device (SGD) or conscious sedation with face mask (S-FM), and intravenous induction agent used was noted. Intraoperatively vital parameters, use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and perioperative complications if any, were noted. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 15. Results: GETA was used in the atrial septal defect (ASD) (62.8%), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (66.7%), ventricular septal defect (VSD) (65%) patients, SGD in ASD (6.3%), PDA (16.7%), and VSD (13.3%) patients. S-FM in ASD (31.3%), PDA (16.7%) and VSD (21.7%) patients. Etomidate was used as an induction agent in 30.61% of the patients and propofol in 69.39% of the patients. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the etomidate and propofol groups was statistically insignificant while decreased heart rate was noted in both groups. Complications like SGD dislodgement, supraventricular tachycardia, and device dislodgements were seen. Conclusion: In PDA device closure patients, GETA should be preferred. Patients for VSD device closure should receive general anesthesia as complications are common. In ASD device closure, patients without TEE use can be done under general anesthesia with SGD.
Above-threshold ionization and photoelectron spectra in atomic systems driven by strong laser fields

Above-threshold ionization (ATI) results from strong field laser-matter interaction and it is one of the fundamental processes that may be used to extract electron structural and dynamical information about the atomic or molecular target. Moreover, it can also be used to characterize the laser field itself. Here, we develop an analytical description of ATI, which extends the theoretical Strong Field Approximation (SFA), for both the direct and re-scattering transition amplitudes in atoms. From a non-local, but separable potential, the bound-free dipole and the re-scattering transition matrix elements are analytically computed. In comparison with the standard approaches to the ATI process, our analytical derivation of the re-scattering matrix elements allows us to study directly how the re-scattering process depends on the atomic target and laser pulse features -we can turn on and off contributions having different physical origins or corresponding to different physical mechanisms. We compare SFA results with the full numerical solutions of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation (TDSE) within the few-cycle pulse regime. Good agreement between our SFA and TDSE model is found for the ATI spectrum. Our model captures also the strong dependence of the photoelectron spectra on the carrier envelope phase of the laser field.
Power-law cosmology, SN Ia, and BAO

We revise observational constraints on the class of models of modified gravity which at low redshifts lead to a power-law cosmology. To this end we use available public data on Supernova Ia and on baryon acoustic oscillations. We show that the expansion regime a(t) ∼ tβ with β close to 3/2 in a spatially flat universe is a good fit to these data.
Primary School Teachers’ Preparation and Use of Lesson Plans in Igunga District, Tanzania

This study examined teachers’ frequency of preparation and use of lesson plans. The study location was Igunga District of Tabora Region in Tanzania. Mixed approach and explanatory research design were used and a total of 69 respondents were sampled. Among them, 60 were teachers from four purposely selected primary schools, four were head teachers and five were school quality assurance officers. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview schedule and document. Analysis of data was done through the thematic approach and the descriptive statistics. The established that not all teachers prepared the lesson plans; there were those who prepared frequently, those who prepared occasionally and those who did not prepare at all. It is also concluded that not all teachers used the prepared lesson plans in the classrooms during teaching and learning process. There were those who used lesson plans frequently, those who used lesson plans occasionally and those who did not use the lesson plans at all in the teaching and learning process. The researchers therefore recommended that teachers should be given more in service training on the preparation of lesson plans and they should be closely capacitated for them to refrain from teaching without prerequisite guiding documents including lesson plans. Head teachers as internal quality assurers and the DSQAOs as external quality assurers should closely supervise teachers to fulfill this crucial role as professional teachers. Educational leaders at district and national levels should ensure effective preparation and use of lesson plans to teachers through close monitoring and facilitating teachers with all necessary tools for the preparation of lesson plans.
Hacked kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) show similar patterns of post-fledging food dependency as wild reared birds: implications for best practice in release management of orphaned raptors

One of the challenges of wildlife rehabilitation is ensuring that rehabilitated animals have the required characteristics for survival after release. This is especially the case for orphaned animals that normally develop survival skills during a prolonged period of parental care. For raptors, this is called the post-fledging dependency period (PDP), where parents provide nutritional support to juveniles whilst they develop the physiological and behavioural characteristics required to successfully hunt prey. Orphaned raptors can be rehabilitated and released using a method termed “hacking,” a type of “soft-release” where fledglings are released from a nest box, which they learn to associate with food. This method gives the birds an opportunity to develop prey capture skills, whilst continued nutritional support is provided by rehabilitators at the box. Here, we used a hacking method to rehabilitate and release 15 orphaned kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and observed the pattern of return to the hacking box. Of the released birds, 80% returned to the hack site for food at least once. The average number of days birds returned to the box was 12.67 ± 8.76, and there was a clear trend towards a gradual decrease in return rate (number of visits to the box per day) over time. Our observations are comparable to patterns of PDP in wild-reared kestrels and we therefore suggest that orphaned kestrels can be successfully rehabilitated in this way.
Targeting Phospholipase D Pharmacologically Prevents Phagocytic Function Loss of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Exposed to High Glucose Levels

We previously described the participation of canonical phospholipase D isoforms (PLD1 and PLD2) in the inflammatory response of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells exposed to high glucose concentrations (HG). Here, we studied the role of the PLD pathway in RPE phagocytic function. For this purpose, ARPE-19 cells were exposed to HG (33 mM) or to normal glucose concentration (NG, 5.5 mM) and phagocytosis was measured using pHrodo™ green bioparticles® or photoreceptor outer segments (POS). HG exposure for 48 and 72 h reduced phagocytic function of ARPE-19 cells, and this loss of function was prevented when cells were treated with 5 μM of PLD1 (VU0359595 or PLD1i) or PLD2 (VU0285655-1 or PLD2i) selective inhibitors. Furthermore, PLD1i and PLD2i did not affect RPE phagocytosis under physiological conditions and prevented oxidative stress induced by HG. In addition, we demonstrated PLD1 and PLD2 expression in ABC cells, a novel human RPE cell line. Under physiological conditions, PLD1i and PLD2i did not affect ABC cell viability, and partial silencing of both PLDs did not affect ABC cell POS phagocytosis. In conclusion, PLD1i and PLD2i prevent the loss of phagocytic function of RPE cells exposed to HG without affecting RPE function or viability under non-inflammatory conditions.
Computing planetary atmospheres with algorithms derived from action thermodynamics and a novel version of the virial theorem for gravitating polyatomic molecules

An objective revision of the Laplace barometric formula for isothermal planetary atmospheres is proposed. From Clausius virial theorem equating the root mean square kinetic energy to half the gravitational potential energy, planetary atmospheres are required to have declining temperature with altitude as a consequence of the interaction between thermodynamic heat flow and gravity. The virial action hypothesis predicts non adiabatic lapse rates in temperature yielding a practical means to calculate variations with altitude in atmospheric entropy, free energy, molecular density and pressure. Remarkably, the new formulae derived enable prediction of atmospheric profiles with physical properties closely resembling those observed on Earth, Venus and Mars. These new formulae provide an objective basis for computing the dynamic morphology of the atmosphere. Climate scientists may consider this explanatory hypothesis for self organisation of planetary atmospheres for its possible relevance for predicting global surface temperatures.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE STELLAR MASS FUNCTIONS OF STAR-FORMING AND QUIESCENT GALAXIES TO z = 4 FROM THE COSMOS/UltraVISTA SURVEY

We present measurements of the stellar mass functions (SMFs) of star-forming and quiescent galaxies to z = 4 using a sample of 95,675 Ks-selected galaxies in the COSMOS/UltraVISTA field. The SMFs of the combined population are in good agreement with previous measurements and show that the stellar mass density of the universe was only 50%, 10%, and 1% of its current value at z ∼ 0.75, 2.0, and 3.5, respectively. The quiescent population drives most of the overall growth, with the stellar mass density of these galaxies increasing as ρstar∝(1 + z)−4.7 ± 0.4 since z = 3.5, whereas the mass density of star-forming galaxies increases as ρstar∝(1 + z)−2.3 ± 0.2. At z > 2.5, star-forming galaxies dominate the total SMF at all stellar masses, although a non-zero population of quiescent galaxies persists to z = 4. Comparisons of the Ks-selected star-forming galaxy SMFs with UV-selected SMFs at 2.5 < z < 4 show reasonable agreement and suggest that UV-selected samples are representative of the majority of the stellar mass density at z > 3.5. We estimate the average mass growth of individual galaxies by selecting galaxies at fixed cumulative number density. The average galaxy with log(Mstar/M☉) = 11.5 at z = 0.3 has grown in mass by only 0.2 dex (0.3 dex) since z = 2.0 (3.5), whereas those with log(Mstar/M☉) = 10.5 have grown by >1.0 dex since z = 2. At z < 2, the time derivatives of the mass growth are always larger for lower-mass galaxies, which demonstrates that the mass growth in galaxies since that redshift is mass-dependent and primarily bottom-up. Lastly, we examine potential sources of systematic uncertainties in the SMFs and find that those from photo-z templates, stellar population synthesis modeling, and the definition of quiescent galaxies dominate the total error budget in the SMFs.
metamodern model for managing stakeholder relationships in non-profit organisations

It is posited that this article is an important theoretical addition in the field of strategic communication as it seeks to eradicate the conceptual tension between the two dominant discourses, namely modernist and postmodernist explanations of how organisations should manage stakeholder relationships. Modernists believe in a single truth, accept metanarratives and believe that grand theory represents knowledge and can explain everything, whilst postmodernists reject the absolute standards and grand theories typical of modernism in favour of awareness and tolerance of differences, ambiguity and conflict. This article links these two perspectives in a new metamodern model for stakeholder relationship management, aimed specifically at the South African non-profit sector. A conceptual theoretical framework was developed and tested by means of exploratory qualitative and interpretative research through interviews with senior management in the non-profit sector. The findings suggest that a metamodern perspective requires constant negotiation between modernism and postmodernism. We also highlight the need for formaltraining in stakeholder relationship management. This entails adopting a micro-perspective by regularly identifying current strategic issues, mapping the stakeholders involved and linking them to these issues, and designing focused communication strategies to manage stakeholder relationships. The main research implications are that stakeholder relationship management is afunction which should not simply be delegated to the communication specialist, and that it should be practised from a metamodern perspective and not a modernistic or postmodern perspective. The originality and value of this research initiative lies in the development of a metamodern model for stakeholder relationship management for the non-profit sector which has been proposed and tested in practice.
Chiral and deconfinement transition from Dyson-Schwinger equations

We determine the quark condensate and the dressed Polyakov loop from the finite temperature Landau gauge quark propagator evaluated with U(1)-valued boundary conditions in an approximation to quenched QCD. These gauge invariant quantities allow for an investigation of the chiral and deconfinement transitions. We compare results from Dyson-Schwinger equations on a lattice with infinite volume continuum results and study the temperature and quark mass dependence of both quantities. In particular we investigate the chiral condensate and the dressed Polyakov loop in the chiral limit. We also consider an alternative order parameter for the deconfinement transition, the dual scalar quark dressing, and compare it with the dressed Polyakov loop. As a result we find only slightly different transition temperatures for the chiral and the deconfinement transitions at finite quark masses; in the chiral limit both transitions coincide.
WISE J061213.85-303612.5: a new T-dwarf binary candidate

Context. T and Y dwarfs are among the coolest and least luminous objects detected, and they can help to understand the properties of giant planets. Up to now, there are more than 350 T dwarfs that have been identified thanks to large imaging surveys in the infrared, and their multiplicity properties can shed light on the formation process. Aims. The aim of this work is to look for companions around a sample of seven ultracoool objects. Most of them have been discovered by the WISE observatory and have not been studied before for multiplicity. Methods. We observed a sample six T dwarfs and one L9 dwarf with the Laser Guide Star (LGS) and NAOS-CONICA, the adaptive optics (AO) facility, and the near infrared camera at the ESO Very Large Telescope. We observed all the objects in one or more near-IR filters (JHK_s). Results. From the seven observed objects, we have identified a subarcsecond binary system, WISE J0612-3036, composed of two similar components with spectral types of T6. We measure a separation of ρ = 350 ± 5 mas and a position angle of PA = 235 ± 1°. Using the mean absolute magnitudes of T6 dwarfs in the 2MASS JHK_s bands, we estimate a distance of d = 31 ± 6 pc and derive a projected separation of ρ ~ 11 ± 2 au. Another target, WISE J2255-3118, shows a very faint object at 1.3 in the K_s image. The object is marginally detected in H, and we derive a near infrared color of H − Ks> 0.1 mag. HST/WFC3 public archival data reveals that the companion candidate is an extended source. Together with the derived color, this suggests that the source is most probably a background galaxy. The five other sources are apparently single, with 3-σ sensitivity limits between H = 19–21 for companions at separations ≥ 0.5. Conclusions. WISE 0612-3036 is probably a new T-dwarf binary composed of two T6 dwarfs. As in the case of other late T-dwarf binaries, it shows a mass ratio close to 1, although its projected separation, ~11 au, is larger than the average (~5 au). Additional observations are needed to confirm that the system is bound.
A HIGHLY CONSISTENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE STAR-FORMING “MAIN SEQUENCE” FROM z ∼ 0–6

Using a compilation of 25 studies from the literature, we investigate the evolution of the star-forming galaxy (SFG) main sequence (MS) in stellar mass and star formation rate (SFR) out to z ∼ 6. After converting all observations to a common set of calibrations, we find a remarkable consensus among MS observations (∼0.1 dex 1σ interpublication scatter). By fitting for time evolution of the MS in bins of constant mass, we deconvolve the observed scatter about the MS within each observed redshift bin. After accounting for observed scatter between different SFR indicators, we find the width of the MS distribution is ∼0.2 dex and remains constant over cosmic time. Our best fits indicate the slope of the MS is likely time-dependent, with our best-fit log SFR(M*, t) = (0.84 ± 0.02 − 0.026 ± 0.003 × t)log M* − (6.51 ± 0.24 − 0.11 ± 0.03 × t), where t is the age of the universe in Gyr. We use our fits to create empirical evolutionary tracks in order to constrain MS galaxy star formation histories (SFHs), finding that (1) the most accurate representations of MS SFHs are given by delayed-τ models, (2) the decline in fractional stellar mass growth for a “typical” MS galaxy today is approximately linear for most of its lifetime, and (3) scatter about the MS can be generated by galaxies evolving along identical evolutionary tracks assuming an initial 1σ spread in formation times of ∼1.4 Gyr.