Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as Predictors of Short-Term Survival in Patients with Advanced Malignant Biliary Obstruction Treated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Background: Effective biliary tree decompression plays a central role in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). When endoscopic drainage is unfeasible or unsuccessful, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is the method of choice and preferred treatment approach in advanced hilar MBO. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) reflects the patient’s immunonutritional status, while the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects the patient’s inflammation status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of preprocedural PNI and NLR on short-term survival in the advanced stage MBO population threatened with PTBD and to characterize the differences in immunonutritional and inflammatory status between 60-day survivors and non-survivors, as well as analyze other variables influencing short-term survival. Methods: This single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing palliative PTBD caused by MBO as a definitive therapeutic treatment between March 2020 and February 2022. After the procedure, patients were followed until the end of August 2022. Results: A total of 136 patients with malignant biliary obstruction were included in the study. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, optimal cut off-values for NLR (3) and PNI (36.7) were determined. In univariate regression analysis, age, absolute neutrophil count, albumin level, NLR ≤ 3, and PNI ≥ 36.7 were significant predictors of 60-day survival. Level of obstruction and PNI ≥ 36.7 were statistically significant independent predictors of 60-day survival in a multivariate regression model. Using PNI ≥ 36.7 as a significant coefficient from the multivariate regression model with the addition of NLR ≤ 3 from univariate analysis, a 60-day survival score was developed. Conclusions: PNI and NLR are easy to calculate from routine blood analysis, which is regularly conducted for cancer patients. As such, they represent easily available, highly reproducible, and inexpensive tests capable of expressing the severity of systemic inflammatory responses in patients with cancer. Our study highlights that preprocedural PNI and NLR values provide predictors of short-term survival in patients with MBO treated with palliative PTBD. In addition, the proposed 60-day survival score can contribute to better selection of future candidates for PTBD and recognition of high-risk patients with expected poor outcomes.
Design of a Scaled Roller-Rig Test Bench for Anti-Slip Control Development for Railway Traction

Anti-slip control is a prominent part of modern railway traction control systems due both to performance and safety concerns. This paper explains the development of a scaled roller-rig test bench which emulates the rail and the wheel of a train. The final purpose of the developed roller-rig test bench is twofold: to study the theory/behaviour of existing anti-slip strategies and to test new designs, before their implementation in the real system. Estimation of adhesion coefficient using a disturbance observer method is explained and tested under various conditions. Anti-slip control is implemented in wheel drive using a direct method by adding a slip speed controller. The tests are conducted using both fixed roller speed and variable roller speed, i.e. dynamic roller. In this second case, train inertia emulation will be key. Two methods are proposed to emulate train inertia, being this the main contribution of this paper. Both methods are verified in simulation first, and further confirmed experimentally in the test bench.
Metamorphic rocks of the 1985 Tibet Geotraverse, Lhasa to Golmud

Two examples of uplifted basement have been studied in the Lhasa Terrane of the Tibetan Plateau. The Nyainqentanglha orthogneisses are bounded by staurolite-garnet schists to the north which record prograde metamorphism at 5 . 0 ± 1.3 kbar, 610 ± 70 °C. Garnet sillimanite xenoliths within the orthogneiss suggest that peak temperatures reached at least 700 ± 70 °C at 5.1 ± 2 . 5 kbar. These P / T fields reflect high T/low P metamorphism during Eocene subduction, and indicate that the syntectonic Nyainqentanglha orthogneiss was emplaced at depths greater than 10 km. Sillimanite-bearing assemblages from the Amdo gneisses in the northern Lhasa Terrane provide evidence of crustal anatexis at temperatures > 680 °C. This event is poorly constrained in time but is probably Cambrian or earlier. Within the Kunlun Terrane, biotite and garnet isograds north of the Xidatan Fault indicate an increase in metamorphic grade from north to south, reaching peak metamorphism at 470 ± 30 °C, 4 . 3 ± 1.5 kbar synchronous with the emplacement of the Triassic batholith. Regional metamorphism was followed by uplift of at least 2 km before emplacement of post-tectonic, early Jurassic granites.
Awareness About Keratoconus and Its Relation With Eye Rubbing: A Cross-Sectional Study in Medina

Background: Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory, bilateral, asymmetrical progressive disorder characterized by ectasia, thinning, and increased curvature of the cornea, as well as loss of visual acuity. Eye rubbing is considered the most common risk factor for keratoconus. Objectives: This study aims to assess the awareness of the population in Medina about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 767 participants via an online pre-designed questionnaire from November 2021 to January 2022, in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Results: Among the study participants, 94.1% have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Participants who have a visual disturbance and positive family history of keratoconus were found to have good awareness levels. Those who heard about keratoconus represent 39.8% of the participants, and relatives with keratoconus were the most common source of their information. An allergic reaction was reported by 34.9% of the participants, and 7.7% have a family history of keratoconus. Only 27.8% believe in the relationship between keratoconus and allergy, and 61.9% have no idea about the treatment. For eye rubbing, 28.9% of participants believe it can lead to keratoconus; also, 80.4% reported rubbing their eyes, and itching was the most common cause of their behavior. Conclusion: The majority of the participants have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Health education programs for the population should be conducted to enhance public awareness about keratoconus.
A Statistical Analysis of Near-Core Surface Wind Asymmetries in Typhoons Obtained from QuikSCAT Data

The relationships between near-core surface wind asymmetries in typhoons and both the environmental vertical wind shear and typhoon movement are examined using the historical QuikSCAT (NASA Quick Scatterometer) wind data, putting stress on the azimuthal location of the tangential wind maximum. The results clearly show that the highest winds occur preferentially to the left of shear as well as to the right of storm motion when their effects on the wind fields are separately evaluated using a composite approach. A further composite analysis reveals that the magnitude of left to right asymmetry with respect to storm motion or shear depends largely on the directional difference between shear and storm motion with the largest asymmetry being generated when their directions are opposite to each other. In cases where shear and storm motion vectors point toward a similar direction under relatively strong shear conditions, the left to right asymmetry is very small and a significant percentage of the cases exhibit a left-of-motion maximum. These results are highly consistent with previous ones which were obtained from the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) operational mesoscale analysis wind data. In the present study, the effect of inner-core rainfall asymmetry on the azimuthal location of the tangential wind maximum is also examined. The results show that the relation between shear and surface wind asymmetry can be described in terms of rainfall asymmetry in place of shear, as expected from the increasingly well-documented strong connection between shear and rainfall asymmetry, suggesting that the asymmetric features of over-ocean wind fields in typhoons could be estimated to some degree using information on typhoon motion and rainfall asymmetry.
Lockdown Fatigue in Pediatric Respiratory Patients: Lessons from the First COVID-19 Year

Lockdown policies have been implemented worldwide to limit the spread of COVID-19. “Lockdown fatigue” is a state of exhaustion related to the accumulating effects of repeated lockdowns. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of repeated lockdowns on children with respiratory disorders. Data on children aged 0–18 years old with respiratory disorders were collected by an electronic survey during the third lockdown in Israel. The retrieved information included demographics and baseline medical status, respiratory clinical status during the third lockdown compared to pre-lockdown periods, lockdown adherence, lifestyle modifications and caregiver emotional status. The results were compared to those of a similar questionnaire distributed during the first lockdown. A total of 234 patients (62% males, 37% females, mean age 6.8 years (confidence interval 6.1–7.5)) were enrolled. Respiratory symptoms and exacerbation frequency were reduced in 76 (35.5%) and 58 (27.4%) patients, respectively, compared to the pre-lockdown period and similar to the first lockdown (p = 0.840 and p = 0.063, respectively). However, compared to the first lockdown, the third lockdown was associated with greater use of reliever medications (p = 0.006), less use of inhaled corticosteroids as routine treatment (p = 0.027), and more pediatric emergency room visits and hospitalizations (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The results also showed an increase in sedentary lifestyle (e.g., reduced physical activity (p = 0.025), less healthy eating habits (p = 0.001)) and reduced adherence to lockdown policies (p < 0.001). These data show that the continuing stability of clinical improvement during lockdown was accompanied by deleterious sequelae that potentially indicate “lockdown fatigue” among children with respiratory disorders.
Intention and Attitude to Accept a Pertussis Cocooning Vaccination among Chinese Children’s Guardians: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: to assess Chinese children’s guardians’ intentions and attitudes toward accepting a pertussis cocooning vaccination and its determinants. Methods: a self-administered questionnaire was designed based on a theoretical framework that originated mainly from the reasoned action approach. Associations between questionnaire variables and outcomes were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses with odds ratios (OR), regression coefficients (β), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: among 762 eligible participants, most (80.71%) reported a positive intention to accept a pertussis cocooning vaccination. The guardians’ positive intention was related to the children’s pertussis vaccination experience (OR = 2.483, 95% CI: 1.340–4.600). Guardians who had a positive attitude towards pertussis vaccination (OR = 1.554, 95% CI: 1.053–2.296), higher subjective norms (OR = 1.960, 95% CI: 1.371–2.802) and better perceived behavioral control (OR = 7.482, 95% CI: 4.829–11.591) stated a higher intention to receive a pertussis cocooning vaccination. The mean attitude score was 3.88 ± 0.863. Greater risk perception about pertussis (β = 0.390, 95% CI: 0.298–0.483), stronger obligation from moral norms (β = 0.355, 95% CI: 0.279–0.430), and good knowledge (β = 0.108, 95% CI: 0.070–0.146) were significantly related to positive attitude toward pertussis cocooning vaccination among guardians. Conclusions: Chinese children’s guardians held positive intentions and attitudes toward accepting a pertussis cocooning vaccination. The current findings described the determinants of such intention and attitude and provided knowledge based on improving guardians’ intentions for policymakers if cocooning vaccinations or related immunization strategies are implemented in China in the future.
Experimental Investigation of Trigger Problem in Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic reconnection releases magnetic energy not only in steady state, but also in time-dependent and often explosive events. Here, we investigate the trigger mechanism for this explosive release by using a toroidal experiment in the strong guide-field regime. We observe spontaneous reconnection events with exponentially growing reconnection rates, and we characterize the full 3D dynamics of these events using multiple internal probes. The reconnection is asymmetric: it begins at one toroidal location and propagates around in both directions. The spontaneous onset is facilitated by an interaction between the x-line current channel and a global mode, which appears in the electrostatic potential. It is this mode which breaks axisymmetry and enables a localized decrease in x-line current. We apply a simple model—which relies on ion polarization currents for current continuity—to reproduce the exponential growth and compute the growth rate. The result agrees well with the experimental growth rate.
Wild Wheat Rhizosphere-Associated Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Exudates: Effect on Root Development in Modern Wheat and Composition

Diazotrophic bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of a wild wheat ancestor, grown from its refuge area in the Fertile Crescent, were found to be efficient Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), upon interaction with an elite wheat cultivar. In nitrogen-starved plants, they increased the amount of nitrogen in the seed crop (per plant) by about twofold. A bacterial growth medium was developed to investigate the effects of bacterial exudates on root development in the elite cultivar, and to analyze the exo-metabolomes and exo-proteomes. Altered root development was observed, with distinct responses depending on the strain, for instance, with respect to root hair development. A first conclusion from these results is that the ability of wheat to establish effective beneficial interactions with PGPRs does not appear to have undergone systematic deep reprogramming during domestication. Exo-metabolome analysis revealed a complex set of secondary metabolites, including nutrient ion chelators, cyclopeptides that could act as phytohormone mimetics, and quorum sensing molecules having inter-kingdom signaling properties. The exo-proteome-comprised strain-specific enzymes, and structural proteins belonging to outer-membrane vesicles, are likely to sequester metabolites in their lumen. Thus, the methodological processes we have developed to collect and analyze bacterial exudates have revealed that PGPRs constitutively exude a highly complex set of metabolites; this is likely to allow numerous mechanisms to simultaneously contribute to plant growth promotion, and thereby to also broaden the spectra of plant genotypes (species and accessions/cultivars) with which beneficial interactions can occur.
Evaluating Power Transfer of Transmission Lines and Proposing Power Transfer Reduction Actions to Enhance Small-Signal Stability

Small-signal stability (SSS) is one of the limiting factors for determining the power transfer capability (PTC) of transmission lines. Control centers try to optimally operate the system with the lowest probability of instability after a line outage contingency. Hence, this article proposes a novel framework to evaluate the PTC from the viewpoint of SSS, and for the violated cases, proper actions for power transfer reduction (PTR) are applied. The proposed methodology is based on a SSS optimal power flow problem. First, the proposed method identifies the stressful line by developing a novel index. Then, different dynamic parameters, which can be calculated quickly and reliably are introduced to evaluate the PTC of stressful line from the SSS viewpoint. Afterward, appropriate actions are enabled for the violated scenarios. These actions include generator redispatching and load shedding, which are exploited based on sensitivity analysis. The proposed framework not only can modify the power transfer of the understudy line, but also considers PTC constraints of other lines. The suggested scheme is evaluated on both IEEE 39 bus and 118 bus test systems. The obtained results confirm that the proposed scheme superiorly evaluates PTC and enhances SSS by applying the PTR action to preserve system security.
Prevalence of refractive errors among school-going children in a multistate study in India

Aim Much existing data on childhood refractive error prevalence in India were gathered in local studies, many now dated. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence, severity and determinants of refractive errors among school-going children participating in a multistate vision screening programme across India. Methods In this cross-sectional study, vision screening was conducted in children aged 5–18 years at schools in five states using a pocket vision screener. Refractive error was measured using retinoscopy, and subjective refraction and was defined both by spherical equivalent (SE) and spherical ametropia, as myopia ≤−0.5 diopters (D), hyperopia ≥+1.0 D and/or astigmatism as >0.5 D. Data from the eye with less refractive error were used to determine prevalence. Results Among 2 240 804 children (50.9% boys, mean age 11.5 years, SD ±3.3), the prevalence of SE myopia was 1.57% (95% CI 1.54% to 1.60%) at 5–9 years, 3.13% (95% CI 3.09% to 3.16%) at 10–14 years and 4.8% (95% CI 4.73% to 4.86%) at 15–18 years. Hyperopia prevalence was 0.59% (95% CI 0.57% to 0.61%), 0.54% (95% CI 0.53% to 0.56%) and 0.39% (95% CI 0.37% to 0.41%), respectively. When defined by spherical ametropia, these values for myopia were 0.84%, 2.50% and 4.24%, and those for hyperopia were 2.11%, 2.41% and 2.07%, respectively. Myopia was associated with older age, female gender, private school attendance, urban location and state. The latter appeared to be driven by higher literacy rates. Conclusions Refractive error, especially myopia, is common in India. Differences in prevalence between states appear to be driven by literacy rates, suggesting that the burden of myopia may rise as literacy increases.
VALIDITY OF PHYSICS MODULE INTEGRATING CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY IN MOMENTUM AND IMPULSE MATERIALS

This exploration depends on the low understudy learning results, the low understudy learning results, among others, brought about by the low innovative reasoning skill of understudies. This is partly due to the fact that in learning students are not accustomed to developing their creative thinking skills, this condition is due to the lack of teaching materials that facilitate students in improving their creative thinking skills which results in their learning outcomes. The solution is to develop a Physics learning module that integrates students' creative thinking skills. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity, practicality and effectiveness of the Physics learning module on Momentum and Impulse material for class X SMA. The type of research used is research and development (R&D) and the object of the research is a physics module that integrates creative thinking skills. The design model used is the ADDIE model. The research steps include: analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. Based on the data investigation that has been finished, the normal worth of the module validation is 89% which is in the very valid criteria, it very well may be reasoned that the physics module of integration of creative thinking skills on momentum and impulse material can be said to be valid and can be utilized in class X material science learning in high school
The Effect of Chronotype on Risk-Taking Behavior: The Chain Mediation Role of Self-Control and Emotional Stability

Background: Although previous studies indicate that chronotype might be associated with risk-taking behavior, the specific mechanism has not been thoroughly discussed. This study aimed to fill this gap by exploring the mediating role of self-control and the chain mediating role of self-control and emotional stability between chronotype and risk-taking behavior. Methods: A total of 547 Chinese college students between 18 and 24 years old were selected to complete the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Self-Control Scale (SCS), Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire-neuroticism (EPQ-N), and Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire: Risk Behavior Scale (ARQ-RB) to assess chronotype, risk-taking behavior, self-control, and emotional stability, respectively. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the relationships among these variables. Results: Our result showed significant positive correlations among chronotype, self-control, emotional stability, and significant negative correlations between self-control, emotional stability, and risk-taking behavior. We also found that chronotype had a significant predictive effect on risk-taking behavior in the chain mediation model. Specifically, chronotype affected risk-taking behavior through two pathways: the separate mediating role of self-control and the serial mediation pathway of self-control → emotional stability. Conclusions: Our study provides direct evidence that chronotype is associated with risk-taking behavior. The results showed that the predictive function of chronotype was mediated by self-control and emotional stability. This study provides a new perspective on preventing and reducing risk-taking behavior.
A Three-Phase Reduced Switch Count Multilevel Inverter Topology

Multilevel inverters play a vital role in the industrial and renewable energy sectors due to their flexibility in synthesizing sinusoidal waveforms using a low-pass filter with a medium voltage range. It has several drawbacks, such as a higher number of power component requirements and voltage balancing problems. In this study, a new structure for multilevel inverters has been developed to offer good power quality with minimum number of switching devices and gate driver circuits. The proposed structure is configured to operate in symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations for single/three-phase versions. A simulation study using MATLAB/Simulink has been utilized to study the operating characteristics under both configurations. A laboratory prototype has been built to check the feasibility of the proposed structure for real-time applications.
POTENSI BUNGA TELANG (Clitoria ternatea L) SEBAGAI Antifungi Candida albicans, Malasezia furfur, Pitosprorum ovale, dan Aspergilus fumigatus DENGAN METODE BIOTEKNOLOGI FERMENTASI KOMBUCHA

Telang flower has the potential to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, Malasezia furfur, Pitosporum ovale, and Aspergilus fumigatus through the kombucha fermentation biotechnology method. The purpose of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of telang flower kombucha at various concentrations of white sugar. The varying concentrations of granulated sugar used in this study were 20%, 30%, and 40% (w/v), each repeated 3 times. The positive control used was kombucha made from green tea. The negative control used was sterile distilled water. The well diffusion method is one of the methods used to test antifungal activity. The fementation of telang flower kombucha has overall antifungal activity. White sugar concentration of 40% kombucha telang flower was the best concentration in inhibiting the growth of fungi as a whole when compared to the concentration of white sugar kombucha telang flower of 20%, 30% and positive and negative controls.