Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined effect of hygienic and polygenic risk scores in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND Although the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) is associated with multiple genetic and hygienic environmental factors, previous studies have focused mostly on the effect of a single factor on the development of AR. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of multiple genetic and hygienic environmental risk factors on AR development in school children. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study, comprising 1,797 children aged 9-12 years. Weighted environmental risk score (ERS) was calculated by using four hygienic environmental factors, including antibiotic use during infancy, cesarean section delivery, breast milk feeding, and having older siblings. Weighted polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated by using four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including interleukin-13 (rs20541), cluster of differentiation 14 (rs2569190), toll-like receptor 4 (rs1927911), and glutathione S-transferase P1 (rs1695). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS More than three courses of antibiotic use during infancy increased the risk of current AR (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.058; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.290-3.284). Having older siblings, especially > 2 (aOR, 0.526; 95%Cl: 0.303-0.913) had a protective effect. High ERS ( > median; aOR, 2.079; 95%Cl: 1.466-2.947) and PRS ( > median; aOR, 1.627; 95%Cl: 1.117-2.370) increased the risk of current AR independently. Furthermore, children who had both high ERS and PRS showed a higher risk of current AR (aOR, 3.176; 95%Cl: 1.787-5.645). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to multiple hygienic risk factors during infancy increases the risk of AR in genetically susceptible children.
The perceived control model of falling: developing a unified framework to understand and assess maladaptive fear of falling

Abstract Background fear of falling is common in older adults and can have a profound influence on a variety of behaviours that increase fall risk. However, fear of falling can also have potentially positive outcomes for certain individuals. Without progressing our understanding of mechanisms underlying these contrasting outcomes, it is difficult to clinically manage fear of falling. Methods this paper first summarises recent findings on the topic of fear of falling, balance and fall risk—including work highlighting the protective effects of fear. Specific focus is placed on describing how fear of falling influences perceptual, cognitive and motor process in ways that might either increase or reduce fall risk. Finally, it reports the development and validation of a new clinical tool that can be used to assess the maladaptive components of fear of falling. Results we present a new conceptual framework—the Perceived Control Model of Falling—that describes specific mechanisms through which fear of falling can influence fall risk. The key conceptual advance is the identification of perceived control over situations that threaten one’s balance as the crucial factor mediating the relationship between fear and increased fall risk. The new 4-item scale that we develop—the Updated Perceived Control over Falling Scale (UP-COF)—is a valid and reliable tool to clinically assess perceived control. Conclusion this new conceptualisation and tool (UP-COF) allows clinicians to identify individuals for whom fear of falling is likely to increase fall risk, and target specific underlying maladaptive processes such as low perceived control.
Linearly Polarized Infrared Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Biological Materials

The analysis of biological samples with polarized infrared spectroscopy (p-IR) has long been a widely practiced method for the determination of sample orientation and structural properties. In contrast to earlier works, which employed this method to investigate the fundamental chemistry of biological systems, recent interests are moving toward “real-world” applications for the evaluation and diagnosis of pathological states. This focal point review provides an up-to-date synopsis of the knowledge of biological materials garnered through linearly p-IR on biomolecules, cells, and tissues. An overview of the theory with special consideration to biological samples is provided. Different modalities which can be employed along with their capabilities and limitations are outlined. Furthermore, an in-depth discussion of factors regarding sample preparation, sample properties, and instrumentation, which can affect p-IR analysis is provided. Additionally, attention is drawn to the potential impacts of analysis of biological samples with inherently polarized light sources, such as synchrotron light and quantum cascade lasers. The vast applications of p-IR for the determination of the structure and orientation of biological samples are given. In conclusion, with considerations to emerging instrumentation, findings by other techniques, and the shift of focus toward clinical applications, we speculate on the future directions of this methodology. Graphical Abstract This is a visual representation of the abstract.
Application of conformal mapping to viscous flow between moving circular cylinders

This work shows that conformal mapping provides an effective way to solve certain unsteady two-dimensional perturbation problems involving the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid, in particular flow between moving circular cylinders. If the outer cylinder is considered fixed, the principal motions treated are the slow rotation of a slightly eccentric inner cylinder, and the vibration of an inner cylinder about a slightly eccentric point. Mapping the given circular boundaries (of a crosssection) into concentric circles enables one to solve for the stream function by means of a series. In the first problem, the solution is carried far enough to afford an estimate for convergence. The torque on the inner cylinder and the second order steady streaming are computed, and a necessary re-examination of the meaning of the second concept is given. Various special cases of the second problem are shown to illuminate the concepts of virtual mass and viscous damping. The results for high frequency vibration bear on an experimental paper by Stuart and Woodgate, some of the low frequency results on theoretical papers by Andres and Ingard, and by Stokes. Both problems are of general interest in connection with the design of certain control mechanisms, and with experiments on Helium II.
Memory Fusion Controller of Fractional-Order Systems With Sliding Memory Window Under Intermittent Sampled-Data Transmission

This work proposes a memory fusion controller design methodology for sampled-data control of fractional-order (FO) systems with sliding memory window. Composed of finite-dimensional previous inputs, the devised controller is capable of handling hereditary effect and meanwhile enabling pseudo state to satisfy general integer-order (IO) discrete plant at sampling instants. Additionally, the asymptotical stability of controller and sampling error are further guaranteed. The developed fusion controller provides an “out-of-the-box” method for users who are not familiar with FO calculus and significantly facilitates the corresponding analysis. The above mentioned approach is thereafter employed in a more sophisticated case, that is, the coordination control of FO multiagent systems (MASs) subjects to intermittent sampled-data transmission. It is proved that the achievement of consensus only relates to the connectivity of communication graph. Numerical results are presented finally to substantiate the proposed control strategy.
Functional outcomes after bilateral refractive lens exchange with a continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens

The TECNIS Synergy ZFR00V IOL provided a wide range of functional vision in RLE patients. A physiologic level of contrast sensitivity was maintained for photopic and mesopic conditions. Purpose: To clinically evaluate a diffractive continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens (IOL) that combines bifocal and extended depth-of-focus technologies in refractive lens exchange (RLE) patients. Setting: University eye clinic. Design: Prospective interventional clinical study. Methods: Bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Synergy IOL was performed during a RLE procedure in 28 patients. At 3 months postoperatively, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected (DCIVA) intermediate visual acuities at 80 cm, and uncorrected (UNVA) and distance-corrected (DCNVA) near visual acuities at 40 cm were assessed. Defocus curve testing and contrast sensitivity testing were also performed. Results: Binocular UDVA and CDVA of 56 eyes (28 patients) were −0.06 ± 0.07 logMAR and −0.13 ± 0.05 logMAR, respectively. UIVA and DCIVA were −0.06 ± 0.05 logMAR and −0.08 ± 0.06 logMAR, and UNVA and DCNVA were −0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR and −0.04 ± 0.07 logMAR. The defocus curve revealed a visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better from +0.50 to −3.00 diopters (D). Photopic contrast sensitivity at spatial frequencies 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 18.0 was 1.68 ± 0.20, 1.77 ± 0.19, 1.45 ± 0.18, and 1.02 ± 0.19 log units, respectively. Mesopic contrast sensitivity at the same frequencies was 1.56 ± 0.20, 1.44 ± 0.25, 0.92 ± 0.38, and 0.44 ± 0.37, respectively. Conclusions: The Synergy IOL provided very good distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes. A visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better was achieved from +0.50 to −3.0 D. Contrast sensitivity was within the normal range.
Impact of moist wound dressing on wound healing time: A meta‐analysis

Among the assortment of available dressings aimed at promoting wound healing, moist dressings have gained significant popularity because of their ability to create an optimal environment for wound recovery. This meta‐analysis seeks to compare the effects of moist dressing versus gauze dressing on wound healing time. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, encompassing publications up until April 1, 2023, across multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Cochrane Library. Stringent criteria were used to determine study inclusion and evaluate methodological quality. Statistical analyses were performed utilizing Stata 17.0. A total of 13 articles, encompassing 866 participants, were included in the analysis. The findings indicate that moist dressing surpasses gauze dressing in terms of wound healing time (standard mean difference [SMD] −2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] −3.35 to −1.66, p < 0.01; I2 = 97.24%), wound site infection rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.54, p < 0.01; I2 = 39.91%), dressing change times (SMD −3.65, 95% CI −5.34 to −1.97, p < 0.01; I2 = 96.48%), and cost (SMD −2.66, 95% CI −4.24 to −1.09, p < 0.01; I2 = 94.90%). Subgroup analyses revealed possible variations in wound healing time based on wound types and regions. This study underscores the significant advantages associated with the use of moist dressings, including expedited wound healing, reduced infection rates, decreased frequency of dressing changes, and lower overall treatment costs.
Serum interleukin-4 is elevated in clinical drug-induced liver injury

Abstract Background Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains a challenging diagnosis due to an absence of specific biomarkers. DILI due to volatile anaesthetics (VA-DILI) is characterised by trifluoroacetyl and CYP2E1 antibodies, but may not be seen for weeks after injury. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) may be involved in the production of these antibodies and may serve as a clinically useful early biomarker of VA-DILI. Aim To prospectively compare serum IL-4 levels between patients who develop VA-DILI and controls following exposure to the volatile anaesthetic. Methods A nested case-control study of patients exposed to VA during surgery was conducted. Thirteen DILI cases were identified from the original cohort, and 26 controls were matched according to age, sex and VA agent. Serum samples were collected before and 48-96 h after VA exposure, and analysed for IL-4 using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Results There was a statistically significant difference in serum IL-4 in post-VA samples between DILI cases and controls (control: 0.030 pg/mL, IQR: 0.030 − 0.030 pg/mL vs DILI: 0.044 pg/mL, IQR: 0.030 − 0.061 pg/mL; p = 0.039). A greater proportion of DILI cases had post-VA IL-4 levels above the assay lower limit of detection compared to controls (control: 23% vs DILI: 69%; p = 0.013). Conclusion IL-4 is a potential biomarker of DILI. Clinical diagnosis and understanding of DILI disease mechanisms may be improved by further investigation of novel biomarkers, and this IL-4 signal in serum is important as proof of concept for prospective study designs.
Merging two eDNA metabarcoding approaches and citizen‐science‐based sampling to facilitate fish community monitoring along vast Sub‐Saharan coastlines

The coastline of Sub‐Saharan Africa hosts highly diverse fish communities of great conservation value, which are also key resources for local livelihoods. However, many costal ecosystems are threatened by overexploitation and their conservation state is frequently unknown due to their vast spatial extent and limited monitoring budgets. Here, we evaluated the potential of citizen science‐based eDNA surveys to alleviate such chronic data deficiencies and assessed fish communities in Mozambique using two 12S metabarcoding primer sets. Samples were either collected by scientific personnel or trained community members and results from the two metabarcoding primers were combined using a new data merging approach. Irrespective of the background of sampling personnel, a high average fish species richness was recorded (38 ± 20 OTUs per sample). Individual sections of the coastline largely differed in the occurrence of threatened and commercially important species, highlighting the need for regionally differentiated management strategies. A detailed comparison of the two applied primer sets revealed an important trade‐off in primer choice with MiFish primers amplifying a higher number of species but Riaz primers performing better in the detection of threatened fish species. This trade‐off could be partly resolved by applying our new data‐merging approach, which was especially designed to increase the robustness of multiprimer assessments in regions with poor reference libraries. Overall, our study provides encouraging results but also highlights that eDNA‐based monitoring will require further improvements of, for example, reference databases and local analytical infrastructure to facilitate routine applications in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
Robust adaptive attitude manoeuvre control with finite-time convergence for a flexible spacecraft

This paper investigates a finite-time attitude manoeuvre control problem for a flexible spacecraft subject to bounded external disturbances. A robust discontinuous finite-time controller with terminal sliding mode control is designed to solve this problem provided that the disturbances and the coupling effect of flexible modes are bounded with a known boundary. The controller is further enhanced by an adaptive scheme to deal with the more practical case that the boundary is unknown. The enhanced version is continuous and chattering-free. The results are rigorously proved using the Lyapunov stability theory. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controllers are demonstrated by numerical simulation.
Quinapril treatment curtails decline of global longitudinal strain and mechanical function in hypertensive rats

Background: Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been proposed as an early imaging biomarker of cardiac mechanical dysfunction. Objective: To assess the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment of hypertensive heart disease on LV GLS and mechanical function. Methods: The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of hypertensive heart disease (n = 38) was studied. A subset of SHRs received quinapril (TSHR, n = 16) from 3 months (mo). Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 13) were used as controls. Tagged cardiac MRI was performed using a 4.7 T Varian preclinical scanner. Results: The SHRs had significantly lower LV ejection fraction (EF) than the WKYs at 3 mo (53.0 ± 1.7% vs. 69.6 ± 2.1%, P < 0.05), 14 mo (57.0 ± 2.5% vs. 74.4 ± 2.9%, P < 0.05) and 24 mo (50.1 ± 2.4% vs. 67.0 ± 2.0%, P < 0.01). At 24 mo, ACE inhibitor treatment was associated with significantly greater LV EF in TSHRs compared to untreated SHRs (64.2 ± 3.4% vs. 50.1 ± 2.4%, P < 0.01). Peak GLS magnitude was significantly lower in SHRs compared with WKYs at 14 months (7.5% ± 0.4% vs. 9.9 ± 0.8%, P < 0.05). At 24 months, Peak GLS magnitude was significantly lower in SHRs compared with both WKYs (6.5 ± 0.4% vs. 9.7 ± 1.0%, P < 0.01) and TSHRs (6.5 ± 0.4% vs. 9.6 ± 0.6%, P < 0.05). Conclusions: ACE inhibitor treatment curtails the decline in global longitudinal strain in hypertensive rats, with the treatment group exhibiting significantly greater LV EF and GLS magnitude at 24 mo compared with untreated SHRs.
Transaction Costs in Dealer Markets: Evidence from the London Stock Exchange

This paper describes regularities in the intraday spreads and prices quoted by dealers on the London Stock Exchange. It develops a measure of spread-related transaction costs, one that recognizes dealers' willingness to price trades within their quoted spreads. This measure of transaction costs shows that trading costs are systematically related to a trade's size, characteristics of the trading counterparties, and security characteristics. Customers pay the full spread on small trades while medium to large trades receive more favorable execution. Market makers only discount very large customer trades while dealers regularly discount medium to large trades. Inter-dealer trades generally receive favorable execution, and discounts increase in size. Market makers do not discount trades with each other over the phone, but do discount when trading anonymously using inter-dealer-brokers. Quoted and touch spreads are falling in the number of market makers. The rate of decline is interpreted as reflecting economies of scale in market making.
Mapping the two distinct proliferative bursts early in T‐cell development

T‐cell development occurs in the thymus and is tightly regulated to produce a diverse enough repertoire of mature T cells that can recognize any potential pathogen. The development of T cells is dependent on small numbers of uncommitted precursors that continually seed the thymus from the bone marrow. As they progress along the developmental pathway, there is a massive expansion in cell number to generate the necessary diversity in T‐cell receptor chain usage. It is recognized that there are two proliferative bursts that occur early in T‐cell development, one prior to β‐selection and one after, and these are responsible for the expansion. While the proliferation following β‐selection is well‐characterized, the earlier proliferative burst has yet to be precisely defined. In this study, we employ single‐cell RNA sequencing coupled to trajectory inference methods to pinpoint when in T‐cell development thymocytes are induced into cell cycle. We show that the first proliferative burst is initiated in the double‐negative (DN) 2a stage before T lineage commitment occurs, with cell cycling downregulated by the DN3a stage. A second burst is then initiated at the DN3b stage, immediately after β‐selection. We subsequently employ fluorescence‐activated cell sorting–based analysis for DNA content to confirm these two proliferative bursts.
An Introduction to Partial Differential Equations for Science Students

G. Stephenson London: Longmans Green. 1968 Pp. viii + 142. Price £1 4s. In his preface the author refers to the scarcity of elementary books on partial differential equations, and hopes that this monograph will help to fill the gap. After two introductory chapters, three chapters are devoted to the method of separation of variables and basic Sturm–Liouville theory, followed by one on continuous eigenvalues and Fourier integrals which lasts for only nine pages, half of which are taken up by illustrative examples.
Sex-Specific Genetic Determinants of Asthma-COPD Phenotype and COPD in Middle-Aged and Older Canadian Adults: An Analysis of CLSA Data

Abstract The etiology of sex differences in the risk of asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD is still not completely understood. Genetic and environmental risk factors are commonly believed to play an important role. This study aims to identify sex-specific genetic markers associated with asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Baseline Comprehensive and Genomic data. There were a total of 1,415 COPD cases. Out of them, 504 asthma-COPD phenotype cases were identified. 20,524 participants without a diagnosis of asthma and COPD served as controls. We performed genome-wide SNP-by-sex interaction analysis. SNPs with an interaction p-value < 10−5 were included in a sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression for asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD outcomes. 18 and 28 SNPs had a significant interaction term p-value < 10−5 with sex in the regression analyses of asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD outcomes, respectively. Sex-stratified multivariable analysis of asthma-COPD phenotype showed that 7 SNPs in/near SMYD3, FHIT, ZNF608, RIMBP2, ZNF133, BPIFB1, and S100B loci were significant in males. Sex-stratified multivariable analysis of COPD showed that 8 SNPs in/near MAGI1, COX18, OSTC, ELOVL5, C7orf72 FGF14, and NKAIN4 were significant in males, and 4 SNPs in/near genes CAMTA1, SATB2, PDE10A, and LINC00908 were significant in females. An SNP in the ZPBP gene was associated with COPD in both males and females. Identification of sex-specific loci associated with asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD may offer valuable evidence toward a better understanding of the sex-specific differences in the pathophysiology of the diseases.
Neuromuscular junction denervation and terminal Schwann cell loss in the hTDP‐43 overexpression mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with complex aetiology. Despite evidence of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) denervation and ‘dying‐back’ pathology in models of SOD1‐dependent ALS, evidence in other genetic forms of ALS is limited by a lack of suitable animal models. TDP‐43, a key mediator protein in ALS, is overexpressed in neurons in Thy1‐hTDP‐43WT mice. We therefore aimed to comprehensively analyse NMJ pathology in this model of ALS.