Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung Ultrasound in Predicting Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Pulmonary involvement due to SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with COVID-19. Consequently, pulmonary imaging is crucial for management of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of lung ultrasound (LUS) with a handheld ultrasound device (HHUD) in patients with COVID-19 treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Therefore, patients underwent LUS with a HHUD every two days until they were either discharged from the intensive care unit or died. The study was conducted at the University Hospital of Bonn’s anesthesiological intensive care ward from December 2020 to August 2021. A total of 33 patients (median [IQR]: 56.0 [53–60.5] years) were included. A high LUS score was associated with a decreased P/F ratio (repeated measures correlation [rmcorr]: −0.26; 95% CI: −0.34, −0.15; p < 0.001), increased extravascular lung water, defined as fluid accumulation in the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli (rmcorr: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20; p = 0.030), deteriorated electrolyte status (base excess: rmcorr: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.24; p = 0.004; pH: rmcorr: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21; p = 0.001), and decreased pulmonary compliance (rmcorr: −0.10; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.01; p = 0.034). The maximum LUS score was lower in survivors (median difference [md]: −0.35; 95% CI: −0.55, −0.06; p = 0.006). A cutoff value for non-survival was calculated at a LUS score of 2.63. At the time of maximum LUS score, P/F ratio (md: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.76; p < 0.001) and pulmonary compliance (md: 18.67; 95% CI: 3.33, 37.15; p = 0.018) were higher in surviving patients. In conclusion, LUS with a HHUD enables continuous evaluation of cardiopulmonary function in COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO support therapy and provides prognostic value in determining the patients’ likelihood of survival.
Neuroinflammatory Pathways in the ALS-FTD Continuum: A Focus on Genetic Variants

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal dementia (FDT) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders that, in several cases, overlap in clinical presentation, and genetic and pathological disease mechanisms. About 10–15% of ALS cases and up to 40% of FTD are familial, usually with dominant traits. ALS and FTD, in several cases, share common gene mutations, such as in C9ORF72, TARDBP, SQSTM-1, FUS, VCP, CHCHD10, and TBK-1. Also, several mechanisms are involved in ALS and FTD pathogenesis, such as protein misfolding, oxidative stress, and impaired axonal transport. In addition, neuroinflammation and neuroinflammatory cells, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and lymphocytes and, overall, the cellular microenvironment, have been proposed as pivotal players in the pathogenesis the ALS-FTD spectrum disorders. This review overviews the current evidence regarding neuroinflammatory markers in the ALS/FTD continuum, focusing on the neuroinflammatory pathways involved in the genetic cases, moving from post-mortem reports to in vivo biofluid and neuroimaging data. We further discuss the potential link between genetic and autoimmune disorders and potential therapeutic implications.
Effect of Different Types of Manure and Chemical Fertilizer on Growth and Development of Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L )

The response of manures and chemical fertilizer toward the growth and development of crops was x-ray in this investigation. Poultry and compost manure not only feed many nutrients for crop production, but also they increase soil moisture content and lower soil bulk density on the other way. The pots experiment comprised 40 earthen pots with ten replications. The experiment was conducted at the net house area of tractor shed National Centre for Agriculture Mechanization in a complete randomized block design, to examine and compare growth parameters of okra seedlings in the treatments. The growth parameters of crops were statistically different from each other in the experimental design. In Poultry manure higher mean values for shoot length (27.50), crop yield weight (33.07) and leaf area (38.44) were recorded except at crop yield number which was overruled out at crop yield weight aggregate which captured at confidence Interval for Mean 26.58±4.17, 14.45±26.51 and 25.21±38.96 for poultry manure, compost manure and chemical fertilizer (NPK) respectively. Poultry manure application registered over 21% increases of N levels in the soil, from 0.12% to 2.57%. Exchangeable cations increased with the rate of manures application.
EFL Low-Achieving Learners and Effectiveness of Remedial Instruction

Many institutes conduct extra English classes to allow weaker students to improve their English proficiency and cope with institutions' language demands. The study, therefore, sought to discover English as a Foreign Language (EFL) low-achieving learners' perceptions and motivation toward the English remedial program. The study also investigated the gender difference among the participants regarding the remedial classes. Forty-five Omani elementary-level students were selected as the population of this study. To collect the data, a questionnaire adapted from Salami (2019) was used along with the interview sessions using six open-ended questions. The study's results revealed that Omani students were strongly motivated to enroll in English remedial classes. Moreover, they had positive perceptions toward English remedial courses. The findings also revealed that Omani female students were slightly more interested in English remedial courses. Therefore, the study will significantly motivate teachers and institutions to focus on providing English remedial classes for their low-achieving students.
Glomerulotubular function in transfusion-dependent thalassemia children: a prospective cohort study

Introduction: Thalassemia is the most common hemoglobinopathy in Indonesia. Chronic anemia, iron overload, and treatment with iron chelating agents are factors that contribute to kidney dysfunction in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) are markers of glomerular and tubular damage. Objectives: To analyze the glomerulotubular function in TDT children. Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 40 TDT children aged ≤18 years old from thalassemia transfusion outpatient clinic, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia between February and June 2021. Disease history, treatment, and anthropometry were obtained during enrollment (T0). Blood and urine samples were taken at enrollment (T0) and at 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3) month follow-up appointments. Data analyzed were iron chelating agent, ferritin, hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ), uNGAL, uACR levels. Results: We observed kidney hyperfiltration in more than 30% of the participants. Transfusion volume was the most dominant factor for eGFR (β=-0.974, P=0.022) and uNGAL (β=0.872, P=0.015). A low-proportion of albuminuria was found with duration of disease as the predominant factor (β=-0.946, P=0.000). Deferiprone (DFP) and deferasirox (DFX) showed comparable association with all kidney biomarkers. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate glomerular hyperfiltration in TDT children as the main early sign of glomerulotubular function impairment. In addition, a small proportion of proteinuria was also found in our study. Thus, both biomarkers should be part of long term kidney follow up in TDT children.
A Self‐Normalized Semi‐Parametric Test to Detect Changes in the Long Memory Parameter

We consider the problem of testing for change points in the long memory parameter. The test relies on semi‐parametric estimation of the long memory parameter, which does not require the complete parametric specification of the whole spectrum. A self‐normalizer utilizing a sequence of recursive semi‐parametric estimators is used to make the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic free of the nuisance scale parameter. We study the asymptotic behavior of the proposed test for situations when there is at most one change point and also when there are an unknown number of change points. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to examine the finite‐sample performance of the proposed test.
Ranolazine improved left ventricular diastolic functions and ventricular repolarization indexes in patients with coronary slow flow

Introduction Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a condition commonly encountered during angiography. Recent studies have shown the adverse effects of CSF on left ventricular diastolic functions. CSF reportedly increases the novel ventricular repolarization parameters. Ranolazine is a preparation with a prominent anti-anginal activity that has positive effects on anti-arrhythmic and diastolic parameters. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of ranolazine on left ventricular diastolic functions and repolarization in patients with CSF. Material and methods Forty-six patients with CSF and 29 control subjects were included in the patient and control groups, respectively. Both groups received ranolazine for one month and were evaluated using 12–lead electrocardiography, conventional echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging at the baseline and after one month of ranolazine treatment. Results Corrected P, QT dispersion, and Tp-e interval values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. There was a significant decrease in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and deceleration time (DT) values after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group but not the control group. A significant increase was observed in the mean E and A velocities and the mean E/A ratio after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the Tp-e interval and corrected P dispersion values measured after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group but not in the control group. Conclusion This study's findings demonstrated that ranolazine positively affected impaired diastolic functions and repolarization parameters, particularly in patients with CSF.
STOCK MARKET REACTION TO WHO’S COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT IN ASEAN-5 REGION

The aims of this research is to analyze the stock market reaction in the ASEAN-5 region (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Thailand) to the announcement of the global COVID-19 pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The method used is an event study with abnormal return as the independent variable. The sample in this study is the main stock index of ASEAN-5 countries. Empirical results showed that there was a significant and insignificant abnormal return on certain days around the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic by WHO in ASEAN-5. Subsequent findings showed that there was no difference in abnormal returns before and after the global announcement of COVID-19 by WHO.
The psychological determinants of avoiding crowded areas: An international and political investigation

Social isolation is one of the most important measures to reduce clusters of infections. This research aims to explain why people avoided crowded spaces during periods of high global infection of COVID-19 in a cross-national and politically diverse sample. We conducted a cross-cultural survey using Likert-type scale questions (N = 1,196) in New York (n = 313), Brasilia (n = 283), Tokyo (n = 300), and Taipei (n = 300). We ascertained the validity of a model based on the theory of planned behavior, moral norms, and risk perception while analyzing invariance in its estimates and differences in the component`s mean scores across cultures and political groups. The results showed that the data fit the model well, and we found significant differences across countries by comparing the components` mean scores and estimates. Finally, diverging political views generated contrasting scores in the most politically polarized cultures. This study thus shows how the act of avoiding crowded places is shaped by social-cognitive determinants, cultural background, and political views. These insights are relevant for the formulation of better public health policies. It also calls for the academic community to build an integrative research agenda over psychological phenomena based on social factors and calls for the need for behavioral management in pandemics.
Quality Parameters and Extraction Percentage of the Seed-oils of Groundnut, Sunflower and Sesame Samples Extracted by Different Solvents

EIJO: Journal of Bio- Technology, Food Technology, Agriculture and Innovative Research (EIJO – JBTFTAIR) Einstein International Journal Organization (EIJO) Available Online at: www.eijo. in Volume – 2, Issue – 4, July - August - 2017, Page No. : 01 -35
Superiority of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Over Nasogastric Feeding for Stroke-Induced Severe Dysphagia: A Comparative Study

Background Patients with dysphagia due to stroke may require enteral feeding using either a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. This study aimed to compare outcomes from NG tube and PEG tube feeding in 40 patients with severe dysphagia due to stroke. Material/Methods We enrolled 40 patients admitted to the hospital from April 2019 to December 2022 due to severe stroke dysphagia, who were divided into the gastrostomy group (20 patients) and the nasogastric feeding group (20 patients) in accordance with the random number table method. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was performed in both groups and we assessed differences in swallowing function, nutritional recovery, safety, and hope levels. Results Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) scores in both groups clearly decreased after the intervention, but there was greater reduction in the gastrostomy group (P<0.001). Both groups had distinct improvements of the levels of a variety of nutritional indicators after the intervention, but there was greater improvement in the gastrostomy group (P<0.001). The gastrostomy group also had fewer overall complications (P<0.001). Herth Hope Scale scores in both groups were significantly increased after intervention, and the gastrostomy group had a larger increase that the nasogastric feeding group (P<0.001). Conclusions Compared with nasogastric tube feeding, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has advantages in SSA score, protein level, and Herth Hope Scale in the treatment of stroke patients with dysphagia.
Artrópodos saproxilicos forestales en los parques naturales de Aralar y Aizkorri (Guipúzcoa, España) (Araneae y Coleoptera)

Resumen: Se presentan los datos faunísticos, metodológicos y ecológicos relativos a 97 especies de coleópteros y 23 especies de arañas saproxílicas recogidas en cuatro campañas, del 2003 al 2006, en los Parques Naturales de Aralar y Aizkorri (Guipúzcoa). Se cita por primera vez en la Península Ibérica a Denticollis rubens Piller & Mitterpacher, 1783, Allecula morio (Fabricius, 1787) y Prionychus melanarius (Germar, 1803). Se analiza además la distribución de siete especies amenazadas catalogadas, Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758), Cerambyx cerdo ssp. mirbecki Lucas, 1842, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Platycerus spinifer Schaufuss, 1862, Osmoderma eremita Scopoli, 1763, Liocola lugubris (Herbst, 1786) y Gnorimus variabilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Palabras clave: Araneae, Coleoptera, saproxílicos, bosques caducifolios, parques naturales, Aralar, Aizkorri, Guipúzcoa, norte de España.
Anatomy and Phylogenetic Affinities of a New Silesaurid Assemblage from the Carnian Beds of South Brazil

ABSTRACT New specimens and the reassessment of many silesaurids have recently shed light on the origin and early evolution of dinosaurs and their close relatives. Yet, the group is relatively poorly represented in South America, an area that likely played an important role in dinosaurian origins. Since the discovery of Sacisaurus agudoensis from the Norian Caturrita Formation, only the fragmentary Gamatavus antiquus and Amanasaurus nesbitti have been reported from the Triassic of south Brazil. Here we describe disarticulated silesaurid remains from Waldsanga, one of the most important tetrapod-bearing localities of the Santa Maria Formation, which represent the second Carnian occurrence of the group in Brazil. The postcranial elements exhibit a combination of dinosauromorph symplesiomorphies and silesaurid diagnostic traits, showing that a conservative anatomy is pervasive among early dinosauromorphs. We also conducted a set of exploratory analyses to infer the phylogenetic relations of the new occurrence and the robustness of some of the most recent phylogenetic hypotheses in face of the increasing diversity of Silesauridae. This revealed a rather uncertain evolutionary scenario not only for Silesauridae, but for early dinosauromorphs in general.
Pulmonary Metastasising Aneurysmal Fibrous Histiocytoma: A Case Report, Literature Review and Proposal of Standardised Diagnostic Criteria

An aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma is a rare cutaneous soft-tissue tumour which accounts for approximately 0.06% of all dermatopathologies. Metastasis is exceedingly uncommon, to the point that there have only been eight reported cases in the scientific literature. We present the case of a 25-year-old male with a primary aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma located in the nuchal region which exhibited rapid growth and abrupt ulceration over a short time span and showed signs of locoregional aggressive infiltration. A subsequent histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of diffuse solid and cystic pulmonary metastases. Further genetic sequencing verified LAMTOR1-PRKCD fusion. This case report seeks to review the existing literature on aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma, discuss the challenges of differential diagnosis and propose standardised diagnostic criteria.
Parental Involvement and Level of Parent Satisfaction in a Summer Enrichment Program

The current study was conducted to determine which variable of parental involvement was the best predictor of parental satisfaction in the 2011 Marshall University Summer Enrichment Program. Data of parental involvement and level of parent satisfaction was collected using a survey format. A prediction equation analysis using a linear regression was calculated and results indicated that parents feeling involved was a significant variable in satisfaction. An independent samples t-test determined that there was no significant difference between parents’ actual participation in services and satisfaction. A linear regression determined the levels of involvement in activities were not a predictor of satisfaction. Further analyses of data revealed participation in direct services are powerful when predicting program satisfaction. Also, when parents find participation services helpful they are more satisfied with the program.
Life Satisfaction Among Italian Migrants, Italian Stayers, and Swiss Natives: Who Fares Better?

Although reasons for migration may differ, it can be argued that international migrants have a common goal: improving the living conditions and well-being for themselves and their families. However, we still know relatively little about how older migrants evaluate their well-being and the implications of migration for their life satisfaction. This paper aims to contribute to this body of research. In a first part, we focus on two comparisons: 1) The life satisfaction level of older Italian migrants in Switzerland compared to that of older Swiss natives, and 2) The life satisfaction level of older Italian migrants in Switzerland compared to that of older Italian stayers in Italy. In a second part, we investigate the determinants of life satisfaction in each of these three groups. The article draws on an original survey carried out in Switzerland and Italy (N = 1,654). Against the current comparative literature on older migrants and non-migrants, we hypothesized that older Italian migrants in Switzerland display lower life satisfaction than older Swiss natives, and that older Italian migrants in Switzerland display higher life satisfaction than older stayers in Italy. We expected to observe these differences even when accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. While migrants’ average life satisfaction levels are lower than the levels of Swiss natives, this difference is fully mediated by sociodemographic variables. Migrants also report slightly lower life satisfaction levels than stayers; this difference remains significant at the p<0.1 level but diminishes as we control for sociodemographic characteristics. When investigating the life satisfaction determinants of each group, we find similarities among the three groups: being in good health and being able to make financial ends meet are positively correlated with life satisfaction, while experiencing age-related discrimination is negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Having a partner is only positively correlated with satisfaction for Swiss natives, and religiosity is only positively correlated with satisfaction for stayers. The importance of this paper is threefold: 1) it investigates older migrants’ life satisfaction, an area of research that is underdeveloped, 2) it compares migrants to stayers, a comparison that is seldom found in the current literature but necessary to understand the implications of having a migratory background, and 3) it highlights the importance of policy interventions addressing the socioeconomic inequalities of older migrants.
Synaptic network structure shapes cortically evoked spatio-temporal responses of STN and GPe neurons in a computational model

Introduction The basal ganglia (BG) are involved in motor control and play an essential role in movement disorders such as hemiballismus, dystonia, and Parkinson's disease. Neurons in the motor part of the BG respond to passive movement or stimulation of different body parts and to stimulation of corresponding cortical regions. Experimental evidence suggests that the BG are organized somatotopically, i.e., specific areas of the body are associated with specific regions in the BG nuclei. Signals related to the same body part that propagate along different pathways converge onto the same BG neurons, leading to characteristic shapes of cortically evoked responses. This suggests the existence of functional channels that allow for the processing of different motor commands or information related to different body parts in parallel. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease are associated with pathological activity in the BG and impaired synaptic connectivity, together with reorganization of somatotopic maps. One hypothesis is that motor symptoms are, at least partly, caused by an impairment of network structure perturbing the organization of functional channels. Methods We developed a computational model of the STN-GPe circuit, a central part of the BG. By removing individual synaptic connections, we analyzed the contribution of signals propagating along different pathways to cortically evoked responses. We studied how evoked responses are affected by systematic changes in the network structure. To quantify the BG's organization in the form of functional channels, we suggested a two-site stimulation protocol. Results Our model reproduced the cortically evoked responses of STN and GPe neurons and the contributions of different pathways suggested by experimental studies. Cortical stimulation evokes spatio-temporal response patterns that are linked to the underlying synaptic network structure. Our two-site stimulation protocol yielded an approximate functional channel width. Discussion/conclusion The presented results provide insight into the organization of BG synaptic connectivity, which is important for the development of computational models. The synaptic network structure strongly affects the processing of cortical signals and may impact the generation of pathological rhythms. Our work may motivate further experiments to analyze the network structure of BG nuclei and their organization in functional channels.