Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Times

System identification, a method used in control theory for modelling com­ plex dynamical systems, is applied to the identification of SOFC oxygen reac­ tion parameters. The present approach is based on distributions of relaxation times, which are the basic quantity of interest in electrochemical impedance data analysis. By a newly implemented deconvolution method, characteristic distribution patterns are directly computed from impedance spectra measured at single cells under realistic working conditions. In contrast to non-linear least squares curve fit of equivalent circuit models, no a priori circuit choice has to be made. The excellent resolving capacity allows to untangle impedance contributions of up to three physically distinct processes within one frequency decade. The analysis procedure is illustrated by a reaction model which de­ scribes the adsorption of oxygen on the electrode surface and the incorpo­ ration of oxide ions into the electrolyte. Based on the reaction model, the influence of varying the cell’s operating conditions on the parameters of the relevant peaks in the distributions is simulated. The kinetics of the reaction steps are then identified using distributions of relaxation times calculated from the impedance spectra measured at the corresponding operating conditions, thus providing a strong tool for SOFC diagnosis.
Volumetric Filtration of Rainfall Runoff. II: Event-Based and Interevent Nutrient Fate

This study examines in situ phosphorus treatment using a combined unit operation and process, a volumetric clarifying filter (VCF). Urban rainfall-runoff transports phosphorus in dissolved and particulate phases with the latter phase distributed across the particulate matter (PM) gradation. From a clean initial condition, the VCF was monitored across 19 events without maintenance, to examine partitioning and phosphorus distribution on PM. For the monitoring period, site influent total phosphorus (TP) is 0.342 mg/L of which 0.081 mg/L is dissolved; and subsequently reduced to 0.095 and 0.031 mg/L, respectively, by the VCF. PM-bound phosphorus is categorized as suspended, settleable and sediment fractions based on PM size and separation behavior. Site influent PM-based concentrations (mg/g) are 0.22 for sediment, 0.42 for settleable and 3.27 for the suspended fraction with each fraction further enriched in the VCF, based on effluent monitoring. A categorical analysis and odds ratio testing of PM-based phosp.
Downregulation of the E2 Subunit of 2-Oxoglutarate Dehydrogenase Modulates Plant Growth by Impacting Carbon–Nitrogen Metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract In Arabidopsis thaliana, two genes encode the E2 subunit of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (2-OGDH), a multimeric complex composed of three subunits. To functionally characterize the isoforms of E2 subunit, we isolated Arabidopsis mutant lines for each gene encoding the E2 subunit and performed a detailed molecular and physiological characterization of the plants under controlled growth conditions. The functional lack of expression of E2 subunit isoforms of 2-OGDH increased plant growth, reduced dark respiration and altered carbohydrate metabolism without changes in the photosynthetic rate. Interestingly, plants from e2-ogdh lines also exhibited reduced seed weight without alterations in total seed number. We additionally observed that downregulation of 2-OGDH activity led to minor changes in the levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates without clear correlation with the reduced expression of specific E2-OGDH isoforms. Furthermore, the e2-ogdh mutant lines exhibited a reduction by up to 25% in the leaf total amino acids without consistent changes in the amino acid profile. Taken together, our results indicate that the two isoforms of E2 subunit play a similar role in carbon–nitrogen metabolism, in plant growth and in seed weight.
Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study

Peri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30‐day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30‐day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30‐day mortality in patients without SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks and 5–6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3–4.8), 3.9 (2.6–5.1) and 3.6 (2.0–5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9–2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2–8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6–2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.
Measurement System for Characterization of Gas and Particle Phase of High Temperature Combustion Aerosols

A measurement system was developed to sample and analyze the particle and gas phase of high temperature combustion aerosols up to a particle aerodynamic diameter of approximately 3 mm. The rapid changes of aerosol composition and concentration caused by the inhomogeneous fuel and changing burning conditions were accommodated by a combined measurement of both gas and particle phase and a synchronous measurement of two identical systems at two different positions at the boiler. Based on works reported earlier, an air-cooled dilution probe was designed and adapted to the corrosive composition of the combustion aerosol by use of a silica glass inlet and a ceramic porous tube diluter (PTD). Directly behind the probe, the raw gas is passing a cyclone which precipitates the coarse particles > 25 μm, and is then split into a gas analysis and a particle analysis branch. The particle branch, after further dilution and cooling to ambient temperature, is split for a simultaneous analysis by an APS and a low pressure impactor (ELPI or BLPI). The whole sampling line is conditioned to 300°C until final dilution and cooling to ambient temperature. The measurement system was employed at different incineration plants between 220°C and 950°C for various experiments, e.g., time resolved concentration analysis during soot blowing cleaning routine. The mass concentration balance, including the content of the inlet, achieved a 92% match of the total slag mass balance of the investigated plant.
Evaluation of access to different legume pastures on performance and welfare of broiler chickens during dry season under tropical environment

Abstract There have been a plethora of studies on the effects of access to runs on chickens’ welfare and behavioural repertoire with a paucity of information on the comparative advantage of various legume pasture and deep litter system. A total of 200‐day‐old unsexed Marshall Broiler chicks were weighed and assigned randomly into five experimental groups, viz. deep litter without access to run (DL), deep litter with access to Stylosanthes hamata (SH), Stylosanthes guanensis (SG), Mucuna pruriens (MP) and free run (FR) during dry season. Each treatment had 4 replicates of 10 birds. Data were collected on growth performance, behaviour, tonic immobility (TI), gait score and blood parameters. The data obtained were subjected to One‐Way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that the final body weight of birds in SH was significantly higher (p ˂ .05) than those of SH, MP, FR and DL which were comparable. The feed intake of the birds of DL, SH and FR was higher than those of the other treatment groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds on legume pastures was lower than those without access to pasture. The birds of SH, SG and MP spent higher (p ˂ .05) time drinking, preening, dust‐bathing, spot pecking and walking standing behaviours while those in DL and FR spent more (p ˂ .05) time feeding. Generally, the gait score of the birds on the different legume pastures was similar but better than those without access to pasture. Tonic immobility of the DL birds was longer than that of FR whose duration was longer than those of the birds on the pastures. The study concluded that access to different legume pastures, particularly Stylosanthes hamata, improved the welfare of broiler chickens without adverse effect on the performance of the birds.
Characterization of biliary microbiota dysbiosis in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) accounts for 3% of digestive cancers. The role of biliary microbiota as an environment-related modulator has been scarcely investigated in CCA, and the putative impact of associated diseases has not been yet assessed. We characterized the biliary microbiota in CCA patients in order to identify a specific CCA-related dysbiosis. The biliary effluents were collected through an endoscopic retrograde pancreatic cholangiography (ERCP) examination involving 28 CCA and 47 patients with gallstones, herein considered as controls. The biliary effluents were submitted to bacterial DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing, using Illumina technology. Overall, 32% of CCA and 22% of controls displayed another associated disease, such as diabetes, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or primary sclerosing cholangitis. Such associated diseases were considered in the comparisons that were made. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) detected a significant disparity of biliary microbiota composition between CCA patients and controls without an associated disease. Amongst the most abundant phyla, Proteobacteria did not significantly differ between CCA patients and controls, whereas Firmicutes levels were lower and Bacteroidetes higher in CCAs’ biliary microbiota than in the controls’ microbiota. The most abundant genera were Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Klebsiella, and Pyramidobacter in CCA’s biliary microbiota. Additionally, levels of Bacteroides, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, and Anoxybacillus genera were significantly higher in CCA patients’ biliary microbiota, without an associated disease, in comparison with controls. A specific CCA-related dysbiosis was identified as compared to controls independently from associated diseases. This suggests that a microorganism community may be involved in CCA pathogenesis.
Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and one open-label, long-term trial of brexpiprazole for the acute treatment of bipolar mania

Background: Brexpiprazole is a dopamine/serotonin receptor partial agonist (D2, 5-HT1A) and antagonist (5-HT2A) approved for treatment of schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (adjunct to antidepressants). Aims: This study aimed to investigate brexpiprazole as monotherapy in acute mania (bipolar I disorder) in two short-term (ST) studies (study 080 and study 081) and one open-label (OL) extension (study 083). Methods: ST studies were three-week randomized, double-blind, flexible dose (2–4 mg/day), placebo-controlled studies. The primary endpoint was mean change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total score from baseline to day 21. The OL study was a 26-week flexible dose (2–4 mg/day) study for patients completing the ST studies. Results: A total of 164 and 158 (study 080) and 170 and 162 (study 081) inpatients with DSM-5 mania with/without mixed features were randomized to placebo or brexpiprazole, respectively. The primary analyses did not show a statistically significant difference between brexpiprazole and placebo: study 080: least squares mean difference (95% confidence limits): 0.14 (−1.74, 2.03), p = 0.8797; study 081: −1.62 (−3.56, 0.32), p = 0.1011. OL study patients (n = 381) demonstrated a gradual improvement in YMRS total score. Akathisia was the only adverse event, with an incidence of ⩾5% with brexpiprazole and more than placebo in the ST studies, or ⩾5% in the OL study. Brexpiprazole was more efficacious in patients with impaired or no insight (predominantly EU patients) than in patients with excellent insight (predominantly US patients). Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to address the potential efficacy of brexpiprazole in acute mania, which should ensure that the study sample is severe enough (especially with regard to insight), and that the dose/titration schedule is not too modest.
Electrical field distribution in transformer oil

Developments in Kerr electro-optic measurement technology at the laboratory have made possible high resolution electric field measurements in nonpolar liquids. The electric field distribution in transformer oil has been studied at service stress levels in both the transient and steady state. The field distributions observed are well described by a one-dimensional quantitative model (with measurable parameters) based on charge carrier generation through dissociation of a species of ion pairs in the liquid bulk. As two-dimensional measurements are also possible, an engineering tool now exists which can be used, for example, in the study of geometries relevant for converter transformer design. >
Retrospective analysis of bacterial culture-confirmed pertussis cases in Beijing Children’s hospital from 2014 to 2019 reveals prevention and control of the grim situation in mainland China

ABSTRACT Background Our study aims to explore the epidemiological features of children with bacterial culture-confirmed pertussis visiting Beijing Children’s Hospital, China. Methods From 2014 through 2019, patients with suspected pertussis coming from mainland China provided nasopharyngeal swabs and bacterial culture that was subsequently cultivated. Results During the study period, 6956 children with suspected pertussis from 30 different administrative provinces of mainland China were investigated, of which 1494 cases (21.5%) had positive B. pertussis culture. The number of pertussis cases increased year-on-year, from 122 in 2014 to 279 in 2019. Of the confirmed cases, 38.2% and 26.8% were identified in the summer and autumn, respectively. The age distribution of children with pertussis showed that 77.2% were <12 months old, including 56.0% <6 months old. Only thirteen B. parapertussis isolates and one B. bronchiseptica isolates were collected in the present samples. Conclusions The present culture-confirmed cases reveal the severe epidemic situation of pertussis spreading over the whole country and mainly affecting the infants. It is necessary to set up hospital-based surveillance with reliable laboratory methods to promote clinical awareness and to monitor the disease.
Competitive guidance cues affect fibroblast cell alignment: Electric fields vs. contact guidance

When bovine ligament fibroblast cells were cultured on parallel micro-grooved surfaces, they aligned their long axes parallel to the groove direction. This alignment was dependent on the groove depth, with increasing groove depth increasing guided cell alignment. When cells were cultured in a physiological dc electric field (EF) on non-grooved, flat surfaces, the cells aligned in response to the EF, with their long axes perpendicular to the EF vector. This response was EF strength dependent, increasing EF strength (from 20 to 200mV/mm) increased cell alignment, perpendicular to the EF vector. These two guidance cues were applied simultaneously, so that the EF vector was parallel to the groove direction. At high but still physiological EF strengths (200mV/mm) cells ignored the topography and were guided by the EF alone, aligning perpendicular to the EF vector, as on non-grooved surfaces. At low field strengths (20mV/mm) cells responded only to the topographic guidance cue, with cells aligning parallel to the grooves and therefore also to the EF vector. Intermediate field strengths (50 to 100mV/mm) produced a mixed response, with cells responding to both guidance cues. The effect of removing serum from the culture medium on the EF and topographical guidance of fibroblast cells was studied and the results were compared to cells on non-grooved surfaces. Removal of serum produced a small but significant decrease in the angle of cell alignment for cells on non-grooved surfaces, from 78 to 63 degrees, relative to the EF vector, but did not completely suppress the EF guidance cue. In contrast, the EF guidance of cells on grooved substrates was suppressed almost completely by the absence of serum, with cells responding only to the grooved topography, aligning their long axis parallel to the grooves and the EF vector. These results imply that alignment of fibroblasts by topography is serum-independent, but alignment by EFs is serum-dependent. In addition they demonstrate that the alignment of fibroblast cells can be tailored by the dual guidance cues of topography and electric fields.
A snapshot of optometry teaching in Australia and New Zealand in response to COVID-19

School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Discipline of Optometry, Faculty of Health, The University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
A knowledge-based multivariate statistical method for examining gene-brain-behavioral/cognitive relationships: Imaging genetics generalized structured component analysis

With advances in neuroimaging and genetics, imaging genetics is a naturally emerging field that combines genetic and neuroimaging data with behavioral or cognitive outcomes to examine genetic influence on altered brain functions associated with behavioral or cognitive variation. We propose a statistical approach, termed imaging genetics generalized structured component analysis (IG-GSCA), which allows researchers to investigate such gene-brain-behavior/cognitive associations, taking into account well-documented biological characteristics (e.g., genetic pathways, gene-environment interactions, etc.) and methodological complexities (e.g., multicollinearity) in imaging genetic studies. We begin by describing the conceptual and technical underpinnings of IG-GSCA. We then apply the approach for investigating how nine depression-related genes and their interactions with an environmental variable (experience of potentially traumatic events) influence the thickness variations of 53 brain regions, which in turn affect depression severity in a sample of Korean participants. Our analysis shows that a dopamine receptor gene and an interaction between a serotonin transporter gene and the environment variable have statistically significant effects on a few brain regions’ variations that have statistically significant negative impacts on depression severity. These relationships are largely supported by previous studies. We also conduct a simulation study to safeguard whether IG-GSCA can recover parameters as expected in a similar situation.
Cytopathology of bronchoalveolar lavages in COVID‐19 pneumonia: A pilot study

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) may provide additional and complementary findings for the management of these patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). This study addresses the cytological features of the infection and highlights the more influential inflammatory components. The correlation between pathological variables and clinical data is also analyzed.
Cell-free microRNA-1246 in different body fluids as a diagnostic biomarker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor with unfavorable prognosis. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of microRNA (miR)-1246 detection in various body fluids as a biomarker for this disease. A total of 72 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled, and their blood, urine, and saliva samples were collected prior to treatment. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction of miR-1246 was performed, and pre- and postoperative and intraday fluctuations in its expression were examined. The expression of miR-1246 in the blood and urine was significantly higher in the patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma than in 50 healthy control subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the curve values were 0.91 (sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 76.0%), 0.82 (sensitivity 90.3%, specificity 62.0%), and 0.80 (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 66.0%) in the serum, urine, and saliva, respectively. A relatively high diagnostic performance of miR-1246 was observed in all samples, which was better than that of the existing biomarkers squamous cell carcinoma antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, and cytokeratin 19 fragment. No clear correlation was observed in the levels of miR-1246 expression among the three body fluids. Postoperatively, serum samples displayed significantly decreased miR-1246 levels. Although not significant, changes in the miR-1246 levels were observed at all collection times, with large fluctuations in the saliva. Meanwhile, serum miR-1246 expression was found to be associated with the disease prognosis. The results indicate that the levels of miR-1246 in the urine, saliva, and serum are a useful biomarker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and support the use of urine samples instead of blood samples for noninvasive diagnosis.
Development of children's metacognitive knowledge, reading, and writing in English as a foreign language: Evidence from longitudinal data using multilevel models.

BACKGROUND Limited studies have been conducted on delineating the rationale behind individual differences in children developing metacognitive knowledge, as well as reading and writing proficiency. AIMS This study examined the dynamics of children's development of metacognitive knowledge as well as reading and writing proficiency during their progression from Grade 1 to Grade 6. SAMPLE(S) A total of 420 students participated in the study, who were tested 6 times to assess their metacognitive knowledge, reading, and writing proficiency. METHODS The participants were invited to complete three tests: metacognitive knowledge, reading, and writing, which were administered at the end of each grade year. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Three variables (i.e., metacognitive knowledge, reading, and writing) showed high stability and increasing variance over time. These findings suggest individual differences in children's development of metacognitive knowledge, as well as reading and writing proficiency. Students' metacognitive knowledge grew more quickly among those who entered primary school with already strong metacognitive skills; the same was true for their reading and writing development. Results also revealed predictive effects of students' metacognitive knowledge on their reading and writing performance. Implications are discussed based on these findings.