Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between urinary incontinence with sexual function and quality of life in postmenopausal women

Background Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the psychosocial well-being of postmenopausal women. This study aimed to determine the relationship between urinary incontinence with sexual function and quality of life. Method It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling on 433 postmenopausal women in Tabriz-Iran, 2021–2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, female sexual function index (FSFI), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL), and Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (UIDQ). Independent sample t-test and general linear model (GLM) were used to compare the quality of life and sexual function score between the two groups of women with and without stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence. Results Independent sample t-test showed a significant difference in the quality of life and sexual function between women with and without stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence (p < 0.05). Based on the GLM with adjusting the socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, women without stress incontinence reported a lower mean score of MENQOL (B = − 23.38; 95% CI = −30.1 to −16.6; p < 0.001) and a higher mean score of sexual function (B = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.1–7.0; p < 0.001) compared to women with stress incontinence; a lower MENQOL score and a higher sexual function score indicate better condition. However, there was no significant relationship between urgency and mixed incontinence with quality of life and sexual function (p > 0.05). Conclusion As urinary incontinence remarkably affects sexual function and quality of life of postmenopausal women, health care providers should consider better solutions for this issue in their work program.
The role of cranial osteoderms on the mechanics of the skull in scincid lizards

Osteoderms (ODs) are calcified organs formed directly within the skin of most major extant tetrapod lineages. Lizards possibly show the greatest diversity in ODs morphology and distribution. ODs are commonly hypothesized to function as a defensive armor. Here we tested the hypothesis that cranial osteoderms also contribute to the mechanics of the skull during biting. A series of in vivo experiments were carried out on three specimens of Tiliqua gigas. Animals were induced to bite a force plate while a single cranial OD was strain gauged. A finite element (FE) model of a related species, Tiliqua scincoides, was developed and used to estimate the level of strain across the same OD as instrumented in the in vivo experiments. FE results were compared to the in vivo data and the FE model was modified to test two hypothetical scenarios in which all ODs were (i) removed from, and (ii) fused to, the skull. In vivo data demonstrated that the ODs were carrying load during biting. The hypothetical FE models showed that when cranial ODs were fused to the skull, the overall strain across the skull arising from biting was reduced. Removing the ODs showed an opposite effect. In summary, our findings suggest that cranial ODs contribute to the mechanics of the skull, even when they are loosely attached.
Development, psychometric validation, and cross-cultural comparison of the “Instagram Motives Questionnaire” (IMQ) and the “Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire” (IUPQ)

Abstract Background and aims Social network use is widespread, and the study of Instagram seems to have captured more attention in recent years. However, scale development and validation in the field has fallen short of providing sound scales of Instagram motives and usage patterns that consider the uniqueness of Instagram-related behavior. This paper describes the development, psychometric and cross-cultural validation of two new measurement instruments: the “Instagram Motives Questionnaire” (IMQ) and the “Instagram Uses and Patterns Questionnaire” (IUPQ). Methods and results A preliminary set of items was developed for each questionnaire based on a previous qualitative interview study on Instagram motives, uses, and consequences. In the first study, the questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 312 participants aged 18–35 years (M = 23.81; SD = 4.49), and an exploratory factor analysis was performed. A parsimonious and interpretable 6-factor solution that displayed adequate factor loadings and adequate Omega coefficients for both instruments were found. In a second study, the two instruments and other measures of known social network usage correlates and mental health consequences were administered online to 1,418 English-speaking participants aged 18–34 years (M = 21.35; SD = 3.89). Both scales showed good psychometric properties and the factor structure identified in study 1 was reproduced through confirmatory factor analysis. Omega reliability coefficients were adequate. Finally, when performing multi-group CFA along with a French (n = 1,826) and a Spanish (n = 3,040) sample, language and gender invariance were supported. Correlations with other relevant measures indicate good convergent validity of both scales. Conclusions The present research provides psychometrically sound instruments for further investigations on Instagram use behaviors.
The Role of Surface-Wave Breaking in Air-Sea Interaction

Breaking serves to limit the height of surface waves, mix the surface waters, generate ocean currents, and enhance air-sea fluxes of heat, mass, and momentum through the generation of turbulence and the entrainment of air. Breaking may result from intrinsic instabilities of deep-water waves or through wavewave, wave-current, and wind-wave interactions. Observations in the field are made difficult by the fact that breaking is a strongly nonlinear intermittent process occurring over a wide range of scales. Controlled laboratory studies of breaking have proven useful in measuring the scaling relationships between the surface wave field and the kinematics and dynamics of breaking. Our inability to predict the occurrence and dynamics of breaking is a major impediment to the development of better wind-wave and mixed-layer models. Modern acoustic and electromagnetic oceanographic instrumentation should lead to significantly improved measurements of breaking in the near future.
Novel double staining of the stratum corneum with fluorescent ε‐poly‐l‐lysine and anionic dextran

ε‐Poly‐l‐lysine (PLL) is a cationic polymer consisting of 25–35 l‐lysine residues. Our previous study revealed that fluorescently labelled PLL can stain the stratum corneum (SC) via ionic interactions between PLL and SC constituents. In this study, to further clarify the mechanisms underlying the interaction between PLL and the SC, the staining properties of fluorescent PLL were compared with that of fluorescently labelled anionic dextran (aDex), which has approximately the same molecular weight as PLL.
Atrial fibrillation in UK South Asian hospitalized ischemic stroke patients: The BRAINS study

Introduction South Asian diaspora comprise one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the world yet data about atrial fibrillation (AF) in this demographic is understudied. Our aim is to identify differences in AF prevalence and treatment between South Asians and white British stroke patients. Method The UK arm of a prospective ongoing large international repository on stroke was analysed. Ethnic differences in AF prevalence and management in those with ischemic stroke were analysed. Results Of the 3515 individuals recruited with ischemic stroke, 1482 (men: 972, women: 510) were South Asian and 2033 (men:1141, women:892) of white British ethnicity. AF was present in 462 white British and 193 South Asians stroke patients, with South Asians displaying a lower prevalence of AF (South Asians: 13.0% vs white British 22.7%, P<0.001). Despite adjustment for traditional AF risk factors, South Asians had a significantly lower OR of AF compared to white British stroke patients (OR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.33:0.49, P<0.001). Among confirmed AF cases, 31.8% of South Asians and 41.4% of white British were untreated at admission (P = 0.02). Antiplatelet treatment was significantly higher among South Asians at both admission (South Asian: 47.4% vs. white British: 29.9%, P<0.001) and discharge (South Asian: 49.5% vs. white British: 34.7%, P = 0.001), although anticoagulation treatment was similar across both ethnic groups at admission (South Asian: 28.5% vs white British: 28.1%, P = 0.93), and discharge (South Asian: 45.1% vs white British: 43.1%, P = 0.64). Conclusion Stroke patients of South Asian descent are at significantly lower risk of AF but more likely to be on antiplatelet treatment compared to their white British counterparts.
Cardinality versus q-norm constraints for index tracking

Index tracking aims at replicating a given benchmark with a smaller number of its constituents. Different quantitative models can be set up to determine the optimal index replicating portfolio. In this paper, we propose an alternative based on imposing a constraint on the q-norm (0 < q < 1) of the replicating portfolios’ asset weights: the q-norm constraint regularises the problem and identifies a sparse model. Both approaches are challenging from an optimization viewpoint due to either the presence of the cardinality constraint or a non-convex constraint on the q-norm. The problem can become even more complex when non-convex distance measures or other real-world constraints are considered. We employ a hybrid heuristic as a flexible tool to tackle both optimization problems. The empirical analysis of real-world financial data allows us to compare the two index tracking approaches. Moreover, we propose a strategy to determine the optimal number of constituents and the corresponding optimal portfolio asset weights.
Two-Level Finite Element Method with a Stabilizng Subgrid for the Natural Convention Flow Simulation in Different Geometries

The present numerical study deals with the stabilized finite element solution of the steady natural convection flow in terms of primitive variables. The domain is discretized into a set of regular linear triangular elements for all unknowns containing a single subgrid node, which has a crucial effect in the stabilization with a cheap computational cost. The proposed stabilized finite element method enables obtainment of a stable solution and avoids oscillations, especially in the pressure. The algorithm is presented for different benchmark problems considered in different geometries and the solutions are obtained for high values of Rayleigh number (Ra) (103 ≤ Ra ≤ 106). Furthermore, the solutions show the well-known characteristics of the natural convection flow and agree well with the results in the literature.
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism in diabetes reduces albuminuria by preserving the glomerular endothelial glycocalyx

The glomerular endothelial glycocalyx (GEnGlx) forms the first part of the glomerular filtration barrier. Previously, we showed that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation caused GEnGlx damage and albuminuria. In this study, we investigated whether MR antagonism could limit albuminuria in diabetes and studied the site of action. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats developed albuminuria, increased glomerular albumin permeability (Ps’alb), and increased glomerular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity with corresponding GEnGlx loss. MR antagonism prevented albuminuria progression, restored Ps’alb, preserved GEnGlx, and reduced MMP activity. Enzymatic degradation of the GEnGlx negated the benefits of MR antagonism, confirming their dependence on GEnGlx integrity. Exposing human glomerular endothelial cells (GEnC) to diabetic conditions in vitro increased MMPs and caused glycocalyx damage. Amelioration of these effects confirmed a direct effect of MR antagonism on GEnC. To confirm relevance to human disease, we used a potentially novel confocal imaging method to show loss of GEnGlx in renal biopsy specimens from patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). In addition, patients with DN randomized to receive an MR antagonist had reduced urinary MMP2 activity and albuminuria compared with placebo and baseline levels. Taken together, our work suggests that MR antagonists reduce MMP activity and thereby preserve GEnGlx, resulting in reduced glomerular permeability and albuminuria in diabetes.
The accuracy of an electronic nose to diagnose tuberculosis in patients referred to an expert centre

Introduction An electronic nose (eNose) device has shown a high specificity and sensitivity to diagnose or rule out tuberculosis (TB) in the past. The aim of this study was to evaluate its performance in patients referred to INERAM. Methods Patients aged ≥15 years were included. A history, physical examination, chest radiography (CRX) and microbiological evaluation of a sputum sample were performed in all participants, as well as a 5-minute breath test with the eNose. TB diagnosis was preferably established by the gold standard and compared to the eNose predictions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess potential risk factors for erroneous classification results by the eNose. Results 107 participants with signs and symptoms of TB were enrolled of which 91 (85.0%) were diagnosed with TB. The blind eNose predictions resulted in an accuracy of 50%; a sensitivity of 52.3% (CI 95%: 39.6–64.7%) and a specificity of 36.4% (CI 95%: 12.4–68.4%). Risk factors for erroneous classifications by the eNose were older age (multivariate analysis: OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10–2.18, p = 0.012) and antibiotic use (multivariate analysis: OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.06–9.66, p = 0.040). Conclusion In this study, the accuracy of the eNose to diagnose TB in a tertiary referral hospital was only 50%. The use of antibiotics and older age represent important factors negatively influencing the diagnostic accuracy of the eNose. Therefore, its use should probably be restricted to screening in high-risk communities in less complex healthcare settings.
Non-linear observer design by transformation into a generalized observer canonical form

An observer design method for a certain class of non-linear single output systems is introduced. The characteristic feature of this method consists of the fact that it does not require any linearization in the way that the given non-linear system is approximated by a linear one. The present paper deals with the derivation of a transformation of the considered non-linear system into a generalized observer canonical form (GOCF) which enables a systematic observer design similar to the linear one based on the well-known linear observer canonical form. To assign conditions for its existence, the transformation into the GOCF is carried out in two steps via a generalized observability canonical form (GOBCF). In contrast to previous forms used for linear systems, the two non-linear canonical forms presented here also depend on the time derivatives of the input variables. This means that the resulting observer has to be supplied, not only with the input and output variables of the given system, but also with deri.
Study of Raman amplification properties in triangular photonic crystal fibers

The Raman properties of triangular photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) are analyzed in order to design a fiber for Raman amplification with enhanced performances. By casting the Raman intensity propagation equations, the Raman effective area and the Raman gain coefficient are introduced - two meaningful parameters that take into account the overlap between the pump and signal profiles. The behavior of these two parameters is examined in silica PCFs as a function of the geometrical characteristics of the triangular lattice. The numerical results show that a proper design of the hole diameter and the spacing between air holes can minimize the Raman effective area and maximize the Raman gain coefficient. The paper then focuses on PCFs with a germania-doped core. It is found that, for a given PCF cross section and dimension of the doped region, the Raman gain coefficient increases linearly with germania concentration. Moreover, by enlarging the doped region, it is discovered that a PCF with a germania-doped area internally tangent to the first ring of air holes has a maximum Raman gain coefficient. Finally, the calculated values of the Raman gain coefficient are compared with those of other highly nonlinear fibers presented in the literature, showing that a well-designed triangular PCF can significantly improve Raman gain performance.
Long-term, large-scale experiment reveals the effects of seed limitation, climate, and anthropogenic disturbance on restoration of plant communities in a biodiversity hotspot

Significance A major challenge to global plant restoration is that numerous factors, including land management practices and climate variability, affect plant populations through multiple demographic processes, including establishment and persistence. Few studies have resolved these complexities. Our multiyear, multisite experiment reveals several factors structuring recovery of 24 understory plant species in longleaf pine savannas where past agricultural use has reduced plant diversity. Addition of seeds, cool and wet climatic conditions, low tree density, and reduced litter depth promoted establishment. Once established, most species persisted for the duration of the 8-y study. Our long-term study illustrates the contribution of temporal variation in climate and land management. Our demographic-based approach informs restoration of entire communities, maximizing potential for restoration on former agricultural lands.
Differential Geometry from the viewpoint of Lagrangian or Legendrian singularity theory

This is a half survey on the classical results of extrinsic differential geometry of hypersurfaces in Euclidean space from the view point of Lagrangian or Legendrian singularity theory. Many results in this paper have been already obtained in some articles. However, we can discover some new information of geometric properties of hypersurfaces from this point of view.
Static spherically symmetric scalar fields in general relativity

In 1957, Bergmann and Leipnik attempted to find static spherically symmetric solutions of a special form of the field equations of general relativity. They were not able to find explicit expressions for the gravitational potentials, and they did not realize that such expressions could be found by using a different coordinate system. Although Buchdahl developed an elegant procedure for finding, by inspection, the solutions sought by Bergmann and Leipnik, his procedure is severely limited when applied to the spherically symmetric case. Indeed, his procedure fails to identify one whole class of such static solutions. The object of this paper is to show that, under the assumptions of Bergmann and Leipnik, the integration of the field equations is almost trivial, and to identify the missing class of solutions.
When residents die in Portuguese care facilities: The experiences and practices of care facility directors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract This qualitative exploratory study aimed to describe the experiences and practices of care facility directors regarding residents dying in Portuguese residential care facilities (RCFs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was obtained from 17 care director facilities who participated in focus groups. The data analysis followed the interpretative phenomenological approach. Participants stated that practices surrounding the death of the residents in Portuguese RCFs changed significantly from before to during the pandemic, regarding both those who died from COVID-19 infection and from other conditions. Four themes emerged that illustrated the situation during the peaks of the pandemic. During the pandemic, practices and experiences quite different from the usual ones have emerged. These results support the importance of a good death, and dying with dignity in RCFs, and the need for policies, practices, and training on the death of residents in RCFs in Portugal.
Involvement of protumor macrophages in breast cancer progression and characterization of macrophage phenotypes

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most prominent immune cells in the breast cancer microenvironment, and the protumor functions of TAMs are thought to affect cancer progression and resistance to anticancer therapy. Numerous studies using human breast cancer samples, cell lines, and murine breast cancer models have revealed details of the mechanisms by which the protumor functions of TAMs are activated. Recent advances have highlighted the significant involvement of TAMs in the resistance of breast cancer cells to immunotherapy. Tumor‐associated macrophages express a number of immunosuppressive genes, and single‐cell sequence analyses of human and murine cancer samples have helped elucidate the mechanism of TAM‐induced immunosuppression. As TAMs are considered suitable targets for anticancer therapies, we summarized the protumor functions of TAMs and the potential of anticancer therapies targeting TAMs, with a focus on breast cancer research.
Thermo-mechanical properties in bending of a multizone nickel-titanium archwire: A retrieval analysis

Objective This study aimed to compare the mechanical and thermal properties in the anterior and posterior segments of new and retrieved specimens of a commercially available multizone superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwire. Methods The following groups of 0.016 × 0.022-inch Bioforce NiTi archwires were compared a) anterior and b) posterior segments of new specimens and c) anterior and d) posterior segments of retrieved specimens. Six specimens were evaluated in each group, by three-point bending and bend and free recovery tests. Bending moduli (Eb) were calculated. Furthermore, the new specimens were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. A multiple linear regression model with a random intercept at the wire level was applied for data analysis. Results The forces in the posterior segments or new specimens were higher than those recorded in the anterior segments or retrieved specimens, respectively. Accordingly, Eb also varied. Higher austenite start and austenite finish (Af) temperatures were recorded in the anterior segments. No statistically significant differences were found for these temperatures between retrieved and new wires. The mean elemental composition was (weight percentage) Ni, 52.6 ± 0.5; Ti, 47.4 ± 0.5. Conclusions The existence of multiple force zones was confirmed in new and retrieved Bioforce archwires. The retrieved archwires demonstrated lower forces during the initial stages of deactivation in three-point bending tests, compared with new specimens. The Af temperature of these archwires may lie higher than the regular intraoral temperature. Even at 2 mm deflections, the forces recorded from these archwires may lie beyond biologically safe limits.