Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunological signature of patients with thymic epithelial tumors and Good syndrome

Background Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are frequently accompanied by Good Syndrome (GS), a rare immunodeficiency, characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and peripheral B cell lymphopenia. TETs can be also associated to other immunological disorders, both immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. Methods In this study, we enrolled TET patients with GS to address differences between patients with or without associated autoimmune diseases (AD). We analyzed the immunophenotype from peripheral blood of these patients focusing on selected immune cell subsets (CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, T regulatory cells, NK cells, B-cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils) and serum levels of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Results We observed higher number of leucocytes, in particular lymphocytes, B lymphopenia and lower number of T regulatory cells in TET patients with associated AD compared to TET patients without AD. In the group of TET patients with AD, we also observed increased serum levels of IL-15, VEGF, IP-10, GM-CSF, IL-6, and MIP-1α. Thus, we identified considerable differences in the lymphocyte profiles of TET patients with and without ADs, in particular a reduction in the numbers of B lymphocytes and T-regulatory cells in the former, as well as differences in the serum levels of various immune modulators. Conclusions Although the pathogenic mechanisms are still unclear, our results add new knowledge to better understand the disease, suggesting the need of surveilling the immunophenotype of TET patients to ameliorate their clinical management.
Global Flash Drought Analysis: Uncertainties From Indicators and Datasets

Flash Drought (FD) has garnered much attention in recent years, with significant advancements in the indicators applied for identifying these rapidly intensifying events. However, the difference in existing FD definitions and methodologies among research communities and the choice of different data sources underscores the importance of addressing the uncertainties associated with the global FD characteristics and their drivers. This study compares two key FD indicators derived based on evaporative stress ratio (ESR) and root‐zone soil‐moisture (RZSM) using three different data sources to investigate the uncertainties in global FD frequency and intensity (speed), and the influencing drivers. The results suggest that such disparities are significant in the two FD indicators across different climate regions of the globe. The results highlight varying spatial drivers of FD frequency, intensity, and their evolution, potentially linked to background aridity. Changes in precipitation, temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and soil‐temperature coupling play an important role with a cascading (concurrent) impact on the evolution of FD based on RZSM (ESR). The relationship between ESR and RZSM fails to explain most of the variance in each of these indicators specific to the FD episodes, especially in the transitional and humid climate regimes. Overall, the results highlight the necessity of more nuanced methodologies for deriving FD indicators that can efficiently couple the rapid soil‐moisture depletion rates in deeper layers with changes in atmospheric evaporative demand which has direct implications on vegetation health.
Diversity-inclusion nexus: assessing the role of ethnic and religious diversity in financial inclusion; a global perspective

Diversity and financial inclusion are at the top of boardroom agendas across the financial services industry. An inclusive financial environment ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. Diversity & financial inclusion is crucial for future financial management industry and its success is determined by the ability to create an inclusive culture and diverse societies. Previous studies discussed the diversity-inclusion nexus without assessing the role of ethnic and religious diversity in financial inclusion. This study empirically examines the association between ethnic and religious diversity and financial inclusion by using the dataset of 187-countries across the world. Finding shows that there is a strong positive relationship exist between financial inclusion and ethnic or religious diversity, or both. Furthermore, results are consistent for the high, middle-and low-income countries. This study suggests that fruitful outcomes of diverse population can only be obtained by ensuring the equitable and peaceful society via cohesion. Future research can be explored these findings and confirm this by country specific implication of ethnic and religious diversity in financial inclusion.
Parent Attitudes regarding Orthodontists' Role as Potential Administrators of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccines

Objective To assess parent attitudes regarding orthodontists' role as potential administrators of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines. Materials and Methods 275 parents of adolescents, aged 11–17, who attended the orthodontic clinic at an American university for orthodontic adjustment visits and met inclusion criteria were given information about HPV and HPV vaccines. A paper questionnaire was administered to assess comfort level with orthodontists as HPV vaccinators. Demographic and other potential explanatory characteristics were collected. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed with SPSS statistical software v25. Results The majority of participants were between 31 and 40 years old, with 79.6% identifying as female. 54.3% of the subjects' children identified as female. Although 71.3% of participants identified as Hispanic, 55.3% of the total participants chose to respond to the questionnaire in Spanish. 66.7% of the participants reported education level as high school degree or less. Overall, 52.4% of parents responded that they would be comfortable with orthodontists administering HPV vaccines to their children. Bivariate analysis suggested a significant association (p < 0.05) of parents taking the survey in Spanish and parents' educational attainment with HPV vaccine administration comfort level. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression indicates that parents taking survey in Spanish (adjusted OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.24–4.72; p < .01) and parents of male children (adjusted OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.01–2.73; p < 047) were comfortable with orthodontists administering the HPV vaccine. Conclusions The language of the survey influenced parents' comfort level with orthodontists as HPV vaccinators, with Spanish having a positive correlation to comfort level. Parents of male children were more comfortable with orthodontists as HPV vaccinator.
Development and evaluation of a method for tumor growth simulation in virtual clinical trials of breast cancer screening

Abstract. Purpose: Image-based analysis of breast tumor growth rate may optimize breast cancer screening and diagnosis by suggesting optimal screening intervals and guide the clinical discussion regarding personalized screening based on tumor aggressiveness. Simulation-based virtual clinical trials (VCTs) can be used to evaluate and optimize medical imaging systems and design clinical trials. This study aimed to simulate tumor growth over multiple screening rounds. Approach: This study evaluates a preliminary method for simulating tumor growth. Clinical data on tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) was used to fit a probability distribution (“clinical fit”) of TVDTs. Simulated tumors with TVDTs sampled from the clinical fit were inserted into 30 virtual breasts (“simulated cohort”) and used to simulate mammograms. Based on the TVDT, two successive screening rounds were simulated for each virtual breast. TVDTs from clinical and simulated mammograms were compared. Tumor sizes in the simulated mammograms were measured by a radiologist in three repeated sessions to estimate TVDT. Results: The mean TVDT was 297 days (standard deviation, SD, 169 days) in the clinical fit and 322 days (SD, 217 days) in the simulated cohort. The mean estimated TVDT was 340 days (SD, 287 days). No significant difference was found between the estimated TVDTs from simulated mammograms and clinical TVDT values (p > 0.5). No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the reproducibility of the tumor size measurements between the two screening rounds. Conclusions: The proposed method for tumor growth simulation has demonstrated close agreement with clinical results, supporting potential use in VCTs of temporal breast imaging.
Aplicação de objeto virtual de aprendizagem, para avaliação simulada de dor aguda, em estudantes de enfermagem

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os resultados da aplicacao de um objeto virtual de aprendizagem para avaliacao simulada da dor aguda na aprendizagem de estudantes de graduacao em enfermagem e verificar sua opiniao sobre a qualidade da tecnologia. Trata-se de estudo quase experimental, nao randomizado, do tipo antes e depois, realizado com 14 estudantes da setima fase da graduacao em enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. As medias de pre (8,84) e pos-teste (9,31) revelaram diferenca significativa na aprendizagem, apos intervencao (p=0,03). Na avaliacao qualitativa, destacaram-se a flexibilidade de acesso, o acesso independente de tempo/lugar, liberdade para decidir o melhor percurso de aprendizagem e a semelhanca com a realidade. Constitui promissora ferramenta educacional, uma experiencia interativa, semelhante a realidade, dinâmica e construtiva de aprendizagem. A aplicacao da tecnologia trouxe resultados positivos para a aprendizagem da avaliacao da dor, contribuindo para o preenchimento da lacuna no ensino da tematica.
Vibration safety evaluation model and sensor network-based monitoring system for coke drums in operation

ABSTRACT Repetitive and severe thermal loads and load changes affect not only the physical properties of the coke drum but also its dynamic properties, possibly leading to structural failure. In particular, the operation weight of the drum, which increases up to 10 times or more, affects the dynamic properties of the structure and may threaten safety. Therefore, a vibration safety evaluation model for coke drums in operation is proposed to provide critical feedback on damage accumulation and to evaluate the vibration stability. A monitoring system was also developed to validate the model predictions by measuring the vibration patterns and corresponding modal parameters of the coke drums in operation. The proposed technique was applied to two coke drums in operation, and the vibration safety and factors causing vibration in the target structures were analyzed. The maximum vibration pattern was observed in the target structures at a feeding ratio of 71%. It exceeded the vibration criteria of the vibration safety evaluation model by up to 406%. Moreover, the analysis determined that the rapid increase in operating weight of the coke drums due to the influx of heavy crude oil, and the down-shift in their mode frequency induced superimposition and resonance with the structural mode, causing vibration.
Specialization in BI & A-Supported Decision Processes

Leveraging the benefits of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) and improving decision quality does not only depend on establishing BI&A technology, but also on the organization and characteristics of decision processes. This research investigates new perspectives on these decision processes and establishes a link between characteristics of BI&A support and decision makers’ modes of information processing behavior, and how these ultimately contribute to the quality of decision outcomes. We build on the heuristic–systematic model (HSM) of information processing, as a central explanatory mechanism for linking BI&A support and decision quality. This allows us examining the effects of decision makers’ systematic and heuristic modes of information processing behavior in decision making processes. We further elucidate the role of analytics experts in influencing decision makers’ utilization of analytic advice. The analysis of data from 136 BI&A-supported decisions reveals how high levels of analytics elaboration can have a negative effect on decision makers’ information processing behavior. We further show how decision makers’ systematic processing contributes to decision quality and how heuristic processing restrains it. In this context we also find that trustworthiness in the analytics expert plays an important role for the adoption of analytic advice.
Diet analysis of bats killed at wind turbines suggests large‐scale losses of trophic interactions

Agricultural practice has led to landscape simplification and biodiversity decline, yet recently, energy‐producing infrastructures, such as wind turbines, have been added to these simplified agroecosystems, turning them into multi‐functional energy‐agroecosystems. Here, we studied the trophic interactions of bats killed at wind turbines using a DNA metabarcoding approach to shed light on how turbine‐related bat fatalities may possibly affect local habitats. Specifically, we identified insect DNA in the stomachs of common noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) killed by wind turbines in Germany to infer in which habitats these bats hunted. Common noctule bats consumed a wide variety of insects from different habitats, ranging from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., wetlands, farmland, forests, and grasslands). Agricultural and silvicultural pest insects made up about 20% of insect species consumed by the studied bats. Our study suggests that the potential damage of wind energy production goes beyond the loss of bats and the decline of bat populations. Bat fatalities at wind turbines may lead to the loss of trophic interactions and ecosystem services provided by bats, which may add to the functional simplification and impaired crop production, respectively, in multi‐functional ecosystems.
FISCAL NEUTRALITY HYPOTHESIS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE

: There is yet to be a consensus on government expenditure and revenue nexus. The debate revolves round four major arguments, namely, revenue-spend hypothesis, spend-revenue hypothesis, fiscal synchronization hypothesis and fiscal neutrality hypothesis. The fiscal neutrality hypothesis postulates lacks of causal relationship between revenue and expenditure of the public sector. This study specifically examines the validity of the fiscal neutrality hypothesis in the Nigerian Local Government. The extent to which this hypothesis is true or false in the Nigerian Local Government (LG) deserves empirical investigation considering the role of the tier of government at ensuring grassroots development. Hence, this study sets out to test the fiscal neutrality hypothesis in the LG of Nigeria, using a quarterly data from 1993Q1 to 2019Q4. The data were sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin and analyzed using pairwise Granger causality technique after testing for unit root and cointegration. This therefore study upholds the fiscal neutrality hypothesis in the Nigerian LG, having confirmed no causal relationship between expenditure and revenue in the Nigerian LG. It is high time that fiscal synchronization of Local Government revenue and expenditure be vigorously pursued by the government through various reforms.
Bioinformatic Analysis of the Expression and Clinical Significance of the DNA Replication Regulator MCM Complex in Bladder Cancer

Objective The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex (MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM5, MCM6, and MCM7), which regulates DNA replication and cell cycle progression, is essential for the development and progression of multiple tumors, but their role in bladder cancer development remains unclear. In the present study, the biological role and clinical significance of the MCM complex in bladder cancer were systematically elucidated. Materials and Methods We analyzed DNA mutations, mRNA expression and protein levels, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, functional enrichment, prognostic value of MCM2/3/4/5/6/7 in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLC) and the connections between the immune cell infiltration and the overall survival of BLC patients with the MCM expression levels using Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), the Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA), Human Protein Atlas, UALCAN, STRING, cBioPortal, TIMER and GSCALite databases. Results The outcomes showed that the mRNA expression level of each member of the MCM complex was significantly correlated with histologic grade and tumor histology in BLC patients. Moreover, survival analysis showed that MCM/2/3/4/5/6/7 mRNA expressions were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. Moreover, we experimentally validated the overexpression of the MCM2-7 complex in the BLC. Based on functional enrichment and PPI network analysis, the MCM complex might promote the progression of bladder cancer by activating DNA replication and accelerating cell cycle progression. In addition, MCM2/3/4/5/6/7 genes were also significantly associated with tumor immune cells infiltration and the drug sensitivity in BLC. Conclusion Our study suggests that the MCM complex especially MCM2/4/6/7 might be potential molecular therapeutic targets for BLC treatment and might be useful biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.
Clinical Article Phase shift and correlation coefficient measurement of cerebral autoregulation during deep breathing in traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Summary Background. Impairment of cerebral autoregulation is known to adversely affect outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The phase shift (PS) method of cerebral autoregulation (CA) assessment describes the time lag between fluctuations in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the middle cerebral artery. An alternative method (Mx-ABP) is based on the statistical correlation between ABP and CBFV waveforms over time. We compared these two indices in a cohort of severely head injured patients undergoing controlled, 6-breaths-per-minute ventilation. Methods. PS and Mx-ABP were calculated from 33 recordings of CBFV and MAP in 22 patients with TBI. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the agreement between PS and Mx-ABP. The relationship between ICP slow wave amplitude, MAP slow wave amplitude and mean ICP was also examined. Findings. Mean values for Mx-ABP and PS were 0.44 � 0.27, and 49 � 26 (degrees), respectively. PS correlated significantly with Mx-ABP (r ¼� 0.648, p < 0.001). A Bland-Altman plot of normalised Mx-ABP and Phase Shift values showed no significant bias or relationship (mean difference ¼0.0004, r ¼� 0.037, p ¼0.852). During the test procedure, ICP fluctuated in an approximately sinusoidal fashion, with a mean amplitude of 4.96 � 2.72mmHg (peak to peak). The magnitude of ICP fluctuation during deep breathing correlated weakly but significantly with mean ICP (r ¼ 0.391, p<0.05) and with the amplitude of ABP fluctuations (r ¼0.625, p <0.0005). Conclusions. Phase shift and Mx-ABP in TBI are well correlated. Deep breathing presents as an effective tool with which to assess autoregulation using the phase shift method.
Peer‐led interventions to prevent tobacco, alcohol and/or drug use among young people aged 11–21 years: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background and Aims Peer-led interventions may offer a beneficial approach in preventing substance use, but their impact has not yet been quantified. We conducted a systematic review to investigate and quantify the effect of peer-led interventions that sought to prevent tobacco, alcohol and/or drug use among young people aged 11–21 years. Methods Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2015 without language restriction. We included randomized controlled trials only. Screening and data extraction were conducted in duplicate and data from eligible studies were pooled in a random effects meta-analysis. Results We identified 17 eligible studies, approximately half of which were school-based studies targeting tobacco use among adolescents. Ten studies targeting tobacco use could be pooled, representing 13 706 young people in 220 schools. Meta-analysis demonstrated that the odds of smoking were lower among those receiving the peer-led intervention compared with control [odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.62–0.99, P = 0.040]. There was evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 41%, χ2 15.17, P = 0.086). Pooling of six studies representing 1699 individuals in 66 schools demonstrated that peer-led interventions were also associated with benefit in relation to alcohol use (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.65–0.99, P = 0.036), while three studies (n = 976 students in 38 schools) suggested an association with lower odds of cannabis use (OR = 0.70, 0.50–0.97, P = 0.034). No studies were found that targeted other illicit drug use. Conclusions Peer interventions may be effective in preventing tobacco, alcohol and possibly cannabis use among adolescents, although the evidence base is limited overall, and is characterized mainly by small studies of low quality.
Journal of Reproduction and Development

Freeze-dried sperm (FD sperm) are of great value because they can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time, However, the birth rate of offspring derived from FD sperm is low and the step in the freezedrying process particularly responsible for low offspring production remains unknown. In this study, we determined whether the drying process was responsible for the low success rate of offspring by producing vacuum-dried sperm (VD sperm), using mouse spermatozoa dried in a vacuum without being frozen. Transfer of embryos fertilized with VD sperm to recipients resulted in the production of several successful offspring. However, the success rate was slightly lower than that of FD sperm. The volume, temperature, and viscosity of the medium were optimized to improve the birth rate. The results obtained from a comet assay indicated that decreasing the drying rate reduced the extent of DNA damage in VD sperm. Furthermore, even though the rate of blastocyst formation increased upon fertilization with VD sperm, full-term development was not improved. Analysis of chromosomal damage at the twocell stage through an abnormal chromosome segregation (ACS) assay revealed that reduction in the drying rate failed to prevent chromosomal damage. These results indicate that the lower birth rate of offspring from FD sperm may result from the drying process rather than the freezing process.
Academic Pathways for Formerly Incarcerated Students: “If I could do 12 years in prison, why can’t I do 12 years in college.”

This qualitative study examined the experiences of formerly incarcerated students in community colleges. In this study, participants described how they made meaning of their postsecondary education experience through their decision to start college, the college preparation, and faculty interactions that collectively influenced their academic pathways. The students of this study were formerly incarcerated Latino men enrolled in California community colleges located in northern, central, and southern regions. This study specifically sought to challenge the stigma that revolves around the experiences of the carceral system leading to a deficit perspective on this student population. The findings from this study aligns with the academic support services for this student population in higher education.