Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lower respiratory tract sampling in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: A focus on microbiology, cellular morphology, cytology, and management impact

Background: Lower respiratory tract (LRT) sampling through bronchoscopy has been done sparingly in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to the high aerosol risk for the health-care workers (HCWs). Valuable information can be gained by a detailed evaluation of bronchoscopic LRT samples. Methods: LRT samples were obtained by bedside bronchoscopy severe COVID-19 ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation. Microbiological, cellular, and cytological studies including LRT COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were analyzed. Results: A total of 100 samples were collected from 63 patients, 53 were males (84%). Forty-three patients (68%) had at least 1 comorbidity. 55% of cases had a secondary bacterial infection, commonly with multidrug-resistant organisms (94.5%). The most common organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii in 56.3% and 14.5% of cases, respectively. Fungal superinfection was observed in 9 patients (14.3%). Bronchoscopy helped confirm COVID-19 diagnosis in 1 patient and helped rule out COVID-19 in 3 patients. The median bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) white blood cell (WBC) count was 953 (inter quartile range; 400–2717), with mean neutrophil count 85.2% (±13.9) and mean lymphocyte count 14.8% (±13.9). Repeat sampling done in some patients showed a progressive increase in the total WBC count in BALF, an increase in neutrophil percentage, and a higher chance of isolating an organism on the culture. Rate of superinfection increased with a longer duration of illness. Bronchoscopic LRT sampling contributed significantly to modifying antibiotic coverage and discontinuing steroids in 37% of cases. Conclusions: Our study provides a detailed analysis of bronchoscopic LRT sampling in critically ill COVID-19 patients, augmenting disease understanding and contributing to clinical management.
Global and linear convergence of alternated inertial single projection algorithms for pseudo-monotone variational inequalities

In this paper, we investigate three new relaxed single projection methods with alternating inertial extrapolation steps and adaptive non-monotonic step sizes for solving pseudo-monotone variational inequalities in real Hilbert spaces. The proposed algorithms need to compute the projection on the feasible set only once in each iteration and they can work adaptively without the prior information of the Lipschitz constant of the mapping. The weak convergence theorems of the proposed iterative schemes are established under some appropriate conditions imposed on the parameters. These methods recover the Fej´er monotonicity of the even subsequence with respect to the solution and obtain linear convergence rates. Finally, some numerical experiments and applications to optimal control problems are provided to demonstrate the advantages and eﬃciency of the proposed methods compared to some recent related ones.
Achieving a Climate-Change Resilient Farming System through Push–Pull Technology: Evidence from Maize Farming Systems in Ethiopia

Building climate-resilient farming systems is important to promote the sustainability of agriculture at the global level. Scaling-up agroecological approaches in main staple crops, such as maize, is particularly important in enhancing the climate resilience of millions of smallholder farmers in developing countries. In this regard, push–pull technology (PPT) is an ecological approach to a farming system that aims to improve the climate resilience of maize producers in a smallholder mixed farming system. PPT is primarily designed to control pests and weeds in an ecofriendly approach, to improve soil fertility, to improve livestock feed, and to increase farmers’ incomes. In this study, we compared the level of climate resilience between PPT maize farming systems and non-PPT maize farming systems in southern Ethiopia. Using the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Self-Evaluation and Holistic Assessment of Climate Resilience of Farmers and Pastoralists (SHARP), we measured 13 agroecosystem indicators of climate resilience and compared the degree to which the two farming systems differ in their level of resilience to climate change. The results indicate that PPT farming systems are more climate-resilient than their non-PPT counterparts. PPT maize farming systems had a significant impact on 8 out of the 13 agroecosystem indicators of climate resilience. To harness the full benefits of PPT, governmental extension agents, NGOs, and agricultural researchers should promote PPT-based maize farming systems. The promotion of PPT needs concerted efforts and strong national coordination in solving PPT implementation barriers, such as improving access to input and output markets and animal health services.
Rewarding More Is Better for Soliciting Help, Yet More So for Cash Than for Goods: Revisiting and Reframing the Tale of Two Markets With Replications and Extensions of Heyman and Ariely (2004)

Heyman and Ariely (2004) demonstrated that the expected effectiveness of soliciting help varied depending on the “market”, a money market represented by cash rewards versus a social market represented by goods as rewards. They showed that, as cash rewards increase, individuals expected others to be more willing to help, yet, when offering social goods as rewards such as candy, expected willingness to help was insensitive to rewards’ monetary worth. We conducted two pre-registered replication studies (total: N = 3302, MTurk/Prolific) of Study 1 in Heyman and Ariely (2004) and found support for one of their main claims that people are more sensitive to worth when the reward is cash than goods. However, the rewards’ monetary worth impacted expected willingness to help even in social markets, deviating from the original findings. Extensions further compared between-subject and within-subject designs, examined perceived affect (joy and regret), and added a new control condition. We concluded that higher compensation is generally perceived as better when soliciting help, yet more so for the money market cash rewards than for the social market goods rewards. All materials, data, and code are provided on https://osf.io/y9p7u/
Rational, recognizable, and aperiodic partially lossy queue languages

Partially lossy queue monoids (plq monoids) model the behavior of queues that can non-deterministically forget specified parts of their content at any time. We call the subsets of this monoid partially lossy queue languages (plq languages). While many decision problems on recognizable plq languages are decidable, most of them are undecidable if the languages are rational. In particular, in this monoid the classes of rational and recognizable languages do not coincide. This is due to the fact that the class of recognizable plq languages is not closed under multiplication and iteration. However, we can generate the recognizable plq languages using special rational expressions consisting of the Boolean operations and restricted versions of multiplication and iteration. From these special rational expressions we can also obtain an MSO logic describing the recognizable plq languages. Moreover, we provide similar results for the class of aperiodic languages in the plq monoid.
Utilising a Critical Realist Lens to Conceptualise Digital Inequality: The Experiences of Less Well-Off Internet Users

This study aims to contribute to existing understandings of the relationships between social inequality and Internet use through 30 in-depth interviews with people in Britain who have digital access, are digitally competent, and use the Internet for a broad range of purposes, yet come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Using a critical realist lens, it examines the everyday experiences and implications of using the Internet for this group. The paper explores individuals uses of the Internet, the ways people are able to exert agency using the affordances of the Internet and the structural conditions which constrain or enable what is possible for participants to achieve. The analysis provides a way to understand the complex mechanisms of agency and structure that help to explain the varied outcomes of Internet use for different individuals; and promotes a move beyond a focus on access and skills in digital inclusion policies.
A theoretical framework for the use of music therapy in the treatment of selective mutism in young children: Multiple case study research

ABSTRACT Introduction Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that affects some children when they begin school. If left untreated the long-term impact can include complex, debilitating mental health conditions. The usual presentation is lack of speech in the education setting, contrasting with confident speech at home. Prevalence is estimated at 0.7% but can be three times higher for children who are immigrant second language learners. There is some evidence to suggest that music therapy is helpful but a deeper understanding is needed. This study aims to develop a new theoretical framework for the use of music therapy for young children with SM. Method The paper reports on multiple case study research of music therapy for six children with SM aged 3–5. Template analysis combining inductive and deductive enquiry is used to revise and develop the framework. Results The six case studies describe contrasting paths into speech. Four key domains – Approach; Therapeutic Process; Interconnected Elements of Music Therapy; Context – were necessary to clinical practice across cases, and are presented in detail in the final theoretical framework. Music therapists bring many useful skills, with musical communication established as an empowering tool for alleviating SM. Discussion The framework provides the theoretical basis for comprehensive guidance for music therapy with young children with SM. An open, flexible, multi-modal approach, integrating teamwork and considering transdisciplinary practice, is indicated. The need for SM training for music therapists and the potential role of music therapy on the care pathway for SM is demonstrated.
Bray-Call Sequences in the Mediterranean Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Acoustic Repertoire

Simple Summary In the acoustic repertoire of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Gulps, Grunts, and Squeaks are part of a group of vocalizations called “bray-call” for which little has been previously studied. The name comes from the alternating structure characteristic of a donkey’s bray. Sounds can be of different types at low frequencies and audible to the human hear—of short duration, produced in sequence. The function of these sequences is not clarified yet, and it is not known if they are part of the vocal “catalog” of all the different populations of common bottlenose dolphin at global level. What is certain is that bray-calls are present in two geographical areas of the Mediterranean and that the “Capitoline” individuals (Rome, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) emit them with greater frequency and variety than the Sicilian ones (Mazara del Vallo, Sicilian Channel, Italy). A number of 13 different types of sequences have been identified, and only 2 of them are shared between the study areas. For the first time this study identifies variants of the main bray-call elements, highlights the structural complexity of these vocalizations, and suggests addressing future research on the context of emissions and the possible function(s) of such acoustic arrangements. Abstract Acoustic sequences are commonly observed in many animal taxa. The vast vocal repertoire of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) also includes sequences of multi-unit rhythmic signals called bray-call which are still poorly documented, both functionally and geographically. This study aimed to (1) describe, classify, and characterize series of bray-call recorded in two sites of the Mediterranean basin (Rome—Tyrrhenian Sea and Mazara del Vallo—Strait of Sicily) and (2) investigate for the existence of possible geographic differences. The acoustic analysis identified 13 different sequence types, only two detected in both study areas. The Sørensen–Dice index revealed a low degree of similarity between the sequence repertoire of the two common bottlenose dolphin sub-populations, with the Tyrrhenian being more diversified and complex than the Sicilian one. The acoustic parameters also showed variability between the study area. Different variants of the main acoustic elements composing the bray-call sequences were detected in the Tyrrhenian Sea only. The Markov-chain model demonstrated that the transition probability between acoustic elements is not uniform, with specific combinations of elements having a higher probability of occurrence. These new findings on common bottlenose dolphin bray-call sequences highlight the structural complexity of these vocalizations and suggest addressing future research on the context of emissions and the possible function(s) of such acoustic arrangements.
Conventional versus fast track rehabilitation after total hip replacement: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is currently the most successful orthopaedic operation worldwide. This success is, however, dependent on the quality and efficiency of postoperative rehabilitation programs following it. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), sixty patients (32 females, 28 males, mean age 68.4 years) undergoing THR for hip arthritis having either a conventional rehabilitation after a normal hospital stay (30 patients) or a fast track rehabilitation program (30 patients) were compared. Results: The mean length of stay in the conventional group was 7.8 (range: 6–11) days compared to 4.5 (range 3–5) days in the fast track group (p = <0.001). Complications included one dislocation in either group, a case of heart failure and a readmission in the conventional group. As regards functional outcome, patients in the conventional group had a mean Harris Hip Score of 69.3 six weeks and 82 twelve weeks postoperatively in comparison to 79 and 91 in the fast track group respectively. The differences were statistically significant (p = 0.013 and 0.002 respectively). Conclusion: Fast track rehabilitation after THR allows early patient's mobilization and shorter hospital stay with better functional outcome and without increasing the risk of complications or the readmission rate.
Analysis of clinical sign and symptoms and biochemical parameters of post-COVID patients

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate different clinical and blood biochemical characteristics of 100 post-COVID patients admitted in Department of Pulmonary Medicine MLN Medical College Prayagraj. Methods: In this single centre post-COVID observatory study, 100 patients were included and divided to mild, moderate and severe/critical groups. Their clinical sign and symptoms and blood biochemical markers were analyzed. Results: Our findings suggested that post-COVID patients had varying degree of breathlessness requiring specific oxygen therapy. Other clinical features include marked muscle weakness, lethargy, sleeplessness and forgetfulness. Majority of them had uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension in terms of co-morbidities. In blood biochemical characteristics we observed that majority of patients had raised levels of D-Dimer, S.ferritin, S.LDH, S.procalcitonin, ESR and CRP. Maximum of them had raised PT-INR, TLC, SGOT, SGPT, RBS, urea and creatinine level. Some of them also had electrolytes disturbances in terms of deranged sodium and potassium levels. Conclusion: POST- COVID patients had different clinical and blood biochemical characteristics which indicates multiple organ dysfunction. Severe patient's group had age > 50 years, co-morbidities in terms of uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, markedly increased D-Dimer, S.LDH, S.ferritin, ESR, CRP, PTINR levels and deranged liver and kidney function of varying degrees. These blood biochemical indicators could reflect the severity of disease to a certain extent and should be considered in clinical management of the disease. Some of the parameters like D-Dimer, S.LDH, S.Procalcitonin, lymphopenia may also be a prognostic indicator.
Selection of Pinus spp. progenies in Lavras (Minas Gerais, Brazil) at 36 months of age

Background: The selection of superior genotypes and adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region of the introduction produces gains in productivity for forest stands. The objective of this study was to select progenies of Pinus spp. planted in Lavras, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Methods: The experimental site was located on dystrophic Haplic Cambisol. The progeny test was designed as a randomised complete block with 30 replicates and single plot. The treatments corresponded to one progeny of Pinus massoniana, three Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis and 33 Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis arranged with a 3x3 m spacing. The traits height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown projection area (CPA) were measured at 36 months of age. Results: The results showed that heritability in the narrow sense was 0.24 for DBH, 0.27 for H and 0.50 for CPA. The DBH and H traits showed a high-magnitude positive correlation. The P7, P15, P27, P31 and P33 progenies showed better performance than the other progenies for the evaluated traits. Direct and indirect selection showed similar gains, which favors the use of indirect selection; i.e., when selecting progenies for DBH, progenies with better performance in H are also selected. Additionally, DBH may be used at advanced ages given the difficulty of measuring height. The progeny of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis showed superior performance compared with Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis and Pinus massoniana for the region of Lavras, MG. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of expanding the production of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis in the region of Lavras with progenies P7, P15, P27, P31 and P33, because in the initial assessments they showed greater adaptability to the edaphoclimatic conditions. Nevertheless, performing a future selection with the aim of evaluating resin production is recommended.
A User-assisted Approach to Multiple Instrument Music Transcription

The task of automatic music transcription has been studied for several decades and is regarded as an enabling technology for a multitude of applications such as music retrieval and discovery, intelligent music processing and large-scale musicological analyses. It refers to the process of identifying the musical content of a performance and representing it in a symbolic format. Despite its long research history, fully automatic music transcription systems are still error prone and often fail when more complex polyphonic music is analysed. This gives rise to the question in what ways human knowledge can be incorporated in the transcription process. This thesis investigates ways to involve a human user in the transcription process. More specifically, it is investigated how user input can be employed to derive timbre models for the instruments in a music recording, which are employed to obtain instrument-specific (parts-based) transcriptions. A first investigation studies different types of user input in order to derive instrument models by means of a non-negative matrix factorisation framework. The transcription accuracy of the different models is evaluated and a method is proposed that refines the models by allowing each pitch of each instrument to be represented by multiple basis functions. A second study aims at limiting the amount of user input to make the method more applicable in practice. Different methods are considered to estimate missing non-negative basis functions when only a subset of basis functions can be extracted based on the user information. A method is proposed to track the pitches of individual instruments over time by means of a Viterbi framework in which the states at each time frame contain several candidate instrument-pitch combinations. A transition probability is employed that combines three different criteria: the frame-wise reconstruction error of each combination, a pitch continuity measure that favours similar pitches in consecutive frames, and an explicit activity model for each instrument. The method is shown to outperform other state-of-the-art multi-instrument tracking methods. Finally, the extraction of instrument models that include phase information is investigated as a step towards complex matrix decomposition. The phase relations between the partials of harmonic sounds are explored as a time-invariant property that can be employed to form complex-valued basis functions. The application of the model for a user-assisted transcription task is illustrated with a saxophone example.
Long-term oxygen therapy prescription in India: Evaluation of compliance, factors affecting compliance, indications, and survival

Introduction: The international data shows that long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) compliance is insufficient and variable. We conducted the first study from India on LTOT compliance, factors affecting compliance, indications, and survival through oxygen concentrator. Materials and Methods: Our organization from Delhi had given 378 oxygen concentrators over the last 5 years. We evaluated 120 patients randomly for participating in the study. Compliance was defined as the use of LTOT for at least 15 h/day. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included in the final analysis after exclusion criteria. The compliance to LTOT was seen in 45.36% (44/97). The commonest cause of noncompliance was lack of instructions (49.06%) followed by electricity issues, social stigma, and workplace constraints. A higher PaCO2 was associated with significantly lower compliance (PaCO2 53.18 vs. 44.98 mmHg, P = 0.036). Interstitial lung disease was associated with significantly higher compliance. Oxygen prescription was titrated with arterial blood gas analysis in only 4.12%. The indications for LTOT were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (49.48%), posttuberculous obstructive airway disease (20.6%), and interstitial lung disease (12.37%). We found a significant reduction in the mean number of exacerbations/year from 3.91 to 1.93 (P < 0.0001). 61.86% of the patients were surviving on LTOT with a median survival time of 12 months. Conclusion: The adherence to LTOT in Indian patients is suboptimal mainly due to lack of instruction and is associated with a higher PaCO2. The practice of titration needs to be followed. The development of a national registry to monitor LTOT should be the long-term target.