Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study of Multiple Outlets in a Siphonic Roof Drainage System

Recent trends in the development of our urban landscape have seen the introduction of larger buildings with vast roof areas especially in localised business and industry parks. It is anticipated that the onset of climate change will see increased intensities and volumes of rainfall which will place significant pressures on the roof drainage systems for these buildings, potentially leading to failure and major flooding. There is an urgent need to examine alternative forms of roof drainage and a potential future solution is the adoption of siphonic roof drainage systems. However, it has been identified that there is a universal lack of understanding of the hydraulic performance of siphonic systems, particularly with regard to multi-outlet systems. The work presented in this thesis describes a comprehensive experimental programme of research using novel and sophisticated measurement techniques including flourometry and particle image velocimetry, to increase the understanding of the hydraulic performance of multi-outlet siphonic roof drainage systems. The overall aim was to deliver a step change and better understanding of the performance of such systems and how they may be better designed. A total of 63 steady flow tests were completed using the siphonic roof drainage test facility at the University of Sheffield. The results from this study support key findings that within a multi-outlet siphonic system the flow rate through each individual outlet is contrary to existing design practice and significantly different flow regimes occurred within the horizontal carrier pipe. Hence, current approaches applied in conventional siphonic roof drainage practice and design software should be reviewed. The outputs from this study have highlighted the need for further research to better understand the performance of multi-outlet siphonic roof drainage systems. These topics may be addressed with the technology and methodologies developed within the experimental programme of research reported in this thesis.
Distinguishing functional exosomes and other extracellular vesicles as a nucleic acid cargo by the anion‐exchange method

Abstract The development of a new large‐scale purification protocol is required for research on the reliable bioactivity and drug discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs). To address this issue, herein, we propose an effective method for preparing high‐performance exosomes (EXOs) by using an anion‐exchange method. Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) EVs from 4 L of culture supernatant through a 220 nm cut‐off filter are divided into two populations at a deproteinization rate of over 99.97%, which are eluted at low (0.15 M–0.3 M) and high (0.3 M–0.5 M) NaCl concentrations (approximately 2 × 1012 and 1.5 × 1012 particles, respectively) through the anion‐exchange column chromatography. The former are abundant in EXO proteins, including late endosome‐associated proteins and rab‐family and integrin‐family proteins, and functional micro (mi) RNAs, and have bioactivity for preventing tumour metastasis by depleting mesenchymal cell populations in the primary tumour lesions. By contrast, the latter is microvesicle (MV)‐like particles including DNA, core histone and ribosomal proteins, and GC‐rich miRNAs with unknown function, and are easily phagocytosed by mannose receptor+ Kupffer cells. Thus, the anion‐exchange method is suitable for the large‐scale separation of bioactive EXOs and MV‐like EVs as a cargo for dangerous nucleic acids at high‐purity.
Ultrasound assessment of the diaphragm during the first days of mechanical ventilation compared to spontaneous respiration: a comparative study.

Abstract Introduction : In critically ill patients, the diaphragm is subject to several aggressions mainly those induced by mechanical ventilation (MV). Currently, diaphragmatic ultrasound has become the most useful bedside for the clinician to evaluate diaphragm contractility. Aim: To examine the effects of MV on the diaphragm contractility during the first days of ventilation. M ethods: Two groups of subjects were studied: a study group (n=30) of adults receiving MV versus a control group (n=30) of volunteers on spontaneous ventilation (SV). Using an ultrasound device, we compared the diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF). Secondly, we analysed the relationship between DTF and weaning. Results: comparatively to SV group,patients of MV group have a higher end expiratory diameter (EED) (2.09 ± 0.6 vs. 1.76 ± 0.32 mm, p=0.01) and a lower DTF (39.9 ± 12.5% vs. 49.0 ± 20.5%, p=0.043). Fourteen among the 30 ventilated patients successfully weaned. No significant correlation was shown between DTF and weaning duration (Rho= - 0.464, p=0.09). A DTF value > 33% was near to be significantly associated with weaning success (OR=2; 95% CI= [1.07-3.7], p=0.05) with a sensitivity at 85.7%. Conclusions: diaphragmatic contractility was altered from the first days of MV. A DTF value >32,7% was associated to the weaning success and that may be useful to predict successful weaning with sensitivity at 85.7%.
Using High-Density Electroencephalography to Explore Spatiotemporal Representations of Object Categories in Visual Cortex

Abstract Visual object perception involves neural processes that unfold over time and recruit multiple regions of the brain. Here, we use high-density EEG to investigate the spatiotemporal representations of object categories across the dorsal and ventral pathways. In , human participants were presented with images from two animate object categories (birds and insects) and two inanimate categories (tools and graspable objects). In , participants viewed images of tools and graspable objects from a different stimulus set, one in which a shape confound that often exists between these categories (elongation) was controlled for. To explore the temporal dynamics of object representations, we employed time-resolved multivariate pattern analysis on the EEG time series data. This was performed at the electrode level as well as in source space of two regions of interest: one encompassing the ventral pathway and another encompassing the dorsal pathway. Our results demonstrate shape, exemplar, and category information can be decoded from the EEG signal. Multivariate pattern analysis within source space revealed that both dorsal and ventral pathways contain information pertaining to shape, inanimate object categories, and animate object categories. Of particular interest, we note striking similarities obtained in both ventral stream and dorsal stream regions of interest. These findings provide insight into the spatio-temporal dynamics of object representation and contribute to a growing literature that has begun to redefine the traditional role of the dorsal pathway.
Belatacept in the treatment of acute T‐cell mediated rejection and maintenance immunosuppression in a paediatric kidney transplant recipient

along with two copy number variants (CNVs) and findings consistent with parental consanguinity. The co-occurrence of two genetic disorders, discovered for the first time in the seventh decade of life, is rare. Approximately 2% of patients with molecularly confirmed genetic kidney disease may have dual diagnoses; rates are similar with other organ systems too. To our knowledge, this is the first reported co-occurrence of Usher syndrome and MYH9-related disorder. Usher syndrome, a ciliopathy, is not linked to renal disease, but is the most common genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness. MYH9-related disorder is associated with thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, sensorineural deafness and proteinuric glomerulonephritis. Polymorphisms in the MYH9 gene have associations with diabetic kidney disease and HIV-associated nephropathy. This case demonstrates that genetic diagnoses can be made at any age, not just in the young. Additionally, it illustrates that multiple molecular diagnoses may in fact be responsible for multisystem involvement. WGS is useful especially in such clinically heterogenous presentations, and since the technology adopts an unbiased approach to molecular diagnosis, it can sometimes reveal unexpected results. This case report demonstrates the pivotal role of WGS in providing a comprehensive analysis of the entire genome for unravelling complex genetic disorders.
The Effect of Wearable Tracking Devices on Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Inactive Adults: Crossover Study

Background Modern lifestyle is associated with a high prevalence of physical inactivity. Objective This study aims to investigate the effect of a wearable tracking device on cardiorespiratory fitness among inactive adults and to explore if personal characteristics and health outcomes can predict adoption of the device. Methods In total, 62 inactive adults were recruited for this study. A control period (4 weeks) was followed by an intervention period (8 weeks) where participants were instructed to register and follow their physical activity (PA) behavior on a wrist-worn tracking device. Data collected included estimated cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, blood pressure, perceived stress levels, and self-reported adoption of using the tracking device. Results In total, 50 participants completed the study (mean age 48, SD 13 years, 84% women). Relative to the control period, participants increased cardiorespiratory fitness by 1.52 mL/kg/minute (95% CI 0.82-2.22; P<.001), self-reported PA by 140 minutes per week (95% CI 93.3-187.1; P<.001), daily step count by 982 (95% CI 492-1471; P<.001), and participants’ fat percentage decreased by 0.48% (95% CI –0.84 to –0.13; P=.009). No difference was observed in blood pressure (systolic: 95% CI –2.16 to 3.57, P=.63; diastolic: 95% CI –0.70 to 2.55; P=.27) or perceived stress (95% CI –0.86 to 1.78; P=.49). No associations were found between adoption of the wearable tracking device and age, gender, personality, or education. However, participants with a low perceived stress at baseline were more likely to rate the use of a wearable tracking device highly motivating. Conclusions Tracking health behavior using a wearable tracking device increases PA resulting in an improved cardiorespiratory fitness among inactive adults.
Blood Neuroexosomal Mitochondrial Proteins Predict Alzheimer's Disease in Diabetes Mellitus.

There is accumulating evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the contribution of diabetes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Neuronal mitochondrial proteins found in plasma neuronal-derived exosomes(NDEs) at levels that reflect those in brain neurons. Here, we tested the performance of mitochondrial proteins in plasma NDEs to predict cognitive decline and brain injury in diabetic participants. The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participants in the study included 41 cognitively normal controls, 97 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (68 individuals with stable MCI; 29 individuals with progressive MCI) and 36 patients with AD dementia. Plasma neuroexosomal proteins were measured by ELISA kits. Spearman's correlation was used to test associations between plasma neuroexosomal mitochondrial proteins and other core biomarkers of AD. Diagnostic accuracy for progressive MCI and AD was obtained for mitochondrial proteins using receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses. The associations of mitochondrial proteins with the conversion from MCI to AD were assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Plasma neuroexosomal NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S3 (NDUFS3) and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B (SDHB) levels were significantly lower in T2DM patients with AD dementia and progressive MCI than in cognitively normal subjects (P < 0.001 for both groups). We also found that plasma neuroexosomal NDUFS3 and SDHB levels were lower in progressive MCI than in stable MCI subjects. Both plasma neuroexosomal NDUFS3 and SDHB offer diagnostic utility for AD. Low plasma neuroexosomal SDHB levels significantly predicted conversion from MCI to AD. In addition, low mitochondrial proteins levels were associated with the rate of hippocampal and gray matter atrophy, reduced AD signature cortical thickness in progressive MCI over the follow-up period. These data suggest that both plasma neuroexosomal NDUFS3 and SDHB are already increased at the early clinical stage of AD, and indicate the promise of plasma neuroexosomal mitochondrial proteins as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the earliest symptomatic stage of AD in diabetic participants.
Calibration of a Pedestrian Route Choice Model with a Basis in Friction Forces

This paper presents a pedestrian route choice model and its calibration with real data. The model explicitly represents interaction between pedestrians as an impedance force influences their route choice. This model approach was inspired by friction force equations and considered efforts by pedestrians to avoid passing near other pedestrians with high relative velocity. The route choice process was a function of impedance force and route length. A social force model was used to model pedestrian walking behavior. The calibration had its basis in data acquired from a real experiment developed in a simplified network. Data collection had its basis in video analysis. The paper presents and discusses results from the calibration processes. The model presented in this paper differs from other pedestrian route choice models because it seamlessly incorporates a pedestrian social force model into the route choice decision process.
INNOVATIVE VORTEX COOLING CONCEPT AND ITS APPLICATION TO TURBINE AIRFOIL TRAILING EDGE COOLING DESIGN

The space limitations and high thermal load make the turbine airfoil trailing edge one of the most difficult areas to cool. Adequate cooling of this region requires the application of both internal and film cooling techniques. Extensive use of film cooling in the trailing edge region can be inefficient because only a fraction of the airfoil surface area can be protected by the film produced by cooling flow ejected from this area. Therefore, internal cooling improvements remain a major focus in turbine airfoil trailing edge cooling design. The successful new designs, which can significantly increase cooling effectiveness with little or no increase in cooling air flow, depend heavily upon innovative surface heat transfer enhancements. Flow through a cooling passage gives rise to the natural formation of vortices that can produce local Nusselt numbers several hundred percent higher than the spatially-averaged behavior. The vortex cooling cavity exploits this effect through the innovative generation and placement of a confined vortex flow. Three major mechanisms have been identified which contribute to the vortex-induced heat transfer enhancement. They are: Goertler vortices, which are embedded inside the thermal boundary layer; a higher surface effectiveness, represented by more uniform Nusselt number distribution; and a favorable flow pattern where the higher temperature coolant is carried away by axial flow in the center of the cooling cavity. A comparison with the impingement cooling cavity, which is used as a baseline for this study, reveals that the vortex cooling cavity can provide over 20% higher averaged heat transfer coefficient with the same pressure drop.
On consciousness of the decision to discontinue blood donation: Intention to return and effective recovery activities

This study aims to (1) explore the consciousness of blood donors' decision to stop donating blood, (2) analyse the association with the donors' intention to return to blood donation and the various reasons for discontinuation, and (3) identify effective activities for the recovery of donors who are no longer donating blood.
Classification of 27 Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii-Like Isolates Associated with Mastitis in China and Descriptions of C. parakroppenstedtii sp. nov. and C. pseudokroppenstedtii sp. nov

In this study, we characterized two novel species that were closely related to but hard to distinguish from C. kroppenstedtii by routine identification methods used in clinical laboratories. Since all 27 C. kroppenstedtii-like isolates were obtained from breast specimens of female patients with mastitis, they may be potential pathogens causing mastitis. We hope to perform further epidemiological investigation of these strains and explore their role in mastitis. ABSTRACT Corynebacterium, particularly Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii, has been increasingly recognized as an important pathogen causing mastitis. However, no clear taxonomic, microbiological, or clinical identification for C. kroppenstedtii-related Corynebacterium species is recognized. During the investigation of isolates cultured from female patients with mastitis, 27 lipophilic C. kroppenstedtii-like isolates were obtained from clinical breast specimens from 2017 to 2019 in Guangzhou, China. These isolates were identified by phenotypic characterization, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA, rpoB, and fusA genes, and whole-genome sequencing methods. By phylogenetic analyses, two major clusters were identified that were closely related to C. kroppenstedtii DSM 44385T. Comparative genome analyses suggested that these isolates formed two distinct genospecies within the genus Corynebacterium. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values for the two genospecies were 45.5 to 47.8% between them and 47.4 to 47.7% and 49.9% to C. kroppenstedtii DSM 44385T, respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that these isolates need to be recognized as two new species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which we proposed the names Corynebacterium parakroppenstedtii sp. nov. and Corynebacterium pseudokroppenstedtii sp. nov. The type strain for the novel species Corynebacterium parakroppenstedtii is MC-26T (NBRC 115146T; CCTCC AB 2020210T), and that for Corynebacterium pseudokroppenstedtii is MC-17XT (NBRC 115143T; CCTCC AB 2020199T). IMPORTANCE In this study, we characterized two novel species that were closely related to but hard to distinguish from C. kroppenstedtii by routine identification methods used in clinical laboratories. Since all 27 C. kroppenstedtii-like isolates were obtained from breast specimens of female patients with mastitis, they may be potential pathogens causing mastitis. We hope to perform further epidemiological investigation of these strains and explore their role in mastitis.
Trophoblast Cell Subtypes and Dysfunction in the Placenta of Individuals with Preeclampsia Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

Trophoblasts, important functional cells in the placenta, play a critical role in maintaining placental function. The heterogeneity of trophoblasts has been reported, but little is known about the trophoblast subtypes and distinctive functions during preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the cell type-specific transcriptomic changes by performing unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of placental tissue samples, including those of patients diagnosed with PE and matched healthy controls. A total of 29,006 cells were identified in 11 cell types, including trophoblasts and immune cells, and the functions of the trophoblast subtypes in the PE group and the control group were also analyzed. As an important trophoblast subtype, extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) were further divided into 4 subgroups, and their functions were preliminarily analyzed. We found that some biological processes related to pregnancy, hormone secretion and immunity changed in the PE group. We also identified and analyzed the regulatory network of transcription factors (TFs) identified in the EVTs, among which 3 modules were decreased in the PE group. Then, through in vitro cell experiments, we found that in one of the modules, CEBPB and GTF2B may be involved in EVT dysfunction in PE. In conclusion, our study showed the different transcriptional profiles and regulatory modules in trophoblasts between placentas in the control and PE groups at the single-cell level; these changes may be involved in the pathological process of PE, providing a new molecular theoretical basis for preeclamptic trophoblast dysfunction.
Learning from the pandemic: mortality trends and seasonality of deaths in Australia in 2020

Abstract Aim To assess whether the observed numbers and seasonality of deaths in Australia during 2020 differed from expected trends based on 2015–19 data. Methods We used provisional death data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, stratified by state, age, sex and cause of death. We compared 2020 deaths with 2015-19 deaths using interrupted time series adjusted for time trend and seasonality. We measured the following outcomes along with 95% confidence intervals: observed/expected deaths (rate ratio: RR), change in seasonal variation in mortality (amplitude ratio: AR) and change in week of peak seasonal mortality (phase difference: PD). Results Overall 4% fewer deaths from all causes were registered in Australia than expected in 2020 [RR 0·96 (0·95-0·98)] with reductions across states, ages and sex strata. There were fewer deaths from respiratory illness [RR 0·79 (0·76-0·83)] and dementia [RR 0·95 (0·93-0·98)] but more from diabetes [RR 1·08 (1·04-1·13)]. Seasonal variation was reduced for deaths overall [AR 0·94 (0·92-0·95)], and for deaths due to respiratory illnesses [AR 0·78 (0·74-0·83)], dementia [AR 0.92 (0.89-0.95)] and ischaemic heart disease [0.95 (0.90-0.97)]. Conclusions The observed reductions in respiratory and dementia deaths and the reduced seasonality in ischaemic heart disease deaths may reflect reductions in circulating respiratory (non-SARS-CoV-2) pathogens resulting from the public health measures taken in 2020. The observed increase in diabetes deaths is unexplained and merits further study.
Female Homosexuality and (Non)Performativity in the 21st-C. Syrian Novel: Queerness as/at Home in Samar Yazbek’s Ra’ihat al-Qirfa (2008)/Cinnamon (2012)

ABSTRACT Given the regression in empowering representations of queer women in the literary and, more generally, the cultural life of the modern Arab world, this article spotlights the hitherto under-researched literary portrayals of female homosexuality as a site of redemptive and/or reparative, queer(ed) home in 21st-century Syria. Through a close reading of Samar Yazbek’s Ra’ihat al-Qirfa (2008), and, for added nuance, its English translation Cinnamon (2012), the study explores the novel’s curation of home in and through the protagonist Aliyah’s same-sex relationship with her employer Hanan al-Hashimi. Using Roberta Rubenstein’s and Sara Ahmed’s notions of fixing past homes, and of queer(ing) home, respectively, the article shows how the sense of home cushioned by the same-sex affair transcends social class and domination/submission binaries. I thus argue that even as the same-sex relationship in Yazbek’s novel may not be performative from a contemporary lesbian feminist perspective, it kneads hope, not desolation, into the plot and the real-life setting it extrapolates, since it responds to the local context the characters inhabit.