Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Typhim Vi IgG as a Diagnostic Tool to Determine Anti-polysaccharide Antibody Production Deficiency in Children

Background: The assessment of specific polysaccharide antibody production plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of humoral primary immunodeficiencies (PID). The response to 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of polysaccharide antibodies. However, in Spain, the interpretation of pure polysaccharide 23-valent immunization is hampered by the high endemicity of pneumococcal disease and the generalization of the 13-valent adjuvant pneumococcal vaccination. Specific Typhim Vi vaccination (TV) immunoglobulin G IgG response to immunization is useful in adult PID, but there is no data regarding children. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical utility of TV IgG production as a diagnostic tool to determine anti-polysaccharide antibody production deficiency in children, when the response to PPV is unclear and isolated determination of serotypes is unfeasible. Methods: We conducted a single-institution prospective observational study on 61 children with recurrent infections. Baseline specific antibodies against PPV and TV were evaluated. In 28 children (46%), the response to the production of antibodies confirmed a clinical suspicion of humoral PID, and they were therefore immunized with 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine and Typhim Vi. Both specific antibody responses were measured by ELISA (The Binding Site Group Ltd, Birmingham, UK) using previously published cut-offs. Results: Seventy percent of the 61 children displayed baseline PPV IgG > 27 mg/L, whereas only 8% showed TV IgG > 28 U/mL (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one of 28 children (75%) achieved a 3-fold increase in post-vaccination TV IgG levels, whereas only 3% achieved a 4-fold increase in PPV IgG post vaccination, mainly due to high baseline PPV IgG titers. When we classified children according to their response to TV as responders or non-responders and compared this with the well-known clinical warning signs of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. The proportions of children with history of pneumonia and the need for intravenous antibiotics were significantly higher in TV IgG non-responders than in TV IgG responders (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Response to TV can be considered an ancillary diagnostic tool to determine polysaccharide antibodies in children, particularly when isolated determination of pneumococcal serotypes is not feasible. TV provides a useful asset for clinicians in the era of conjugate PPV vaccination, with clinical relevance. Further research is warranted for validation.
Cross-Polarization Optical Coherence Tomography for Brain Tumor Imaging

This paper considers valuable visual assessment criteria for distinguishing between tumorous and non-tumorous tissues, intraoperatively, using cross-polarization OCT (CP OCT)—OCT with a functional extension, that enables detection of the polarization properties of the tissues in addition to their conventional light scattering. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 176 ex vivo human specimens obtained from 30 glioma patients. To measure the degree to which the typical parameters of CP OCT images can be matched to the actual histology, 100 images of tumors and white matter were selected for visual analysis to be undertaken by three “single-blinded” investigators. An evaluation of the inter-rater reliability between the investigators was performed. Application of the identified visual CP OCT criteria for intraoperative use was performed during brain tumor resection in 17 patients. Results: The CP OCT image parameters that can typically be used for visual assessment were separated: (1) signal intensity; (2) homogeneity of intensity; (3) attenuation rate; (4) uniformity of attenuation. The degree of match between the CP OCT images and the histology of the specimens was significant for the parameters “signal intensity” in both polarizations, and “homogeneity of intensity” as well as the “uniformity of attenuation” in co-polarization. A test based on the identified criteria showed a diagnostic accuracy of 87–88%. Intraoperative in vivo CP OCT images of white matter and tumors have similar signals to ex vivo ones, whereas the cortex in vivo is characterized by indicative vertical striations arising from the “shadows” of the blood vessels; these are not seen in ex vivo images or in the case of tumor invasion. Conclusion: Visual assessment of CP OCT images enables tumorous and non-tumorous tissues to be distinguished. The most powerful aspect of CP OCT images that can be used as a criterion for differentiation between tumorous tissue and white matter is the signal intensity. In distinguishing white matter from tumors the diagnostic accuracy using the identified visual CP OCT criteria was 87–88%. As the CP OCT data is easily associated with intraoperative neurophysiological and neuronavigation findings this can provide valuable complementary information for the neurosurgeon tumor resection.
Recruitment to otorhinolaryngology: opportunities abound

Medical student interest in a surgical career is declining (1-3). Around 50% of medical students decide on their career path during their undergraduate studies (4). The clinical exposure students gain on clinical rotations is an important factor in how they perceive a specialty as a potential career option (5-7). However, medical students tend to have limited time on an otorhinolaryngology (ORL) rotation, with most being just one week long and of variable quality (8-12). This is concerning as there is a projected increase in demand for ORL surgeons in New Zealand (13). Of further concern was the finding in our recent study; just 9.4% of surveyed Year 5 medical students reported that the experience that they had received in medical school was sufficient for making informed career decisions (14). There are a number of studies that examine factors medical students and junior doctors consider when deciding a career specialty (15-17), as well as what factors are attractive for a surgical career (6,18). There are limited Original Article
Attachment to companion animals and loneliness in Australian adolescents

Abstract Objective: Loneliness can have detrimental consequences for adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Previous, international, investigations of attachment to companion animals have reported positive effects of such bonds on adolescent loneliness. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between companion animal attachment and loneliness among Australian adolescents. Method: A geographically diverse sample of Australian adolescents (n = 283) was gathered via an online survey. Participants responded to demographic and animal ownership variables as well as measures of companion animal attachment, social support and loneliness. Results: A small, negative but non‐significant relationship between companion animal attachment and loneliness was found suggesting that, as adolescents' attachment scores rose, loneliness scores tended to decrease. Further analyses revealed an unexpected moderating effect of ownership level on the relationship between companion animal attachment and loneliness. While a significant negative relationship between companion animal attachment and loneliness was observed for adolescents with a family pet, a subset of primary owners with extreme levels of attachment, heightened loneliness and lower social support scores was noted. Conclusion: For many adolescents having a family or shared pet may provide a positive influence on loneliness levels. However, parallels with literature presenting adverse effects of extreme attachment to companion animals within older populations suggest that for some adolescents the relationship is more complex.
Video Modeling for High School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Video modeling (VM) has demonstrated efficacy in teaching a variety of skills (e.g., social skills, communication, vocational tasks) to learners with autism spectrum disorder. Previous research indicates teachers and learners have supported the use of VM. However, the majority of studies have focused on elementary-school students; less research has explored the use of VM in secondary education settings. To extend the literature, this article describes the use of VM with three high school student–teacher dyads. Each teacher adapted the VM intervention to meet the needs of their student as well as to fit with the current technology available and utilized in their classrooms. All of the three students learned a different target skill with VM and achieved mastery criteria. Results for the three student skills, as well as implementation guidelines and future directions, are discussed.
MONITORING MOUNTAIN CRYOSPHERE DYNAMICS BY TIME LAPSE STEREO PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Abstract. In this paper, we propose a method to monitor surface dynamics in mountain cryosphere environments, based on a device with two fixed cameras at two different locations and with a convergent angle. Computer vision methods are used to derive pixel displacements between images taken at different times and to reconstruct the 3D geometry of the scene to convert pixel displacements into meter displacements. The proposed methods overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods such as lack of time repeatability or lack of spatial resolution. We present the results on two study sites instrumented with the device located in the French Alps: a temperate glacier and a rock glacier. We propose different ways to assess the accuracy of each processing steps solely based on stereo images. The method is validated using traditional measurements (GPS and LiDAR) and shows results comparable or even more robust than these traditional methods.
Learning the Vibrotactile Morse Code Alphabet

Vibrotactile Morse code provides a way to convey words using the sense of touch with vibrations. This can be useful in applications for users with a visual and/or auditory impairment. The advantage of using vibrotactile Morse code is that it is technically easy to accomplish. The usefulness of tactile Morse code also depends on how easy it is to learn to use without providing a visual representation of the code. Here we investigated learning of the vibrotactile the Morse code alphabet without any visual representation of the code and whether the learned letters can immediately be used to recognize words. Two vibration motors were used: one was attached to the left arm (dots) and the other to the right arm (dashes). We gave the participants a learning session of 30 minutes and determined how many letters they had learned. All participants managed to learn at least 15 letters in this time. Directly afterward, they were presented with 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-letter words consisting of only the letters they had learned. Participants were able to identify words, but correct rates decreased rapidly with word length. We can conclude that it is possible to learn vibrotactile Morse code using only a vibrotactile representation (15 to 24 letters in 30 minutes). After the learning session, it was possible to recognise words, but to increase the recognition rates extra training would be beneficial.
Risk Management Strategies to Cope Catastrophic Risks in Agriculture: The Case of Contract Farming, Diversification and Precautionary Savings

Risk management is an essential way for farmers to reduce uncertainty. In this research, a stratified random sampling method was used to survey 350 maize farmers in four different agro-ecological regions in Bangladesh. Using the multivariate probit model, this study explored the possible correlation between farmers’ perceptions of catastrophic risks and their attitudes towards risk sources—as well as the possible correlation between contract farming, diversification and precautionary savings as risk management strategies. The results confirm the relevance of risk management adoption decisions and reveal that the use of one risk management tool may simultaneously influence the use of another risk management tool. In addition, the research results also show that age, education level, extension experience, monthly household income, farming areas, land ownership and risk aversion nature are the most important factors that affect the adoption of risk management strategies. The research results provide further explanation and information and provide a platform for decision-makers to predict appropriate risk management strategies.
Vegetative Propagation Techniques of Oxytenanthera Abyssinica in Benshangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

Bamboo is a fast-growing woody perennial and grass species that has a unique feature and quality. It has a high potential for socio-economic development and for environmental improvement. The present study was conducted in Benshangul Gumuz Regional state of Western Ethiopia, a highly bamboo dominated area. This study aims to identify the best vegetative propagation technique for Oxytenanthera abyssinica species. The propagation materials tested were off-set, rhizome without nodes, rhizome with two nodes and whole Culm. The survival rate, the number of newly sprouted shoots; their length and the root collar increment data were collected. There was a significant difference in the number of newly emerged shoots among the propagation methods applied. Higher numbers of sprouted shoots and survival rates were recorded in the treatments including off-sets and rhizomes with two nodes than the remaining treatments of rhizomes without nodes and whole Culm. Moreover, there was a significant difference of shoot length among the different propaguoles, while on the other hand; there was no significant difference in root collar diameter among the treatments. The findings suggest that two-node rhizome propagation technique is more appropriate for large and small-scale plantations of Oxytenanthera abyssinica.
Lock-in and New Path Development of China Commodity City: The Role of Policies

Abstract China Commodity City (Yiwu) has evolved from a poor, isolated region into one of the world largest mass-producers of low-tech products. This study applies the concept of path dependence in order to trace Yiwu’s industrial development trajectory. It zooms in on factors leading towards lock in, path extension and path creation. The study identifies multiple factors leading towards a lock-in and possible path decay. At the same time, related diversification and industrial policies such as the China Belt and Road Initiative enable path extension. New path creation is however less likely in the nearby future. While China moves towards a knowledge economy, innovation policies in Yiwu have not yet been successful, as they don’t specifically target low-tech family firms, implementation capacity is limited, instruments are not well targeted and institutional incentives are diffuse. To create an alternative innovation-driven industrial pathway, the study recommends landscape pressure and multilevel experimentation.
Reuse of Eggshell Waste and Recycled Glass in the Fabrication Porous Glass–Ceramics

This study was conducted to fabricate and characterize of glass–ceramic foam derived from soda-lime silica (SLS) glass waste and eggshell (ES) waste as a foaming agent by using empirical formula [ES] × [SLS]100−x where x = 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 6 wt%, 9 wt%. The samples undergo a heat-treatment process at temperature 800 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C/min. The properties of the samples were measured by average density measurement and linear expansion. The structural properties were studied by XRD, FESEM and FTIR concerning the different composition of the foaming agent while the mechanical properties were determined by compressive strength using UTM. The lowest density and compressive strength were achieved by 0.326 g/cm3 and 0.04 MPa, respectively with the highest linear expansion at 77.33% by the addition of 3 wt% of ES. Moreover, the cristobalite phase (SiO2) were identified after the heat treatment process. The production of foam glass–ceramics using SLS glass and ES can be applied to prepare different type of porosity that gives benefit to the environment and energy usage.
Experiencing Difference: Game of Change, the Use of Novelty, and Expanding Boundaries of Therapeutic Space

Abstract A model of intervention for the improvement of social and emotional wellbeing is outlined. The model is derived from George Kelly's theory of personal constructs, focusing on “constructs of transition” and the use of groundwork games with horses to assist clients make changes in their lives. Common language for the experience of emotion is used to provide clients with a sense of containment while they develop skills to expand their sense of personal agency and interconnectedness. The games played with the horses provide experimental space and relationships, giving the client psychological boundaries of safety until such time that the skills or lessons learned in the game can be used to overcome some adversity in their life.
A New 13C Correction for Radiocarbon Samples from Elevated-CO2 Experiments

Radiocarbon can be a valuable tracer of carbon cycling in elevated CO2 experiments. However, the standard method of calculating Δ14C, which corrects sample 14C activity for isotopic fractionation by correcting the sample δ13C to – 25‰, introduces significant errors to the reported 14C values. For elevated-CO2 treatments the error arises because the δ13C of the sample is not an appropriate measure of isotopic fractionation to use when correcting sample 14C activity for isotopic fractionation. A suggested replacement approach, developed in this paper, is to use the δ13C of the same type of material (e.g. leaf, soil organic matter) from the control (ambient-CO2) treatment in place of the sample δ13C in the correction.
Dynamic Modulation of Beta Band Cortico-Muscular Coupling Induced by Audio–Visual Rhythms

Abstract Human movements often spontaneously fall into synchrony with auditory and visual environmental rhythms. Related behavioral studies have shown that motor responses are automatically and unintentionally coupled with external rhythmic stimuli. However, the neurophysiological processes underlying such motor entrainment remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated with electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) the modulation of neural and muscular activity induced by periodic audio and/or visual sequences. The sequences were presented at either 1 or 2 Hz, while participants maintained constant finger pressure on a force sensor. The results revealed that although there was no change of amplitude in participants’ EMG in response to the sequences, the synchronization between EMG and EEG recorded over motor areas in the beta (12–40 Hz) frequency band was dynamically modulated, with maximal coherence occurring about 100 ms before each stimulus. These modulations in beta EEG–EMG motor coherence were found for the 2-Hz audio–visual sequences, confirming at a neurophysiological level the enhancement of motor entrainment with multimodal rhythms that fall within preferred perceptual and movement frequency ranges. Our findings identify beta band cortico-muscular coupling as a potential underlying mechanism of motor entrainment, further elucidating the nature of the link between sensory and motor systems in humans.
Trachyspermum ammi aromatic water: A traditional drink with considerable anti-Candida activity

Background and Purpose: Aromatic waters (AWs) are therapeutic distillates, which harbor both essential oil and water-soluble components of a plant. Due to the dispersion of the light amount of essence through the AWs, they have their specific pleasant smell, taste, and medicinal properties. In Iranian traditional medicine, Trachyspermum ammi AW is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The present study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil extracted from T. ammi AW and its antifungal activities against Candida species. Materials and Methods: The composition of the essential oil extracted from T. ammi AW was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, the evaluation of the antifungal activity of AW against Candida species was performed using broth microdilution methods as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Moreover, the biofilm formation inhibition, antioxidant properties, and experimental activity of AW were determined in an animal model. Results: According to the results, thymol (78.08%) was the major compound of EO, followed by carvacrol (8.20%) and carvotanacetone (6.50%). Furthermore, T. ammi AW exhibited antifungal activities against the examined fungi and inhibited the biofilm formation of C. albicans at a concentration of up to 0.25 V/V. Histopathological analyses revealed that Candida colonization declined in the mice following the administration ofT. ammi AW in a therapeutic trial. Conclusion: It seems that the presence of phenolic monoterpenes in AW has resulted in antifungal effects. Pleasant odor and antioxidant properties are extra bonuses to the antimicrobial effects of this plant. Based on the findings, AW might have the potential to be used in the management of alimentary candidiasis or oral hygienic products.
Tourism constraints on transgender individuals in Mexico

Transgender or trans people are deeply affected by social stigma in a wide range of forms and contexts including family, school, neighbourhood, work and clinical settings. Studies have rarely focused on how stigmatisation affects trans individuals’ experiences of travel and tourism. This research sought to critically explore the constraints that prevent trans people from engaging in tourism in Mexico. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 trans participants. Experiences related to intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints on tourism were explored during interviews. The findings include that trans men and women do not experience tourism constraints equally, and interpersonal constraints are closely related to social stigma that in turn influence these individuals’ fear of being discriminated against, abused or killed while travelling or engaging in leisure activities. The results are discussed in light of leisure and tourism constraints theory. Managerial implications include ways that the tourism industry can contribute to reducing constraints for trans travellers.
ANALISIS KETERAMPILAN PROSES SAINS SISWA BELAJAR IPA MATERI TUMBUHAN HIJAU PADA SISWA KELAS V SDN 3 PANJEREJO DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

Tujuan penelitian ini pertama untuk mengetahui penerapan keterampilan proses sains selama kegiatan pembelajaran daring di masa pandemi Covid-19. Kedua untuk mengetahui hasil analisis keterampilan proses sains yang dimiliki siswa dapat berkembang di masa pandemi Covid-19. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan angket, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa pernyataan dengan jawaban yang sudah tersedia, jawaban terdiri dari 4(empat) option dengan penskoran = jawaban SS skor 4, jawaban S skor 3, jawaban TS skor 2, jawaban STS skor 1, jumlah masing-masing variabel 10 pernyataan yang akan dijawab oleh 14 siswa sehingga nilai terendah dari 1 butir pernyataan 14 dan nilai tertinggi 56. Penelitian dilaksanakan di SDN 3 Panjerejo pada kelas V. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada semester genap tahun ajaran 2019/2020. Subjek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas V yang berjumlah 14 orang. Dari hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa penerapan keterampilan proses sains di masa pandemi Covid-19 baik dapat diterima oleh siswa, dan hasil analisis keterampilan proses sains di masa pandemi Covid-19 terlihat berhasil dan berpengaruh baik untuk siswa. Hasil penelitian ini dapat digunakan sebagai masukan dan bahan pertimbangan bagi peneliti lainnya untuk melakukan penelitian dengan variabel analisis keterampilan proses sains lainnya.