Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Spiritual End-of-Life Support on the Quality of Life for Leukemia Patients

Objective: Patients with leukemia suffer from significant psychological, spiritual, and social symptoms. Therefore, the current research aimed to study the impact of spiritual end-of-life support on the quality of life for leukemia patients. Method : To this end, the present quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design was performed. The sample included 60 cancer patients randomly assigned to intervention and control groups through the method of permutation block. The experimental group received spiritual support intervention for eight sessions of 60 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Patients filled out the questionnaire of World Health Organization Quality of Life. The World Health Organization conducts a three-phase assessment to measure the quality of life. These phases include a pre-test, which is conducted before any intervention takes place. Then comes the post-test, which occurs after the intervention. Finally, there is a follow-up assessment conducted two months after the post-test. The obtained results were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis and independent samples t-test using SPSS software. Results: The findings from the repeated measures analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant interaction between time and group (P = 0.01). In other words, being compared to the control group, the spiritual support significantly increased the life quality of the patients in the experimental group. The experimental group witnessed a sustained enhancement in the quality of life for a period of two months following the intervention (follow-up, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Ultimately, the provision of spiritual support has the potential to enhance the overall well-being of individuals approaching the end of their lives, offering solace and aiding them in comprehending the true essence and purpose of their existence.
A Scoping Review of Gut Microbiome and Bifidobacterium Research in Zimbabwe: Implications for Future Studies

Background Gut microbiota play a key role in host health, with certain Bifidobacterium strains critical for immune development. The healthy gut of breastfed infants is dominated by these pioneer microbes, especially the strains that feed on human milk oligosaccharides. Objective This is a scoping review of gut microbiome research from Zimbabwe. It focuses on distribution and dynamic changes of bifidobacteria, and milk components that promote growth of microbes in infants, together with the distribution of associated gut microbes in adults. Design Online databases were searched for publications from 2000 to 2023. Results and Analysis Fourteen publications on microbiota of infants and adults were included in this scoping review. Most were cross-sectional, while three were clinical trials/cohort protocols. Publications focused on pediatrics (78.5%), pregnant women (14.3%), and men (7.2%). Zimbabwe has a high burden of HIV; hence 35.7% of study populations were delineated by HIV status. The laboratory methods used included shotgun metagenomics (62%) or 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Almost 85% of the studies focused on total microbiome profiles and rarely reported the distribution of different Bifidobacterium species and variants. None of the papers studied human breast milk composition. There were reports of reduced abundance of beneficial genera in pregnant women, children, and adolescents living with HIV. Additionally, gut microbiota was reported to be poorly predictive of child growth and vaccine response, though this was not conclusive. Conclusion There are few studies that characterize the gut microbiome by Zimbabwe-based researchers. However, studies on strain level diversity of Bifidobacterium and other key microbes, and their role in health during and beyond infancy, lag behind in Zimbabwe and other low- and middle-income countries. Such cohorts are needed to inform future mechanistic studies and downstream translational work such as next-generation probiotics and prebiotics.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Systematic Review

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of many anticancer drugs that may cause various symptoms altering the quality of life. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the peripheral and central nervous system changes associated with CIPN and detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Medical literature databases (PubMed, Scopus, Thomson Reuters - Web of Science and Embase) were searched for original studies reporting the use of MRI in the evaluation of CIPN. A total of 31 studies were identified and 9 were eligible for analysis. Results indicate few changes of the peripheral nervous system, most CIPN-associated nervous alterations involving pain processing areas and circuits inside the central nervous system. Distinct patterns of pain processing, changes in cerebral perfusion and gray matter density together with chronic activation of somatosensory areas have been observed in patients with CIPN compared to healthy subjects or cancer patients who did not develop CIPN. Identification of vulnerable brain areas and circuits may indicate future targets for novel therapies directed to prevent or treat CIPN. A preexisting vulnerability suggested by a unique pattern of brain activation following nociceptive stimulation prior to chemotherapy could help identify high-risk individuals, candidates to close monitoring and preventive strategies.
Metabolic syndrome in adults with autistic traits: associated psychological, behavioral, and biological factors in females and males – a PharmLines initiative

Background While cardiovascular diseases is highly prevalent and an important cause of mortality in autistic adults, knowledge on their increased cardiovascular risk is limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate psychological, behavioral, and physical factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with autistic traits. Methods In total, 17,705 adults from the Lifelines Cohort were included and categorized using Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 sum-scores. The quartiles with highest (HQ-traits-group females: n = 2,635; males: n = 1803) and lowest levels of autistic traits (LQ-traits-group, n = idem) were analyzed. Using multivariable logistic regression, the associations between MetS and (self-reported and interviewed) psychological, behavioral, and physically measured factors in these stratified groups were investigated. Results Among females, MetS was more common in the HQ-traits-group than in the LQ-traits-group (10.0% versus 7.5%, p < 0.01), while this was not the case among males (HQ-traits-group 13.8% versus LQ-traits-group 13.1%, p = 0.52). In both the female and male HQ-traits-group, the presence of MetS was associated with poorer self-reported health, less daily physical activity, and altered leukocyte counts. Conclusion These findings underline the relevance of adequate cardiovascular prevention in adults with higher levels of autistic traits. Future research could gain more insight into the relationship between cardiovascular risk and autistic traits in females, and into tailored cardiovascular prevention.
Effects of Long-Term Management on Soil Organic Carbon in Tropical Peatlands

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Histosols management on soil organic matter (SOM) characteristics. Theoretical framework: Histosols are soils that provide ecosystem services, especially carbon stocks. Among the environments in which these soils are formed, peatlands stand out. The conversion of these areas into agricultural systems requires soil drainage. This practice causes reductions in carbon content and changes in the structure of the SOM. Methodology: The study was conducted in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The soils were classified as Histosols. Three areas were selected: a) cassava (Manihot esculenta) cultivation for 80 years; b) forest fragment for 20 years; c) consortium of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) and cassava for 20 years. Total organic carbon (TOC); particulate organic carbon (COP); organic carbon associated with minerals (COam); fulvic acid fraction carbon (CAF); humic acid fraction carbon (CAH) and; humin fraction carbon (CHUM) were determined. Solid-state spectroscopy (UV-vis, ATR-FTIR and 13C NMR CP/MAS) was carried out to characterize the structure of the SOM. Results and conclusion: The results showed that management and drainage have an impact on the TOC content, fractions and chemical structure of the SOM. The management adopted in the cassava area had an impact on the labile and humified fractions of the SOM. Spectroscopy showed that labile structures were lost in the humic acids (HA), while in the forest area only recalcitrant structures were preserved. Research implications: The conversion of Histosols to agricultural production using the drainage technique promotes quantitative and qualitative changes in SOM in the long term. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is necessary to use techniques that promote carbon stocks in the soil. Originality/value: This study uses spectroscopic and chemometric techniques to highlight the effects of long-term soil management on the chemical structure of the SOM and to quantify the total carbon content and SOM fractions.
Course of objectively measured physical activity and sleep in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A 1-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: As physical inactivity and poor sleep quality may impose additional risk for cancer recurrence and overall mortality in postmenopausal breast cancer (PMBC) survivors, it is important to gain insight into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on their physical activity (PA) and sleep level. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the course of their physical activity (PA) and sleep throughout governmental measures against COVID-19 during 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: PMBC survivors (n = 96) wore an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT for seven consecutive days at 12 and 18 months after diagnosis and additional measurements were taken after onset of the second (partial) COVID-19 lockdown. Longitudinal data was categorized into four timepoints: before onset of COVID-19 (T1), during the initial lockdown (T2), in between initial and second lockdown (T3), and during the second lockdown (T4). General linear mixed effects models assessed differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, total minutes of PA per day, average acceleration, intensity gradient, sleep efficiency, and sleep duration over time. RESULTS: Levels of MVPA per day before COVID-19 were low (Median = 20.9 min/day (IQR = 10.8;36.2)), and time spent physically active was most often in light intensity, which remained stable throughout the pandemic. Sleep duration (Median = 442.8 min/night (IQR = 418.3;478.0)) and efficiency (85.9% (IQR = 79.6;88.4)) was sufficient before COVID-19 and showed stability over time. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of PA with mostly light intensity, and adequate sleep efficiency and duration were observed before COVID in PMBC survivors. This was not further affected by COVID-19 governmental measures.
Neural Network-Based Design of Two-Focal-Spot Terahertz Diffractive Optical Elements

This article presents a convolutional neural network approach for the design and optimization of single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) structures for the sub-terahertz spectral range (140 GHz). Two SIMO structures with two output channels have been designed using the proposed neural network approach and an iterative algorithm as a reference. Both structures have been manufactured by means of fused deposition modeling 3-D printing technique and verified experimentally. A new method of 3-D modeling of the designed phase maps has been developed and applied to manufacture unintuitive structures optimized with neural networks.
A comparative analysis of continuous and event-based hydrological modeling for streamflow hydrograph prediction

A precise evaluation of streamflow hydrographs and their attributes is one of the key components of hydrological applications. This research investigates a comparative analysis between event-based and continuous hydrological modeling of streamflow using the HBV rainfall-runoff model. The Dez river basin in southwest Iran was selected as a case study. Model performance was examined for a total of nine streamflow events during time period 2012–2019. The results of the model were compared for event-based and continuous simulations of streamflow using goodness-of-fit measures involving Nash-Sutcliff efficiency (NSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Besides, the most sensitive parameters were identified using sensitivity analysis. Results revealed that although HBV model has a reliable performance for both modeling approaches, continuous modeling of streamflow hydrographs slightly outperforms the EB simulation approach. These outcomes provide an efficient information to improve the operation of water systems and hydrological forecasts.
Soil bin studies on the selection of furrow opener for conservation agriculture

Conservation agriculture is a set of soil management practices include conservation tillage, residue management and crop rotation. Conservation tillage deals with tillage practices that retain at least thirty per cent of previous crop residues. Present study is aimed to assess the effect of furrow openers and their forward speed on soil physical properties, soil disturbance and maize stalk residue cutting under soil bin condition. Four types of furrow openers were tested viz., Inverted T-type furrow opener with plain rolling coulter, single disk furrow opener, double disk furrow opener and double disk furrow opener with plain rolling coulter operated at three forward speeds (1.5 km h−1, 2 km h−1 and 2.5 km h−1). Results showed that forward speed was inversely proportional to soil moisture retention, soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance. It was also observed that double disk furrow opener with plain rolling coulter resulted in maximum soil moisture retention (11.2%), higher bulk density (11.2 gm cc−1), higher penetration resistance (1.37 MPa), minimum soil disturbance profile at forward speed of 1.5 km h−1. The maize stalk residue cutting was effective at all forward speeds with double disk furrow opener with plain rolling coulter. Hence, the double disk furrow opener with plain rolling coulter was best suited for conservation agriculture.
IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA An Analysis of Disposal Avenues and Tactics

Lack of information about the stolen goods market has hampered its use by police as a means of controlling burglary rates. This study investigated how the market functions by interviewing 261 imprisoned burglars. It found that burglars used an average of four different methods of disposal. The most common was trading stolen goods directly for drugs—mainly heroin in adults and cannabis in juveniles. Other methods included selling to family/friends, fences, legitimate businesses, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers. Disposal of stolen goods appeared efficient, profitable and low risk. Many goods were stolen on commission and disposed of quickly, often in under one hour from the burglary. Burglars obtained between 25-33 per cent of the new price for certain stolen goods, earned a median income of A US$2,000per week and gave little thought to being caught. Receivers stood to make considerable profits and were also unlikely to be apprehended. The implications of these data for controlling the flow of stolen goods are discussed.
Radio Absorption in the Nightside Ionosphere of Mars During Solar Energetic Particle Events

Characterization, understanding, and prediction of the Martian radio environment are of increasing importance to the forthcoming human exploration of Mars. Here we investigate 3–5 MHz radio absorption in the nightside ionosphere of Mars caused by enhanced ionization at <100 km altitudes during solar energetic particle (SEP) events. We conduct a quantitative analysis of radio absorption and SEP flux data that have been accumulated by two spacecraft currently orbiting Mars, thereby demonstrating that radio absorption is clearly correlated with SEP fluxes. A comparison of the observations with radio absorption properties predicted by a numerical model indicates that the relative temporal changes, radio frequency dependence, and SEP energy dependence of the observed radio absorption are in agreement with the model prediction. Meanwhile, the model systematically overestimates the radio absorption in the ionosphere by a factor of 3.7. We explore several sources of uncertainty, including the electron‐neutral collision frequency, absolute sensitivity of the SEP instrument, and limited transport of SEPs to the atmosphere, but the ultimate cause of the systematic discrepancy between the measured and modeled radio absorption is yet to be identified. Further efforts should be put into the development of a comprehensive and observationally validated model of radio absorption in the Martian ionosphere to assist the future crew and spacecraft activities on the surface of Mars.
Peer group support and motivational interviewing interventions impact parents’ behavior in preventing tuberculosis among children

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) serves as a key indicator for assessing public health at the population level. The infection of children and toddlers with TB often stems from the lack of involvement by family members in adhering to proper hygiene practices aimed at preventing TB transmission.Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of peer group support and motivational interviewing on parental behaviors in preventing TB transmission among children residing in the same household as a TB patient. Methods: Employing a quasi-experimental design (pre-post test with a single group), this study involved 30 parents selected through accidental sampling. The independent variables included peer group support and motivational interviewing, while the dependent variable was parental behavior concerning TB prevention in children. Data collection utilized a questionnaire assessing parents’ behaviors in preventing TB in children, which was then analyzed using the paired t-test.Results: The implementation of peer group support and motivational interviewing significantly influenced the enhancement of parental behaviors in preventing TB in children (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Both peer group support and motivational interviewing demonstrated their efficacy in altering parental behavior to prevent TB in children residing with a TB patient. These interventions could be effectively incorporated by nurses to complement ongoing tuberculosis treatment therapies.
An energy approach to asymptotic, higher-order, linear homogenization

A higher-order homogenization method for linear elastic structures is proposed. While most existing approaches to homogenization start from the equations of equilibrium, the proposed one works at the energy level. We start from an energy functional depending on microscopic degrees of freedom on the one hand and on macroscopic variables on the other hand; the homogenized energy functional is derived by relaxing the microscopic degrees of freedom and applying a formal two-scale expansion. This method delivers the the energy functional of the homogenized model directly, including boundary terms that have not been discussed in previous work. Our method is formulated in a generic setting which makes it applicable to a variety of geometries in dimension 1, 2 or 3, and without any particular assumption on material symmetry. An implementation using a symbolic calculation language is proposed and it is distributed as an open-source library. Simple illustrations to elastic trusses having pre-stress or graded elastic properties are presented. The approach is presented in the context of discrete elastic structures and the connection with previous work on the higher-order homogenization of period continua is discussed.
Global Distribution and Spectral Properties of Low‐Reflectance Material on Mercury

We examine the global distribution and spectral properties of low‐reflectance material (LRM) across Mercury to estimate the relative carbon abundance of prominent exposures and to test hypotheses for the origin of carbon in LRM. Our mapping demonstrates that LRM is consistently excavated from depth and that the spectral curvature attributed to carbon becomes more subdued as these surface deposits age. We find that the 600‐nm band depth in LRM deposits is related to carbon content and can be used to estimate carbon enrichment. LRM deposits excavated by basins and large craters may be enriched with as much as 4 wt% carbon over the local mean. Regional deposits, associated with the most heavily cratered terrains, are enriched by an average of ~2.5 wt% carbon. The association of LRM with excavation from depth shows that the carbon in LRM is native to the planet, rather than deposited over time by impacts.
Post-traumatic recurrent ulnar nerve dislocation at the elbow: a rare case report

Introduction and importance: Several authors have also made reference to a less prevalent condition known in elbow as ulnar nerve subluxation. However, this particular condition tends to manifest primarily in young individuals who engage in professional sports or activities involving extensive use of the forearm. A more severe form of ulnar nerve subluxation, which is ulnar nerve dislocation, gives rise to a characteristic dislocation and relocation of the nerve at the elbow during flexion and extension of the forearm. Due to the rarity of this condition in clinical settings and its predominant occurrence as subluxation in younger patients, there are instances where traumatic ulnar nerve dislocation can be overlooked and misdiagnosed with two commonly encountered pathological conditions as ulnar nerve entrapment or medial epicondylitis. Case presentation: The authors present a 51-year-old male with chronic pain when moving his right forearm following a fall that caused a direct force injury to his elbow. The patient was misdiagnosed and treated as medial epicondylitis and early-stage ulnar nerve entrapment. However, the symptoms did not improve for a long time. The authors performed the ulnar nerve anterior transposition surgery using the subcutaneous transposition technique and the result is very good without any pain. Clinical discussion: The ulnar nerve can naturally be subluxed or dislocated if Osborne’s ligament is loose or when there are anatomical variations in the medial epicondyle. In some case, this ligament can be ruptured by trauma. The symptoms of ulnar instability are caused by friction neuritis. Dynamic ultrasound of the ulnar nerve in two positions show clearly this condition. Conclusion: Post-traumatic ulnar nerve dislocation is a rare condition, and the recurrent characteristic of it leads to neuritis or neuropathy. The condition can be overlooked or misdiagnosed as medial epicondylitis or early-stage ulnar nerve entrapment. The nerve transposition surgery will give good result.