Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Greek Remdesivir Cohort (GREC) Study: Effectiveness of Antiviral Drug Remdesivir in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia

In several randomized studies, remdesivir (RDV) has been reported to shorten the recovery period and improve clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, and thus, it is recommended as a standard of care. Nevertheless, controversial reports have been published. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at three Greek University Departments of Infectious Diseases with homogenous treatment protocols. From September 2020 to February 2021, we retrospectively analyzed adults hospitalized with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and radiological findings of pneumonia, who received remdesivir once daily for five days. Exploratory end points were duration of hospitalization, time of intubation, and death. Overall, 551 patients were included in the study. The optimal cutoff point for the number of days needed after symptom initiation for drug administration associated with better clinical outcome was 7 days. Higher odds for discharge and lower for intubation were observed in patients with treatment initiation ≤7 days (p = 0.052 and p = 0.019, retrospectively) regardless of gender (p = 0.537), hypertension (p = 0.096), dyslipidemia (p = 0.221), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.306), and usage of immunomodulators (p = 0.408). Our study has demonstrated beneficial effects of early treatment with remdesivir (≤7 days from symptom onset) on rates of intubation and probability of discharge.
Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory for electromechanical hysteresis loop formation in piezoresponse force microscopy of thin films

Electromechanical hysteresis loop formation in piezoresponse force microscopy of thin ferroelectric films is studied with special emphasis on the effects of tip size and film thickness, as well as dependence on the tip voltage frequency. Here, we use a combination of Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire (LGD) theory for the description of the local polarization reversal, with decoupling approximation for the calculation of the local piezoresponse loops shape, coercive voltages, and amplitude. LGD approach enables addressing both thermodynamics and kinetics of hysteresis loop formation. In contrast to the “rigid” ferroelectric approximation, this approach allows for the piezoelectric tensor component’s dependence on the ferroelectric polarization and dielectric permittivity. This model rationalizes the non-classical shape of the dynamic piezoelectric force microscopy loops.
Selected Texan K-12 Educators’ Perceptions of Youth Suicide Prevention Training

K-12 school personnel may be frontline responders for youth contemplating suicide or other harmful behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study was to determine selected K-12 educators’ perceptions of youth suicide prevention (YSP) training. A longitudinal trend survey with repeated measures and proportionally stratified random samples of K-12 personnel from nine Texas independent school districts provided data. Participants’ perceived knowledge of the YSP content showed significant appreciative gains between pre- and follow-up post-tests. Likewise, their confidence levels for helping students at risk of suicide and approaching other adults to talk about students at risk of suicide rose significantly between pretests and follow-up post-tests. This preliminary study reinforces the value of training educators to acquire content knowledge and confidence boosting opportunities for engagement in difficult dialogue about suicidality. YSP training helped improve educators’ confidence to engage with others about students’ mental health concerns, calling attention to the importance of identifying early warning signs that may aid in early support and prevention of youth mental health concerns.
Higher-accuracy van der Waals density functional

We propose a second version of the van der Waals density functional of Dion et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 246401 (2004)], employing a more accurate semilocal exchange functional and the use of a large-N asymptote gradient correction in determining the vdW kernel. The predicted binding energy, equilibrium separation, and potential-energy curve shape are close to those of accurate quantum chemical calculations on 22 duplexes. We anticipate the enabling of chemically accurate calculations in sparse materials of importance for condensed matter, surface, chemical, and biological physics.
Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Nutritional Status in Women with Breast Cancer: What Is Their Impact on Disease Progression and Recurrence-Free Patients’ Survival?

Introduction: Nutritional status impacts the survival of patients with cancer. There are few studies that investigate the role of nutritional status on breast cancer survival in women with breast cancer, and even fewer regarding the impact of adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD). The present study aims to assess the nutritional status, MD adherence, physical activity levels and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women diagnosed with breast cancer and evaluate these parameters regarding recurrence-free survival. Methods: A total of 114 women, aged 35–87 years old, diagnosed with breast cancer in Larissa, Greece, participated in the study. Tumor histopathology was reported, and anthropometric indices were measured by a trained nurse, while questionnaires regarding nutritional status (via mini nutritional assessment), HRQOL via EORTC QLQ-C30, physical activity levels via IPAQ and Mediterranean diet adherence via MedDietScore were administered. The participants were followed-up for a maximum time interval of 42 months or until recurrence occurred. Results: A total of 74% of patients were overweight or obese, while 4% of women were undernourished, and 28% were at risk of malnutrition. After 42 months of follow-up, 22 patients (19.3%) had relapsed. The median time to recurrence was 38 months (IQR: 33–40 months) and ranged between 23 to 42 months. Higher levels of MD adherence were significantly associated with lower body mass index (BMI) values, earlier disease stage, smaller tumor size, absence of lymph node metastases and better physical activity levels (p < 0.05). Normal nutritional status was significantly associated with higher BMI values and better health-related quality of life (p ≤ 0.05). In univariate analysis, patients with higher levels of MD adherence and well-nourished patients had significantly longer recurrence-free survival (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, MD adherence and nutritional status were independently associated with recurrence-free patients’ survival after adjustment for several confounding factors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The impact of MD on time to recurrence is still under investigation, and future interventional studies need to focus on the role of adhering to the MD before and after therapy in survival and breast cancer progression. Furthermore, the present study also highlights the importance of an adequate nutritional status on disease progression, and the need for nutritional assessment, education and intervention in women with breast cancer.
Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Treating COVID-19 Patients in Bangladesh

Although national and international guidelines have strongly discouraged use of antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms, antibiotics are frequently being used. This study aimed to determine antibiotics-prescribing practices among Bangladeshi physicians in treating COVID-19 patients. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among physicians involved in treating COVID-19 patients. During September–November 2021, data were collected from 511 respondents through an online Google Form and hardcopies of self-administered questionnaires. We used descriptive statistics and a regression model to identify the prevalence of prescribing antibiotics among physicians and associated factors influencing their decision making. Out of 511 enrolled physicians, 94.13% prescribed antibiotics to COVID-19 patients irrespective of disease severity. All physicians working in COVID-19–dedicated hospitals and 87% for those working in outpatient wards used antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients. The majority (90%) of physicians reported that antibiotics should be given to COVID-19 patients with underlying respiratory conditions. The most prescribed antibiotics were meropenem, moxifloxacin, and azithromycin. Our study demonstrated high use of antibiotics for treatment of COVID-19 patients irrespective of disease severity and the duty ward of study physicians. Evidence-based interventions to promote judicious use of antibiotics for treating COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh may help in reducing an overuse of antibiotics.
Tofacitinib Inhibits STAT Phosphorylation and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3, -9 and -13 Production by C28/I2 Human Juvenile Chondrocytes

Purpose: This in vitro study was designed to determine the effect of the pan-Janus kinase inhibitor, Tofacitinib, on basal and interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) phosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression and MMP production by C28/I2 human chondrocytes. Methods: C28/I2 chondrocytes were grown to a confluent high-density and treated either with recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6; 10– 20ng/mL) or maintained in the basal state for up to 60 min. MMP gene expression was determined using RT-PCR and MMP production by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. The effect of IL-6 with or without Tofacitinib on activation of STAT proteins was determined from quantitative Western blots. Results: C28/I2 chondrocytes produced STAT1, STAT3 and STAT5AB which were phosphorylated (p) following treatment with rhIL-6 for 30 min. Tofacitinib (2.5nM–100nM) decreased rhIL-6-induced activation of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5AB as well as decreasing the expression of MMP3 and MMP13 but not MMP9, MMP1 or MMP2 . In addition, Tofacitinib (50nM) reduced the number of rhIL-6-induced MMP3-, and MMP13- antibody-positive C28/I2 chondrocytes. However, Tofacitinib did decrease the number of MMP9-antibody-positive C28/I2 chondrocytes. Conclusion: Taken together, these data showed that Tofacitinib, a pan-JAK small molecule inhibitor employed for the medical therapy of rheumatoid arthritis was a potent inhibitor of rhIL-6-induced STAT phosphorylation that appeared to be coupled to the inhibition of MMP-3, -9 and -13 production by C28/I2 chondrocytes.
Immunogenicity of a Fractional Dose of mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine for Primary Series and Booster Vaccination among Healthy Adolescents

Primary series vaccination with BNT162b2 followed by a booster 5 months later has been recommended for healthy adolescents. We aimed to describe the immunogenicity in a fractional dose of BNT162b2. Adolescents aged 12–18 years were randomized into six arms for primary series administration: 3wPZ30/30 (reference group), 3wPZ30/20, 3wPZ20/20, 6wPZ30/30, 6wPZ30/20, and 6wPZ20/20 μg. A booster was given at 5 months after the second dose using either 10 or 15 μg of BNT162b2. Immunogenicity following vaccination was determined by IgG against receptor-binding domain (anti-S-RBD IgG; BAU/mL), surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT; %inhibition) and pseudovirus neutralization (pVNT;ID50) against Omicron. Non-inferiority criteria were defined as a lower boundary of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) being greater than 0.67. From September to October 2021, 118 adolescents with a median age (IQR) of 14.9 years (13.9–16.7) were enrolled. Fourteen days after the primary series, the geometric means (GMs) of anti-S-RBD IgG (BAU/mL) were 3090 (95% CI 2761–3460) in 3wPZ30/30. The GMRs of anti-S-RBD were: 0.80 (95% CI 0.67–0.97) in 3wPZ30/20; 1.00 (95% CI 0.83–1.20) in 3wPZ20/20; 1.37 (95% CI 1.13–1.65) in 6wPZ30/30; 1.24 (95% CI 1.02–1.50) in 6wPZ30/20; and 1.36 (1.13–1.64) in 6wPZ20/20. After a booster dose with 15 μg (n = 24) of BNT162b2, sVNT and pVNT against Omicron variant were 91.6 (95% CI 88.4–94.9) and 331 (95% CI 221–495), respectively. In the group that received 10 μg of BNT162b2 (n = 25), sVNT was 85.6 (95% CI 80.0–91.6) and pVNT was 397 (95% CI 267–590). Healthy adolescents had good immune responses to the fractional dose regimen of BNT162b2 and this may be considered as an alternative option.
MID-INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC OBSERVATIONS OF FRAGMENTS B AND C OF COMET 73P/SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN 3

We present mid-infrared spectra and images from the Gemini-N (+ Michelle) observations of fragments SW3-[B] and SW3-[C] of the ecliptic (Jupiter family) comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 pre-perihelion. We observed fragment B soon after an outburst event (between 2006 April 16–26 UT) and detected crystalline silicates. The mineralogy of both fragments was dominated by amorphous carbon and amorphous pyroxene. The grain size distribution (assuming a Hanner-modified power law) for fragment SW3-[B] has a peak grain radius of ap ∼ 0.5 μm, and for fragment SW3-[C], ap ∼ 0.3 μm; both values are larger than the peak grain radius of the size distribution for the dust ejected from ecliptic comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact event (ap = 0.2 μm). The silicate-to-carbon ratio and the silicate crystalline mass fraction for the submicron to micron-sized portion of the grain size distribution on the nucleus of fragment SW3-[B] were 1.341+0.250−0.253 and 0.335+0.089−0.112, respectively, while on the nucleus of fragment SW3-[C] they were 0.671+0.076−0.076 and 0.257+0.039−0.043, respectively. The similarity in mineralogy and grain properties between the two fragments implies that 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 is homogeneous in composition. The slight differences in grain size distribution and silicate-to-carbon ratio between the two fragments likely arise because SW3-[B] was actively fragmenting throughout its passage while the activity in SW3-[C] was primarily driven by jets. The lack of diverse mineralogy in the fragments SW3-[B] and SW3-[C] of 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 along with the relatively larger peak in the coma grain size distribution suggests that the parent body of this comet may have formed in a region of the solar nebula with different environmental properties than the natal sites where comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) and 9P/Tempel 1 nuclei aggregated.
Size Distribution of Inactivated Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Particles Revealed by a Comprehensive Physicochemical Approach

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an enveloped RNA virus, a member of the genus Flavivirus (family Flaviviridae). Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the size and structure of the inactivated TBEV vaccine strain Sofjin-Chumakov. Four analytical methods were used to analyze individual TBEV particles—negative staining TEM, cryo-EM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). All methods confirmed that the particles were monodisperse and that their mean size was ~50 nm. Cryo-EM data allowed us to obtain a 3D electron density model of the virus with clearly distinguishable E protein molecules. STEM-EELS analysis detected phosphorus in the particles, which was interpreted as an indicator of RNA presence. Altogether, the described analytical procedures can be valuable for the characterization of inactivated vaccine virus samples.
Correlation Method for Identification of a Nonparametric Model of Type 1 Diabetes

This work describes a novel nonparametric identification method for estimating impulse responses of the general two-input single-output linear system with its target application to the individualization of an empirical model of type 1 diabetes. The proposed algorithm is based on correlation functions and the derived generalization of the Wiener-Hopf equation for systems with two inputs, while taking the stochastic properties of the output measurements into account. Ultimately, this approach to solving the deconvolution problem can be seen as an alternative to widely used prediction error methods. To estimate the impulse response coefficients, the generalized least squares method was used in order to reflect nonuniform variances and nonzero covariances of the stochastic estimate of the cross-correlation functions, hence yielding the minimum variance estimator. Estimate regularization strategies were also involved, while three different types of penalties were applied. The combination of smoothing, stability, and causality regularization was proposed to improve the general validity of the estimate and also to lower its variance. The findings of this identification method are meant to be applied within an eventual predictive control synthesis for the artificial pancreas, so a procedure for transforming the nonparametric model into the transfer function-based parametric model was also described. A discussion on the results of a comprehensive simulation-based experiment concludes the paper.
A Comparison of Emotional Triggers for Eating in Men and Women with Obesity

Objective: Emotional eating (EE) is prevalent in people seeking obesity treatment and is a contributor to poor weight loss outcomes. We aimed to delineate the emotions most associated with this type of eating, and whether they differ by sex in people undergoing obesity treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruiting 387 adults from a hospital obesity management service. Emotional eating was measured using the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). Separate analyses included all participants, and those undergoing lifestyle interventions alone or in combination with obesity medication and/or bariatric surgery. Results: A total of 387 people (71% women) participated in the study (n = 187 receiving lifestyle modification alone; n = 200 in combination with additional treatments). Feeling ‘bored’ was most commonly and most strongly associated with the urge to eat, regardless of sex or treatment. Women had higher scores for total EES, for subscales of depression and anger, and individual feelings of ‘blue’, ‘sad’ and ‘upset’ compared to men. Conclusions: Understanding why certain emotions differentially trigger an urge to eat in men and women, and finding strategies to break the link between boredom and eating may enable better personalisation of lifestyle interventions for people with obesity.
Direct observation of alloy scattering of two-dimensional electrons in AlxGa1−xAs

We have measured the alloy scattering of two-dimensionally (2D) confined electrons in AlxGa1−xAs in the dilute Al concentration limit. Alloy scattering is independent of temperature below 4.2 K, and from its linear dependence on the Al concentration we obtain a scattering rate of 35 ns−1 per 1% Al impurities. The alloy scattering potential determined from our data, using the Fang–Howard approximation of the wave function for the 2D electrons, is 1.13 eV.
CORRIGENDUM: The influence of isotope mass, edge magnetic shear and input power on high density ELMy H modes in JET

Results are presented of experiments carried out in JET with the Mark II divertor to study ELMy H modes at high density. In these experiments the effective ion mass of the plasma (pure hydrogen, deuterium and tritium), input power, plasma current and edge triangularity were varied. The variation of density was achieved by gas fuelling. The focus is on two main issues: the variation of global energy confinement with density and the scaling of the H mode pedestal. It is found that the density dependence in the ITER97-P(y) scaling is not confirmed by experiment when the density limit is approached. For the high density regime in ELMy H modes a density independent scaling is proposed that includes the plasma triangularity in the regression variables. The core energy content of the plasma is correlated to the edge pedestal parameters, consistently with a mixed Bohm-gyroBohm transport model for H mode plasmas. It is found that with type I ELMs, the edge pedestal pressure increases with the ion mass of the plasma, the input power and the edge magnetic shear. A scaling is derived for the pressure at the top of the edge pedestal which is consistent with a model where the pedestal width is assumed to be proportional to the ion gyro-radius and the pedestal gradient is limited by ideal MHD.
Generation of entangled light via dynamical Casimir effect

This paper addresses the excitation of vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field through periodic modulations of a refractive index and the possibility of using entanglement as a distinctive marker of the quantum nature of the phenomenon. It introduces a lossy environment and analyses its implications on the possibility of generating such an effect and measuring entanglement, concluding that it is not entirely destructive when the produced particles share the same environment.
A DETAILED STUDY OF NON-THERMAL X-RAY PROPERTIES AND INTERSTELLAR GAS TOWARD THE γ-RAY SUPERNOVA REMNANT RX J1713.7−3946

We have carried out a spectral analysis of the Suzaku X-ray data in the 0.4–12 keV range toward the shell-type very high-energy γ-ray supernova remnant (SNR) RX J1713.7−3946. The aims of this analysis are to estimate detailed X-rays spectral properties at a high angular resolution up to 2 arcmin and to compare them with the interstellar gas. The X-ray spectrum is non-thermal and used to calculate absorbing column density, photon index, and absorption-corrected X-ray flux. The photon index varies significantly from 2.1 to 2.9. It is shown that the X-ray intensity is well correlated with the photon index, especially in the west region, with a correlation coefficient of 0.81. The X-ray intensity tends to increase with the averaged interstellar gas density while the dispersion is relatively large. The hardest spectra, with photon indexes of less than 2.4, are found outside of the central 10 arcmin of the SNR, from the north to the southeast (∼430 arcmin2) and from the southwest to the northwest (∼150 arcmin2). The former region shows low interstellar gas density, while the latter shows high interstellar gas density. We present a discussion of possible scenarios that explain the distribution of the photon index and its relationship with the interstellar gas.
Study on Antidepressant Emotion Regulation Based on Feedback Analysis of Music Therapy with Brain-Computer Interface

In today's society, people with poor mental ability are prone to neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression due to long-term negative emotions. Although conventional Western medicine has certain curative effect, these drugs have significant anticholinergic side effects central toxicity as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects which limit their application in the elderly. At present, several antidepressants used in clinic have certain limitations. According to the symptoms of depression, this paper proposes a feedback emotion regulation method of brain-computer interface music therapy. This method uses special music stimulation to regulate the release of inhibiting sex hormones in the body, reduce the influence of negative emotions on the internal environment of the body, and maintain the steady state of the body. In this method, EEG is used as the emotional control signal of depressed patients, and this biological signal is transformed into music that depressed patients can understand, so as to clarify their physiological and psychological state and realize emotional self-regulation by feedback.