Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caste Identities and Structures of Threats: Stigma, Prejudice and Social Representation in Indian universities

Caste is a complex ontological construction. Despite several anti-caste movements and constitutional provisions, caste exists in the Indian psyche as part of everyday life. Even in the advent of globalization, caste continues to foster social and economic inequalities and exclusion in newer forms and perpetuates violence. The available research on caste-based stigma and humiliation provides a limited understanding as it deals with Dalits only; and ignores caste-Hindus (upper-caste) agency. Based largely on qualitative data collected at an intense three-day workshop, including two Focus Group Discussions and a year-long ethnography, this article illustrates the micro processes of everyday life experiences of caste-based stigma and humiliation among university students, academic staff and administrative staff. It explores subtle and overt caste discrimination, prejudices and stereotypes existing in the spatial morphologies of Indian higher education, its perpetuation on campuses and its impact on students’ psyche. It highlights the dearth of scholarship in this area of caste identity and stigma; and proposes nuanced questions for future research to understand why universities in India are turning into places of social defeat for Dalit and OBC students. The article argues the basis of caste discrimination and humiliation in universities is not the same as it exists in other social institutions. Instead of asserting conclusions on this matter we set out justifiable lines of inquiry. There are two issues that this article examines: first, how students in Indian higher education evolve strategies for coping with threatened identities. Second, what structural repair in higher education is required to heal the wounded (caste) psyche?
Effect of suprascapular nerve injury on muscle and regenerated enthesis in a rat rotator cuff tear model

Background Massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are complicated by muscle atrophy, fibrosis, and intramuscular fatty degeneration, which are associated with postoperative tendon-to-bone healing failure and poor clinical outcomes. We evaluated muscle and enthesis changes in large tears with or without suprascapular nerve (SN) injury in a rat model. Methods Sixty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into SN injury (+) and SN injury (–) groups (n=31 each), comprising tendon (supraspinatus [SSP]/infraspinatus [ISP]) and nerve resection and tendon resection only cases, respectively. Muscle weight measurement, histological evaluation, and biomechanical testing were performed 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Ultrastructural analysis with block face imaging was performed 8 weeks postoperatively. Results SSP/ISP muscles in the SN injury (+) group appeared atrophic, with increased fatty tissue and decreased muscle weight, compared to those in the control and SN injury (–) groups. Immunoreactivity was only positive in the SN injury (+) group. Myofibril arrangement irregularity and mitochondrial swelling severity, along with number of fatty cells, were higher in the SN injury (+) group than in the SN injury (–) group. The bone-tendon junction enthesis was firm in the SN injury (–) group; this was atrophic and thinner in the SN injury (+) group, with decreased cell density and immature fibrocartilage. Mechanically, the tendon-bone insertion was significantly weaker in the SN injury (+) group than in the control and SN injury (+) groups. Conclusions In clinical settings, SN injury may cause severe fatty changes and inhibition of postoperative tendon healing in large RCTs. Level of evidence Basic research, controlled laboratory study.
Distributed Universal Adaptive Networks

Adaptive networks (ANs) are effective real time techniques to process and track events observed by sensor networks and, more recently, to equip Internet of Things (IoT) applications. ANs operate over nodes equipped with collaborative adaptive filters that solve distributively an estimation problem common to the whole network. However, they do not guarantee that nodes do not lose from cooperation, as compared to its non-cooperative operation; that poor nodes are rejected and exceptional nodes estimates reach the entire network; and that performance is uniform over all nodes. In order to enforce such properties, this work introduces the concept of distributed universal estimation, which encompasses the new concepts of local universality, global universality and universality with respect to the non-cooperative operation. We then construct a new cooperation protocol that is proven to be distributively universal, outperforming direct competitors from the literature, as shown by several simulations. Mean and mean-square analytical models are developed, with good agreement between theory and simulations.
Impact of Adenomyosis and Endometriosis on Chronic Pelvic Pain after Niche Repair

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is one of the main isthmocele symptoms, together with abnormal uterine bleeding and secondary infertility. When patients undergo a laparoscopic niche repair surgery, it is important to determine if they present associated pathologies, such as adenomyosis and/or endometriosis, which are also a cause of CPP. A retrospective study was performed on 31 patients with CPP undergoing a laparoscopic niche repair. The pre-operative ultrasound was analyzed to determine the presence of adenomyosis. Endometriosis was histologically diagnosed. CPP outcome was evaluated at early (3–6 months) and late (12 months) post-operative follow ups. In our population of 31 women presenting CPP, only six of them (19.4%) did not have any associated pathology. In the group of 25 patients with associated pathology, 10 (40%) had no benefit from the reconstructive surgery in terms of CPP at early follow-up (3–6 months) and 8 (32%) in the post-operative period at 12 months. Patients with CPP who undergo niche repair should be carefully selected as CPP does not seem to be a good indication for uterine scar repair in patients with concomitant adenomyosis and endometriosis.
The E-ELT program status

ESO is now fully engaged in building the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), a 40-m class optical nearinfrared telescope to be installed on top of Cerro Armazones, Chile and become operational around 2025. The Programme was formally approved by ESO Council back in 2012. However the required funding level for starting construction was actually reached in 2014, leading to a Green Light to start large construction contracts in December of that year. Since then, the programme has entered a very busy phase leading to the signature of the first major industrial contracts as well as the agreements with scientific institutes in ESO Member States to design and built the first suite of science instruments. This paper summarizes the current status of the E-ELT Programme and presents some aspects related to scientific objectives, managerial organization, programmatic aspects and system engineering approach. It also outlines the procurement strategies put in place to achieve the goal of the Programme: building the 'world's biggest eye on the sky' within the next decade.
Quality assessment of yoghurt formulated with aqueous extract of Roselle calyx, Moringa leaf and Lemon grass

Article Information The Moringa leaf, Roselle calyx and Lemon grass leaf extracts were ad ded separately at a proportion of 5, 10, 15% into the yoghurt and refrigerated at 5 ± 1 0 C for further analysis. The samples were coded as RCAE1, RCAE2, RCAE3 for Roselle calyx extract; MLAE1, MLAE2 for Moringa leaf extract and LGAE1, LGAE2, LGAE3 for Lemon grass leaf extract while YWNE was the control. The formulated yoghurts were subjected to proximate, micronutrients, phytochemicals, physicochemical, microbial and sensory evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed that moisture and carbohydrate increased with an increase in concentration. The ash content decreased also. There showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the control and formulated samples. The micronutrients increased except for Vitamin A of the Moringa leaf and lemon grass leaf (aqueous extract) samples decreased as the concentration increased. The phytochemical content of the samples increased; except tannin of Moringa leaf and Lemongrass which decreased on addition of aqueous extracts. pH of the formulated yoghurt samples decreased leading to an increase in titratable acidity. The total viable count for the yoghurt sample formulated with Roselle and Moringa leaf extract decreased with increase in the concentration of the extracts. The most acceptable herbal yoghurt by the panelists in terms of palatability is RCAE2 while the product best with respect to the nutritional quality is LGAE3.
Control of Complex Systems Using Neural Networks

The term artificial neural network (ANN) has come to mean any computer architecture that has massively parallel interconnections of simple processing elements. As an area of research it is of great interest due to its potential for providing insights into the kind of highly parallel computation performed by physiological nervous systems. Research in the area of artificial neural networks has had a long and interesting history, marked by periods of great activity followed by years of fading interest and revival due to new engineering insights [1]-[8], technological developments, and advances in biology. The latest period of explosive growth in pure and applied research in both real and artificial neural networks started in the 1980s, when investigators from across the scientific spectrum were attracted to the field by the prospect of drawing ideas and perspectives from many different disciplines. Many of them also believed that an integration of the knowledge acquired in the different areas was possible. Among these were control theorists like the first author, who were inspired by the ability of biological systems to retrieve contextually important information from memory, and process such information to interact efficiently with uncertain environments. They came to the field with expectations of building controllers based on artificial neural networks with similar information processing capabilities. At the same time they were also convinced that the design of such controllers should be rooted in the theoretical research in progress in different areas of mathematical control theory such as adaptive, learning, stochastic, nonlinear, hierarchical, and decentralized control.
Experimental Study of Attack Transients in Flute−like Instruments

The stationary behavior of flute-like instruments is fairly well understood. Models and experimental studies allow to predict and to understand the influences of the principal parameters (flow velocity, position of the edge, etc) on the sound if these parameters stay constant in time. Depending on the instrument, these parameters can be fixed by the flute maker or by the musician. In musical playing, the musician plays on them to act on the sound. Some parameters can vary rapidly, like during the attack transients. The response of the instruments to these variations is crucial to determine their quality, in musical use. The target of this study is to understand the influences of these parameters on the characteristics of attack transients. The study presented is based on measurements on an actual recorder in musical context. Parameters of attack transient for acoustic and musician control are extracted from the data. Relations between these parameters are searched by taking into account the characteristics of the instruments. This study is a first step in the understanding of the possibilities of the musicians' control and of the physical limitations.
Ultrasound-Guided Diagnosis of Multiple Uterine Fibroids in a Patient With Polycystic Ovaries and Treatment With Relugolix, Estradiol, and Norethisterone Acetate

Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts are common gynecological conditions that, while benign, when present simultaneously with bacterial vaginosis, can present a more complicated course of management. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, while ovarian cysts may present with pelvic pain and an adnexal mass. Each condition is typically managed separately; however, they can coexist in some patients, leading to a more complex presentation. This case report presents a 35-year-old African American female patient with the simultaneous occurrence of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, complicated by recurrent vaginitis, along with the treatment approach. The treatment choice, relugolix, estradiol, and norethisterone (norethindrone) acetate, is the first once-daily U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) combination hormonal medication approved for menorrhagia due to fibroids. This case is unique in that although the diagnoses are common, their coexistence makes for a more complex presentation, and the course of management presents a newly approved fixed-dose combination hormonal medication. This report discusses the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. Factors that may contribute to the concurrence of these conditions, such as genetic, hormonal, and environmental risks, are also explored. Diagnostic modalities and ultrasound techniques are reviewed, and treatment options, such as surgery and medical management, are discussed. The importance of a patient-centered approach in the treatment of multi-symptom gynecological disorders and the need to consider conservative management are emphasized.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli for Characterization and Outbreak Investigation

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes high frequencies of foodborne infections worldwide and has been linked to numerous outbreaks each year. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been the gold standard for surveillance until the recent transition to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). To further understand the genetic diversity and relatedness of outbreak isolates, a retrospective analysis of 510 clinical STEC isolates was conducted. Among the 34 STEC serogroups represented, most (59.6%) belonged to the predominant six non-O157 serogroups. Core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis differentiated clusters of isolates with similar PFGE patterns and multilocus sequence types (STs). One serogroup O26 outbreak strain and another non-typeable (NT) strain, for instance, were identical by PFGE and clustered together by MLST; however, both were distantly related in the SNP analysis. In contrast, six outbreak-associated serogroup O5 strains clustered with five ST-175 serogroup O5 isolates, which were not part of the same outbreak as determined by PFGE. The use of high-quality SNP analyses enhanced the discrimination of these O5 outbreak strains into a single cluster. In all, this study demonstrates how public health laboratories can more rapidly use WGS and phylogenetics to identify related strains during outbreak investigations while simultaneously uncovering important genetic attributes that can inform treatment practices.
Clinical Outcome Comparison of Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With or Without COVID-19 Infection

In severe COVID-19-related respiratory failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a useful modality that is used to provide effective oxygenation and ventilation to the patient. This descriptive study aimed to investigate and compare the outcomes between COVID-19-infected patients and patients who were not infected and required ECMO support. A retrospective study was undertaken on a cohort of 82 adult patients (\begin{document}\geq\end{document}18-year-old) who required venoarterial (VA-ECMO) and venovenous (VV-ECMO) ECMO between January 2019 and December 2022 in a single academic center. Patients who were cannulated for COVID-19-related respiratory failure (C-group) were compared to patients who were cannulated for non-COVID etiologies (non-group). Patients were excluded if data were missing regarding cannulation, decannulation, presenting diagnosis, and survival status. Categorical data were reported as counts and percentages, and continuous data were reported as means with 95% confidence intervals. Out of the 82 included ECMO patients, 33 (40.2%) were cannulated for COVID-related reasons, and 49 (59.8%) were cannulated for reasons other than COVID-19 infection. Compared to the non-group, the C-group had a higher in-hospital (75.8% vs. 55.1%) and overall mortality rate (78.8% vs. 61.2%). The C-group also had an average hospital length of stay (LOS) of 46.6 ± 13.2 days and an average intensive care unit (ICU) LOS of 44.1 ± 13.3 days. The non-group had an average hospital LOS of 24.8 ± 6.6 days and an average ICU LOS of 20.8 ± 5.9 days. Subgroup analysis of patients only treated with VV-ECMO yielded a greater in-hospital mortality rate for the C-group compared to the non-group (75.0% vs. 42.1%). COVID-19-infected patients may experience different morbidity and mortality rates as well as clinical presentations compared to non-COVID-infected patients when requiring ECMO support.
Australian East-Coast Cyclones. Part I: Synoptic Overview and Case Study

Abstract The meteorological conditions for the development of Australian east-coast cyclones are described. The main synoptic precursor is a trough (or “dip”) in the easterly wind regime over eastern Australia. The cyclones are a mesoscale development which occurs on the coast in this synoptic environment. They form preferentially at night, in the vicinity of a marked low-level baroclinic zone, and just equatorward of a region of enhanced convection resulting from flow over the coastal ranges. Three different types of east-coast cyclone have been identified. Types 1 and 3 are very small systems which can have lifetimes as short as 16 hours, during which hurricane force winds have been observed to develop. The other, type 2, system is a meso/synoptic-scale cyclone that can bring sustained strong winds and flood rainfall over several days. Because of their intensity, rapid development, and occasional tiny size, these systems are a major forecast problem.
Phyloepidemiology and adaptive evolution of SARS-CoV2 during the first and second wave of COVID-19 in India

Introduction. This study aimed to identify the circulating lineages of SARS-CoV-2, prevalent mutations in these lineages, and the selective pressure on the genome of SARS-CoV-2 during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Methods. We downloaded 1,451 sequences from June 2020 to June 2021 from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Database (GISAID). We identified the lineages using the Pangolin COVID-19 lineage assigner. Results. We found 41 circulating lineages in India during the year studied. Thirty-five lineages were circulating during the first wave and twenty during the second wave, including six new lineages. During the first wave in 2020, only one Variant of Concern (Alpha) was found, but during the second wave in 2021, three Variants of Concern (Alpha, Beta, and Delta) were in circulation, as well as one Variant Under Monitoring. The most frequent mutations observed were S: D614G, NSP3: F106F, NSP12b: P314L, ORF3a: Q57H, M: Y71Y, NSP14:C279C, S: D294D, and N: S194L. The ten most mutated samples all belonged to the Delta variant of B.1. 617.2 lineage and were found in the second wave. Five mutations in the spike protein (L452R, T478K, E484Q, N501Y, and D614G), responsible for increased transmissibility and reduced neutralization by convalescent sera, were majorly prevalent during the second wave. D614G, L452R, and T478K were present at prevalence rates of 88.25%, 21.04%, and 16.80%, respectively. The major selection was purifying selection, but a few sites in the NSP2, NSP3, NSP13, S protein, ORF3a, and ORF9 evolved under positive selection. Conclusion. We report six novel mutations (three in NSP2 [P129A, V381A, V381F], one in NSP3 [P822S], and one in the S protein [Q23R]) that evolved under positive selection pressure.
Effects of Whey Protein Isolate on Body Composition, Muscle Mass, and Strength of Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a reduction of skeletal muscle mass. Whey protein isolate (WPI) has been beneficial in increasing muscle mass and strength, in addition to improving body composition. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of WPI on the body composition, muscle mass, and strength of chronic HF patients. For this purpose, twenty-five patients of both genders with predominantly NYHA I functional class and a median age of 65.5 (60.5–71.0) years were used to conduct a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial and received 30 g per day of WPI for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis, and biochemical exams were performed at the beginning and end of the study. An increase in skeletal muscle mass was observed in the intervention group after 12 weeks. A reduction in waist circumference, body fat percentage, and an increase in skeletal muscle index was observed when compared to the placebo group. No significant effect on muscle strength was observed after 12 weeks of intervention. These data demonstrate that WPI consumption contributed to the increase of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and reduction of body fat in HF patients.
Body water percentage from childhood to old age

Background Total body water (TBW) increases with growth, but the body water percentage (TBW%) decreases with aging. The objective of our study was to delineate TBW% in males and females by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) from early childhood to old age. Methods We enrolled 545 participants aged 3 to 98 years (258 male, 287 female). Among the participants, 256 had a normal weight and 289 were overweight. The TBW was measured by BIA, and TBW% was derived by dividing the TBW (L) value by body weight (kg). For analysis, we divided participants into the four age groups of 3–10, 11–20, 21–60, and ≥61 years. Results In normal-weight subjects, the TBW% was similar at 62% between males and females in the 3–10-year group. It remained unchanged in males until and through adult life, then decreased to 57% in the ≥61-year group. In normal-weight female subjects, the TBW% decreased to 55% in the 11–20-year group, remained relatively unaltered in the 21–60-year group, then decreased to 50% in the ≥61-year group. In overweight subjects, the TBW% values in males, as well as females, were significantly lower as compared to those with normal weight. Conclusion Our study showed that the TBW% in normal-weight males changes very little from early childhood to adult life compared to that of females, who showed a decrease in TBW% during the pubertal years. In normal-weight subjects of both sexes, the TBW% decreased after the age of 60 years. Overweight subjects had significantly lower TBW% as compared to those with normal weight.
Interpretation of the Electrocaloric Effect in Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-SrTiO3-PbTiO3 Solid Solutions

Results of direct measurements of electrocaloric effect and polarization are mutually compared in solid solutions 0.4Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-(0.6-x)SrTiO3-xPbTiO3. Three temperature regions are distinguished in respect of a phase transition temperature. Above the phase transition, electrocaloric effect is determined by orientation of polar nanoregions by electric field. In wide temperature regions above and below the phase transition temperature, the difference between results, obtained from direct electrocaloric effect measurements and from polarization hysteresis loops, is explained by temperature dependence of concentration of polar nanoregions, oriented by electric field. Existence of a common ΔT(P) curve for all temperatures in the ferroelectric state indicates that polarization can be treated as a parameter, which solely determines electrocaloric effect in this state.