Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pragmatic Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Healthcare Facilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies are key in preventing nosocomial transmission of COVID-19. Several commonly used IPC practices are resource-intensive and may be challenging to implement in resource-constrained settings. An international group of healthcare professionals from or with experience in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) searched the literature for relevant evidence. We report on a set of pragmatic recommendations for hospital-based IPC practices in resource-constrained settings of LMICs. For cases of confirmed or suspected COVID-19, we suggest that patients be placed in a single isolation room, whenever possible. When single isolation rooms are unavailable or limited, we recommend cohorting patients with COVID-19 on dedicated wards or in dedicated hospitals. We also recommend that cases of suspected COVID-19 be cohorted separately from those with confirmed disease, whenever possible, to minimize the risk of patient-to-patient transmission in settings where confirmatory testing may be limited. We suggest that healthcare workers be designated to care exclusively for patients with COVID-19, whenever possible, as another approach to minimize nosocomial spread. This approach may also be beneficial in conserving limited supplies of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE). We recommend that visitors be restricted for patients with COVID-19. In settings where family members or visitors are necessary for caregiving, we recommend that the appropriate PPE be used by visitors. We also recommend that education regarding hand hygiene and donning/doffing procedures for PPE be provided. Last, we suggest that all visitors be screened for symptoms before visitation and that visitor logs be maintained.
Co-Sleeping between Adolescents and Their Pets May Not Impact Sleep Quality

Pet–owner co-sleeping is increasingly common in some parts of the world. Adult owners often subjectively report benefits of co-sleeping with pets, although objective actigraphy reports conversely indicate sleep disruptions due to the pet. Because limited research is available regarding pet–owner co-sleeping in non-adult samples, the aim of this two-part study was to explore whether co-sleeping improves sleep quality in adolescents, an age group in which poor sleep patterns are well documented. In Study One, an online survey with 265 pet-owning 13-to-17-year-old participants found that over 78% co-slept with their pet. Average sleep quality scores for co-sleepers and non-co-sleepers indicated generally poor sleep, with no differences in sleep quality depending on age, gender, or co-sleeping status. Study Two consisted of two preliminary case studies, using actigraphy on dog–adolescent co-sleepers. In both cases, high sleep concordance was observed, but owners again experienced generally poor sleep quality. Future actigraphy research is needed, including larger sample sizes and a control group of non-co-sleepers, to validate the preliminary findings from this study, but our limited evidence suggests that co-sleeping with a pet may not impact sleep quality in adolescents.
Covert cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: An obscure but present danger in regions endemic for Dengue and Chikungunya viruses

Background The impact of SARS-CoV-2 in regions endemic for both Dengue and Chikungunya is still not fully understood. Considering that symptoms/clinical features displayed during Dengue, Chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2 acute infections are similar, undiagnosed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in co-endemic areas may be more prevalent than expected. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of covert cases of SARS-CoV-2 among samples from patients with clinical symptoms compatible with either Dengue or Chikungunya viral infection in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Methods Presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody specific to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein was detected using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay in samples from 7,370 patients, without previous history of COVID-19 diagnosis, suspected of having either Dengue (n = 1,700) or Chikungunya (n = 7,349) from December 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2020. Findings Covert cases of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 210 (2.85%) out of the 7,370 serum samples tested. The earliest undiagnosed missed case of COVID-19 dated back to a sample collected on December 18, 2019, also positive for Dengue Virus. Cross-reactivity with either Dengue virus or other common coronaviruses were not observed. Interpretation Our findings demonstrate that concomitant Dengue or Chikungunya outbreaks may difficult the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate, with a robust sample size (n = 7,370) and using highly specific and sensitive chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method, that covert SARS-CoV-2 infections are more frequent than previously expected in Dengue and Chikungunya hyperendemic regions. Moreover, our results suggest that SAR-CoV-2 cases were occurring prior to February, 2020, and that these undiagnosed missed cases may have contributed to the fast expansion of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Brazil. Data presented here demonstrate that in arboviral endemic regions, SARS-CoV-2 infection must be always considered, regardless of the existence of a previous positive diagnosis for Dengue or Chikungunya.
Estimativas das componentes da radiação solar incidente em superfícies inclinadas baseadas na radiação global horizontal

ABSTRACT Statistics equations and validations with groups of annual and monthly data were evaluated for global,direct and diffuse solar radiation components incident on the tilted surface to 12.85, 22.85 and 32.85°with the face North, in climate and geographical conditions of Botucatu, SP. It was employed the fractionsof three components of extraterrestrial radiation in correlation with the coefficient clearness indexhorizontal plane, in a database of April/1998 to December/2007, whose measures at different periods inthree inclinations, however concomitant to the horizontal plane. Increasing the angle of the surface ledto increased scattering of the daily values of clearness index for inclined and horizontal surfaces. Inannual groups, the lower performances were observed in the estimation of inclined daily diffuse radiation,with maximum Root Mean Square Error to 3.89 MJ m -2 d -1 (43.65%) and adjustments around 62%. Inestimates of global and direct components of solar radiation on inclined planes, both annual andmonthly equations can be applied, with performance dependents to climatic conditions.
The Selective Heating of Iron Nanoparticles in a Single‐Mode Microwave for the Patterned Growths of Carbon Nanofibers and Nanotubes

The fast and cheap synthesis of carbon nanotubes is addressed in a large number of recent publications. At the same time, microwave‐assisted synthesis has also gained interest. Besides the fact that reaction kinetics can be positively influenced by the use of microwave irradiation and advanced reaction conditions can be applied, absorption of microwave radiation depends on the material properties, thus resulting in a selective heating mechanism. The selective heating process allows for locally created temperatures high enough to promote the growth of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes on patterned iron catalyst layers. The resulting fibers are micrometers long, and can be synthesized in short time scales of a few minutes, yielding dense films of carbon fibers with uniform height. Here, the selective heating of surface bound iron nanoparticles is investigated in more detail, and experimental evidence for this effect is provided by utilizing a self‐assembled monolayer of n‐octadecyltrichlorosilane, which acts as a sensitive indicator for locally elevated temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the development of an improved and controllable experimental setup that permits the safe and fast fabrication of the desired carbon objects.
Influence of the Preparation Method and Metal Precursor Compound on Alumina-Supported Pd Catalysts

Supported palladium catalysts were prepared by two different methods: wet impregnation and incipient-wetness impregnation. Commercial gamma-Al2O3 and sol-gel derived alumina were used as support. The synthesis of alumina xerogel was carried out by hydrolysis of aluminum isopropoxide (AIP) in 2-propanol solution. Organometallic -Pd(C5H7O2)2- and inorganic precursor -Pd(NH3)4Cl2.H2O- were used for the synthesis of the catalytic systems.Samples were characterized by BET surface area measurement, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and hydrogen chemisorption. The activity of these catalysts was studied for the stoichiometric reduction of NO by methane. The decomposition of NO and methane oxidation were also used as a test reaction. Catalyst prepared by wet impregnation method using Pd(C5H7O2)2 and alumina xerogel presented the best performance for the studied reaction. The activity of Pd/alumina catalysts for NO-CH4 reaction is related to the facility for reduction/oxidation of the metal. This property is affected by the nature of the support as well as the metal precursor.
A region of SLBP outside the mRNA-processing domain is essential for deposition of histone mRNA into the Drosophila egg

ABSTRACT Replication-dependent histone mRNAs are the only cellular mRNAs that are not polyadenylated, ending in a stemloop instead of a polyA tail, and are normally regulated coordinately with DNA replication. Stemloop-binding protein (SLBP) binds the 3′ end of histone mRNA, and is required for processing and translation. During Drosophila oogenesis, large amounts of histone mRNAs and proteins are deposited in the developing oocyte. The maternally deposited histone mRNA is synthesized in stage 10B oocytes after the nurse cells complete endoreduplication. We report that in wild-type stage 10B oocytes, the histone locus bodies (HLBs), formed on the histone genes, produce histone mRNAs in the absence of phosphorylation of Mxc, which is normally required for histone gene expression in S-phase cells. Two mutants of SLBP, one with reduced expression and another with a 10-amino-acid deletion, fail to deposit sufficient histone mRNA in the oocyte, and do not transcribe the histone genes in stage 10B. Mutations in a putative SLBP nuclear localization sequence overlapping the deletion phenocopy the deletion. We conclude that a high concentration of SLBP in the nucleus of stage 10B oocytes is essential for histone gene transcription. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Transcription of histone genes in stage 10B Drosophila oocytes to produce the maternal histone mRNAs requires high concentrations of SLBP, a protein normally required only for histone pre-mRNA processing.
Role of vitamin D and calcium in the relief of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review

Dysmenorrhea is one of the well-established problems among women of reproductive age and can have adverse effects on the quality of life of the individual. Some studies suggest a relationship between vitamin D (Vit D) and calcium deficiency and the emergence of early dysmenorrhea. Accordingly, a systematic study was performed to investigate the role of calcium and Vit D in the relief of primary dysmenorrhea. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar for papers published between 2010 and 2020. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklists were used to assess the quality of the studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Low calcium levels lead to an increase in uterine muscle contraction and can cause pain after decreased uterine blood flow. Furthermore, low levels of Vit D can increase primary dysmenorrhea by increasing prostaglandin production or reducing intestinal calcium absorption. That being the case, Vit D and calcium intake can be effective in reducing the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and in reducing the rate of analgesic use. Low levels of Vit D and calcium are inversely related to the severity of primary dysmenorrhea, and Vit D and calcium intake can reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated systemic symptoms. Therefore, the use of calcium and Vit D supplements can be recommended to relieve dysmenorrhea.
Probabilistic models of biological enzymatic polymerization

In this study, hierarchies of probabilistic models are evaluated for their ability to characterize the untemplated addition of adenine and uracil to the 3’ ends of mitochondrial mRNAs of the human pathogen Trypanosoma brucei, and for their generative abilities to reproduce populations of these untemplated adenine/uridine “tails”. We determined the most ideal Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) for this biological system. While our HMMs were not able to generatively reproduce the length distribution of the tails, they fared better in reproducing nucleotide composition aspects of the tail populations. The HMMs robustly identified distinct states of nucleotide addition that correlate to experimentally verified tail nucleotide composition differences. However they also identified a surprising subclass of tails among the ND1 gene transcript populations that is unexpected given the current idea of sequential enzymatic action of untemplated tail addition in this system. Therefore, these models can not only be utilized to reflect biological states that we already know about, they can also identify hypotheses to be experimentally tested. Finally, our HMMs supplied a way to correct a portion of the sequencing errors present in our data. Importantly, these models constitute rare simple pedagogical examples of applied bioinformatic HMMs, due to their binary emissions.
Overcoming challenges in developing small molecule inhibitors for GPVI and CLEC-2

Abstract GPVI and CLEC-2 have emerged as promising targets for long-term prevention of both arterial thrombosis and thrombo-inflammation with a decreased bleeding risk relative to current drugs. However, while there are potent blocking antibodies of both receptors, their protein nature comes with decreased bioavailability, making formulation for oral medication challenging. Small molecules are able to overcome these limitations, but there are many challenges in developing antagonists of nanomolar potency, which is necessary when considering the structural features that underlie the interaction of CLEC-2 and GPVI with their protein ligands. In this review, we describe current small-molecule inhibitors for both receptors and strategies to overcome such limitations, including considerations when it comes to in silico drug design and the importance of complex compound library selection.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5), EC, OC, WSOC and PAHs from NE-Himalaya: abundances and chemical characteristics

Abstract Atmospheric concentrations of elemental, organic and water–soluble organic carbon (EC, OC and WSOC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been studied in PM 2.5 (particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) from a site (Barapani: 25.7 °N; 91.9 °E; 1 064 m amsl) in the foot–hills of NE–Himalaya (NE–H). Under favorable wind–regimes, during the wintertime (January–March), study region is influenced by the long–range transport of aerosols from the Indo–Gangetic Plain (IGP). For rest of the year, ambient atmosphere over the NE–H is relatively clean due to frequent precipitation events associated with the SW– and NE–monsoon. The concentration of PM 2.5 over NE–H, during the wintertime, varied from 39–348 μg m –3 , with average contribution of OC and EC as 36±8% (AVG±SD) and 6±3%, respectively. For the OC/EC ratio as high as 10–15 (relatively high compared to fossil–fuel source) associated with WSOC/OC ratio exceeding 0.5 in NE–H, it can be inferred that dominant source of carbonaceous aerosols is attributable to biomass burning emissions and/or contributions from secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The OC/PM 2.5 ratio from NE–H is somewhat higher compared to upwind regions in the IGP (Range: 0.16–0.24). The abundance of ΣPAHs show large variability, ranging from 4–46 ng m –3 , and the ratio of sum of 4– to 6–ring PAHs (Σ (4– to 6–) PAHs) to EC is 2.4 mg g –1 ; similar to that in the upwind IGP and is about a factor of two higher than that from the fossil–fuel combustion sources. The cross-plot of PAH isomers [FLA/(FLA+PYR) vs. ANTH/(ANTH+PHEN), BaA/(BaA+CHRY+TRIPH), BaP/(BaP+B[b,j,k]FLA) and IcdP/(IcdP+BghiP)] reaffirms the dominant impact of biomass burning emissions. These results have implications to large temporal variability in aerosol radiative forcing and environmental change over the NE–Himalaya.
Optical spectroscopy of carrier multiplication by silicon nanocrystals

Het rendement van de huidige zonnecellen wordt beperkt doordat het licht van de zon een breed spectrum beslaat. Conventionele materialen zetten vaak alleen licht met een specifieke golflengte efficient om. Daar komt bij dat de kortere golflengtes in het UV-regime van het zonnespectrum enorme verliezen geven, met name in de vorm van warmte. Uit onderzoek van Dolf Timmerman blijkt dat siliciumnanostructuren juist dit gedeelte van het zonnespectrum efficient kunnen omzetten. Dit gebeurt door middel van een proces waarbij er meerdere elektronen per geabsorbeerd lichtdeeltje (foton) worden vrijgemaakt. Het is al langer bekend dat in silicium een effect optreedt waarbij meerdere ladingsdragers vrij worden gemaakt per geabsorbeerd foton, maar dit gebeurt met een lage efficientie. De optische en elektronische eigenschappen van siliciumnanostructuren, met een typische grootte in de orde van enkele nanometers, veranderen door kwantum-mechanische invloeden. Hierdoor kan het in tegenstelling tot bulk silicium optreden bij foton-energieen die beschikbaar zijn in zonlicht. Dit geeft aan dat nanokristallen dus direct kunnen bijdragen aan het verhogen van het rendement van zonnecellen.
Unravelling the molecular basis of AM-6494 high potency at BACE1 in Alzheimer’s disease: an integrated dynamic interaction investigation

Abstract β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme1 (BACE1) has prominently been an important drug design target implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathway. The failure rate of most of the already tested drugs at different clinical phases remains a major concern. Recently, AM-6494 was reported as a novel potent, highly selective, and orally effective inhibitor against BACE1. AM-6494 displayed no alteration of skin/fur colour in animal studies, an adverse effect common to previous BACE1 inhibitors. However, the atomistic molecular mechanism of BACE1 inhibition by AM-6494 remains unclear. To elucidate the binding mechanism of AM-6494 relative to umibecestat (CNP-520) as well as the structural changes when bound to BACE1, advanced computational techniques such as accelerated MD simulation and principal component analysis have been utilised. The results demonstrated higher binding affinity of AM-6494 at BACE1 with van der Waals as dominant energy contributor compared to umibecestat. Conformational monitoring of the β-hairpin flap covering the active site revealed an effective flap closure when bound with AM-6494 compared to CNP-520, which predominantly alternates between semi-open and closed conformations. The observed effective flap closure of AM-6494 explains its higher inhibitory power towards BACE1. Besides the catalytic Asp32/228 dyad, Tyr14, Leu30, Tyr71 and Gly230 represent critical residues in the potency of these inhibitors at BACE1 binding interface. The findings highlighted in this research provide a basis to explain AM-6494 high inhibitory potency and might assist in the design of new inhibitors with improved selectivity and potency for BACE1. Graphical Abstract Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
PHYSICAL AND AERODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF MAKHANA

Makhana is a popped kernel of gorgon nut (Euryale ferox) and is considered a delicious food item in India. It is, presently, sorted, graded and processed manually. To develop any kind of mechanized system for these purposes, physical data are required and thus, test weight, bulk density, true density, porosity, angle of repose and coefficient of friction of different grades of makhana were determined using standard techniques at moisture contents ranging from 5 to 20% (dry basis). The data were used to develop correlation equations that predict these physical properties as a function of moisture content of makhana. The spatial dimensions and aerodynamic properties were also determined. The average diameter of makhana varied between 18.4 mm to 12. 4 mm with the sphericity between 0.581 to 0.967; and other physical properties varied quadratically with moisture content. The terminal velocity and drag coefficient ofmakhana at 8% moisture content (dry basis) varied between 4.48 to 6.10 m/s and 0.62 to 1.06, respectively.
Minimum 2-Year Analysis of S2-Alar-Iliac Screw Fixation for Adult Spinal Deformity

Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Objective: Determine the rate and risk factors for S2AI screw-related pain after adult spinal deformity surgery with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Methods: A consecutive 83 spinal deformity patients undergoing surgical treatment between August 2015 and December 2017 with minimum 2-year follow-up for S2AI screw complication and screw-related pain were included. Linear regression was performed on various risk factors and postoperative S2AI screw-related pain. Subset analysis of 53 patients was performed on preoperative and postoperative SRS and ODI scores, operative data, and radiographic data. Results: The overall proportion of S2AI screw-related pain was 9.6%. An S2AI screw complication was identified radiographically in 10.8% of patients; among these, 22.2% experienced S2AI screw-related pain. 3.4% of all patients underwent S2A1 screw removal. The SRS, ODI, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and coronal alignment scores/measurements improved following treatment in all patients. However, the mean difference for the pre and postoperative SRS function score (1.2 ± 0.5 vs 0.9 ± 0.8) and SVA (4.0 ± 4.9 cm vs 2.1 ± 4.8 cm) were higher for the pain group. Conclusions: A minimum 2-year analysis of S2AI screw fixation in adult spinal deformity patients showed that 9.6% of patients experienced S2AI screw-related pain and 3.4% of patients had S2A1 screws removed. The size and the number of S2AI screws did not predict postoperative pain, nor were radiographic findings correlated with clinical outcomes. The patient outcome scores, coronal alignment, and SVA improved for all patients, but within the pain group there was an overall larger change in the SVA and SRS function score.