Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Case Series of Disseminated Xanthogranulomatosis in Red-crowned Parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) with Detection of Psittacine Adenovirus 2 (PsAdV-2)

Simple Summary Lipometabolic disorders, such as xanthogranulomatosis, are common diseases in avian medicine. Various manifestations of lipometabolic disorders and risk factors for acquiring lipometabolic diseases have been described in the past years. Xanthogranulomas are usually limited to the skin and supposed to be associated with traumatic or inflammatory injuries in that area. Disseminated xanthogranulomatosis, appearing simultaneously in several internal organs, has been recently described in psittacine birds, the cause of the diseases was not known. Here, we describe a case series of disseminated xanthogranulomatosis in another psittacine species, the Red-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) and a possible association with a concurrent psittacine adenovirus 2 (PsAdV-2) infection. Viral infections that trigger lipometabolic diseases have been described in human medicine in some species of small animals and in chickens. PsAdV-2- infections are widely distributed in avian species. A possible association between PsAdV-2- infections and lipometabolic diseases in the Red-crowned Parakeet should be considered. Individual birds and flocks with both or either of these diseases should be carefully examined and monitored. Abstract Xanthogranulomatosis is a common dermatological disease in birds. This form of inflammation, possibly associated with lipometabolic disorders, can also be seen in visceral organs, which as yet has only rarely been described in avian medicine. In general, diseases related to impaired lipid metabolism are frequently reported in avian medicine, with hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis being the most common. In human medicine, infectious agents—especially some strains of adenovirus—were implicated in contributing to lipometabolic disorders; this has also been described for chicken. Here, a case series of six Red-crowned Parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) is presented, all cases being characterized by psittacine adenovirus 2 (PsAdV-2) infection with or without disseminated xanthogranulomatosis. The affected individuals were examined alive by clinical examination. Total body radiographs were taken of two birds, haematology and blood biochemistry results were achieved in one bird. The birds either died immediately after clinical presentation or within two days, two individuals were euthanized due to worsening of their clinical condition. All birds underwent a post-mortem examination. While four birds were finally diagnosed with disseminated xanthogranulomatosis, all six individuals had large eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the epithelial cells of the collecting ducts of the kidney and tested positive for PsAdV-2. Further examinations are needed to clarify to what extent PsAdV-2 might elicit lipometabolic disease in birds, or psittacines in general, and, in particular, the Red-crowned Parakeet.
The Potential of Pectins to Modulate the Human Gut Microbiota Evaluated by In Vitro Fermentation: A Systematic Review

Pectin is a dietary fiber, and its health effects have been described extensively. Although there are limited clinical studies, there is a growing body of evidence from in vitro studies investigating the effect of pectin on human gut microbiota. This comprehensive review summarizes the findings of gut microbiota modulation in vitro as assessed by 16S rRNA gene-based technologies and elucidates the potential structure-activity relationships. Generally, pectic substrates are slowly but completely fermented, with a greater production of acetate compared with other fibers. Their fermentation, either directly or by cross-feeding interactions, results in the increased abundances of gut bacterial communities such as the family of Ruminococcaceae, the Bacteroides and Lachnospira genera, and species such as Lachnospira eligens and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, where the specific stimulation of Lachnospira and L. eligens is unique to pectic substrates. Furthermore, the degree of methyl esterification, the homogalacturonan-to-rhamnogalacturonan ratio, and the molecular weight are the most influential structural factors on the gut microbiota. The latter particularly influences the growth of Bifidobacterium spp. The prebiotic potential of pectin targeting specific gut bacteria beneficial for human health and well-being still needs to be confirmed in humans, including the relationship between its structural features and activity.
Clinical Profile, Severity Spectrum, and Hospital Outcome of Dengue Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City

Background Bangladesh saw its most severe dengue outbreak in 2019, with the highest number of deaths reported. This study investigated the clinical characteristics, severity spectrum, and potential outcomes of dengue in patients admitted to a tertiary care institution in Dhaka. Methods This prospective observational study was done between May 2019 to April 2020. A total of 478 nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen positive confirmed dengue cases were finally enrolled. The dengue patient's stratification and severity grading were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) dengue guidelines, for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control (2009). In addition, in-hospital outcomes were assessed in terms of mortality. Results The patient’s mean age was 33.90±15.82 (SD) years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.23:1. In addition to fever, the most common symptoms were myalgia (67.78%) and rashes (58.58%). According to WHO classification 33.90% of patients (n=162) were in group A, 49.40% (n=236) were in group B, and 16.70% (n=80) were in group C. The overall mortality was 1.23% in groups A, 2.97% in group B, and 11.25% in group C. The mortality was higher in the more severe group with statistical significance (p<0.001). The mean hospital stay time was significantly less in the surviving group (survival vs. death: 3.07±1.78 vs. 5.61±3.13 SD {days}, p<0.001). Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were commonly seen in all of the severity groups. Conclusion Dengue epidemics are increasing in Bangladesh. Many group B and C cases are fatal. To reduce mortality and morbidity, health care providers must remain alert. This challenge requires public health interventions and hospital readiness.
Phenotypic and Transcriptional Changes of Pulmonary Immune Responses in Dogs Following Canine Distemper Virus Infection

Canine distemper virus (CDV), a morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae, is a highly contagious infectious agent causing a multisystemic, devastating disease in a broad range of host species, characterized by severe immunosuppression, encephalitis and pneumonia. The present study aimed at investigating pulmonary immune responses of CDV-infected dogs in situ using immunohistochemistry and whole transcriptome analyses by bulk RNA sequencing. Spatiotemporal analysis of phenotypic changes revealed pulmonary immune responses primarily driven by MHC-II+, Iba-1+ and CD204+ innate immune cells during acute and subacute infection phases, which paralleled pathologic lesion development and coincided with high viral loads in CDV-infected lungs. CD20+ B cell numbers initially declined, followed by lymphoid repopulation in the advanced disease phase. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated an increased expression of transcripts related to innate immunity, antiviral defense mechanisms, type I interferon responses and regulation of cell death in the lung of CDV-infected dogs. Molecular analyses also revealed disturbed cytokine responses with a pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization and impaired mucociliary defense in CDV-infected lungs. The exploratory study provides detailed data on CDV-related pulmonary immune responses, expanding the list of immunologic parameters potentially leading to viral elimination and virus-induced pulmonary immunopathology in canine distemper.
Assimilation of DMSP and TOVS Satellite Soundings in a Mesoscale Model

Abstract A modeling investigation explores the impacts of the assimilation of satellite-retrieved soundings on forecast error in the Fifth-Generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). Simulations of the period of the U.S. Air Force’s Contrail Experiment (18–29 September 1995) vary the initialization method and datasets assimilated, the performance of first-guess reanalysis, the imposition of quality control (QC) on the satellite data, and the frequency of the model update cycle. MM5 experiments employing four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) are compared with a control experiment without FDDA. In the former, combinations of conventional surface and radiosonde observations and retrieved temperature and moisture soundings from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and Television and Infrared Observation Satellite Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) satellite instruments are assimilated. Forecast error statistics for the experiment.
Survival and Interplay of γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Producing Psychobiotic Candidates with the Gut Microbiota in a Continuous Model of the Human Colon

Simple Summary Appreciable evidence suggests that gut microbiota interact with the brain and play a key role in the pathogenesis of mental illnesses. Psychobiotics are beneficial bacteria (probiotics) or support for such bacteria (prebiotics) that can positively modulate microbiota–gut–brain interactions. Several trials suggest probiotics are involved in normalizing brain processes related to stress responses and mood improvements. Here, we studied the growth and competitiveness of recently identified GABA-producing psychobiotic candidates in a continuous model of the human colon. In summary, supplementation with these probiotic candidates positively modulated the gut microbiome composition and metabolism, suggesting their suitability for gut health-promoting applications. Abstract Over decades, probiotic research has focused on their benefits to gut health. Recently, the gut microbiota has been proven to share bidirectional connections with the brain through the gut–brain axis. Therefore, the manipulation of this axis via probiotics has garnered interest. We have recently isolated and characterized in vitro probiotic candidates producing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major neuromodulator of the enteric nervous system. This study investigates the growth and competitiveness of selected GABA-producing probiotic candidates (Bifidobacterium animalis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) in the presence of human gut microbiota ex vivo in a model mimicking physiological and microbiological conditions of the human proximal colon. Supplementation with GABA-producing probiotic candidates did not affect the overall gut microbiota diversity over 48 h of treatment. However, these candidates modulated the microbiota composition, especially by increasing the Bacteroidetes population, a key gut microbe associated with anti-inflammatory activities. The level of microbiota-generated SCFAs within 12 h of treatment was also increased, compared to the control group. Results from this study demonstrate the probiotic potential of the tested GABA-producing bacteria and their impact on gut microbiota structure and metabolism, suggesting their suitability for gut health-promoting applications.
Energy transition, economic growth and environmental sustainability in Algeria

This article aims to empirically analyze the relationship between energy transition, economic growth and CO2 emissions in Algeria, over the period of 1980-2018, using simultaneous equations model. The empirical results reveal that human capital, physical capital stock per capita, energy transition and oil prices stimulate real GDP per capita. Likewise, real GDP per capita positively affects CO2 emissions; however the latter are negatively linked to energy transition and exports. Therefore, increasing the share of renewable energy to fossil fuels consumption is one of the suitable strategies to stimulate economic growth and improve environmental sustainability.
Comparative evaluation and analysis of different tropospheric delay models in Ghana

Tropospheric delay prediction models have become increasingly important in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as they play a critical role in GNSS positioning applications. Due to the different atmospheric conditions over the earth regions, tropospheric effect on GNSS signals also differs, influencing the performance of these prediction models. Thus, the choice of a particular prediction model can significantly degrade the positioning accuracy especially when the model does not suit the user’s environs. Therefore, a performance assessment of existing prediction models in various regions for a suitable one is very imperative. This paper evaluates and analyses seven commonly used tropospheric delay models in Ghana in terms of performances in Zenith Tropospheric Delay (ZTD) estimation and baseline positional accuracies using data from six selected Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS). The 1˚x1˚ gridded Vienna Mapping Functions 3 (VMF3) ZTD product and coordinates solutions from the CSRS-PPP positioning service were respectively used as references. The results show that the Black model performed better in estimating the ZTD, followed by Askne and Nordius model. The Saastamoinen, Marini and Murray, Niell, Goads and Goodman and Hopfield models respectively performed poorly. However, the result of the baseline solutions did not show much variation in the coordinate difference provided by the use of the prediction models, nonetheless, the Black and Askne and Nordius models continue to dominate the other models. Of all the models evaluated, either Black or Askne and Nordius model is recommended for use to mitigate the ZTD in the study area, however, the choice of the Black model will be more desirable.
Restricting Multi-level Constraint Evaluation: Opaque Rule Interaction in Yawelmani Vowel Harmony

This paper presents an analysis of vowel harmony in Yawelmani and its interaction with vowel epenthesis and lowering, within the non -derivational, constraint -based model of Optimal Domains Theory (ODT). Kisseberth's (1969) analysis of the Yawelmani system, formulated within classical generative phonology, demonstrates an opaque rule interaction among the rules governing vocalic phonology, and was taken as an important piece of evidence for the notion of rule ordering in generative theory. The challenge in providing a non -derivational analysis of Yawelmani lies in accounting for conditions on vowel harmony which factor in phonological structure that is "inserted" in surface form, as well as structure that is "deleted" from underlying form. This paper presents a restricted means of bringing together information from underlying and surface representations in a theoretical framework that eschews intermediate representations, through the use of abstract (ie., unrealized) feature -domain structure. We discuss problems that arise under an alternative approach in which individual constraints are able to freely inspect structure at both underlying and surface levels of representation.
Estimation of Carbon and Biomass Energy Loss Along Shoghi-Shimla-Dhali Bypass in Mashobra Range, Himachal Pradesh

The present study was conducted during 2018−2019 to estimate biomass, carbon storage, CO2 sequestration rate, CO2 mitigation potential and biomass energy of dominant tree species like Pinus roxburghaii, Quercus oblongata, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana grown along the National Highway-22 (Shoghi−Shimla−Dhali) bypass, Himachal Pradesh, India. Present investigation was carried out by non-destructive method. About 13,967 trees were cut down during road expansion along National Highway-22. The trees <20 cm dbh dominated the structure of stand density in the study area. The diameter class IV (10−19 cm dbh) showed highest stand density among all the species occurred in study area. Among species, the proportion of Pinus roxburghaii was 64.73%, 74.22% for Quercus oblongata, 73.27% for broad leaves, 53.64% for Cedrus deodara and 51.86% for Pinus wallichiana under class (10_20 cm dbh). The maximum biomass of 2205.3 t ha-1 was observed for Quercus oblongata. Total carbon ranged from 139.26 t ha-1 to 1102.61 for diameter class 10−19 cm dbh to IE>100 cm dbh. The total carbon sequestered rate was found to be 10,306.57 t ha-1. The total CO2 mitigated potential was estimated to be 7498.24 t ha-1 with average biomass energy of 4319.88 t oil equivalent. The study revealed that Quercus oblongata was the major contributor to the total carbon loss and has highest proportion of 39.36% among all species.
Prevention from Sharp Injuries in the Hospital Sector: An Italian National Observatory on the Implementation of the Council Directive 2010/32/EU before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sharp injuries, determining the risk of bloodborne infections and psychological distress in healthcare workers, may be prevented by a set of strategies, legally enforced in Europe through the Directive 2010/32/EU. To assess its level of implementation in Italy, a national survey was conducted in 2017 and again in 2021, evaluating the progress and possible drawbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Altogether, 285 safety managers and 330 nurses from a representative sample of 97 and 117 public hospitals were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Knowledge of the Directive requirements decreased significantly, with <60% of participants answering correctly in 2021, and nurses’ attendance in specific courses dropped to 25% in 2021 compared to 54% in 2017. Over 75% of hospitals introduced multiple safety-engineered devices (SED), though total replacement occurred in <50% of cases; routine SED availability increased for blood collection (89%) and venous access devices (83%). Incorrect behaviors in handling sharps decreased significantly over time. Nurses’ HBV vaccination coverage was high (89% in both surveys); in the last year, 97% were vaccinated against COVID, and 47% against influenza. Average annual injuries per hospital did not increase significantly (32 in 2021 vs. 26 in 2017). In 2017, nurses’ perceived safety barriers were working in emergency situations (49%) and lack of resources (40%); in 2021, understaffing (73%), physical fatigue (62%), and handling difficulties while wearing full protective equipment (59%). Safety measures were implemented in Italian hospitals, and although the average injuries per hospital did not show a decrease, these measures could have helped protect healthcare workers during the pandemic, mitigating its potential impact on the increase in situations at risk of injury.
An Analytic Training Approach for Recognition in Still Images and Videos

This dissertation proposes a general framework to efficiently identify the objects of interest (OI) in still images and its application can be further extended to human action recognition in videos. The frameworks utilized in this research to process still images and videos are similar in architecture except they have different content representations. Initially, global level analysis is employed to extract distinctive feature sets from an input data. For the global analysis of data the bidirectional two dimensional principal component analysis (2D-PCA) is employed to preserve correlation amongst neighborhood pixels. Furthermore, to cope with the inherent limitations within the holistic approach local information is introduced into the framework. The local information of OI is identified utilizing FERNS and affine SIFT (ASIFT) approaches for spatial and temporal datasets, respectively. For supportive local information, the feature detection is followed by an effective pruning strategy to divide these features into inliers and outliers. A cluster of inliers represents local features which exhibit stable behavior and geometric consistency. Incremental learning is a significant but often overlooked problem in action recognition. The final part of this dissertation proposes a new action recognition algorithm based on sequential learning and adaptive representation of the human body using Pyramid of Histogram of Oriented Gradients (PHOG) features. The changing shape and appearance of human body parts is tracked based on the weak appearance constancy assumption. The constantly changing shape of an OI is maximally covered by the small blocks to approximate the body contour of a segmented foreground object. In addition, the analytically determined learning phase guarantees lower computational burden for classification. The utilization of a minimum number of video frames in a causal way to recognize an action is also explored in this dissertation. The use of PHOG features adaptively extracted from individual frames allows the recognition of an incoming action video using a small group of frames which eliminates the need of large look-ahead.
Effect of underwater treadmill program on gait speed, balance and lower extremity function in stroke patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether using an underwater treadmill program could enhance gait speed, balance and lower extremity function. Study design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Forty post-stroke male patients with abnormalities in gait and balance were divided randomly into two equal groups: Study group (A): was given a program for an underwater treadmill. A treadmill program on the ground was given to the control group (B). The ten-meter walk test was used to assess the gait speed of patients in both groups. Assessment of functional capacity utilizing the lower extremity functional scale and the Posturomed device for balance. For all groups, assessments were performed before and after the four-week therapy period. Results: Post treatment results revealed a significant increase in gait speed in both groups but no significant difference between them. More significant increase in balance and lower extremity function in the study group (A) than in control group (B) Conclusion: Underwater treadmill training program is an effective program in improving, balance, gait speed and lower extremity function in stroke patients.
Influence of Cylindrical Electrode Configuration on Plasma Parameters in a Sputtering System

In the present work, the effect of the cylindrical configurations of the sputtering device electrodes on the plasma parameters (Debye length, electron temperature, electron density, plasma frequency) is studied. Also, the effect of the argon gas pressure on the discharge properties is examined with gas pressures of (0.08, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) Torr. The properties of the plasma are diagnosed by optical emission spectrometry. The spectroscopic method is adopted for examining the atomic spectra of argon emission. The electron temperature is determined by the Boltzmann method. While, the Stark-widening method was employed for calculating the electron number density. The voltage against current curves of the cylindrical sprayer discharges shows the voltage to be nearly constant with slight increase in current. An increase in pressure causes the cathode cascades to compress and the negative glow to become thinner and more luminous. Plasma properties such as electron temperature and Debye length decrease with increasing pressure, while electron number density and plasma frequency increase.