Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mebendazole Inhibits Histoplasma capsulatum In Vitro Growth and Decreases Mitochondrion and Cytoskeleton Protein Levels

Histoplasmosis is a frequent mycosis in people living with HIV/AIDS and other immunocompromised hosts. Histoplasmosis has high rates of mortality in these patients if treatment is unsuccessful. Itraconazole and amphotericin B are used to treat histoplasmosis; however, both antifungals have potentially severe pharmacokinetic drug interactions and toxicity. The present study determined the minimal inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of mebendazole, a drug present in the NIH Clinical Collection, to establish whether it has fungicidal or fungistatic activity against Histoplasma capsulatum. Protein extracts from H. capsulatum yeasts, treated or not with mebendazole, were analyzed by proteomics to understand the metabolic changes driven by this benzimidazole. Mebendazole inhibited the growth of 10 H. capsulatum strains, presenting minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5.0 to 0.08 µM. Proteomics revealed 30 and 18 proteins exclusively detected in untreated and mebendazole-treated H. capsulatum yeast cells, respectively. Proteins related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, cytoskeleton, and ribosomes were highly abundant in untreated cells. Proteins related to the nitrogen, sulfur, and pyrimidine metabolisms were enriched in mebendazole-treated cells. Furthermore, mebendazole was able to inhibit the oxidative metabolism, disrupt the cytoskeleton, and decrease ribosomal proteins in H. capsulatum. These results suggest mebendazole as a drug to be repurposed for histoplasmosis treatment.
Compression technique for compressed sensing hyperspectral images

The compressed sensing (CS) theorem is a novel sampling approach that breaks through the conventional Nyquist sampling limit and brings a revolution in the field of signal processing. This article investigates the compression technique for CS hyperspectral images so as to illustrate the superiority provided by this new theorem. First, several comparative experiments are used to reveal that the drawback of prior compression techniques, designed for the data acquired by the conventional hyperspectral imaging system, is either low compression ratio or a waste of sampling resource. After a condensed analysis, we state that the CS theorem provides the probability of avoiding such defects. Then a straightforward scheme, which takes advantage of spectral correlation, is proposed to compress the CS hyperspectral images to reduce the data size further. Moreover, a flexible recovery strategy is designed to speed up the reconstruction of original bands from the corresponding CS images. The experimental results based on the actual hyperspectral images have demonstrated the efficiency of this proposed technique.
Variability in ‘Capri’ Everbearing Strawberry Quality during a Harvest Season

Strawberries are appreciated by consumers for their characteristic taste and health benefits, which enhance their demand throughout the year. Everbearing strawberries can produce fruits for a longer period and could thus meet this demand, but the fruit quality depends on environmental factors and the cultivar. This study focused on the effect of environmental conditions on the physical attributes and the composition of everbearing Capri cultivar fruit harvested from the end of June to the end of October. A positive correlation was observed between temperature and organic acid content (r = 0.87), and a positive correlation was observed between sunshine duration, anthocyanin (r = 0.87) and phenolic compound contents (r = 0.89). Additionally, the composition of sugars was affected by the environmental conditions. While strawberries harvested towards the end of October, when lower temperatures predominated, were larger in size and had a higher sugar/acid ratio, fruit harvested in the middle of August, when there were longer periods of sunshine, had higher anthocyanin and phenolic compound contents. In conclusion, strawberries with higher sugar/acid ratios are obtained when temperatures are lower, while strawberries exposed to longer periods of sunshine are richer in health-promoting compounds.
Chalcones and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Experimental Evidence

Colorectal (CRC) and gastric cancers (GC) are the most common digestive tract cancers with a high incidence rate worldwide. The current treatment including surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has several limitations such as drug toxicity, cancer recurrence or drug resistance and thus it is a great challenge to discover an effective and safe therapy for CRC and GC. In the last decade, numerous phytochemicals and their synthetic analogs have attracted attention due to their anticancer effect and low organ toxicity. Chalcones, plant-derived polyphenols, received marked attention due to their biological activities as well as for relatively easy structural manipulation and synthesis of new chalcone derivatives. In this study, we discuss the mechanisms by which chalcones in both in vitro and in vivo conditions suppress cancer cell proliferation or cancer formation.
Post-Stroke Neuropsychiatric Complications: Types, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Intervention

Almost all stroke survivors suffer physical disabilities and neuropsychiatric disturbances, which can be briefly divided into post-stroke neurological diseases and post-stroke psychiatric disorders. The former type mainly includes post-stroke pain, post-stroke epilepsy, and post-stroke dementia while the latter one includes post-stroke depression, post-stroke anxiety, post-stroke apathy and post-stroke fatigue. Multiple risk factors are related to these post-stroke neuropsychiatric complications, such as age, gender, lifestyle, stroke type, medication, lesion location, and comorbidities. Recent studies have revealed several critical mechanisms underlying these complications, namely inflammatory response, dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, cholinergic dysfunction, reduced level of 5-hydroxytryptamine, glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, clinical efforts have successfully given birth to many practical pharmaceutic strategies, such as anti-inflammatory medications, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as well as diverse rehabilitative modalities to help patients physically and mentally. However, the efficacy of these interventions is still under debate. Further investigations into these post-stroke neuropsychiatric complications, from both basic and clinical perspectives, are urgent for the development of effective treatment strategies.
The Effect of Active Vitamin D on Coronavirus

Coronaviruses, especially Beta coronaviruses (β)is a threat to humans since it spreads easily. Although we are yet to find a cure to COVID-19, there are various approaches to prevent its spread, including UV and heat inactivation. However, recently scholars have identified an increased relationship between vitamin D-deficiency and the severe COVID-19, making it a feasible intervention to treat or prevent COVID-19. We can obtain vitamin D directly through sunlight, diet, or supplementation. Vitamin D, especially vitamin D2 and D3 prevents COVID-19 by enhancing anti-inflammatory and eradicating pro-inflammatory cytokines and acting as an antiviral by augmenting B-defensin and antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin, declining viral replication. People with vitamin D deficiency are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 than normal peopole. Vitamin D is safe and has limited adverse events because although it is a fat-soluble vitamin, humans rarely experience vitamin D overdose, including vitamin D overdoses due to sunlight.
AN ANALYSIS OF CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH TEMPERATURE IN THE THREE GORGES AREA

Based on daily maximum surface air temperature data of 34 stations during 1961～2002 in the three gorges area,the climatic characteristics of high temperature are analyzed.The results show that the number of annually averaged high temperature days as well as the number of annually averaged harmful high temperature days have three characteristics:(1) their variation interannual is large;(2) the variation of phases is distinct;(3) the variation of trend is decreasing in the last 40 years over the three gorges area.The averaged annual frequency of high temperature course has obvious decreasing trend.There exist obvious regional differences in the trend of extreme maximum air temperature,extreme maximum air temperature is of an obvious increasing trend in most parts north of the three gorges reservoir,and there are decreasing trends or they are not significant in other parts of the three gorges area.
Cloud‐Radiation Feedback Facilitates Secondary Eyewall Formation of Tropical Cyclones

Recent studies show that the formation of outer rainbands (ORBs) is essence to secondary eyewall formation (SEF) of tropical cyclones (TCs). This study reveals that cloud‐radiation feedback (CRF) facilitates SEF of TCs by promoting the formation of ORBs and their stratiform sectors. In detail, CRF engenders an upper‐level anomalous radiative warming in the outer‐core region, which induces a secondary circulation that accelerates the release of microphysical heating above the freezing level. The enhanced upper‐level latent heating further promotes the outer‐core convection and the top‐down development of the ORBs. Moreover, CRF promotes a broader stratiform precipitation area and stronger stratiform heating profiles of the ORBs, which forces convective updrafts at the radially inward edge of the stratiform precipitation area and eventually leads to SEF. On the contrary, when the anomalous radiative warming is removed, the organization of ORBs and the development of stratiform precipitation are suppressed due to the absence of the radiation‐induced upper‐level secondary circulation, thus inhibiting SEF.
An experimental investigation of electrically thick rectangular microstrip antennas

The electromagnetic properties of electrically thick rectangular microstrip antennas were investigated experimentally. Antennas were fabricated with different patch sizes and with electrical thicknesses ranging from 0.03 to 0.23 wavelengths in the dielectric substrate. The resonant frequencies were measured and compared to existing formulas. The bandwidth was calculated as a function of electrical thickness and the antenna radiation patterns were measured.
A Seven-Year Wind Profiler–Based Climatology of the Windward Barrier Jet along California’s Northern Sierra Nevada

Abstract This wind profiler–based study highlights key characteristics of the barrier jet along the windward slope of California’s Sierra Nevada. Between 2000 and 2007 roughly 10% of 100 000 hourly wind profiles, recorded at two sites, satisfied the sierra barrier jet (SBJ) threshold criteria described in the text. The mean magnitude of the terrain-parallel flow in the SBJ core (i.e., Vmax) was similar at both sites (∼17.5 m s−1) and at a comparable altitude, 500–1000 m above the surface. The cross-mountain wind speed was weak at the altitude of Vmax, consistent with blocked conditions. The seasonal cycle of SBJ occurrences showed a maximum during the cooler months and a minimum in summer. Additionally, the SBJ was stronger in winter than in summer. Because the warm-season (May–September) SBJs were different than their cool-season (October–April) counterparts and occurred during California’s dry season, they were not discussed in detail. An inventory of ∼250 cool-season SBJ cases from the two sites was ge.
CXXII. The synthesis of elastic dislocation fields

Summary The static field of an infinitesimal loop of dislocation lying in its glide plane is calculated. The field of any plane loop lying in its glide plane may be obtained by integration of the result. The field produced by the sudden creation of an infinitesimal loop is calculated as a function of time.The field of an arbitrarily moving plane loop may be obtained by integration. The method is illustrated by simple examples.
Finite element supersonic flutter analysis of low aspect ratio stiffened wing

In this study, a finite element method is developed for analyzing the supersonic flutter of A low aspect ratio stiffened trapezoid wing. The finite element approach uses 20 degrees-of-freedom (d.f.) flat shell element, 12 d.f. three-dimensional beam element and quasi steady linear piston aerodynamic theory to evaluate the skins of wing, the stiffeners and aerodynamic pressure, respectively. The solution of the constructed equation system will lead to an eigenvalue problem, in which its eigenvalues can be obtained using the generalized method. In this paper, three numerical examples are investigated and the calculation results of the first and second ones are used for validation. These comparisons entirely endorse the accuracy of this modeling approach. Besides, in the third applicable example, the influences of the stiffener size and airflow yawing are scrutinized on supersonic flutter characteristics of the stiffened low aspect ratio trapezoid wing. The results evince that the size of stiffener strongly affects on the critical dynamic pressure, which its minimum occurs when the airflow is parallel to the base edge of the wing.
Effects of Postpartum Family Planning Counselling on Contraceptives Knowledge, Attitude and Intention Among Women Attending a General Hospital in The Gambia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PPFP counselling on contraceptives knowledge, attitudes and intention among women attending a general hospital in The Gambia. Materials and Methods A quasi-experimental design with an intervention and comparison group was used. The intervention was PPFP counselling using the GATHER approach. A sample size of 674 participants was determined by a formula for comparison between the two groups. The questionnaire was developed based on a literature review and was pre-tested on 10% of the total study sample size (68). A reliability of 0.731 was obtained. A systematic random sampling method was employed to select study participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews in local languages with a 100% response rate at baseline and 96% at post-test. Data were analysed using the SPSS version 21.00 and the statistical analysis included both descriptive and inferential methods. An ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Benin (CMS/REC/2017/017) and the Gambia Government/Medical Research Council Laboratories Joint Ethics Committee (R017016Av1.1). Results Baseline respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics revealed that the two groups had similar characteristics. A statistically significant difference existed on knowledge, attitude, and intention to use contraceptive methods between the intervention and comparison groups at post-intervention (p<0.05) while no significant difference was observed at baseline. Significant gains were achieved in the intervention group in terms of knowledge, attitude, and intention post-intervention. Conclusion PPFP counselling during the postpartum period and before the discharge of women from the hospital may improve knowledge, attitude and intention to use contraceptives and, therefore, increase the likelihood of contraceptive uptake and thus prevent unwanted and closely spaced pregnancies.
Spanish Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) Overuse Injury Questionnaire in Handball Players

Objectives: The aim of this study was the cultural adaptation, Spanish translation and validation of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) Overuse Injury Questionnaire in an adult population. Design: In this study, a cross-sectional design was used. Methods: This study was divided into two phases: (1) cross-cultural adaptation of the original version of the OSTRC to a Spanish version (OSTRC-Sp) and (2) analysis of the psychometric properties of the OSTRC-Sp. A total of 427 handball players of both sexes and over 18 years of age participated in the study. Results: The translated version of the questionnaire showed a very high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.954), while the subscales showed an internal consistency between 0.832 and 0.961, with the endmost values being for shoulder and low back pain, respectively. On the other hand, when analysing item responses, the OSTRC-Sp showed ICC values ranging from 0.844 to 0.956, the former being for the first back question (back_1), and the latter for the fourth shoulder question (shoulder_4), in line with most published versions. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the OSTRC is a reliable and valid tool that can be used by researchers and clinicians in a Spanish-speaking population with musculoskeletal disorders.
PDAF with multiple clutter regions and target models

This paper presents the theory of a new multiple model probabilistic data association filter (PDAF). The analysis is generalized for the case of multiple nonuniform clutter regions within the measurement data that updates each model of the filter. To reduce the possibility of clutter measurements forming established tracks, the solution includes a model for a visible target. That is, a target that gives sensor measurements that satisfy one of the target models. Other features included in the algorithm are the selection of a fixed number of nearest measurements and the addition of signal amplitude to the target state vector. The nonuniform clutter model developed here is applicable to tracking signal amplitude. Performance of this algorithm is illustrated using experimentally recorded over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) data.
Incidence of Concomitant Neoplastic Diseases, Tumor Characteristics, and the Survival of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma or Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma in Tobacco Smokers and Non-Smokers—10-Year Retrospective Single-Centre Cohort Study

Simple Summary Lung cancer is one of the biggest public health issues due to its high prevalence and mortality. Currently, increasing consideration is given to the incidence of lung cancer in the individuals with no lifetime history of tobacco smoking. However, up-to-date data on the characteristics of a group of non-smokers with lung cancer are limited. The current literature also contains gaps in the differences in the clinical course of lung cancer in smokers and non-smokers. This study aimed to investigate the differences in tumor characteristics, survival rates, and comorbidities between a group of smokers and a group of non-smokers with lung cancer. The presented results may be used in clinical practice and in shaping future lung cancer prevention programs. Abstract Changes in smoking trends and changes in lifestyle, together with worldwide data regarding the incidence of lung cancer in the group of patients with no previous history of smoking, leads to consideration of the differences in the course of the disease, the time of cancer diagnosis, the survival rate, and the occurrence of comorbidities in this group of patients. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of non-smokers among patients undergoing anatomical resection of the lung tissue due to lung carcinoma and to investigate the differences between the course of lung cancer, survival, and the comorbidities in the groups of patients with lung cancer depending on the history of tobacco smoking. The study included a cohort of 923 patients who underwent radical anatomical resection of the lung tissue with lung primary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The Chi2 Pearson’s test, the t-test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kaplan–Meier method, the Log-rank test with Mantel correction, and the Cox proportional hazard model were used for data analysis. We observed a significantly higher mean age of smoking patients compared to the mean age of non-smoking patients. The coexistence of former neoplastic diseases was significantly more frequent in the group of non-smokers compared to the group of smoking patients. We did not observe differences depending on smoking status in the tumor stage, grade, vascular and pleural involvement status in the diagnostic reports. We did not observe differences in the survival between smokers vs. non-smokers, however, we revealed better survival in the non-smoker women group compared to the non-smoker men group. In conclusion, 22.11% of the patients undergoing radical anatomical resection of the lung tissue due to lung cancers were non-smokers. More research on survival depending on genetic differences and postoperative treatment between smokers and non-smokers is necessary.
A finite difference interpretation of the lattice Boltzmann method

Compared to conventional techniques in computational fluid dynamics, the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) seems to be a completely different approach to solve the incompressible Navier–Stokes equation. The aim of this article is to correct this impression by showing the close relation of LBM to two standard methods: relaxation schemes and explicit finite difference discretizations. As a side effect, new starting points for a discretization of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equation are obtained. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17:383 402, 2001
Confirmatory factor analysis of a Zoom fatigue scale and its psychological correlates: a study on Indian students

ABSTRACT Background The internet-based remote learning and pedagogical revolution in the era of the covid pandemic has contributed to the boom in video conferencing technologies and resulted in new phenomena of exhaustion and fatigue experienced during virtual meetings. Objective To examine the psychometric properties of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale (ZEFS) in the Indian university student population and to explore its impact on mental health. Method Five hundred and seven students participated in this study and 484 completed the ZEFS and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) via online survey. Psychometric validation of the ZEFS was performed with confirmatory factor analysis and reliability was assessed with Cronbach alpha and composite reliability. Pearson correlations were used to explore the relationship between the ZEFS and the DASS. Results The results showed excellent reliability of the full ZEFS scale with a high Cronbach alpha and composite reliability score (0.94). The validity of the ZEFS within the Indian student sample was supported with favorable fit indices (CFI = 0.968, GFI = 0.932, AGFI = 0.897, CMIN/DF = 3.198, RMSEA = 0.06) consistent with the original factor structure. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scales of the DASS were found to be significantly correlated with Zoom fatigue (p < .01). Conclusion Our data suggest that the Indian version of the ZEFS is a psychometrically sound measure to assess Zoom fatigue in the Indian student population.
NONLINEAR SYSTEM MODELING AND VELOCITY FEEDBACK COMPENSATION FOR EFFECTIVE FORCE TESTING

Effective force testing (EFT) is a test procedure that can be used to apply real-time earthquake loads to large-scale structural models. The implementation of the EFT method requires velocity feedback compensation for the actuators in order to apply forces accurately to test structures. Nonlinearities in the servosystem have a significant impact on the velocity feedback compensation and test results when large flow demands are present, which can be caused by large structural velocities and/or large forces applied to the test structure. This paper presents a nonlinear servosystem model, upon which a nonlinear compensation scheme is proposed. The model and compensation scheme are experimentally verified. The results indicate that the proposed model accurately describes the servosystem behavior, and with the nonlinear velocity feedback compensation, real-time dynamic testing can be conducted using the EFT method.