Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Graph Reasoning for Conversational Open-Domain Question Answering

In recent years, conversational agents have provided a natural and convenient access to useful information in people’s daily life, along with a broad and new research topic, conversational question answering (QA). On the shoulders of conversational QA, we study the conversational open-domain QA problem, where users’ information needs are presented in a conversation and exact answers are required to extract from the Web. Despite its significance and value, building an effective conversational open-domain QA system is non-trivial due to the following challenges: (1) precisely understand conversational questions based on the conversation context; (2) extract exact answers by capturing the answer dependency and transition flow in a conversation; and (3) deeply integrate question understanding and answer extraction. To address the aforementioned issues, we propose an end-to-end Dynamic Graph Reasoning approach to Conversational open-domain QA (DGRCoQA for short). DGRCoQA comprises three components, i.e., a dynamic question interpreter (DQI), a graph reasoning enhanced retriever (GRR), and a typical Reader, where the first one is developed to understand and formulate conversational questions while the other two are responsible to extract an exact answer from the Web. In particular, DQI understands conversational questions by utilizing the QA context, sourcing from predicted answers returned by the Reader, to dynamically attend to the most relevant information in the conversation context. Afterwards, GRR attempts to capture the answer flow and select the most possible passage that contains the answer by reasoning answer paths over a dynamically constructed context graph. Finally, the Reader, a reading comprehension model, predicts a text span from the selected passage as the answer. DGRCoQA demonstrates its strength in the extensive experiments conducted on a benchmark dataset. It significantly outperforms the existing methods and achieves the state-of-the-art performance.
Association of level of IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, tumour necrosis factor-α with rheumatic mitral stenosis and subsequent pulmonary hypertension

Background: Objective of the study was to provide insight on the immune response in patients of rheumatic heart disease, mitral stenosis and evaluation of various cytokines in pulmonary hypertension secondary to rheumatic heart disease.Methods: Total 163 subjects, more than 18 year of age, were enrolled in this study. 84 subjects with rheumatic mitral stenosis (group A) diagnosed on two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) and 79 normal healthy volunteers (group B). Patients with mitral stenosis were further divided into subgroups based on severity of mitral stenosis [mitral valve area (MVA >1 cm2 and MVA <1 cm2) (subgroup Aa and Ab)] and presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension [pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP >36 mm Hg) (subgroup Ac and Ad)]. Interleukins IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were assessed in both groups.Results: Mean IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α and hs-CRP in group A and group B was 6.57±3.53 and 2.73±1 (p≤0.001), 8.185±2.8 and 3.51±0.86 (p≤0.001), 136.31±89.0 and 47.96±9.76 (p≤0.001), 21.26±18.59 and 5.36±3.57 (p≤0.001), 4.69±6.3 and 2.63±2.22 (p≤0.008) respectively. On subgroup analysis mean TNF-α in subgroup Aa was 20.71±16.84, while in subgroup Ab was 7.56±1.93 (p≤0.001). Mean IL-10 in subgroup Ac and Ad was 8.74±3.29 and 7.47±1.82, respectively. Differences in levels of other cytokines in these subgroups were not found statistically significant.Conclusions: This study finds increased IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α and hs-CRP levels in subjects with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Subjects with severe mitral stenosis had increased TNF-α levels. Subjects of mitral stenosis having pulmonary hypertension had increased IL-10 levels.
The Extract of Viola odorata Flowers Improves the Biochemical, Pancreas Histological, and Insulin Resistance Parameters in an Animal Model of Diabetes

Background: The antioxidant defense in the pancreas is low because they are exposed to toxic substances daily. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of Viola odorata flowers Extract (VOE) on the pancreas histology and function in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Forty male rats were divided into five groups, consisting of controls; STZ; and STZ plus various doses of VOE (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg). The amylase, lipase, insulin and total antioxidant capacity levels were measured in the sera. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was also measured. The histopathological alterations of the rats’ pancreases were examined microscopically. Results: The serum amylase and total antioxidant activities were reduced in diabetic rats (P=0.001). Varying doses of VOE reduced the serum amylase and glucose levels, and increased the total antioxidant activities compared to that of the diabetic rats (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the serum lipase and insulin levels among the groups. Treatment with VOE at all doses significantly lowered the insulin resistance compared to that of the diabetic group (P=0.001). Significant reductions were observed in the areas of the pancreatic Langerhans islets and the number of beta cells in the STZ group (P=0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that VOE ameliorated the adverse effects induced by STZ in the rat’s pancreas in the short-term. These effects are likely to be due to the reduced insulin resistance and amylase activity, and increased total antioxidant activity along with the histopathological alterations in the pancreas.
Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated with anakinra: a real-world study in the USA

Abstract Anakinra, a recombinant, non-glycosylated human interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, has been used in real-world clinical practice to manage hyperinflammation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This retrospective, observational study analyses US hospital inpatient data of patients diagnosed with moderate/severe COVID-19 and treated with anakinra between 1 April and 31 August 2020. Of the 119 patients included in the analysis, 63.9% were male, 48.6% were of black ethnicity, and the mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 64.7 (12.5) years. Mean (SD) time from hospital admission to anakinra initiation was 7.3 (6.1) days. Following anakinra initiation, 73.1% of patients received antibiotics, 55.5% received antithrombotics, and 91.0% received corticosteroids. Overall, 64.7% of patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admittance, and 28.6% received mechanical ventilation following admission. Patients who did not require ICU admittance or who were discharged alive experienced a significantly shorter time between hospital admission and receiving anakinra treatment compared with those admitted to the ICU (5 vs. 8 days; P = 0.002) or those who died in hospital (6 vs. 9 days; P = 0.01). Patients with myocardial infarction or renal conditions were six times (P < 0.01) and three times (P = 0.01), respectively, more likely to die in hospital than be discharged alive. A longer time from hospital admission until anakinra treatment was associated with significantly higher mortality (P = 0.01). Findings from this real-world study suggest that a shorter time from hospital admission to anakinra treatment is associated with significantly lower ICU admissions and mortality among patients with moderate/severe COVID-19.
Juvenile systemic sclerosis – observations of one clinical centre

Objectives The systemic form of scleroderma (SSc) in children is a very rare disease; therefore, it is recognized relatively late, which increases the risk of complications. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical symptoms of juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) in our cohort patients. Material and methods A group of (N = 22) scleroderma patients aged between 2 and 16 years were observed. Demographic data and all clinical results obtained during 16 years of observation in the clinic of rheumatic diseases of developmental age were collected and analysed. Results In all observed children the major JSSc criterion was found, i.e. skin thickening proximal to the metacarpal phalangeal and/or metatarsophalangeal joints. Other symptoms are presented as follows: nailfold capillary abnormalities – 100%, Raynaud’s phenomenon – 90.9%, sclerodactyly – 27.3%, digital tip ulcers – 27.3%, dysphagia – 18.2%, gastroesophageal reflux – 27.3% (assessed in only 10 children), arrhythmias – 22.7%, heart failure – 9.1%, new-onset arterial hypertension – 9.1%, pulmonary fibrosis – 72.7%, pulmonary arterial hypertension – 9.1%, neuropathy – 13.6%, carpal tunnel syndrome – 4.5%, tendon friction rubs – 4.5%, arthritis – 22.7%, and myositis – 13.6%. There were no cases of renal crisis. Decreased diffusing capacity of oxygen was confirmed in 12 patients (58.3%). The presence of antinuclear antibodies was noticed in 86.7% of patients, and among SSc selective autoantibodies: anticentromere – 31.8%, anti-topoisomerase I – 18.2%, anti-PM-Scl 100 or 75 – 45.5%, anti-RP11, Th/To, PCNA in total in 27.3% were presented. In 4.5% of cases, apart from the presence of anti-PM-Scl autoantibodies, positive lupus band test, reduced concentration of complement, and antiphospholipid antibodies were also found. In 59% of studied children, the body mass index was below the 25th percentile. Conclusions The presented retrospective analysis shows that the occurrence of Raynaud’s phenomenon with changes in nailfold capillaroscopy is the best screening toll for the assessment of risk of JSSc. All patients of developmental age with Raynaud’s phenomenon, especially in the case of the appearance of antinuclear antibodies, should be monitored with capillaroscopy regardless of other laboratory or imaging tests.
Predicting depression among the elderly by stressful life events and coping strategies

Background and Aim: Aging is a stage during which stressful events occur frequently. The method of coping with this stress can play an important role in an elderly's mental health. The present study aimed at investigating the role of coping strategies in stressful life events associated with depression. Method: The present study was a correlational one conducted by structural equation analysis. As many as 841 elderly people were selected from the general population by adopting a cluster sampling method. Beck's Depression Inventory as well as strategies of coping with stress and stressful events were applied. Results: The model test, analyzed by AMOS by using path analysis, indicated that age is positively associated with stressful life events and depression. The “stressful life events” variable is directly and indirectly associated with depression. The emotion-focused coping strategies were positively associated with depression, and problem-focused coping strategies were negatively associated with depression. Conclusion: As an individual grows older and experiences stressful life events, his/her depression increases. Elderly people with problem-focused coping strategies are likely to experience less depression.
The Stability of Self-Control in a Population Representative Study

We investigate the stability of self-control at the population level. Analyzing repeated Brief Self-Control Scale scores, we demonstrate that self-control exhibits a high degree of mean-level, rank-order, and individual-level stability over the medium term. Changes in self-control are not associated with major life events, nor are they economically important. The stability of self-control is particularly striking given that our study period (2017–2020) spans the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awareness Regarding Chronic Kidney Disease Among Adults in a Hospital of Siddharthanagar Municipality

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a leading public health problem worldwide. Early detection and management of the risk factors of CKD is helpful for its prevention and reduction of burden caused by it. This study aimed to find out the awareness regarding chronic kidney disease among adults in a hospital of Siddharthanagar Municipality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was used to find out the awareness regarding chronic kidney disease among 165 adults attending Medical out patient department of Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, Nepal from July 11 to July 25, 2021. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess the awareness level and its association with different socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: The findings of the study showed that 57.6% of respondents had low level of awareness regarding chronic kidney disease. Respondents have high awareness on risk factors of chronic kidney disease whereas respondents have relatively low awareness on meaning and clinical features of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: On the basis of findings, it is concluded that more than half of the respondents have low awareness level regarding chronic kidney disease so an effort should be made to improve the awareness regarding chronic kidney disease for early identification and management of chronic kidney disease.
Genomic Occupancy of the Bromodomain Protein Bdf3 Is Dynamic during Differentiation of African Trypanosomes from Bloodstream to Procyclic Forms

The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Trypanosomiasis, which affects humans and cattle, is fatal if untreated. ABSTRACT Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis, cycles between a mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector. The parasite undergoes huge changes in morphology and metabolism during adaptation to each host environment. These changes are reflected in the different transcriptomes of parasites living in each host. However, it remains unclear whether chromatin-interacting proteins help mediate these changes. Bromodomain proteins localize to transcription start sites in bloodstream parasites, but whether the localization of bromodomain proteins changes as parasites differentiate from bloodstream to insect stages remains unknown. To address this question, we performed cleavage under target and release using nuclease (CUT&RUN) against bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) in parasites differentiating from bloodstream to insect forms. We found that Bdf3 occupancy at most loci increased at 3 h following onset of differentiation and decreased thereafter. A number of sites with increased bromodomain protein occupancy lie proximal to genes with altered transcript levels during differentiation, such as procyclins, procyclin-associated genes, and invariant surface glycoproteins. Most Bdf3-occupied sites are observed throughout differentiation. However, one site appears de novo during differentiation and lies proximal to the procyclin gene locus housing genes essential for remodeling surface proteins following transition to the insect stage. These studies indicate that occupancy of chromatin-interacting proteins is dynamic during life cycle stage transitions and provide the groundwork for future studies on the effects of changes in bromodomain protein occupancy. Additionally, the adaptation of CUT&RUN for Trypanosoma brucei provides other researchers with an alternative to chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). IMPORTANCE The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Trypanosomiasis, which affects humans and cattle, is fatal if untreated. Existing drugs have significant side effects. Thus, these parasites impose a significant human and economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where trypanosomiasis is endemic. T. brucei cycles between the mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector, and parasites undergo huge changes in morphology and metabolism to adapt to different hosts. Here, we show that DNA-interacting bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) shows changes in occupancy at its binding sites as parasites transition from the bloodstream to the insect stage. Additionally, a new binding site appears near the locus responsible for remodeling of parasite surface proteins during transition to the insect stage. Understanding the mechanisms behind host adaptation is important for understanding the life cycle of the parasite.
External-Rotor $6-10$ Switched Reluctance Motor for an Electric Bicycle

As a cost-effective, healthy, and environmental friendly personal mode of transportation, electric bicycles (E-bikes) are gaining an increasing market share from conventional bicycles and automobiles. Considering the legal rules in Ontario, Canada, a 500-W electric motor providing power assist makes the E-bike more attractive to urban commuters. The simple structure, high torque, and power density, as well as the potential for low cost make the switched reluctance machine (SRM) a strong candidate for E-bike traction. In this paper, a three-phase, external-rotor SRM with 6 stator poles and 10 rotor poles is designed for a representative E-bike. The design of an external rotor arrangement of the $6-10$ SRM topology has not previously been reported, this brings the challenge of sizing the geometry of this topology, but the solution offers a new contribution to published works. The external-rotor arrangement is chosen to facilitate ease of integration into the wheel hub structure of a typical pedal bicycle. The increased rotor poles yield improved torque ripple reduction than more conventional (i.e., $6-4$ and $12-8$ ) SRM design, which is an essential feature for low-speed rider comfort. The final machine design is experimentally validated via a full system prototype and dynamometer test facility. Results highlight some limitation of the 2-D finite element analysis (FEA) study in terms of the winding inductance calculation, more accurate 3-D FEA model is implemented.
The Role of Bovine and Non-Bovine Milk in Cardiometabolic Health: Should We Raise the “Baa”?

Although causality is yet to be confirmed, a considerable volume of research has explored the relationships between cow milk consumption, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Contrastingly, it has not been comprehensively examined whether milk of non-bovine origin can provide cardiometabolic protection. This narrative review outlines the marked differences in macronutrient composition, particularly protein and lipid content, and discusses how whole milk product (and individual milk ingredients) from different species could impact cardiometabolic health. There is some data, although primarily from compositional analyses, animal studies, and acute clinical trials, that non-bovine milk (notably sheep and goat milk) could be a viable substitute to cow milk for the maintenance, or enhancement, of cardiometabolic health. With a high content of medium-chain triglycerides, conjugated linoleic acid, leucine, and essential minerals, sheep milk could assist in the prevention of metabolic-related disorders. Similarly, albeit with a lower content of such functional compounds relative to sheep milk, goat and buffalo milk could be plausible counterparts to cow milk. However, the evidence required to generate nutritional recommendations for ‘non-bovine milk’ is currently lacking. Longer-term randomised controlled trials must assess how the bioactive ingredients of different species’ milks collectively influence biomarkers of, and subsequently incidence of, cardiometabolic health.
Biomarkers of disease activity in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Introduction Previous studies have examined biomarkers of coagulation, inflammation and immunity in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), but no recommended biomarkers for disease activity have been established yet. Aim To find the relationship between certain laboratory parameters and disease activity in patients with CSU. Material and methods Serum concentrations of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), C3, C4, and prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values were measured in 44 CSU patients and compared with 33 healthy controls. Correlation between biomarkers and urticaria activity score during 7 consecutive days (UAS7) was calculated. Results Our study included 44 CSU patients (38 females and 6 males), mean age of 50.4 years and the average disease duration of 3.1 years. Based on UAS7, 23 (52.3%) CSU patients had mild urticaria, 8 (18.2%) well-controlled, 7 (15.9%) moderate and 6 (13.6%) severe urticaria. Fourteen (31.8%) patients had elevated CRP, 21 (47.7%) had elevated D-dimer and 14 (13.6%) CSU patients had elevated C4 levels. Patients with CSU had statistically significant elevated D-dimer, CRP and PT as compared with controls (p = 0.007, p = 0.005 and p = 0.029, respectively). There was no correlation between PT, aPTT, D-dimer, CRP, C3 and disease activity. Statistically significant differences in C4 levels between patients with severe and well-controlled, mild, moderate urticaria were determined (p = 0.003). Conclusions CRP, D-dimer, and PT may be considered as biomarkers for distinguishing patients with CSU from controls. The C4 levels correlate with disease activity and may be useful as a potential biomarker of disease activity.
Detecting Natural Hazard-Related Disaster Impacts with Social Media Analytics: The Case of Australian States and Territories

Natural hazard-related disasters are disruptive events with significant impact on people, communities, buildings, infrastructure, animals, agriculture, and environmental assets. The exponentially increasing anthropogenic activities on the planet have aggregated the climate change and consequently increased the frequency and severity of these natural hazard-related disasters, and consequential damages in cities. The digital technological advancements, such as monitoring systems based on fusion of sensors and machine learning, in early detection, warning and disaster response systems are being implemented as part of the disaster management practice in many countries and presented useful results. Along with these promising technologies, crowdsourced social media disaster big data analytics has also started to be utilized. This study aims to form an understanding of how social media analytics can be utilized to assist government authorities in estimating the damages linked to natural hazard-related disaster impacts on urban centers in the age of climate change. To this end, this study analyzes crowdsourced disaster big data from Twitter users in the testbed case study of Australian states and territories. The methodological approach of this study employs the social media analytics method and conducts sentiment and content analyses of location-based Twitter messages (n = 131,673) from Australia. The study informs authorities on an innovative way to analyze the geographic distribution, occurrence frequency of various disasters and their damages based on the geo-tweets analysis.