Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Social Media in Improving Patient Recruitment for Research Studies on Persistent Post-Infectious Olfactory Dysfunction

Background and Objectives: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cases of post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD) has substantially increased. Despite a good recovery rate, olfactory dysfunction (OD) becomes persistent in up to 15% of cases and further research is needed to find new treatment modalities for those patients who have not improved on currently available treatments. Social media has emerged as a potential avenue for patient recruitment, but its role in recruiting patients with smell dysfunction remains unexplored. We conducted a survey using the AbScent Facebook page to evaluate the feasibility of using this platform for future studies on smell dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Between 26 October and 4 November 2021, we conducted an online survey to evaluate propensity of patients with PIOD who would be willing to participate in research studies on smell dysfunction. Results: Sixty-five subjects were surveyed with a response rate of 90.7%. The median visual analogue scale (VAS) for sense of smell was 0 at infection and 2 at survey completion. The median length of OD was 1.6 years, and the main cause of OD was SARS-CoV-2 (57.6%). Parosmia was reported in 41 subjects (69.5%) whilst phantosmia in 22 (37.3%). The median length of olfactory training (OT) was 6 months but subjectively effective in 15 subjects (25.4%). Twenty-seven subjects (45.8%) tried other medications to improve olfaction, but only 6 participants (22.2%) reported an improvement. All subjects expressed their propensity to participate in future studies with most of them (38; 64.4%) willing to be enrolled either in medical and surgical studies or to be part of a randomised study design (11; 18.6%). Conclusions: Using the AbScent Facebook platform we successfully selected a population of subjects with persistent and severe OD that have failed to improve on available treatments and are willing to participate in further clinical trials.
Absorption Performance of Doped TiO2-Based Perovskite Solar Cell using FDTD Simulation

In the third generation of the solar cell era, significant trends in the development of perovskite solar cells (PSC) were observed. Exploring suitable materials for its wafer structure, such as perovskite and electron transport layers (ETL), were a major emphasis of high-performance PSC development. Because of its matching band structure to MaPbI3, TiO2 is the most often utilized material for ETL. However, in the application of TiO2 to PSC, electron trapping and a wide energy gap become a drawback. The goal of this research is to improve the absorption performance of PSC employing ETL with Fe and Ta-doped TiO2 as well as the thickness of the material. The interaction between the electromagnetic waves of light and the solar cell structure was calculated using Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations, which resulted in the absorption spectra. In comparison to pure TiO2, which absorbs only 79.5% of the incident light, Fe-TiO2 and Ta-TiO2 as ETL in solar cells have increased absorption spectra to 81.7% and 81.2%, respectively. Finally, we may conclude that the optimum ETL layer parameters are 0.32% Fe doping and a thickness of 100 nm.
Short-Term Snow Removal Alters Fungal but Not Bacterial Beta Diversity and Structure during the Spring Snowmelt Period in a Meadow Steppe of China

Global climate change is altering the amounts of ice and snow in winter, and this could be a major driver of soil microbial processes. However, it is not known how bacterial and fungal communities will respond to changes in the snow cover. We conducted a snow manipulation experiment to study the effects of snow removal on the diversity and composition of soil bacterial and fungal communities. A snow manipulation experiment was carried out on the meadow steppe in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China, during the winter period October 2019–March 2020. Soil samples were collected from the topsoil (0–10 cm) in mid-March 2020 (spring snowmelt period). Snow removal significantly reduced soil moisture and soil ammonium concentration. Lower snow cover also significantly changed the fungal community structure and beta diversity. Snow removal did not affect the bacterial community, indicating that fungal communities are more sensitive to snow exclusion than bacterial communities. The relative importance analysis (using the Lindeman–Merenda–Gold method) showed that available nitrogen (AN), soil water content (SWC), total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) together explained 94.59% of the variation in soil fungal beta diversity, where AN was identified as the most important predictor. These finding provide insights into potential impacts of climate warming and associated reduced snow cover on soil microbial communities and processes.
Understandings of the Role of the One-to-One Writing Tutor in a U.K. University Writing Centre: Multiple Perspectives

This article presents findings from a study of a U.K. university writing centre regarding understandings of tutor roles, involving 33 Chinese international students, 11 writing tutors, and the centre director. The research used interviews and audio-recorded consultations as data to analyze and explore participants’ beliefs and understandings. The most common roles associated with tutors were proofreader, coach, commentator, counsellor, ally, and teacher. Mismatches were found in understandings of the proofreader role and counsellor role when comparing students’ views, tutors’ views, and the writing centre policy. Policy recommendations are made in light of the findings regarding how writing centres frame the tutor’s role and the function of writing consultations, in terms of (1) interrogating traditional conceptualizations of tutor role, (2) disseminating the centre’s aims to the student population and to the wider university, (3) expanding the centre’s activity across the university, and (4) strengthening tutor training and development.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Children with Intestinal Failure and Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition: A Systematic Review

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a possible complication of intestinal failure (IF), with a multi-factorial pathogenesis. The reduction of bone density (BMD) may be radiologically evident before manifestation of clinical signs (bone pain, vertebral compression, and fractures). Diagnosis relies on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Incidence and evolution of MBD are not homogeneously reported in children. The aim of this systematic review was to define the prevalence of MBD in IF children and to describe risk factors for its development. A comprehensive search of electronic bibliographic databases up to December 2021 was conducted. Randomized controlled trials; observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective studies; and case series published between 1970 and 2021 were included. Twenty observational studies (six case-control) were identified and mostly reported definitions of MBD based on DXA parameters. Although the prevalence and definition of MBD was largely heterogeneous, low BMD was found in up to 45% of IF children and correlated with age, growth failure, and specific IF etiologies. Data demonstrate that long-term follow-up with repeated DXA and calcium balance assessment is warranted in IF children even when PN dependence is resolved. Etiology and outcomes of MBD will be better defined by longitudinal prospective studies focused on prognosis and therapeutic perspectives.
TAT Κappa (TATΚ): A Novel Cell Penetrating Peptide for Delivery of Pluripotent Proteins into Target Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) holds a magnificent place in the medical revolution. Its emergence is expected to instigate development of novel therapies for regenerative medicine and treatment of malignant diseases. Moreover, iPSC usage also resolved a long-time ethical controversy on the usage of the embryo as a pluripotent stem cells source. Since Yamanaka’s iPSC discovery in 2006, several pieces of research have proven that the enforced expression of transcription factors Oct-3/4, KLF4, and Sox2 can induce the reprogramming of previously differentiated cells, to generate iPSC. However, the conventional method using viral vectors leads to genetic modification due to exogene integration and subsequently tumorigenicity, which is unsafe for clinical application. Therefore, our study utilised an improved novel protein transduction domain, trans-activator of transcription kappa (TAT), a synthetic TAT-HIV to deliver these transcription factors gene as an alternative method for iPSC generation via non-viral reprogramming. With this new strategy, we have established a stable clone of 293T cells expressing TATk fusion proteins (TATκ-GFP, TATκ-KLF4, TATκ-Sox2, and TATκ-Oct-3/4) that expresses and secretes their respective cloned reprogramming proteins. These stable clones successfully transduced our target cell (U937) monocyte cell line. TATκ-GFP, a marker protein and fusion proteins TATκ-KLF4, TATκ-Sox2, and TATκ-Oct-3/4 transduced the targeted (U937) monocyte cell line, proving that this novel TATκ possesses an ability to translocate across the cell membrane. Morphological changes were successfully observed in U937 cells after 20 days of transduction, however the presence of bonifide iPSC colonies were unable to be elicited. This might be due to the incomplete reprogramming or insufficient duration of protein transduction to generate iPSC cells.
Statistical assessment for performance of Al-Mussaib drinking water treatment plant at the year 2020

Assessment of water quality is a major step in the water industry to ensure the suitability of water for human use. In this study, statistically evaluate the quality of raw and treated drinking water of the Al-Mussaib drinking water treatment plant, Babylon city, Iraq, from January to December 2020. Additionally, the water quality of treated water was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Iraqi standards for drinking water. The results showed the plant has a good efficiency in removing the studied parameters, such as alkaline, calcium and hardness. It is noteworthy to mention that although the measured concentrations/levels met the WHO and Iraqi standards, they were higher than the favourable limits. For example, the measured sulphate concentration in the produced water was 248 mg/L which is higher than the favourable concentration (200 mg/L) (WHO). The statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the quality of raw and treated water (p-value <0.05) in terms of turbidity, hardness, magnesium and dissolved solids concentrations, but there was no significant difference (p-value >0.05) in terms of alkalinity, pH, calcium and sulphates concentrations. The results of this work could be useful for water authorities and decision-makers in Iraq and national and international environmental agencies.
Modulation of Hepatic Insulin and Glucagon Signaling by Nutritional Factors in Broiler Chicken

Influencing the endocrine metabolic regulation of chickens by nutritional factors might provide novel possibilities for improving animal health and productivity. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of dietary cereal type (wheat-based (WB) vs. maize-based (MB) diets), crude protein level (normal (NP) vs. lowered (LP)), and sodium (n-)butyrate (1.5 g/kg diet) supplementation (vs. no butyrate) on the responsiveness of hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR), insulin receptor beta (IRβ) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the phase of intensive growth of chickens. Liver samples of Ross 308 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were collected on day 21 for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Hepatic GCGR and mTOR gene expressions were up-regulated by WB and LP diet. GCGR and IRβ protein level decreased in groups with butyrate supplementation; however, the quantity of IRβ and mTOR protein increased in WB groups. Based on these data, the applied dietary strategies may be useful tools to modulate hepatic insulin and glucagon signaling of chickens in the period of intensive growth. The obtained results might contribute to the better understanding of glycemic control of birds and increase the opportunity of ameliorating insulin sensitivity, hence, improving the production parameters and the welfare of broilers.
Development of a through-process simulation workflow for spiral pipe forming including evolution of texture and dislocation substructure

Spiral forming is a widely used industrial method for the manufacture of largediameter welded pipes from levelled steel strip. However, the multi-step helical forming process and post-treatment of the pipe influence the material behavior and alter the final mechanical anisotropy of the product. In addition, the complex microstructures of modern pipeline steels contain various sources of anisotropy including residual stresses, crystallographic and morphologic textures, and directional dislocation substructures. They do not only affect the local and global pipe strength, ductility and toughness during monotonic loading but also cause strong strain path change effects, e.g. a pronounced Bauschinger effect. Anisotropy thus poses a true challenge to pipeline designers making it difficult to accurately predict the final pipe behavior from the known properties of the hot-rolled high-strength coil, the starting point of the forming process. Still, such predictive power is vital to guarantee the structural integrity of pipelines without failure in case of in-service loads beyond the elastic range. The pipe manufacturing process can be simplified into two steps: decoiling (incl. levelling) and spiral forming. For subsequent quality control, samples are extracted from the pipe, per standard flattened and tensile tested in hoop direction. With regard to developing a computational twin of the complete manufacturing and testing process, we represent each step by a separate finite element (FE) model. The full through-process simulation workflow thus necessitates tools to transfer the material state between individual FE models. Here, we present such a workflow for the dislocation substructural hardening model by [Peeters et al., Acta Mater. (2001) 49:16071619]. For each material point, macroscopic and microscopic state variables, including residual stress, crystallographic texture and dislocation densities, are first interpolated and then transferred to the next model. In this way, the evolution of different anisotropy sources can be studied starting from coil via pipe and ending with tensile testing. M. Bönisch, H. Ghiabakloo, M. Seefeldt, A. Van Bael, N. Sanchez and S. Cooreman
Cloning of the Human MORG1 Promoter: Differential Regulation by Hypoxia and Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors

MAPK-organizer 1 (MORG1) is a molecular scaffold for prolyl-hydroxylase-3 containing a domain (PHD3) protein linking MORG1 to mechanisms of adaptation in hypoxic conditions. In this paper, we report the cloning of the promoter region of the murine and human MORG1 gene. Among other transcriptional factors binding sites, we identified that both (mouse and human) promoter regions contained several putative hypoxia-inducible factor binding motifs. Analyses of the human MORG1 promoter by reporter assays revealed that hypoxia and pharmacological inhibitors of prolyl-hydroxylases under in vitro conditions in HEK 293 cells differentially regulate the MORG1 promoter reporter activity. The exposure of the cells to 10% hypoxia showed inhibition of MORG1 promotor activity at 6 and 12 h, but stimulation after 24 h while treated with prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors led to a time-independent MORG1 promoter activation. Mutational analyses of the individual HIF binding sites on human MORG1 promoter suggest that the binding sites work in a complex corporation because single mutations were not sufficient to abolish completely the MORG1 reporter activation by PHD inhibitors. Our data provide the first evidence that not only MORG1 regulate HIF stabilization through a PHD complex, but also that, vice versa, HIFs control MORG1 expression directly or indirectly by a complex regulatory mechanism.
Knowledge & Practice of Radiation Exposure Protection Protocols by Dentists Performing Endodontic Treatment in Pakistan

Dental radiography is an essential diagnostic tool in endodontics and one of the indispensable indicators of success. However, the potentially harmful effects of radiation cannot be overlooked. The aim of this survey was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of radiation hazards and exposure protection techniques of dentists in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed among all regions of Pakistan through social media and WhatsApp after carrying out the reliability analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. Question wise analysis using frequencies and percentages was done. Association between the level of awareness with qualification and workplace setting was carried out using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The minimum required sample size calculated for this study was 335. A total of 341 dentists [performing endodontic treatment] participated and submitted the form from all regions of Pakistan. 65% of the dentists were aware with the ALARA principle. 40% were aware with the ICRP and NCRP guidelines. Only 27% were using lead apron and 71.8% had never used thyroid collar on the patient. Furthermore, a positive correlation was seen between the designation and awareness level and practice [p=0.01]. Similarly, a significant correlation p=0.01 was seen between awareness level/practice and workplace setting. The results of the present study can help design continual education programs at regular intervals at institutional and national level for strict observance of radiation protection guidelines with more emphasis on general practitioners and government hospitals.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection: A Study about Age as a Risk Factor in Hydrocephalus Pediatrics

BACKGROUND: Shunt infection is one of the dreaded and serious complications following ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) insertion, especially in a pediatric population. Numerous risk factors have been identified, particularly in developing countries, indicating that age may play an essential element in the pathogenesis of shunt infection, typically in patients <1-year-old. However, a few research demonstrate the inverse result. AIM: The purpose of this was to determine the relationship between age and shunt infection so that it can be taken into consideration when performing VP shunt insertion. METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2019, 98 pediatric patients with hydrocephalus who underwent VP shunt insertion were retrospectively reviewed to determine the relationship between age and shunt infection. We evaluated the microbiology results and management of shunt infection in patients with shunt infection. RESULTS: Fifteen (15.15%) of 98 patients developed shunt infection. Patients aged >3–6 months had a significantly increased risk of shunt infection (p = 0.04; RR = 4.15; CI 95% = 1.19–14.45). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently encountered pathogen in pediatric patients with shunt infection (53.3%), and the most common management for shunt infection was complete removal of the shunt and systemic antibiotics followed by re-insertion of the shunt after the cerebrospinal fluid was sterile (46.6%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that age, especially those aged >3–6 months, has a significantly higher risk of shunt infection in pediatric patients.
Purchase decision process and information acquisition of zero-energy houses in Japan

ABSTRACT Compared with traditional houses, zero-energy houses (ZEHs) offer efficient and preferable living environments, e.g., reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower health risks. Currently in Japan, such houses are not as popular as anticipated and sales do not meet the national government target. Accordingly, household buying process should be investigated to develop policies to encourage the spreading of ZEHs. Therefore, we investigated which factors influenced purchasers’ intentions and behaviors. We based our purchase process modeling on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, which includes six constructs, i.e., use behavior, behavioral intention, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Our model also considered the effects of the information content buyers obtained and the channels they used on performance expectancy. In our estimation, we used Bayesian structural equation modeling and response from 297 Japanese households. It was found that certain information content and channel combinations, e.g., health aspect information obtained from salespersons effectively enhanced performance expectancy. Although performance expectancy did not significantly facilitate the use intention, social influence and facilitating conditions effectively promoted intention leading to purchase. Our findings contribute to more appropriate information provision strategies and supporting policies to promote the spread of these houses.
Challenges of Teaching Chinese as a Subject in an English-dominated Region: Focus on Sindh, Pakistan

Sindh is a multilingual province in Pakistan where politics of language and clash of language ideologies have played a significant role. English is viewed as a language of power, and Urdu is generally considered as a symbol of national cohesion in Pakistan. In Sindh both these languages are used in official and educational domains In Sindh’s language ecology, English occupies an important position. In addition to these two languages, Sindhi is widely spoken and is associated with Sindh’s regional and ethnic consciousness. Pakistan's pivot to China policy is slowly impacting language policy and planning in Sindh. Politicians have started talking about making Chinese a compulsory subject from grade 6 onwards in Sindh’s educational institutions. However, this language policy decision has met resistance from the English-speaking class, and the Urdu, Seraiki, and Sindhi speech communities who look at the imposition of Chinese language with distrust. The aim of this research article is to investigate how language teachers and students in Sindh react to the Chinese language policy and planning. A survey questionnaire was sent to participants to explore their perceptions of imposing the Chinese language in Sindh. 33 participants aged between 20 to 40 responded to 14 questions included in the survey. Extracts taken from their responses were codified into broader themes and qualitative analysis was carried out using Philipson’s (1992) imperialism concept. The findings showed that the pro-Chinese class is struggling to replace English in an ecology of language where speakers of minor languages are already resisting the hegemony of major languages. Key words: Chinese; English; Languages; Sindhi; Urdu