Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance pattern of infected chronic wound isolates and factors associated with bacterial resistance to third generation cephalosporins at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Background The objectives of this study were; (I) to determine the proportion of pathogens isolated from patients with infected chronic wounds in the surgical ward of MRRH that are resistant to the third-generation cephalosporins and (II) to determine the factors associated with resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in the surgical ward of MRRH. Method(s) This study was a descriptive analytical survey of bacterial isolates from infected chronic wounds among patients admitted in the surgical ward of MRRH, Uganda. Seventy five (75) study participants were recruited in the study using convenient sampling technique. Bacterial culture and identification was performed using standard microbiology laboratory procedures whereas broth microdilution method was used to establish the susceptibility of the identified pathogens. Data for objective one (1) was summarized as proportions while the categorized variables were analyzed using logistic regression to determine whether they were associated with the resistance patterns. The level of significance was preset at 5% and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Generally, all isolates had complete susceptibility (100%) to Cefoperazone+Sulbactam 2g except 7.1% of proteus spp that were resistant. Of all the bacterial isolates studied, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter agglomerans, providencia spp and pseudomonas earuginosa had complete resistance (100%) to Cefopodoxime 200mg while providencia spp and pseudomomas earuginosa had complete resistance (100%) to Cefixime 400mg and cefotaxime 1g. Finally, higher odds of bacterial resistance to more 2 brands of the third generation cephalosporins were observed among participants who had prior exposure to the third generation cephalosporins (OR, 2.22, 95% CI, 0.80–6.14), comorbidities (OR, 1.76, 95% CI, 0.62–4.96) and those who had more than two hospitalizations in a year (OR, 1.39, 95% CI 0.46–4.25). However, multivariate logistic regression was not performed since no factor was significantly associated with resistance to more than two brands of third generation cephalosporins (p >0.05). Conclusion This study found that cefixime and cefpodoixme had high rates of resistance and should not be used in routine management of infected chronic wounds. In addition, the factors investigated in this study were not significantly associated with bacterial resistance to more than two brands of third generation cephalosporins.
Estimating Daily and 24-Hour Net Radiation for All Sky Conditions through Remote Sensing and Climatic Data

AbstractNet radiation is a key variable in hydrological studies. However, measured net radiation data are rarely available and are often subject to error because of equipment calibration or failure. Additionally, point measurements of net radiation do not represent the diversity of the regional net radiation values, which are needed for many physical and biological processes such as climate monitoring and evapotranspiration mapping. The authors present a methodology to estimate daytime net radiation using a combination of remote sensing and climatic data. This paper expands on previous original research by extending the estimation of net radiation to 24 h under all sky conditions. The procedure estimates daytime and nighttime net radiation and combines the results to calculate the 24-h net radiation values. The methodology combines information from satellite and local weather stations to estimate net radiation values. The procedure can estimate net radiation under all sky conditions using measured or esti.
ACCU3RATE: A mobile health application rating scale based on user reviews

Background Over the last decade, mobile health applications (mHealth App) have evolved exponentially to assess and support our health and well-being. Objective This paper presents an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled mHealth app rating tool, called ACCU3RATE, which takes multidimensional measures such as user star rating, user review and features declared by the developer to generate the rating of an app. However, currently, there is very little conceptual understanding on how user reviews affect app rating from a multi-dimensional perspective. This study applies AI-based text mining technique to develop more comprehensive understanding of user feedback based on several important factors, determining the mHealth app ratings. Method Based on the literature, six variables were identified that influence the mHealth app rating scale. These factors are user star rating, user text review, user interface (UI) design, functionality, security and privacy, and clinical approval. Natural Language Toolkit package is used for interpreting text and to identify the App users’ sentiment. Additional considerations were accessibility, protection and privacy, UI design for people living with physical disability. Moreover, the details of clinical approval, if exists, were taken from the developer’s statement. Finally, we fused all the inputs using fuzzy logic to calculate the new app rating score. Results and conclusions ACCU3RATE concentrates on heart related Apps found in the play store and App gallery. The findings indicate the efficacy of the proposed method as opposed to the current device scale. This study has implications for both App developers and consumers who are using mHealth Apps to monitor and track their health. The performance evaluation shows that the proposed mHealth scale has shown excellent reliability as well as internal consistency of the scale, and high inter-rater reliability index. It has also been noticed that the fuzzy based rating scale, as in ACCU3RATE, matches more closely to the rating performed by experts.
Genome-wide promoter analysis, homology modeling and protein interaction network of Dehydration Responsive Element Binding (DREB) gene family in Solanum tuberosum

Dehydration Responsive Element Binding (DREB) regulates the expression of numerous stress-responsive genes, and hence plays a pivotal role in abiotic stress responses and tolerance in plants. The study aimed to develop a complete overview of the cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) present in S. tuberosum DREB gene promoters. A total of one hundred and four (104) cis-regulatory elements (CREs) were identified from 2.5kbp upstream of the start codon (ATG). The in-silico promoter analysis revealed variable sets of cis-elements and functional diversity with the predominance of light-responsive (30%), development-related (20%), abiotic stress-responsive (14%), and hormone-responsive (12%) elements in StDREBs. Among them, two light-responsive elements (Box-4 and G-box) were predicted in 64 and 61 StDREB genes, respectively. Two development-related motifs (AAGAA-motif and as-1) were abundant in StDREB gene promoters. Most of the DREB genes contained one or more Myeloblastosis (MYB) and Myelocytometosis (MYC) elements associated with abiotic stress responses. Hormone-responsive element i.e. ABRE was found in 59 out of 66 StDREB genes, which implied their role in dehydration and salinity stress. Moreover, six proteins were chosen corresponding to A1-A6 StDREB subgroups for secondary structure analysis and three-dimensional protein modeling followed by model validation through PROCHECK server by Ramachandran Plot. The predicted models demonstrated >90% of the residues in the favorable region, which further ensured their reliability. The present study also anticipated pocket binding sites and disordered regions (DRs) to gain insights into the structural flexibility and functional annotation of StDREB proteins. The protein association network determined the interaction of six selected StDREB proteins with potato proteins encoded by other gene families such as MYB and NAC, suggesting their similar functional roles in biological and molecular pathways. Overall, our results provide fundamental information for future functional analysis to understand the precise molecular mechanisms of the DREB gene family in S. tuberosum.
A SARS-CoV-2 ferritin nanoparticle vaccine elicits protective immune responses in nonhuman primates

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants stresses the continued need for next-generation vaccines that confer broad protection against coronavirus disease 2019. We developed and evaluated an adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN) vaccine in nonhuman primates. High-dose (50-μg) SpFN vaccine, given twice 28 days apart, induced a T helper cell 1 (TH1)–biased CD4 TH response and elicited neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and variants of concern, as well as against SARS-CoV-1. These potent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses translated into rapid elimination of replicating virus in the upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma of nonhuman primates after high-dose SARS-CoV-2 respiratory challenge. The immune response elicited by SpFN vaccination and resulting efficacy in nonhuman primates support the utility of SpFN as a vaccine candidate for SARS-causing betacoronaviruses. Description A SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ferritin nanoparticle vaccine elicits neutralizing antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from respiratory infection. A nanoparticle vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 Despite the early success of authorized and approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, improved vaccines that can elicit robust cellular and humoral immune responses are still essential for combating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here, Joyce et al. developed a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN) vaccine. Nonhuman primates vaccinated with two doses of SpFN plus adjuvant separated by 28 days developed potent SARS-CoV-2–specific B and T cell responses, which conferred protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Serum isolated from vaccinated animals neutralized several variants of concern, including the delta variant. Together, these data support further development of this adjuvanted SpFN vaccine.
Completion of isoniazid–rifapentine (3HP) for tuberculosis prevention among people living with HIV: Interim analysis of a hybrid type 3 effectiveness–implementation randomized trial

Background Scaling up shorter regimens for tuberculosis (TB) prevention such as once weekly isoniazid–rifapentine (3HP) taken for 3 months is a key priority for achieving targets set forth in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) END TB Strategy. However, there are few data on 3HP patient acceptance and completion in the context of routine HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods and findings The 3HP Options Trial is a pragmatic, parallel type 3 effectiveness–implementation randomized trial comparing 3 optimized strategies for delivering 3HP—facilitated directly observed therapy (DOT), facilitated self-administered therapy (SAT), or informed choice between DOT and SAT using a shared decision-making aid—to people receiving care at a large urban HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Participants and healthcare providers were not blinded to arm assignment due to the nature of the 3HP delivery strategies. We conducted an interim analysis of participants who were enrolled and exited the 3HP treatment period between July 13, 2020 and April 30, 2021. The primary outcome, which was aggregated across trial arms for this interim analysis, was the proportion who accepted and completed 3HP (≥11 of 12 doses within 16 weeks of randomization). We used Bayesian inference analysis to estimate the posterior probability that this proportion would exceed 80% under at least 1 of the 3HP delivery strategies, a coprimary hypothesis of the trial. Through April 2021, 684 participants have been enrolled, and 479 (70%) have exited the treatment period. Of these 479 participants, 309 (65%) were women, mean age was 41.9 years (standard deviation (SD): 9.2), and mean time on antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 7.8 years (SD: 4.3). In total, 445 of them (92.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI): [90.2 to 94.9]) accepted and completed 3HP treatment. There were no differences in treatment acceptance and completion by sex, age, or time on ART. Treatment was discontinued due to a documented adverse event (AE) in 8 (1.7%) patients. The probability that treatment acceptance and completion exceeds 80% under at least 1 of the three 3HP delivery strategies was greater than 99%. The main limitations are that the trial was conducted at a single site, and the interim analysis focused on aggregate outcome data to maintain blinding of investigators to arm-specific outcomes. Conclusions 3HP was widely accepted by people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda, and very high levels of treatment completion were achieved in a programmatic setting. These findings show that 3HP can enable effective scale-up of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) in high-burden countries, particularly when delivery strategies are tailored to target known barriers to treatment completion. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03934931.
Understanding automatic generation control

The authors describe what automatic generation control (AGC) might be expected to do, and what may not be possible or expedient for it to do. The purposes and objectives of AGC are limited by physical elements involved in the process and, hence, the relevant characteristics of these elements are described. For reasons given, it is desired that AGC act slowly and deliberately over tens of seconds or a few minutes. From a perspective of utility operations, there is no particular economic or control purpose served by speeding up the AGC action. >
At high stocking rates, cattle do not functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping understory community composition.

Over a quarter of the world's land surface is grazed by cattle and other livestock, which are replacing wild herbivores, potentially impairing ecosystem structure and functions. Previous research suggests that cattle at moderate stocking rates can functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping understory communities, but it is unclear whether this is also true under high stocking rates. It is also unclear whether wild herbivore effects on plant communities moderate, enhance, or are simply additive to the effects of cattle at high stocking rates. To evaluate the influence of cattle stocking rates on the ability of cattle to functionally replace wild herbivores and test for interactive effects between cattle and wild herbivores in shaping understory vegetation, we assessed herbaceous vegetation in a long-term exclosure experiment in a semi-arid savanna in central Kenya that selectively excludes wild mesoherbivores (50-1000 kg) and megaherbivores (elephant and giraffe). We tested the effects of cattle stocking rate (zero/moderate/high) on herbaceous vegetation (diversity, composition, leafiness) and how those effects depend on the presence of wild mesoherbivores and megaherbivores. We found that herbaceous community composition (primary ordination axis) was better explained by the presence/absence of herbivore types than by total herbivory, suggesting that herbivore identity is a more important determinant of community composition than total herbivory at high cattle stocking rates. The combination of wild mesoherbivores and cattle stocked at high rates led to increased bare ground and annual grass cover, reduced perennial grass cover, reduced understory leafiness, and enhanced understory diversity. These shifts were weaker or absent when cattle were stocked at high stocking rates in the absence of wild mesoherbivores. Megaherbivores tempered the effects of cattle stocked at high rates on herbaceous community composition but amplified the effects of high cattle stocking rate on bare ground and understory diversity. Our results show that, contrary to previous findings at moderate stocking rates, cattle at high stocking rates do not functionally replace wild herbivores in shaping savanna herbaceous communities. In mixed-use rangelands, interactions between cattle stocking rate and wild herbivore presence can lead to non-additive vegetation responses with important implications for both wildlife conservation and livestock production. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
TREE RESPONSE TO SUBSTRATE AND GRADING TREATMENTS ON QUARRY OVERBURDEN 1

Rock quarries are often in close proximity to residential areas. Consequently the re-establishment of forest vegetation is desirable. However, reclamation methods for the eastern US have been developed primarily for the coal mining industry, on overburden which differs in chemical and physical properties from quarry overburden. The objective of this study was to test the material placement technique used for reforestation in coal mine reclamation, and to determine whether lime or nitrogen application will enhance early tree growth on this overburden material. Twelve rectangular plots were constructed of overburden materials from a limestone quarry. Six of the plots were lightly graded with a single pass of a bulldozer, and the other six remained ungraded. Liquid lime was applied to one half of each plot, and fertilizer (20:20:20) was applied at a rate that provided 100 Kg/ha or 400 Kg/ha N to randomly selected plots in a manner that created three replicates of all lime, fertilizer, and overburden placement treatment combinations. Monocultural blocks of Castanea dentata (American chestnut), Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine) and Quercus alba (white oak) nursery seedlings were planted on 1 x 1 m spacing in all treatment combinations. All three species showed a positive growth response to the higher fertilizer application rate. This response to fertilizer was pronounced in both chestnut and white oak, but these species showed no growth response to lime application. Shortleaf pine showed reduced growth in root collar diameter and height in response to lime, although the reduction in diameter growth was overcome by the addition of more fertilizer. The growth of both chestnut and pine was negatively affected by single-pass grading and interactions between grading and soil amendment treatments were found. At this stage of the study, it can be concluded that interactions between pH, nutrients, and material placement can have an important influence on the post-planting performance of different tree species.
Latent variable selection in multidimensional item response theory models using the expectation model selection algorithm.

The aim of latent variable selection in multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models is to identify latent traits probed by test items of a multidimensional test. In this paper the expectation model selection (EMS) algorithm proposed by Jiang et al. (2015) is applied to minimize the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) for latent variable selection in MIRT models with a known number of latent traits. Under mild assumptions, we prove the numerical convergence of the EMS algorithm for model selection by minimizing the BIC of observed data in the presence of missing data. For the identification of MIRT models, we assume that the variances of all latent traits are unity and each latent trait has an item that is only related to it. Under this identifiability assumption, the convergence of the EMS algorithm for latent variable selection in the multidimensional two-parameter logistic (M2PL) models can be verified. We give an efficient implementation of the EMS for the M2PL models. Simulation studies show that the EMS outperforms the EM-based L1 regularization in terms of correctly selected latent variables and computation time. The EMS algorithm is applied to a real data set related to the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.
Whole field displacement measurement technique using speckle interferometry

This paper discusses the application of electronic speckle pattern interferometry to electronic packaging materials and assemblies. In-situ measurements were performed on organic based substrates under mechanical loading as well as cavity down ball grid array and flip chip package assemblies under thermal loading. Whole field displacement measurements obtained from this analysis were compared with results obtained from similar finite element models. The experimental flexibility and results obtained from speckle interferometry indicate that this method has several substantial benefits over moire interferometry.
Activation of microglial GPR109A alleviates thermal hyperalgesia in female lupus mice by suppressing IL‐18 and glutamatergic synaptic activity

Many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) live with chronic pain despite advances in medical management in reducing mortality related to SLE. Few animal studies have addressed mechanisms and treatment for chronic pain caused by SLE. In this study, we provide the first evidence for the analgesic effects of a GPR109A specific agonist (MK1903) and its action mechanisms in thermal hyperalgesia in female MRL/lpr mice, an SLE mouse model. Specifically, we show that MRL/lpr mice had a higher sensitivity to thermal stimuli at age 11–16 weeks, which was accompanied with significantly microglial and astrocytic activation, increases in p38 MAPK and glutamatergic synaptic activities in the spinal dorsal horn. We demonstrate that thermal hyperalgesia in MRL/lpr mice was significantly attenuated by intrathecal injection of MK1903. GPR109A was expressed in spinal microglia but not astrocytes or neurons. Its expression was significantly increased in MRL/lpr mice with thermal hyperalgesia. Activation of GPR109A receptors in microglia attenuated glutamatergic synaptic activity via suppressing production of interleukin‐18 (IL‐18). We provide evidence that activation of GPR109A attenuated thermal hyperalgesia in the SLE animal model via suppressing p38 MAPK activity and production of IL‐18. Our study suggests that targeting the microglial GPR109A is a potent approach for reversing spinal neuroinflammation, abnormal excitatory synaptic activity, and management of thermal hyperalgesia caused by SLE.
Configuration Optimization of a Boat Simulation Platform for a Mobile User

Motion simulation platforms are mechanical devices designed to replicate the dynamics of a given vehicle. These devices are very attractive for training individuals as drivers, pilots or passengers. In the case of river boats, the simulator consists of a section of the boat (hull) mounted over a 3 DOF parallel robot with a passive mass compensator (3UPS + PU). If users have mobility in the hull, an uncertainty in the position of the upper platform’s center of mass is produced. This variation may generate excessive loads on the robot that can be prevented by an adequate placement of the hull over the robot. Dynamic calculations, based on measurements of the real boat in motion, are computed by numerical simulations in SimMechanics. Three methodologies are presented for optimizing the configuration of a boat simulation platform. First, a manual procedure is developed in which critical cases are intuitively detected and evaluated. Then, two multi-variable optimization algorithms are used to systematically obtain the best position and orientation (pose) of the boat section: Genetic Algorithms and low discrepancy sequences. The pose is the design variable; the average forces are the objective functions and the maximum difference between the average forces is the fitness function. The article describes the design problem, the proposed optimization methodologies and simulation results for the optimal configuration.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
PCS antenna design: the challenge of miniaturization

PCS (personal communication system) devices have become an important part of everyday life. The pressure to design small, lightweight, and user-friendly mobile-communication devices has increased accordingly, creating the need for optimal antennas for mobile applications. In this paper, we present some basic rules about electrically small antennas, give clues and guidelines about efficient antenna miniaturization, and, finally, show some examples of miniature antennas developed in our laboratory for practical applications.