Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How did lockdown and social distancing policies change the eating habits of diabetic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic? A systematic review

Background After the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments established national lockdowns and social distancing as an effective plan to control this disease. As a result of the lockdown policies, diabetic patients` access to food products, medication, and routine follow-ups is disrupted, making it difficult for them to control their disease. Methods International databases, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched until April 2022. All observational studies included assessing the impact of lockdown and social distancing on eating habits (as primary outcome), and glycemic and anthropometric indices (as secondary outcomes) of diabetic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Scale was used to assess the quality rating of the studies. Results Overall, 22 studies were included in this systematic review, the results of which varied in different communities. In most studies, consumption of grains, fruits, and vegetables was reported to increase. On the other hand, consumption of snacks and sweets was reported to increase in other surveys. During the COVID-19 lockdown, most diabetic patients preferred to cook meals at home, using less takeout, fast foods, and alcoholic drinks. Although the patients mostly improved their eating habits, the glycemic and anthropometric indices were contradictory in different studies. Studies showed that the eating habits of diabetic patients vary from country to country, even in some cases and studies done in the same country showed different results. For example, all the studies done in Japan showed an increase in the consumption of snacks and sweets, leading to weight gain in the patients. However, conflicting results in eating habits have been observed in studies conducted in India. Conclusion The lockdown policies have led to a beneficial change in the eating habits of diabetic patients to consume more fruits and vegetables and reduce the consumption of animal protein products and alcoholic beverages. While some diabetic patients have increased consumption of snacks and sweets, leading to a disturbance in their glycemic and anthropometric indices control. Understanding the consequences of lockdown and social distancing of the diabetic patient during the COVID-19 pandemic can help public health authorities make better recommendations to improve glycemic control.
Brain augmentation and neuroscience technologies: current applications, challenges, ethics and future prospects

Ever since the dawn of antiquity, people have strived to improve their cognitive abilities. From the advent of the wheel to the development of artificial intelligence, technology has had a profound leverage on civilization. Cognitive enhancement or augmentation of brain functions has become a trending topic both in academic and public debates in improving physical and mental abilities. The last years have seen a plethora of suggestions for boosting cognitive functions and biochemical, physical, and behavioral strategies are being explored in the field of cognitive enhancement. Despite expansion of behavioral and biochemical approaches, various physical strategies are known to boost mental abilities in diseased and healthy individuals. Clinical applications of neuroscience technologies offer alternatives to pharmaceutical approaches and devices for diseases that have been fatal, so far. Importantly, the distinctive aspect of these technologies, which shapes their existing and anticipated participation in brain augmentations, is used to compare and contrast them. As a preview of the next two decades of progress in brain augmentation, this article presents a plausible estimation of the many neuroscience technologies, their virtues, demerits, and applications. The review also focuses on the ethical implications and challenges linked to modern neuroscientific technology. There are times when it looks as if ethics discussions are more concerned with the hypothetical than with the factual. We conclude by providing recommendations for potential future studies and development areas, taking into account future advancements in neuroscience innovation for brain enhancement, analyzing historical patterns, considering neuroethics and looking at other related forecasts.
Effect of the ratio of dietary metabolizable energy to nitrogen content on production performance, serum metabolites, rumen fermentation parameters, and bacterial diversity in yaks

This study examined the effect of the ratio of dietary metabolizable energy (MJ) to nitrogen (g) content (ME:N) on average daily gain (ADG), blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen bacterial community in yaks. Thirty-six male yaks, aged 2–3 years, were divided into three groups and received a ME:N ratio of 0.42 (HY), 0.36 (MY,) or 0.32 (LY) MJ/g. Dry matter intake ranged between 3.16 and 3.63 kg/d and was lesser (p < 0.001) in the LY group than the other two groups. ME intake increased (p < 0.001) with an increase in the ME:N ratio, while N intake did not differ among groups. The ADG was 660 g/day for the MY group, which was higher (p < 0.005) than the 430 g/day in the LY group, while the HY group gained 560 g/day and did not differ from the other two groups. Feed intake to ADG ratio ranged between 5.95 and 7.95, and numerically was highest in the LY group and lowest in the MY group. In general, the concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acids (p < 0.03) and molar proportions of propionate (p < 0.04), increased, while the molar proportion of acetate (p < 0.005) and the acetate:propionate ratio decreased (p < 0.001) with a decrease in the ME:N ratio. The molar proportion of butyrate did not differ among groups (p = 0.112). Group MY had higher ruminal NH3-N content than group HY and had a higher serum glucose content but lower urea content, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase content than group LY. In ruminal bacteria at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes (F) was greater and of Bacteroidetes (B) was lesser, while the F:B ratio was greater in group MY than in groups HY an LY. We concluded that the yaks consuming the diet containing a ME:N ratio of 0.36 MJ/g had the best performance of the three groups.
How does CEO power and overconfidence affect the systemic risk of China’s financial institutions?

The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, this study measures the contribution of banks and non-bank financial institutions toward the systemic risk of China. Second, the present study investigates the relationship between CEO power, CEO overconfidence, and systemic risk. This study uses the Delta Conditional Value-at-Risk (∆CoVaR) method to measure the systemic risk contribution of firms listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges over a period of 2006–2018. The results show that non-bank financial institutions are systemically more important compared to banks. We employed fixed-effect regression analysis to show that banks with overconfident CEOs increase the firm’s systemic risk. The results also confirm that powerful CEOs enhance the contribution of non-bank financial institutions to systemic risk, whereas CEO power’s impact was significant only for non-state-owned banks. The findings were further validated by the robustness test results obtained using the two-stage least squares approach. These findings are important for constructing regulations to reduce the contribution of firms to systemic risk.
Acute sleep deprivation disrupts emotion, cognition, inflammation, and cortisol in young healthy adults

Chronic sleep deprivation has been demonstrated to diminish cognitive performance, alter mood states, and concomitantly dysregulate inflammation and stress hormones. At present, however, there is little understanding of how an acute sleep deprivation may collectively affect these factors and alter functioning. The present study aimed to determine the extent to which 24-h of sleep deprivation influences inflammatory cytokines, stress hormones, cognitive processing across domains, and emotion states. To that end, 23 participants (mean age = 20.78 years, SD = 2.87) filled out clinical health questionnaires measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Actigraph was worn for seven days across testing to record sleep duration. At each session participants underwent a series of measures, including saliva and blood samples for quantification of leptin, ghrelin, IL-1β, IL-6, CRP, and cortisol levels, they completed a cognitive battery using an iPad, and an emotion battery. We found that an acute sleep deprivation, limited to a 24 h period, increases negative emotion states such as anxiety, fatigue, confusion, and depression. In conjunction, sleep deprivation results in increased inflammation and decreased cortisol levels in the morning, that are accompanied by deficits in vigilance and impulsivity. Combined, these results suggest that individuals who undergo 24 h sleep deprivation will induce systemic alterations to inflammation and endocrine functioning, while concomitantly increasing negative emotions.
Biomarkers to assess the risk of bladder cancer in patients presenting with haematuria are gender-specific

Introduction Haematuria is a common red flag symptom of urinary tract cancer. Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common cancer to present with haematuria. Women presenting with haematuria are often underdiagnosed. Currently, no gender-specific tests are utilized in clinical practice. Considerable healthcare resources are needed to investigate causes of haematuria and this study was set up to help identify markers of BC. The aim of the study was to define biomarker algorithms in haematuria patients using an expanded panel of biomarkers to diagnose BC and investigate if the algorithms are gender-specific. Materials and Methods A total of n=675 patients with a history of haematuria were recruited from Northern Ireland hospitals. Patients were collected on a 2:1 ratio, non-BC (control) n=474: BC n=201. A detailed clinical history, urine and blood samples were collected. Biomarkers, known to be involved in the pathobiology underlying bladder carcinogenesis were investigated. Biomarkers differentially expressed between groups were investigated using Wilcoxon rank sum and linear regression. Results Biomarkers were gender specific. Two biomarker-algorithms were identified to triage haematuria patients; male – u_NSE, s_PAI-1/tPA, u_midkine, u_NGAL, u_MMP-9/TIMP-1 and s_prolactin (u=urine; s=serum); sensitivity 71.8%, specificity 72.8%; AUROC 0.795; and female urine biomarkers - IL-12p70, IL-13, midkine and clusterin; sensitivity 83.7%, specificity 79.7%; AUROC 0.865. Addition of the clinical variable infection to both algorithms increased both AUROC to 0.822 (DeLong p=0.014) and to 0.923 (DeLong p=0.004) for males and females, respectively. Combining clinical risk factors with biomarker algorithms would enable application of the algorithms to triage haematuria patients. Conclusion Using gender-specific biomarker algorithms in combination with clinical risks that are associated with BC would allow clinicians to better manage haematuria patients and potentially reduce underdiagnosis in females. In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, that blood and urine biomarkers are gender-specific when assessing risk of BC in patients who present with blood in their urine. Combining biomarker data with clinical factors could improve triage when referring patients for further investigations.
Analysis of the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-control between physical activity and Internet addiction among Chinese college students

It explores the roles of self-efficacy and self-control in physical activity and Internet addiction. And it further provides a theoretical basis for the treatment and improvement of Internet addiction among college students. This study employs the whole group sampling method. The questionnaire was conducted on 855 college students from five universities in three provinces using the Physical Activity Level Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). The analyses yielded three main findings. (1) A large amount of physical activity was helpful in reducing the symptoms of Internet addiction and the problematic status of each dimension among college students. (2) A large or moderate amount of physical activity was helpful in enhancing college students’ self-efficacy. Besides, a large amount of physical activity was likely to enhance college students’ self-control. (3) The condition of physical activity not only directly has the negative correlation with college students’ Internet addiction but also influences college students’ Internet addiction through two indirect ways: the mediating role of self-control and the chain mediating role of self-efficacy and self-control. These conclusions provide a deeper understanding of the protective factors of Internet addiction among Chinese college students.
Case Report: A novel desmoplakin mutation in a taiwanese woman with familial dilated cardiomyopathy that necessitated heart transplantation

Around one-third of patients diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) turn out to be familial cases, in only a few of which the identification of a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant could be achieved. Cardiomyopathy caused by desmoplakin gene mutations represents a distinct form with a high prevalence of left ventricle involvement. We report a novel desmoplakin mutation carried by two individuals in a Taiwanese family, in which the proband recovered well after heart transplantation and under medical control, while her son had received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and has been under guideline-directed medical therapy. The present study broadens the genetic spectrum of this disease entity and strengthens the notion that a detailed family history with genetic study contributes to the early detection and treatment of inherited diseases.
Calreticulin and PDIA3, two markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress, are associated with metabolic alterations and insulin resistance in pediatric obesity: A pilot study

Our aim was to evaluate the markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress among children and adolescents with obesity in relation to metabolic alterations. Calreticulin (CALR) and PDIA3 circulating levels were assessed on 52 pediatric subjects—26 patients with obesity and 26 normal weight controls (4–18 years)—enrolled in a pilot study. Clinical and metabolic evaluations were performed (BMI-SDS, insulin, and glucose at fasting and during an oral glucose tolerance test, lipid profile, blood pressure), and metabolic syndrome was detected. PDIA3 was higher (p < 0.02) and CALR slightly higher in children with obesity than in controls. PDIA3 was related positively to the Tanner stages. Both PDIA3 and CALR were positively associated with insulin resistance, cholesterol, and triglycerides and the number of criteria identifying metabolic syndrome and negatively with fasting and post-challenge insulin sensitivity. Our preliminary findings suggest the existence of a link between ER stress and metabolic changes behind obesity complications even at the pediatric age. CALR and PDIA3 could be early markers of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia-related ER stress useful to stratify patients at high risk of further complications.
fMRI studies evaluating central respiratory control in humans

A plethora of neural centers in the central nervous system control the fundamental respiratory pattern. This control is ensured by neurons that act as pacemakers, modulating activity through chemical control driven by changes in the O2/CO2 balance. Most of the respiratory neural centers are located in the brainstem, but difficult to localize on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to their small size, lack of visually-detectable borders with neighboring areas, and significant physiological noise hampering detection of its activity with functional MRI (fMRI). Yet, several approaches make it possible to study the normal response to different abnormal stimuli or conditions such as CO2 inhalation, induced hypercapnia, volitional apnea, induced hypoxia etc. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the majority of available studies on central respiratory control in humans.
Visual recognition of cardiac pathology based on 3D parametric model reconstruction

Visual recognition of cardiac images is important for cardiac pathology diagnosis and treatment. Due to the limited availability of annotated datasets, traditional methods usually extract features directly from two-dimensional slices of three-dimensional (3D) heart images, followed by pathological classification. This process may not ensure the overall anatomical consistency in 3D heart. A new method for classification of cardiac pathology is therefore proposed based on 3D parametric model reconstruction. First, 3D heart models are reconstructed based on multiple 3D volumes of cardiac imaging data at the end-systole (ES) and end-diastole (ED) phases. Next, based on these reconstructed 3D hearts, 3D parametric models are constructed through the statistical shape model (SSM), and then the heart data are augmented via the variation in shape parameters of one 3D parametric model with visual knowledge constraints. Finally, shape and motion features of 3D heart models across two phases are extracted to classify cardiac pathology. Comprehensive experiments on the automated cardiac diagnosis challenge (ACDC) dataset of the Statistical Atlases and Computational Modelling of the Heart (STACOM) workshop confirm the superior performance and efficiency of this proposed approach.
Exploration of Parteck® SRP 80 and Hypromellose for Chronomodulated Release of LTD4 Receptor Antagonist and Statistical Optimization Using Central Composite Design

To manage early morning symptoms of nocturnal bronchial asthma, a chronotherapeutic drug delivery system (ChrDDS) of montelukast sodium was designed and developed utilizing non-saccharide, fully synthetic Parteck® SRP 80, and hydrophilic cellulose derivative hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Recurrent lag phase, each followed by the release of a fraction of the drug dose, can be achieved by formulating a “tablets in a capsule” system containing more than one compressed coated tablet encapsulated in an enteric-coated capsule. Lag time in this study was controlled by the compressed coating of HPMC K4M and a blend of ethyl cellulose and Carbopol polymer. Assembly of the system includes two compressed coated tablets encapsulated in a capsule which was further proceeded for enteric coating in a conventional, a novel wax-based, and a Eudracap™ enteric-coated capsule. The optimized formulation of directly compressed tablets of Parteck ® SRP 80 showed a hardness of 8.8 kg/cm2 which is 1.25-fold higher than wet granulated tablets of HPMC. In vitro release data of matrix tablets of Parteck® SRP 80 demonstrated controlled release of drug for a duration of up to 10.8–11 h with changing ratio of polymer and filler. Eudracap™ capsule showed a minimum acid uptake value of 1.75%. The current approach can open a path for the time-regulated release of montelukast that may be beneficial for individuals with episodes of asthma attacks mostly in the early morning.
Three-dimensional shape space learning for visual concept construction: challenges and research progress

Human beings can easily categorize threedimensional (3D) objects with similar shapes and functions into a set of “visual concepts” and learn “visual knowledge” of the surrounding 3D real world (Pan, 2019). Developing efficient methods to learn the computational representation of the visual concept and the visual knowledge is a critical task in artificial intelligence (Pan, 2021a). A crucial step to this end is to learn the shape space spanned by all 3D objects that belong to one visual concept. In this paper, we present the key technical challenges and recent research progress in 3D shape space learning and discuss the open problems and research opportunities in this area.
1 2 PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE INCORPORATION OF 3 CELLULOSE NANOFIBERS AS REINFORCEMENT IN WATERBORNE 4 WOOD COATINGS 5

The wood is exposed to possible damages caused by weather, requiring the application of a 20 finishing coat to provide extra protection. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence 21 of the addition of microfibrillated cellulose in waterborne varnish on the colorimetric 22 parameters, wettability and finish characteristics of wood products. Color was evaluated with a 23 CM-5 spectrophotometer; surface wettability was analyzed by contact angle measurement 24 using a drop shape analysis goniometer; and abrasion, adhesion and impact tests were 25 performed to evaluate the quality of the coating. The coating’s optical characteristics were not 26 affected by the addition of microfibrillated cellulose. The changes in wood wettability were 27 small, with no statistical difference between the wood treated with plain varnish and that with 28 unbleached microfibrillated cellulose. In the analysis of the variation of the contact angle during 29 the elapsed time, the coating containing unbleached microfibrillated cellulose presented the best 30 results. The results of finish quality did not show numerical changes after the addition of the 31 microfibrillated cellulose, but qualitatively the microfibrillated cellulose caused better 32 anchoring of the coating to the specimens. Therefore, the use of microfibrillated cellulose as 33 reinforcement in coatings has potential, but tests with different consistencies and tests of other properties are necessary.
Using atmospheric observations to quantify annual biogenic carbon dioxide fluxes on the Alaska North Slope

Abstract. The continued warming of the Arctic could release vast stores of carbon into the atmosphere from high-latitude ecosystems, especially from thawing permafrost. Increasing uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) by vegetation during longer growing seasons may partially offset such release of carbon. However, evidence of significant net annual release of carbon from site-level observations and model simulations across tundra ecosystems has been inconclusive. To address this knowledge gap, we combined top-down observations of atmospheric CO2 concentration enhancements from aircraft and a tall tower, which integrate ecosystem exchange over large regions, with bottom-up observed CO2 fluxes from tundra environments and found that the Alaska North Slope is not a consistent net source nor net sink of CO2 to the atmosphere (ranging from −6 to +6 Tg C yr−1 for 2012–2017). Our analysis suggests that significant biogenic CO2 fluxes from unfrozen terrestrial soils, and likely inland waters, during the early cold season (September–December) are major factors in determining the net annual carbon balance of the North Slope, implying strong sensitivity to the rapidly warming freeze-up period. At the regional level, we find no evidence of the previously reported large late-cold-season (January–April) CO2 emissions to the atmosphere during the study period. Despite the importance of the cold-season CO2 emissions to the annual total, the interannual variability in the net CO2 flux is driven by the variability in growing season fluxes. During the growing season, the regional net CO2 flux is also highly sensitive to the distribution of tundra vegetation types throughout the North Slope. This study shows that quantification and characterization of year-round CO2 fluxes from the heterogeneous terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Arctic using both site-level and atmospheric observations are important to accurately project the Earth system response to future warming.