Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibrational Spectroscopic Monitoring of the Gelation Transition in Nafion Ionomer Dispersions

Infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques were applied to investigate the drying and aggregation behavior of Nafion ionomer particles dispersed in aqueous solution. Gravimetric measurements aided the identification of gel-phase development within a series of time-resolved spectra that tracked transformations of a dispersion sample during solvent evaporation. A spectral band characteristic of ionomer sidechain end group vibration provided a quantitative probe of the dispersion-to-gel change. For sets of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectra, adherence to Beer's law was attributed to the relatively constant refractive index in the frequency region of hydrated – SO 3 - group vibrations as fluorocarbon-rich ionomer regions aggregate in forming the structural framework of membranes and thin films. Although vibrational bands associated with ionomer backbone CF2 stretching vibrations were affected by distortion characteristic of wavelength-dependent refractive index change within a sample, the onset of band distortion signaled gel formation and coincided with ionomer mass % values just below the critical gelation point for Nafion aqueous dispersions. Similar temporal behavior was observed in confocal Raman microscopy experiments that monitored the formation of a thin ionomer film from an individual dispersion droplet. For the ATR FT-IR spectroscopy and confocal Raman microscopy techniques, intensity in the water H–O–H bending vibrational band dropped sharply at the ionomer critical gelation point and displayed a time dependence consistent with changes in water content derived from gravimetric measurements. The reported studies lay groundwork for examining the impact of dispersing solvents and above-ambient temperatures on fluorinated ionomer transformations that influence structural properties of dispersion-cast membranes and thin films.
Bone Status in Patients with Phenylketonuria: A Systematic Review

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism. Although dietary and, in some cases, pharmacological treatment has been successful in preventing intellectual disability in PKU patients who are treated early, suboptimal outcomes have been reported, including bone mineral disease. In this systematic review, we summarize the available evidence on bone health in PKU patients, including data on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover marker data. Data from cohort and cross-sectional studies of children and adults (up to 40 years of age) were obtained by searching the MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. For each selected study, quality assessment was performed applying the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS I) tool. We found that mean BMD was lower in PKU patients than in reference groups, but was within the normal range in most patients when expressed as Z-score values. Furthermore, data revealed a trend towards an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption, favoring bone removal. Data on serum levels of minerals and hormones involved in bone metabolism were very heterogeneous, and the analyses were inconclusive. Clinical trials that include the analysis of fracture rates, especially in older patients, are needed to gather more evidence on the clinical implications of lower BMD in PKU patients.
Survey design and extent estimates for the Wadeable Streams Assessment

Abstract The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a Wadeable Stream Assessment (WSA) of all wadeable streams and rivers in the conterminous US between 1999 and 2005. The assessment was led by the EPA Office of Water, in cooperation with EPA regions, states, tribal nations, and the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD). The WSA was implemented as 2 large-scale regional surveys of streams and rivers. Both studies used EPA's River Reach File (RF3) as the basis for the sample frame. The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Western Pilot Study, conducted by ORD in cooperation with EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10 and 12 western states, assessed all streams and rivers in the 12 western states (EMAP-West). A stratified, unequal probability survey design (50 sites/state and additional sites in 5 intensive study areas) was used to select sites from all streams and river segments coded as perennial in RF3. The unequal selection depended on Strahler order, aggregated Omernik level III ecoregion, and special study region. The WSA study used the EMAP-West wadeable streams (WSA-West) and implemented a new design for the remaining 36 eastern conterminous states (WSA-East). The WSA-East design was an unequal probability survey design with unequal selection depending on Strahler order, Omernik Level II ecoregion, and EPA region. RF3 includes 5.29 million km of rivers and streams, of which 39% (2.07 million km) are coded as perennial. The WSA sample frame included 2.84 million km of streams (54% of the total length in RF3), of which 2.24 million km were in WSA-East and 0.60 million km were in WSA-West. Each selected site was classified on the basis of wadeability and the presence of flowing water. The estimated length of wadeable streams and rivers in the 48 conterminous states was 1.30 ± 0.025 (SE) million km (45.7 ± 1.1% of the stream length in the sample frame). Of this wadeable stream length, 78.6 ± 1.0% (1.02 million km) was estimated to be appropriate for sampling. Nationally, 11.5 ± 0.8% and 5.2 ± 0.6% of this length could not be sampled because of access denial or physical inaccessibility, respectively. The proportion of length affected by access denial was higher in Southern Plains, Northern Plains, and Xeric West aggregated ecoregions, whereas stream length affected by physical inaccessibility was greatest in the Western Mountains aggregated ecoregion. Improvements in the sample frame (RF3 and its successors National Hydrography Database [NHD] and NHD-Plus) would reduce field costs for national surveys.
The Contribution of the Age Distribution of Cases to COVID-19 Case Fatality Across Countries

The observed COVID-19 case-fatality rate varies widely across countries. This study determined how much of the variation in case-fatality rate was the result of country-specific age-related factors (that is, age distribution of the cases and population age distribution). The information is critical for making meaningful comparisons of COVID-19 case-fatality rates across countries.
The complex effects of maternal expectations on postpartum depressive symptoms: when does a protective factor become a risk factor?

Abstract Purpose The present study assessed the effects of several prenatal maternal expectations on postpartum depression (PPD), while considering two relevant factors – incongruence between planned and actual birth and the rigidity of the birth plan – that can affect whether maternal expectations act as protective factors or risk factors for PPD. Methods Primiparous women (N = 527) were recruited to a longitudinal study about women’s birth choices and experiences. At time 1, during pregnancy, women completed a questionnaire assessing prenatal depression, preferred birth plan, birth plan flexibility–rigidity and maternal expectations (i.e. Natural-Fulfillment, Infant-Reflects-Mothering, Sacrifice). At time 2, two-months post-partum, they reported their actual birth mode and answered a questionnaire assessing their PPD symptoms. Results Natural-fulfillment maternal expectations were negatively related to PPD symptoms. Yet, the interaction of high natural-fulfillment expectations with an unfulfilled birth plan and the rigidity of the birth plan, served as a risk factor for PPD symptomatology. Conclusions Understanding the conditions under which specific prenatal maternal expectations serve as a risk factor for PPD, can help healthcare providers identify women who are at high risk for developing PPD symptoms and plan preemptive interventions.
Simultaneous Single Cell Gene Expression and EGFR Mutation Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Reveals Distinct Phenotypes in NSCLC

While cancer cell populations are known to be highly heterogeneous within a tumor, the current gold standard of tumor profiling is through a tumor biopsy. These biopsies are invasive and prone to missing these clones due to spatial heterogeneity, and this bulk analysis approach can miss information from rare subpopulations. To noninvasively investigate tumor cell heterogeneity, a streamlined workflow is developed to scrutinize rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), for simultaneous analysis of mutations and gene expression profiles at the single cell level. This powerful workflow overcomes low‐input limitations of single cell analysis techniques. The utility of this multiplexed workflow to unravel inter‐ and intra‐patient heterogeneity is demonstrated using non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) CTCs (n = 58) from six epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant positive NSCLC patients. CTCs are isolated using a high‐throughput microfluidic technology, the Labyrinth, and their EGFR mutation status and gene expression profiles are characterized.
TRIM28 congenital predisposition to Wilms’ tumor: novel mutations and presentation in a sibling pair

Wilms’ tumor is the most common renal malignancy in children. In addition to staging, molecular risk stratification, such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in Chromosomes 1 and 16, is being increasingly used. Although genetic predisposition syndromes have been well-characterized in some Wilms’ tumors, recent sequencing and biology efforts are expanding the classification of this malignancy. Here we present a case of siblings with remarkably similar presentations of bilateral Wilms’ tumor at ∼12 mo of age. Thorough exam after the younger sibling was diagnosed did not reveal any signs to suggest one of the known Wilms’ predisposition syndromes. Both were treated with standard therapies with good response and long-term sustained complete remission of 53 and 97 mo, respectively. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on a tumor sample from each patient and matched blood from one, revealing a shared truncation mutation of TRIM28 in all three samples with heterozygosity in the germline sample. TRIM28 loss has been recently implicated in early-stage Wilms’ tumors with epithelioid morphology. These siblings expand the phenotype for presentation with multifocal disease with retained excellent response to standard therapy.
Reference-based pattern-mixture models for analysis of longitudinal binary data

Pattern-mixture model (PMM)-based controlled imputations have become a popular tool to assess the sensitivity of primary analysis inference to different post-dropout assumptions or to estimate treatment effectiveness. The methodology is well established for continuous responses but less well established for binary responses. In this study, we formulate the copy-reference and jump-to-reference PMMs for longitudinal binary data using a multivariate probit model with latent variables. We discuss the maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and multiple imputation methods for estimating the treatment effect under the specified PMM. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of these methods. These methods are also illustrated using data from a bipolar mania study.
CD40 and CD72 expression and prognostic values among children with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case–control study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease with proven interactions between immune system components, including both humoral- and cell-mediated immunity, as well as co-stimulatory and inhibitory molecules such as CD40 and CD72. Here, we investigated CD40 and CD72 expression on B cells of SLE children and assessed their prognostic values. We conducted a preliminary case–control study in Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Egypt from September 2018 to January 2020 including 27 SLE children and 27 healthy controls. We assessed cases during initial flare and after remission. Flow cytometry analysis was carried out for all participants for CD40 and CD72 expression of B cells. During flare, SLE cases had statistically significant higher CD40 and lower CD72 expression in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). After remission, the number of CD40+ B cells significantly decreased (p < 0.001), while the number of CD72+ B cells significantly increased (p < 0.001) in comparison with flare. We reported non-significant positive correlations between CD40 expression and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI; p = 0.347 during flare and p = 0.653 after remission) and negative correlations between CD72 expression and SLEDAI (p = 0.34 during flare and p = 0.044 after remission). No significant differences were detected between renal histopathology classes with regard to CDs expression on B cells (p = 0.45 for CD40 and p = 0.63 for CD72). In conclusion, CD40+ B cells and CD72+ B cells could be considered as markers of paediatric SLE flare and remission, respectively.
DOES PLANTAR PRESSURE AND LOADING PATTERN VARY WITH JOINT HYPERMOBILITY IN YOUNG FEMALES?

BACKGROUND Joint hypermobility is a connective tissue disorder that increases joint range of motion. Plantar pressure and foot loading patterns may change with joint hypermobility. We aimed to analyze static plantar pressure of young females with and without joint hypermobility. METHODS Joint laxity of 27 young females was assessed cross-sectionally using the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index. Participants were divided into the hypermobility (4 to 9) and without hypermobility groups (0 to 3) according to their scores. Static plantar pressure and forces were recorded using a pedobarographic (TekScan MatScanTM, Boston, MA, USA) system. RESULTS Higher peak pressure and peak pressure gradients (p= 0.01 and p= 0.025, respectively) were observed in the non-dominant foot in the hypermobility group. According to the comparison dominant and non-dominant feet in each group, hypermobility group showed significantly higher peak pressure (p= 0.046), peak pressure gradient (p= 0.041) and total force (p= 0.028) in their non-dominant foot. CONCLUSIONS Plantar pressure and loading pattern varies in young females with joint hypermobility. Evaluation of plantar loading as an injury prevention tool in individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome can be suggested.
Genome properties of bamboo mosaic virus

Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV), isolated from infected green bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) in Taiwan, is a flexuous, rod-shaped virus. The genome of BaMV is a single-stranded plus-sense RNA, M r 2.1×10 6 , encapsidated with capsid protein subunits of M r 28K. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-immunodiffusion and western blot analysis showed that BaMV is serologically unrelated to the tested potexviruses and other viruses. BaMV RNA, fractionated or unfractionated, directed the synthesis of one prominent high molecular weight product, M r 160K, together with several polypeptides of smaller sizes when translated in rabbit retyculocyte lysate (.)
Rapid Identification of Marine Plastic Debris via Spectroscopic Techniques and Machine Learning Classifiers.

To advance our understanding of the environmental fate and transport of macro- and micro-plastic debris, robust and reproducible methods, technologies, and analytical approaches are necessary for in situ plastic-type identification and characterization. This investigation compares four spectroscopic techniques: attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, coupled to seven classification methods, including machine learning classifiers, to determine accuracy for identifying type of both consumer plastics and marine plastic debris. With machine learning classifiers, consumer plastic types were identified with 99%, 91%, 97%, and 70% success rates for ATR-FTIR, NIR reflectance spectroscopy, LIBS, and XRF respectively. The classification of marine plastic debris had similar or lower success rates likely arising from alterations to the plastic from environmental weathering processes with success rates of 99%, 81%, 76%, and 66% for ATR-FTIR, NIR reflectance spectroscopy, LIBS, and XRF respectively. Success rates of 76% and higher indicate that ATR-FTIR, NIR reflectance spectroscopy, and LIBS coupled to machine learning classifiers can be used to robustly identify both consumer and environmental plastic samples.
The Metabolic Syndrome Is a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of various malignant tumors. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we explored the relationship between MetS and breast cancer (BC). Methods: Relevant studies were systematically searched on Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane database, and PubMed up to September 16, 2019, using “breast cancer” and “metabolic syndrome” as keywords. Eligible studies with clear definition of MetS, available data, and relationships between MetS and BC were evaluated using a risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Twenty-five studies, including 13 cohort studies and 12 case-control studies, met the inclusion criteria, which assessed a total of 392,583 female participants and 19,628 BC patients. The results revealed a statistically significant increase by 52% of the risk of BC in adult females with MetS (RR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.31–1.70, p < 0.0001). Postmenopausal MetS patients may have a twofold risk to suffer BC (RR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.55–2.60, p < 0.001). The risk of BC increased markedly with the number of MetS components: RR = 1.00 for 1 component (p = 0.976), RR = 1.40 for 2 components (p = 0.121), and RR = 1.98 for >3 components (p < 0.001). The risk factors associated with BC were obesity, hypertension, and diabetes (RR = 1.33, 1.19, and 1.30 respectively, all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that MetS is highly related with BC. In postmenopausal patients with ≥2 MetS components or a combination of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, routine BC screening could help to detect BC at an early stage.
Fuzzy Control and Filtering for Nonlinear Singularly Perturbed Markov Jump Systems

This article addresses the $H_{\infty } $ control and filtering problems for Markov jump singularly perturbed systems approximated by Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy models. The underlying transition probabilities (TPs) are assumed to vary randomly in a finite set, which is characterized by a higher level TP matrix. The mode- and variation-dependent fuzzy static output-feedback controller (SOFC) and filter are designed, respectively, to fulfill the control and filtering purposes. To facilitate the fuzzy SOFC synthesis, the closed-loop system is transformed into a fuzzy piecewise-homogeneous Markov jump singularly perturbed descriptor system (MJSPDS) by descriptor representation. A rigorous proof of mean-square exponential admissibility for the resulting fuzzy MJSPDS is presented. The criterion ensuring the mean-square exponential stability of the fuzzy filtering error system is further formed based on similar procedures. By setting the specific forms of the related matrix variables, the solutions for the predesigned fuzzy SOFC and filter are furnished, respectively. Finally, feasibility and validities of the developed fuzzy control and filtering results are verified by two practical examples.
The applicability of commonly used predictive scoring systems in Indigenous Australians with sepsis: An observational study

Background Indigenous Australians suffer a disproportionate burden of sepsis, however, the performance of scoring systems that predict mortality in Indigenous patients with critical illness is incompletely defined. Materials and methods The study was performed at an Australian tertiary-referral hospital between January 2014 and June 2017, and enrolled consecutive Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults admitted to ICU with sepsis. The ability of the ANZROD, APACHE-II, APACHE-III, SAPS-II, SOFA and qSOFA scores to predict death before ICU discharge in the two populations was compared. Results There were 442 individuals enrolled in the study, 145 (33%) identified as Indigenous. Indigenous patients were younger than non-Indigenous patients (median (interquartile range (IQR) 53 (43–60) versus 65 (52–73) years, p = 0.0001) and comorbidity was more common (118/145 (81%) versus 204/297 (69%), p = 0.005). Comorbidities that were more common in the Indigenous patients included diabetes mellitus (84/145 (58%) versus 67/297 (23%), p<0.0001), renal disease (56/145 (39%) versus 29/297 (10%), p<0.0001) and cardiovascular disease (58/145 (40%) versus 83/297 (28%), p = 0.01). The use of supportive care (including vasopressors, mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy) was similar in Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, and the two populations had an overall case-fatality rate that was comparable (17/145 (12%) and 38/297 (13%) (p = 0.75)), although Indigenous patients died at a younger age (median (IQR): 54 (50–60) versus 70 (61–76) years, p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the ability of any the scores to predict mortality in the two populations. Conclusions Although the crude case-fatality rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians admitted to ICU with sepsis is comparable, Indigenous patients die at a much younger age. Despite this, the ability of commonly used scoring systems to predict outcome in Indigenous Australians is similar to that of non-Indigenous Australians, supporting their use in ICUs with a significant Indigenous patient population and in clinical trials that enrol Indigenous Australians.
Why is Pakistan vulnerable to COVID‐19 associated morbidity and mortality? A scoping review

Summary The scoping review was undertaken to outline the vulnerabilities of Pakistan's public health and healthcare system, which put the population at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) associated morbidity and mortality. The major electronic databases were searched using both “text words” and “thesaurus terms,” focusing on viral infections, COVID‐19 and healthcare systems in Pakistan. The content of the selected articles was analyzed by using thematic approach. Out of the total 171 potentially relevant citations, 24 articles were included in the data synthesis. We found that the recent COVID‐19 outbreak is a major threat to Pakistan's public health and healthcare system, and the country is not in a position to control spread of disease and provide required standards of care deemed necessary by the World Health Organization. A number of intertwined reasons that expose the Pakistani population at increased risk of COVID‐19 associated morbidity and mortality, include public related demurrals, healthcare workforce related demurrals, organizational and regulatory voids, and travel patterns. To cope with the upsurge of COVID‐19 in Pakistan, the regulators need to re‐examine and recognize deficiencies in the healthcare system, and thereafter reinforce core capacities in workforce and monetary resources, surveillance, laboratory services, and hospital preparedness for isolation and ventilation of patients.