Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Healthcare utilization and the quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease

Youth diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of poor health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) due to the complexities associated with this disease. The literature notes that predictors such as pain and poor mental health are associated with increased healthcare access; however, the connection between healthcare use and their overall well‐being has been understudied. This study investigates whether healthcare utilization predicts the HRQOL in youth with SCD.
Establishment of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection of parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in cyprinid fish

The objective of this research was to establish loop-mediated isothermal amplifications (LAMP) that could be used to detect parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (I. multifiliis) in freshwater cyprinid fish. Primers were developed from the distinguishing fragments of 18S ribosomal RNA of I. multifiliis and the LAMP test was then used to evaluate and optimize various concentrations of chemicals, time and temperature. The results indicated that LAMP required 1.6 μM of FIP primers and BIP primers, 0.2 μM of F3 and B3, 2 mM of Mg2+, 1 M of Betaine, and 0.6 mM of dNTP. This assay was able to detect parasite DNA within a 40 min period of incubation and at a constant optimal temperature of 64oC. The positive sample appeared as a clear ladder like pattern on gel electrophoresis, while a yellowish green color appeared with SYBR Green I under ultraviolet light with the use of a heating block. The LAMP test was determined to be more sensitive than conventional PCR in the detection of I. multifiliis. In conclusion, we have presented a sensitive and specific rapid detection system for I. multifiliis based on isothermal DNA amplification. Importantly, this system could then be employed as an alternative and effective diagnostic method in place of other molecular techniques.
Conductivity-depth imaging of helicopter-borne TEM data based on a pseudolayer half-space model

Helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic (HTEM) systems with a concentric horizontal coil configuration have been used increasingly in mineral exploration. Conductivity-depth imaging (CDI) is a useful tool for mapping the distribution of geologic conductivity and for identifying conductive targets. A CDI algorithm for HTEM systems with a concentric coil configuration is developed based on the pseudolayer half-space model. Primary advantages of this model are immunity to altimeter errors and better resolution of conductive layers than other half-space models. Effective depth is derived empirically from the diffusion depth and apparent thickness of the pseudolayer. A table lookup procedure is established based on the analytic solution of a half-space model to speed up processing. This efficiency makes generation of real-time conductivity-depth images possible. Tests on synthetic data demonstrate that the pseudolayer conductivity-depth-imaging algorithm maps a wider range of conduc-tivities and does a better job of resolving highly conductive layers, compared with that of the homogeneous half-space model. Effective depths are close to true depths in many circumstances. Field examples show stable and geologically meaningful conductivity-depth images.
Cultural Socialization and Ethnic-Racial Identity Mediated by Positive and Negative Conversations about Race: Exploring Differences among Asian American, African American, Latinx, Multiracial, and White Students

ABSTRACT The current study examined associations between cultural socialization and ethnic-racial identity via positive and negative conversations about one’s ethnicity/race. Ethnic-racial differences between Asian American, African American, Latinx, Multiracial, and White students were explored. College students 18–22 (M age = 18.46) participating in a university-wide study provided self-reports of childhood cultural socialization, engagement in conversations about ethnicity/race during college, and ethnic-racial identity. Cultural socialization was associated with more positive conversations about race, and, in turn, greater ethnic-racial identity exploration, resolution, and affirmation among all students. Additionally, among Multiracial and African American students, cultural socialization was associated with greater negative conversations about race and, in turn, less ethnic-racial identity affirmation. Although cultural socialization was not associated with negative conversations about race for Asian American, Latinx, or White students, the relation between greater negative conversations about race and less ethnic-racial identity affirmation was significant. Negative conversations about race also informed greater ethnic-racial identity exploration among all students, but was not associated with ethnic-racial identity resolution. The current study highlights the nuanced ways that childhood cultural socialization and conversations about one’s ethnicity/race influence college students’ ethnic-racial identity, both similarly and differently among different racial groups.
Chemical Composition and Nutritional Evaluation of Cake Made with Flour Mixture of Pigeonpea and Rice

This study aimed to develop and characterize a cake based on a flour mixture of pigeonpea and rice. Four cake formulations of different percentages of pigeonpea flour (PF) and Rice Flour (RF) (0% PF + 100% RF, 10% PF + 90% RF, 20% PF + 80% RF, 30% PF + 70% RF) were developed based on a traditional formulation. Microbiological, physicochemical and sensory evaluations were performed. The tasters preferred the mix formulation containing 30% pigeonpea and 70% rice (p < 0.05). This formulation presented adequate physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. The study also showed 90% acceptance and 70% purchase intention by the tasters. It is concluded that the use of a flour mixture of pigeonpea and rice allows an innovative, nutritious product, with good acceptance and technological potential. This product meets the needs of the food industry, such as: 1) it is gluten-free; 2) contributes for the adoption of healthy eating habits; 3) promotes family farming; and 4) stimulates the consumption of regional vegetables that can be incorporated into school meals menus, rescuing the consumption habits of rice and beans and eventually valuing the traditional Brazilian diet. It is worth noting the low lipid, high fiber, iron and zinc content characteristic of the developed product.
Comparison of two wavelength conversion schemes by exploiting cascaded harmonic and difference frequency generation in PPLN

The comparison of two wavelength conversion schemes under the continuous‐wave (CW) and pulsed pumping condition based on cascaded harmonic and difference frequency generation is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated using a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. The difference of bit‐transferring road and conversion process between two schemes loads to the difference of the spectrum and waveform of converted pulse. The CW pumping wavelength conversion presents a good performance in copying the spectrum, waveform, bit rate, and phase of the information carried by signal wavelength onto converted wavelength. In pulsed pumping wavelength conversion the spectrum change and waveform distortion of converted pulse occurs due to group velocity mismatch between pump, second harmonic, and converted pulse, so the pulsed pumping wavelength conversion is only a process that converted pulses replicate the bit rate of signal pulses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 905–910, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22293
Usefulness of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Cardiac Involvement of Systemic Sclerosis

A 72-year-old Japanese woman with systemic sclerosis was admitted to our hospital because of symptoms of heart failure. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging had shown that extensive myocardial fibrosis secondary to systemic sclerosis was the main cause of heart failure. One month after CMR, she had complete atrioventricular (AV) block. It was suggested that the progression of fibrosis to the AV node caused complete AV block. This case report has clinical implications in highlighting the fact that CMR is useful for not only evaluating the present pathophysiology but also predicting future adverse events in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Hyperinsulinemia Induces Insulin Receptor Dysfunction in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Insulin receptors are internalized by endothelial cells; however, the impact of hyperinsulinemia on this process is not known. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the role of hyperinsulinemia on insulin receptor function and internalization, as well as the potential impact of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). To this end, hippocampal microvessels were isolated from male C57Bl/6J mice on either a control or high-fat diet and assessed for insulin receptor signaling. Cell surface insulin receptors in brain microvascular endothelial cells were labelled with biotin to assess the role hyperinsulinemia plays on receptor internalization in response to stimulation, with and without Claramine treatment, a potent PTP1B antagonist. Our results indicated that insulin receptor levels increased in tandem with insulin receptor dysfunction in the high-fat diet mouse hippocampal microvessels. Hyperinsulinemic cell-receptors demonstrate a shift in splice variation towards decreased IR-A/IR-B ratios and demonstrate a higher membrane-localized proportion. This corresponded with decreased autophosphorylation at sites critical for receptor internalization and signaling, however, Claramine restored signaling and receptor internalization in hyperinsulinemic cells. In conclusion, hyperinsulinemia negatively impacts brain microvascular endothelial cell insulin receptor function and internalization, likely through both alternative splicing and increased negative feedback from PTP1B.
CAD models for suspended and inverted microstrip

The accuracies of CAD models for suspended and inverted microstrip are examined, and new models are proposed. The models are compared over the range of 0.1/spl les/w/h/spl les/10 and for /spl epsiv//sub r/ values of 3.78 and 12.9. Of the three models examined, the Tomar and Bhartia (T&B) model is shown to be the most accurate. For /spl epsiv//sub r/=12.9 (the worst case), the T&B model shows maximum and average errors of 2.94 and 1.28% respectively over its valid range. New CAD models are presented which demonstrate significantly improved accuracy and range of convergence. For suspended and inverted microstrip, the new models demonstrate worst case errors of 0.65 and 1.02%, respectively, and average errors of 0.23 and 0.27%, respectively. Further, the new models are valid for the full 0.1/spl les/w/h/spl les/10 range, and unlike the other models, converge for the limiting cases of either complete substrate filling or a zero thickness substrate. >
Two-dimensional simulation and measurement of high-performance MOSFETs made on a very thin SOI film

Thinning effects on the device characteristics of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs are discussed. Two-dimensional/two-carrier device simulation revealed the following advantages. An n-channel MOSFET with 500-AA-SOI thickness exhibited a high-punchthrough resistance as well as an improved subthreshold swing down to a deep submicrometer region, even if the film was nearly intrinsic. A capacitance coupling model has been proposed to explain these subthreshold characteristics. The kink elimination effect, which was attributed to a significantly reduced hole density in the SOI film, was reproduced. The low-field channel mobility exhibited a significant increase, which was ascribed to a decrease in the vertical electric field. Moreover, the current-overshoot phenomenon associated with the switching operation was suppressed. Excess holes recombine with electrons quickly after the gate turn-on, bringing about a stabilized potential in the SOI substrate. Experiments were also carried out to verify the simulation. >
Increasing emission current from MIM cathodes by using an Ir-Pt-Au multilayer top electrode

We investigated the effect of the top electrode materials on the electron emission and durability of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) cathodes. The durability is improved when high sublimation-enthalpy material, such as Ir, Mo, or W, are used; however, the emission current, and the transfer ratio, decrease. The material dependence of the transfer ratio is shown to be dominated by the scattering probability of hot electrons in the metal. The scattering probability was estimated from the metal's density-of-states, or more simply, from the number of d-electrons. We found that the multilayer top electrode consisting of Ir, Pt, and Au provides the best top electrode combination for MIM cathodes. The high sublimation-enthalpy Ir layer, which is in contact with the insulator, acts as a barrier metal and improves the durability, whereas the surface Au layer maintains the transfer ratio at a high value. With this top electrode structure, emission current density is increased to 5.8 mA/cm/sup 2/, which is sufficient for field-emission displays. We demonstrated a display consisting of a 30/spl times/30-dot MIM cathode-array with the multilayer top electrodes.
Population density and plant availability interplay to shape browsing intensity by roe deer in a deciduous forest

Browsing damage in forests relies on a complex interaction between herbivore density and both forest understory composition and relative availability. Although variation in the amount of browsed twigs is sometimes used to assess abundance of large herbivores, the potential confounding effect of resource availability on this relationship has not yet been investigated. To fill the gap, we measured how browsing intensity of the woody plants varied in response to changes in both roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) abundance and vegetation availability from an intensive long-term monitoring. We estimated plant availability and consumption by roe deer from a modified Aldous method throughout a 14 yearlong period during which we experimentally manipulated population density. The functional response was strongly non-linear and density-dependent. When plant availability was low (< 12.5%), browsing intensity strongly increased with plant availability with an increasing rate with roe deer density, whereas beyond this threshold, browsing intensity slightly increased with both plant availability and population density in an additive way. Thus, forest susceptibility to browsing increases with increasing competition for food, especially when plant availability is low. Moreover, the interplay between browsing intensity and population density at low plant availability prevents the use of browsing intensity to monitor roe deer abundance when plant availability is low. Our findings provide clear evidence that relying on key ecological concepts such as functional responses improves the accuracy of management tools when monitoring changes of the herbivore-plant system over time.
Chemical composition and mixing state of BC-containing particles and the implications on light absorption enhancement

Abstract. The radiative forcing of black carbon (BC) depends strongly on its mixing state in different chemical environments. Here, we analyzed the chemical composition and mixing state of BC-containing particles by using a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer and investigated their impacts on light absorption enhancement (Eabs) at an urban (Beijing) and a rural site (Gucheng) in North China Plain. While the BC was dominantly mixed with organic carbon (OC), nitrate and sulfate at both urban and rural sites, the rural site showed much higher fraction of BC coated with OC and nitrate (36 % vs. 15 – 20 %). Moreover, the BC mixing state evolved significantly as a function of relative humidity with largely increased coatings of OC-nitrate and nitrate at high RH levels. By linking with the bulk composition of organic aerosol (OA), we found that the OC coated on BC comprised dominantly secondary OA in Beijing, while primary and secondary OA were similarly important in Gucheng. Furthermore, Eabs was highly dependent on the secondary inorganic aerosol coated on BC at both sites, while the coated primary OC also resulted in an Eabs of ~1.2 for relatively fresh BC particles at the rural site. Positive matrix factorization analysis was performed to quantify the impact of different mixing state on Eabs. Our results showed the small Eabs (1.06 ~ 1.11) for BC particles from fresh primary emissions, while the Eabs increased significantly above 1.3 when BC was aged rapidly with increased coatings of OC-nitrate or nitrate, and it can reach above 1.4 as sulfate was involved in BC aging.
Transitional care of nurses to older adults with artificial pacemaker.

OBJECTIVE to understand how the transitional care of nurses to olde adults with artificial pacemaker occurs. METHOD a qualitative research, carried out in a philanthropic hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Fourteen nurses working in surgical and cardiac inpatient units participated. Data were collected between August and November 2020, through semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using the methodological framework Discourse of the Collective Subject and discussed in the light of Afaf Meleis' theory of transitions. RESULTS nurses' incipient knowledge about transitional care was identified. It was observed that the nursing discharge report is a facilitating instrument for transitional care. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS the study pointed out that the transitional care of nurses to older adults with artificial pacemakers does not have a theoretical foundation, reporting as a priority the care with the pacemaker identification card and with the surgical wound.
Feasibility study of inertia sensor technology on the pelvic and trunk kinematics during horseback riding in children

Inertial sensors technology (IMU) has been utilized to determine kinematic data for some outdoor activities. Horseback riding (HR) is an alternative treatment that has been reported to be beneficial for children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, understanding the mechanism of improving postural control is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasible of IMU to determine pelvic and trunk kinematics during HR in children with CP and with typical development (TD). Twenty children (10 CP, 10 TD; age: 4-12 years) were recruited. The movement of the pelvis and trunk in children with CP and TD including angular displacement and velocity were measured by inertial measurement sensors during horseback riding. The result found that no differences were found for pelvis and trunk angular displacement or velocity. For children with CP, pelvis and trunk correlations were strong in angular displacement in the sagittal plane (r=0.65, p=0.04 for pelvis and trunk flexion-extension and r=0.75, p=0.01 for pelvis flexion-extension and trunk inclination) and in angular velocity in the frontal and horizontal plane (r=0.82, p=0.02 for lateral flexion and r=0.73, p=0.02 for rotation). For children with TD, pelvis and trunk correlations were strong only for angular velocity in the sagittal plane (r=67, p=0.03). In conclusion, it is possible to use the IMU technology to capture movement of children during HR. The motion parameters including pelvis and trunk angular displacement and velocity that can be used to detect a degree of functional impairments and monitor the progress of treatment.
Statistical modeling and inference in the era of Data Science and Graphical Causal modeling

The paper discusses four paradigm shifts in statistics since the 1920s with a view to compare their similarities and differences, and evaluate their effectiveness in giving rise to ‘learning from data’ about phenomena of interest. The first is Fisher’s 1922 recasting of Karl Pearson’s descriptive statistics into a model-based [  𝜽 (𝐱) ] statistical induction that dominates current statistics (frequentist and Bayesian). A crucial departure was Fisher’s replacing the curve-fitting perspective guided by goodness-of-fit measures with a model-based perspective guided by the statistical adequacy : the validity of the probabilistic assumptions comprising  𝜽 (𝐱) . Statistical adequacy is pivotal in securing trustworthy evidence since it underwrites the reliability of inference. The second is the nonparametric turn in the 1970s aiming to broaden  𝜽 (𝐱) by replacing its distribution assumption with weaker mathematical conditions relating to the unknown density function underlying  𝜽 (𝐱) . The third is a two-pronged development initiated in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 1990s that gave rise to Data Science (DS) and Graphical Causal (GC) modeling. The primary objective of the paper is to compare and evaluate the other competing approaches with a refined/enhanced version of Fisher’s model-based approach in terms of their effectiveness in giving rise to genuine “learning from data;” excellent
A hybrid GA approach for OPF with consideration of FACTS devices

This letter presents a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) method to solve optimal power flow (OPF) in power systems incorporating flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). In the solution process, GA is integrated with conventional OPF to select the best control parameters to minimize the total generation fuel cost and keep the power flows within the security limits. A case study using an IEEE test system is presented to demonstrate its applicability.
Target specificity of selective bioactive compounds in blocking α-dystroglycan receptor to suppress Lassa virus infection: an in silico approach

Lassa hemorrhagic fever, caused by Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV) infection, accumulates up to 5000 deaths every year. Currently, there is no vaccine available to combat this disease. In this study, a library of 200 bioactive compounds was virtually screened to study their drug-likeness with the capacity to block the α-dystroglycan (α-DG) receptor and prevent LASV influx. Following rigorous absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) profiling, molecular docking was conducted with the top ligands against the α-DG receptor. The compounds chrysin, reticuline, and 3-caffeoylshikimic acid emerged as the top three ligands in terms of binding affinity. Post-docking analysis revealed that interactions with Arg76, Asn224, Ser259, and Lys302 amino acid residues of the receptor protein were important for the optimum binding affinity of ligands. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed comprehensively to study the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. In-depth assessment of root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), polar surface area (PSA), B-Factor, radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), and molecular surface area (MolSA) values of the protein-ligand complexes affirmed that the candidates with the best binding affinity formed the most stable protein-ligand complexes. To authenticate the potentialities of the ligands as target-specific drugs, an in vivo study is underway in real time as the continuation of the research.