Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New H2O masers in Seyfert and FIR bright galaxies

Using the Effelsberg 100-m telescope, detections of four extragalactic water vapor masers are reported. Isotropic luminosities are ∼50, 1000, 1 and 230 Lfor Mrk 1066 (UGC 2456), Mrk 34, NGC 3556 and Arp 299, respectively. Mrk 34 contains by far the most distant and one of the most luminous water vapor megamasers so far reported in a Seyfert galaxy. The interacting system Arp 299 appears to show two maser hotspots separated by approximately 20 �� . With these new results and even more recent data from Braatz et al. (2004, ApJ, 617, L29), the detection rate in our sample of Seyferts with known jet-Narrow Line Region interactions becomes 50% (7/14), while in star forming galaxies with high (S 100 µm > 50 Jy) far infrared fluxes the detection rate is 22% (10/45). The jet-NLR interaction sample may not only contain "jet-masers" but also a significant number of accretion "disk-masers" like those seen in NGC 4258. A statistical analysis of 53 extragalactic H2O sources (excluding the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds) indicates (1) that the correlation between IRAS Point Source and H2O luminosities, established for individual star forming regions in the galactic disk, also holds for AGN-dominated megamaser galaxies; (2) that maser luminosities are not correlated with 60 µm/100 µm color temperatures; and (3) that only a small fraction of the luminous megamasers (LH2O > 100 L� ) detectable with 100-m sized telescopes have so far been identified. The H2O luminosity function (LF) suggests that the number of galaxies with 1 L� < LH2O < 10 L� , the transition range between "kilomasers" (mostly star formation) and "megamasers" (active galactic nuclei), is small. The overall slope of the LF, ∼−1.5, indicates that the number of detectable masers is almost independent of their luminosity. If the LF is not steepening at very high maser luminosities and if it is possible to find suitable candidate sources, H2O megamasers at significant redshifts should be detectable even with present day state-of-the-art facilities.
Relieving DYRK1A repression of MKL1 confers an adult-like phenotype to human infantile megakaryocytes

Infantile (fetal and neonatal) megakaryocytes (Mks) have a distinct phenotype consisting of hyperproliferation, limited morphogenesis, and low platelet production capacity. These properties contribute to clinical problems that include thrombocytopenia in neonates, delayed platelet engraftment in recipients of cord blood stem cell transplants, and inefficient ex vivo platelet production from pluripotent stem cell–derived Mks. The infantile phenotype results from deficiency of the actin-regulated coactivator, MKL1, which programs cytoskeletal changes driving morphogenesis. As a strategy to complement this molecular defect, we screened pathways with the potential to affect MKL1 function and found that DYRK1A inhibition dramatically enhanced Mk morphogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Dyrk1 inhibitors rescued enlargement, polyploidization, and thrombopoiesis in human neonatal Mks. Mks derived from induced pluripotent stem cells responded in a similar manner. Progenitors undergoing Dyrk1 inhibition demonstrated filamentous actin assembly, MKL1 nuclear translocation, and modulation of MKL1 target genes. Loss-of-function studies confirmed MKL1 involvement in this morphogenetic pathway. Expression of Ablim2, a stabilizer of filamentous actin, increased with Dyrk1 inhibition, and Ablim2 knockdown abrogated the actin, MKL1, and morphogenetic responses to Dyrk1 inhibition. These results delineate a pharmacologically tractable morphogenetic pathway whose manipulation may alleviate clinical problems associated with the limited thrombopoietic capacity of infantile Mks.
Multidimensional Texture Analysis for Unsupervised Pattern Classification

Clustering techniques aim to regroup a set of multidimensional observations, represented as data points scattered through a N-dimensional data space, into groups, or clusters, according to their similarities or dissimilarities. Each point corresponds to a vector of observed features measured on the objects to be classified. Among the different approaches that have been developed for cluster analysis [Jain et al., 1999; Theodoridis & Koutroumbas, 2003; Tran et al., 2005; Xu & Wunsch, 2005; Filipone et al., 2008], we consider the statistical approach [Devijver & Kittler, 1983]. In this framework, many clustering procedures have been proposed, based on the analysis of the underlying probability density function (pdf). The high density of data points within the clusters gives rise to modal regions corresponding to the modes of the pdf that are separated by valleys of low densities [Parzen, 1962]. Independently from cluster analysis, a large amount of research effort is devoted to image segmentation. Starting from an unstructured collection of pixels, we generally agree about the different regions constituting an image due to our visual grouping capabilities. The most important factors that lead to this perceptual grouping are similarity, proximity and connectedness. More precisely, segmentation can be considered as a partitioning scheme such that: Every pixel of the image must belong to a region, The regions must be composed of contiguous pixels, The pixels constituting a region must share a given property of similarity. These three conditions can be easily adapted to the clustering process. Indeed, each data point must be assigned to a cluster, and the clusters must be composed of neighbouring data points since the points assigned to the same cluster must share some properties of similarity. Considering this analogy between segmentation and clustering, several image segmentation procedures based on the gray-level function analysis have been successfully adapted to detect the modes or to seek the valleys of the pdf for pattern classification purpose [BotteLecocq et al., 2007]. In this framework, the underlying pdf is generally estimated on a regular discrete array of sampling points [Postaire & Vasseur, 1982]. The idea of using a pdf estimation for mode O pe n A cc es s D at ab as e w w w . ite ch on lin e. co m
Cognitive impairment, frailty and rehabilitation outcome in older cardiorespiratory patients. DEC_FRAinRIAB: Study protocol

Background Chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two clinical conditions often associated with functional worsening, cognitive dysfunctions, treatment non-adherence, psychological distress and poor quality of life (QoL). In addition, since patients suffering from these conditions are often older adults, the presence of frailty syndrome could worsen the clinical situation. Methods and design This study protocol of a prospective multi-center clinical trial, will be conducted at two hospitals of the Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS group, from July 2020 until December 2022. CHF and COPD older patients (age ≥65) will undergo a multidisciplinary assessment at admission, discharge and at 6 months follow-up, from an inpatient rehabilitation program: disease-related clinical characteristics, functional variables, cognitive screening, treatment adherence, anxiety, depression, QoL and frailty. The estimated sample size will consist of 300 patients Discussion The expected results are related to the possibility of an improvement in the areas of intervention after the rehabilitative program and the maintenance of these improvements over time. The assessment of clinical and functional status, cognitive impairment, treatment adherence, psychosocial characteristics, and frailty could provide more specific and useful information about the main features to be considered in the evaluation and treatment of older patients suffering from CHF and COPD undergoing a rehabilitative pathway. Trial registration The study has been registered on January 28, 2022 with the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05230927 registration number (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05230927).
Decision to Withdraw Life- Sustaining Treatments: The Experience of Thai Family Caregivers

End-of-life decision-making is a complex process and more challenging when decisions are made for others. Little is known about Thai family members’ involvement in decision-making to withdraw life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) from loved ones with serious illnesses. This qualitative study explores the experiences of family caregivers in Southern Thailand regarding decisions related to LST withdrawal. In-depth interviews were used to gather data from fifteen primary caregivers, who were involved in LST withdrawal decision-making. Content analysis was applied, and several techniques, such as member-checking and peer debriefing, were used to enhance trustworthiness. Four main themes were identified: facing dilemmas, weighing up options, making a consensual decision, and accepting the reality of life. The findings pointed out the significant roles played by family meetings and early end-of-life discussion in the process of decision-making to withdraw LSTs from loved ones. Further research on communication among patients’ family members and health care providers is recommended.
Effects of Musical Mnemonics on Working Memory Performance in Cognitively Unimpaired Young and Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objective To overcome memory decrements in healthy aging, compensation strategies and mnemonics have been found to be promising. The effects of musical mnemonics in aging have been scarcely studied. Methods The present study examined the effects of musical presentation of digits (pitch sequences, rhythms, and their combinations) on working memory performance in young and older adults, as compared to spoken presentation. Results A facilitating effect of rhythm was found in both groups, whereas pitch and melodic cues affected performance negatively in older adults only. Musical training did not moderate the effect of musical mnemonics. Discussion To investigate whether persons with working memory impairment also benefit from musical mnemonics, follow-up research in older persons with, for instance, mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s dementia is recommended.
Constructing Measures: An Item Response Modeling Approach

Contents: Part I: A Constructive Approach to Measurement. Construct Modeling: The "4 Building Blocks" Approach. Part II: The Four Building Blocks. Construct Maps. The Items Design. The Outcome Space. The Measurement Model. Part III: Quality Control Methods. Choosing and Evaluating a Measurement Model. Reliability. Validity. Part IV: A Beginning Rather Than a Conclusion. Next Steps in Measuring. Appendices: The Cases Archive. GradeMap.
Modeling spatial interaction networks of the gut microbiota

ABSTRACT How the gut microbiota is organized across space is postulated to influence microbial succession and its mutualistic relationships with the host. The lack of dynamic or perturbed abundance data poses considerable challenges for characterizing the spatial pattern of microbial interactions. We integrate allometric scaling theory, evolutionary game theory, and prey-predator theory into a unified framework under which quasi-dynamic microbial networks can be inferred from static abundance data. We illustrate that such networks can capture the full properties of microbial interactions, including causality, the sign of the causality, strength, and feedback loop, and are dynamically adaptive along spatial gradients, and context-specific, characterizing variability between individuals and within the same individual across time and space. We design and conduct a gut microbiota study to validate the model, characterizing key spatial determinants of the microbial differences between ulcerative colitis and healthy controls. Our model provides a sophisticated means of unraveling a complete atlas of how microbial interactions vary across space and quantifying causal relationships between such spatial variability and change in health state.
Examining dietitians' knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding working with older adults in residential aged care facilities and home care services: An integrative review

Abstract Background The Australian 2021 Royal Commission identified that the dietetic workforce needs to grow in size and capacity to support nutrition care in older adults. However, little is known about dietitians' knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) regarding working with older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) or their homes. This review describes dietitians' KSA regarding older adults in RACFs and home care services. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in August 2021 to identify studies examining any aspect of dietitians or student dietitians' KSA working in RACFs and home care services. No restrictions were applied to methodological design, language, location or publication year. Studies were assessed for quality using the Johanna Briggs Institute Quality Appraisal Tools. Study findings were analysed thematically using meta‐synthesis. Results All 17 studies that met the inclusion criteria explored dietitians' attitudes towards their role, three studies examined perceived knowledge, although no studies objectively explored dietitians' skill levels. Five themes were developed inductively: (1) recognising their contribution as dietitians; (2) lacking clarity about the boundaries of their role; (3) all team members have a role to play in nutrition care; (4) assumptions and biases about working with older people; and (5) needing to build capacity in the workforce. Discussion Dietitians have mixed attitudes about working in RACFs and home care services. Future directions include evaluating dietitians' role in RACFs, reviewing education and training and practical opportunities for student dietitians, and assessing the impact of more dietitian support on an older person's dietary intake and nutrition.
Identification of the NRF2 transcriptional network as a therapeutic target for trigeminal neuropathic pain

Trigeminal neuralgia, historically dubbed the “suicide disease,” is an exceedingly painful neurologic condition characterized by sudden episodes of intense facial pain. Unfortunately, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved medication for trigeminal neuralgia carries substantial side effects, with many patients requiring surgery. Here, we identify the NRF2 transcriptional network as a potential therapeutic target. We report that cerebrospinal fluid from patients with trigeminal neuralgia accumulates reactive oxygen species, several of which directly activate the pain-transducing channel TRPA1. Similar to our patient cohort, a mouse model of trigeminal neuropathic pain also exhibits notable oxidative stress. We discover that stimulating the NRF2 antioxidant transcriptional network is as analgesic as inhibiting TRPA1, in part by reversing the underlying oxidative stress. Using a transcriptome-guided drug discovery strategy, we identify two NRF2 network modulators as potential treatments. One of these candidates, exemestane, is already FDA-approved and may thus be a promising alternative treatment for trigeminal neuropathic pain.
Segmental Ring Design - New Challenges with High Tunnel Diameters

Tunnel lining with segmental rings behind TBMs are reinforced concrete elements and must be calculated and designed according to the standards of reinforced concrete constructions. In tunnelling, however, specific circumstances must be taken in account, which make design much more complicated: The determination of loads during ring erection, advance of the TBM, earth pressure and bedding of the articulated ring, is difficult. The ring model and the design input values must be studied carefully according to the parameters of the surrounding soil. For utility tunnels and single rail track Metro tunnels, where the ring diameter is smaller than about 8 m, the parameters may be chosen on the “safe side”, for example, the full cover can be taken as external load. For bigger tunnel diameters more realistic soil parameters must be found and inserted in the structural design, otherwise it may be impossible to verify the tunnel lining. Several tunnels with about 15 m external diameter were already built with success. Tunnels and caverns with an diameter near 19 m, with primary shotcrete lining and concrete inner lining, were executed on several projects. Now a new project, the Orlovski-Tunnel in St. Petersburg, with an outer diameter of 18.65 m in a non-uniform soft soil strata, is in the design phase. The diameter corresponds to the height of a six floor building!
Barriers and enablers to postpartum depression and anxiety screening: A qualitative study of Victorian maternal and child health nurses' practices

Abstract In Victoria, Australia, Maternal and Child Health nurses (MCHNs) play a key role in facilitating the timely identification of Postnatal Depression and Anxiety (PNDA). Understanding MCHNs' screening practices, and the factors which impact them, is central to ensuring that future screening policy agendas are evidence‐based and able to support MCHNs in carrying out this critical work. Yet, little is known about this subject. The purpose of this study was to gain an in‐depth understanding of MCHNs' screening practices, and the factors which impact them. Qualitative descriptive design with semi‐structured interviews were used. Participants were MCHNs who had been practicing for a minimum of 6 months and regularly saw new mothers. Purposeful sampling was used to facilitate diversity across participant characteristics. Twelve MCHNs were interviewed between March and May 2021. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns across our data. Qualitative content analysis was then used to identify issues which were most emphasised by MCHNs. Two themes were identified. Theme one, ‘variations in screening practices’, pertained to MCHNs' various screening practices (i.e., who, when, how) and the factors which influence them. Theme two, ‘systemic barriers hinder equitable screening’, pertained to factors which hindered equitable screening practices. Results indicate that systemic barriers contribute to inconsistent and inequitable screening practices, with women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds less likely to be screened in line with best practice. Our findings emphasise an urgent need for MCHNs to be allocated with the resources required to screen all women equally, regardless of their cultural background.
Multimodular vascularized bone construct comprised of vasculogenic and osteogenic microtissues

Bioengineered bone designed to heal large defects requires concomitant development of osseous and vascular tissue to ensure engraftment and survival. Adult human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are promising in this application because they have demonstrated both osteogenic and vasculogenic potential. This study employed a modular approach in which cells were encapsulated in biomaterial carriers (microtissues) designed to support tissue‐specific function. Osteogenic microtissues consisting of MSC embedded in a collagen‐chitosan matrix; vasculogenic (VAS) microtissues consisted of endothelial cells and MSC in a fibrin matrix. Microtissues were precultured under differentiation conditions to induce appropriate MSC lineage commitment, and were then combined in a surrounding fibrin hydrogel to create a multimodular construct. Results demonstrated the ability of microtissues to support lineage commitment, and that preculture primes the microtissues for the desired function. Combination of osteogenic and vasculogenic microtissues into multimodular constructs demonstrated that osteogenic priming resulted in sustained osteogenic activity even when cultured in vasculogenic medium, and that vasculogenic priming induced a pericyte‐like phenotype that resulted in development of a primitive vessel network in the constructs. The modular approach allows microtissues to be separately precultured to harness the dual differentiation potential of MSC to support both bone and blood vessel formation in a unified construct.
Rats with high aerobic capacity display enhanced transcriptional adaptability and upregulation of bile acid metabolism in response to an acute high‐fat diet

Rats selectively bred for the high intrinsic aerobic capacity runner (HCR) or low aerobic capacity runner (LCR) show pronounced differences in susceptibility for high‐fat/high sucrose (HFHS) diet‐induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, replicating the protective effect of high aerobic capacity in humans. We have previously shown multiple systemic differences in energy and substrate metabolism that impacts steatosis between HCR and LCR rats. This study aimed to investigate hepatic‐specific mechanisms of action via changes in gene transcription. Livers of HCR rats had a greater number of genes that significantly changed in response to 3‐day HFHS compared with LCR rats (171 vs. 75 genes: >1.5‐fold, p < 0.05). HCR and LCR rats displayed numerous baseline differences in gene expression while on a low‐fat control diet (CON). A 3‐day HFHS diet resulted in greater expression of genes involved in the conversion of excess acetyl‐CoA to cholesterol and bile acid (BA) synthesis compared with the CON diet in HCR, but not LCR rats. These results were associated with higher fecal BA loss and lower serum BA concentrations in HCR rats. Exercise studies in rats and mice also revealed higher hepatic expression of cholesterol and BA synthesis genes. Overall, these results suggest that high aerobic capacity and exercise are associated with upregulated BA synthesis paired with greater fecal excretion of cholesterol and BA, an effect that may play a role in protection against hepatic steatosis in rodents.
Spatial Hearing: The Psychophysics of Human Sound Localization

Part 1 Introduction: auditory events and auditory space systems analysis of the auditory experiment remarks concerning experimental procedures (psychometric methods, signals and sound fields, probe microphones). Part 2 Spatial hearing with one sound source: localization and localization blur the sound field at the two ears (propagation in the ear canal, the pinna and the effect of the head, transfer functions of the external ear) evaluating identical ear input signals (directional hearing in the median plane, distance hearing and inside-the-head locatedness) evaluating nonidentical ear inputs signals (interaural time differences, interaural level differences, the interaction of interaural time and level differences) additional parameters (motional theories, bone-condition, visual, vestibular and tactile theories). Part 3 Spatial hearing with multiple sound sources and in enclosed spaces: two sound sources radiating coherent signals (summing localization, the law of the first wavefront, inhibition of the primary sound) two sound sources radiating partially coherent or incoherent signals (the influence of the degree of coherence, binaural signal detection) more than two sound sources and diffuse sound fields. Part 4 Progress and trends since 1972: preliminary remarks the physics of the external ear (transfer functions of the external ear, area function and termination of the ear canal, analysis of transfer characteristics) evaluation of monaural attributes of the ear input signals evaluation of interaural attributes of the ear input signals (lateralization and multiple auditory events, summing localization and the law of the first wavefront, binaural localization, signal detection, and speech recognition in the presence of interfering noise, models of binaural signal processing) examples of applications (the auditory spatial impression, dummy-head stereophony). Part 5 Progress and trends since 1982: preliminary remarks binaural room simulation and auditory virtual reality binaural signal processing and speech enhancement the precedence effect - a case of cognition.