Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predominant aspects of knowledge and practical skills among medical students with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic era

ABSTRACT Background Social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted most learning methods into online courses, especially for medical skills education. However, the effects of online courses on medical skill education amongst medical students are still arguable. The study aims to analyse medical students’ knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction towards medical skills between online and offline courses. Method We performed a case–control study conducted among 533 medical students with online (as a case group, n = 288) and offline courses (as a control group, n = 245). We evaluated three fundamental medical skills, including history taking [HT], lung physical examination [LPE], and heart physical examination [HPE]. We tested the knowledge and skills among students through theory and practical examinations. Students’ attitudes and satisfaction were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results The scores for knowledge and practical skills among the online group were significantly higher (p = 0.016, p = 0.004, respectively). In comparison, the scores for the students’ attitudes and satisfaction were substantially lower (p = 0.000, p = 0.003, respectively) compared to the control group. Most of the students in both groups passed the exam (case vs. control = 81.94%; 83.27%, respectively). Males were the only factor associated with a higher rate of passing the examination (OR 0.42, 95% CI [0.27–0.67], p = 0.000). Conclusions Online learning could be an alternative approach on improving student’s knowledge and practice towards medical skill especially amidst COVID-19 pandemic, however further consideration on student’s attitude and satisfaction are mandatory to achieve appropriate competence as future general practitioner.
Sociodemographic Differences in Physician-Based Mental Health and Virtual Care Utilization and Uptake of Virtual Care Among Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada: A Population-Based Study

Objective We sought to evaluate the relationship between social determinants of health and physician-based mental healthcare utilization and virtual care use among children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This population-based repeated cross-sectional study of children and adolescents (3–17 years; N = 2.5 million) used linked health and demographic administrative data in Ontario, Canada (2017–2021). Multivariable Poisson regressions with generalized estimating equations compared rates of outpatient physician-based mental healthcare use during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with expected rates based on pre-COVID patterns. Analyses were conducted by socioeconomic status (material deprivation quintiles of the Ontario Marginalization index), urban/rural region of residence, and immigration status. Results Overall, pediatric physician-based mental healthcare visits were 5% lower than expected (rate ratio [RR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 0.98) among those living in the most deprived areas in the first year of the pandemic, compared with the least deprived with 4% higher than expected rates (RR = 1.04, 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.06). There were no differences in overall observed and expected visit rates by region of residence. Immigrants had 14% to 26% higher visit rates compared with expected from July 2020 to February 2021, whereas refugees had similarly observed and expected rates. Virtual care use was approximately 65% among refugees, compared with 70% for all strata. Conclusion During the first year of the pandemic, pediatric physician-based mental healthcare utilization was higher among immigrants and lower than expected among those with lower socioeconomic status. Refugees had the lowest use of virtual care. Further work is needed to understand whether these differences reflect issues in access to care or the need to help inform ongoing pandemic recovery planning.
Information swapping écheme in cavity QED.

PRESENTAMOS UN METODO PARA INTERCAMBIAR INFORMACION ENTRE ESTADOS ATOMICOS MEDIANTE LA MANIPULACION DEL TIEMPO DE INTERACCION ENTRE DOS ATOMOS DE DOS NIVELES Y UN CAMPO ELECTROMAGNETICO CUANTIZADO. MOSTRAMOS QUE LA INFORMACION CONTENIDA EN UN ATOMO PUEDE SER ESCRITA EN UN ESTADO ”EN BLANCO DE UN SEGUNDO ATOMO, BORRANDO POR COMPLETO LA INFORMACION DEL PRIMERO. Abstract WE PRESENT A METHOD TO SWAP INFORMATION BETWEEN ATOMIC STATES BY MANIPULATING THE INTERACTION TIME BETWEEN A QUANTUM CAVITY FIELD AND TWO TWO-LEVEL ATOMS. WE SHOW THAT QUANTUM INFORMATION CARRIED BY ONE ATOM CAN BE WRITTEN ONTO A ”BLANK” STATE OF THE SECOND ATOM, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ATOM ONE IS COMPLETELY ERASED.
Zero Point Energy Effects on Quantum Electrodynamics

The vacuum is not a state of empty space, but is populated by electromagnetic fluctuations at a lowest nonzero level, the Zero Point Energy (ZPE). As distinguished from conventional theories, such as that of the Standard Model, the present revised quantum electrodynamic theory (RQED) includes the ZPE in its field equations. This leads to new results far beyond those obtained from conventional theories such as those by Dirac and Higgs. Thus, the present theory results in massive elementary particles from the beginning, being independent of the theory by Higgs. This paper describes the background and results of RQED, summarizing the weak points of conventional theories, the unification of included fundamental concepts, the present basic field equations, new obtained results, and special points of experimental support. In other words, the new points stressed in this paper are in particular the relation between a nonzero electric field divergence in the vacuum and the ZPE, and a number of new experimentally supported results due to a nonzero ZPE energy density in the same state.
An adaptive finite element method for modeling salt diapirism

Various types of oil traps have been found to be associated with salt domes in subsurface geology. In this paper the diapiric rise of light salt layers through a denser overburden — the surrounding rocks — is modeled assuming that, in a geological time scale, salt and rocks layers behave like Newtonian fluids. A Lagrangian approach is adopted to track the interface between layers, within the framework of a finite element space discretization. An accurate description of large deformations due to salt movement is achieved using a grid adaptation technique based on geometrical refinement. Different geological cases have been simulated in order to describe the behavior of rocks and estimate the effect on diapiric growth of buoyancy force, differential loading, gravitational gliding and thin-skinned regional extension. Our computational model accounts also for sedimentation and compaction of the overburden.
Anticancer potential of fermented milk with autochthonous lactic acid bacteria.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented milk supernatants of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria including; Lactobacillus helveticus KMCH1 (ON561781), Lactococcus lactis KMCM3 (ON561782) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KMJC4 (ON615217) on human colon cancer (HT-29) and normal mouse fibroblast (L929) cells in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS Proteolytic activity, MTT test, evaluation of apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest by Flow Cytometry were the assays performed in this study. The measurement of proteolytic activity of three types of fermented milk supernatant using OPA reagent showed that fermented milk supernatant of L. helveticus KMCH1 included the highest proteolysis. Three types of fermented milk supernatant showed anticancer effect on HT-29 cell in a time- and concentration-based manner (at a concentration of 16 mg ml-1 for 72 h), while the effect of three types of supernatant on inhibition of L929 cell was 3 to 10%. Besides, three types of supernatant inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase. CONCLUSIONS Autochthonous lactic acid bacteria strains were able to produce bioactive peptides with anticancer effects in fermented milk. Inhibition of HT-29 cell proliferation was dependent on peptide concentration.
Wavefront sensing for a nonuniform intensity laser beam by Shack–Hartmann sensor with modified Fourier domain centroiding

Abstract. A fast and simple solution is proposed to wavefront sensing for laser beams with spatial smoothly varying intensity, where Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor and the modified Fourier domain centroiding algorithm are applied. Detailed analysis has been conducted to Fourier domain centroiding, simplifying the origin double-frame method to work with merely single frame, and revealing its interesting property of robustness to nonuniform intensity perturbation. The key parameter is also analyzed to optimize the algorithm’s performance. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the center of gravity algorithm, with an average phase error reduction up to approximately one order in root mean square. Application of the proposed method in joint amplitude–phase compensation system is also verified by simulation with practical models and parameters. The modified Fourier domain centroiding is promising to enhance real-time actual wavefront measurement for adaptive optics in high-power lasers, such as joint amplitude–phase compensation.
The thickness of glomerular basement membrane predicts complete remission in primary membranous nephropathy

Abstract Objective Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening is a typical and essential histopathological characteristic for the diagnosis of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). The present study aimed to explore the relationship between GBM thickness and treatment response in PMN patients. Methods A total of 128 patients with nephrotic syndrome concurrent with PMN were studied. The highest GBM thickness was measured from at least five glomerular capillary loops using an electron microscope, and the mean value was obtained. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the tertiles of GBM thickness as follows: Group 1 (GBM thickness ≤ 1100 nm, n = 48), Group 2 (1100 nm < GBM thickness ≤ 1300 nm, n = 40), Group 3 (GBM thickness >1300 nm, n = 40). Clinicopathological features and treatment response were compared among the three groups. The associations of GBM thickness with complete remission (CR) were assessed by Cox proportional hazard analyses and a cubic spline curve. Results During a median follow-up period of 25.80 months, 69 (53.9%) patients achieved CR. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the non-CR probability was significantly higher in the highest tertile of GBM thickness (p˂0.001). Univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that GBM thickness was associated with CR (HR per SD 0.617, 95% CI [0.471–0.809], p˂0.001). After adjusting for age, duration of PMN, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary protein excretion, grade of C3 deposition, and titer of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody, GBM thickness remained an independent predictor of CR (HR per SD 0.580, 95% CI [0.436–0.772], p˂0.001). Further multivariable-adjusted restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a significant reverse linear association between GBM thickness and CR (p for nonlinear = 0.1261). Conclusions GBM thickness is an independent risk factor of CR. PMN patients with an increased level of GBM thickening at diagnosis have a lower probability of achieving CR.
Asymptotic results in partially non-regular log-exponential distributions

We propose approximations to the moments, different possibilities for the limiting distributions and approximate confidence intervals for the maximum-likelihood estimator of a given parametric function when sampling from partially non-regular log-exponential models. Our results are applicable to the two-parameter exponential, power-function and Pareto distribution. Asymptotic confidence intervals for quartiles in several Pareto models have been simulated. These are compared to asymptotic intervals based on sample quartiles. Our intervals are superior since we get shorter intervals with similar coverage probability. This superiority is even assessed probabilistically. Applications to real data are included.
Co‐expression of diurnal and ultradian rhythms in the plasma metabolome of common voles (Microtus arvalis)

Metabolic rhythms include rapid, ultradian (hourly) dynamics, but it remains unclear what their relationship to circadian metabolic rhythms is, and what role meal timing plays in coordinating these ultradian rhythms in metabolism. Here, we characterized widespread ultradian rhythms under ad libitum feeding conditions in the plasma metabolome of the vole, the gold standard animal model for behavioral ultradian rhythms, naturally expressing ~2‐h foraging rhythms throughout the day and night. These ultradian metabolite rhythms co‐expressed with diurnal 24‐h rhythms in the same metabolites and did not align with food intake patterns. Specifically, under light–dark entrained conditions we showed twice daily entrainment of phase and period of ultradian behavioral rhythms associated with phase adjustment of the ultradian cycle around the light–dark and dark–light transitions. These ultradian activity patterns also drove an ultradian feeding pattern. We used a unique approach to map this behavioral activity/feeding status to high temporal resolution (every 90 min) measures of plasma metabolite profiles across the 24‐h light–dark cycle. A total of 148 known metabolites were detected in vole plasma. Supervised, discriminant analysis did not group metabolite concentration by feeding status, instead, unsupervised clustering of metabolite time courses revealed clusters of metabolites that exhibited significant ultradian rhythms with periods different from the feeding cycle. Two clusters with dissimilar ultradian dynamics, one lipid‐enriched (period = 3.4 h) and one amino acid‐enriched (period = 4.1 h), both showed co‐expression with diurnal cycles. A third cluster solely comprised of glycerophospholipids (specifically ether‐linked phosphatidylcholines) expressed an 11.9 h ultradian rhythm without co‐expressed diurnal rhythmicity. Our findings show coordinated co‐expression of diurnal metabolic rhythms with rapid dynamics in feeding and metabolism. These findings reveal that ultradian rhythms are integral to biological timing of metabolic regulation, and will be important in interpreting the impact of circadian desynchrony and meal timing on metabolic rhythms.
NFκB and Cyclic AMP Response Element Sites Mediate the Valproic Acid and UL138 Responsiveness of the Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate Early Enhancer and Promoter

Artificial regulation of the HCMV MIEP, either activation or repression, is an attractive potential means to target the latent reservoirs of virus for which there is currently no available intervention. The MIEP could be repressed to prevent latency reactivation or induced to drive the virus into the lytic stage that is visible to the immune system and inhibited by multiple small-molecule antiviral drugs. ABSTRACT The major immediate early enhancer and promoter (MIEP) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) drives the transcription of the immediate early one (IE1) and IE2 genes, whose encoded proteins stimulate productive, lytic replication. The MIEP is activated by the virally encoded and tegument-delivered pp71 protein at the start of de novo lytic infections of fully differentiated cells. Conversely, the MIEP is silenced at the start of de novo latent infections within incompletely differentiated myeloid cells in part because tegument-delivered pp71 is sequestered in the cytoplasm in these cells, but also by viral factors that repress transcription from this locus, including the UL138 protein. During both modes of infection, MIEP activity can be increased by the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA); however, UL138 inhibits the VPA-responsiveness of the MIEP. Here, we show that two families of cellular transcription factors, NF-κB and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), together control the VPA-mediated activation and UL138-mediated repression of the HCMV MIEP. IMPORTANCE Artificial regulation of the HCMV MIEP, either activation or repression, is an attractive potential means to target the latent reservoirs of virus for which there is currently no available intervention. The MIEP could be repressed to prevent latency reactivation or induced to drive the virus into the lytic stage that is visible to the immune system and inhibited by multiple small-molecule antiviral drugs. Understanding how the MIEP is regulated is a critical part of designing and implementing either strategy. Our revelation here that NF-κB and CREB control the responsiveness of the MIEP to the viral UL138 protein and the FDA-approved drug VPA could help in the formulation and execution of promoter regulatory strategies against latent HCMV.
Optical identifications of flat-spectrum radio sources

A complete sample of radio sources with S> or =0.3 Jy at 1400 MHz, +24/sup 0/ or =+0.5 are usually in empty fields. The lower limits that can be assigned to the radio-optical spectral indices . cap alpha. /sub RO/ of these sources are significantly higher than the median . cap alpha. /sub RO/ of the sources with flat high-frequency spectra, so the optical characteristics of the two classes of radio source are intrinsically different. The radio and optical fluxes of flat-spectrum QSO's appear to be correlated, at least when averaged over 10/sup 2/--10/sup 3/ yr.
Compounded Caregiving: Mexican Women in Migrant-Sending Families During COVID-19

ABSTRACT Based on qualitative interviews conducted remotely with twenty-five women heads of migrant-sending households in rural Mexico, we examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender inequities in caregiving and social reproduction. Taking medical anthropology’s call to attend to the disparate impacts of the pandemic along lines of existing social inequities and vulnerabilities, we describe how women navigated interruptions to remittance flows, social distancing and stay-at-home orders, and the shift to remote schooling for their children, and how all of these transformations compounded women’s caregiving responsibilities and negatively impacted their health and well-being.
An altered reward system characterizes chronic migraine with medication overuse headache

Background Medication overuse headache shares several characteristics with substance use disorders. However, key features of substance use disorders such as increased impulsivity and alterations in reward processing remain little explored in medication overuse headache. Methods Temporal discounting and impulsive decision making behavior and the associated brain mechanisms were assessed in 26 chronic migraine patients with medication overuse headache and in 28 healthy controls. Regions-of-interest analyses were first performed for task-related regions, namely the ventral striatum and the ventromedial and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices. Resting-state functional connectivity between these regions were then explored. An additional 27 chronic migraine patients without medication overuse headache were included for comparison in the latter analysis. Results Patients with medication overuse headache showed steeper temporal discounting behavior than healthy controls. They also showed weaker subjective value representations in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, when accepting larger delayed rewards, and in ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, when accepting the smaller immediate reward. Resting-state functional connectivity was reduced among the valuation regions when comparing patients with medication overuse headache to the other two control groups. Conclusions Patients with medication overuse headache were characterized by altered processing and dysconnectivity in the reward system during intertemporal choices and in the resting-state.
Analytic interpolation with degree constraint: a constructive theory with applications to control and signal processing

We present a constructive theory for solving the Nevanlinna-Pick problem with a degree constraint. The theory relies on convex optimization, and the method generates all solutions with degree less than the number of interpolation conditions. The degree of the interpolant relates to the dimension of the feedback control system or of a modeling filter, depending on the context for the particular application.
Implicit Gender Bias in the Clinical Judgment of Psychopathy and Personality Disorders among Licensed Psychologists in the USA

Abstract The role of implicit gender bias in the assessment of mental disorders remains a contentious and consequential issue. Inaccurate assessment of psychopathy and personality disorders (PD) among health care professionals can have deleterious consequences with respect to treatment access and planning, as well as legal decision making within forensic settings. Using a quantitative cross-sectional experimental design, 180 licensed psychologists from the USA were recruited via email using non-probability convenience sampling. Implicit gender bias was measured by randomly assigning participants to one of two experimental conditions (i.e., male vs. female pronoun case vignette). While adjusted logistic regression models confirmed significant associations between gender pronoun of case vignette and clinical judgment of PDs, this was not supported for psychopathy. Licensed psychologists were significantly more likely to render a judgment of borderline PD in the female, compared to the male, gender pronoun condition. Conversely, they were significantly more likely to render a judgment of antisocial PD in the male, compared to the female, gender pronoun condition. These findings suggest that despite progress in the understanding of gender role behaviors, personality disorders, and clinical training protocols, implicit gender bias persists among licensed psychologists in the USA.
Effect of free layer thickness and shape anisotropy on the transfer curves of MgO magnetic tunnel junctions

A study of the combined effect of CoFeB free layer thickness, shape anisotropy, and annealing temperature on the transfer curves of MgO based magnetic tunnel junctions is presented. The response of the free layer changes gradually as its thickness decreases and shows hysteresis-free response for CoFeB⩽15.5A. For junctions with CoFeB=15.5A, the onset of hysteresis-free response depends on junction area and annealing temperature. Linearized magnetic tunnel junctions with dimensions down to 1.5×3μm2 and sensitivity as high as 7.7%∕Oe were achieved.
The EDGE2 protocol: Advancing the prioritisation of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species for practical conservation action

The conservation of evolutionary history has been linked to increased benefits for humanity and can be captured by phylogenetic diversity (PD). The Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) metric has, since 2007, been used to prioritise threatened species for practical conservation that embody large amounts of evolutionary history. While there have been important research advances since 2007, they have not been adopted in practice because of a lack of consensus in the conservation community. Here, building from an interdisciplinary workshop to update the existing EDGE approach, we present an “EDGE2” protocol that draws on a decade of research and innovation to develop an improved, consistent methodology for prioritising species conservation efforts. Key advances include methods for dealing with uncertainty and accounting for the extinction risk of closely related species. We describe EDGE2 in terms of distinct components to facilitate future revisions to its constituent parts without needing to reconsider the whole. We illustrate EDGE2 by applying it to the world’s mammals. As we approach a crossroads for global biodiversity policy, this Consensus View shows how collaboration between academic and applied conservation biologists can guide effective and practical priority-setting to conserve biodiversity.