Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic performance of hepatitis C core antigen assay to identify active infections: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (HCVcAg) assay is an alternative for diagnosing HCV infection in a single step. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay's diagnostic performance (validity and utility) for diagnosing active hepatitis C. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched until 10 January 2023. The protocol was registered at the prospective international register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022337191). Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay was the test for evaluation, and nucleic acid amplification tests with a cut‐off ≤50 IU/mL were the gold standard. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA with the MIDAS module and random‐effects models. The bivariate analysis was conducted on 46 studies (18,116 samples). The pooled sensitivity was 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94–0.97), specificity 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99–1.00), positive likelihood ratio 141.81 (95% CI = 72.39–277.79), and negative likelihood ratio 0.04 (95% CI = 0.03–0.06). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 1.00 (95% CI = 0.34–1.00). For active hepatitis C prevalence values of 0.1%–15%, the probability that a positive test was a true positive was 12%–96%, respectively, indicating that a confirmatory test should be necessary, particularly with a prevalence ≤5%. However, the probability that a negative test was a false negative was close to zero, indicating the absence of HCV infection. The validity (accuracy) of the Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay for screening active HCV infection in serum/plasma samples was excellent. Although the HCVcAg assay showed limited diagnostic utility in low prevalence settings (≤1%), it might help diagnose hepatitis C in high prevalence scenarios (≥5%).
Strong ions and charge-balance

Abstract It has been shown that the ability to predict the pH in any chemically characterized fluid, together with its buffer-capacity and acid content can be based on the requirement of electroneutrality, conservation of mass, and rules of dissociation as provided by physical chemistry. More is not required, and less is not enough. The charge in most biological fluids is dominated by the constant charge on the completely dissociated strong ions but, nonetheless, a persistent narrative in physiology has problematized the notion that these have any role at all in acid-base homeostasis. While skepticism is always to be welcomed, some common arguments against the importance of strong ions are examined and refuted here. We find that the rejection of the importance of strong ions comes with the prize that even very simple systems such as fluids containing nothing else, or solutions of sodium bicarbonate in equilibrium with known tensions of CO2 become incomprehensible. Importantly, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation but the idea that it is sufficient to understand even simple systems is unfounded. What it lacks for a complete description is a statement of charge-balance including strong ions, total buffer concentrations, and water dissociation.
An Integrated Damage, Visual, and Radar Analysis of the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma EF5 Tornado

An integrated damage, visual, and radar analysis of the EF5 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado that occurred on 20 May 2013 is presented. Characteristics of the damage path are discussed based on detailed ground and aerial surveys. Tree fall reveals highly convergent surface flow over the majority of the damage path. At times, the convergent flow is observed at radii less than that of the condensation funnel. A photogrammetric analysis of still photos and video shows that the damaging winds extend well beyond the condensation funnel location. The condensation funnel often coincides with the EF1, EF2, and EF3 isopleths. Observations of the tornado debris signature (TDS) by the Twin Lakes (KTLX)–Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) are presented. The TDS is not a good indicator of tornado intensity just after tornadogenesis. The spatial relationship between the TDS, condensation funnel, and damage path is highlighted. An analysis of the area encompassed by the respective EF-scale isopleths is presented t.
Mapping interventional components and behavior change techniques used to promote self-management in people with multimorbidity: a scoping review

Ageing populations and improved survival, have contributed to a rise in the number of people living with multimorbidity, raising issues related to polypharmacy, treatment burden, competing priorities and poor coordination of care. Self-management programs are increasingly included as an essential component of interventions to improve outcomes in this population. However, an overview of how interventions supporting self-management in patients with multimorbidity is missing. This scoping review focused on mapping the literature on patient-centered interventions for people living with multimorbidity. We searched several databases, clinical registries, and grey literature for RCTs published between 1990–2019 describing interventions that supported self-management in people with multimorbidity. We included 72 studies that were found to be very heterogeneous when it comes to the population, delivery modes and modalities, intervention elements and facilitators. The results pointed to an extensive use of cognitive behavioral therapy as a basis for interventions, as well as behavior change theories and disease management frameworks. The most coded behavior change techniques stemmed from the categories Social Support, Feedback and monitoring and Goals and Planning. To allow for implementation of effective interventions in clinical practice, improved reporting of intervention mechanisms in RCTs is warranted.
Genetic manipulation and targeted protein degradation in mammalian systems: practical considerations, tips and tricks for discovery research

Gaining a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathways underpinning cellular and organismal physiology invariably relies on the perturbation of an experimental system to infer causality. This can be achieved either by genetic manipulation or by pharmacological treatment. Generally, the former approach is applicable to a wider range of targets, is more precise, and can address more nuanced functional aspects. Despite such apparent advantages, genetic manipulation (i.e., knock‐down, knock‐out, mutation, and tagging) in mammalian systems can be challenging due to problems with delivery, low rates of homologous recombination, and epigenetic silencing. The advent of CRISPR‐Cas9 in combination with the development of robust differentiation protocols that can efficiently generate a variety of different cell types in vitro has accelerated our ability to probe gene function in a more physiological setting. Often, the main obstacle in this path of enquiry is to achieve the desired genetic modification. In this short review, we will focus on gene perturbation in mammalian cells and how editing and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can complement more traditional approaches. Additionally, we introduce novel targeted protein degradation approaches as an alternative to DNA/RNA‐based manipulation. Our aim is to present a broad overview of recent approaches and in vitro systems to study mammalian cell biology. Due to space limitations, we limit ourselves to providing the inexperienced reader with a conceptual framework on how to use these tools, and for more in‐depth information, we will provide specific references throughout.
On the failure of optimal factorization for certain weighted bergman spaces

In this note we show that the factorization theorem in [2] fails to generalize to the weighted Bergman L2-space on the disc with weight (α+1)(1−|z|2)α for α>1; he limit 1 is sharp, because for α=1, it does generalize [3] We also show that a similar factorization theorem fails to hold generally for the ordinary Bergman L2 space In multiply connected planar domains.
Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Valganciclovir for Optimizing Preemptive Therapy of Cytomegalovirus Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients

This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of valganciclovir for preemptive therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients. A population PK/PD model was developed with Monolix. ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of valganciclovir for preemptive therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients. A population PK/PD model was developed with Monolix. Ganciclovir concentrations and CMV viral loads were obtained retrospectively from kidney transplant patients receiving routine clinical care. Ten thousand Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the licensed dosages adjusted for renal function to assess the probability of attaining a viral load target of ≤290 and ≤137 IU/mL. Fifty-seven patients provided 343 ganciclovir concentrations and 328 CMV viral loads for PK/PD modeling. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model coupled with an indirect viral turnover growth model with stimulation of viral degradation pharmacodynamic model was devised. Simulations showed that 1- and 2-log10 reduction of CMV viral load mostly occurred between a median of 5 to 6 and 12 to 16 days, respectively. The licensed dosages achieved a probability of reaching the viral load target ≥90% at days 35 to 49 and 42 to 56 for the thresholds of ≤290 and ≤137 IU/mL, respectively. Simulations indicate that in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 10 to 24 mL/min/1.73m2, a dose increase to 450 mg every 36 h may reduce time to optimal viral load target to days 42 and 49 from a previous time of 49 and 56 days for the thresholds of ≤290 and ≤137 IU/mL, respectively. Currently licensed dosages of valganciclovir for preemptive therapy of CMV infection may achieve a viral load reduction within the first 2 weeks, but treatment should continue for ≥35 days to ensure viral load suppression.
Titin activates myosin filaments in skeletal muscle by switching from an extensible spring to a mechanical rectifier

Significance Skeletal and cardiac myopathies are often associated with mutations in the giant, cytoskeleton protein titin, but the role of titin during contraction at physiological sarcomere length is not known. Here, we demonstrate a new mechanism by which titin stiffness increases by orders of magnitude upon cell activation. This mechanism enables titin to trigger the mechanosensing-based activation of the myosin motors that drives them to interact with the overlapping actin filaments. This paper sets the stage for future studies in demembranated cells from both mammalian models and human biopsies, aimed at defining the genotype-phenotype relation of titin variants in health and disease and developing specific therapeutical strategies.
Polymyxin combination therapy for multidrug-resistant, extensively-drug resistant, and difficult-to-treat drug-resistant gram-negative infections: is it superior to polymyxin monotherapy?

ABSTRACT Introduction The increasing prevalence of infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively-drug resistant (XDR) or difficult-to-treat drug resistant (DTR) Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species, and Escherichia coli poses a severe challenge. Areas covered The rapid growing of multi-resistant GNB as well as the considerable deceleration in development of new anti-infective agents have made polymyxins (e.g. polymyxin B and colistin) a mainstay in clinical practices as either monotherapy or combination therapy. However, whether the polymyxin-based combinations lead to better outcomes remains unknown. This review mainly focuses on the effect of polymyxin combination therapy versus monotherapy on treating GNB-related infections. We also provide several factors in designing studies and their impact on optimizing polymyxin combinations. Expert opinion An abundance of recent in vitro and preclinical in vivo data suggest clinical benefit for polymyxin-drug combination therapies, especially colistin plus meropenem and colistin plus rifampicin, with synergistic killing against MDR, XDR, and DTR P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii. The beneficial effects of polymyxin-drug combinations (e.g. colistin or polymyxin B + carbapenem against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, polymyxin B + carbapenem + rifampin against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, and colistin + ceftolozan/tazobactam + rifampin against PDR-P. aeruginosa) have often been shown in clinical setting by retrospective studies. However, high-certainty evidence from large randomized controlled trials is necessary. These clinical trials should incorporate careful attention to patient’s sample size, characteristics of patient’s groups, PK/PD relationships and dosing, rapid detection of resistance, MIC determinations, and therapeutic drug monitoring.
A Brief Introduction to Chemical Reaction Optimization

From the start of a synthetic chemist’s training, experiments are conducted based on recipes from textbooks and manuscripts that achieve clean reaction outcomes, allowing the scientist to develop practical skills and some chemical intuition. This procedure is often kept long into a researcher’s career, as new recipes are developed based on similar reaction protocols, and intuition-guided deviations are conducted through learning from failed experiments. However, when attempting to understand chemical systems of interest, it has been shown that model-based, algorithm-based, and miniaturized high-throughput techniques outperform human chemical intuition and achieve reaction optimization in a much more time- and material-efficient manner; this is covered in detail in this paper. As many synthetic chemists are not exposed to these techniques in undergraduate teaching, this leads to a disproportionate number of scientists that wish to optimize their reactions but are unable to use these methodologies or are simply unaware of their existence. This review highlights the basics, and the cutting-edge, of modern chemical reaction optimization as well as its relation to process scale-up and can thereby serve as a reference for inspired scientists for each of these techniques, detailing several of their respective applications.
The abundance spread in the giants of NGC 6752.

A spectroscopic survey has been performed of 69 stars on or near the giant branches of the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6752. Our basic results are: (i) There is a large range in the strength of the violet cyanogen bands on the red giant branch, with the available evidence strongly suggesting that the distribution is bimodal. (ii) The cyanogen variations on the giant branch appear to be accompanied by an anticorrelated variation in the abundance of the CH molecule. Spectrum synthesis analysis of a (CN strong)/(CN weak) pair of stars for which relatively high resolution data are available shows that there is a variation of . delta. (N/A)approx.+0.9, and . delta. (C/A)approx.-0.3, indicative of the CN cycle. (iii) On the red giant branch there are variations in the strength of the lines of Al I which correlate positively with the cyanogen variations. The size of the variations is consistent with the hypothesis that the same phenomenon has occurred in NGC 6752 and . omega. Centauri, but to a much smaller extent in the former. (iv) On the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), the features of CH are weaker than on the red giant branch at the same color or magnitude, and there are no examples ofmore » stars in the strong CN group. Spectrum synthesis suggests that the behavior of the CH features is consistent, on the average, with the effective temperature and gravities of the AGB stars, but that the absence of strong CN stars cannot be explained in this way. We set an upper limit of . delta. (C/H)approx.0.3 to the possible range of carbon on the AGB at log L/L/sub sun/approx.2. 3, and between this group and stars of similar color on the red giant branch. (v) Most of the stars on the anomalously low luminosity end of the AGB are not members of NGC 6752. Two stars, (CS 41 and CS 44), however, deserve further study, since they could be examples of partially mixed stars. « less
Adhesive features of bonded interfaces subjected to temperature shock

Abstract Defects on interfaces can gradually degrade the interfacial adhesion of IC package layers. This can be attributed to an unmatched coefficient of thermal expansion in the materials subjected to the temperature change. This study employed a fuzzy controller to stabilize both delamination force and energy absorption in order to represent adhesion strength. The three controllable factors were: dwell time, solder mask thickness and shock temperature; and the two uncontrollable factors were: delamination force and energy absorption. Temperature shock was used to simulate environmental temperature destruction, and delamination force was employed to simulate a shear test. Dropped destruction (energy absorption) was reproduced in an impact test. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine significant factors, the optimal quality, and the most damaging conditions. Finally, the delamination force and energy absorption were combined using fuzzy logic in order to analyze the multiple performance characteristics index (MPCI). The MPCI is the only index of specimen quality levels that can determine the effects of temperature on the interfacial adhesion strength of a substrate/solder mask under certain conditions.
Influenza A(H5N1) detection in two asymptomatic poultry farm workers in Spain, September to October 2022: suspected environmental contamination

In autumn 2022, the Spanish Influenza National Reference Laboratory (NRL) confirmed the detection of influenza A(H5N1) in samples from two asymptomatic workers linked to an outbreak in a poultry farm in Spain. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken according to a national screening protocol for exposed workers. Absence of symptoms, low viral load and negative serology in both workers suggested environmental contamination. These findings motivated an update of the early detection strategy specifying timing and sampling conditions in asymptomatic exposed persons.
First Solid-state Cooling Below 100K

Abstract : Advances in material purity and laser light absorption offer new possibilities for vibration-free cryogenic cooling. Material properties change as a function of temperature, and cryogenic refrigeration allows us to obtain very useful properties not available at higher temperatures. For instance, in the temperature range 77 150K, superconductivity, long- and mid-wave IR detectors, and ultra-stable laser cavities become usable.1 Currently, these low temperatures are reached using liquid or solid cryogens or mechanical refrigerators. Unfortunately, liquids and solids require regular attention to refill after evaporating away, and mechanical refrigerators introduce vibrational noise and mechanically wear over time. Space-based applications, and ultra-stable laser cavities in particular, cannot tolerate these drawbacks. A solid-state solution is preferable for its inherent vibration-free operation and potentially long lifetime. Optical refrigeration via anti-Stokes fluorescence is currently the only solid-state cooling technology capable of reaching cryogenic temperatures.
Transfusion camp: A retrospective study of self‐reported impact on postgraduate trainee transfusion practice

The optimal method of postgraduate transfusion medicine (TM) education remains understudied. One novel approach is Transfusion Camp, a longitudinal 5‐day program that delivers TM education to Canadian and international trainees. The purpose of this study was to determine the self‐reported impact of Transfusion Camp on trainee clinical practice.
Consistent Nonparametric Entropy-Based Testing

The Kullback-Leibler information criterion is used as a basis for one-sided testing of nested hypotheses. No distributional form is assumed, so nonparametric density estimation is used to form the test statistic. In order to obtain a normal null limiting distribution, a form of weighting is employed. The test is also shown to be consistent against a class of alternatives. The exposition focusses on testing for serial independence in time series, with a small application to testing the random walk hypothesis for exchange rate series, and tests of some other hypotheses of econometric interest are briefly described.
The relationships among perceived stress, resilience, sleep quality and first‐month retention of newly employed nurses: A cross‐sectional survey

Newly employed nurses are subject to high workplace stress, which leads to a low retention rate. Resilience can reduce burnout among nurses. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among perceived stress, resilience, sleep quality of new nurses during initial employment, and their impacts on first‐month retention.
Estimates of the Local Rate of Vertical Diffusion from Dissipation Measurements

Abstract Scaling of the turbulent energy equation suggests the balance of terms in the ocean is between turbulent production, dissipation and the loss to buoyancy. In this paper two models for the source of oceanic turbulence are considered; namely, production by the Reynolds stress working against a time variable mean shear, and the gravitational collapse of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. Both of these shear instabilities are believed to be important in the ocean. Using values for the critical flux Richardson number and the measurements from studies of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, the efficiency of turbulent mixing is shown to be comparable for the two models. Therefore, a general relationship between the dissipation rate and the buoyancy flux due to the small-scale turbulent velocity fluctuations is derived. The result is expressed as an upper bound on the value of the turbulent eddy coefficient for mass Kρ ⩽ 0. 2ϵ/N2. Values of Kρ are calculated from recent oceanic measurements of energy dissipation.
Establishment of a risk score model for bladder urothelial carcinoma based on energy metabolism‐related genes and their relationships with immune infiltration

Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) is a common malignant tumor of the human urinary system, and a large proportion of BLCA patients have a poor prognosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find more efficient and sensitive biomarkers for the prognosis of BLCA patients in clinical practice. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) data and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas, and 584 energy metabolism‐related genes (EMRGs) were obtained from the Reactome pathway database. Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis were applied to assess prognostic genes and build a risk score model. The estimate and cibersort algorithms were used to explore the immune microenvironment, immune infiltration, and checkpoints in BLCA patients. Furthermore, we used the Human Protein Atlas database and our single‐cell RNA‐seq datasets of BLCA patients to verify the expression of 13 EMRGs at the protein and single‐cell levels. We constructed a risk score model; the area under the curve of the model at 5 years was 0.792. The risk score was significantly correlated with the immune markers M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, CD8 T cells, follicular helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and dendritic activating cells. Furthermore, eight immune checkpoint genes were significantly upregulated in the high‐risk group. The risk score model can accurately predict the prognosis of BLCA patients and has clinical application value. In addition, according to the differences in immune infiltration and checkpoints, BLCA patients with the most significant benefit can be selected for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.