Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Curved Vertebroplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

This systematic review and meta‐analysis is aimed to provide higher quality evidence regarding the efficacy and safety between PCVP and PVP/KP in OVCFs. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (cohort or case–control studies) that compare PCVP to PVP/KP for OVCFs. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used to evaluate the quality of the RCTs and non‐RCTs, respectively. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of seven articles consisting of 562 patients with 593 diseased vertebral bodies were included. Statistically significant differences were found in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) at 1 day (MD = −0.11; 95% CI: [−0.21 to −0.01], p = 0.03), but not at 3 months (MD = −0.21; 95% CI: [−0.41–0.00], p = 0.05) or 6 months (MD = 0.03; 95% CI: [−0.13–0.20], p = 0.70). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1 day (MD = −0.28; 95% CI: [−0.62–0.05], p = 0.10), 3 months (MD = −1.52; 95% CI: [−3.11–0.07], p = 0.06), or 6 months (MD = 0.18; 95% CI: [−0.13–0.48], p = 0.25). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in Cobb angle (MD = 0.30; 95% CI: [−1.69–2.30], p = 0.77) or anterior vertebral body height (SMD = −0.01; 95% CI: [−0.26–0.23], p = 0.92) after surgery. Statistically significant differences were found in surgical time (MD = −8.60; 95% CI: [−13.75 to −3.45], p = 0.001), cement infusion volume (MD = −0.82; 95% CI: [−1.50 to −0.14], P = 0.02), and dose of fluoroscopy (SMD = −1.22; 95% CI: [−1.84 to −0.60], p = 0.0001) between curved and noncurved techniques, especially compared to bilateral PVP. Moreover, cement leakage showed statistically significant difference (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: [0.27–0.60], p < 0.0001). Compared with PVP/KP, PCVP is superior for pain relief at short‐term follow‐up. Additionally, PCVP has the advantages of significantly lower surgical time, radiation exposure, bone cement infusion volume, and cement leakage incidence compared to bilateral PVP, while no statistically significant difference is found when compared with unilateral PVP or PKP. In terms of quality of life and radiologic outcomes, the effects of PCVP and PVP/KP are not significantly different. Overall, this meta‐analysis reveals that PCVP was an effective and safe therapy for patients with OVCFs.
Modelling seasonality of Lassa fever incidences and vector dynamics in Nigeria

Lassa fever (Lf) is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa and is caused by the Lassa mammarenavirus. The rodent Mastomys natalensis serves as the primary reservoir and its ecology and behaviour have been linked to the distinct spatial and temporal patterns in the incidence of Lf. Nigeria has experienced an unprecedented epidemic that lasted from January until April of 2018, which has been followed by subsequent epidemics of Lf in the same period every year since. While previous research has modelled the case seasonality within Nigeria, this did not capture the seasonal variation in the reproduction of the zoonotic reservoir and its effect on case numbers. To this end, we introduce an approximate Bayesian computation scheme to fit our model to the case data from 2018--2020 supplied by the NCDC. In this study we used a periodically forced seasonal nonautonomous system of ordinary differential equations as a vector model to demonstrate that the population dynamics of the rodent reservoir may be responsible for the spikes in the number of observed cases in humans. The results show that in December through to March, spillover from the zoonotic reservoir drastically increases and spreads the virus to the people of Nigeria. Therefore to effectively combat Lf, attention and efforts should be concentrated during this period.
Bivalent non-human gal-α1-3-gal glycan epitopes in the Fc region of a monoclonal antibody model can be recognized by anti-Gal-α1-3-Gal IgE antibodies

ABSTRACT Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production using non-human cells can introduce non-human glycan epitopes including terminal galactosyl-α1–3-galactose (α1–3-Gal) moieties. Cetuximab is a commercial mAb associated with causing anaphylaxis in some patients due to the binding of endogenous anti-α1–3-Gal IgE to the Fab (containing bi-α1–3-galactosylated glycans) but not to the Fc region (containing mono-α1–3-galactosylated glycans). Despite being low in abundance in typical commercial mAbs, the inherent sensitivity of cell culture conditions on glycosylation profiles, and the development of novel glycoengineering strategies, novel antibody-based modalities, and biosimilars by various manufacturers with varying procedures, necessitates a better understanding of the structural requirements for anti-α1–3-Gal IgE binding to the Fc region. Herein, we synthesized mAb glycoforms with varying degrees and regioisomers of α1–3-galactosylation and tested their binding to two commercial anti-α1–3-Gal human IgE antibodies derived from a human patient with allergies to red meat (comprising α1–3-Gal epitopes), as well as to the FcγRIIIA receptor. Our results demonstrate that unexpectedly, anti-α1–3-Gal human IgE antibodies can bind to Fc glycans, with bi-α1–3-galactosylation being the most important factor, highlighting that their presence in the Fc region may be considered as a potential critical quality attribute, particularly when using novel platforms in mAb-based biotherapeutics.
Optical coherence tomography angiography: a review of the current literature

This narrative review presents a comprehensive examination of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), a non-invasive retinal vascular imaging technology, as reported in the existing literature. Building on the coherence tomography principles of standard OCT, OCTA further delineates the retinal vascular system, thus offering an advanced alternative to conventional dye-based imaging. OCTA provides high-resolution visualisation of both the superficial and deep capillary networks, an achievement previously unattainable. However, image quality may be compromised by factors such as motion artefacts or media opacities, potentially limiting the utility of OCTA in certain patient cohorts. Despite these limitations, OCTA has various potential clinical applications in managing retinal and choroidal vascular diseases. Still, given its considerable cost implications relative to current modalities, further research is warranted to justify its broader application in clinical practice.
Air Displacement Plethysmography is an Accurate and Feasible Noninvasive Measure of Fat-Free Mass in Children With Intestinal Failure

Background: The nutritional status of children with intestinal failure (IF) can be difficult to determine using body weight and currently available anthropometric techniques. Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) is a noninvasive measure of whole-body composition that measures body mass and volume, with a calculation of percent body fat (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) that may be useful during the provision of specialized nutrition. Objectives: To evaluate the validity and feasibility of measuring body composition in children with IF using ADP compared with deuterium dilution (DD), as well as secondarily with other measures of body composition, namely bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and four-site skinfold anthropometry. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 18 children recruited through the Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation at Boston Children’s Hospital. Patients 2–17 years of age with IF dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN) for more than 90 days were included. Spearman rank correlation and Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOA) analysis were used to compare ADP to 4 alternative measures of body composition. Results: Eighteen children with IF, median age 7.1 [interquartile range (IQR) 5.4–9.3] years, 9 female (50%), and median residual bowel length 31 (IQR 22–85) cm were enrolled. Median PN energy intake was 46 (IQR 39–49) kcal/kg/day. Incomplete bladder emptying lead to invalid measures of DD in 4 subjects. Spearman correlation coefficients for %BF were low to moderate between ADP and DD (r = 0.29), DXA (r = 0.62), BIA (r = 0.50), and skinfold (r = 0.40). Correlations for FFM were high between ADP and these other measures (range 0.95–0.98). Comparing ADP with DD and skinfold measures, Bland-Altman analysis showed small mean bias (−1.9 and +1.5 kg) and acceptable 95% LOA ranges (10.7 and 22.9 kg), respectively, with larger bias (−10.7 and −7.7 kg) and LOA ranges (38.7 and 45.2 kg) compared to DXA and BIA. %BF by ADP and skinfold thickness were moderately correlated (r = 0.43) with low bias (−0.2%) but very wide LOA (25.7%). Conclusions: Body composition via ADP is feasible and valid in children with IF as a measure of FFM but appears less suitable for the measurement of %BF. The technique holds promise as a noninvasive measure of body composition to assess the efficacy of nutritional, medical, and surgical interventions.
AAV9-mediated SMN gene therapy rescues cardiac desmin but not lamin A/C and elastin dysregulation in Smn2B/− spinal muscular atrophy mice

Abstract Structural, functional and molecular cardiac defects have been reported in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients and mouse models. Previous quantitative proteomics analyses demonstrated widespread molecular defects in the severe Taiwanese SMA mouse model. Whether such changes are conserved across different mouse models, including less severe forms of the disease, has yet to be established. Here, using the same high-resolution proteomics approach in the less-severe Smn2B/− SMA mouse model, 277 proteins were found to be differentially abundant at a symptomatic timepoint (post-natal day (P) 18), 50 of which were similarly dysregulated in severe Taiwanese SMA mice. Bioinformatics analysis linked many of the differentially abundant proteins to cardiovascular development and function, with intermediate filaments highlighted as an enriched cellular compartment in both datasets. Lamin A/C was increased in the cardiac tissue, whereas another intermediate filament protein, desmin, was reduced. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, elastin, was also robustly decreased in the heart of Smn2B/− mice. AAV9-SMN1-mediated gene therapy rectified low levels of survival motor neuron protein and restored desmin levels in heart tissues of Smn2B/− mice. In contrast, AAV9-SMN1 therapy failed to correct lamin A/C or elastin levels. Intermediate filament proteins and the ECM have key roles in cardiac function and their dysregulation may explain cardiac impairment in SMA, especially since mutations in genes encoding these proteins cause other diseases with cardiac aberration. Cardiac pathology may need to be considered in the long-term care of SMA patients, as it is unclear whether currently available treatments can fully rescue peripheral pathology in SMA.
Spin Hall conductance in Y-shaped junction devices

We study the spin Hall effect in Y-shaped junction devices in presence of Rashba spin orbit coupling (RSOC). The voltage and the net spin current registered at one of the arms of the Y-junction are seen to increases although the spin Hall conductance (SHC) diminishes as the strength of the RSOC is increased. This implies the voltage increases further than that of the current, thereby causing a loss of the RSOC. Various other characteristic features obtained from our study include, a perfectly antisymmetric behaviour of the spin current and the SHC with respect to the zero bias, while the voltage shows a symmetric character. Finally a large RSOC completely destroys the SHC, owing to a complete disappearance of the local density of states, thereby reinforcing our earlier claim that RSOC emulates the effect of disorder on the quantum conductance of junction device.
MECHANICS: A PROBLEM - AN IDEA - A PRACTICE

Диалектику познания и развития можно проследить, прослеживая цепочку решения той или иной задачи: «проблема - идея - практика». Именно такой естественной и диалектичной цепочки пытался придерживаться автор.
Random Finite Set Theory and Optimal Control for Large Spacecraft Swarms

Controlling large swarms of robotic agents has many challenges including, but not limited to, computational complexity due to the number of agents, uncertainty in the functionality of each agent in the swarm, and uncertainty in the swarm's configuration. This work generalizes the swarm state using Random Finite Set (RFS) theory and solves the control problem using model predictive control (MPC) which naturally handles the challenges. To determine more computationally efficient solutions, iterative linear quadratic regulator (ILQR) is also explored. This work uses information divergence to define the distance between swarm RFS and a desired distribution. A stochastic optimal control problem is formulated using a modified L2^2 distance. Simulation results using MPC and ILQR show that swarm intensities converge to a target destination, and the RFS control formulation can vary in the number of target destinations. ILQR also provides a more computationally efficient solution to the RFS swarm problem when compared to the MPC solution. Lastly, the RFS control solution is applied to the spacecraft relative motion problem showing the viability for this real-world scenario.
Improving Romantic Relationship Functioning Among Young Men With First-Episode Psychosis: Impact of a Novel Group Intervention

Previous research has highlighted many of the challenges faced by individuals with psychosis in romantic relationships. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel group intervention for men with first-episode psychosis (FEP) on dating success, romantic and sexual functioning, self-esteem, self-stigma, mentalizing skills, and symptomatology, while using a repeated single-case experimental design and comparing results across two treatment modalities (i.e., in-person or online). Twenty-seven participants from five treatment sites completed a 12-week group intervention. Qualitative data was also collected to assess participants’ subjective experiences with the program. In both modalities, significant improvements were observed for romantic functioning, mentalizing skills, and symptomatology, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Several participants also attended more dates and entered committed relationships after the intervention. Most participants were satisfied with the program and many felt that they had learned new skills and gained confidence in dating. Future research should replicate these findings in larger and more inclusive samples.
Effective medium of stacked structure composed of periodic arrays of holes for low terahertz regime

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study wave transmission via the stacked structures of the periodic arrays of two-dimensional holes drilled in metallic films using a simple analytical circuit model. The circuit model well explains the behavior of the multilayered structure for both thick and very thin metallic films. For very thin metallic films (equivalent to metallic meshes), the proposed surface admittance indicates that capacitive effects appear at high frequencies, while the common surface admittance obtained by heuristic approaches is purely inductive. We extract the effective medium of the structure. The effective medium is computed by solving the eigenvalues problem corresponding to the transfer matrix of a single unit cell of the structure. The comparison between the outcomes and those achieved through full-wave simulations shows excellent accordance with each other. The effective medium obtained for the structure shows which structure can act as the negative permittivity and epsilon-near-zero metamaterials at some frequencies regime.
Diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with torch ginger anthracnose

ABSTRACT Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most important diseases of torch ginger. The disease leads to loss of aesthetic and commercial value of torch ginger stems. This study aimed to characterize Colletotrichum species associated with torch ginger anthracnose in the production areas of Pernambuco and Ceará. A total of 48 Colletotrichum isolates were identified using molecular techniques. Pathogenicity tests were performed on torch ginger with representative isolates. Phylogenetic analyses based on seven loci—DNA lyase (APN2), intergenic spacer between DNA lyase and the mating-type locus MAT1-2-1 (APN2/MAT-IGS), calmodulin (CAL), intergenic spacer between glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a hypothetical protein (GAP2-IGS), glutamine synthetase (GS), and β-tubulin (TUB2)—revealed that they belong to five known Colletotrichum species, namely, C. chrysophilum, C. fructicola, C. siamense, C. theobromicola, and C. tropicale, and three newly discovered species, described here as C. atlanticum, C. floscerae, and C. zingibericola. Of these, C. atlanticum was the most dominant. Pathogenicity assays showed that all isolates were pathogenic to torch ginger bracts. All species are reported for the first time associated with torch ginger in Brazil. The present study contributes to the current understanding of the diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose on torch ginger and demonstrates the importance of accurate species identification for effective disease management strategies.
The Unified Description of a Solution-Particle

This work derives a unified description of a solution-particle using movement rate of component vibrations (strings). Projected Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic data from a patient on Efavirenz are used. Differential equations are used to formulate a system that governs a solution-particle field. A reconnaissance (frame) wave that envelops a solution-particle is derived. Its conductivity and diffusivity fluxes are found. The movement of the reconnaissance wave is found to be faster than diffusion and pilot waves. A solution-particle is accompanied by the three waves, diffusion, pilot and the frame and is active only at the boundary of space and time.
Thickness dependence of magnetic properties in submicron yttrium iron garnet films

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films with various thicknesses have been fabricated by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) (1 1 1) substrates showing unusual magnetic properties. In this work, we studied YIG films with thicknesses between 100 nm and 1000 nm and compared them with La3+-doped YIG films (La:YIG) over a similar scale. The relaxation of tensile stress at the GGG/YIG interface, which caused a magnetic hysteresis loop, showed an easy magnetization phase for thin YIG films (⩽400 nm), while a hard magnetization phase gradually appeared with further increases to the film thickness. The stable magnetic properties of La:YIG at different thicknesses and the not so perfect magnetic hysteresis loop are caused by the intrinsic distortion of the sublattice from La3+ partially replacing Y3+. The saturation magnetization field (4πMs) obtained from broadband ferromagnetic resonance measurement of the YIG films increased with increasing Ha and stayed around the theoretical value. This work helps us to understand the properties of LPE-based YIG films and devices at the sub-microscale.
Numerical investigations of the strain localization in geotechnical engineering within the framework of micropolar theory

Most of the progressive failures of geotechnical structures are associated with the strain localization phenomenon, which is generally accompanied by strength softening. Many experimental observationsshow that significant rear rangements and rotations of particles occur inside the shear bands. The aim of this thesis is to investigate numerically the strain localization phenomena of granular materials. Considering the mesh dependency problems in finite element analysis caused by strains oftening within the classical continuum framework, a sand model based on critical-state has been formulated within the framework of the micropolar theory, taking into account the micro rotations, and implemented into a finite element code for two dimensional problems. Then, the simulations of the shearband in biaxial tests are comprehensively studied in terms of onset, thickness, orientation, etc. At the same time, the efficiency of the micropolar approach, as a regularization technique, is discussed. This is followed by an instability analysis using the second-order work based on the micropolar continuum theory. Finally, for a wider application in simulating failures in geotechnical engineering, the 2D model has been extended to 3D model. Based on the entire study, both the 2D and 3Dmodel demonstrate obvious regularization ability to relieve the mesh dependency problems and to reproduce reasonably the shear bands in geostructures.
Rapid Direct Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols in Exhaled Breath at the Point of Care

Airborne transmission via virus-laden aerosols is a dominant route for the transmission of respiratory diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Direct, non-invasive screening of respiratory virus aerosols in patients has been a long-standing technical challenge. Here, we introduce a point-of-care testing platform that directly detects SARS-CoV-2 aerosols in as little as two exhaled breaths of patients and provides results in under 60 s. It integrates a hand-held breath aerosol collector and a llama-derived, SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein specific nanobody bound to an ultrasensitive micro-immunoelectrode biosensor, which detects the oxidation of tyrosine amino acids present in SARS-CoV-2 viral particles. Laboratory and clinical trial results were within 20% of those obtained using standard testing methods. Importantly, the electrochemical biosensor directly detects the virus itself, as opposed to a surrogate or signature of the virus, and is sensitive to as little as 10 viral particles in a sample. Our platform holds the potential to be adapted for multiplexed detection of different respiratory viruses. It provides a rapid and non-invasive alternative to conventional viral diagnostics.