Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation of sdLDL-C with cardiometabolic risk indices in women with subclinical hypothyroidism– A cross-sectional study

Introduction and Aim: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) characterised by normal free thyroxine (FT4)­­, “free triiodothyronine (FT3)”, and raised serum TSH, is an early stage of mild thyroid hormone deficiency. A change in the lipid profile most often observed in SCH is mainly caused by increased serum levels of Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels can be normal or elevated. Studies on small dense Low Density Lipoprotein – Cholesterol (sdLDL-C), associated with CVD risk are few. The aim of this study was to estimate serum sdLDL-C and find its correlation with thyroid profile (FT4 and TSH) and cardiometabolic risk indicators in female subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: The study had 112 female participants in total. After screening, subjects were divided into two groups. Control group (euthyroid) and study group (SCH). Age, TSH, FT4, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, sdLDL-C & Lipid ratios “(TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C”, “Log TG/ HDL-C)” were examined and compared between the two groups. Results: The correlation of sdLDL-C with TSH, FT4, lipid parameters & lipid ratios were studied. TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C were not clinically significant. While sdLDL-C and lipid ratios had a statistical decrease, it was not clinically significant. A highly significant negative association between sdLDL-C, other lipid parameters, except HDL-C, lipid ratios are observed in the study group. Conclusion: As anticipated, the current investigation did not demonstrate any statistically significant improvement in the sdLDL-C as a better predictor of CVD risk. No apparent lipid abnormalities were also seen in women, in the age group of 20-40 years as observed in the correlation studies. However, measurement of AIP along with FT4 would make a better assessment of CVD risk.
Computer Science Abstractions to Help Reason About Decentralized Stablecoin Design

Computer science uses abstractions as a tool for reasoning. It is no surprise that computer science might have something valuable to lend to the world of decentralized stablecoin design, as it is a “computing” problem. In this paper, we examine the possibility of a decentralized and capital-efficient stablecoin using smart contracts that algorithmically trade to maintain stability. By exploiting traditional abstractions from computer science, we show that a capital-efficient algorithmic stablecoin cannot be provably stable. Additionally, we provide a formal exposition of the workings of Central Bank Digital Currencies, connecting this framing to the space of possible stablecoin designs. We then discuss several outstanding conjectures from both academics and practitioners and finally highlight the regulatory similarities between money-market funds and working stablecoins. Our work builds upon the current and growing interplay between the realms of engineering and financial services, and it also demonstrates how ways of thinking as a computer scientist can aid practitioners. We believe this research is vital for understanding and developing the future of financial technology.
Inhibition of EphA3 Expression in Tumour Stromal Cells Suppresses Tumour Growth and Progression

Simple Summary We have identified the cell guidance receptor EphA3 on distinct stromal/fibroblast-like cell types in the tumour microenvironment (TME) that promote growth and angiogenesis, both in human cancers and in mouse tumour models. To investigate its role in the TME, we developed novel transgenic mice with inducible shRNA-mediated knockdown of EphA3 expression. Knockdown of EphA3 expression in the TME in syngeneic mouse tumours reduced mesenchymal stromal/fibroblast-like cells in tumours, with corresponding reductions in tumour vasculature and tumour growth, and increased immune infiltrate, indicating an important role in tumour progression. Abstract Tumour progression relies on interactions with untransformed cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME), including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which promote blood supply, tumour progression, and immune evasion. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are cell guidance receptors that are most active during development but re-emerge in cancer and are recognised drug targets. EphA3 is overexpressed in a wide range of tumour types, and we previously found expression particularly in stromal and vascular tissues of the TME. To investigate its role in the TME, we generated transgenic mice with inducible shRNA-mediated knockdown of EphA3 expression. EphA3 knockdown was confirmed in aortic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which displayed reduced angiogenic capacity. In mice with syngeneic lung tumours, EphA3 knockdown reduced vasculature and CAF/MSC-like cells in tumours, and inhibited tumour growth, which was confirmed also in a melanoma model. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of multiple human tumour types confirmed EphA3 expression in CAFs, including in breast cancer, where EphA3 was particularly prominent in perivascular- and myofibroblast-like CAFs. Our results thus indicate expression of the cell guidance receptor EphA3 in distinct CAF subpopulations is important in supporting tumour angiogenesis and tumour growth, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Evaluation of Offline Reinforcement Learning for Blood Glucose Level Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Patients with Type 1 diabetes must closely monitor their blood glucose levels and inject insulin to control them. Automated glucose control methods that remove the need for human intervention have been proposed, and reinforcement learning has been used recently as an effective control method in simulation environments. However, its real-world application would require trial and error interaction with patients. As an alternative, offline reinforcement learning does not require interaction with humans and initial studies suggest promising results can be obtained with offline datasets, similar to classical machine learning algorithms. However, its application to glucose control has not yet been evaluated. In this study, we evaluated two offline reinforcement learning algorithms for blood glucose control and discussed their potential and shortcomings. We also evaluated the influence on training and performance of the method that generates the training datasets, as well as the influence of the type of trajectories used (single-method or mixed trajectories), the quality of the trajectories, and the size of the datasets. Our results show that one of the offline reinforcement learning algorithms evaluated, Trajectory Transformer, is able to perform at the same level as commonly used baselines such as PID and Proximal Policy Optimization.
Functional limitations among Chilean older adults: the impact of childhood socioeconomic position and employment trajectories

Objectives: Based on a life course perspective, we explored the effects of childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and employment trajectories on functional limitations among older people living in Santiago, Chile. Methods: Data were drawn from a comprehensive and representative life history dataset of persons aged 65-75. We used logistic regression analyses to assess the effects of childhood SEP and employment trajectories on functional limitations, including 3 physical domains. Results: Low childhood SEP and employment trajectories characterized by informal and part-time work negatively affect functional limitations in old age. Both seem to have a direct effect on functional ability. Discussion: The life course approach could enrich the study of functional limitations, helping to better understand how social factors impact older people's functional ability. This, in turn, could help optimize the design of public policies and strategies to reduce the number of years of life dependent on others, thus promoting healthy aging.
Reusability, Long‐Life Storage and Highly Sensitive Zirconium Nitride (ZrN) Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrate Fabricated by Reactive Gas‐Timing Rf Magnetron Sputtering

Transition metal nitrides (TMN) are promising material alternative to replace noble metals in the field of plasmonic applications, especially surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Here we demonstrate a practical surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate using zirconium nitride (ZrN) thin films grown by reactive gas‐timing (RGT) rf magnetron sputtering. The tailored properties of ZrN thin film exploited for SERS activity could be achieved to obtain a highly sensitive ZrN thin film SERS substrate with the enhancement factor (EF) of 1.24 × 106 and 4.8 %RSD at 1626 cm‐1 toward methylene blue (MB) analyte which are comparable to the optimized Au sputtered thin films (EF=1.18 × 106 and with 5.1%RSD). We find that the spatial plasmonic hotspots on the surface of ZrN SERS substrate controlled by the turn‐on timing of Ar:N2 sputtered gas sequence, leading to the discrete conductive surface profile, strongly relates to non‐stoichiometric composition and the degree of (200)‐oriented texture at the surface of ZrN thin film. Furthermore, ZrN thin film SERS substrates exhibit an excellent recyclability more than 30 cycles with simple cleaning process and a storage time longer than 6 months. The detection and reusability of ZrN SERS substrate on the low concentration of trinitrotoluene (TNT) for homeland security are also performed.
Molecular Markers for Bladder Cancer Screening: An Insight into Bladder Cancer and FDA-Approved Biomarkers

Bladder cancer is one of the most financially burdensome cancers globally, from its diagnostic to its terminal stages. The impact it imposes on patients and the medical community is substantial, exacerbated by the absence of disease-specific characteristics and limited disease-free spans. Frequent recurrences, impacting nearly half of the diagnosed population, require frequent and invasive monitoring. Given the advancing comprehension of its etiology and attributes, bladder cancer is an appealing candidate for screening strategies. Cystoscopy is the current gold standard for bladder cancer detection, but it is invasive and has the potential for undesired complications and elevated costs. Although urine cytology is a supplementary tool in select instances, its efficacy is limited due to its restricted sensitivity, mainly when targeting low-grade tumors. Although most of these assays exhibit higher sensitivity than urine cytology, clinical guidelines do not currently incorporate them. Consequently, it is necessary to explore novel screening assays to identify distinctive alterations exclusive to bladder cancer. Thus, integrating potential molecular assays requires further investigation through more extensive validation studies. Within this article, we offer a comprehensive overview of the critical features of bladder cancer while conducting a thorough analysis of the FDA-approved assays designed to diagnose and monitor its recurrences.
The Impact of Implementing the Vortex Approach on Airway Management Performance in Stressed Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Simulation Study

Background The ability to manage airways in emergencies is paramount, especially for less experienced medical students. Although the Vortex Approach, a useful scheme to support decision-making during airway management, promises structured guidance, there’s limited research on its benefits among students. Our study aimed to evaluate student proficiency in a simulated difficult airway scenario and assess the advantages of the Vortex Approach. Material/Methods Medical students initially practiced on low-fidelity mannequins. Subsequently, they were divided into Vortex (n=48) and control groups (n=48). The Vortex group received specialized training. Both groups encountered a simulated scenario focusing on proper ventilation and supraglottic device insertion when traditional intubation failed. Performance was assessed using the airway management outcome score (AMOS). Results The Vortex-trained group demonstrated superior capabilities. Fewer participants exceeded 3 lifeline interventions (4.2% vs 16.7%, P=0.046). The Vortex group consistently optimized subsequent attempts (31.3% vs 10.4%, P=0.01) and reduced prolonged apnea episodes (47.9% vs 81.3%, P=0.0009). Their AMOS scores were notably higher (56.3% vs 27.1%, AMOS=2, P=0.002), reflecting better patient outcomes (41.7% vs 10.4%, P=0.0005). Conclusions There is a marked need to enhance airway management skills among senior medical students. The Vortex Approach, even after brief exposure, yields significant skill improvements, underscoring its potential as a pivotal component in medical training. Integrating it into the curriculum could bridge the evident skill gap, optimizing future patient care.
Altered intrinsic functional brain architecture in patients with functional constipation: a surface-based network study

Background Functional constipation (FCon) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID). Studies have indicated a higher likelihood of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and impaired concentration, among patients with FCon. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for these symptoms in FCon patients remain to be fully elucidated. The human brain is a complex network architecture with several fundamental organizational properties. Neurological interactions between gut symptoms and psychiatric issues may be closely associated with these complex networks. Methods In the present study, a total of 35 patients with FCon and 40 healthy controls (HC) were recruited for a series of clinical examinations and resting-state functional magnetic imaging (RS-fMRI). We employed the surface-based analysis (SBA) approach, utilizing the Schaefer cortical parcellation template and Tikhonov regularization. Graph theoretical analysis (GTA) and functional connectivity (FC) analysis of RS-fMRI were conducted to investigate the aberrant network alterations between the two groups. Additionally, correlation analyses were performed between the network indices and clinical variables in patients with FCon. Results At the global level, we found altered topological properties and networks in patients with FCon, mainly including the significantly increased clustering coefficient (CP), local efficiency (Eloc), and shortest path length (LP), whereas the decreased global efficiency (Eglob) compared to HC. At the regional level, patients with FCon exhibited increased nodal efficiency in the frontoparietal network (FPN). Furthermore, FC analysis demonstrated several functional alterations within and between the Yeo 7 networks, particularly including visual network (VN), limbic network (LN), default mode network (DMN), and somatosensory-motor network (SMN) in sub-network and large-scale network analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that there were no significant associations between the network metrics and clinical variables in the present study. Conclusion These results highlight the altered topological architecture of functional brain networks associated with visual perception abilities, emotion regulation, sensorimotor processing, and attentional control, which may contribute to effectively targeted treatment modalities for patients with FCon.
Biological oxygen production from oxygen-to-argon ratios and oxygen isotopologues in the Atlantic Ocean

Marine primary producers play an important role in controlling the atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and export of organic matter into the deep ocean. In this thesis I used two biogeochemical techniques based on O2/Ar ratios and O2 isotopologues to measure net community production (N) and gross oxygen production (G) in two different areas relevant for the marine C cycle: the South Atlantic subtropical gyre and the North Atlantic during a spring bloom. The former despite small rates of production it is relevant for the global marine C cycle due to the large area it covers; in addition the study of this gyre may contribute to clarify the ongoing debate on whether subtropical gyres are net autotrophic or heterotrophic. The North Atlantic is a main component of the global C production because of the large the amount of C that is fixed during the spring bloom. N was estimated from continuous measurements of O2/Ar ratios with a Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer and G from discrete samples both in the USW of RSS James Cook (South Atlantic) and R/V Knorr (North Atlantic). Discrete samples were processed in a newly built gas extraction line and analyze in an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer at UEA. The gas extraction line was built for the separation of O2 and Ar from N2 without isotopic fractionation. This thesis shows that the South Atlantic Gyre produced O2 at a rate of 10±3 mmol m-2 d-1 in March/April 2009, thus was net autotrophic. Interestingly G (177±96 mmol m-2 d-1) was much higher than previous estimates. This difference could be due to other processes that might fractionate the O2 without fixing any carbon such as the Mehler reaction. Measurements of N made in the North Atlantic during a spring bloom in May 2008 showed the highly variable and heterogeneous nature of the area. Within the bloom N had an average value of 67 mmol m-2 d-1 with N increasing from 60 to 170 mmol m-2 d-1, followed by a short period of net heterotrophy and finishing at 5 mmol m-2 d-1. These changes were associated with changes in the species composition, with diatoms dominating first followed by the increase of nanophytoplankton. These techniques show O2/Ar and O2 isotopologues to be useful and accurate proxies for production with the potential for complete automation of O2/Ar measurements.
3D‐printed concrete footbridges: An approach to assess the sustainability performance

Digital fabrication with concrete (DFC) is fast becoming an attractive alternative for components (i.e., façades, urban furniture) and structural typologies (i.e., short‐span footbridges, columns, floor systems) for which complex geometries derived from particular aesthetical criteria and/or construction time constrictions are governing parameters. Additionally, some authors claim that this process allows improving the sustainability of structures, as less material is necessary compared to traditional concrete solutions, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to material consumption. Nonetheless, the environmental implications of DFC are still under scrutiny and remain objectively unquantified. In this study, a sustainability assessment model to allow decision‐makers to evaluate and compare concrete footbridge alternatives—from the sustainability perspective—including those constructed by means of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) techniques, is presented. The proposed approach is based on the MIVES method. For this purpose, the most representative criteria and indicators of sustainability identified are measured and weighted‐aggregated in a decision‐making tree. The sustainability index (SI) of each alternative is the outcome derived from the application of the model, and the SI was used as reference for evaluating the alternatives. The sustainability of 3D‐printed footbridges is quantified and compared to other concrete‐based solutions: traditional reinforced cast‐in‐place and precast concrete, as traditional solutions, and ultra‐high performance precast concrete and textile‐reinforced concrete, as innovative alternatives. The results of the analysis lead to conclude that 3D‐printed footbridges have positive impacts on environmental and social indicators, but economic indicators still need to be improved to attain a competitive solution. The approach proposed herein to assess the sustainability of footbridges can be extended to other cases and stakeholders' preferences by adapting the components of the method to sensitivities and particular boundary conditions of other scenarios.
Preconditioning regimen consisting of anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody infusions, splenectomy and DFPP‐enabled non‐responders to undergo ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation

Abstract: Patients undergoing ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation must have their anti‐donor blood‐type antibody titer (ADBT) reduced to below 1:16 by using either plasma‐exchange (PEX) or double filtration plasma exchange (DFPP) before they can safely undergo a transplantation. The ADBT can be reduced to under 1:16 in most cases; however, some cases (non‐responders) do not respond to PEX or DFPP treatment. To enable kidney transplantations to be performed in non‐responders, we developed a new preconditioning regimen consisting of anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) infusions, a splenectomy, and DFPP. Four non‐responders were infused with rituximab at a dose of 375 mg/m2 weekly for 3–4 wk and splenectomized 1 or 2 wk before transplantation. Four to five DFPP‐sessions were then performed after the splenectomy. Using this preconditioning regimen, the ADBT was reduced to below 1:16, enabling kidney transplantations to be successfully performed in all patients. After the kidney transplantation, no episodes of humoral rejection were observed, and only one episode of cellular rejection was encountered. The cellular rejection was associated with a reduction in immunosuppressant administration because of CMV infection that occurred 80 d after the kidney transplantation. The renal allografts were functioning well in all patients after a mean follow‐up period of 390 d. No serious complications or side effects were encountered. We have developed a new preconditioning regimen that enables PEX and DFPP non‐responders to undergo ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantations.
Simulation of morphodinamic processes in small coastal systems: application to the Aljezur coastal stream (Portugal)

In small and shallow coastal streams, morphological changes may have a dramatic effect on tidal propagation and distortion, on hydrodynamics and, ultimately, on the transport and fate of water-borne material. Hence, the ability to simulate the morphodynamic evolution of these dynamic and complex systems can be required for water quality studies. This work aimed at implementing, validating and exploring the morphodynamic modelling system MORSYS2D (Fortunato and Oliveira, 2004, Bertin et al., 2009) in the Aljezur stream, a small and dynamic coastal system located in south-west Portugal.
Determination of the parton distribution functions of the proton using diverse ATLAS data from pp collisions at , 8 and 13 TeV

This paper presents an analysis at next-to-nextto-leading order in the theory of quantum chromodynamics for the determination of a new set of proton parton distribution functions using diverse measurements in pp collisions at √ s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, performed by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, together with deep inelastic scattering data from ep collisions at the HERA collider. The ATLAS data sets considered are differential cross-section measurements of inclusive W± and Z/γ ∗ boson production, W± and Z boson production in association with jets, t t̄ production, inclusive jet production and direct photon production. In the analysis, particular attention is paid to the correlation of systematic uncertainties within and between the various ATLAS data sets and to the impact of model, theoretical and parameterisation uncertainties. The resulting set of parton distribution functions is called ATLASpdf21.