Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility of serum nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 as a potential prognostic biomarker of severe traumatic brain injury in adults: A prospective cohort study

Objective Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) may harbor endogenous neuroprotective role. We strived to ascertain the prognostic significance of serum Nrf2 in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Methods This prospective cohort study included 105 controls and 105 sTBI patients, whose serum Nrf2 levels were quantified. Its relations to traumatic severity and 180-day overall survival, mortality, and poor prognosis (extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score 1–4) were discerned using multivariate analysis. Results There was a substantial enhancement of serum Nrf1 levels of patients (median, 10.9 vs. 3.3 ng/ml; P < 0.001), as compared to controls. Serum Nrf2 levels were independently correlative to Rotterdam computed tomography (CT) scores (ρ = 0.549, P < 0.001; t = 2.671, P = 0.009) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores (ρ = −0.625, P < 0.001; t = −3.821, P < 0.001). Serum Nrf2 levels were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (median, 12.9 vs. 10.3 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and in poor prognosis patients than in good prognosis patients (median, 12.5 vs. 9.4 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Patients with serum Nrf2 levels > median value (10.9 ng/ml) had markedly shorter 180-day overall survival time than the other remainders (mean, 129.3 vs. 161.3 days; P = 0.002). Serum Nrf2 levels were independently predictive of 180-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.361; P = 0.024), overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.214; P = 0.013), and poor prognosis (odds ratio, 1.329; P = 0.023). Serum Nrf2 levels distinguished the risks of 180-day mortality and poor prognosis with areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) at 0.768 and 0.793, respectively. Serum Nrf2 levels > 10.3 ng/ml and 10.8 ng/ml discriminated patients at risk of 180-day mortality and poor prognosis with the maximum Youden indices of 0.404 and 0.455, respectively. Serum Nrf2 levels combined with GCS scores and Rotterdam CT scores for death prediction (AUC, 0.897; 95% CI, 0.837–0.957) had significantly higher AUC than GCS scores (P = 0.028), Rotterdam CT scores (P = 0.007), or serum Nrf2 levels (P = 0.006) alone, and the combination for poor outcome prediction (AUC, 0.889; 95% CI, 0.831–0.948) displayed significantly higher AUC than GCS scores (P = 0.035), Rotterdam CT scores (P = 0.006), or serum Nrf2 levels (P = 0.008) alone. Conclusion Increased serum Nrf2 levels are tightly associated with traumatic severity and prognosis, supporting the considerable prognostic role of serum Nrf2 in sTBI.
Potential lipid-lowering effects of Ulmus macrocarpa Hance extract in adults with untreated high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Introduction Ulmus macrocarpa Hance extract (UME) has demonstrated an antilipidemic effect via upregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathway and regulation of lipid metabolism in both laboratory and animal studies. Therefore, we examined the effects and safety of UME on plasma lipids in adults with untreated high, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Materials and methods In the current double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 80 patients with untreated high LDL-C concentrations (130–190 mg/dl) were randomly allocated to either the “UME group” (received 500 mg UME as two capsules per day) or the “Placebo group” (received placebo containing cornstarch as two capsules per day) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in LDL-C concentration within the 12-week treatment period; secondary outcomes included changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations. Results UME over 12 weeks led to a greater decrease in LDL-C, TC, and ApoB concentrations than did the placebo as follows: by 18.1 mg/dl (P < 0.001); 23.3 mg/dl (P < 0.001); 9.3 mg/dl (P = 0.018), respectively. When LDL-C, TC, and ApoB concentrations were expressed as a lsmeans percentage of the baseline concentration, they after 12 weeks of UME had greater % differences compared to the placebo as follows: by 11.9% (P < 0.001); 10.0% (P < 0.001); 8.6% (P < 0.05), respectively. However, no significant inter- and intra-group changes in liver enzyme, free fatty acid, anti-inflammatory marker, and fasting glucose concentrations were observed. None of the participants experienced notable adverse events. Discussion UME causes a significant improvement in lipid profiles in adults with untreated high LDL-C concentrations. Clinical trial registration [www.clinicaltrials. gov/], identifier [NCT03773315].
Future projections of river nutrient export to the global coastal ocean show persisting nitrogen and phosphorus distortion

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from anthropogenic sources are needed to produce food for the growing world population. As a result, these nutrients can be found in nearly every water body across the globe. Not only nutrient loading is important but also the molar ratio and its deviation from the “natural” Redfield ratio. Here we show that rivers, which have more than 50% anthropogenic sources and at the same time elevated N:P ratios (> 25) contributed 36% to the total global N export to coastal waters in 2015. The five Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) were used in combination with the Representative Concentration Pathways climate scenarios to project river nutrient loadings for 2050. Future nutrient export is projected to decline in high-income countries (with N:P ratios exceeding Redfield). In Brazil, India and China, however, a decline of N:P is only the case in a scenario oriented toward sustainable development (SSP1). The human-dominated river N and P export with elevated N:P ratios will increase in all SSPs, except in SSP1 where it stabilizes. Integrated strategies for both N and P considering all relevant trade-offs and societal sectors are urgently needed to reduce the nutrient pressure on surface waters.
Osteoclast activity sculpts craniofacial form to permit sensorineural patterning in the zebrafish skull

Efforts to understand the morphogenesis of complex craniofacial structures have largely focused on the role of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Along with these bone–creating cells, bone–resorbing osteoclasts are critical in homeostasis of adult skeletal structures, but there is currently limited information on their role in the complex morphogenetic events of craniofacial development. Fundamental aspects of skull formation and general skeletal development are conserved from zebrafish to mammals. Using a cathepsinK reporter, we documented osteoclast location in the developing zebrafish skull over several weeks, from 5.18 mm to 9.6 mm standard length (approximately 15 to 34 days post fertilization). While broad distribution of osteoclasts is consistent across individuals, they are sparse and the exact locations vary among fish and across developmental time points. Interestingly, we observed osteoclasts concentrating at areas associated with neuromasts and their associated nerves, in particular the hyomandibular foramina and around the supraorbital lateral line. These are areas of active remodeling. In contrast, other areas of rapid bone growth, such as the osteogenic fronts of the frontal and parietal bones, show no particular concentration of osteoclasts, suggesting that they play a special role in shaping bone near neuromasts and nerves. In csf1ra mutants lacking functional osteoclasts, the morphology of the cranial bone was disrupted in both areas. The hyomandibular foramen is present in the initial cartilage template, but after the initiation of ossification, the diameter of the canal is significantly smaller in the absence of osteoclasts. The diameter of the supraorbital lateral line canals was also reduced in the mutants, as was the number of pores associated with neuromasts, which allow for the passage of associated nerves through the bone. Our findings define important and previously unappreciated roles for osteoclast activity in shaping craniofacial skeletal structures with a particular role in bone modeling around peripheral cranial nerves, providing a scaffold for wiring the sensioneural system during craniofacial development. This has important implications for the formation of the evolutionarily diverse lateral line system, as well understanding the mechanism of neurologic sequelae of congenital osteoclast dysfunction in human craniofacial development.
Streptolysin S targets the sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 to induce inflammation and cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes during Group A Streptococcal infection

Group A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is a Gram-positive human pathogen that employs several secreted and surface-bound virulence factors to manipulate its environment, allowing it to cause a variety of disease outcomes. One such virulence factor is Streptolysin S (SLS), a ribosomally-produced peptide toxin that undergoes extensive post-translational modifications. The activity of SLS has been studied for over 100 years owing to its rapid and potent ability to lyse red blood cells, and the toxin has been shown to play a major role in GAS virulence in vivo. We have previously demonstrated that SLS induces hemolysis by targeting the chloride-bicarbonate exchanger Band 3 in erythrocytes, indicating that SLS is capable of targeting host proteins to promote cell lysis. However, the possibility that SLS has additional protein targets in other cell types, such as keratinocytes, has not been explored. Here, we use bioinformatics analysis and chemical inhibition studies to demonstrate that SLS targets the electroneutral sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 in keratinocytes during GAS infection. SLS induces NF-κB activation and host cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes, and these processes can be mitigated by treating keratinocytes with the sodium-bicarbonate cotransport inhibitor S0859. Furthermore, treating keratinocytes with SLS disrupts the ability of host cells to regulate their intracellular pH, and this can be monitored in real time using the pH-sensitive dye pHrodo Red AM in live imaging studies. These results demonstrate that SLS is a multifunctional bacterial toxin that GAS uses in numerous context-dependent ways to promote host cell cytotoxicity and increase disease severity. Studies to elucidate additional host targets of SLS have the potential to impact the development of therapeutics for severe GAS infections.
Sodium alginate-hydrogel coatings on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for anticoagulation

Thromboembolism caused by the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains common among patients with existing heart diseases and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various surface modification strategies have been proposed, showing that the methacrylated alginate (MA-SA) hydrogel layer is transparent, which aids the observation of the thromboembolism from the inner wall of the tubing. In the combined dynamic and static blood of ECMO tubing inner surface in vitro experiments, it was also demonstrated that the adhesion of blood clots to the surface of vessels was remarkably reduced, and the MA-SA-based hydrogel coating could significantly prolong the activated partial thrombin time and block the endogenous coagulation. The favorable properties of natural polysaccharides of hydrogel coatings make them the best surface material choices to be applied for blood-contacting medical devices and significantly improve anticoagulant performance.
Case Report: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal tetrasomy 9p initially identified by non-invasive prenatal testing

Tetrasomy 9p is a rare syndrome characterized by fetal growth restriction, Dandy-Walker malformation, cardiac anomalies, and facial abnormalities and is discovered by ultrasound during the prenatal examination. Herein, we report a fetus of tetrasomy 9p without obvious phenotypic manifestations during the first trimester that was identified by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). NIPT revealed that the gain of 9p24.3–9p11 that was approximately 46.36 Mb in size. Karyotyping of amniocytes indicated an additional marker in all metaphase. Chromosome microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization on uncultured amniocytes revealed tetrasomic of 9p24.3q13, and that the supernumerary chromosome is a dicentric isochromosome consisted of two copies of the 9p arm. Taken together, it was indicated that the fetal karyotype was 47,XY,+idic (9) (q13), and that multiple techniques are crucial to the prenatal diagnosis.
Sex related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of heart failure: A sub analysis of heart failure disease management study

Aims This is a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial on heart failure (HF) disease management (DM) in which patients with HF (N = 1,360; 27.5% women) were assigned randomly to DM (N = 682) or usual care (UC) (N = 678). Study intervention did not significantly affect the rate of hospital admissions or mortality. This study evaluates sex-related differences in baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, adherence to treatment and outcomes among the study cohort. Methods Association between sex and hospital admissions and mortality was tested in multivariable models adjusted for the patients’ baseline characteristics. The primary composite outcome of the study included time to first HF hospitalization or all-cause mortality. Secondary composite outcome included number of hospital admissions and days of hospitalization, for HF and all other causes. Results Compared to males, females recruited in the study were on average 3 years older [median age 72 (62, 78) vs. 75 (65, 82), p = 0.001], with higher prevalence of preserved left ventricular function (LVEF ≥50%) and lower frequency of ischemic heart disease (IHD) (p ≤ 0.001). Females had shorter 6-min walking distance and worse quality of life and depression scores at baseline (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving HF recommended medical treatment was similar among females and males. During a median follow-up of 2.7 years (range: 0–5), there were no significant differences between females and males with respect to the time elapsed until the study primary endpoint and its components in univariate analysis [557 (56.5%) males and 218 (58.3%) females were hospitalized for HF or died for any cause; p > 0.05]. Multivariable analysis showed that females were significantly less likely than males to experience the primary outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.835, 95% CI: 0.699, 0.998] or to die from any cause [adjusted HR = 0.712; 95%CI: 0.560, 0.901]. The sex-related mortality differences were especially significant among patients with non-preserved EF, with IHD or with recent HF hospitalization. Females also had lower rates of all-cause hospital admissions [adjusted rate ratio = 0.798; 95%CI: 0.705, 0.904] and were more likely to adhere to HF medical therapy compared to males. Conclusion Females with HF fare better than men. Sex related differences were not explained by baseline and morbidity-related characteristics or adherence to medical treatment.
Baxter Q-operator and Separation of Variables for the open SL(2,R) spin chain

: We construct the Baxter Q − operator and the representation of the Separated Variables (SoV) for the homogeneous open SL (2 , R ) spin chain. Applying the diagrammatical approach, we calculate Sklyanin’s integration measure in the separated variables and obtain the solution to the spectral problem for the model in terms of the eigenvalues of the Q − operator. We show that the transition kernel to the SoV representation is factorized into the product of certain operators each depending on a single separated variable. As a consequence, it has a universal pyramid-like form that has been already observed for various quantum integrable models such as periodic Toda chain, closed SL (2 , R ) and SL (2 , C ) spin chains.
Package ‘gmat’

October 13, 2022 Type Package Title Simulation of Graphical Correlation Matrices Version 0.2. 2 Date 2020-08-29 Encoding UTF-8 Description Simulation of correlation matrices possibly constrained by a given undirected or acyclic directed graph. In particular, the package provides functions that implement the simulation methods described in Córdoba et al. (2018) <doi:10.1007/978-3-030-034931_13> and Córdoba et al. (2020) <doi:10.1016/j.ijar. 2020.07. 007>. License GPL (>= 2) RoxygenNote 7.1. 1 ByteCompile true
Conservative numerical methods for solitary wave interactions

The purpose of this paper is to show the advantages that represent the use of numerical methods that preserve invariant quantities in the study of solitary wave interactions for the regularized long wave equation. It is shown that the so-called conservative methods are more appropriate to study the phenomenon and provide a dynamic point of view that allows us to estimate the changes in the parameters of the solitary waves after the collision.
Keeping It Together: Interleaved Kirigami Extension Assembly

Traditional origami structures can be continuously deformed back to a flat sheet of paper, while traditional kirigami requires glue or seams in order to maintain its rigidity. In the former, non-trivial geometry can be created through overfolding paper while, in the latter, the paper topology is modified. Here we propose a hybrid approach that relies upon overlapped flaps that create in-plane compression resulting in the formation of "virtual" elastic shells. Not only are these structures self-supporting, but they have colossal load-to-weight ratios of order 10000.
The Horizontal Electric Dipole in a Conducting Half-Space

Author(s): Banos, Alfredo, Jr.; Wesley, James Paul | Abstract: This report gives a thorough and complete account of the mathematical problems involved in the determination of the electromagnetic field components generated by a horizontal electric dipole embedded in a conducting half-space whose plane boundary is also horizontal. The problem is formulated by introducing the Hertzian vectors or polarization potentials and employing the technique of triple Fourier transforms in Cartesian coordinates, in configuration space as well as in transform space. Suitable integral representations are obtained for the components of the Hertzian vectors.It is shown that this formulation is fundamental in the sense that it contains 'per se’ all other known formulations of the problem. Thus, by suitable transformations of the variable or variables of integration one readily obtains the formulations of Sommerfeld (1909), Weyl (1919) , Ott (1942) , etc. Further, by correctly specifying the original path of integration in Sommerfeld’s formulation of the problem and by carefully analyzing the class of permissible deformations of the original path, the whole moot question of poles and residues is clarified in a straightforward manner.The report also presents the complete independent solution of the static problem and it is shown that all solutions for the alternating case converge uniformly to the static solutions as the frequency is made to vanish. Further, the static solution is applied to an extended source pointing out the way for a similar extension of the alternating dipolar solution.The Cartesian components of the Hertzian vectors and the cylindrical components of the field vectors (E and H) are given, for both media, in terms of four fundamental integrals, which are expanded in asymptotic series by saddle point methods, two of these integrals belonging to the conducting medium and the other two to the free space above. It is shown, in the treatment of each of the four integrals mentioned, that there are two distinct asymptotic contributions arising from two saddle points and the notable feature of the results is that one of the saddle points yields a solution which is not exponentially attenuated in the horizontal direction in accordance with known experimental results. Thus, the possibility of large ranges of the field in the horizontal direction at depths which are not too great is clearly established.
Design of a Soft Anthropomorphic Hand with Active Stiffness control

In a robotic hand it is desirable to have low mechanical and control complexity as well as the capability to perform a variety of tasks. This cannot be achieved simultaneously in the existing hand designs. In this project we present a design in which multiple finger joints are actuated using a single displacement actuator and two multiarticular tendons which apply torques at multiple joints. Compliance is introduced between the pulleys and the joints. This design allows the finger to have a structure with reduced mechanical complexity and weight. Further, this structure also results in control equations such that individual actuator behaviors can be linearly superimposed, regardless of posture. This leads to lesser control complexity. This is in contrast to other dextrous robotic hands where coupling of actuators leads to considerable control complexity. Even with simpler mechanical as well as control structure, the finger can perform a variety of tasks. For example, it can be used to implement multiple synergies, end point impedance control and trajectory tracking to name a few. Due to its built in compliance, the design is also capable of conforming to surface of the object in contact in order to establish grip. The compliance is also important from the safety standpoint as it allows the finger to yield to a certain degree in case of collision and thereby absorb the impact. Dynamic simulations highlighting these capabilities are presented in the results. We have built a prototype of the finger along with a palm, using rapid prototyping. Experiments were performed using the displacement actuator like the free motion of finger and interaction with objects of different shapes and sizes, highlighting the capability to grasp different objects and track surfaces by conforming to them as result of built-in compliance of the finger.
Measurement of 19F(d,p)20F and Implications for Astrophysics

19 Ne(p, γ ) 20 Na is a step in the reaction chain which breaks out from the hot CNO cycle to the rp process, creating periodic x-ray bursts in mass-accreting neutron stars in binary systems. Study of the 19 Ne(d,n) 20 Na reaction has been used to improve uncertainty in the calculation of this reaction rate. This thesis details a study of the 19 F(d,p) 20 F mirror reaction as an indirect study through the implications of isospin-mirror symmetry. This experiment has been conducted at Florida State University’s Fox Linear Accelerator Laboratory, making use of the lab’s Enge split-pole spectrograph to improve resolution over a previous experimental run. Angular distributions are constructed for relevant states, and these are compared to cross sections from previous work and from calculation. Further work is required to understand discrepancies between data and previous work, and to extract absolute cross sections and spectroscopic factors appropriately.
Optimal battery sizing for hybrid photovoltaic/wind standalone system

For stand-alone applications, environment-friendly hybrid solar photovoltaic and wind renewable energy resources seems to be promising solutions. However, owing to the intermittency and unpredictability of renewable generation sources, battery banks are generally employed to meet the demand at all time. This paper presents a demand response model to optimize the battery bank size of standalone system. The objective of this framework is to optimize the battery storage for balancing the load demand and fluctuating renewable generation. Case studies are conducted on standalone system of a remote un-electrified household in Finland covering four seasons. The simulation results suggested that activation of demand response will optimize the battery bank capacity.