Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Dysfunction as an Early Outcome Predictor in Severe Sepsis

Background: Sepsis has been considered as a major cause of morbimortality worldwide. The mortality rate of severe sepsis is 25%, representing about 40% of hospital mortality. Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) is encountered in the intensive care unit (ICU), and its prevalence in septic cases ranges from 10 to 70%. Such discrepancies among researches are mainly owing to the absence of well-established diagnostic criteria. Objective: To investigate if cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by positive troponin (cTnI) and left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions can predict bad outcome in non-cardiac patients with severe sepsis and/or septic shock. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study carried out in Emergency Department (ED), Mansoura University on 100 patients, adults, non-cardiac, non-surgical patients, who were presented with severe sepsis over a period of 1 year from July 2022 to July 2023. Results: 55% of the included patients were positive troponin. Troponin was a statistically significant independent predictor of mortality, bad outcome and need for vasopressor among studied cases. Possible predictors of mortality showed that lower albumin, lower ejection fraction and positive troponin were statistically significant predictors of mortality among studied cases. Conclusion: High troponin levels may be detected in non-cardiac patients with sepsis and this group according to new guidelines are considered stage-B pre heart failure patients. Troponin is a statistically significant independent predictor of mortality, bad outcome and need for vasopressor among studied cases.
The Cultural Dynamics of Copycat Suicide

The observation that suicides sometimes cluster in space and/or time has led to suggestions that these clusters are caused by the social learning of suicide-related behaviours, or “copycat suicides”. Point clusters are clusters of suicides localised in both time and space, and have been attributed to direct social learning from nearby individuals. Mass clusters are clusters of suicides localised in time but not space, and have been attributed to the dissemination of information concerning celebrity suicides via the mass media. Here, agent-based simulations, in combination with scan statistic methods for detecting clusters of rare events, were used to clarify the social learning processes underlying point and mass clusters. It was found that social learning between neighbouring agents did generate point clusters as predicted, although this effect was partially mimicked by homophily (individuals preferentially assorting with similar others). The one-to-many transmission dynamics characterised by the mass media were shown to generate mass clusters, but only where social learning was weak, perhaps due to prestige bias (only copying prestigious celebrities) and similarity bias (only copying similar models) acting to reduce the subset of available models. These findings can help to clarify and formalise existing hypotheses and to guide future empirical work relating to real-life copycat suicides.
BDDMAP: a technology mapper based on a new covering algorithm

The authors present a technology mapper, BDDMAP, which combines the strengths of rule-based heuristics and algorithmic techniques. Rule-based heuristics or functional matching is invoked to match the type of technology gates for which it is most efficient. The algorithmic part of BDDMAP lies in the covering process. The novel aspects of the covering algorithm are using an anticipative cost function, global cost propagation and handling of multiple output gates. The mapping problem is discussed in the context of matching of patterns and covering of the target network. The matching process is discussed followed by benchmark results. <<ETX>>
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Assyrtiko Grape Microbiota

Vitis vinifera, an economically significant grapevine species, is known for wine, juice, and table grape production. The berries of wine grapes host a diverse range of microorganisms influencing both grapevine health and the winemaking process. Indigenous to Greece, the emblematic variety Assyrtiko, renowned for high-quality white wines, originated from Santorini and spread to various Greek regions. Despite existing studies on the microbiota of several varieties, the carposphere microbiota of Assyrtiko grapes remains unexplored. Thus, we conducted a spatiotemporal metagenomic study to identify the epiphytic microbial community composition of Assyrtiko grapes. The study was conducted in two consecutive vintage years (2019 and 2020) across three different and distinct viticulture regions in Greece (Attica, Thessaloniki, Evros). We performed amplicon sequencing, targeting the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and the ITS region for fungi, with subsequent comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. Our data indicate that the distribution and relative abundance of the epiphytic carposphere microbial communities of the Assyrtiko variety are shaped both by vintage and biogeography.
Beliefs and Opinions of Health Care Workers and Students Regarding Influenza and Influenza Vaccination in Tuscany, Central Italy

Immunization of health care workers (HCWs) against influenza has been associated with improvements in patient safety. The aim of this study is to assess the beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of HCWs and health profession students regarding influenza. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to HCWs in three local Florentine healthcare units, at Careggi University Teaching Hospital, and to students in health profession degree programs. A total of 2576 questionnaires were fully completed. A total of 12.3% of subjects responded that they were “always vaccinated” in all three of the seasonal vaccination campaigns studied (2007–2008 to 2009–2010), 13.1% had been vaccinated once or twice, and 74.6% had not received vaccinations. Although the enrolled subjects tended to respond that they were “never vaccinated,” they considered influenza to be a serious illness and believed that the influenza vaccine is effective. The subjects who refused vaccination more frequently believed that the vaccine could cause influenza and that it could have serious side effects. More than 60% of the “always vaccinated” group completely agreed that HCWs should be vaccinated. Self-protection and protecting family members or other people close to the respondent from being infected and representing potential sources of influenza infection can be considered motivating factors for vaccination. The results highlight the importance of improving vaccination rates among all HCWs through multi-component interventions. Knowledge of influenza should be reinforced.
Arsenic trioxide in the treatment of haematological malignancies

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) for leukaemia treatment was described a century ago. Recent resurgence in the use of arsenic trioxide is related to its high efficacy in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Most arsenic trioxide preparations are intravenous, although an oral formulation is similarly efficacious. Side effects of arsenic trioxide are usually minor, including skin reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and reversible increases in transaminases. During therapy, a leukocytosis occasionally occurs, which may be complicated by fluid accumulation and pulmonary infiltration. Arsenic trioxide causes an asymptomatic QT prolongation in most patients. However, if concomitant cardiopulmonary diseases or electrolyte disturbances are present, more sinister arrhythmias may develop. Therefore, before commencement of arsenic trioxide therapy, a full cardiac assessment and avoidance of drugs that prolong QT interval should be instituted. Arsenic trioxide is partly renally excreted and, therefore, dose adjustment is required when renal function is impaired. In addition to its use in APL, arsenic trioxide is now tested in other malignancies, notably multiple myeloma.
Dynamic Client-Server Optimization for Scalable Interactive Visualization on the Web

Low latency interactive data visualizations of large volumes of data are still rare on the web today. Their development requires expertise in server development, API design, dataflow optimization, and browser technologies; developers rarely have the time to optimize the whole stack from server to browser. To lift the burden of client-server co-development, we propose a system that generates visualization applications from declarative visualization and interaction specifications. We envision a system that automatically optimizes a visualization plan to reduce latencies, especially in low-connectivity or mobile networks. In this paper, we investigate the design of automated techniques to determine a partition of work across server and client that minimizes latency. Our cost model is based on a combination of data statistics, network performance, available computing resources, and predicted interactions. As a preliminary evaluation of our approach, we describe how our system could work in the context of two analysis scenarios.
Hafnia-plugged microcavities for thermal stability of selective emitters

Two-dimensional arrays of micro-cavities effectively control photon motion and selectively emit radiation tailored to the preferred bandgap of photovoltaic (PV) cells, thus enhancing the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic energy conversion. At the high operating temperatures, however, the micro- and nano-patterned structures of the selective emitters quickly lose their integrity––obliterating the tight tolerances required for precise spectral control. Even if oxidation, recrystallization, and grain growth could be avoided with single-crystal tungsten (W) selective emitters with vacuum packaging, surface diffusion, evaporation, and re-condensation are not avoidable in long-term operation at high temperatures. The concept of a planar array of plugged micro-cavities to suppress the curvature-dependent thermal degradation modes is proposed and tested. Based on scale-accelerated failure tests of silicon devices, the lifetime of W selective emitters operating at 1100 K is estimated to be at least 30 yr.
The effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on catalytic function of human acetylcholinesterase: size and concentration role

Introduction: Fe2O3 NPs can enter cells quickly, pass through the blood-brain barrier and interact with macromolecules. These materials are widely used in different fields, so their risk assessment is among the most critical issues. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a cholinergic enzyme in central and peripheral nervous systems. Methods: In this work, the possible effects of Fe2O3 NPs on the structure and catalytic activity of AChE were investigated using circular dichroism (CD), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and fluorescence spectroscopies. Results: The outcomes demonstrated that 5 nm Fe2O3 NPs inhibit AChE activity through mixed mechanism. While 50 nm Fe2O3 NPs caused an enhancement in the catalytic activity up to 60 nM. However, higher concentrations of Fe2O3 NPs (above 60 nM) hindered the enzyme activity via mixed mechanism. Fluorescence analysis showed that NPs can quench the fluorescence intensity of AChE that refer to conformational changes. Furthermore, CD results showed that Fe2O3 NPs can reduce the α-helix and β-sheet contents of the enzyme and decrease the stability of AChE. Also, the SPR data analysis showed that the affinity between AChE and Fe2O3 NPs decreased with rising temperature. After treatment with Fe2O3 NPs, the catalytic activity of AChE was assessed in HepG2 cell lines, and the results confirmed the inhibitory effects of Fe2O3 NPs on AChE activity in vivo. Conclusion: These findings provide helpful information about the impact of Fe2O3 NPs on the structure and function of AChE and could offer new insights into the risk assessment of the medical application of nanoparticles.
Evaluation of Suitable Polymeric Matrix/Carriers during Loading of Poorly Water Soluble Drugs onto Mesoporous Silica: Physical Stability and In Vitro Supersaturation

The application of mesoporous carriers in formulations of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) has been suggested to enhance the stability of amorphous drugs. However, mesoporous carriers do not demonstrate satisfactory inhibitory effects on the precipitation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and the inclusion of an appropriate polymer within ASDs becomes imperative to maintaining drug supersaturation. The aim of this study was to evaluate ternary olanzapine (OLN) ASDs with Syloid 244FP and to find an appropriate polymeric carrier. The polymer’s selection criteria were based on the physical stability of the ASDs and the release rate of the drug from the systems. The polymers investigated were hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and copovidone (coPVP). The formation of ASDs was achievable in all investigated cases, as demonstrated by the complete lack of crystallinity confirmed through both powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for all developed formulations. The solvent shift method was employed to evaluate the ability of the studied carriers to inhibit the precipitation of supersaturated OLN. coPVP emerged as a more suitable precipitation inhibitor compared with HPMC and Syloid 244 FP. Subsequently, in vitro dissolution studies under non-sink conditions revealed a higher degree of supersaturation in ternary systems where coPVP was used as a polymeric carrier, as these systems exhibited, under the examined conditions, up to a 2-fold increase in the released OLN compared with the pure crystalline drug. Moreover, stability studies conducted utilizing pXRD demonstrated that ternary formulations incorporating coPVP and Syloid 244 FP maintained stability for an extended period of 8 months. In contrast, binary systems exhibited a comparatively shorter stability duration, indicating the synergistic effect of coPVP and Syloid 244 FP on the physical stability of the amorphous API. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) studies showed that the development of stronger molecular interactions can be provided as an explanation for this synergistic effect, as the formation of robust H-bonds may be considered responsible for inhibiting the precipitation of the supersaturated API. Therefore, the incorporation of coPVP into OLN ASDs with Syloid 244 FP is considered a highly promising technique for increasing the degree of OLN supersaturation in in vitro dissolution studies and improving the stability of systems.
Aquatic Salinization and Mangrove Species in a Changing Climate: Impact in the Indian Sundarbans

This paper contributes to understanding the physical and economic effects of salinity diffusion and planning for appropriate adaptation for managing the Sundarbans in a changing climate, with a focus on the West Bengal portion of the tidal-wetland forest delta. A five-step analysis, using high-resolution spatial assessments, was conducted to get a broader picture of the migration of mangrove species with progressive aquatic salinization in a changing climate. A current (2015) basemap, with overlays of salinity tolerance for various mangrove species, and projected location-specific aquatic salinity for 2050 were used to predict the impacts of salinization on mangrove species by 2050. The results indicate patterns of gains and losses, with dominance of salt-tolerant species at the expense of freshwater species. Overall, the impact of salinity-induced mangrove migration will have an adverse effect on the flow of ecosystem services, ultimately impacting the livelihood options of poor households. Resources should be directed to developing alternative livelihoods for mangrove-dependent households. In addition, efforts are needed to develop sustainable policies that incorporate rising salinity, changes in mangrove dynamics, and the welfare impacts on poor communities.
Tracking Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection of Germinal Center B Cells In Vivo

Infection of mice with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) provides a tractable small animal model to study various aspects of persistent gammaherpesvirus infection. We have previously utilized a transgenic MHV68 that expresses enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) to identify infected cells. While this recombinant MHV68 has been useful for identifying infected cell populations by flow cytometry, it has been suboptimal for identification of infected cells in tissue sections due to the high solubility of EYFP. Efficient detection of EYFP expressed from the MHV68 genome in tissue sections requires fixation of whole organs prior to sectioning, which frequently leads to over-fixation of some cellular antigens precluding their detection. To circumvent this issue, we describe the generation and characterization of a transgenic MHV68 harboring a fusion gene composed of the EYFP coding sequence fused to the histone H2B open reading frame. Because the H2bYFP fusion protein is tightly bound in nucleosomes in the nucleus it does not freely diffuse out of unfixed tissue sections, and thus eliminates the need for tissue fixation. We have used the MHV68-H2bYFP recombinant virus to assess the location and distribution of virus infected B cells in germinal centers during the peak of MHV68 latency in vivo. These analyses show that the physical location of distinct populations of infected germinal center B cells correlates well with their surface phenotype. Furthermore, analysis of the distribution of virus infection within germinal center B cell populations revealed that ca. 70% of MHV68 infected GC B cells are rapidly dividing centroblasts, while ca. 20% have a clear centrocyte phenotype. Finally, we have shown that marking of infected cells with MHV68-H2bYFP is extended long after the onset of latency – which should facilitate studies to track MHV68 latently infected cells at late times post-infection.
Digging Deeper into Deep Web Databases by Breaking Through the Top-k Barrier

A large number of web databases are only accessible through proprietary form-like interfaces which require users to query the system by entering desired values for a few attributes. A key restriction enforced by such an interface is the top-k output constraint - i.e., when there are a large number of matching tuples, only a few (top-k) of them are preferentially selected and returned by the website, often according to a proprietary ranking function. Since most web database owners set k to be a small value, the top-k output constraint prevents many interesting third-party (e.g., mashup) services from being developed over real-world web databases. In this paper we consider the novel problem of "digging deeper" into such web databases. Our main contribution is the meta-algorithm GetNext that can retrieve the next ranked tuple from the hidden web database using only the restrictive interface of a web database without any prior knowledge of its ranking function. This algorithm can then be called iteratively to retrieve as many top ranked tuples as necessary. We develop principled and efficient algorithms that are based on generating and executing multiple reformulated queries and inferring the next ranked tuple from their returned results. We provide theoretical analysis of our algorithms, as well as extensive experimental results over synthetic and real-world databases that illustrate the effectiveness of our techniques.
New sensing technique for detecting application layer DDoS attacks targeting back-end database resources

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks targeting the application layer are becoming more prevalent due to a lack of suitable defence solutions. Existing research treats the web server environment as a black box, by only monitoring the edge network traffic; however, we believe that this approach limits the accuracy of the detection system as it does not protect the back-end database servers. In this paper we propose a new sensor located within the back-end system, which can produce additional database features. This allows for real-time insight into the actual database workload caused by each user enabling the detection of DDoS attacks targeting high database consumption resources. These resource metrics are analysed in real-time on a live website, using a decision tree classification engine. Our preliminary results show that a low rate asymmetric attack as low as 1 request every 10 seconds can be detected using these proposed features.
Embryonic stem cells can form germ cells in vitro

Knock-in embryonic stem (ES) cells, in which GFP or lacZ was expressed from the endogenous mouse vasa homolog (Mvh), which is specifically expressed in differentiating germ cells, were used to visualize germ cell production during in vitro differentiation. The appearance of MVH-positive germ cells depended on embryoid body formation and was greatly enhanced by the inductive effects of bone morphogenic protein 4-producing cells. The ES-derived MVH-positive cells could participate in spermatogenesis when transplanted into reconstituted testicular tubules, demonstrating that ES cells can produce functional germ cells in vitro. In vitro germ cell differentiation provides a paradigm for studying the molecular basis of germ line establishment, as well as for developing new approaches to reproductive engineering.
A Novel State of Charge Estimation Algorithm for Lithium-Ion Battery Packs of Electric Vehicles

This paper focuses on state of charge (SOC) estimation for the battery packs of electric vehicles (EVs). By modeling a battery based on the equivalent circuit model (ECM), the adaptive extended Kalman filter (AEKF) method can be applied to estimate the battery cell SOC. By adaptively setting different weighed coefficients, a battery pack SOC estimation algorithm is established based on the single cell estimation. The proposed method can not only precisely estimate the battery pack SOC, but also effectively prevent the battery pack from overcharge and over-discharge, thus providing safe operation. Experiment results verify the feasibility of the proposed algorithm.