Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leveraging machine learning to evaluate factors influencing vitamin D insufficiency in SLE patients: A case study from southern Bangladesh

Vitamin D insufficiency appears to be prevalent in SLE patients. Multiple factors potentially contribute to lower vitamin D levels, including limited sun exposure, the use of sunscreen, darker skin complexion, aging, obesity, specific medical conditions, and certain medications. The study aims to assess the risk factors associated with low vitamin D levels in SLE patients in the southern part of Bangladesh, a region noted for a high prevalence of SLE. The research additionally investigates the possible correlation between vitamin D and the SLEDAI score, seeking to understand the potential benefits of vitamin D in enhancing disease outcomes for SLE patients. The study incorporates a dataset consisting of 50 patients from the southern part of Bangladesh and evaluates their clinical and demographic data. An initial exploratory data analysis is conducted to gain insights into the data, which includes calculating means and standard deviations, performing correlation analysis, and generating heat maps. Relevant inferential statistical tests, such as the Student’s t-test, are also employed. In the machine learning part of the analysis, this study utilizes supervised learning algorithms, specifically Linear Regression (LR) and Random Forest (RF). To optimize the hyperparameters of the RF model and mitigate the risk of overfitting given the small dataset, a 3-Fold cross-validation strategy is implemented. The study also calculates bootstrapped confidence intervals to provide robust uncertainty estimates and further validate the approach. A comprehensive feature importance analysis is carried out using RF feature importance, permutation-based feature importance, and SHAP values. The LR model yields an RMSE of 4.83 (CI: 2.70, 6.76) and MAE of 3.86 (CI: 2.06, 5.86), whereas the RF model achieves better results, with an RMSE of 2.98 (CI: 2.16, 3.76) and MAE of 2.68 (CI: 1.83,3.52). Both models identify Hb, CRP, ESR, and age as significant contributors to vitamin D level predictions. Despite the lack of a significant association between SLEDAI and vitamin D in the statistical analysis, the machine learning models suggest a potential nonlinear dependency of vitamin D on SLEDAI. These findings highlight the importance of these factors in managing vitamin D levels in SLE patients. The study concludes that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in SLE patients. Although a direct linear correlation between the SLEDAI score and vitamin D levels is not observed, machine learning models suggest the possibility of a nonlinear relationship. Furthermore, factors such as Hb, CRP, ESR, and age are identified as more significant in predicting vitamin D levels. Thus, the study suggests that monitoring these factors may be advantageous in managing vitamin D levels in SLE patients. Given the immunological nature of SLE, the potential role of vitamin D in SLE disease activity could be substantial. Therefore, it underscores the need for further large-scale studies to corroborate this hypothesis.
Communication Difficulties and Accommodation Strategies of the Mainland Chinese Students in Hong Kong

This study addresses and reveals the major communication difficulties and commonly-used accommodation strategies of mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong during their interactions with local people, both on and off campus, based on the theoretic framework of communication accommodation theory. Language barriers, psychological barriers, and cultural differences are generally considered to be obstacles in students’ interactions with locals. The specific convergence and divergence strategies used, such as codeswitching, passing, mediating, topic-avoidance, silence-keeping, and maintenance, are identified and illustrated. The research findings provide an important reference for the relevant authorities and social groups to better understand the communication difficulties of the mainland students as well as to help improve their communication strategies during their interactions with Hong Kong locals.
Knowledge and Behaviors of Foot Care in Muslims With Diabetes Mellitus: Does Islamic Ritual Ablution Make a Difference?

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the relationship between ablution ritual and foot knowledge, self-care behaviors, and the presence of diabetic foot ulcers in Muslims with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methodology: A descriptive, comparative method was utilized to identify ablution ritual and foot knowledge, self-care behaviors, and the presence of diabetic foot ulcers. Results: There were 228 persons with T2DM, with 162 participants (71.1%) in the ablution group and 66 participants (28.9%) in the no-ablution group, with 19.7% having diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetic foot knowledge and foot self-care behaviors of persons with T2DM were below a medium level, and there was a significant difference between ablution behavior and the presence of diabetic foot ulcers (x2 =6.646, p<.05). Discussion: Culturally congruent interventions that acknowledge and understand the cultural practices and beliefs of Muslims with T2DM may be recommended to enhance their knowledge levels and promote positive behavior changes.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of cardiovascular disease

Objective We explored clinical implications of the new definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by assessing its prevalence and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Design From nationwide health screening data, we identified 9 775 066 adults aged 20–79 who underwent health examination in 2009. Participants were categorised into four mutually exclusive groups: (1) MASLD; (2) MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD); (3) MASLD with other combined aetiology (the three collectively referred to as MASLD/related steatotic liver disease (SLD)); and (4) no MASLD/related SLD. SLD was determined by fatty liver index ≥30. The primary outcome was CVD event, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, heart failure or cardiovascular death. Results The prevalence of MASLD, MetALD and MASLD with other combined aetiology was 27.5%, 4.4% and 1.5%, respectively. A total of 8 808 494 participants without prior CVD were followed up for a median of 12.3 years, during which 272 863 CVD events occurred. The cumulative incidence and multivariable-adjusted risk of CVD were higher in participants with MASLD/related SLD than in those without (HR 1.38 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.39)). Multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) of CVD events was 1.39 (1.38 to 1.40) for MASLD, 1.28 (1.26 to 1.30) for MetALD and 1.30 (1.26 to 1.34) for MASLD with other combined aetiology compared to the absence of any of these conditions. CVD risk was also higher in participants with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in those without the respective condition. Conclusion Over one-third of Korean adults have MASLD/related SLD and bear a high CVD risk.
CDC Recommendations for Hepatitis C Testing Among Perinatally Exposed Infants and Children — United States, 2023

Summary The elimination of hepatitis C is a national priority (https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/Viral-Hepatitis-National-Strategic-Plan-2021-2025.pdf). During 2010–2021, hepatitis C virus (HCV) acute and chronic infections (hereinafter referred to as HCV infections) increased in the United States, consequences of which include cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Rates of acute infections more than tripled among reproductive-aged persons during this time (from 0.8 to 2.5 per 100,000 population among persons aged 20–29 years and from 0.6 to 3.5 among persons aged 30–39 years). Because acute HCV infection can lead to chronic infection, this has resulted in increasing rates of HCV infections during pregnancy. Approximately 6%–7% of perinatally exposed (i.e., exposed during pregnancy or delivery) infants and children will acquire HCV infection. Curative direct-acting antiviral therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for persons aged ≥3 years. However, many perinatally infected children are not tested or linked to care. In 2020, because of continued increases in HCV infections in the United States, CDC released universal screening recommendations for adults, which included recommendations for screening for pregnant persons during each pregnancy (Schillie S, Wester C, Osborne M, Wesolowski L, Ryerson AB. CDC recommendations for hepatitis C screening among adults—United States, 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep 2020;69[No. RR-2]:1–17). This report introduces four new CDC recommendations: 1) HCV testing of all perinatally exposed infants with a nucleic acid test (NAT) for detection of HCV RNA at age 2–6 months; 2) consultation with a health care provider with expertise in pediatric hepatitis C management for all infants and children with detectable HCV RNA; 3) perinatally exposed infants and children with an undetectable HCV RNA result at or after age 2 months do not require further follow-up unless clinically warranted; and 4) a NAT for HCV RNA is recommended for perinatally exposed infants and children aged 7–17 months who previously have not been tested, and a hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) test followed by a reflex NAT for HCV RNA (when anti-HCV is reactive) is recommended for perinatally exposed children aged ≥18 months who previously have not been tested. Proper identification of perinatally infected children, referral to care, and curative treatment are critical to achieving the goal of hepatitis C elimination.
Edinburgh Research Explorer De novo transcriptome assembly of the Qatari pearl oyster Pinctada

13 The pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata radiata is an iconic species in Qatar, representing an integral part 14 of the nation’s cultural heritage and one of the main economic foundations upon which the nation 15 developed. During the early part of the 20 th century, nearly half of Qatar population was involved in 16 the pearl oyster industry. However, the fishery has undergone steady decline since the 1930s, and the 17 species is now under threat due to multiple confounding pressures. This manuscript presents the first 18 de novo transcriptome of the Qatari pearl oyster assembled into 30,739 non-redundant coding 19 sequences and with a BUSCO completeness score of 98.4%. Analysis of the transcriptome reveals the 20 close evolutionary distance to the conspecific animal Pinctada imbricata fucata but also highlights 21 differences in immune genes and the presence of distinctive transposon families, suggesting recent 22 adaptive divergence. This data is made available for all to utilise in future studies on the species.
New species and new records of genus Buellia (lichenized Ascomycota, Caliciaceae) from Pakistan using electron microscopy and DNA barcoding techniques

Three new species Buellia darelensis, B. densitheca, B. kashmirensis and two new records B. elegans and B. taishanensis are added to the lichen biota of Pakistan. Buellia darelensis and B. kashmirensis share the same habitats found on the rock while B. densitheca colonized on bark of Pinus hardwoods in the Himalayan forest, Pakistan. Morphological, chemical, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of these species and to support the delimitation of the new taxa. Detailed descriptions and figures for the species are given, and a key to all known buellioid species from Pakistan is provided.
A Scaleable Monitoring Platform for the Internet Contract No . IST-2001-32404 D 3 . 4 v 2 “ Description of Experiment Results ”

This document provides description of evaluation tests performed on the SCAMPI architecture. This is the second release of D3.4 deliverable, which includes performance tests of the SCAMPI architecture software running on top of the Gigabit Ethernet SCAMPI adapter and commodity Gigabit Ethernet network interface card (NIC) with monitoring functions implemented in software and partially in firmware (packet header filtering) and several application tests. The final release of D3.4 will include also tests with the 10 Gigabit Ethernet SCAMPI adapter and tests of more functionality implemented in firmware. These tests are yet to be performed, due to ongoing firmware and software development. Contractual Date of Delivery 30 September 2004 Actual Date of Delivery 7 December 2004 Delivarable Security Class Public Editor Sven Ubik Contributors IMEC, FORTH, UNINETT, CESNET, FORTHnet The SCAMPI Consortium consists of: TERENA Coordinator The Netherlands IMEC Principal Contractor Belgium FORTH Principal Contractor Greece LIACS Principal Contractor The Nedherlands NETikos Principal Contractor Italy UNINETT Principal Contractor Norway CESNET Principal Contractor Czech Republic FORTHnet Principal Contractor Greece 4Plus Principal Contractor Greece Siemens Principal Contractor Germany
Snow cover manipulations and passive warming affect post-winter seed germination: a case study of three cold-temperate tree species

Climate change is leading to increased temperatures globally, which may be especially pronounced in cold-temperate regions. During winter, this may cause changes to thermal insulation provided by snow cover to the ground and lead to altered soil and litter layer temperature regimes, affecting plant regeneration and species’ ranges through frost damage. I investigated the effects of changing snow cover and litter temperature regimes on post-winter seed germination of 3 cold-temperate tree species, using snow manipulation and passive warming approaches. Snow manipulation and passive warming led to modest but complex changes in litter layer temperature regimes and caused responses in post-winter seed germination, increasing or remaining constant depending on species and treatment. Despite the modest differences in snow cover and litter temperature among treatments, post-winter seed germination varied up to 3-fold. The results suggest that tree seeds may be susceptible to modest changes in winter conditions as expected in the intermediate term under climate change and may be affecting future forest regeneration and species composition. The mechanisms underlying the observed seed germination response are currently unknown, but possible hypotheses are presented. If confirmed, these mechanisms may be involved in the re-assembly of future species−habitat relationships and control of species’ biogeographic ranges.
Beyond ribosome biogenesis: noncoding nucleolar RNAs in physiology and tumor biology

ABSTRACT The nucleolus, the largest subcompartment of the nucleus, stands out from the nucleoplasm due to its exceptionally high local RNA and low DNA concentrations. Within this central hub of nuclear RNA metabolism, ribosome biogenesis is the most prominent ribonucleoprotein (RNP) biogenesis process, critically determining the structure and function of the nucleolus. However, recent studies have shed light on other roles of the nucleolus, exploring the interplay with various noncoding RNAs that are not directly involved in ribosome synthesis. This review focuses on this intriguing topic and summarizes the techniques to study and the latest findings on nucleolar long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as well as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the context of nucleolus biology beyond ribosome biogenesis. We particularly focus on the multifaceted roles of the nucleolus and noncoding RNAs in physiology and tumor biology.
Pemetaan dan analisis index vegetasi mangrove di pulau Saparua, Maluku Tengah

2TMapping and index vegetation analyses of mangrove in coastal areas of Saparua Island, Central Moluccas was conducted using Landsat 7/ETM+ satellite data acquired in April to May 2007. The results showed that the distributions of mangrove vegetation were concentrated in the north, south, and west of the region with the area of 218.88 ha (38.26%), 105.12 ha (18.38%), and 248.04 ha (43.36%), respectively. Total area of mangrove vegetation in this island was about 572.04 ha (5.72 kmPP), or 3.49% of the island area. Vegetation indexes (NDVI) in the north, south, and west of the region were dominated by values of >0.7 (very high density). Keyword: Mangrove, NDVI, Landsat Satellite, Saparua, Central Maluku
Experimental Study of Wall Pressure in Afterbody Flows With and Without Jet

Measurements of mean and unsteady wall pressure have been performed for separated flows behind axisymmetric afterbodies in the high subsonic regime. Several configurations have been tested, the most simple one being a blunt-based body. A cylindrical rear-body equipped with a nozzle has also been added on the base centre. In this study, the effects of the rear-body extension relatively to the base plane and the presence of a supersonic jet on the surface pressure characteristics with the related flow modifications are investigated. For the short rear-body extension, there is no reattachment of the shear layer on the surface. The spectra exhibit a well defined periodicity in the whole separated region which is associated with the formation of large-scale structures in the wake, as observed for bluff bodies. This is confirmed by a two-point correlation analysis of the turbulent signals which shows that the flowfield is dominated by a highly coherent antisymmetric mode at the vortex shedding frequency. The jet, which interacts directly with the recirculation region, results in higher pressure fluctuations levels on the protruding rear-body. For the long rear-body extension, the separated flow reattaches at the end of the surface. The spectra in the reattachment zone exhibit weakly defined maxima which are associated with the coherent vortices impinging the downstream wall. In this configuration, the jet has a little influence on the wall pressure as it does not directly interact with the recirculation bubble.
Comparison of body composition measures assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in UK Biobank

Background Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are used commonly for assessing body composition. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between BIA and DXA measures to assess the validity of BIA measures in UK Biobank. Methods UK Biobank participants with body fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) estimates derived from BIA and DXA measures performed on the same date were included. BIA and DXA-derived estimates were compared using Pearson correlation coefficients. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to quantify the differences and its distribution. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors for the difference between the two measures. Finally, prediction models were developed to calibrate BIA measures against DXA measures. Results 34437 participants (female 51.4%, mean age 55.2 years) were included. BIA and DXA measurements were highly correlated (correlation coefficient 0.96 for FM and 0.97 for FFM), with similar values in males and females and across body mass index subgroups. BIA underestimates FM by 1.84 kg (23.77 vs. 25.61), but overestimated FFM by 2.56 kg (52.49 vs. 49.93). The BIA-DXA difference was associated with individual FM, FFM, BMI and waist circumference. Prediction models showed overall good model performance in the training and testing data. Conclusion We found good agreement between BIA- and DXA-derived body composition measures at a population level in UK Biobank. However, BIA-DXA difference existed at individual level, and was associated with anthropometric measures. Future studies may consider using prediction models to calibrate BIA measures.
Seismological Studies at Parkfield VIII: Modeling the Observed Travel-Time Changes

For 10 years, as one element of the Parkfield, California, Prediction Experiment, the borehole seismographic network was illuminated routinely by a large shear-wave Vibroseis from several source points to investigate the stability of wave propagation in the fault zone and the possibility of nucleation-related premonitory phenomena. Clear and progressive travel-time changes of up to 50 msec were detected during the study, most prominent in the S -wave coda, and localized to propagation paths through the shallow fault zone (above about 500 m depth) southeast of Middle Mountain, the section of the fault where previous M 6 earthquakes have initiated. We model the observations successfully as interaction (reflection and transmission) of the shallow wavefield with a 200-meter-wide low-velocity fault zone in which the velocity increases by 6%, due, we hypothesize, to hydrological changes accompanying a significant pulse in fault slip rate and seismicity.
Region Assisted Sketch Colorization

Automatic sketch colorization is a challenging task that aims to generate a color image from a sketch, primarily due to its inherently ill-posed nature. While many approaches have shown promising results, two significant challenges remain: limited color patterns and a wide range of artifacts such as color bleeding and semantic inconsistencies among relevant regions. These issues stem from the operation of traditional convolutional structures, which capture structural features in a pixel-wise manner, resulting in inadequate utilization of regional information within the sketch. Therefore, we propose the Region-Assisted Sketch Coloring (RASC) method, which introduces an intermediate representation called the ‘Region Map’ to explicitly characterize the regional information of the sketch. This Region Map is derived from the input sketch and is effectively formulated by our RASC architecture, enhancing the perception of region-wise features beyond the original pixel-wise features. Specifically, we start by employing the sketch encoder to extract hierarchical feature maps from the input sketches. Subsequently, we introduce a coarse-to-fine decoder comprising a series of Region-based Modulation (RM) blocks. This decoder modulates features that combine the modulation results of its previous block and the sketch features of the corresponding encoder block with our Region Formulation module. Each module explicitly formulates the sketch features in a region-wise manner. This accurately captures both the inner-region local style and inter-region global context dependency, resulting in various color patterns and fewer synthesis artifacts. Our experimental results show that our proposed method surpasses state-of-the-art methods in both synthetic and real sketch datasets.