Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The views of public and clinician stakeholders on risk assessment tools for post-stroke dementia: a qualitative study

Objective Stroke-survivors are at increased risk of future dementia. Assessment to identify those at high risk of developing a disease using predictive scores has been utilised in different areas of medicine. A number of risk assessment scores for dementia have been developed but none has been recommended for use clinically. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of using a risk assessment tool to predict post-stroke dementia. Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed thematically. The patients and carers were offered interviews at around 6 (baseline) and 12 (follow-up) months post-stroke; clinicians were interviewed once. Setting The study was conducted in the North-East of England with stroke patients, family carers and healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care. Participants Thirty-nine interviews were conducted (17 clinicians and 15 stroke patients and their carers at baseline. Twelve stroke patients and their carers were interviewed at follow-up, some interviews were conducted in pairs). Results Barriers and facilitators to risk assessment were discussed. For the patients and carers the focus for facilitators were based on the outcomes of risk assessment for example assistance with preparation, diagnosis and for reassurance. For clinicians, facilitators were focused on the process that is, familiarity in primary care, resource availability in secondary care and collaborative care. For barriers, both groups focused on the outcome including for example, the anxiety generated from a potential diagnosis of dementia. For the patients/carers a further barrier included concerns about how it may affect their recovery. For clinicians there were concerns about limited interventions and how it would be different from standard care. Conclusions Risk assessment for dementia post-stroke presents challenges given the ramifications of a potential diagnosis of dementia. Attention needs to be given to how information is communicated and strategies developed to support the patients and carers if risk assessment is used.
Optimization of dialysate bicarbonate in patients treated with online haemodiafiltration

Abstract Background Metabolic acidosis is a common problem in haemodialysis patients, but acidosis overcorrection has been associated with higher mortality. There is no clear definition of the optimal serum bicarbonate target or dialysate bicarbonate. This study analysed the impact of reducing dialysate bicarbonate from 35 to 32 mEq/L on plasma bicarbonate levels in a cohort of patients treated with online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). Methods We performed a prospective cohort study with patients in a stable chronic OL-HDF programme for at least 12 months in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. We analysed pre- and post-dialysis total carbon dioxide(TCO2) before and after dialysate bicarbonate reduction from 35 to 32 mEq/L, as well as the number of patients with a pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 within 19–25 and ≤29 mEq/L, respectively, after the bicarbonate modification. Changes in serum sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also assessed. Results We included 84 patients with a 6-month follow-up. At 6 months, pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 significantly decreased (26.78 ± 1.26 at baseline to 23.69 ± 1.92 mEq/L and 31.91 ± 0.91 to 27.58 ± 1.36 mEq/L, respectively). The number of patients with a pre-dialysis TCO2 >25 mEq/L was significantly reduced from 80 (90.5%) to 17 (20.2%) and for post-dialysis TCO2 >29 mEq/L this number was reduced from 83 (98.8%) to 9 (10.7%). PTH significantly decreased from 226.09 (range 172–296) to 182.50 (125–239) pg/mL at 6 months (P < 0.05) and post-dialysis potassium decreased from 3.16 ± 0.30 to 2.95 ± 0.48 mEq/L at 6 months (P < 0.05). Sodium, pre-dialysis potassium, calcium and phosphorous did not change significantly. Conclusions Reducing dialysate bicarbonate concentration by 3 mEq/L significantly and safely decreased pre- and post-dialysis TCO2, avoiding acidosis overcorrection and improving secondary hyperparathyroidism control. An individualized bicarbonate prescription (a key factor in the adequate control of acidosis) according to pre-dialysis TCO2 is suggested based on these results.
Influence of graded levels of meals from three lupin species on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effect of different levels of seeds of lupin species (Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus luteus and Lupinus albus) on broiler growth performance, nutrient digestibility and apparent metabolisable energy of poultry diets. 2. A control diet containing corn–soybean meal and test diets containing 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/kg of three lupin species were fed to broiler chickens during a 35-day study period. There were 10 replicate cages of 8 broiler chickens per treatment. 3. Growth performance of the birds fed with yellow and white lupin diets was found to be similar to that of the birds in the control group. The use of narrow-leaved lupin seeds in the diet quadratically decreased the body weight gain of birds and increased feed conversion ratio during all the experimental periods (0–14, 15–35 and overall 0–35 days of age). 4. A significant interaction between lupin species and their inclusion levels for apparent metabolisable energy and apparent ileal digestibility of starch was observed, showing a negative effect of increasing levels of narrow-leaved lupin. Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated that the presence of raffinose and non-starch polysaccharides is a key factor affecting the nutritive value of lupin, 5. Yellow and white lupins could be utilised as an alternative ingredient for soybean meal in the diet of broiler chickens without any adverse effects on growth performance. The narrow-leaved counterpart diet reduced broiler performance, and hence did not provide a satisfactory outcome.
Macro to micro: microwave remote sensing of plant water content for physiology and ecology.

Contents Summary I. Introduction II. Microwave remote sensing of vegetation III. Linking physiological and remote sensing quantities IV. Approaches for interpreting Mw variations across scales V. Next steps Acknowledgements References SUMMARY: Although primarily valued for their suitability for oceanographic applications and soil moisture estimation, microwave remote sensing observations are also sensitive to plant water content (Mw ). Since Mw depends on both plant water status and biomass, these observations have the potential to be useful for a range of plant drought response studies. In this paper, we introduce the principles behind microwave remote sensing observations to illustrate how they are sensitive to plant water content and discuss the relationship between landscape-scale Mw and common stand-scale metrics, including plant-scale relative water content, live fuel moisture content and leaf water potential. Lastly, we discuss how various sensor types can be leveraged for specific applications depending on the spatio-temporal resolution needed.
Regional Transport Increases Ammonia Concentration in Beijing, China

To elucidate the critical factors influencing the ammonia (NH3) concentration in Beijing, this study combined observational analyses, backward trajectory calculations, and meteorology–chemistry coupled simulations to investigate the variations in the NH3 concentration from 11 May to 24 June, 2015. A significant positive correlation was found between the NH3 and PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing. By examining the relationships between meteorological parameters and the NH3 concentration, both near-surface temperature and relative humidity showed positive correlations with the NH3 concentration. The higher NH3 concentrations were usually associated with the warming of the upper atmosphere. Distinct wind directions were noted during the days of the top and bottom 33.3% NH3 concentrations. The top 33.3% concentrations were primarily related to southwesterly winds, while the bottom ones were associated with westerly and northerly winds. Since there are strong NH3 emissions in the southern plains adjacent to Beijing, the regional transport induced by the southerly prevailing winds would increase the NH3 concentration in Beijing significantly. From 23 to 25 May, more than one third of NH3 in Beijing was contributed by the southerly transport processes. Thus, joint efforts to reduce NH3 emissions in the whole Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region are necessary to regulate the NH3 concentration in Beijing.
Localization of chloride co-transporters in striatal neurons

The ionic driving force for the chloride-permeable GABAA receptor is subject to spatial control and distribution of chloride transporters. NKCC1 and KCC2 are mostly expressed in neurons in a specific manner. In the striatum, the localization of these transporters in identified neurons is unknown. In this study, the expression of these transporters was found to be different between projection neurons and interneurons. NKCC1 immunoreactivity was observed in the soma of adult BAC-D1-eGFP+ and D2-eGFP+ striatal projection neurons (SPNs). KCC2 was not expressed in either projection neuron and immunoreactivity to this transporter was observed only in the neuropile. However, NKCC1 and KCC2 co-transporters were not localized in intracellular biocytin-injected dendrites of SPNs of the direct or indirect pathways (D1-SPNs and D2-SPNs). Experiments with PV+ Cre transgenic mice transfected with Cre-dependent adeno-associated viruses containing tdTomato in the striatum showed a cell-type-specific distribution of KCC2 chloride transporter co-expression associated with PV+ interneurons. Thus, depolarizing actions of GABA responses in adult projection neurons can be explained by the expression and somatic localization of the NKCC1 transporters. A somato/dendritic distribution of KCC2 expression was observed only in striatal interneurons and corresponds to the hyperpolarizing action of GABA recorded in these cells. This correlates the different roles for GABA actions in striatal neuronal excitability with the expression of specific chloride transporters.
Closing Time! Examining the Impact of Gender and Executive Branch Policy Makers on the Timing of Stay-at-Home Orders

Abstract The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered lives across the globe. In the United States, several states attempted to manage the pandemic by issuing stay-at-home orders. In this research note, I examine whether the gender of state policy makers in the executive branch might impact a state's adoption of a stay-at-home order. Using event history analysis, I find that the governor's gender has no impact on the likelihood of a state adopting a stay-at-home order. However, I find that gender plays a significant role for agency heads. Specifically, my analysis shows that states with a female-headed health agency tend to adopt stay-at-home orders earlier than states with a male administrator. These findings shed light on how female leadership in the executive branch may impact public policy regarding COVID-19.
Short‐term effects experienced during examinations in an actively shielded 7 T MR

The objective of this study was to evaluate occurrence and strength of short‐term effects experienced by study participants in an actively shielded (AS) 7 tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, to compare results with earlier reports on passively shielded (PS) 7 T MR scanners, and to outline possible healthcare strategies to improve patient compliance. Study participants (n = 124) completed a web‐based questionnaire directly after being examined in an AS 7 T MR (n = 154 examinations). Most frequently experienced short‐term effects were dizziness (84%) and inconsistent movement (70%), especially while moving into or out of the magnet. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)—twitching—was experienced in 67% of research examinations and showed a dependence between strength of twitches and recorded predicted PNS values. Of the participants, 74% experienced noise levels as acceptable and the majority experienced body and room temperature as comfortable. Of the study participants, 95% felt well‐informed and felt they had had good contact with the staff before the examination. Willingness to undergo a future 7 T examination was high (>90%). Our study concludes short‐term effects are often experienced during examinations in an AS 7 T MR, leaving room for improvement in nursing care strategies to increase patient compliance. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;9999:XX–XX. © 2019 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Comparison of Correlation Structure Selection Penalties for Generalized Estimating Equations

ABSTRACT Correlated data are commonly analyzed using models constructed using population-averaged generalized estimating equations (GEEs). The specification of a population-averaged GEE model includes selection of a structure describing the correlation of repeated measures. Accurate specification of this structure can improve efficiency, whereas the finite-sample estimation of nuisance correlation parameters can inflate the variances of regression parameter estimates. Therefore, correlation structure selection criteria should penalize, or account for, correlation parameter estimation. In this article, we compare recently proposed penalties in terms of their impacts on correlation structure selection and regression parameter estimation, and give practical considerations for data analysts. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
The measure of Chinese religions: Denomination-based or deity-based?

In the past two decades, scholars have devoted much attention to the measure of Chinese religions, mainly using the scheme based on denominational affiliation, which is the most common approach to religious classification in western societies. However, the denomination-based scheme cannot capture the actual religious life of China. We point out four challenges this scheme encounters in survey research in China: the foreignness of the Chinese term ‘religion’ (Zongjiao); the misconception of denominational affiliation; the inapplicability of compulsory, one-single-choice religion; and the social or political sensitivity of specific religions, especially Protestantism. After critiquing the traditional scheme used to measure Chinese religions, we offer a new approach that addresses its shortcomings. Our revised approach attempts to research belief without using the term ‘religion’, focuses on belief in deities rather than on denominational affiliation, and allows multiple answers to the question about religious beliefs. In order to compare the denomination-based scheme with the deity-based scheme, we conducted experiments in the three waves of the China Family Panel Studies in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Our results show that the deity-based scheme yields more meaningful interpretations and more accuracy in religious classification than the denomination-based scheme in China. This article ends with some suggestions for improving the measurement of Chinese religion in future survey research studies.
Imagining the Real: Buddhist Paths to Wholeness in Tibet

In many Buddhist traditions, confusion is intrinsic to ordinary experience. This confusion, or ignorance, consists either of imagining as existent something is which isn’t, like an inviolable self, or denying into no-existence something that does exist, like cause and effect. Buddhist practitioners seek freedom from all such mesmerizing imaginals. And yet the path to freedom itself involves of intentional imagining. How can this be? In making the multi-faceted role of the imagination in Buddhist thought and contemplative practice our focus here, we note how such imagining differs from thinking, especially through its integration of the cognitive emotional, and somatic or embodied experience. And we consider especially how this works in Dzogchen, the Great Completeness, regarded as the acme of the ancient (Nyingma) Tibetan Buddhist paths. Dzogchen’s way of handling the apparent conundrum of imagination bringing freedom from itself is actually a key to its inclusive vision. e We here introduce the stages of such training by referring to an especially succinct distillation of them in 18th
Production and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals/ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites

The use of cellulose nanocrystals as reinforcement in polymers brings challenges mainly related to the dry thermal processing, and their adhesion and dispersion in the matrix. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals from sugarcane bagasse was used as reinforcement in nanocomposites of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Thus, the main objective of this work is to evaluate the mechanical and thermal performance of cellulose nanocrystals/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (CNC/ABS) nanocomposites as a function of cellulose nanocrystals type and content. More specifically, to study the effects of the chemical interaction between acrylonitrile groups from ABS and hydroxyl groups from cellulose. The ABS and the nanocomposites, reinforced with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt% nanocrystals, were obtained by extrusion and then injection molded to obtain specimens for testing. Mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology and thermogravimetric analysis were used for characterization. The main results are related to increased impact strength, elastic modulus, storage modulus and viscosity of the nanocomposite compared to ABS. However, tensile strength and thermal stability decreased. Therefore, if higher tensile properties are needed, the CNC220/ABS nanocomposites should be preferred whereas, for impact, CNC150/ABS. Thus, there is a general improvement in properties up to 0.5% cellulose nanocrystals content, which is followed by a loss in properties for higher content.
Should Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) be Used With Focus Groups? Navigating the Bumpy Road of “Iterative Loops,” Idiographic Journeys, and “Phenomenological Bridges”

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative thematic approach developed within psychology underpinned by an idiographic philosophy, thereby focusing on the subjective lived experiences of individuals. However, it has been used in focus groups of which some have been critical because of the difficulties of extrapolating the individual voice which is more embedded within the group dynamics and the added complexity of multiple hermeneutics occurring. Some have adapted IPA for use with focus groups, while others provide scant regard to these philosophical tensions. This raises the question whether IPA should be used with focus group data. To address these concerns, this article will set out a step-by-step guide of how IPA was adapted for use with focus groups involving drug using offenders (including illustrative examples with participants’ quotes). A rationale of why it was important to use both focus groups and an IPA approach will be covered including the value, merits, and challenges this presented. An overview of how participants’ idiographic accounts of their drug use, relapse, and recovery were developed will be provided. This article will conclude with a suggested way forward to satisfy the theoretical tensions and address the question raised in the title.
Web-based Knowledge Management System for Camarines Norte State College

One of the issues of the academic institution is knowledge management. How the academe disseminate information over the academic community on real time and the availability of knowledge anytime and anywhere is challenging task in every institution. The objective of this study is to develop Knowledge Management System for Camarines Norte State College that is capable of knowledge sharing, creating and knowledge repository. The developed KM system is designed specifically to cater the requirements of the academic institutions especially Camarines Norte State College in terms of knowledge management. A usability test was conducted to find out how far the academic community can interact efficiently and effectively and how far the system application provides user guidance, provide information, and provide consistent interaction. The pooled mean of the overall usability test was 4.55 with adjectival rating of SA or strongly agree, which means that the system has the functionality needed by the users, easy to use and the system is very useful. Moreover, KMS in Higher Education Institution (HEI) could help in the growth of learner centered knowledge and action learning, growth in work-related learning, movement from closed to open knowledge systems and extensive development in computer-based communication technologies.
Pro-Inflammatory Role of S1P3 in Macrophages

Sphingosine kinase 1 and its product, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), as well as their receptors, have been implicated in inflammatory responses. The functions of receptors S1P1 and S1P2 on cell motility have been investigated. However, the function of S1P3 has been poorly investigated. In this study, the roles of S1P3 on inflammatory response were investigated in primary perito-neal macrophages. S1P3 receptor was induced along with sphingosine kinase 1 by stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS treatment induced inflammatory genes, such iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. TY52156, an antagonist of S1P3 suppressed the induction of inflammatory genes in a concentration dependent manner. Suppression of iNOS and COX-2 induction was further confirmed by western blotting and NO measurement. Suppression of IL-1β induction was also confirmed by western blotting and ELISA. Caspase 1, which is responsible for IL-1β production, was similarly induced by LPS and suppressed by TY52156. Therefore, we have shown S1P3 induction in the inflammatory conditions and its pro-inflammatory roles. Targeting S1P3 might be a strategy for regulating inflammatory diseases.
Flipped Learning in Information Technology Courses: Effectiveness and Impact

This study’s purpose is to investigate the implication of the use of flipped learning on students’ performance and perception. Participants are the second-year and third-year undergraduate students enrolled in the Information Technology courses. One hundred and twenty-five students were the participants associate with an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group consisted of the students of the ISD class A and BI courses. Meanwhile, the students of ISD class D and MIT were the control group. The experiments employed two instruments: (1) students’ final score, and (2) questionnaire. This study used the independent sample t-test and two-proportion z-test to analyze the collected data. The result showed that the students’ performance in the FL classes was superior to a traditional learning setting. Students’ perception of both courses is higher than the experimental group. Besides, we observed that studying in an FL model had a positive impact on students’ motivation. These findings suggest that the FL could be a promising way of enhancing students’ learning outcomes.
Brain Tumor Detection and Segmentation: A Survey

Even with the enormous progress in medical technology, brain tumor detection is still an extremely tedious and complex task for the physicians. The early and accurate detection of brain tumors enables effective and efficient therapy and thus can result in increased survival rates. Automatic detection and classification of brain tumors have the potential to achieve efficiency and a higher degree of predictable accuracy. However, it is well established that the accuracy performance of automatic detection and classification techniques varies from technique to technique, and tends to be image modality dependent. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art detection techniques and highlights their pros and cons.