Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focal spinal hyperesthesia as a prognostic factor in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) is the most common cause of spinal cord compression in dogs, whose prognosis is variable and depends on several factors, with deep pain perception (DPP) being the main parameter used. Investigations of new prognostic factors are studied to assist in the estimation of functional recovery. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether spinal hyperesthesia (SH) at the compression site can be used as a prognostic factor for the functional recovery of dogs with acute IVDE (Hansen type I), without DPP being subjected to thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Decompression surgery was performed on the same day or the day after admission. The duration of the loss of DPP until surgery performance ranged from 1 to 60 days, with a median of 4.5 days for the group of dogs with SH and 5.5 days for those without SH. Among the 68 dogs included in this retrospective study, 73.5% (50/68) showed SH, and 26.5% (18/68) were not identified. Recovery was satisfactory in 60% (30/50) of dogs with SH and in 27.7% (5/18) of dogs without SH, demonstrating that paraplegic dogs without DPP but with SH were 3.9 times more likely to recover when compared to dogs in the same condition, but with no SH. No studies have evaluated SH by palpation of the spine as a prognostic factor, which reinforces the relevance of the present study. The results of this study imply that SH in paraplegic dogs affected by thoracolumbar IVDE, without the presence of DPP, can be used as a possible prognostic indicator of functional recovery.
Saccharides as Particulate Matter Tracers of Biomass Burning: A Review

The adverse effects of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on health and ecosystems, as well as on meteorology and climate change, are well known to the scientific community. It is therefore undeniable that a good understanding of the sources of PM is crucial for effective control of emissions and to protect public health. One of the major contributions to atmospheric PM is biomass burning, a practice used both in agriculture and home heating, which can be traced and identified by analyzing sugars emitted from the combustion of cellulose and hemicellulose that make up biomass. In this review comparing almost 200 selected articles, we highlight the most recent studies that broaden such category of tracers, covering research publications on residential wood combustions, open-fire or combustion chamber burnings and ambient PM in different regions of Asia, America and Europe. The purpose of the present work is to collect data in the literature that indicate a direct correspondence between biomass burning and saccharides emitted into the atmosphere with regard to distinguishing common sugars attributed to biomass burning from those that have co-causes of issue. In this paper, we provide a list of 24 compounds, including those most commonly recognized as biomass burning tracers (i.e., levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan), from which it emerges that monosaccharide anhydrides, sugar alcohols and primary sugars have been widely reported as organic tracers for biomass combustion, although it has also been shown that emissions of these compounds depend not only on combustion characteristics and equipment but also on fuel type, combustion quality and weather conditions. Although it appears that it is currently not possible to define a single compound as a universal indicator of biomass combustion, this review provides a valuable tool for the collection of information in the literature and identifies analytes that can lead to the determination of patterns for the distribution between PM generated by biomass combustion.
The Pursuit of Innovative Theory in the Digital Age

Grover & Lyytinen (2015) urged to reassess the Information System (IS) field’s exclusive dependence on reference theories and to engage more in blue-ocean theorizing. From its inception, such need has been latent in the field, because it deals with novel, fast changing, complex, and systemic phenomena that is hard to account with received theory. We note in this essay that the need for innovative theorizing is heightened given the unprecedented, pervasive digitalization of contemporary society, accelerated by ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this essay, we scrutinize further the idea of blue-ocean theorizing and review the characteristics, impediments, and merits of developing innovative theory. We define endeavors toward such theory as collectively endorsed cognitive processes which increase variance and novelty of theoretical accounts of IS phenomena. These push to deviate from the field’s established theoretical (canonical) core by relaxing six assumptions that guide dominant, legitimate forms of the field’s theorizing. We identify and review institutional barriers that curb the development of innovative theory. In conclusion, we offer guidelines for how the field and its stakeholders can productively engage in developing and evaluating innovative theory.
The Role of Endovascular Procedure for Peripheral Arterial Disease in Diabetic Patients With Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for all forms of cardiovascular diseases, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is determined by the presence of ischemic rest pain, and may or may not be accompanied by tissue loss (such as ulcers and gangrene) or infection. Treatments for CLTI consist of wound treatment, infection control, and ischemia control by arterial revascularization, which can be performed by either open surgical procedure (bypass) or an endovascular approach. We present two cases of chronic limb-threatening ischemia, one with an above-knee lesion and the other with a below-knee lesion. In addition to good wound treatment and glucose control as the risk factor management, we performed endovascular therapy in both patients. Both patients showed good wound improvement after the procedure.
An incremental software architecture recovery technique driven by code changes

It is difficult to keep software architecture up to date with code changes during software evolution. Inconsistency is caused by the limitations of standard development specifications and human power resources, which may impact software maintenance. To solve this problem, we propose an incremental software architecture recovery (ISAR) technique. Our technique obtains dependency information from changed code blocks and identifies different strength-level dependencies. Then, we use double classifiers to recover the architecture based on the method of mapping code-level changes to architecture-level updates. ISAR is evaluated on 10 open-source projects, and the results show that it performs more effectively and efficiently than the compared techniques. We also find that the impact of low-quality architectural documentation on effectiveness remains stable during software evolution.
Moments of fun: Narratives of children’s experiences of music therapy in mental health care

ABSTRACT Introduction Mental health issues in children involve complexities and life challenges for the child and their families. Music therapy as part of treatment in mental health care focuses on interaction and communication through music, with emphasis on the children’s resources. There is a small, but growing amount of research in the field of music therapy with children in mental health care. Method This qualitative study explored children’s own experiences of music therapy in mental health care at the hospital. This was done through a multiple case study design, including semi-structured interviews with seven children and participant observations. A narrative approach informed by “portraiture” was used in the analysis process in order to highlight non-dominant experiences and allow for multiple modalities in the analysis and in the presentation of findings. Findings The children’s experiences were expressed through various modalities. These were displayed through narratives representing the core of the interview with each particular child. The word fun became a prominent emerging theme across the cases. Discussion In the children’s expressions, the word fun seemed to be a container of experiences, with rich variations and multiple meanings. Through a thorough attention to this word and the children’s actions before, after and while they spoke, multidimensional meanings of the word emerged. Through listening to the children’s own experiences, fun proved to be an essential part of music therapy in mental health care with children, not as mere entertainment, but as something of existential importance and with great therapeutic potentials.
Disparity and Factors Associated With Internet Health Information Seeking Among US Adults Living With Diabetes Mellitus: Cross-sectional Study

Background Many patients with chronic medical conditions search the internet to obtain medical advice and health information to improve their health condition and quality of life. Diabetes is a common chronic disease that disproportionately affects different race and ethnicity groups in the United States. In the existing literature on the popularity of internet health information seeking among persons with a chronic medical condition, there are limited data on US adults living with diabetes. Objective This study aims to examine the factors associated with internet health information seeking among US adults living with diabetes and whether there is a disparity in internet health information seeking stratified by race and ethnicity. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Health Information National Trends Survey data from 2017 to 2020. We selected our study sample based on respondents’ reports on whether they were told they had diabetes, and our primary outcome was internet health information–seeking behavior. We used 2 multivariable logistic regression models to examine the effects of sociodemographic factors and other covariates on the internet health information–seeking behavior of adults with diabetes. Jackknife replicate weights were used to provide bias-corrected variance estimates. Results Our study sample included 2903 adults who self-reported that they had diabetes. In total, 60.08% (1744/2903) were non-Hispanic White individuals, 46.88% (1336/2850) were men, and 64% (1812/2831) had some college or graduate education. The prevalence of internet health information seeking in this population was 64.49% (1872/2903), and the main factors associated with internet health information seeking included education level (some college vs less than high school: odds ratio [OR] 1.42, 95% CI 1.44-1.88; and college graduate or higher vs less than high school: OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.79-3.50), age (age group ≥65 years vs age group 18-44 years: OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.34-0.63), and household income level (P<.001). In addition, we found significant differences in the effects of predictors stratified by race. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest that internet health information seeking is common among US adults living with diabetes. Internet health information could influence the relationship between health care providers and adults living with diabetes and improve their self-management and quality of life.
Toward Suicidal Ideation Detection with Lexical Network Features and Machine Learning

In this study, we introduce a new network feature for detecting suicidal ideation from clinical texts and conduct various additional experiments to enrich the state of knowledge. We evaluate statistical features with and without stopwords, use lexical networks for feature extraction and classification, and compare the results with standard machine learning methods using a logistic classifier, a neural network, and a deep learning method. We utilize three text collections. The first two contain transcriptions of interviews conducted by experts with suicidal (n=161 patients that experienced severe ideation) and control subjects (n=153). The third collection consists of interviews conducted by experts with epilepsy patients, with a few of them admitting to experiencing suicidal ideation in the past (32 suicidal and 77 control). The selected methods detect suicidal ideation with an average area under the curve (AUC) score of 95% on the merged collection with high suicidal ideation, and the trained models generalize over the third collection with an average AUC score of 69%. Results reveal that lexical networks are promising for classification and feature extraction as successful as the deep learning model. We also observe that a logistic classifier’s performance was comparable with the deep learning method while promising explainability.
Differences between Systems Using Optical and Capacitive Sensors in Treadmill-Based Spatiotemporal Analysis of Level and Sloping Gait

Modern technology has enabled researchers to analyze gait with great accuracy and in various conditions based on the needs of the trainees. The purpose of the study was to investigate the agreement between systems equipped with optical and capacitive sensors in the analysis of treadmill-based level and sloping gait. The spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured in 30 healthy college-level students during barefoot walking on 0% (level), −10% and −20% (downhill) and +10% and +20% (uphill) slopes at hiking-related speeds using an optoelectric cell system and an instrumented treadmill. Inter-system agreement was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% limits of agreement. Our findings revealed excellent ICCs for the temporal and between moderate to excellent ICCs for the spatial parameters of gait. Walking downhill and on a 10% slope demonstrated better inter-system agreement compared to walking uphill and on a 20% slope. Inter-system agreement regarding the duration of gait phases was increased by increasing the number of LEDs used by the optoelectric cell system to detect the contact event. The present study suggests that systems equipped with optical and capacitive sensors can be used interchangeably in the treadmill-based spatiotemporal analysis of level and sloping gait.
Sn-Beta Catalyzed Transformations of Sugars—Advances in Catalyst and Applications

Beta zeolite modified with Sn in the framework (Sn-Beta) was synthesized and introduced as a heterogeneous catalyst for Baeyer–Villiger oxidations about twenty years ago. Since then, both syntheses strategies, characterization and understanding as well as applications with the material have developed significantly. Remarkably, Sn-Beta zeolite has been discovered to exhibit unprecedented high catalytic efficiency for the transformation of glucose to fructose (i.e., aldoses to ketoses) and lactic acid derivatives in both aqueous and alcoholic media, which has inspired an extensive interest to develop more facile and scalable syntheses routes and applications for sugars transformations. This review survey the progress made on both syntheses approaches of Sn-Beta and applications of the material within catalyzed transformations of sugar, including bottom-up and top-down syntheses and catalyzed isomerization, dehydration, and fragmentation of sugars.
Investigating controls on bedrock river incision using natural and laboratory experiments

Upland 'bedrock' rivers largely determine the structure and distribution of landscape relief, and are a primary means by which tectonic and climatic signals are transmitted to the earth's surface. This thesis investigates the key controls on the dynamics, behaviour and incisional capability of these channels, using a synthesis of detailed field observations of rivers crossing active normal faults in the Apennines, and laboratory experiments to quantify the role that sediment supply exerts on the rate of bedrock abrasion. I show that rivers crossing active normal faults that have undergone an increase in throw rate within the last iMy are characterised by significant long profile convexities ('knickzones'), while similar channels crossing faults which have slipped at a constant-rate for 3 My have concave-up profiles and appear to have reached topographic steady-state. The convex reaches cannot be accounted for by appeal to lithology or regional base-level change and are best explained as a transient response of rivers near the detachment-limited end-member to the increase in fault uplift rate. This is the first time that a transient response to tectonics has been unambiguously demonstrated in the field, and I show that a key aspect of this transient response is a loss of hydraulic scaling, particularly in channel width, in the zone of maximum uplift near the fault. This adjustment allows the river to increase its erosivity to keep pace with on-going fault uplift, and explains how rivers manage to avoid being defeated or deflected by active tectonics. However this finding also demonstrates that steady-state hydraulic scaling algorithms commonly incorporated in many landscape evolution models are inappropriate for transient settings. I also show that other diagnostic criteria of a transient bedrock river response to changes in tectonic boundary conditions include: channel aspect ratios which are a non-linear function of local channel gradient narrow valley flat widths/gorge formation coupled hill-slopes that are taken to the angle of repose spikes in unit-stream power that are much shorter than the wavelength of the imposed uplift field elevated coarse fraction (D84) grain-sizes in the channel (related to landslide input of coarse debris) compared to rivers of similar drainage area at topographic steadystate.
Validation and Data-Integration of Yeast-Based Assays for Functional Classification of BRCA1 Missense Variants

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene have been reported to increase the lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer (BOC). By new sequencing technologies, numerous variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are identified. It is mandatory to develop new tools to evaluate their functional impact and pathogenicity. As the expression of pathogenic BRCA1 variants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae increases the frequency of intra- and inter-chromosomal homologous recombination (HR), and gene reversion (GR), we validated the two HR and the GR assays by testing 23 benign and 23 pathogenic variants and compared the results with those that were obtained in the small colony phenotype (SCP) assay, an additional yeast-based assay, that was validated previously. We demonstrated that they scored high accuracy, sensitivity, and sensibility. By using a classifier that was based on majority of voting, we have integrated data from HR, GR, and SCP assays and developed a reliable method, named yBRCA1, with high sensitivity to obtain an accurate VUS functional classification (benign or pathogenic). The classification of BRCA1 variants, important for assessing the risk of developing BOC, is often difficult to establish with genetic methods because they occur rarely in the population. This study provides a new tool to get insights on the functional impact of the BRCA1 variants.
Factors Related to Animal Welfare in the Commercialization of Bovine Livestock According to the Chilean Legislation: A Review

distress ABSTRACT Animal welfare determines the state with which the individual copes with environmental alterations, it is evaluated mainly with biochemical, behavioral, productive, and physiological parameters, allowing to provide them with optimal conditions to improve their quality of life. Production systems expose cattle to stressful situations that alter animal welfare, largely due to increased human-animal interaction. In Chile, Law 20.380, together with decrees 28, 29 and 30 of the Ministry of Agriculture regulate the transport, slaughter, and maintenance of animals in different establishments. However, at present, there are still alterations in animal welfare throughout the production process, reflected in behavioral parameters such as vocalizations and falls, as well as failures in handling by operators and in the process of herding or stunning. The aim of this work was to analyze the factors related to animal welfare in the commercialization of cattle in accordance with Chilean legislation, generating a practical guide for the evaluation of animal welfare based on behavioral manifestations and suggestions for the appropriate handling of cattle.
Improving Stability of Bioactive Components and Folate and Survival of Bifidobacterium Bifidum and Bifidobacterium Lactis in Probiotic Ice Creams Containing Japanese Loquat Pulps

Background and Objectives: Ice cream is a probiotic carrier and Bifidobacterium spp. are used to promote health benefits such as vitamin improvement. These bacteria are commonly known as probiotic bacteria. The objective of the present study was to add Japanese loquats, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum to improve beneficial and nutritional characteristics of ice creams. Materials and Methods: Bacteria were used in various cream samples supplemented with Japanese loquat pulps (10, 20 and 30% concentrations). Then, physicochemical (pH, acidity, protein, fat, ash and dry matter), melting, colorimetric ( L * , a * and b * ), overrun and sensory characteristics were assessed. Bioactive parameters of the ice creams, including phenolic component, antioxidant activity, probiotic bacterial survival and folate value, were investigated within eight weeks. Results: Ash, dry matter, melting rate and overrun significantly increased by adding Japanese loquat pulps ( p < 0.05). However, no significant effects on pH, acidity, protein and fat of various probiotic ice creams were seen by increasing pulps ( p > 0.05). Probiotic ice creams significantly included further phenolic compounds (98.63 mg GAE/100g), antioxidant activity (105.12 mg/100g) and bacterial viability (8.23 log CFU/g) by increasing Japanese loquat pulps. However, these parameters decreased by extending the storage time ( p < 0.05). Increases in pulp and storage time significantly increased folates of various samples ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The highest functional capacities of the probiotic ice creams belonged to a mixture of Bifidobacterium bifidum , Bifidobacterium lactis and 30% of Japanese loquat pulps.
Homelessness during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Exploratory Study in Switzerland

ABSTRACT The coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected people of all social strata, and continues to do so, but its effect has been the most severe on members of the most precarious populations. In this exploratory study conducted in Switzerland, the specific situation of homeless people, a particularly vulnerable population, is examined from a criminological perspective. In total, we surveyed 32 homeless individuals: 14 during the first wave of the pandemic (March-September 2020) and 18 during the second wave (December 2020-March 2021). Results corroborate that the pandemic has had adverse effects on the respondents – both socioeconomic and psychological. Most of the participants do not use drugs and, overall, those who reported drug use did not report an increase during the epidemic. The occurrence of both victimization and offending is low among the participants. Ethical and methodological considerations such as the minimization of social desirability bias, satisficing, as well as the recruitment of difficult-to-reach participants and data collection more broadly during a pandemic are discussed.