Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Science Consultants, Fictional Films, and Scientific Practice

When scientists act as consultants during the production of a fictional film, it becomes an act of communication that plays a role in the process of science. Fictional film provides a space for scientists to visually model their conceptions of nature. Film impacts scientific practice as science consultants utilize film as a virtual witnessing technology to gather allies among specialists and non-specialists. Film not only has the ability to act as a virtual witnessing technology, but also forces consensus on the public version of scientific debates by presenting a single vision of nature in a perceptually realistic structure. This paper shows films to be successful communicative devices within the scientific community by showing that, and how, other scientists respond to the depictions in the films. It also demonstrates that science consultants use fictional films as promotional devices for their research fields.
Not everything that counts can be counted: Tracking long‐term outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients

For pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients, an ideal outcome is to survive and thrive into adulthood. However, outcomes reporting for all LT recipients typically rely on much shorter‐term outcomes, 1–5 years post‐LT. Using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) registry data from 1990 to 2018, this analysis seeks to determine if long‐term follow‐up and outcome data are complete for pediatric LT recipients age 0 to 12 years who survive at least 1 year post‐LT without graft loss (n = 9309). Of the 7948 pediatric transplant recipients who did not die or require re‐LT, 1 in 6 was reported as lost to follow‐up by their transplant center during long‐term follow‐up. Rates of lost to follow‐up were highest in those transplanted between 1990 and 1999 and increased in early adulthood for all recipients. Almost 10% of pediatric LT recipients who remained in follow‐up required relisting for LT. 8% of children remaining in follow‐up had graft failure. Lost to follow‐up may bias estimates of long‐term outcomes and risk factors for poor outcomes. For those remaining in follow‐up, graft failure and death continue to occur in the decades after LT. Continued proactive monitoring, management, and innovations are needed to truly optimize post‐LT survival for all children.
Role of Oxidative Stress in Ocular Diseases Associated with Retinal Ganglion Cells Degeneration

Ocular diseases associated with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that causes irreversible blindness worldwide. It is characterized by visual field defects and progressive optic nerve atrophy. The underlying pathophysiology and mechanisms of RGC degeneration in several ocular diseases remain largely unknown. RGCs are a population of central nervous system neurons, with their soma located in the retina and long axons that extend through the optic nerve to form distal terminals and connections in the brain. Because of this unique cytoarchitecture and highly compartmentalized energy demand, RGCs are highly mitochondrial-dependent for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Recently, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been found to be the principal mechanisms in RGC degeneration as well as in other neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review the role of oxidative stress in several ocular diseases associated with RGC degenerations, including glaucoma, hereditary optic atrophy, inflammatory optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, traumatic optic neuropathy, and drug toxicity. We also review experimental approaches using cell and animal models for research on the underlying mechanisms of RGC degeneration. Lastly, we discuss the application of antioxidants as a potential future therapy for the ocular diseases associated with RGC degenerations.
ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests

Background Appropriate interpretation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) involves the classification of observed values as within/outside the normal range based on a reference population of healthy individuals, integrating knowledge of physiological determinants of test results into functional classifications and integrating patterns with other clinical data to estimate prognosis. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) jointly adopted technical standards for the interpretation of PFTs. We aimed to update the 2005 recommendations and incorporate evidence from recent literature to establish new standards for PFT interpretation. Methods This technical standards document was developed by an international joint Task Force, appointed by the ERS/ATS with multidisciplinary expertise in conducting and interpreting PFTs and developing international standards. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and published evidence was reviewed. Results Recommendations for the choice of reference equations and limits of normal of the healthy population to identify individuals with unusually low or high results are discussed. Interpretation strategies for bronchodilator responsiveness testing, limits of natural changes over time and severity are also updated. Interpretation of measurements made by spirometry, lung volumes and gas transfer are described as they relate to underlying pathophysiology with updated classification protocols of common impairments. Conclusions Interpretation of PFTs must be complemented with clinical expertise and consideration of the inherent biological variability of the test and the uncertainty of the test result to ensure appropriate interpretation of an individual's lung function measurements. Data from pulmonary function tests must be complemented with clinical expertise and consideration of the inherent biological variability and uncertainty of the test result to ensure appropriate interpretation of an individual's lung function measurements https://bit.ly/3ecIuFc
A more gradual positive end-expiratory pressure increase reduces lung damage and improves cardiac function in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Increases in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or recruitment maneuvers may increase stress in lung parenchyma, extracellular matrix, and lung vessels; however, adaptative responses may occur. We evaluated the effects of PEEP on lung damage and cardiac function when increased abruptly, gradually, or more gradually in experimental mild/moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide intratracheally. After 24h, Wistar rats (n=48) were randomly assigned to four mechanical ventilation strategies according to PEEP levels: (1) 3 cmH2O for 2-h (control); (2) 3 cmH2O for 1-h followed by an abrupt increase to 9 cmH2O for 1-h (no adaptation time); (3) 3 cmH2O for 30 min followed by a gradual increase to 9 cmH2O over 30 min then kept constant for 1-h (shorter adaptation time); and (4) more gradual increase in PEEP from 3 cmH2O to 9 cmH2O over 1-h and kept constant thereafter (longer adaptation time). At the end of the experiment, oxygenation improved in the shorter and longer adaptation time groups compared to the no-adaptation and control groups. Diffuse alveolar damage and expressions of interleukin-6, club cell protein-16, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, amphiregulin, decorin, and syndecan were higher in no adaptation time compared to other groups. Pulmonary arterial pressure was lower in longer adaptation time than in no adaptation (p=0.002) and shorter adaptation time (p=0.025) groups. In this model, gradually increasing PEEP limited lung damage and release of biomarkers associated with lung epithelial/endothelial cell and extracellular matrix damage, as well as the PEEP-associated increase in pulmonary arterial pressure.
Serum NT-pro-BNP Levels Predict Cardiovascular Events in Acromegaly Patients

Background Acromegaly is associated with an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular (CV) events. Controlling acromegaly decreases, but does not normalize this risk. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) assessment is used in the general population for the diagnosis of heart failure and to predict ischemic recurrences and mortality. This is a retrospective, longitudinal, monocenter study that evaluates the role of serum N-terminal fragment of BNP (NT-pro-BNP) for predicting CV events in acromegaly patients. Methods Serum NT-pro-BNP levels were measured in 76 patients with acromegaly (23 males, 57.7±1.5 years), and compared with other predictors of CV events. NT-pro-BNP cut-off value discriminating the occurrence of CV events was determined by ROC analysis. CV events were recorded during a follow-up of 78.6±6.4 months. Results CV events occurred in 9.2% of patients. Mean log(NT-pro-BNP) concentration was higher in patients who experienced CV events than in those who did not (p<0.01) and in patients who died due to CV events than in those who died due to other causes (p<0.01). Based on the ROC curve, a cut-off value of 91.55 pg/mL could predict CV events (OR 19.06). Log(NT-pro-BNP) was lower in surgically treated patients by surgery (p<0.05), and in those cured by neurosurgery (p<0.02). Conclusions High NT-pro-BNP value is an independent middle-term predictor of fatal or non-fatal CV events in patients with acromegaly. According to this parameter, surgically treated patients show lower CV risk than those managed with medical therapy, especially if the disease is cured.
The diagnostic performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and its correlation with subtypes of breast cancer

Abstract To evaluate diagnostic performance of perfusion-weighted imaging in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions, and the correlation between the prognostic factors/subtypes of breast cancers and the perfusion parameters. A total of 76 patients (59 cases with breast cancer) were included in our study. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test or the Kruskal–Wallis test were adopted for comparisons according to the dichotomous histopathologic prognostic factors or immunohistochemical subtypes. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the area under the curve (AUC) values for perfusion parameters to assess discrimination ability. Confirming by pathology after operation, the percentage of benign lesions is 22.37% (17/76), malignant lesions (breast cancer) is 77.63% (59/76). According to puncture and pathological findings after operation, the standard of the molecular subtypes of breast cancer, triple negative account for 13.6% (8/59), non-triple negative account for 86.4% (51/59). The value of mean Ktrans and Kep were lower in benign than malignant lesions (P ≤ .001). The AUC of the 3 indicators are significantly improved after adjusting for age (AUC = 0.858 for Ktrans, AUC = 0.926 for Kep, and AUC = 0.827 for Ve). Moreover, the Ve index showed better discrimination performance than other indicators in identifying patients with triple-negative subtypes. Similarly, the identification ability came to the highest when combing Kep and Ve. Perfusion parameters on dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging are statistically significant in distinguishing benign from malignant breast lesion, and may potentially be used as biomarkers in discriminating patients with triple-negative molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Highly Porous Expanded Graphite: Thermal Shock vs. Programmable Heating

Highly porous expanded graphite was synthesized by the programmable heating technique using heating with a constant rate (20 °C/min) from room temperature to 400–700 °C. The samples obtained were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. A comparison between programmable heating and thermal shock as methods of producing expanded graphite showed efficiency of the first one at a temperature 400 °C, and the surface area reached 699 and 184 m2/g, respectively. The proposed technique made it possible to obtain a relatively higher yield of expanded graphite (78–90%) from intercalated graphite. The experiments showed the advantages of programmable heating in terms of its flexibility and the possibility to manage the textural properties, yield, disorder degree, and bulk density of expanded graphite.
CFD Estimation of the Unsteady Fluid Force Along a Fuel Rod Downstream a Mixing Grid

Unsteady flow loading of fuel assemblies in Pressurised Water Reactors power plants is a potential cause of deformation and of fretting wear damage. Inside a fuel assembly, rods are arranged in 17 × 17 bundles. The rod diameter is equal to about 9 mm, and the gap between two rods is equal to about 2 mm. Each rod is several meters long, and mixing grids are arranged every 0.4 m. The axial flow velocity is equal to about 5 m/s, so that the Reynolds number reaches 5 × 105 in the reactor configuration. Due to the complexity of the turbulent flow pattern, an accurate description of the fluid-structure interaction is still a challenging task, and only a few data about this issue are available today in literature. Recent Computational Fluid Dynamics results are revisited from the point of view of classical axial turbulence-induced vibrations. The unsteady pressure force Power Spectral Densities are determined, a convective velocity is derived, and an estimation of the axial correlation length for the pressure force is given. The results agree reasonably well with the scientific literature.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Reference Ranges of Left Ventricular Hemodynamic Forces in Healthy Adults: A Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic Study

Background: The normal limits of left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic forces (HDFs) are not exactly known. The aim of this study was to explore the full spectrum of HDF parameters in healthy subjects and determine their physiologic correlates. Methods: 269 healthy subjects were enrolled (mean age: 43 ± 14 years; 123 (45.7%) men). All participants underwent an echo-Doppler examination. Tri-plane tissue tracking from apical views was used to measure 2D global endocardial longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and LV HDFs. HDFs were normalized with LV volume and divided by specific weight. Results: LV systolic longitudinal HDFs (%) were higher in men (20.8 ± 6.5 vs. 18.9 ± 5.6, p = 0.009; 22.0 ± 6.7 vs. 19.8 ± 5.6, p = 0.004, respectively). There was a significant correlation between GCS (increased) (r = −0.240, p < 0.001) and LV longitudinal HDFs (reduced) (r = −0.155, p = 0.01) with age. In a multivariable analysis age, BSA, pulse pressure, heart rate and GCS were the only independent variables associated with LV HDFs (β coefficient = −0.232, p < 0.001; 0.149, p = 0.003; 0.186, p < 0.001; 0.396, p < 0.001; −0.328, p < 0.001; respectively). Conclusion: We report on the physiologic range of LV HDFs. Knowledge of reference values of HDFs may prompt their implementation into clinical routine and allow a more comprehensive assessment of the LV function.
Modeling And Analysis Of Induction Motor Drive With Novel Multilevel Inverter

Multilevel Inverter has been recognized as an attractive topology for high voltage DC-AC conversion. Multi-level inverters are also the best form to solve power quality problems. However as the number of output level increases, the circuit becomes bulky due to the increase in the number of power devices. This paper presents a modified Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter with reduction of power switches with the combined high and low switching frequencies. Feasibility of the developed approach has been identified with the optimum number of switches for electrical drives applications. In this paper, a detailed d-q modeling of a modified H-bridge multilevel VSI fed induction motor drive is developed. The simulation results are verified by using the Matlab/simulink 2009.
"Bye-bye steam gages, welcome glass": a review of new display technology for general aviation aircraft

New glass display and avionics technology is emerging in the realm of general aviation. The near future will see more and more of these displays being certified for retrofit use in the existing GA fleet, as well as for use in new aircraft. We have conducted a review and feature comparison of primary flight displays (PFD) and multi-function displays (MFD). In addition, we reviewed future display concepts including synthetic vision systems (SVS) that will find their way in the GA fleet under programs such as NASA's SATS. This paper provides an overview and feature-by-feature comparison of this new technology.
Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunosensor for the Electrochemical Detection of Chlortoluron Herbicide in Groundwaters

Chlortoluron (3-(3-chloro-p-tolyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea) is an herbicide widely used in substitution to isoproturon to control grass weed in wheat and barley crops. Chlortoluron has been detected in groundwaters for more than 20 years; and dramatic increases in concentrations are observed after intense rain outbreaks. In this context; we developed an immunosensor for the determination of chlortoluron based on competitive binding of specific monoclonal antibodies on chlortoluron and immobilized biotinylated chlortoluron; followed by electrochemical detection on screen-printed carbon electrodes. The optimized immunosensor exhibited a logarithmic response in the range 0.01–10 µg·L−1; with a calculated detection limit (LOD) of 22.4 ng·L−1; which is below the maximum levels allowed by the legislation (0.1 µg·L−1). The immunosensor was used for the determination of chlortoluron in natural groundwaters, showing the absence of matrix effects.
Histopathologic discrepancies between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection specimens in nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract For patients with nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (NADETs), endoscopic forceps biopsy results that reflect the final histopathologic results of the entire lesion are indispensable for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment modality selection. This study aimed to investigate the histopathologic discrepancies between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection specimens in NADETs and to elucidate the factors contributing to such discrepancies. This retrospective observational study included 105 patients (105 lesions) who underwent endoscopic resection for NADETs at the Pusan National University Hospital between May 2006 and October 2019. NADETs were classified as low-grade intraepithelial neoplasms (LGINs), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasms (HGINs), or adenocarcinomas. Following slide reviews, the histopathologic concordance between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection specimens was assessed for each case. The histopathologic discrepancy rate between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection specimens was 19.0% (20/105 lesions). Among the 20 diagnostically discordant lesions, up- and downgrade of the histopathologic diagnosis occurred in 17 and 3 lesions, respectively. The predominant discrepancies involved upgrades from LGIN to HGIN (n = 14) and upgrades from LGIN to adenocarcinomas (n = 2). The 3 downgraded cases included 2 from LGIN to inflammation and 1 from HGIN to LGIN. In the multivariate analyses, the old age (>67 years) was the only factor significantly associated with histopathologic upgrade (odds ratio 4.553, 95% confidence interval 1.291–15.939; P = .018). Considerable histopathologic discrepancies were observed between endoscopic forceps biopsy and endoscopic resection specimens in NADETs. Older age was significantly associated with these discrepancies.
Wide-Band Directional Couplers in Dielectric Waveguide

In this work, the H guide is proposed as an alternative in designing proximity directional couplers using dielectric guides in order to obtain coupling factors constant with the frequency, thus increasing the bandwidth of these devices. The propagation constants of the even and odd modes of the coupling zones are determined by means of Schelkunoff's method and the effective dielectric constant method (EDCM). Two directional couplers, 10 dB and 3 dB, made of polystyrene and Teflon respectively, were designed and measured to work in the millimetric frequency band (32-40 GHz). The inclusion of metallic walls in the curved zones avoids additional couplings and results in flat coupling. Furthermore, the metallic walls reduce the radiation losses and allow the coupling factor to be finely adjusted. The results obtained show a maximum coupling variation of +-0.5 dB for 20-percent bandwidth.
Efficacy of Hair Total Mercury Content as a Biomarker of Methylmercury Exposure to Communities in the Area of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru

Total mercury content (THg) in hair is an accepted biomarker for chronic dietary methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. In artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities, the validity of this biomarker is questioned because of the potential for contamination from inorganic mercury. As mining communities may have both inorganic and organic mercury exposures, the efficacy of the hair-THg biomarker needs to be evaluated, particularly as nations begin population exposure assessments under their commitments to the Minamata Convention. We sought to validate the efficacy of hair THg for public health monitoring of MeHg exposures for populations living in ASGM communities. We quantified both THg and MeHg contents in hair from a representative subset of participants (N = 287) in a large, population-level mercury exposure assessment in the ASGM region in Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru. We compared population MeHg-THg correlations and %MeHg values with demographic variables including community location, sex, occupation, and nativity. We observed that hair MeHg-THg correlations were high (r > 0.7) for all communities, regardless of location or nativity. Specifically, for individuals within ASGM communities, 81% (121 of 150 total) had hair THg predominantly in the form of MeHg (i.e., >66% of THg) and reflective of dietary exposure to mercury. Furthermore, for individuals with hair THg exceeding the U.S. EPA threshold (1.0 μg/g), 88 out of 106 (83%) had MeHg as the predominant form. As a result, had urine THg solely been used for mercury exposure monitoring, approximately 59% of the ASGM population would have been misclassified as having low mercury exposure. Our results support the use of hair THg for monitoring of MeHg exposure of populations in ASGM settings where alternative biomarkers of MeHg exposure are not feasible.
Tractive force design of vegetated channels.

ABSTRACT A method is presented for applying tractive force con-cepts to the design of vegetated channels. The method is developed from previously published data on flow resistance and allowable velocities in grassed water-ways. It is intended for use in its present form as a design tool, but also provides a framework in which to place refinements as the mechanics of this type of flow become more fully understood. The protective value of vegetal channel lining is con-sidered to be derived from two related, but distinct, in-teractions of the vegetation with the flow field. The first is the generation of turbulent eddies at a significant distance from the soil boundary resulting in an increase in flow resistance, and the second is a change in the structure of the turbulent eddies in immediate proximity to the boundary. The vegetation is therefore classified in terms of two indices believed to relate directly to these ac-tions. Guidelines are provided for the selection of these indices according to type and quality of cover. This approach eliminates the need for tabulating allowable velocities for each possible combination of channel slope, soil, and vegetal cover by considering the properties of the soil and those of the vegetation separately. An additional advantage is that the existing flow resistance curves are put in equational form as a single curve family.