Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone mass accrual in children

Purpose of review Bone accrual during childhood and adolescence is critical for the attainment of peak bone mass and is a major contributing factor towards osteoporosis in later life. Bone mass accrual is influenced by nonmodifiable factors, such as genetics, sex, race, ethnicity, and puberty, as well as modifiable factors, such as physical activity and diet. Recent progress in bone imaging has allowed clinicians and researchers to better measure the morphology, density, and strength of the growing skeleton, thereby encompassing key characteristics of peak bone strength. In this review, the patterning of bone accrual and contributors to these changes will be described, as well as new techniques assessing bone mass and strength in pediatric research and clinical settings. Recent findings This review discusses factors influencing peak bone mass attainment and techniques used to assess the human skeleton. Summary The rate of bone accrual and the magnitude of peak bone mass attainment occurs in specific patterns varying by sex, race, ethnicity, longitudinal growth, and body composition. Physical activity, diet, and nutritional status impact these processes. There is a need for longitudinal studies utilizing novel imaging modalities to unveil factors involved in the attainment and maintenance of peak bone strength.
Incidence and prognostic role of pleural effusion in patients with acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Pleural effusion (PE) is reported as a common complication in acute pancreatitis (AP), while the incidence of PE in AP varies widely among studies, and the association between PE and mortality is not clear. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the pooled incidence of PE in patients with AP and to evaluate the influence of PE on mortality through a meta-analysis. Method Six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and OVID) were searched thoroughly for relevant studies. Data were extracted, and Stata SE 16.0 software was applied to compute the pooled incidence of PE and assess the association between PE and mortality, taking the risk ratio (RR) as the effect size. Results Thirty-five articles involving 7,675 patients with AP were eventually included in this meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of PE was 34% (95% CI: 28%-39%), with significant heterogeneity among studies (I2=96.7%). Further analysis revealed that the pooled incidence of unilateral and small PE occupied 49% (95% CI: 21%-77%) and 59% (95% CI: 38%-81%) of AP patients complicated by PE, respectively. The subgroup analysis revealed that “region” and “examination method” may contribute to heterogeneity. PE may be associated with increased mortality in AP patients (RR 3.99, 95% CI: 1.73-9.2). Conclusion This study suggested that PE is a common complication with high pooled incidence and that PE may be associated with increased mortality in AP patients. More studies should be performed to validate our findings.
Dynamic expression analysis of peripheral blood derived small extracellular vesicle miRNAs in sepsis progression

Abstract Immune disorders caused by sepsis have recently drawn much attention. We sought to dynamically monitor the expression of small extracellular vesicle (sEV) miRNAs in peripheral blood during sepsis to explore these miRNAs as potential biomarkers for monitoring immune function in sepsis patients. This study included patients with sepsis. Blood samples were obtained from 10 patients on the first through 10th days, the 12th day and the 14th day since sepsis onset, resulting in 120 collected samples. Serum sEVs were extracted from peripheral venous blood, and levels of MIR497HG, miR‐195, miR‐497, and PD‐L1 in serum sEVs were detected by qPCR, and clinical information was recorded. Our study revealed that the levels of MIR497HG, miR‐195, miR‐497 and PD‐L1 in serum sEVs showed periodic changes; the time from peak to trough was approximately 4–5 days. The levels of sEV MIR497HG and miR‐195 had a positive linear relationship with SOFA score (r values were −0.181 and −0.189; p values were 0.048 and 0.039, respectively). The recorded quantities of sEV MIR497HG, miR‐195 and PD‐L1 showed a substantial correlation with ARDS. ROC curve analysis revealed that sEV MIR497HG, miR‐195 and miR‐497 could predict the 28‐day mortality of sepsis patients with an AUC of 0.66, 0.68 and 0.72, respectively. Levels of sEVs MIR497HG, miR‐195, miR‐497 and PD‐L1 showed periodic changes with the immune status of sepsis, which provides a new exploration direction for immune function biomarkers and immunotherapy timing in sepsis patients.
Acoustic Estimates of Distribution and Biomass of Different Acoustic Scattering Types Between the New England Shelf Break and Slope Waters

Acoustic Estimates of Distribution and Biomass for Different Scattering Types Between the New England Continental Shelf Break and Slope Waters Alexander McLaren Due to their great ecological significance, mesopelagic fishes are attracting a wider audience on account of the large biomass they represent. Data from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provided the opportunity to explore an unknown region of the North-West Atlantic, adjacent to one of the most productive fisheries in the world. Acoustic data collected during the cruise required the identification of acoustically distinct scattering types to make inferences on the migrations, distributions and biomass of mesopelagic scattering layers. Six scattering types were identified by the proposed method in our data and traces their migrations and distributions in the top 200m of the water column. This method was able to detect and trace the movements of three scattering types to 1000m depth, two of which can be further subdivided. This process of identification enabled the development of three physically-derived target-strength models adapted to traceable acoustic scattering types for the analysis of biomass and length distribution to 1000m depth. The abundance and distribution of acoustic targets varied closely in relation to varying physical environments associated with a warm core ring in the New England continental Shelf break region. The continental shelf break produces biomass density estimates that are twice as high as the warm core ring and the surrounding continental slope waters are an order of magnitude lower than either estimate. Biomass associated with distinct layers is assessed and any benefits brought about by upwelling at the edge of the warm core ring are shown not to result in higher abundance of deepwater species. Finally, asymmetric diurnal migrations in shelf break waters contrasts markedly with the symmetry of migrating layers within the warm ring, both in structure and density estimates, supporting a theory of predatorial and nutritional constraints to migrating pelagic species.
Improving Nurses' Attitudes Toward Substance Use Disorder

Abstract Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) encounter many barriers to healthcare, including negative attitudes of healthcare personnel. Compared with other healthcare professions, nurses have been reported as having less tolerant attitudes toward patients with SUD. Knowledge acquisition combined with role support has been shown to improve therapeutic attitudes of nurses toward patients with SUD. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based educational intervention aimed to improve the outcomes of patients at risk and with SUD. SBIRT education has been shown as an effective educational tool with licensed nurses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 2-hour educational session on SBIRT (Mitchell et al., 2013) improved the therapeutic attitudes of nurses toward patients with SUD. Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations guided this study with an emphasis on the nurse–patient relationship. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate nurses' attitudes pre and post a 2-hour educational session. Participants included 65 registered nurses employed in a 247-bed teaching hospital in New England. Attitudes were measured before and after the educational session using the 20-item, five-subscale Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. A paired t test was performed, showing statistically significant improvements in attitudes postintervention. Prior education on SUD significantly correlated with baseline attitudes. A standard regression model, with practice setting, family history of SUD, and prior education as dependent variables, was not predictive of baseline attitudes. The results suggest conducting SBIRT should be considered a mandatory nursing competency, both in undergraduate curriculum and among licensed nurses.
ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF JATROPHA FORESTRY SYSTEM UNDER DIFFERENT POPULATION DENSITIES

Jatropha is a potential candidate for the production of biodiesel to grow in degraded lands. Growth, physiology, CO2 sequestration and nutrient mining potentials of jatropha were assessed after 8 years of plantation with different plant densities. Growth of the plants was more during the period from April to November corresponding to foliage growth period in plants and lowest during leafless period during winter season. Maximum growth of plants was recorded under low population density plots. Inspite of lesser chlorophyll content in low density plants, net photosynthesis was higher with better nutrient uptake. Translocation of nutrients (NPK) from senescing leaves to the stem during leaf shedding period showed their greater accumulation in stem during the leafless period (March) and further depleted during the lexus foliage growth in the month of September due to their remobilization from stem to growing leaves. Jatropha effectively recharged the soil surface with organic carbon and nutrients through leaf litter and fruits drop followed by their further decomposition in soil.
Effect of Ultraviolet-C Irradiation on Quality and Natural Microflora of Asparagus Spears

The use of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light on the quality and natural microflora of asparagus spears stored at 7°C was investigated. Exposing asparagus spears to UV-C light at different dose (0, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 kJ/m 2 ) delayed ethylene production rate and vitamin C degradation but it increased the respiration rate of asparagus spears. UV-C irradiation did not show inhibition effect on natural microflora (total microbial counts, coliforms and fungi) growths of asparagus spears as compared to control. The overall quality (color and crispness) of asparagus spear was not adversely affected by UV-C treatments.
Comparative Study on Aeration Control by Automatic Oxygen Supply Device (AOSD) and Fixed ON/OFF Time Systems in Intermittently Aerated Activated Sludge Process for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

Activated sludge process (ASP) is the most widely used for wastewater treatment. It relies on microorganisms to remove pollutants. Artificial aeration is necessary to favor microbial activity and aeration time control is important not only for optimization of organic pollutants removal but also for energy saving. This study evaluates the performance of Automatic Oxygen Supply Device (AOSD) and fixed ON/OFF time aeration systems in intermittent oxic-anoxic complete mix single reactors. Wastewater and sludge inoculum from Miho rural village treatment plant, Inashiki, Ibaraki Prefecture (Lat. +36° 0' 18.06", Long.+140° 21' 26.39") were used. Experimental device consisted of 4 Runs, each composed of a 30 L aeration tank and a clarification tank of 7.5 L working volume with stirring systems. The novel AOSD system, based on Dissolved Oxygen (DO) measurement, was designed to calculate optimal aeration time in a 120min intermittent aeration cycle. It was put to test against fixed ON/OFF aeration time sets under conditions of constant influent load, temperature and air flow rate using domestic wastewater normalized to johkasou (onsite domestic wastewater treatment facility developed in Japan) standards. Effluent was weekly collected for 24 hours. Samples were analyzed for main effluent quality parameters. DO and pH of reactors were also measured. Long monitoring periods were conducted with fixed 30/90, 40/80 and 60/60 ON/OFF aeration systems. Each aeration system featured a characteristic DO profile but despite controlled
Feasibility of preemptive pharmacogenetic testing and improvement of medication treatment satisfaction among medically underserved patients

Abstract Previous findings suggest that medically underserved patients are prescribed medications with pharmacogenetic (PGx) guidelines at a high frequency. Thus, underserved patients may especially benefit from PGx testing, but little evidence exists regarding the effect of testing in this population. This pilot study aimed to generate key feasibility data and explore clinical outcomes of PGx implementation in underserved populations. Black and Latino patients were recruited from an outpatient clinic and underwent PGx testing. Feasibility measures included enrollment metrics and actionable genotype frequencies. The primary clinical outcome was patient medication treatment satisfaction 6 months after testing. Implementation outcomes included the number of healthcare provider encounters and medication changes within the 6‐month follow‐up. Effectiveness outcomes included medication adherence, patient‐perceived test value, and time spent discussing medications with providers. Ninety‐nine patients completed the study. Proton‐pump inhibitors were the most frequent PGx drug class prescribed at baseline (61%) followed by nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (36%). Patients with an actionable genotype constituted 96% of the population, whereas 28% had an actionable genotype related to their PGx drug. Patient treatment satisfaction significantly increased over the 6 months after PGx testing. In addition, medication adherence and the number of provider encounters significantly increased over the study period. In a pilot study, preemptive PGx testing was feasible in primary care clinics, improved patient treatment satisfaction and adherence, and increased the number of provider encounters in medically underserved patients. Future clinical trials are warranted to assess the long‐term effects of PGx testing in a larger diverse patient population.
Changpeipus (theropod) tracks from the Middle Jurassic of the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, Northwest China : review, new discoveries, ichnotaxonomy, preservation and palecology

Theropod footprint assemblages from the Sanjianfang Formation(Middle Jurassic) at the Shanshan tracksite,Turpan City,Xinjiang,northwest China are documented and re-described in detail.Together with new discoveries from this locality,they shed light on the different preservation and extramorphological variation of a total of 143 footprints.Ichnotaxonomically,they are assigned to the ichnospecies Changpeipus carbonicus,well known from other Jurassic tracksites of China.The presence of two distinct morphotypes,as has been proclaimed in earlier studies,is related to extramorphological variation on surfaces that indicate a soft,wet and slippery substrate.Anatomically based features supporting different ichnospecies are not present.Furthermore,the comparison with similar footprints from other localities suggests a monotypic ichnogenus Changpeipus with the type species C.carbonicus. Footprint lengths of 12.2 cm(a few isolated examples) to 47 cm at the Shanshan tracksites refl ect small to medium-sized trackmakers that can be interpreted either as different age classes or different biological species.Peculiar preservational features include a footprint that documents slipping movement of the pes by three parallel bands obviously reflecting digits II,III and IV.An associated "normally" impressed tridactyl footprint suggests that both constitute a single step.The depositional environment was a gradually expanding and deepening lacustrine setting.This is also supported by the co-occurrence of abundant invertebrate trace fossils.Contrary to earlier interpretations resulting in an assignment to Lockeia the invertebrate traces are re-assigned here to the ichnogenus Fuersichnus that can be
Language-Specific Constraints on Conversation: Evidence from Danish and Norwegian

Establishing and maintaining mutual understanding in everyday conversations is crucial. To do so, people employ a variety of conversational devices, such as backchannels, repair, and linguistic entrainment. Here, we explore whether the use of conversational devices might be influenced by cross-linguistic differences in the speakers' native language, comparing two matched languages-Danish and Norwegian-differing primarily in their sound structure, with Danish being more opaque, that is, less acoustically distinguished. Across systematically manipulated conversational contexts, we find that processes supporting mutual understanding in conversations vary with external constraints: across different contexts and, crucially, across languages. In accord with our predictions, linguistic entrainment was overall higher in Danish than in Norwegian, while backchannels and repairs presented a more nuanced pattern. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that native speakers of Danish may compensate for its opaque sound structure by adopting a top-down strategy of building more conversational redundancy through entrainment, which also might reduce the need for repairs. These results suggest that linguistic differences might be met by systematic changes in language processing and use. This paves the way for further cross-linguistic investigations and critical assessment of the interplay between cultural and linguistic factors on the one hand and conversational dynamics on the other.
Impairment of Autophagy Mediates the Uric-Acid-Induced Phenotypic Transformation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

INTRODUCTION Hyperuricemia may be involved in the phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells, thus promoting the occurrence of atherosclerosis, and autophagy may be one of the important links, but little is known about the specific molecular mechanism. METHODS We established a mouse model of hyperuricemia and studied the relationship between changes in autophagy levels and the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells. RESULTS Our study found that high uric acid levels promote the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells by inhibiting autophagy, thus enhancing their proliferation and migration abilities. If autophagy is restored, phenotypic transformation can be reversed by reducing the levels of the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 4. CONCLUSION Uric acid may induce the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells and promote the occurrence of atherosclerosis by disrupting normal autophagy.
Comprehensive stiffness regulation on multi-section snake robot with considering the parasite motion and friction effects

Snake robots have been widely used in challenging environments, such as confined spaces. However, most existing snake robots with large length/diameter ratios have low stiffness, and this limits their accuracy and utility. To remedy this, a novel ‘macro-micro’ structure aided by a new comprehensive stiffness regulation strategy is proposed in this paper. This improves the positional accuracy when operating in deep and confined spaces. Subsequently, a comprehensive strategy for regulating the stiffness of the system is then developed, along with a kinetostatic model for error prediction. The internal friction, variation of cable stiffness as a function of tension, and their effects on the structural stiffness of the snake arm under different configurations have been incorporated into the model to increase the modelling accuracy. Finally, the proposed models were validated experimentally on a physical prototype and control system (error: 4.3% and 2.5% for straight and curved configurations, respectively). The improvement in stiffness due to the adjustment of the tension in the driving cables (i.e. average 183.4%) of the snake arm is shown.
Comprehensive analysis of risk factors for surgical site infections following thoracoscopic radical resection in patients with lung cancer

Abstract Surgical site infections (SSIs) post‐thoracoscopic radical resection in lung cancer patients pose significant clinical challenges. This study aims to comprehensively identify the independent risk factors that influence the occurrence of SSIs following thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer. The study employed a retrospective analysis of 130 patients who underwent thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly defined, and ethical approvals were obtained. Patients were monitored for SSIs via clinical and biochemical markers, with data comprehensively gathered from electronic health records. Statistical analysis was rigorously conducted using SPSS v27.0, with methodologies including t‐tests, Chi‐square tests and logistic regression. The study aimed to identify independent risk factors for SSIs and incorporated a multidimensional assessment approach to provide robust, clinically relevant findings. Univariate analysis revealed surgical duration ≥3 h, non‐usage of antibiotics, presence of diabetes and elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as significant correlates for SSIs. Multivariate analysis substantiated these factors as independent risk variables: surgery duration (odds ratio [OR] = 9.698, p < 0.05), presence of diabetes (OR = 6.89, p < 0.05), elevated CRP (OR = 7.306, p < 0.05) and elevated PCT (OR = 6.838, p < 0.05). Conversely, antibiotic administration served as a protective factor (OR = 0.572, p < 0.05). Surgical duration of 3 h or more, diabetes and elevated levels of CRP and PCT significantly heighten the risk for SSIs after thoracoscopic radical resection in lung cancer patients. Perioperative antibiotic administration acts as a protective factor. Clinicians should implement tailored preventative strategies to mitigate these identified risks.
Investigation of the seismic fault that ruptured during the 7/9/99 Athens earthquake using space techniques

The 7/9/1999 Athens earthquake (5.9 Ms) caused only gravitational breaks and numerous tension cracks, rock falls and other shaking phenomena, without any surface ruptures. Despite the good agreement in the focal plane solutions (NP1: 110 -130, 50-70° SW) ambiguities in epicentre position and depth rendered the location of the seismic fault as debatable. Here we employ digital image processing techniques using a combination of Differential Interferometry, Landsat TM satellite data, Digital Elevation Mo dels (DEMs) and vector layers comprising our field observations to show that the NW-SE striking, SW-dipping Fili normal fault ruptured during this event.