Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and temporal trends of anemia in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND Anemia is an important comorbidity in heart failure (HF), and it is associated with increased adverse disease experience and mortality. Previous reports have focused mainly on HF presenting in healthcare settings. We therefore set out to establish the nationwide prevalence and temporal trends of anemia in community-based patients with HF in the US. METHODS We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination data collected over five survey cycles (2007-2016). Included were participants aged 20-80 years with self-reported diagnosis of HF. Anemia was defined using two sex specific cut offs of 13g/dl and 12g/dl (cutoff 1), and 12g/dl and 11g/dl (cutoff 2), for men and women, respectively. The Chi square test was used to compare prevalence across different categories and survey cycles. Data analysis was done using STATA 16 with p-values<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS The median hemoglobin in all HF patients was 13.5g/dl (IQR 12.4-14.5). The prevalence of anemia among community-based patients with HF in the US was 21.34% (cutoff 1) and 9.03% (cutoff 2) and has been stable from 2007-2016. The burden of anemia was disproportionately higher in NH Blacks (34.48%, 95% CI 27.12-42.67) and those with BMI < 25Kg/m2 (17.4%, 95% CI 10.9-26.64). CONCLUSION The prevalence of anemia in patients with HF in the US is at least 9% and has remained stable over the past decade. This high persistent burden with limited proven interventions should spur further efforts aimed at identifying impactful ways of addressing anemia in patients with HF.
Antifungal susceptibility of clinical Cryptococcus gattii isolates from Colombia varies among molecular types.

Cryptococcosis by Cryptococcus gattii is endemic in Colombia, affecting mostly immunocompetent hosts. Since antifungal susceptibility differs between molecular types of cryptococcal isolates, as reported elsewhere, the aim of this study was to determine if 42 Colombian clinical isolates, VGI, VGII and VGIII, differ in the susceptibility to commonly used antifungals, using Sensititre plates. Among the molecular types, six non-wild type isolates to fluconazole, voriconazole and 5-flucytosine, were identified. Besides, VGI and VGII were less susceptible to 5-flucytosine and azoles, respectively, than other molecular types. These findings support the applicability of practicing susceptibility testing, which could better guide treatment in cryptococcosis.
The Clinician and Dataset Shift in Artificial Intelligence.

To the Editor: Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are now regularly being used in medical settings,1 although regulatory oversight is inconsistent and undeveloped.2,3 Safe deployment of clinical AI requires informed clinician-users, who are generally responsible for identifying and reporting emerging problems. Clinicians may also serve as administrators in governing the use of clinical AI. A natural question follows: are clinicians adequately prepared to identify circumstances in which AI systems fail to perform their intended function reliably? A major driver of AI system malfunction is known as “dataset shift. ”4,5 Most clinical AI systems today use machine learning, algorithms that leverage statistical methods to learn key patterns from clinical data. Dataset shift occurs when a machine-learning system underperforms because of a mismatch between the data set with which it was developed and the data on which it is deployed.4 For example, the University of Michigan Hospital implemented the widely used sepsis-alerting model developed by Epic Systems; in April 2020, the model had to be deactivated because of spurious alerting owing to changes in patients’ demographic characteristics associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This was a case in which dataset shift fundamentally altered the relationship between fevers and bacterial sepsis, leading the hospital’s clinical AI governing committee (which one of the authors of this letter chairs) to decommission its use. This is an extreme example; many causes of dataset shift are more subtle. In Table 1, we present common causes of dataset shift, which we group into changes in technology (e.g., software vendors), changes in population and setting (e.g., new demographics), and changes in behavior (e.g., new reimbursement incentives); the list is not meant to be exhaustive. Successful recognition and mitigation of dataset shift require both vigilant clinicians and sound technical oversight through AI governance teams.4,5 When using an AI system, clinicians should note misalignment between the predictions of the model and their own clinical judgment, as in the sepsis example above. Clinicians who use AI systems must frequently consider whether relevant aspects of their own clinical practice are atypical or have recently changed. For their part, AI governance teams must be sure that it is easy for clinicians to report concerns about the function of AI systems and provide feedback so that the clinician who is reporting will understand that the registered concern has been noted and, if appropriate, actions to mitigate the concern have been taken. Teams must also establish AI monitoring and updating protocols that integrate technical solu-
Neurophysiological biomarkers to optimize deep brain stimulation in movement disorders

Intraoperative neurophysiological information could increase accuracy of surgical deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement. Subsequently, DBS therapy could be optimized by specifically targeting pathological activity. In Parkinson’s disease, local field potentials (LFPs) excessively synchronized in the beta band (13–35 Hz) correlate with akinetic-rigid symptoms and their response to DBS therapy, particularly low beta band suppression (13–20 Hz) and high frequency gamma facilitation (35–250 Hz). In dystonia, LFPs abnormally synchronize in the theta/alpha (4–13 Hz), beta and gamma (60–90 Hz) bands. Phasic dystonic symptoms and their response to DBS correlate with changes in theta/alpha synchronization. In essential tremor, LFPs excessively synchronize in the theta/alpha and beta bands. Adaptive DBS systems will individualize pathological characteristics of neurophysiological signals to automatically deliver therapeutic DBS pulses of specific spatial and temporal parameters.
Guiding Principles For Determining Work Shift Duration And Addressing The Effects Of Work Shift Duration On Performance, Safety, And Health.

Risks associated with fatigue that accumulates during work shifts have historically been managed through working time arrangements that specify fixed maximum durations of work shifts and minimum durations of time off. By themselves, such arrangements are not sufficient to curb risks to performance, safety, and health caused by misalignment between work schedules and the biological regulation of waking alertness and sleep. Science-based approaches for determining shift duration and mitigating associated risks, while addressing operational needs, require: 1) a recognition of the factors contributing to fatigue and fatigue-related risks; 2) an understanding of evidence-based countermeasures that may reduce fatigue and/or fatigue-related risks; and 3) an informed approach to selecting workplace-specific strategies for managing work hours. We propose a series of guiding principles to assist stakeholders with designing a shift duration decision-making process that effectively balances the need to meet operational demands with the need to manage fatigue-related risks.
Observation of composition factors of snowflakes

雪片の構成因子(構成雪結晶の数,形,粒径など)を明らかにするため,雪片を個々の結晶にほぐす方法(分離法)による観測を行い,以下の結果を得た. 構成結晶数が同じ場合,雪片の粒径は結晶の平均粒径が大きいほど大きくなること,樹枝状結晶は放射状結晶よりも平均粒径が大きいため,大きい雪片を形成することが確認された. 雪片の粒径は構成結晶の平均粒径をパラメータとして結晶数のべき関数で表され,この関係は構成結晶数10個未満とそれ以上とで異なった. 雪片の形状を仮定した簡単なモデルによる考察から,前者の関係は外形が平板状に近い付着の仕方を反映していること,後者は球状雪片に対応していることが示唆された.
Association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and lower urinary tract symptoms in children and adolescents in a community setting

ABSTRACT Introduction: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of lower tract urinary symptoms (LUTS) and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents and their association in a community setting using validated scoring instruments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2015 to December 2019, during which the parents or guardians of 431 children and adolescents from 5 to 13 years of age, attending a general pediatric outpatient clinic were interviewed. Results: The prevalence of ADHD symptoms and LUTS were 19.9% and 17.9%, respectively. Of the 82 children and adolescents with ADHD, 28% (23) had LUTS (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.75, p=0.008). Mean total DVSS score in children in the group of children presenting ADHD symptom was significantly higher than those without ADHD symptom (10.2±4.85 vs. 4.9±2.95, p=0.002). Urgency prevailed among LUTS as the most frequent symptom reported by patients with ADHD symptoms (p=0.004). Analyzing all subscales of the DVSS, the items “When your child wants to pee, can't he wait? “Your child holds the pee by crossing his legs, crouching or dancing? ” were higher in those with ADHD symptoms (p=0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Functional constipation was present in 36.4% of children with LUTS and 20.7% without LUTS (OR 4.3 95% CI 1-5.3 p=0.001). Conclusion: Children and adolescents with ADHD symptoms are 2.3 times more likely to have LUTS. The combined type of ADHD was the most prevalent among them.
Methods for enzyme library creation: Which one will you choose?

Enzyme engineering allows to explore sequence diversity in search for new properties. The scientific literature is populated with methods to create enzyme libraries for engineering purposes, however, choosing a suitable method for the creation of mutant libraries can be daunting, in particular for the novices. Here, we address both novices and experts: how can one enter the arena of enzyme library design and what guidelines can advanced users apply to select strategies best suited to their purpose? Section I is dedicated to the novices and presents an overview of established and standard methods for library creation, as well as available commercial solutions. The expert will discover an up‐to‐date tool to freshen up their repertoire (Section I) and learn of the newest methods that are likely to become a mainstay (Section II). We focus primarily on in vitro methods, presenting the advantages of each method. Our ultimate aim is to offer a selection of methods/strategies that we believe to be most useful to the enzyme engineer, whether a first‐timer or a seasoned user.
Electrochemical softening using capacitive deionization (CDI) with zeolite modified carbon electrode (ZMCE)

AbstractDivalent ions such as calcium and magnesium ions are thought to cause hardness in water inducing scale problems in the pipelines of boilers and heat exchangers. Thus, water softening has gained wide interest in water treatment technology. Although zeolite particles have been widely used as a material for the removal of divalent ions, its low ion-exchange efficiency based on diffusion-dependent process has limited their applications in water softening. Herein, we report effective electrochemical softening using zeolite with capacitive deionization (CDI), which is a desalination technology with electrochemical ad/desorption in an electric double layer. The carbon electrode with zeolite (denoted as a zeolite modified carbon electrode (ZMCE)) was prepared by the slurry and pasting method with zeolite particles and carbon black. ZMCE exhibited a significantly enhanced efficiency in the removal of divalent ions in softening using the CDI process compared to the normal softening process based on diffusio.
Individual Preferences and the Growth Dynamics of Two Political Parties: Insights through a Simple Mathematical Model

Formation and the change of individual preferences from one political party to the other has now become a common trend in most democratic countries. Many party members change their preferences over political parties due to the fact that most people are not much satisfied with the trends occurring in their party’s internal democratic principles and as a result change their respective parties. This project work developed and analyzed the use of non-linear mathematical model for the spread of two political parties, the ruling party and the opposition. We used principles borrowed from infectious diseases modeling to track the changes of the membership of each political party taking into consideration preferences. The whole population was assumed to be constant and homogeneously mixed. Steady states were analytically obtained and their stability nature discussed. Conditions for the existence of single parties and the existence of both parties were obtained. Numerical simulations were also performed to support the analytical results. This study has a potential to enrich political dynamics as nations embrace democratic principles.
Mitochondrial medicine: the future is now

© The Author(s) 2021. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Mitochondrial medicine: the future is now
An Estimation-Based Solution to Weak-Grid-Induced Small-Signal Stability Problems of Power Converters

The large-scale deployment of grid-tied power electronic converters in renewable generation, electric motor drives, and energy storage systems speeds up the global energy transition. However, the stability problems faced by power converters in weak grids, which feature large and variable grid impedances, stand as a serious challenge that has puzzled the power electronic community for more than 15 years. Existing solutions to weak-grid-induced small-signal stability problems modify system and/or control parameters so that stable operation is achieved under a certain condition. However, such solutions are problem and application-specific. Therefore, the solutions can hardly be generalized to various operating conditions or stability problems. As such, this article proposes an estimation-based solution that targets multiple weak-grid-induced small-signal stability problems, particularly for converters with grid-supportive services. The essence of the proposed solution lies in the accurate estimation of real grid information rather than the point-of-common-coupling information. For implementation, Kalman filters serve as an estimator. Subsequently, the estimated information is used to design controllers, such as voltage droop, that allow for stable power conversion. Finally, simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness and generality of the proposed solution.
Development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes with High Conductivity and Enhanced Redox Stability

Although significant advances in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology have been made, one limitation must be addressed before their benefits can be fully realized. SOFCs hold the promise of highly efficient electricity generation, low emissions, and fuel flexibility [1-3], yet the lack of toleration for oxidation and reduction cycles in the material currently used in SOFC anodes hinders the full scale application of this technology. The material that is most widely incorporated in the anode of a SOFC is a ceramic-metallic (cermet) composite of Ni and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) [1, 4]. The Ni-YSZ cermet provides catalytic activity, ionic conductivity, and electronic conductivity [5, 6], but because Ni can be oxidized at high temperatures, it is intolerant to the oxidation cycles that are encountered during the SOFC startup procedure [7]. n-doped SrTiO3 ceramic materials are a promising alternative for the Ni-based anodes [5] because ceramics are already in the oxidized state, and dopant materials can be added to provide the necessary electrical conductivity. Prior research in this area has focused on maximizing the electrical conductivity of ceramic materials without consideration for redox cycling encountered during fuel cell operation. The intent of this study was the development of new ceramic SOFC anode materials which possess electrical conductivity as well as redox stability. In an effort to identify materials possessing the essential characteristics needed for use in SOFC anodes, the conductive properties of vanadium, tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum-doped strontium titanates were investigated under realistic fuel cell
Etude de la croissance de couches minces de TiO2 et TiO2 / SiO2 par torche plasma micro-ondes à la pression atmosphérique

Un dispositif de depot chimique en phase vapeur a l’air libre, utilisant une torche a injection axiale (TIA), a ete developpe pour l’elaboration de couches minces de TiO2 et TiO2/SiO2. Les effets des parametres de depot comme la distance torche-substrat (d), la puissance micro-onde incidente et le debit de precurseur de titane (TTIP) sur (i) la morphologie et (ii) la structure cristalline des couches ont ete etudies. Dans la mesure ou ces couches sont appliquees dans le domaine de la photocatalyse heterogene, l’optimisation du procede vise dans un premier temps a permettre l’obtention d’une grande surface specifique et a favoriser la croissance de la phase anatase. En plus de l’etude de la phase plasma (par spectroscopie d’emission optique) et des interactions thermiques plasma – surface, une caracterisation complete du materiau obtenu dans les conditions optimisees ont permis de proposer un mecanisme de croissance de la couche en mode statique. Ce dernier met en evidence une croissance par reaction de surface dans la zone centrale du depot et une croissance par agglomeration de nanoparticules prealablement formees en phase plasma, dans sa zone peripherique. Enfin, la potentialite du depot d’oxydes mixtes TiO2/SiO2 a ete exploree sur une large gamme de ratio Si/Ti. Il a ete montre que quelle que soit la distance torche – substrat, trois phases sont detectees : SiO2, TiO2 et TixSiyOz. Lorsque d=10 mm, la phase de TiO2 est cristallisee sous la forme anatase, alors que lorsque d=30mm, l’ensemble de la couche est amorphe. L’addition d’une faible quantite de silice (environ 3%) au TiO2 cristallise permet d’augmenter l’activite photocatalytique du materiau d’environ 15%. Une etude preliminaire a de plus permis d’obtenir un depot sur de larges surface grâce a la mise en mouvement du substrat, ouvrant la voie a de plus larges applications.
The Preparation and Property of Carbon Foams from Carbon Black Embedded Pitch Using PU Template

To improve mechanical strength of carbon foams, the carbon black (CB) added carbon foams were fabricated by impregnating different contents of carbon black (CB) and mesophase pitch using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution into polyurethane foam and being followed by heat treatment. The cell wall-thicknesses of carbon foams were controlled by adding amounts of CB, and it was confirmed that the compressive strength of carbon foams was increased as increasing cell wall-thickness. The compressive strength had the highest value of with the highest bulk density of when adding 5 wt% CB in carbon foam. However, the thermal conductivity was decreased by adding CB in carbon foam. The results indicated that the thermal conductivities of carbon foams were reduced by increased interlayer spacing () with the addition of CB in carbon foams.
Analysis of parameters of oil and gas fields using Bayesian networks

Summary In this paper, the authors investigated the approach of Bayesian networks to the analysis of parameters of oil and gas fields. The study of existing approaches and methods of probabilistic modeling in relation to the problems of analyzing the parameters of oil and gas fields based on production data showed that the best approach should have a number of important properties: the interpretability of the model, the ability to work with various types of data, and the ability to process distributions of sufficient dimension in a reasonable time. Bayesian networks were chosen as the main tool of work, since they allow to develop models that are understandable to the specialist and allow to do this entirely on data with minimal involvement of expert knowledge. The experiments have shown that Bayesian networks are able to simulate multidimensional distributions of field parameters; the developed model can also be used to reconstruct data gaps and assess the significance of variables. A comparison was made of different architectures of Bayesian networks with different score functions. It also shows an example of assessing the information significance of the parameters of deposits.
Exchangeable Aluminium in Soils of Meghalaya and Management of A13+ Related Productivity Constraints

The study reports on exchangeable Al2+ in dominant soil series of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state and the management implications of high exchangeable Al3+ in these soils. Soils of southern region of the district, with very high rainfall and shallow soils on steep slopes. analysed high exchangeable Al3+ in the surface as well as in the subsoil due to rapid leaching down of bases and residual enrichment of Al3+ in exchange complex. Exchangeable Al3+ of ten exceeded the critical limit of 60 per cent in many soil series. The management strategy for these soils include cultivation of Al3+ tolerant crops and crop varieties and liming to neutralize the exchangeabie Af+ or to keep its level within safer limits. Liming to raise the pH to neutrality is not recommended as it will adversely affect crop performance in soils dominated by low activity clay minerals.
Association between insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys:a cross-sectional study

Background As one of the most common features of obesity, insulin resistance is central to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. Low insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) levels have been proven to be associated with many traditional cardiovascular risk factors, but it still remains controversy with the relationship between IGF-1 and insulin resistance. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between IGF-1 and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys.Methods We used whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) to represent insulin resistance. 70 obese prepubertal boys were included in this study, and the obese subjects were divided into two groups by using 1.285 as a threshold value for WBISI. Clinical examination and laboratory examinations were assessed for all participants.Results Among obese boys, the group of children with WBISI ≤ 1.285 had lower IGF-1 standard deviation scores (SDS) (p = 0.021) than WBISI > 1.285 group. The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis show that WBISI was positively correlated with IGF-1 SDS (β = 1.726, p = 0.002) after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion IGF-1 SDS was negatively associated with insulin resistance in obese prepubertal boys, independent of other traditional cardiovascular disease risk markers.