Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“It reminds me and motivates me”: Human-centered design and implementation of an interactive, SMS-based digital intervention to improve early retention on antiretroviral therapy: Usability and acceptability among new initiates in a high-volume, public clinic in Malawi

Background Early retention of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs is critical to improve individual clinical outcomes and viral load suppression. Although many mobile health (mHealth) interventions aim to improve retention in care, there is still lack of evidence on mHealth success or failure, including from patient’s perspectives. We describe the human-centered design (HCD) process and assess patient usability and acceptability of a two-way texting (2wT) intervention to improve early retention among new ART initiates at Lighthouse Trust clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods An iterative HCD approach focused on patient and provider users’ needs, incorporating feedback from multidisciplinary teams to adapt 2wT for the local, public clinic context. We present mixed-methods usability and acceptability results from 100 participants, 50 at 3-months and 50 at 6-months, post 2wT enrollment, and observations of these same patients completing core tasks of the 2wT system. Results Among the 100 usability respondents, 95% were satisfied with visit reminders, and 88% would recommend reminders and motivational messages to friends; however, 17% were worried about confidentiality. In observation of participant task completion, 94% were able to successfully confirm visit attendance and 73% could request appointment date change. More participants in 4–6 months group completed tasks correctly compared to 1–3 months group, although not significantly different (78% vs. 66%, p = 0.181). Qualitative results were overwhelmingly positive, but patients did note confusion with transfer reporting and concern that 2wT would not reach patients without mobile phones or with lower literacy. Conclusion The 2wT app for early ART retention appears highly usable and acceptable, hopefully creating a solid foundation for lifelong engagement in care. The HCD approach put the local team central in this process, ensuring that both patients’ and Lighthouse’s priorities, policies, and practices were forefront in 2wT optimization, raising the likelihood of 2wT success in other routine program contexts.
Sensitive detection of lipopolysaccharides by monitoring of interleukin-10 secretion from human PBMCs

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contaminations may falsify immunological experiments and are crucial for pharmaceutical products because they cause life-threatening immune reactions. Here, we present interleukin-10 (IL-10) as a reliable marker to measure LPS contents when the readout of pro-inflammatory cytokines is not favored. This animal free source assay is able to detect LPS with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.024 EU/ml by monitoring IL-10 secretions from isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
Assessment of Bio-physiological damages and cytological aberrations in cowpea varieties treated with gamma rays and sodium azide

The assessment of mutagen induced biological damage forms an important study in determining the mutagenic potency and genotypic sensitivity, a vital aspect in mutation breeding programs. A prior assessment of lethal dose (LD50), mutagen induced biological damage (alterations in bio-physiological traits and frequency of cytological aberrations) is a prerequisite for determining an optimum mutagen dose in a successful mutation breeding experiment. Therefore, in a multi-year project of mutation breeding, two widely cultivated varieties of cowpea viz., Gomati VU-89 and Pusa-578, were treated with gamma (γ) rays and sodium azide (SA) doses. The results reflected a proportionate increase in bio-physiological damages with the increase in mutagenic doses and caused a substantial reduction in mean seed germination and seedling height. Different cytological aberrations such as cytomixis, univalents, chromosome stickiness, precocious separation, unequal separation, bridges, laggards, disturbed polarity, dyads, triads, and polyads were observed in both varieties. All the mutagen doses induced a broader spectrum of cytological aberrations with varying frequencies.
Two‐stage unscented Kalman filter algorithm for fault estimation in spacecraft attitude control system

The study of fault/bias estimation based on the two-stage Kalman filter and the unscented Kalman filter in the presence of unknown random biases is addressed. Two kinds of faults are taken into account: additive faults and multiplicative faults, which are modelled as actuator faults and sensor faults in the spacecraft attitude control system (ACS). In accordance with the characteristic of the fault model of ACS, where the system state and the faults are decoupled, a novel two-stage unscented Kalman filter (TSUKF) algorithm is developed to estimate the decoupled states and biases simultaneously. By employing the unscented transform, the TSUKF algorithm does not need any linearisation of non-linear system models or the augmentation of the state, contributing to a more precise estimation. Meanwhile the computational cost is reduced by exploiting the bias-separate principle. The simulation results demonstrate the proposed algorithm when a micro-spacecraft is tracking a stable/manoeuvring target.
Measuring peak angular velocity of knee extension duringunloaded kicking: a pilot study

Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(2): 9-14, 2016 - Jump squat tests can be used to investigate the differences in the force - velocity (f-v) profile in movement that is more a sport-specific than isolated exercises such as open chain leg extension. However, squat jumps involve multi-joint movement, making it questionable which muscle is the main contributor for the movement. The main aim of this study is to develop a test of isolated knee extension that encompasses the entire range of human f-v relationship and to investigate the correlation between linear encoder and kinematic measurement of angular velocity using a camera system during unloaded kicking. One healthy male subject volunteered to participate in the study and performed 10 unloaded kicks (knee extension). A cuff was strapped around the lower leg, approximately 2 cm above the medial malleoli and connected to a linear velocity encoder (MuscleLab Ergotest version 4010, Norway). During the test sessions, threedimensional motion analysis was performed with an Oqus Motion Capture System (Qualisys, Sweden). Data were transferred to Windows-based data acquisition software (Qualisys Track Manager). There was a positive linear relationship (r = 0.94). The unloaded kicking test to determine maximum angular velocity at knee extension measured using the QTM showed that the mean angular velocity was 362˚. s-1, with the highest value being 528˚. s-1. This preliminary study suggests isokinetic dynamometry (IKD) can be used to investigate the entire range of velocities (i.e isometric – velocity maximum) of knee extension in normal human subjects. Further studies can examine the use of IKD in measuring higher velocities.
Deep Metric Learning With Locality Sensitive Mining for Self-Correcting Source Separation of Neural Spiking Signals

Automated source separation algorithms have become a central tool in neuroengineering and neuroscience, where they are used to decompose neurophysiological signal into its constituent spiking sources. However, in noisy or highly multivariate recordings these decomposition techniques often make a large number of errors. Such mistakes degrade online human-machine interfacing methods and require costly post-hoc manual cleaning in the offline setting. In this article we propose an automated error correction methodology using a deep metric learning (DML) framework, generating embedding spaces in which spiking events can be both identified and assigned to their respective sources. Furthermore, we investigate the relative ability of different DML techniques to preserve the intraclass semantic structure needed to identify incorrect class labels in neurophysiological time series. Motivated by this analysis, we propose locality sensitive mining, an easily implemented sampling-based augmentation to typical DML losses which substantially improves the local semantic structure of the embedding space. We demonstrate the utility of this method to generate embedding spaces which can be used to automatically identify incorrectly labeled spiking events with high accuracy.
Verification of EasyGain Settings in the Roger Remote Microphone System.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the EasyGain settings on a wireless receiver used with a remote microphone (RM) affected output as a function of hearing loss and receiver type. METHOD To assess the effects of the EasyGain setting on a Roger receiver, a Phonak Naida V90 superpower hearing aid (HA), two universal Roger X (02) receivers, two Roger 18 integrated receivers, and a Roger Inspiro transmitter were used. An electroacoustic evaluation was performed for five degrees of hearing loss ranging from a flat 40 to 80 dB HL, and for nine EasyGain settings from +8 to -8 dB with each Roger receiver. RESULTS A three-way analysis of variance indicated significant main effects of hearing loss, receiver type and EasyGain settings, as well as their two-way interactions (p < .05). Overall, the output of the integrated receiver was 2.77 dB higher than that of the universal receiver. The change in output with 2-dB changes in EasyGain setting varied with the degree of hearing loss. For mild hearing loss (40 and 50 dB), every 2-dB change in EasyGain produced an average of 1.93 dB (SD = 0.17) change in the root-mean-square (RMS) output. For the higher degrees of hearing loss (60, 70, and 80 dB HL), the change in RMS varied depending on the range of EasyGain setting as follows: when EasyGain was > 0 dB, every 2-dB change in EasyGain setting produced an average change in RMS output of 1.32 dB (SD = 0.41); however, when EasyGain was ≤ 0 dB, every 2-dB change resulted in a mean 1.95 dB (SD = 0.16) change. CONCLUSIONS The benefits of EasyGain technology on the RMS output are dependent on the interaction of the receiver type, degree of hearing loss, and EasyGain settings. The results highlight the importance of electroacoustic verification to determine appropriate settings for optimal audibility when using an RM system.
Antibacterial activity of epsilon-poly-l-lysine produced by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia HS4 and Paenibacillus polymyxa HS5, alone and in combination with bacteriophages

Over the past decades, antibiotic resistance has become a major clinical problem, and searching for new therapeutic strategies seems to be necessary. Using novel natural compounds, antimicrobial peptides, and bacteriophages is the most promising solution. In this study, various cationic metabolite-producer bacteria were isolated from different soil samples. Two isolates were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia HS4 (accession number: MW791428) and Paenibacillus polymyxa HS5 (accession number: MW791430) based on biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences. The cationic compound in the fermentation broth was precipitated and purified with sodium tetraphenylborate salt. The purified cationic peptide was confirmed to be epsilon-poly-l-lysine by structural and molecular analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of epsilon-poly-l-lysine was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Serratia marcescens ATCC 13880, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 by microdilution method. Furthermore, the antibacterial effects of purified epsilon-poly-l-lysine in combination with two long non-contractile tail bacteriophages against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were investigated. The results indicated great antibacterial activity of epsilon-poly-l-lysine which was produced by two novel bacteria. The epsilon-poly-l-lysine as a potent cationic antimicrobial peptide is demonstrated to possess great antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and also antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
WORKING WITH HIGH DIMENSIONAL DATA ARRANGEMENT USING FEATURE SELECTION

This paper suggested a pace Q-statistic that evaluates the performance inside the FS formula. Q-statistic 's the reason the steadiness of selected feature subset combined with conjecture precision. The paper suggested Booster to enhance the performance inside the existing FS formula. However, introduced on by an FS formula when using the conjecture precision will probably be unstable within the variations within the training set, particularly in high dimensional data. This paper proposes a completely new evaluation measure Q-statistic that's incorporated while using the steadiness within the selected feature subset furthermore for the conjecture precision. Then, we advise the Booster inside the FS formula that reinforces the benefits of the Q-statistic within the formula applied. A considerable intrinsic trouble with forward selection is, however, a switch within the decision within the initial feature can lead to an entirely different feature subset therefore the soundness within the selected volume of features can be quite low even though the selection may yield high precision. This paper proposes Q-statistic to judge the performance inside the FS formula obtaining a classifier. This is often frequently a hybrid approach to calculating the conjecture precision within the classifier combined with stability within the selected features. The MI estimation with record data involves density estimation of high dimensional data. Although much researches are really done on multivariate density estimation, high dimensional density estimation with small sample dimension remains a formidable task. Your paper proposes Booster on selecting feature subset within the given FS formula.
A Grid-Refinement-Based Approach for Modeling the Convective Boundary Layer in the Gray Zone: A Pilot Study

AbstractThe model gray zone refers to the range of grid spacings comparable to the dominant length scale of the flow. In the gray zone, the flow is partially resolved and partially subgrid scale (SGS). Neither ensemble-averaging-based parameterizations nor turbulence closures are appropriate for parameterizing the effects of SGS motions on the resolved flow. The gray zone of the convective boundary layer (CBL) is in the range of CBL depth, typically O(1) km. A new approach that seeks explicit resolution of the unstable surface layer through a nest layer of fine grid spacing is proposed to improve CBL parameterization in the gray zone. To provide the theoretical basis for the approach, a linear analytic model is presented, and one-way nested simulations are performed to investigate the dynamical coupling between the surface layer and the mixed layer. The analytic model shows that at the onset of thermal instability, the vertical and horizontal structures of the mixed layer are set by surface-layer forcings.
Identification of Rab7 as an autophagy marker: potential therapeutic approaches and the effect of Qi Teng Xiao Zhuo granule in chronic glomerulonephritis

Abstract Context Qi Teng Xiao Zhuo granule (QTXZG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for therapeutic effects on chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of QTXZG on CGN by proteomics. Materials and methods The CGN model was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by injecting adriamycin (3.5 mg/kg, Day 1; 3.0 mg/kg, Day 14) twice through the tail vein. Urine samples were collected on the 21st day; and the rats divided randomly into control, adriamycin, QTXZG administration groups. Rats in the QTXZG group received QTXZG (10.8 g/kg); control and adriamycin groups were given physiological saline once per day for 30 days. Proteomics was applied to identify the candidate proteins combined with autophagy database and verified by immunofluorescence (IF) and western blots (WB). Results 278 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified based on proteomics and Rab7 was screened as an autophagy protein biomarker. In vitro cell experiments, we found that QTXZG (20%, IC50 = 23.47%) could decrease the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-18, IL-1β, while increasing the expression of Pink1, Parkin, Rab7, Podocalyxin. The cell apoptosis rate increased from 6.68 ± 0.07 to 11.03 ± 0.36%. Overexpression of Rab7 resulted in an increase in autophagy relevant protein expression. Discussion and conclusion TCM CGN-regulating herbs (QTXZG) can exert therapeutic effects by affecting the Rab7/Pink1/Parkin pathway to promote mitochondrial autophagy. New breakthroughs in targeted Rab7 may eventually enable such applications.
Analysis of Parallelogram Mechanism used to Preserve Remote Center of Motion for Surgical Telemanipulator

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of a parallelogram mechanism commonly used to provide a kinematic remote center of motion in surgical telemanipulators. Selected types of parallel manipulator designs, encountered in commercial and laboratory-made designs described in the medical robotics literature, will serve as the research material. Among other things, computer simulations in the ANSYS 13.0 CAD/CAE software environment, employing the finite element method, will be used. The kinematics of the solution of manipulator with the parallelogram mechanism will be determined in order to provide a more complete description. These results will form the basis for the decision regarding the possibility of applying a parallelogram mechanism in an original prototype of a telemanipulator arm.
Ground Reaction Forces Generated During Rhythmical Squats as a Dynamic Loads of the Structure

Dynamic forces generated by moving persons can lead to excessive vibration of the long span, slender and lightweight structure such as floors, stairs, stadium stands and footbridges. These dynamic forces are generated during walking, running, jumping and rhythmical body swaying in vertical or horizontal direction etc. In the paper the mathematical models of the Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs) generated during squats have been presented. Elaborated models was compared to the GRFs measured during laboratory tests carried out by author in wide range of frequency using force platform. Moreover, the GRFs models were evaluated during dynamic numerical analyses and dynamic field tests of the exemplary structure (steel footbridge).
3D Full-wave Field Simulations of Double Negative Metamaterial Macrostructures

A full-wave 3D numerical analysis methodology for metamaterial structures is presented. Effective description for a double negative unit cell is found by parameter fitting of dispersive models. The obtained models are implemented in the higher level simulations to characterize large metamaterial macrostructures. The simulation results for detailed and effective representation of metamaterial macrostructures are compared and potential savings in numerical costs are pointed out.
State‐of‐the‐art document on optimal contemporary management of cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies represent significant contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Over the past decades, a progress has occurred in characterization of the genetic background and major pathophysiological mechanisms, which has been incorporated into a more nuanced diagnostic approach and risk stratification. Furthermore, medications targeting core disease processes and/or their downstream adverse effects have been introduced for several cardiomyopathies. Combined with standard care and prevention of sudden cardiac death, these novel and emerging targeted therapies offer a possibility of improving the outcomes in several cardiomyopathies. Therefore, the aim of this document is to summarize practical approaches to the treatment of cardiomyopathies, which includes the evidence‐based novel therapeutic concepts and established principles of care, tailored to the individual patient aetiology and clinical presentation of the cardiomyopathy. The scope of the document encompasses contemporary treatment of dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. It was based on an expert consensus reached at the Heart Failure Association online Workshop, held on 18 March 2021.
Isogeometric Analysis of Soil Plasticity

In this paper we present numerical simulations of soil plasticity using isogeometric analysis comparing the results to the solutions from conventional finite element method. Isogeometric analysis is a numerical method that uses nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) as basis functions instead of the Lagrangian polynomials often used in the finite element method. These functions have a higher-order of continuity, making it possible to represent complex geometries exactly. After a brief outline of the theory behind the isogeometric concept, we give a presentation of the constitutive equations, used to simulate the soil behavior in this work. The paper concludes with numerical examples in two- and three-dimensions, which assess the accuracy of isogeometric analysis for simulations of soil behavior. The numerical examples presented show, that for drained soils, the results from isogeometric analysis are overall in good agreement with the conventional finite element method in two- and three-dimensions. Thus isogeometric analysis is a good alternative to conventional finite element analysis for simulations of soil behavior.
Photobiomodulation reduces neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by downregulating CXCL10 expression

Many studies have recently highlighted the role of photobiomodulation (PBM) in neuropathic pain (NP) relief after spinal cord injury (SCI), suggesting that it may be an effective way to relieve NP after SCI. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the potential mechanisms of PBM in NP relief after SCI.
Discovery of 3-((3-amino-1H-indazol-4-yl)ethynyl)-N-(4-((4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzamide (AKE-72), a potent Pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor including the T315I gatekeeper resistant mutant

Abstract BCR-ABL inhibition is an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Herein, we report the discovery of AKE-72 (5), a diarylamide 3-aminoindazole, as a potent pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, including the imatinib-resistant mutant T315I. A focussed array of compounds 4a, 4b, and 5 has been designed based on our previously reported indazole I to improve its BCR-ABLT315I inhibitory activity. Replacing the morpholine moiety of I with the privileged tail (4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl afforded 5 (AKE-72) with IC50 values of < 0.5 nM, and 9 nM against BCR-ABLWT and BCR-ABLT315I, respectively. Moreover, AKE-72 potently inhibited a panel of other clinically important mutants in single-digit nanomolar IC50 values. AKE-72 elicited remarkable anti-leukemic activity against K-562 cell line (GI50 < 10 nM, TGI = 154 nM). In addition, AKE-72 strongly inhibited the proliferation of Ba/F3 cells expressing native BCR-ABL or its T315I mutant. Overall, AKE-72 may serve as a promising candidate for the treatment of CML, including those harbouring T315I mutation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT