Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the intensity and duration of the Southern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex edge for the period 1979–2020

Abstract. The intensity and position of the Southern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex edge is evaluated as a function of equivalent latitude over the period 1979–2020 on three isentropic levels (475, 550, and 675 K) from ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis. The study also includes an analysis of the onset and breakup dates of the polar vortex, which are determined from wind thresholds (e.g., 15.2, 20, and 25 m s−1) along the vortex edge. The vortex edge is stronger in late winter, during September–October–November, with the period of strongest intensity occurring later at the lowermost level. During the same period, we observe a lower variability of the edge position. A long-term increase in the vortex edge intensity and break-up date is observed during 1979–1999, linked to the increase in the ozone hole. A long-term decrease in the vortex onset date related to the 25 m s−1 wind threshold is also observed at 475 K during this period. The solar cycle and to a lower extent the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) modulate the interannual evolution of the strength of the vortex edge and the vortex breakup dates. A stronger vortex edge and longer vortex duration are observed in solar minimum (minSC) years, with the QBO and ENSO further modulating the solar cycle influence, especially at 475 and 550 K: during west QBO (wQBO) phases, the difference between vortex edge intensity for minSC and maxSC years is smaller than during east QBO (eQBO) phases. The polar vortex edge is stronger and lasts longer for maxSC/wQBO years than for maxSC/eQBO years. ENSO has a weaker impact but the vortex edge is somewhat stronger during cold ENSO phases for both minSC and maxSC years.
Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on the Health-Related Quality of Life (Hqol), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and mental health among COVID-19 patients; A systematic review

Objective: It is a systematic review on the COVID-19 and its post complication by using pulmonary rehabilitation as an intervention. This review paper aims at collecting, focusing, and presenting the current evidence and information on pulmonary rehabilitation to patients with COVID-19 and also its effect upon the HRQoL, ADL and mental health. Design: It is a systematic review, where 3756 studies were searched on the web of science, Scopus, PubMed, PEDro, and google scholar. published from 18th Jan 2020-19th Sep 2020. We searched the reference lists of selected studies, registries, international clinical trials, and respiratory conference abstracts to look for qualifying studies. Selection criteria; Randomised controlled trial, case reports, cohort and cross-sectional studies in which pulmonary rehabilitation as an intervention in COVID-19 patients and its effect on the HRQoL, ADL and mental anxiety depression health were included. Result: Eleven, out of 3765 studies were included, consisting of 4 RCTs, 4, cross-sectional, 2 case reports, and one cohort the studies evaluated effects of PR on HQoL, ADL, mental health, anxiety, and depression. In COVID-19 patients. The 11 studies included evaluated HQoL, ADL and mental health. among these Four studies reported using SF-36, IE (impact of the event) scale, and VAS. Three studies evaluated ADL through the FIM scale and Barthel index. Five studies evaluated mental health, depression, and anxiety using SDS (Self-Rating Depression Scale), SAS (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale), STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Scale), PHQ-9 (physical health questionnaire), MHLS(Mental Health Lifestyle Scale) and HADS(hospital anxiety and depression scale). Conclusion: The studies included in this systematic review showed that PR is an effective treatment option for patients with COVID-19, its post complications, and the effects upon HQoL, ADL, mental health, depression, and anxiety. There is a future need for more studies of a high methodological quality addressing PR effects on COVID-19 patients. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020209619.
Exploring complex-PTSD comorbidity in trauma-exposed Northern Ireland veterans

ABSTRACT Background Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) describes the results of complex, prolonged, and/or inescapable trauma, and is typified by avoidance, re-experiencing, sense of threat, affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, and interpersonal disturbances. Additionally, CPTSD is highly comorbid with other common psychopathologies. Objectives A study was conducted in a trauma-exposed UK Armed Forces Veteran population resident in Northern Ireland (N = 638, NI) to determine the prevalence of CPTSD and comorbid associations. Methods Data from the Northern Ireland Veterans Health and Wellbeing Study (NIVHWS), including self-report data describing traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, were used in a latent class analysis to identify distinct profiles of symptomology in the sample, and in a multinomial logistic regression to identify comorbidities associated with class membership. Results Three distinct classes emerged: a low endorsement ‘baseline’ class (36%), a ‘Moderate Symptomatic’ class (27%), and a high endorsement ‘Probable CPTSD’ class (37%). Both the Moderate Symptomatic and CPTSD classes were predicted by cumulative trauma exposure. Depression was highly comorbid (OR = 23.06 in CPTSD), as was anxiety (OR = 22.05 in CPTSD) and suicidal ideation (OR = 4.32 in CPTSD), with suicidal attempt associated with the CPTSD class (OR = 2.51). Conclusions Cases of probable CPTSD were more prevalent than cases of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without Difficulties in Self-Organisation (DSO) symptoms in a UK Armed Forces veteran sample, were associated with repeated/cumulative trauma, and were highly comorbid across a range of psychopathologies. Findings validate previous literature on CPTSD and indicate considerable distress and thus need for support in UK Armed Forces veterans resident in NI. HIGHLIGHTS CPTSD was more prevalent than PTSD in a UK Armed Forces veteran sample. CPTSD was associated with repeated/cumulative trauma, and was highly comorbid across a range of psychopathologies. These findings validate the previous literature on CPTSD
Litter fall and decomposition of mangrove species Avicennia marina in Surabaya east coast, Indonesia

The mangrove ecosystem is supported by leaf litter production and decomposition that accompanied the release of nutrients in system and adjacent coastal water. The release of nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus have an important role to enrich the nutritional content and is beneficial for marine organisms. In present study litter production, rate of leaf decomposition and release of nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) in mangrove habitat at Surabaya East Coast, Java, Indonesia were studied. The result showed total mangrove litter production (dry weight) ranged between around 2.15 to 3.28 g/m2/day. Among them leaf litter was the major contributor (76.26% –78.53%) followed by branches (9.43-13.27%), and reproductive parts (8.20–14, 31%). Mangrove forests in Surabaya East Coast are the result of reforestation with an area of approximately 345.6 ha which potentialy contribute nitrogen and phosphorus (109.43 to 173.549 kg/ha/ year) and (5.467 to 8.12 kg/h/year), respectively. Variations in litter decomposition indicate fluctuations input of nutrients that are important for mangrove ecosystems.
Atypical Presentation of a Urachal Carcinoma as an Enterocutaneous Fistula

Urachal carcinoma is a rare and aggressive tumor, involving the urachus and the bladder. Symptoms of urachal carcinoma usually appear at later stages of the disease; therefore, these tumors are diagnosed in advanced stages, providing limited options for curative treatment. We report the clinical case of a 60-year-old man with a urachal carcinoma which presented as a mass of the abdominal wall invading the transverse colon, creating an enterocutaneous fistula. The patient underwent an en-bloc resection of the mass, segmentary resection of the transverse colon, and partial cystectomy.
Is this good enough? On expert perception of brain tumor segmentation quality

The performance of Deep Learning (DL) segmentation algorithms is routinely determined using quantitative metrics like the Dice score and Hausdorff distance. However, these metrics show a low concordance with humans’ perception of segmentation quality. The successful collaboration of health care professionals with DL segmentation algorithms will require a detailed understanding of experts’ assessment of segmentation quality. Here, we present the results of a study on expert quality perception of brain tumor segmentations of brain MR images generated by a DL segmentation algorithm. Eight expert medical professionals were asked to grade the quality of segmentations on a scale from 1 (worst) to 4 (best). To this end, we collected four ratings for a dataset of 60 cases. We observed a low inter-rater agreement among all raters (Krippendorff’s alpha: 0.34), which potentially is a result of different internal cutoffs for the quality ratings. Several factors, including the volume of the segmentation and model uncertainty, were associated with high disagreement between raters. Furthermore, the correlations between the ratings and commonly used quantitative segmentation quality metrics ranged from no to moderate correlation. We conclude that, similar to the inter-rater variability observed for manual brain tumor segmentation, segmentation quality ratings are prone to variability due to the ambiguity of tumor boundaries and individual perceptual differences. Clearer guidelines for quality evaluation could help to mitigate these differences. Importantly, existing technical metrics do not capture clinical perception of segmentation quality. A better understanding of expert quality perception is expected to support the design of more human-centered DL algorithms for integration into the clinical workflow.
Fabrication of a novel chitosan Schiff bases hydrogel derivatives for the removal of anionic dyes from wastewater

In this research, eco-friendly chitosan Schiff base hydrogel derivatives, as new adsorbents for anionic dye, Methyl orange (MO), were synthesized via coupling with 4-dimethylamino benzaldehyde (chitosan Schiff base (I)) and benzophenone (chitosan Schiff base (II)). The adsorbents’ structure was examined and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The MO adsorption percentage of the developed chitosan Schiff bases hydrogels compared to native chitosan was studied using a batch adsorption system under different adsorption conditions. The equilibrium time reached after 40 min for the chitosan Schiff bases adsorbents, while it was found 120 min for the chitosan adsorbent and the adsorption kinetics were found to follow the pseudo-second-order model. The values of α estimated by Elovich kinetic model are 2.2786 and 2.0489 mg/g which close from the experimental values; 2.415 mg/g for chitosan Schiff base (I), and chitosan Schiff base (II). Following up the adsorption mechanism performed using intraparticle diffusion model. The obtained results indicate the governed of the MO diffusion onto chitosan Schiff bases (I) and (II) by the boundary layer effect only. While that the removal process was governed by both surface removal and intraparticle diffusion in case of the chitosan adsorbent. At the same time, the Freundlich isotherm, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherm models have been applied to the adsorption data and were found to follow the Freundlich isotherm. The Langmuir monolayer maximum adsorption capacities were found 19.92, 19.34, and 22.37 mg/g for the chitosan, chitosan Schiff base (I), and chitosan Schiff base (II), respectively. The thermodynamic nature of the adsorption process was extracted using Van’t Hoff plot. The positive values for the ΔH indicate the endothermic nature of the adsorption process.
Public participation geographical information systems (PPGIS): Participatory research methods for sustainability ‐ toolkit #1

Participatory mapping is a useful approach to engage the general public and stakeholders to communicate place-based values, behaviour, preferences and observations. The approach informs social-ecological research and land-use planning. In land-use planning, PPGIS is applicable, for example, in initial phases or for assessing project outcomes. This toolkit gives guidance on participatory mapping surveys.
Selective-Area Epitaxy of InGaAsP Buffer Multilayer for In-Plane InAs Nanowire Integration

In order to use III–V compound semiconductors as active channel materials in advanced electronic and quantum devices, it is important to achieve a good epitaxial growth on silicon substrates. As a first step toward this, we report on the selective-area growth of GaP/InGaP/InP/InAsP buffer layer nanotemplates on GaP substrates which are closely lattice-matched to silicon, suitable for the integration of in-plane InAs nanowires. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a perfect surface selectivity and uniform layer growth inside 150 and 200 nm large SiO2 mask openings. Compositional and structural characterization of the optimized structure performed by transmission electron microscopy shows the evolution of the major facet planes and allows a strain distribution analysis. Chemically uniform layers with well-defined heterointerfaces are obtained, and the topmost InAs layer is free from any dislocation. Our study demonstrates that a growth sequence of thin layers with progressively increasing lattice parameters is effective to efficiently relax the strain and eventually obtain high quality in-plane InAs nanowires on large lattice-mismatched substrates.
Emulating Succession of Boreal Mixedwood Forests in Alberta Using Understory Protection Harvesting

Understory protection harvesting is a form of partial cutting that can be used in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)-dominated stands that have understories of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). This practice involves removing 75% to 85% of the merchantable aspen while minimizing damage to the advance spruce regeneration, in addition to leaving 15% to 25% of the aspen standing to reduce potential windthrow of the spruce understory. In this paper, we summarize results from 18 stands measured 10 to 12 years after understory protection harvest. Diameter growth of spruce increased during the first five years after harvest while height growth increased during the second five-year period (5 to 10 or 7 to 12 years after release). Consistent with other studies, mortality rates of aspen trees ≥7.1 cm DBH (diameter breast height, 1.3 m) averaged 45.0% over the 10–12 year period following harvesting. Spruce mortality averaged 27.5% over the same 10–12 year period. Substantial aspen regeneration was evident across most harvested blocks, with aspen sapling densities 10–12 years from harvest being higher in removal (14,637 stems⋅ha−1) than in buffer areas (6686 stems⋅ha−1) and in extraction trails (7654 stems⋅ha−1). Spruce sapling (>1.3 m height and <4 cm DBH) densities averaged 1140 stems⋅ha−1 in removal areas at ages 10–12, with these trees likely being present as seedlings at the time of harvest. Mixedwood Growth Model projections indicate merchantable volumes averaging 168 m3⋅ha−1 (conifer) and 106 m3⋅ha−1 (deciduous) 70 years from harvest, resulting in MAI (mean annual increment) for this period averaging 2.0 m3⋅ha−1⋅y−1 with MAI for a full 150-year rotation of approximately 2.5 m3⋅ha−1⋅y−1.
Effect of Rest Interval Duration on the Volume Completed During a High-Intensity Bench Press Exercise

Abstract Hernandez, DJ, Healy, S, Giacomini, ML, and Kwon, YS. Effect of rest interval duration on the volume completed during a high-intensity bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 2981–2987, 2021—Between-set rest intervals (RIs) are one of the most important variables in resistance training; however, no known research has investigated the effects of RIs greater than 5 minutes during high-intensity strength training. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of 3 different RIs on repetition sustainability and training volume (sets × reps × resistance) during a high-intensity bench press exercise. Fifteen resistance-trained male subjects (mean ± SD, age = 25.5 ± 4.5 years, and bench press 1 repetition maximum [1RM] ratio [1RM/body mass] = 1.39 ± 0.1) completed 3 experimental sessions, during which 4 sets of the bench press were performed with 85% of 1RM load. Subjects performed the bench press using 3 different RIs in a random counterbalanced design. Data were analyzed using both a one- and two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. As sets progressed, repetitions were significantly different (p < 0.05) between all RIs, and only the 8-minute RI (p < 0.05) allowed for the complete sustainability of repetitions over 4 consecutive sets. Subjects attained the greatest training volume (p < 0.05) using an 8-minute RI between sets compared with a 2- or 5-minute RI. Similarly, a significantly greater training volume was achieved using the 5-minute RI compared with the 2-minute RI. Resistance-trained men, with the goal of greater volume during strength training, would benefit from longer RIs, specifically using an 8-minute RI between 4 consecutive sets of a bench press exercise.
BECLIN1 Is Essential for Podocyte Secretory Pathways Mediating VEGF Secretion and Podocyte-Endothelial Crosstalk

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) secretion from podocytes is crucial for maintaining endothelial integrity within the glomerular filtration barrier. However, until now, the molecular mechanisms underlying podocyte secretory function remained unclear. Through podocyte-specific deletion of BECLIN1 (ATG6 or Becn1), a key protein in autophagy initiation, we identified a major role for this molecule in anterograde Golgi trafficking. The Becn1-deficient podocytes displayed aberrant vesicle formation in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), leading to dramatic vesicle accumulation and complex disrupted patterns of intracellular vesicle trafficking and membrane dynamics. Phenotypically, podocyte-specific deletion of Becn1 resulted in early-onset glomerulosclerosis, which rapidly progressed and dramatically reduced mouse life span. Further, in vivo and in vitro studies clearly showed that VEGFA secretion, and thereby endothelial integrity, greatly depended on BECLIN1 availability and function. Being the first to demonstrate the importance of a secretory pathway for podocyte integrity and function, we identified BECLIN1 as a key component in this complex cellular process. Functionally, by promoting VEGFA secretion, a specific secretory pathway emerged as an essential component for the podocyte-endothelial crosstalk that maintains the glomerular filtration barrier.
Longitudinal passive cough monitoring and its implications for detecting changes in clinical status

Research question What is the impact of the duration of cough monitoring on its accuracy in detecting changes in the cough frequency? Materials and methods This is a statistical analysis of a prospective cohort study. Participants were recruited in the city of Pamplona (Northern Spain), and their cough frequency was passively monitored using smartphone-based acoustic artificial intelligence software. Differences in cough frequency were compared using a one-tailed Mann–Whitney U test and a randomisation routine to simulate 24-h monitoring. Results 616 participants were monitored for an aggregated duration of over 9 person-years and registered 62 325 coughs. This empiric analysis found that an individual's cough patterns are stochastic, following a binomial distribution. When compared to continuous monitoring, limiting observation to 24 h can lead to inaccurate estimates of change in cough frequency, particularly in persons with low or small changes in rate. Interpretation Detecting changes in an individual's rate of coughing is complicated by significant stochastic variability within and between days. Assessing change based solely on intermittent sampling, including 24-h, can be misleading. This is particularly problematic in detecting small changes in individuals who have a low rate and/or high variance in cough pattern. When compared to continuous monitoring, limiting observation to 24 h can lead to inaccurate estimates of change in cough frequency, influenced by its mean frequency and variance. This is important when evaluating small changes in cough frequency. https://bit.ly/3NtfPw1
Evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma

Background: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADCC) are benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, respectively, with distinct behavior. They have similar origins and cell components. E-cadherins are the main homophilic cell adhesion molecules, which play a central role in maintaining epithelial integrity, functioning in intercellular adhesion and differentiation. Hence, changes in E-cadherin function are reflected in the morphologic events associated with the cellular arrangement, movement and wound healing. Aim: To study and compare the expression of E-cadherin immunostaining in PA and ADCC. Materials and Methods: Fifteen cases of each PA and ADCC were immunohistochemically stained with E-cadherin. Five cases of normal salivary gland tissues were taken as the positive control. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: About 86.6% of PA cases showed homogeneous staining. 66.6% of cases of ADCC showed heterogeneous staining. PA, cribriform and tubular patterns of ADCC predominantly showed moderate immune-staining and solid patterns of ADCC exhibited predominantly mild immunostaining. Depending on the intensity of staining, we found a significant P value between PA and the solid variant of ADCC. Conclusion: E-cadherin proved to be a better marker for epithelial phenotypes in PAs. In ADCC difference in staining intensity between different histological subtypes suggests that further studies should be done to assess the usefulness of an immuno-marker to know the aggressive behavior of ADCC.
Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc Supplementation during Pregnancy: The Additive Value of Micronutrients on Maternal Immune Response after SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Magnesium may contribute to the immune response during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection by acting as a cofactor for immunoglobulin production and other processes required for T and B cell activity. Considering magnesium as a recommended dietary supplement during pregnancy and the possible role of magnesium deficiency in COVID-19 and its complications, the current study sought to determine the effect of magnesium and magnesium-containing nutritional supplements on the immune response following SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, as well as to observe differences in pregnancy outcomes based on the supplements taken during pregnancy. The study followed a cross-sectional design, where patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection during their pregnancy were surveyed for their preferences in nutritional supplementation and their profile compared with existing records from the institutional database. A cohort of 448 pregnant women with COVID-19 during 22 months of the pandemic was assembled, out of which 13.6% took a magnesium-only supplement, and 16.5% supplemented their diet with a combination of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Around 60% of patients in the no-supplementation group had the SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD lower than 500 U/mL, compared with 50% in those who took magnesium-based supplements. A quantity of magnesium >450 mg in the taken supplements determined higher levels of antibody titers after COVID-19. Low magnesium dosage (<450 mg) was an independent risk factor for a weak immune response (OR-1.25, p-value = 0.003). The observed findings suggest supplementing the nutritional intake of pregnant women with magnesium-based supplements to determine higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD antibodies, although causality remains unclear.