Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outdoor sound propagation modelling in complex environments : a new PE code coupled with a micrometeorological code

In complex environments the modelling of outdoor sound propagation implies to take into account the mixed influence of ground characteristics (topography, obstacles, impedance, etc.) and atmospheric conditions (refraction and turbulence). We have developed a new PE code coupled with a micrometeorological code in order to calculate the sound propagation above a non flat ground for realistic outdoor situations.
A healthy lifestyle during adolescence was inversely associated with fatty liver indices in early adulthood: findings from the DONALD cohort study

Abstract A healthy lifestyle during adolescence is associated with insulin sensitivity or liver enzyme levels and thus might contribute to the prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we examined the association between adherence to a hypothesis-based lifestyle score including dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration and BMI in adolescence and fatty liver indices in early adulthood. Overall, 240 participants of the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed study completed repeated measurements of lifestyle score factors during adolescence (females: 8·5–15·5 years, males: 9·5–16·5 years). Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the association between adolescent lifestyle scores and NAFLD risk (hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fatty liver index (FLI)) in early adulthood (18–30 years). Participants visited the study centre 4·9 times during adolescence and achieved on average 2·8 (min: 0·6, max: 5) out of five lifestyle score points. Inverse associations were observed between the lifestyle score and fatty liver indices (HSI: ß=−5·8 % (95 % CI −8·3, −3·1), P < 0·0001, FLI: ß=−32·4 % (95 % CI −42·9, −20·0), P < 0·0001) in the overall study population. Sex-stratified analysis confirmed these results in men, while inverse but non-significant associations were observed in women (P > 0·05). A higher lifestyle score was associated with lower HSI and FLI values, suggesting that a healthy lifestyle during adolescence might contribute to NAFLD prevention, predominantly in men. Our findings on repeatedly measured lifestyle scores in adolescents and their association with NAFLD risk in early adulthood warrant confirmation in larger study populations.
Emerging roles of BET proteins in transcription and co‐transcriptional RNA processing

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) gives rise to all nuclear protein‐coding and a large set of non‐coding RNAs, and is strictly regulated and coordinated with RNA processing. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins including BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 have been implicated in the regulation of Pol II transcription in mammalian cells. However, only recent technological advances have allowed the analysis of direct functions of individual BET proteins with high precision in cells. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of transcription control by BET proteins challenging previous longstanding views. The most studied BET protein, BRD4, emerges as a master regulator of transcription elongation with roles also in coupling nascent transcription with RNA processing. In contrast, BRD2 is globally required for the formation of transcriptional boundaries to restrict enhancer activity to nearby genes. Although these recent findings suggest non‐redundant functions of BRD4 and BRD2 in Pol II transcription, more research is needed for further clarification. Little is known about the roles of BRD3. Here, we illuminate experimental work that has initially linked BET proteins to Pol II transcription in mammalian cells, outline main methodological breakthroughs that have strongly advanced the understanding of BET protein functions, and discuss emerging roles of individual BET proteins in transcription and transcription‐coupled RNA processing. Finally, we propose an updated model for the function of BRD4 in transcription and co‐transcriptional RNA maturation.
Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis CRL1655 and Schleiferilactobacillus perolens CRL1724 inhibit the adherence of common bovine mastitis pathogens to mammary gland cells, without causing histological changes in the mammary gland

The present work assessed the ability of two selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (Schleiferilactobacillus perolens CRL1724 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CRL1655) to inhibit the adherence of bovine mastitis pathogens to mammary epithelial cells (MAC‐T) and their effects (if any) on the structure of the gland after intramammary inoculation at dry‐off.
Gender, socioeconomic status, and COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy in the US: An intersectionality approach

Abstract Previous research on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine hesitancy lacks a gender perspective, and it is unclear whether gender intersects with socioeconomic status to co‐produce inequalities in people's intent to take vaccines. The current study draws on intersectionality theory and uses data from the 2021 US Household Pulse Survey (n = 50,359). Both bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted. The results suggest that American women had a higher vaccine hesitancy rate than men. Gender interacts with socioeconomic status to shape people's vaccine hesitancy in a complex way. Specifically, women living in poverty or currently working were more vaccine‐hesitant, while poverty and employment status did not affect men's vaccine hesitancy. However, not having a college education contributed to both women's and men's COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, women were more worried about the safety of the vaccine, but men's hesitancy tended to be driven by lower perceptions of COVID‐19 dangers and belief in conspiratorial claims.
A Qualitative Study of Patient Experiences with Telemedicine Opioid Use Disorder Treatment during Covid-19

Background: The drug-related overdose crisis worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent drug policy changes to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during COVID-19 shifted some outpatient MOUD treatment into virtual settings to reduce the demand for in-person care. The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore what is gained and lost in virtual patient encounters for patients with opioid use disorder at a low-threshold, addiction treatment clinic that offers buprenorphine and harm reduction services. Methods: Patients were included in this study if they received care at the Harm Reduction and BRidges to Care (HRBR) clinic and utilized virtual visits between November 2019 and March 2021. The study was conceptualized using a health care access framework and prior studies of telemedicine acceptability. Semi-structured interviews were completed between March and April 2021. Interviews were dual-coded and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: Nineteen interviews were conducted. The sample was predominantly White (84%) and stably housed (79%) with comparable gender (male, 53%) and employment status (employed, 42%). The majority (63%) of patients preferred virtual visits compared to in-person visits (16%) or a combination of access to both (21%). Two overarching tandem domains emerged: availability-accommodation and acceptability-appropriateness. Availability-accommodation reflected participants’ desires for immediate services and reduced transportation and work or caregiving scheduling barriers, which was facilitated by virtual visits. The acceptable-appropriate domain articulated how participants felt connected to their providers, whether through in-person interactions or the mutual trust experienced during virtual visits. Conclusions: Virtual visits were perceived by participants as a valuable and critical option for accessing treatment for OUD. While many participants preferred virtual visits, some favored face-to-face visits due to relational and physical interactions with providers. Participants desired flexibility and the ability to have a choice of treatment modality depending on their needs.
Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy With Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes.

Importance There are limited high-quality, population-level data about the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy using contemporaneous comparator cohorts. Objectives To describe maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and to assess variables associated with severe disease in the pregnant population. Design, Setting, and Participants CANCOVID-Preg is an observational surveillance program for SARS-CoV-2-affected pregnancies in Canada. This analysis presents exploratory, population-level data from 6 Canadian provinces for the period of March 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. A total of 6012 pregnant persons with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test result at any time in pregnancy (primarily due to symptomatic presentation) were included and compared with 2 contemporaneous groups including age-matched female individuals with SARS-CoV-2 and unaffected pregnant persons from the pandemic time period. Exposure SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Incident infections in pregnancy were reported to CANCOVID-Preg by participating provinces/territories. Main Outcomes and Measures Maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as risk factors for severe disease (ie, disease requiring hospitalization, admission to an intensive care unit/critical care unit, and/or oxygen therapy). Results Among 6012 pregnant individuals with SARS-CoV-2 in Canada (median age, 31 [IQR, 28-35] years), the greatest proportion of cases were diagnosed at 28 to 37 weeks' gestation (35.7%). Non-White individuals were disproportionately represented. Being pregnant was associated with a significantly increased risk of SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization compared with SARS-CoV-2 cases among all women aged 20 to 49 years in the general population of Canada (7.75% vs 2.93%; relative risk, 2.65 [95% CI, 2.41-2.88]) as well as an increased risk of intensive care unit/critical care unit admission (2.01% vs 0.37%; relative risk, 5.46 [95% CI, 4.50-6.53]). Increasing age, preexisting hypertension, and greater gestational age at diagnosis were significantly associated with worse maternal outcomes. The risk of preterm birth was significantly elevated among SARS-CoV-2-affected pregnancies (11.05% vs 6.76%; relative risk, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.52-1.76]), even in cases of milder disease not requiring hospitalization, compared with unaffected pregnancies during the same time period. Conclusions and Relevance In this exploratory surveillance study conducted in Canada from March 2020 to October 2021, SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was significantly associated with increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes and preterm birth.
Covid‐19 in the absence of eosinophils: The outcome of confirmed SARS‐COV‐2 infection whilst on treatment with benralizumab

R E FE R E N C E S 1. Tubau C, Puig L. Therapeutic targeting of the IL13 pathway in skin inflammation. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2021;17(1):1525. 2. Ravn NH, Ahmadzay ZF, Christensen TA, et al. Bidirectional association between atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and other ocular surface diseases: a systematic review and metaanalysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;85(2):453461. 3. Bakker DS, Ariens L, Luijk C, et al. Goblet cell scarcity and conjunctival inflammation during treatment with dupilumab in patients with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2019;180(5):12481249. 4. Bakker DS, ter Linde JJM, Amini MM, et al. Conjunctival inflammation in dupilumabtreated atopic dermatitis comprises a multicellular infiltrate with elevated T1/T17 cytokines: a case series study. Allergy. 2021;76(12):38143817. 5. Alam J, de Paiva CS, Pflugfelder SC. Immune goblet cell interaction in the conjunctiva. Ocul Surf. 2020;18(2):326334. 6. Barnett BP, Afshari NA. Dupilumabassociated mucin deficiency (DAMD). Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2020;9(3):29. 7. Wollenberg A, Beck LA, de Bruin WM, et al. Conjunctivitis in adult patients with moderatetosevere atopic dermatitis: results from five tralokinumab clinical trials. Br J Dermatol. 2021;186(3):453465.
Combined technique as first approach in mechanical thrombectomy: Efficacy and safety of REACT catheter combined with stent retriever

Introduction Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with combined treatment including both a stent retriever and distal aspiration catheter may improve recanalization rates in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Here, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the REACT aspiration catheter used with a stent retriever. Methods This prospective study included consecutive adult patients who underwent MT with a combined technique using REACT 68 and/or 71 between June 2020 and July 2021. The primary endpoints were final and first pass mTICI 2b-3 and mTICI 2c-3 recanalization. Analysis was performed after first pass and after each attempt. Secondary safety outcomes included procedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) at 24 h, in-hospital mortality, and 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2). Results A total of 102 patients were included (median age 78; IQR: 73–87; 50.0% female). At baseline, median NIHSS score was 19 (IQR: 11–21), and ASPECTS was 9 (IQR: 8–10). Final mTICI 2b-3 recanalization was achieved in 91 (89.2%) patients and mTICI 2c-3 was achieved in 66 (64.7%). At first pass, mTICI 2b-3 was achieved in 55 (53.9%) patients, and mTICI 2c-3 in 37 (36.3%). The rate of procedural complications was 3.9% (4/102), sICH was 6.8% (7/102), in-hospital mortality was 12.7% (13/102), and 90-day functional independence was 35.6% (36/102). Conclusion A combined MT technique using a stent retriever and REACT catheter resulted in a high rate of successful recanalization and first pass recanalization in a sample of consecutive patients with AIS due to LVO in clinical use.
Negotiator Consistency, Counterpart Consistency, and Reciprocity in Behavior Across Partners: A Round-Robin Study

This research takes a new perspective on the long-standing mystery of personality in negotiation, which has seen decades of null and inconsistent findings. Grounded in interactionist theories defining personality as consistency in behaviors when placed multiple times in the same situation, the investigation examines consistency in individuals’ behavioral profiles across negotiation partners. Such consistency supports efforts to identify enduring dispositions that can predict objective and subjective outcomes. A comprehensive set of behaviors related to negotiation was coded in a round-robin study using groups of four negotiators who each took turns working with each other person. Analysis using Kenny’s Social Relations Model revealed evidence for extensive actor effects (indicating consistency in negotiators’ behavior), as well as moderate partner effects (indicating consistency in counterparts’ behavior) and dyadic reciprocity (indicating similarity in the behavior of negotiators and counterparts). We conclude with optimism for investigating the effects of personality in negotiation.
Occupation’s Role in Inclusion of Spanish-Speaking Older Adults in a Senior Center

Occupation-based literature has not explored the specific community-level occupational processes that support inclusion or exclusion of Latine older adults in senior centers. This study examined occupation at the community level and its role in the inclusion or exclusion of older adult Spanish speakers in a senior center community. In addition, it sought to examine potential roles for occupational therapy practice in this realm. A 6-month ethnographic study used interviews, observations, document review, group mapping activities, and collaborative analysis to explore occupation of a senior center as the community and staff welcomed older adult Spanish speakers. Being culturally proactive, considering values and interests, offering regular activities, and cross-group doing together encouraged cohesion and communal habits of inclusion. These tailored modes of community occupation benefit Spanish-speaking older adults. Occupational therapy practitioners have opportunities to utilize tailored community occupations to support community inclusion and cohesion for this population.
Emergency Department Presentations of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders in An Australian Regional Health District

Background: This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in emergency department (ED) presentations incurred by patients with alcohol use disorders. Methods: A retrospective quantitative analysis was conducted on patients’ ED presentations between December 2011 and January 2019 in an Australian regional health district. The health district has five EDs serving rural, regional, and metropolitan areas. Patients with alcohol use disorders were divided into two groups for comparison: those who had interactions with the community-based Drug and Alcohol (D&A) services and those who did not. Results: A total of 2,519 individual patients with alcohol use disorders made 21,715 ED presentations. Among these patients, 75.4% did not have interactions with the community-based D&A services. Compared with those who had, these patients were older, more likely to be diagnosed with abdominal pain (26.9% vs 12.0%, p < 0.001) and chest pain (16.2% vs 8.6%, p < 0.001), and had longer mean length of ED stay (7 hours and 41.7 minutes vs 6 hours and 25.6 minutes, p < 0.001). For the patients who had interactions with the community-based D&A services, their 28-day re-presentation rates decreased from 55.5% (2013–14) to 45.1% (2017–18); however, were higher than that of those who had no interactions (41.1% to 32.8%). Overall, 21.9%−24.5% of the patients were frequent ED presenters (i.e., ≥4 visits per year). Frequent ED presenters were proportionately higher among the patients who had interactions with the community-based D&A services, consistently over the relevant years. Although patients with alcohol use disorders frequently presented to EDs, their alcohol use disorders were only identified in 8.9% of their presentations. Conclusions: Patients with alcohol use disorders were often unidentified in EDs. Those who did not have interactions with the community-based D&A services were less likely to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorders when presenting to EDs.
The Impact of Homemade Laparoscopic Box Trainers on Medical Student Surgical Skills: A Randomized Control Pilot Study

Objective: While instructional videos are commonly used in surgical education, there is a paucity of data on home laparoscopic box trainers. This pilot study evaluated impacts of augmenting instructional videos with these devices. Design: This was a randomized controlled pilot study evaluating laparoscopic surgical performance on the LapSim virtual surgical simulator before and after a 2 week curriculum of instructional videos alone (n = 8, 47.1%) vs videos plus a home laparoscopic box trainer (n = 9, 52.9%). The LapSim recorded mistake number, time, and instrument path length to complete each task. Participants completed surveys about their perceptions of surgery before and after the course. Participants: Preclinical medical students were recruited. Those with extensive surgical experience or did not complete the course were excluded. Results: For the box trainer group vs the videos alone group: mean change in mistakes was −10.0 (standard deviation [SD]:17.1) vs +. 5 (SD:21.59) (P = .28); mean change in time was −433.24 (SD:304.67) seconds vs −366.16 (SD:240.10) seconds (P = .62); mean change in instrument path length was −4.27 (SD:4.38) meters vs −3.19 (SD:4.86) meters (P = .64). The box trainer group ranked “I feel as though surgery comes naturally” 1.58 points higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: .85, 2.32; P < .01) and “I am worried about being skilled at surgery” 1.26 points lower (95% CI: 2.29, −.24; P = .02) upon completing the study. The videos alone group reported no significant changes in survey responses. Conclusion: Home laparoscopic box trainers can generate confidence and reduce anxiety regarding surgical fields. This study provides a framework for future larger scale works.
Harm Reduction Policy Support among Students at Two U.S. Universities

Abstract Background: The U.S. is undergoing an opioid overdose crisis. Harm reduction (HR) policies are associated with decreased overdose deaths and incidence of communicable diseases, yet legality of HR policies differs across U.S. jurisdictions. College student perceptions of HR policies are underexplored, even though their voting behavior has increased in recent years. We sought to compare their support of different HR policies and to explore relationships between demographic characteristics and support for HR policies. Methods: We collected cross-sectional, convenience sample survey data from undergraduate students at two large public universities, one in the Midwest and one in the Southeast, during Fall 2018/Spring 2019. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Results: The final sample included 1,263 respondents. Good Samaritan laws (n = 833, 66%) and naloxone distribution (n = 476, 37.7%) were most commonly supported, while heroin maintenance treatment (n = 232, 18.4%) and heroin decriminalization (n = 208, 16.5%) were least supported. Democrat/liberal or less religious/spiritual respondents supported HR policies more than their Republican/conservative or religious/spiritual counterparts. Midwestern students were more likely to support syringe services programs. Conclusion: HR education initiatives could target religious and/or Republican/conservative students, as they have lower HR support. Among HR policies, Good Samaritan policies may be easiest to pass in college communities.
Modelling human upper-airway dynamics and dysfunction

Repetitive closure of the upper-airway characterises obstructive sleep apnea. It disrupts sleep causing excessive daytime drowsiness, and is linked to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Previous studies simulating the underlying fluid mechanics of two-dimensional channel flow are based upon velocity-driven boundaries with symmetric positioning of the soft-palate. In the first part of the present work the two-dimensional work of Balint (2001) is extended to a pressure-driven model where the stability solutions space mapped for the soft-palate, symmetrically placed within viscous channel flow. As a result of this work the modelling of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) it is proposed that modelling should focus on nasal breathing as the first indicator for the presence of OSA. Numerical simulations reveal the appearance of amplification of soft-palate displacement over several breathing cycles with asymmetric positioning of the soft-plate and for nasal breathing (single channel flow). Such events increase airway hydraulic resistance at the start of inhalation, a vulnerably period of the breathing cycle for collapse of the pharynx. In the second part of the present work three-dimensional studies are conducted for duct flow and flow through an anatomically correct reconstructed geometry, supporting the findings of the two-dimensional work of the first part. Moreover, extending understanding of anatomical interactions, through development of a three-dimensional geometry reconstruction based on an airway at the end of inhalation. Here the geometry is reconstructed from quantitative date linked to the breathing cycle, captured via an in vivo method using an adapted endoscope technique. Simulations reveal flow mechanisms that produce low-pressure regions on the side walls of the pharynx and on the soft-palate within the pharyngeal section of minimum area. Soft-palate displacement and lateral pharynx-wall iii deformations reduce further the pressures in these regions creating forces that would tend to narrow the airway owing to flow curvature. These phenomena suggest a mechanism for airway closure in the lateral direction as observed in an bronchoscope study conducted as part of this thesis.